« CVBBS: Expert Book Advice
06/30/2009
I am doing a study on the book of Proverbs. I wanted to know what commentaries you recommend besides Charles Bridges. I noticed that most people recommend that one. I would be interested in perhaps a technical commentary as opposed to an exposition. Also, if I may pose another question, what books would you recommend for introduction to apologetics. I am desiring to understand the different approaches to apologetics and the arguments for each. From there, perhaps some of the most highly recommended books that take the various approaches. Thank you for your help. Sincerely, Vinnie
Vinnie,
Thank you for two good questions!
THE BEST COMMENTARIES ON PROVERBS:
Bruce Waltke, NEW INTERNATIONAL COMMENTARY ON THE OLD
TESTAMENT: PROVERBS (2 volumes); Eerdmans--the best technical
commentary, by an evangelical and Reformed scholar.
Charles Bridges, NEW GENEVA COMMENTARY SERIES: PROVERBS;
Banner of Truth--just famous because of his scholarship (mid 19th
century) was good and he understands the spirit of the text and
not just the letter. The best spiritual commentary on Proverbs.
Gary Brady, HEAVENLY WISDOM (Proverbs for Today); Evangelical
Press--good scholarship with contemporary application
John A. Kitchen, PROVERBS; Christian Focus/Mentor--combines
scholarship with spirituality and practicality
Derek Kidner, PROVERBS; InterVarsity Press--great wisdom and
scholarship in a small space.
THE BEST BOOKS ON THE DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO APOLOGETICS:
CLASSICAL (arguments for the existence of God, etc.)
R. C. Sproul, John Gerstner, Russ Bush and Arthur Lindsley, CLASSICAL
APOLOGETICS; Zondervan
EVIDENTIALISM (presenting the evidence)
Josh McDowell, EVIDENCE THAT DEMANDS A VERDICT; Thomas Nelson
Josh McDowell, MORE THAN A CARPENTER; Tyndale
PRESUPPOSITIONALISM (exposing men's existing sinful presuppositions
by which they are suppressing the truth)
Cornelius Van Til, CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS; P & R--the leader in
Reformed and presuppositional apologetics
Francis Schaeffer, HOW SHOULD WE THEN LIVE?; Zondervan--a one
time disciple of Van Til who went on to add his own wrinkles to
apologetics
Richard Pratt, EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE; P & R--how to teach
presupposition apologetics to teens!
IN A CLASS BY ITSELF:
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, AUTHORITY (of Jesus Christ, the Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit); Banner of Truth--the 3rd chapter on the authority of the Holy Spirit and the authority that He alone gives to a preacher or to a church is unique in Christian literature. Lloyd-Jones showed that Protestant churches are dead when the Holy Spirit withdraws his authority. Lloyd-Jones shows the comic and sad situations evangelicals have gotten themselves into when they have forgotten this. For example, prior to the Great Awakening in the United Kingdom, religion was at a low ebb. Politicians were immoral and corrupt, financial speculations had led to great abuse and financial ruin, morals were plunging, crime was rampant. The churches had few spokesmen who spoke with the authority of God. The churches were powerless and being laughingly dismissed as irrelevant. What to do? Some intellectual Christians sponsored the Boyle lectures at Oxford to show that science and Christianity were not incompatible. Few cared and fewer showed up to listen. Bishop Butler wrote his ANALOGY OF RELIGION, a kind of presuppositional apologetic for its time--but what bartenders, maid and
carpenters read big fat books of apologetics? William Paley got into the act by writing his EVIDENCES FOR CHRISTIANITY (kind of a 18th century Josh McDowell kind of work), but how many sinners care to read big fat books of apologetics? The world yawned and went on its way to hell. God raised up George Whitefield, Howell Harris, Daniel Rowlands, John and Charles Wesley and a host of other men to preach with great power, hundreds of thousands were converted out of the world, and the churches were filled and the United Kingdom changed for a century!
My point is that apologetics have their place but do not become too enamored with them. We can win many intellectual arguments and close people's mouths but still lose them if the gospel is not presented in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Your Book Servant,
Steve Martin
Posted: 07:04:00 PM :: permalink
What books would you recommend on the role and purpose of the church. I am relatively new to the reformed faith. however, there are several forms of worship in churchs that incorprate contemperary services, traditional services, dramas, and seeker-sensitve worship. As I continue to look for a church in my area that is God-centered and Biblically based it would be helpful as a resource. Thanks Scott
Scott,
Your question is an important one, thank you! I recommend the following:
THE ROLE AND PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH:
Edmund Clowney, THE CHURCH; InterVarsity Press--modern classic,
from a Presbyterian frame of reference.
