By the end of 2023, when I finished reading Alistair Begg's Truth for Life: 365 Daily Devotions, Volume One, I knew I wanted to read Volume Two daily throughout 2024, and so I did. You can read my review of Volume One in an earlier blog post.
Unsurprisingly, I enjoyed the first one if I read a second volume. The reasons for my positive review of Volume One apply to Volume Two. To summarize them:
The devotions are long enough to dig deeper into a subject than other shorter devotional books.
The structure is consistent with a biblical emphasis. It starts with quoted Scripture, followed by Begg's devotional thoughts, and ends with a suggested additional Scripture reading related to the subject, which I always completed.
Each devotion includes additional Scripture readings for those planning to read the Bible in a year.
Begg writes as conversationally, plainly, and convincingly as he speaks.
The only dilemma I faced during 2024 while reading Volume Two was whether or not the Alistair Begg controversy that made the news in early 2024 would impact my desire to continue reading or negatively taint my experience. The controversy had to do with some horrific advice Begg gave a grandmother about attending her transgender grandson's wedding and the subsequent doubling down Begg did when the advice became known in wider circles. His subsequent sermon mistreatment of the biblical parable of the prodigal son as a means to justify and maintain his position in the controversy was undoubtedly the worst treatment of that parable I've ever heard. I longed to see repentance and recognition of giving bad advice rather than continuing to dig oneself deeper into a hole. That has not happened, as far as I know. You'll find numerous search hits on YouTube and elsewhere if you want more details about that controversy.
Nevertheless, given my previous experiences with Begg as a conference speaker and author, I was determined to give Volume Two the benefit of the doubt and to continue with it unless and until its contents were unbiblical in some way. That did not happen, just as I suspected it would not, so reading Volume Two every day of 2024 was the blessing and source of sound teaching and spiritual growth I expected it to be.
Therefore, I recommend Volumes One and Two of Alistair Begg's Truth for Life: 365 Daily Devotions. They are available for the best price at Begg's Truth for Life ministry online store. As of this post, the hardcover is only $8, and the ebook is $5.
I have been a daily consumer of devotional book content for several years. It is a worthwhile discipline in addition to my other daily Bible reading and study. I commend the practice to you as well. While you're at it, check out the print and Kindle editions of my Next Step Devotions book, which are available on Amazon.
Comments