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01/12/2013
Hi Pastor Steve,
I am about to begin teaching a Jr High / young High School Sunday School class on John's Gospel. What commentaries would you recomend to help me see it's "big picture"? I am especially interested in learning and teaching how it fits into the whole story of redeptive history. I am also interested in finding good sermon series and lectures to listen to on the book of John. Thank you! Larsen
Larsen,
Thank you for your important question. I have already done much work on this subject and I can recommend the following, by category:
A=Introductory--little or no prior knowledge of John's
gospel or the Greek New Testament
B=Intermediate--requires some knowledge of John's
gospel and background material.
C=Advance--requires some knowledge of Greek and
is more sophisticated in its knowledge of differing
positions and background material.
================================
A. J. C. Ryle, EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS ON JOHN
(3 Vol.); Banner of Truth
A. J. C. Ryle, JOHN (Crossway Classic
Commentary); Crossway--abridged and
modernized by Packer and McGrath.
[Written by one of the best men of the 19th
century, aimed specially at individuals and
families who had no evangelical local church
and could be read aloud. Ryle opens up the
riches of John's simple but profound gospel to
the person wanting to know John's Savior and
Lord.
A. Robert Yarbrough, GOSPEL OF JOHN; Moody
Press--excellent introductory material
from this TEDS and Covenant Seminary N. T.
professor and commentator.
A. James Montgomery Boice, THE GOSPEL OF
JOHN (5 volumes in 1); Zondervan--one
of Dr. Boice's best, having done his doctoral
work at Basel on WITNESS AND REVELATION
IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN; Zondervn
A. R. Kent Hughes, JOHN (Preach The Word
Series); Crossway--shows how to preach the
text in this culture to good effect.
A. Leon Morris, REFLECTIONS ON THE GOSPEL OF
JOHN; Hendrickson; originally published by
Baker as EXPOSITORY REFLECTIONS ON THE
GOSPEL OF JOHN, Professor Morris used his
retirement years to give his mature reflections
upon this book of the Bible upon which he has
already given the churches an outstanding
commentary (see below)
A. Colin Kruse, JOHN (Tyndale New Testament
Commentary); IVP Academic--has also done
the excellent companion volume on John's
epistles for the series. Good place for the
beginning student to begin.
A. Arthur W. Pink, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN;
Zondervan--stimulates thought and convicts.
A. Bruce Milne, THE MESSAGE OF JOHN (The Bible
Speaks Today Series); IVP--most helpful
exposition by the former professor at
Spurgeon's College and former pastor of 1st
Baptist Church of Vancouver, B.C., Canada. A
good theologian and good expositor.
A. R. C. Sproul, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN (St.
Andrews Expositional Commentary);
Reformation Trust--Sproul and the gospel of
John--a winning combination!
A. Richard Phillips, JOHN (Reformed Expository
Series); P & R--forthcoming
B. Gary Burge, JOHN (NIV Application Commentary
Series); Zondervan--good exegesis with thought
provoking attempts at application. He will not
reinforce your already existing prejudices in his
'bridging to today' applications.
B. F. F. Bruce, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN, Eerdmans--
solid gold, especially if you get the edition
combined with his commentary on John's
epistles. Then you have all things John.
B. John Calvin, JOHN; Crossway--edited and
updated by McGrath and Packer. Considered
one of Calvin's best.
B. Andreas Kostenberger, JOHN (Baker Exegetical
Commentary); Baker
B. D.A. Carson, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN (Pillar New
Testament Commentaries); Eerdmans-one of
his best, reflecting his earlier doctoral work
B. William Hendrickson, COMMENTARY ON JOHN;
Baker Books--perhaps his best work to help the
preacher/teacher!
C. J. Ramsey Michaels, JOHN (New International
Commentary on the New Testament);
Eerdmans--a student of John's gospel for
decades, Professor Michaels brings years of
lecturing, thinking and writing to this massive
study of John.
C. Herman Ridderbos, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN;
Eerdmans--theological exegesis and much great
theology.
C. Leon Morris, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO
JOHN; Eerdmans--perhaps Morris' best.