Mark Dever, 9 MARKS OF A HEALTHY CHURCH; Crossway--ditto, from a
Baptist perspective
Philip Graham Ryken, CITY ON A HILL (Reclaiming the Biblical Pattern
for the Church for the 21st Century); should be more widely read
for it shares perspectives with Clowney and Dever.
Joel Beeke, THE FAMILY AT CHURCH ((Listening to Sermons and
Attending Prayer Meetings); Reformation Heritage
THE PLACE AND MODE OF WORSHIP:
John MacArthur, ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL (When the Church
Becomes Like the World); Crossway--why historical Protestant
worship has been supplanted by "dog & pony shows".
Robert Godfrey, PLEASING GOD IN OUR WORSHIP; Crossway--the best
single booklet on the subject of "Who is the audience to which
worship is addressed?".
D. G. Hart and John R. Muether, WITH REVERENCE AND AWE
(Returning to the Basics of Reformed Worship); P & R--excellent
primer on historic Reformed worship, from a Presbyterian frame of
reference.
J. Matthew Pinson, ed., PERSPECTIVES ON CHRISTIAN WORSHIP (5
Views); Broadman & Holman--a Lutheran liturgical perspective,
contemporary worship, traditional evangelical Protestant worship,
blended worship and 'emerging worship' are presented and
evaluated by 5 men representing these options.
I could recommend many more, but this is not a seminary class. These will get you started and lead you to other places if you want to study
more.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 01:31:00 PM :: permalink
06/24/2009
Pastor Martin, I love Sam Waldron's Modern Exposition of the 1689. But it has only wet my appetite for an extensive study into the Reformed Baptist Confession. Are there any other commentaries on the 1689? Does "modern exposition" imply that there is a "historic exposition?" How do I find more information about its origin and primary source material from the original authors?
Adam,
Thank you for your good question. There are no other expositions of the 1689 Baptist Confession in print that I am aware of. Professor Jim Renihan from the Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies at Westminster Seminary-California is soon to complete a major exposition of the confession by the man who is acknowledged as the world's leading expert on the Confession. While you are waiting for that, let me suggest his spiral bound TRUE CONFESSIONS, which shows how the 1689 Baptist Confession fits into the whole family of Post-Reformation Reformed Confessions. TRUE CONFESSIONS has received rave reviews by Reformed Baptists on both sides of the Atlantic. Professor Crawford Gribben went so far as to call it the book of the year when it came out. It is published by Reformed Baptist Academic Press and available from Cumberland Valley Bible Book Service.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 04:54:00 PM :: permalink
06/15/2009
Hello, Do you have the book, Leading Little Ones to God, by Marian Schooland in hardback edition? Thank you. Alan
Alan,
As far as I know, LEADING LITTLE ONES TO GOD is out of print in hardback, hopefully for the short term. Therefore, Cumberland Valley Bible Book Service does not carry it.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 06:54:00 AM :: permalink
06/12/2009
I am teaching a course on World Religions from a Christian perspective to High School students. What book (s) or resource (s) would you recommend I use for my preparation? Anything for the students themselves to read? Thank you
Kevin,
Thank you for your question. I recommend the following:
FOR THE STUDENTS THEMSELVES:
Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz, WORLD RELIGIONS & CULTS 101;
Harvest House--a reliable guide to the evangelical Protestant faith
and the various deviations from it in a student friendly format.
Cory and Burroughs, COMPARING CHRISTIANITY WITH WORLD
RELIGIONS; Moody Press--large booklet, updated version of the
earlier much used booklet, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH AND THE SPIRIT
OF ERROR.
R. C. Sproul, ULTIMATE ISSUES; video and small book; Reformation
Trust; what best answers the big questions of our existence?
R. C. Sproul, CHOOSING MY RELIGION; video and small book;
Reformation Trust--does absolute truth exist and if so, where?
FOR THE TEACHER:
Wayne House, CHARTS ON WORLD RELIGIONS; Zondervan
Timothy George, IS THE FATHER OF JESUS THE GOD OF MOHAMMED?
