Mercy given by reviewer

Someone mentioned the other day that they were saved from reading a bad book because someone they respected had read it and reviewed it. I like that thought. Of course you have to know your reviewers and trust them. And someone can always put you down with the words "have you actually read the book?", but really it can save a lot of time and exposure to a lot of bad thought.

Here's an example, which perhaps many of us might agree with, see Tim Challies' 2/16 Review of Where Mercy Is Shown, Mercy Is Given. Sounds good in title but does anyone really want to read the book? Thanks Tim for saving me that effort.

Here's an example of a bad review (speaking of Newsweek) which quote:

The Bible is an ancient text, inapplicable in its particulars to the modern world. It’s patriarchal. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah had nothing at all to do with homosexuality.

And how a good reviewer can save me from reading both Newsweek and books the editor reviewed.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011 Exegetical malpractice in — of all places — Newsweek