C. Craig Keener, A COMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL
OF JOHN (2 vol.); Hendrickson--scholarly and
evangelical
SCHOLARLY INTRODUCTIONS TO JOHN & HIS GOSPEL:
B. Robert Reymond, JOHN, BELOVED DISCIPLE (A
Survey of His Theology); Christian Focus/Mentor-
Professor Reymond gives us his mature
reflections on John and his gospel.
B. Craig Blomberg, THE HISTORICAL RELIABILITY
OF JOHN'S GOSPEL; IVP--Professor Blomberg
defends the historical trustworthiness of John's
gospel against its critics, old and modern
B. Robert Peterson, GETTING TO KNOW JOHN'S
GOSPEL; P & R--not a commentary but an
introduction to the various themes of John's
gospel. Quite helpful.
B. Andreas Kostenberger, INTRODUCING JOHN;
Baker--the best place to begin for one wanting
to understand John and his writings.
B. Andreas Kostenberger, A THEOLOGY OF JOHN'S
GOSPEL AND LETTERS; Baker--a leading expert
on all things John, this evangelical Baptist
scholar has put the church in his debt with so
many good things on John.
B. Andreas Kostenberger and Scott Swain, FATHER,
SON AND HOLY SPIRIT (The Trinity in John's
Gospel); [New Studies in Biblical Theology]; IVP
Academic--it is important for the communicator
to get his theology from the Word of God. The
Trinity is a biblical concept though not a biblical
word.
HOMILETIC HELPS ON JOHN'S GOSPEL:
B. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, THE PATH TO TRUE
HAPPINESS (John 2); Baker--classic expositions
B. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, THE ASSURANCE OF
SALVATION (Studies in Jesus' Prayer for his
own--John 17); Crossway--a modern Puritan
and the greatest preacher in the English
language in the 20th century gives a rich and
moving treatment to our Lord's intercession
for His first century disciples and his disciples
down through the centuries.
B. P. B. Power, THE "I WILL'S" OF CHRIST; Banner
of Truth--a rich meditation upon our Lord's
promises to His people of what He, Himself,
will be to them.
B. Frank Lyall, THE "I AM" SAYINGS OF JESUS;
Christian Focus/Mentor--a richly suggestive
examination of our Lord's connecting Himself
to His hearers with the "I am" sayings recorded
in John's gospel.
B. Charles Ross, THE INNER SANCTUARY (John
13-17); Banner of Truth--warm devotional
treatment of passages rightly well-worn in
believer's Bibles.
B. George Hutcheson, JOHN; Banner of Truth--
one of the best Puritan commentaries where
your head is filled, your heart is warmed and
your conscience is searched.
Well, here is a wealth of "all things John". May the Lord work in you mightily as you seek to explain my favorite gospel to your High School students.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 09:00:00 PM :: permalink
01/10/2013
Steve,
Do you have any book recommendations on the subject of anger? Thanks for this service. I read all of your posts.
Don
Don,
Thank you for your good question. If you are talking about anger in adults, I would recommend the following:
Wayne Mack, ANGER AND STRESS MANAGEMENT
GOD'S WAY; Calvary Press
Stuart Scott, ANGER, ANXIETY AND FEAR; Focus
Publishing
Robert Paul Jones, UPROOTING ANGER; P & R
David Powlison, ANGER: ESCAPING THE MAZE; P & R
(32 page booklet)
Ed Welch, LIVING WITH AN ANGRY SPOUSE; CCEF
booklet
If you are talking about anger in children and teens, I recommend the following:
Lou Priolo, HEART OF ANGER; Calvary Press
" " , HEART OF ANGER WORKBOOK; Calvary Pr.
Michael Emlet, ANGRY CHILDREN; CCEF (booklet)
May the Lord give you wisdom as you apply the truth.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 12:13:00 PM :: permalink
01/07/2013
Can you recommend a good commentary on the Canons of Dort? I am looking for help in understanding the "Rejection of Errors" sections.