Zondervan
Christopher Morgan and Robert Peterson, FAITH COMES BY HEARING
(A Response to Inclusivism); IVP Academic
Christopher Skinner, THE RISE OF PAGANISM; Evangelical Press
R. C. Sproul, IF THERE IS A GOD, WHY ARE THERE ATHEISTS?;
Tyndale (currently out of print but easily accessible on the used
book market)
These should be enough fire power to teach the students and yourself.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 01:40:00 AM :: permalink
06/03/2009
I've found several books on your website that deal with amillennialism and postmillennialism. Could you recommend one in each category that you think is the "best"? Thanks for your help!
Rob,
Thank you for your question. I recommend the following:
AMIL
Anthony Hoekema, THE BIBLE AND THE FUTURE; Eerdmans
Keith Mathison, FROM AGE TO AGE (The Understanding of Biblical
Eschatology); P & R
HISTORIC PRE-MIL (as opposed to dispensational pre-mil)
Craig L. Blomberg and Sung Wook Chung, eds., A CASE FOR
HISTORIC PREMILLENIALISM; Baker Academic
POST-MIL
Iain H. Murray, THE PURITAN HOPE (Revival and the Interpretation of
Prophecy); Banner of Truth
PARTIAL PRETERISM
R. C. Sproul, THE LAST DAYS ACCORDING TO JESUS; Baker Books
[not to be confused with full or hyper preterism which is refuted in
Keith A. Mathison, ed., WHEN SHALL THESE THINGS BE? (A
Reformed Response to Hyper-Preterism); P & R
MILLENIALISM IN THE EARLY CHURCH
Charles E. Hill, REGNUM CEALORUM (Patterns of Millenial Thought
in Early Christianity); Eerdmans
I hope this helps your study.
Your book servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 01:58:00 PM :: permalink
06/01/2009
Hi Pastor Martin, I found your advice on a previous query so helpful, I'm back with another one! We are participating in a local church plant effort that has been started by the church that my husband and I have attended for many years. In the past, my husband and I have enjoyed managing the book table responsibilities, and now have the opportunity to start fresh! What would you recommend for a congregation of 50-60, some who are just being introduced to Reformed doctrines? Thanks! Megan
Megan,
It is encouraging to hear of your opportunity. May the Lord bless your work mightily and many be edified. Here is where I would start, given your have readers and non-readers, Reformed and on-the-way, adults of various ages, teens, etc.
FOR NEW READERS, NEW TO THE REFORMED FAITH, ETC.
Peter Jeffrey, FROM RELIGION TO CHRIST (The New Birth)
, ALL THINGS NEW (All that's true of a new Christian)
, WALK WORTHY (Beginning your walk as a Christian)
, STARM FIRM (Spiritual Warfare)
, CHRISTIAN HANDBOOK (How we got our Bibles, church
history and basic doctrine in one book with pictures!)
Jerry Bridges, THE GOSPEL FOR REAL LIFE (What Jesus accomplished)
, TRUSTING GOD (Even When Life Hurts); the doctrine of
providence explained and applied
, IS GOD REALLY IN CONTROL ?; providence again with the
hard cases in mind
, THE BOOKENDS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE; (the
righteousness of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit)
, THE PURSUIT OF HOLINESS (best book on the Reformed
understanding of sanctification)
, THE DISCIPLINE OF GRACE (preaching the gospel to
yourself every day
, THE GREAT EXCHANGE (my sin for His righteousness)
S. M. Hougton, SKETCHES FROM CHURCH HISTORY (covers the whole
period with many good pictures)
John Blanchard, ULTIMATE QUESTIONS (best selling evangelistic booklet)
, WHY BELIEVE THE BIBLE ? (exactly what it says)
, WHERE IS GOD WHEN THINGS GO WRONG (explains
where God is in the 9-11 and Katrina and Tsunami
times of our lives, beginning with these horrific events
Brian Edwards, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH (the inspiration, authority,
canonicity of the Bible and why its attackers are wrong)
, WHY 27 ? (explains the reason why our New Testament is
composed of 27 books and no more)
Geoff Thomas, THE SURE WORD OF GOD (great sermonic material on the
inspiration, authority, clarity, sufficiency, etc of the Bible)
James Packer, KNOWING GOD (one of the few 20th century classics)
, IN MY PLACE CONDEMNED HE STOOD (classic articles by
Packer with an additional one by Mark Dever on the cross)
