Book Review: "Pure Religion"
Pure Religion: A Study of James is the third book designed for Bible class study written by brother David Bragg, a long-time preacher in Missouri. This volume was published earlier this year by the Gospel Advocate Company.
Pure Religion is close to my heart for two reasons. First, I love the book of James. Filled with practical teaching, the epistle reminds us how to live day-to-day. While there are some passages that are not “easy” to understand, overall James may very well be the most easily understood book of the New Testament. Christians need to know how to live not just on Sunday, but from Monday-Saturday. James addresses that subject.
Second, David Bragg is a great man. His other two books, Love Songs: The Song of Solomon and Memoirs of a Martyr (First and Second Peter) are both wonderful and have been reviewed on this blog before. Brother Bragg is challenged with multiple sclerosis which has caused him to give up full-time pulpit work, but it has not changed his love of the truth or his ability. Pure Religion reflects his knowledge and love of the Truth.
For those studying the book of James, I highly recommend this book. It is well-written and provides many outlines for study. Personally, I feel the book’s greatest usage is for a teacher’s manual and guide. Very rarely does one find a “class book” that has dozens of endnotes for each chapter. Brother Bragg has truly “done his homework” in preparing this volume. Chapter 10 contains the fewest endnotes, with “only” 19.
While the focus is on the message of the book, Bragg is not afraid to tackle such issues as “faith versus works,” devoting an entire chapter to that debate. That chapter alone is worth your investment in this little book.
Containing just 111 reading pages, Pure Religion is filled with helpful illustrations and study materials. It would make a welcome addition to any classroom or personal library.
As a side note, we are very pleased to announce that brother Bragg will be one of our key-note speakers for our 2008 youth rally at 9th Avenue. David, along with Mike Winkler, will be teaching us on the book of James. More about that in the coming months.