Thanks. Jack
Jack,
Thank you for your question. Thomas Scott wrote a very good and accessible exposition of the Canons of Dordt.
Thomas Scott, THE ARTICLES OF THE SYNOD OF
DORT; Sprinkle Publications (hardback)
Thomas Scott was famous in his own day for writing what became the 2nd most used commentary on the whole Bible after Matthew Henry's commentary. He came to faith while in the ministry and came to see the doctrines of grace through the ministry of John Newton. As a partial act of repentance for his years of opposing and libeling the doctrines of grace, Scott wrote this scholarly exposition of the Articles. He comments upon the "Rejection of Errors" in each appropriate section. My search of the Internet finds this the most available and perhaps the best.
The Banner of Truth publishes Scott's journey in grace,
THE FORCE OF TRUTH. Scott entered the ministry because he liked to read and because he thought he would have a lot of leisure time. He married his wife because she was such a good card player! A sickness almost unto death was used by God's Spirit to awaken him to his need of salvation. Converted, he was still somewhat full of himself and vehemently opposed sovereign grace. The gentle and persistent work of John Newton helped him to see the error of his ways.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 04:39:00 PM :: permalink
01/05/2013
Pastor Steve,
What book or books represent the cream of the crop on the subject of courtship, dating, and sexual purity, that would be easy to grasp yet compelling for a teenage girl?
Greg
Greg,
Thank you for your important question. Let me recommend the following:
Nancy Leigh DeMoss, LIES YOUNG WOMEN BELIEVE;
Moody Press--(it also has a valuable COMPANION
GUIDE for personal and small group application,
daily devotions, etc.) This book is excellent in that
it exposes how the culture manipulates young
women and sells them destructive lies. Having
exposed the lies, it tells the truth in a winsome
way but one of the best authors for women,
young or old.
Elizabeth Prentiss, STEPPING HEAVENWARD; Solid
Ground Christian Books--a classic story told by
a 19th century Christian woman--a young
woman's journey from age 14 into her 40's and
the spiritual struggles met along the way and how
she met them. Many pastors make this required
reading among their female parishioners. It is that
good.
Mary Kassian, GIRLS GONE WISE (in a World Gone
Wild); Moody Press--powerfully shows that the
cultural model for young women (the "Girls Gone
Wild" videos of girls having lost their minds and
much else on Spring Breaks around the country)
is a big lie. It shows hoe the biblical model for
women, young or old, is the path to happiness.
By contrasting the wise young woman from the
wild young woman of Proverbs 7, Kassian shows
21 points of difference!
Tim Challies, MODEST (Men and Women Clothed in
the Gospel); Cruciform Press--highly recommended
by Jerry Bridges, Paul David Tripp and others as
one of the very best works on biblical modesty,
for men or women.
These should more than get you started and help any teenage girl who is teachable and has a heart for Christ and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33) will find great good in these books.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 01:41:00 PM :: permalink
12/19/2012
Why does the edition of Baxter's The Saints' Everlasting Rest published by Soli Deo Gloria a few years ago have 1068 pages but the edition published by Christian Focus and carried by CVBBS has only 672 pages? It would appear that nearly every edition I've seen, including the copy I own, is abridged. Now I'm wondering what I'm missing? I'm know some Puritans can be wordy, but can some editor cut out that much without omitting vital content?
Paul
Paul,
UPDATE--I was right. The Soli Deo Gloria edition is only 353 pages--the rest of the giant hardback is composed of other works by Baxter. And they are all in very small print. The Christian Focus edition is a much easier to read font size and so has more pages.
Thank you for an important question. I do not currently have access to either edition where I am BUT I will check into this further. You may be correct about an abridgment. But another possibility is that the font size is different in the two additions. A large type font means fewer words per page and more pages. I will check on this two editions and add to this comment soon.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 07:49:00 PM :: permalink
12/06/2012
I'm looking for a book or books that would give a history of the feminist movement in Western Culture as well as a Christian apologetic against it. Thanks in advance for any help.
Matt
Matt,
Thank you for your important question. I think there are good resources to help you. Let me recommend the following:
.