, EVANGELISM AND THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD; IVP
Mark Dever, THE GOSPEL AND PERSONAL EVANGELISM (great place to
begin to train people in evangelism)
, DELIBERATE CHURCH (why we do what we do in church)
Erroll Hulse, WHO ARE THE PURITANS ? (great primer on the value of
Puritans and who they were)
Don Kistler, WHY READ THE PURITANS ? (ditto)
John Bunyan, PILGRIM'S PROGRESS (various editions of this classic)
Elizabeth Prentiss, STEPPING HEAVENWARD (19th century classic
teaching the Reformed doctrine of sanctification in the form
of a diary)
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, SPIRITUAL DEPRESSION: ITS CAUSES AND CURES
(classic that needs no commendation from me)
, AUTHORITY(of Christ, the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit)
Sinclair Ferguson, DISCOVERING GOD'S WILL (small classic)
, CHILDREN OF THE LIVING GOD (doctrine of adoption)
, GROW IN GRACE (great primer)
, THE CHRISTIAN LIFE (a doctrinal introduction)
, A HEART FOR GOD (a great motivator to grow)
John MacArthur, ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL (why Reformed churches are
different from so many broad evangelical churches)
, OUR SUFFICIENCY IN CHRIST (why we don't need to
have charismatic gifts, psychology or other such things
to buttress our status in Christ)
Walt Chantry, TODAY'S GOSPEL: AUTHENTIC OR SYNTHETIC
, SIGNS OF THE APOSTLES (why we are not pentecostals or
charismatics)
Iain Murray, THE FORGOTTEN SPURGEON (why he had been forgotten
until Murray wrote this book and why is is worth knowing)
, THE OLD EVANGELICALISM--where the power is and why
it leaves when you leave the truth)
, PENTECOST--TODAY? (is what we are going through like
that first Pentecost and the giving of the Holy Spirit
Grace Publications--their series of SIMPLIFIED CLASSICS (Ryle, Owen,
Calvin, Edwards, etc made easier to read)
GOD'S RICHES; a workbook on the doctrines of grace
Arthur Bennett, THE VALLEY OF VISION--best selling Banner of Truth
title (in paperback or leatherette)
Nancy Leigh Demoss, LIES WOMEN BELIEVE (and the truth that sets
them free); deals with the barrage of false information
besetting women
Mark Chanski, MANLY DOMINION(why/how men are to lead their homes)
, WOMANLY DOMINION (more than just a gentle and quiet
spirit)
Tedd Tripp, SHEPHERDING A CHILD'S HEART--best selling book on
parenting
Sinclair Ferguson, BIG BOOK OF BIBLE QUESTIONS
, BIG BOOK OF QUESTIONS ABOUT JESUS
Ted Donnelly, THE BIBLE'S DOCTRINE ON HEAVEN AND HELL (great
sermons put into print on this most important subject)
These should get your started. May the Lord bless your endeavor.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 04:24:00 PM :: permalink
05/27/2009
Our women's Bible study group is planning to use Calvin's Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life for an 8-week summer study. Do you know of a study guide or discussion questions available for this booklet?
Jodi,
Thank you for your question. As far as I know, no one has done a study guide for John Calvin's GOLDEN BOOKLET OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
May the Lord bless you in your study together.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 08:41:00 AM :: permalink
05/26/2009
What biography books would you recommend. I am a minister, fairly new to reformed writers, and want to start reading Biographies. Especially on Spurgeon, Edwards, and Calvin. There are so many to choose from I'm not sure where to start. Thanks, Pastor Jim
Pastor Jim,
Thank you for your question. As you scroll down through past questions asked by folks, you can find other questions about biographies. For your question specifically, I recommend:
Iain H. Murray, THE FORGOTTEN SPURGEON; Banner of Truth
Iain H. Murray, SPURGEON VS. HYPER-CALVINISM; Banner of Truth
Arnold Dallimore, SPURGEON; Crossway
Iain H. Murray, JONATHAN EDWARDS: A NEW BIOGRAPHY; Banner of
Truth
Richard Stauffer, THE HUMANNESS OF JOHN CALVIN; Solid Ground
John Piper, JOHN CALVIN: HIS PASSION FOR THE MAJESTY OF GOD;
Crossway
Robert Godfrey, JOHN CALVIN; PILGRIM AND PASTOR; P & R
These should get your started and keep you busy. They are all edifying reads.