Wayne Grudem and John Piper, eds; RECOVERING
BIBLICAL MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD; Crossway
many chapters by distinctively good authors from
various backgrounds on the main issues regarding
biblical manhood and womanhood. The place to
start.
Wayne Grudem, FOUNDATIONS FOR BIBLICAL
MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD; Crossway--shows
how the principles in the previous book should be
worked out in churches
Wayne Grudem, Evangelical Feminism and Biblical
Truth: An Analysis of More Than 100 Disputed
Questions; Crossway--just published, this massive
tome covers the questions asked by feminists
within the churches and answers them from the
Bible.
Follow the footnotes for sources of modern feminism.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 12:35:00 PM :: permalink
12/03/2012
What would you recommend on Covenant theology? What would you recommend on explaining the difference between Tullian's and DeYoung's view of sanctification? thanks
Jacques
Thank you for your important question.
1. On Covenant Theology I would recommend
O. Palmer Robertson's THE CHRIST OF THE
COVENANTS (P & R); the biblical data
Peter Golding, COVENANT THEOLOGY (Christian
Focus)--a good primer
Nehemiah Coxe and John Owen, COVENANT
THEOLOGY: FROM ADAM TO CHRIST--compares
a Reformed Baptist (Coxe) and Reformed
paedo-Baptist (Owen) on their understanding
of covenant theology
Herman Witsius, THE ECONOMY OF THE
COVENANTS; Reformation Heritage--the
forward by James Packer is worth the price of
the book as he gives a great assessment of
covenant theology and it development.
2. The Difference Between Tullian's and DeYoung's
views of sanctification. Having followed this
exchange closely, I believe DeYoung is biblically,
and historically correct. Tullian's is a partial truth
masquerading as the complete truth, leaving it an
untruth (to quote James Packer on a parallel error--
Keswick Theology). The following should give you
the biblical and Reformed understanding of the
relationship between our justification and the
resulting sanctification that follows.
James Packer, 18 WORDS; Christian Focus--
formerly published by IVP as GOD'S WORDS,
Packer shows how to do biblical word studies
(the rage in the late 70's and early 80's when
the book was written) and focuses on 18 of
the most significant biblical words including
"Justification" (Word # 11) and "Holiness and
Sanctification" (Word # 14). A book to be
studied and mastered. It's that important.
John Murray, REDEMPTION: ACCOMPLISHED AND
APPLIED; Eerdmans--the classic study of the
work of Christ and how it is applied to the
believing sinner. Rich and powerful. In Part II,
REDEMPTION APPLIED, Murray has chapter 5
on Justification and chapter 7 on Sanctification.
He shows how they are different but inextricably
linked in God's "golden chain" of salvation. One
must of necessity follow the other because God
Himself is at work.
Jerry Bridges, THE PURSUIT OF HOLINESS;
NavPress
Jerry Bridges, TRANSFORMING GRACE; NavPress
Jerry Bridges, THE DISCIPLINE OF GRACE;
NavPress--a trio of books that takes the insights
of the great worthies of the Protestant and
Reformed galaxy and interweaves their insights
with Bridges' own clear and warm teaching.
Pastorally, preaching that exaggerates justification (Tullian's perspective) is called "Indicative", meaning that the preacher shows what Christ has done for the believing sinner (indicates) but not what flows out what Christ has done for the believing sinner (the Imperative). This is true in the type of preaching popularly called "Redemptive-Historical Preaching". What Christ did and where the passage under consideration fits into the grand scheme of redemption fills in the time. What should flow out of a right understanding of Indicative-Imperative is too often neglected. See the following volume for real help assessing this matter:
John Carrick, THE IMPERATIVE OF PREACHING;
Banner of Truth
I do not denigrate Tullian's person or zeal, I believe him to be biblically only partial and historically wrong.
May the Lord prosper your own understanding of these cardinal issues.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 08:02:00 PM :: permalink
11/28/2012
Dear Pastor Steve,
Thank you for your last book advice, I got a really good deal at CVBBS. While preparing for Christmas, My wife and I would like to give away some books to some friends and family that can help them understand the biblical Doctrine of Sin (Total Depravity/Total Inability). In order that they can see the glory of the Gospel in the Doctrines of Grace. Which book(s) would you recommend? Thank you for your service through your book expertise. Blessings, Pablo
Dear Brother,
Thank you for another good question. When people come to hear about the doctrines of grace, especially about the radical depravity of the human race, it is difficult to understand and personally admit about oneself.
Here are some books I think will help.
David Clotfelder, SINNERS IN THE HANDS OF A GOOD
GOD; Moody Press--a non-Reformed pastor shares
his journey coming to understand and coming to
grips with the doctrine of grace and the human
condition and God's sovereign plan. (Highly
recommended by Iain Murray!)
Terry Johnson, WHEN GRACE COMES HOME: Christian
Focus--pastor in Savannah shares how the
doctrines of God's grace and man's sinful condition
ministered to him as a California Christian growing
in the knowledge of God.
James Packer, 19 WORDS; Christian Focus--a 30 year
old book that was once published as GOD'S WORDS
(Studies in Key Biblical Themes). It bear being read
and reread and mastered by every professing
Christian. Because "word studies" and books based
on word studies have been popular, Packer shows
how to do proper word studies and takes us
through 18 of the most important words in the
Bible and studies them in context in both
testament in a tour de force of biblical theology.
The chapter titles of the words under study are:
Revelation, Scripture, The LORD, The World, Sin,
The Devil, Grace, The Mediator, Reconciliation,
Faith, Justification, Regeneration, Election,
Holiness and Sanctification, Mortify, Fellowship
and Death. I have read it several times just to keep
myself sharp on the truth. Great also for group
studies that are serious about engaging the Bible!
I hope these help. Let me know. I arranged them in order of the most "popular" to the most engaging. Each is good in its place.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 06:59:00 PM :: permalink
11/14/2012
Pastor Steve,
What book or books would you recommend for a pastor (he is currently planting a church) who does not know anything concerning the Doctrines of Grace? Perhaps books that the Lord may use in order to cause him to examine and re-think both what he believes personally, and practices in ministry. If you can name a few books in order to give them to him one at a time that would be great. Thank you for your excellent advice and expertise. Pablo Martinez
Dear Pablo,
Thank you for your important question. Let me recommend the following:
David Clotfelter, SINNERS IN THE HANDS OF A GOOD
GOD; Moody Press--user friendly description of a
pastor coming to see the goodness of God to
sinners in the doctrines of grace. Highly
recommended by Iain Murray.
John Benton, EVANGELISTIC CALVINISM; Banner of
Truth booklet--shows how the doctrines of grace
meet the deepest needs of sinners and are truly
evangelistic.
James Packer, EVANGELISM AND THE SOVEREIGNTY
OF GOD; IVP--evangelism is not the opposite of
the sovereignty of God. Packer shows how God's
sovereignty and human responsibility in taking the
gospel to sinners are "friends" not "enemies".
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, THE PLIGHT OF MAN AND THE
POWER OF GOD; Eerdmans (forward by Mark
Dever)--lectures to seminary students on the
power of the gospel and their role as preachers
of the only thing that can change lives.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, AUTHORITY; Banner of Truth--
the churches of Christ will not advance until we
truth in the authority of Christ, His Word and the
sovereign Spirit.
Iain Murray, MARTYN LLOYD-JONES: THE FIRST
FORTY YEARS; Banner of Truth--tells how MLJ
went to a mission church in a town with a 40%
unemployment rate and lots of alcoholism and
prostitution and despair. He began preaching the
gospel and within 6 months saw conversions
and within 2 years saw a mini-revival. The chapter
on revival alone will make you weep and
reconsecrate yourself to being a man of God. If the
person is not a avid reader, they might not plow
through the early chapters about his childhood and
conditions in post-WW I Wales. Tell them to read
chapters 5 through 11. I have read this book 12
times to brace myself against the onslaught of the
culture and evangelical sub-culture.