Your book servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 10:39:00 PM :: permalink
05/08/2009
Pastor Steve, What books would you consider "essential" for a pastor's library? While I know that this list could be quite lengthy, could you pick a top 15-20? Blessings,
Chad,
Thank you for your important question. For the pastor who does not have Greek and Hebrew training, I recommend the following 40 or so:
ESV STUDY BIBLE; Crossway
NASB STUDY BIBLE; Zondervan
REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE; Reformation Trust
ESV LITERARY STUDY BIBLE; Crossway
ARCHEOLOGY STUDY BIBLE; Zondervan
NEW INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH;
Zondervan
DICTIONARY OF CHRISTIANITY IN AMERICA; IVP
S. M. Houghton, SKETCHES OF CHURCH HISTORY; Banner of Truth
R. C. Sproul, THE CONSEQUENCES OF IDEAS; Crossway
NEW BIBLE DICTIONARY; IVP/Eerdmans
DICTIONARY OF BIBLICAL IMAGERY; InterVarsity Press
COMMENTARY ON THE NEW TESTAMENT'S USE OF THE OLD
TESTAMENT; Baker
NEW LINGUISTIC AND EXEGETICAL KEY TO THE GREEK N.T.;
Zondervan
ESV COMPREHENSIVE CONCORDANCE; Crossway or NASB EXHAUSTIVE
CONCORDANCE; Zondervan
RYKEN'S BIBLE HANDBOOK; Tyndale
NEW DICTIONARY OF THEOLOGY; IVP
EVANGELICAL DICTIONARY OF THEOLOGY; Baker
James Packer, CONCISE THEOLOGY; Tyndale
James Packer, KNOWING GOD; IVP
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, GREAT DOCTRINES OF THE BIBLE; Crossway
R. C. Sproul, ESSENTIAL DOCTRINES OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH; Tyndale
James Montgomery Boice, FOUNDATIONAL THEOLOGY; IVP
Bruce Milne, KNOW THE TRUTH; IVP
James Petigru Boyce, ABSTRACT OF SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY; Founders
Press
Louis Berkhof, SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY; Eerdmans/Banner of Truth
Mark Dever, THE MESSAGE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT (Promises Made);
Crossway
Mark Dever, THE MESSAGE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT (Promises Kept);
Crossway
Matthew Henry, COMMENTARY ON THE BIBLE; Hendrickson
Matthew Poole, COMMENTARY ON THE BIBLE; Banner of Truth/
Hendrickson
JAMIESON, FAWCET AND BROWN'S COMMENTARY ON THE BIBLE;
Eerdmans
Donald Guthrie, NEW TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION; IVP
Carson and Moo, INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT; Zondervan
NEW DICTIONARY OF BIBLICAL THEOLOGY; IVP
IVP ATLAS OF BIBLE HISTORY
NEW BIBLE ATLAS; IVP
PICTORIAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE BIBLE; Zondervan
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD BIBLE ENCYCLOPEDIA; Eerdmans
WEBSTER'S NEW UNIVERSAL UNABRIDGED DICTIONARY
AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY
These should stand you well over time.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 10:55:00 AM :: permalink
05/01/2009
What are some good biographies on Charles Simeon?
Matt,
Thank you for your good question. Charles Simeon has been too overlooked by evangelicals. The following should help you.
Cumberland Valley carries the following:
John Piper, THE ROOTS OF ENDURANCE (Life and Ministries of John
Newton, Charles Simeon, William Wilberforce, etc.); Crossway
Marcus Loane, CAMBRIDGE AND THE EVANGELICAL SUCCESSION;
Christian Focus
Josiah Pratt, THE THOUGHT OF THE EVANGELICAL LEADERS (John
Newton, Thomas Scott, Charles Simeon, etc.); Banner of Truth
These include helpful biographical material on Simeon and his friends and his times. His is a life and ministry worth studying!
Out of print biographies which are very good:
H. C. G. Moule, CHARLES SIMEON
Hugh Evan Hopkins, CHARLES SIMEON OF CAMBRIDGE
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 04:20:00 PM :: permalink
04/28/2009
Dear Booklover: You recent post on Heaven piqued my interst. Several friends have recommended Heaven, by Randy Alcorn. Would you recommend this more recent addition?
Brad,
Thank you for your question. Yes, I recommend Randy Alcorn's HEAVEN, Tyndale Press. It has a lot of good material to get one thinking and is a good supplement to Ted Donnelly and others. If I understand correctly, the more recent addition has a study guide. The original edition I own is from 2004.
Your Book Servant,
Steve Martin
Steve Martin
Posted: 02:49:00 PM :: permalink
04/19/2009
What are some good books that you would recommend on Heaven, the Resurrection and the Eternal State? Thanks.