Your Book Servant,
Steve Martin
Posted: 12:57:00 AM :: permalink
11/12/2012
Who writes the Gospel book to give to the lost on John 3:16? (It's green in color, I think)
Ron
Ron,
Thank you for your question. The only gospel book(let)
that come to mind that is green is COMING TO FAITH IN CHRIST by John Benton. It is published by Banner of Truth.
I hope this helps.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 08:46:00 PM :: permalink
11/06/2012
Pastor Martin,
I'm interested in good commentaries on the book of Revelation from an amillenial viewpoint. I also appreciate the historist approach. Thanks for the help.
Terry
Terry,
Thank you for your question. Let me recommend a few:
INTRODUCTORY:
Derek Thomas, LET'S STUDY REVELATION; Banner
of Truth
Dennis Johnson, TRIUMPH OF THE LAMB; P & R
Douglas Kelly, COMMENTARY ON REVELATION;
Christian Focus/Mentor
INTERMEDIATE:
James Hamilton, REVELATION (Preach the Word
Series); Crossway
Leon Morris, REVELATION (New International
Commentary on the New Testament); Eerdmans
MORE TECHNICAL:
Greg Beale, REVELATION (New International Greek
Testament Commentary); Eerdmans
These should keep you busy and provide help for some time.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 10:31:00 AM :: permalink
11/05/2012
Dear Pastor Steve,
I’m hoping you can help me by suggesting a good biography. I’m looking to read the thoughts of other Christians who have struggled at times with feelings of dryness, feelings of being separated from our Heavenly Father or feelings of spiritual drought. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Your Brother in Christ
Thomas
Thomas,
Thank you for your important question. Let me recommend a great book, Sinclair Ferguson's DESERTED BY GOD? from the Banner of Truth. It deals with just the subjects you are seeking answers to.
I believe this will help and lead you to other sources in the footnotes.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 09:26:00 PM :: permalink
11/01/2012
Dear Pastor Steve,
What are the pecularities, differences, and intended purpose of each one of these theological masterpieces of the Puritans? William Ames' "The Marrow of Theology", Thomas Watson's "Body of Divinity", and Edward Fisher's "Marrow of Modern Divinity". Which one do you recommend to read first and what other similar works do you recommend? I am grateful for having your book expertise at CVBBS. May the Lord Bless you!
Pablo Martinez
Thank you Pablo for your kind encouragement and important questions. Let me try and answer them in order.
1.) As I understand the backgrounds of each, William Ames was a English Puritan who emigrated to Holland (The Netherlands) under persecution. The MARROW OF THEOLOGY was a basic Puritan theology for the time which was read by most of the Puritans and later by Jonathan Edwards. Thomas Watson's BODY OF DIVINITY was a commentary on the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Edward Fisher's MARROW OF MODERN DIVINITY was more controversial, especially in Scotland where it's authorship was in question. The work was much appreciated by the "Marrow men", Scot's Presbyterians who thought the Church of Scotland was being given over to formalism and legalism.
2.) Which works do I recommend first? Of those three, Watson's would be easiest and clearest and bears reading again and again. Edited for later publication by Charles Spurgeon (as least the Banner edition), it is a true gem. Then I would read Ames and finally Fisher.
3. In reading the Puritans in general, one must remember the times in which they lived, the unique cultural battles they fought, the intellectual ferment in which they operated and ministered and wrote. Let me recommend some introductory works and then some specific Puritan starters.
a. INTRODUCTORY WORKS ON THE PURITANS
(While it is always most important to read the
Puritans themselves or whoever else you want
to learn about, it can be most helpful to get a
preliminary 'lay of the land' from those who know
and appreciate them.)
--Erroll Hulse, WHO ARE THE PURITANS? (and
what did they teach); Evangelical Press--very
good primer
--James Packer, A QUEST FOR GODLINESS (The
Puritan Vision of the Christian Life); Crossway--
a lifelong Puritan lover and miner, Packer has
put us all in his debt by introducing us to the
Puritans and keeping them before us over the
decades
--Leland Ryken, WORLDLY SAINTS (The Puritans
as They Really Were); Zondervan--now some-
what eclipsed by his son, Philip, Leland has
written so many good things on the genres of
biblical literature, Bible translation theory and
practice, and this great overview of the Puritans
--Martyn Lloyd-Jones, THE PURITANS; THEIR
ORIGINS AND SUCCESSORS; Banner of Truth--
addresses given at the Puritan Conference in
England over twenty years.
--Kelly Kapic and Randall Gleason, THE DEVOTED
LIFE (An Introduction to the Puritan Classics);
IVP--two modern scholars of the Puritan and
Reformed world have edited twenty great
contributions by scholars who know the
Puritans in general and also their favorites.
Contributors include James Packer on John
Bunyan, Mike Horton on Thomas Goodwin,
Leland Ryken on John Milton, Joel Beeke on
William Ames, Kelly Kapic on John Owen,
Sinclair Ferguson on John Flavel, Ligon Duncan
on Matthew Henry, Mark Noll on the poets
Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor, Philip
Ryken on Thomas Boston as well as other
scholarly luminaries on various Puritans.
--Robert P. Martin, A GUIDE TO THE PURITANS;
Banner of Truth--an A to Z of Puritan authors,
their works in print at the time of publishing,
what Scriptures and subjects they covered.
A goldmine for ready reference.
--Joel Beeke and Randall Pederson, MEET THE
PURITANS (with a guide to Modern Reprints);
Reformation Heritage--nearly 900 pages of
all things Puritan. A reference guide that ought
to be in each pastor's library.
--Joel Beeke and Randall Pederson, THE
THEOLOGY OF THE PURITANS; Reformation
Heritage--the bookend to the above volume.
Set out in the order of s systematic theology
with its loci of subjects, this will be the "go to"
volume for some time on what the Puritans in
general and in specifics taught. Just published!
b. PURITANS TO BEGIN WITH
--Mark Deckard, HELPFUL TRUTHS IN PAST
PLACES; Christian Focus/Mentor--shows how
the genius of John Flavel, Jeremiah Burroughs,
John Owen, John Bunyan, Jonathan Edwards,
William Bridge and Thomas Brooks can be
understood and applied today in a local church
setting--wise counsel for needy Christians. A
great read!
--PURITAN PAPERBACKS from Banner of Truth
the Banner of Truth has chosen to publish
many of the greatest and most accessible
Puritan works in a paperback format for wide
distribution. I would begin here myself and
begin to plumb the depths of several Puritans
before keying on one you especially like. There
are most than twenty five volumes in this
series and it is growing all the time.
--John Bunyan, THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS; Banner of Truth and other publishers--the classical Puritan account of the Christian journey from being lost to becoming found to arriving finally at heaven. Don't stop with part one for I find part two just as edifying. Read it aloud as a family and discuss it.
Well, this should keep you out of trouble and busy for some time. May these "giant redwoods" of the Christian faith, to use Packer's description, feed your soul and make you more useful to the Master in your lifetime.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 11:36:00 PM :: permalink
10/29/2012
Will you be carring Kingdon Through Covenant by Gentry & Wellum? This seems to be a significant work to help Reformed Baptists and their Reformed Infant Baptist friends close the gap in their theological and their practise of baptism.
David,
Thank you for your question. No, CVBBS will not.
From the reviews I have read, neither Reformed covenant theologians who are paedo-baptist or credo-baptist find the book as a whole compelling. It does have some good points but does not make enough of them to yet move the paedo-baptist or Reformed credo-baptist theologians from their current positions.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 04:09:00 PM :: permalink
10/18/2012
My grandson just turned 9 years old. I'd like to get him a "real" Bible for Christmas. Do you have any recomendations for a children's Bible appropriate for that age? Thanks. Marshall
Marshall,
Thank you for your question. I recommend the ESV CHILDREN'S BIBLE. It is a "real Bible" but with charts, diagrams, illustrations, etc. to help children. You can get it with a "plain" cover or one with a picture of Jesus and children.
May the Lord bless His Word to your grandson!
Your Book Servant,
Steve Martin
Posted: 08:43:00 PM :: permalink