Marshall,
Thank you for your question. I recommend:
Paul Helm, THE LAST THINGS (Death, Judgment, Heaven & Hell); Banner
of Truth--very good primer by a leading theologian/philosopher who
can put the cookies down where we all can reach them.
Alec Motyer, LIFE2:THE SEQUEL (What Happens When You Die?);
Christian Focus--evangelistic
Gordon Keddie, HEAVEN; Evangelical Press
Edward Donnelly, BIBLICAL TEACHING ON THE DOCTRINES OF HEAVEN
AND HELL; Banner of Truth--the best treatment for laymen.
Bruce Milne, THE MESSAGE OF HEAVEN & HELL; InterVarsity Press--fine
work by a Baptist theologian/pastor
Tom Barnes, LIVING IN THE HOPE OF FUTURE GLORY (The GLorification
of the Christian); Evangelical Press--a good book on a subject rarely
studied or taught.
J. C. Ryle, HEAVEN (large print); various editions
Eryl Davies, HEAVEN IS A FAR BETTER PLACE; Brynterion Press
Jonathan Edwards, HEAVEN: A WORLD OF LOVE; Banner of Truth--classic
Puritan study on the love the saints enjoy in heaven
Richard Baxter, THE SAINTS EVERLASTING REST; Christian Focus--classic
Puritan study
These are the best places to start.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 08:06:00 PM :: permalink
04/08/2009
Dear Steve, What books would you recommend on Calvinistic Baptist history in England, the United States, and in the State of Georgia? Your friend, Jerry
Dear Jerry,
That's a good question. I recommend the following:
Erroll Hulse, AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BAPTISTS; Audubon Press--good,
brief introduction, with maps and helpful charts.
Tom Nettles, THE BAPTISTS; Vol. 1--BEGINNINGS IN BRITAIN; Christian
Focus/Mentor
THE BAPTISTS; Vol. 2--BEGINNINGS IN AMERICA; Christian
Focus/Mentor
THE BAPTISTS; Vol. 3--THE MODERN ERA; Christian Focus/
Mentor
A great introduction with just enough detail to satisfy without
becoming bogged down in excessive detail. Good for what you want.
James Renihan, EDIFICATION AND BEAUTY (The Practical Ecclesiology of
the English Particular Baptists, 1675-1705); Paternoster/Authentic
Media--how the 1st generations of "Reformed Baptists", the men who
produced the 1689 London Confession, did church. (This is his
reworked Ph.D. dissertation from Trinity Evangelical School under Tom
Nettles tutelage.)
Gregory Wills, DEMOCRATIC RELIGION (Freedom, Authority and Church
Discipline in the Baptist South, 1785-1900); Oxford University Press--
a most helpful study of how Baptists in Georgia (particularly) and
South Carolina of the 19th century pioneers were consistently
Calvinistic, confessional and practiced rigorous church discipline.
(This is his reworked Ph.D. dissertation at Emory University under
E. Brooks Holifield.)
Timothy George and David S. Docery, eds., THEOLOGIANS OF THE
BAPTIST TRADITION; Broadman & Holman--includes most of whom
you would want to know and profit from and a few to avoid.
Robert W. Oliver, HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH CALVINISTIC BAPTISTS
(1771-1892--from John Gill to C. H. Spurgeon); Banner of Truth--
very helpful but to me sad volume because the Baptists lost contact
with their confession of faith for 150 years and wandered in the
deserts from well to well before the fountain was republished by
Charles Spurgeon in 1855.
William B. Sprague, ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN BAPTIST PULPIT; 2
volumes; Solid Ground Christian Books--short pieces on Baptist
pulpit heroes in America.
These should get your started and keep you going for some time.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 09:26:00 PM :: permalink
03/28/2009
Pastor Martin, What apologetical books would you recommend for a fourteen year old girl? Thanks, Kirk
Kirk,
Thank you for your good question. I recommend the following:
Richard Pratt, EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE; P & R--specifically written by
this eminent scholar for high school age apologetics.
R. C. Sproul, CHOOSING MY RELIGION; Reformation Trust--book & video
R. C. Sproul, FEAR AND TREMBLING; Reformation Trust--book and video
R. C. Sproul, DEFENDING YOUR FAITH; Reformation Trust--book & video
R. C. Sproul, ULTIMATE ISSUES; Reformation Trust--book and video
Sproul has done these videos for students to answer questions on
their level. Very good material here!
This should keep this fourteen year old busy!
Your Book Servant,
Steve Martin
Posted: 09:45:00 PM :: permalink