http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/CVBBS Ask the Pastoren-usTue, 09 Feb 2010 10:32:02 ESTCopyright 1997-2010 Jonathan BarlowBarlow Content Management System
Cindy,

Thank you for your good question. Books for children can be good or bad, shallow or deep, clear or foggy. The following books are good, appropriate and biblically faithful.

Sinclair Ferguson, JESUS TEACHES ME TO BE GOOD; Christian Focus
, JESUS TEACHES ME TO BE HAPPY, Christian Focus
, JESUS TEACHES ME TO BE WISE; Christian Focus
, JESUS TEACHE ME TO PRAY; Christian Focus

Sinclair Feruson, THE BIG BOOK OF BIBLE TRUTHS, Part 2; Christian
Focus (including how we behave as Christians)

James Beeke, BIBLE DOCTRINE FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN, Part 1;
Reformation Heritage
James Beeke, BIBLE DOCTRINE FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN, Part 2;
Reformation Heritage
(These books include what we are to believe and how we are to
behave)

Carinne McKensie, MY FIRST BOOK OF CHRISTIAN VALUES; Christian
Focus--perhaps the best place to start.

A WORD OF REMINDER FOR PARENTS READING THIS QUESTION:
In the Bible, Christian behavior comes out of Christians. One must be a true Christian before one can expect the fruit of the Spirit to be shown.
For Christian parents, there is consistently a danger in expecting our children to act like Christians when they are not yet Christians. We subtly begin to engage in behavior modification rather than foster and teach heart religion and growth in grace. Teaching the Ten Commandments to our children shows them God's inviolable standards that are an extension of His holy character. When our children try to do them and fail and complain: "I can't be that way!", that becomes our cue to give them the gospel--"Reginald, that's why you need Jesus to be your Savior. He gives you a new heart (to replace your bad heart) and He gives you a new, clean record in place of the filthy record of your failures to obey". We thus apply the Law and the Gospel with our children just as a faithful pastor or evangelist applies the Law and the Gospel to their hearers. As a pastor I would never tell a crowd: "Many of you are not believers and so can't and don't do that things God commands. But God will accept a lowered standard of behavior modification because of your yet unconverted state. You don't have to love your neighbor as yourself or love your enemy; just don't kill them or say ugly things to them." Certainly, I would not be a faithful preacher to say those things. I must tell my unconverted hearers: "God commands that you obey Him and His Word 100%. And try as you might, your temporary self-reformation will not cut it. You need a clean record in place of your life record of law-breaking; you need a new heart that genuinely wants to obey God and His Word. [2nd Corinthians 5:21; Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 3:1-10, etc.] Turn from your sins and turn to Jesus now and He will give you a clean record and He will give you a new heart."

To read more on applying the Law and Gospel to our children's hearts, Tedd Tripp's book, SHEPHERDING A CHILD'S HEART is very good at explaining this to parents and applying it to our children. It is a best
seller.

Thank you for letting me digress a bit. The Lord bless your efforts.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=672 http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=672 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:40:00 EST
Rob,

Yes they do. I suggest you call their 800 number and order it by phone. If it should be temporarily out of stock, they could order it for you and have it in days.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=670 http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=670 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:31:00 EST
Rob,

Thank you for your discerning question. The Banner of Truth hardback edition of Gurnall's classic on spiritual warfare is the complete edition. It is in 17th century English which is daunting for some (e.g. King James version of the Bible English). The 3 volume paperback edition was commissioned by Last Days Ministries (made famous by the Christian singer/song writer Keith Green and his wife Melody). A couple of members of Last Days Ministries worked on the editing, updating the language, shortening sentences, paragraphs, etc. It is much easier for the average reader to read. Finally, Moody Press has a CHRISTIAN IN COMPLETE ARMOR DEVOTIONAL book which has readings for every day of the year from the book.

I recommend that you buy the 3 volume paperback edition.

I hope that helps you in making a decision.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=669 http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=669 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:52:00 EST
Dan,

Thank you for your kind encouragement. There are very good helps on John's "Upper Room Discourse". I recommend the following:

Martyn Lloyd-Jones, THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION (John 17);
Crossway--highly recommended though Lloyd-Jones only covers
chapter 17.

Charles Ross, THE INNER SANCTUARY (John 13-17); Banner of Truth--
a classic treatment of all five chapters by a godly pastor/teacher.

Marcus Rainsford, OUR LORD PRAYS FOR HIS OWN; Kregel--long
considered a classic though only on chapter 17.

These should be all you need. I hope you enjoy them and your study.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin
]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=668 http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=668 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:25:00 EST
Jerry,

Thank you for your good question. There is rich fare on the Book of Acts. I recommend the following:

F. F. Bruce, COMMENTARY ON ACTS (New International Commentary);
Eerdmans--a great commentary on the history and doings in the book.
Dennis Johnson, THE MESSAGE OF ACTS (in the History of Redemption);
P & R--just what the subtitle says.
J. A. Alexander, ACTS; Banner of Truth--fine combination of scholarship
and piety.
John Stott, THE SPIRIT, THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD; InterVarsity
Press--a fine commentary with Stott's usual thoroughness, sensitivity
to the text, and the life of the churches.
Thomas Walker; ACTS OF THE APOSTLES; Kregel--Cambridge educated
missionary to India in the 19th century, Walker's commentary
breathes the missionary spirit.

These should give you most of what you need. Should you inherit some money, let me recommend the six volume exposition by Martyn Lloyd-Jones from Crossway. Show us how we might preach Acts in the Spirit displayed in Acts.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=667 http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=667 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:49:00 EST
Adam,

Thanks for your good question. My favorites are as follows:

Hodges and Farstad, THE NKJV MAJORITY TEXT INTERLINEAR; Thomas
Nelson--the one I use the most.
Mounce, GREEK INTERLINEAR FOR THE REST OF US; Zondervan--shows
the text of the NIV and then below it what Greek word they were
translating.
Mounce and Mounce, GREEK AND ENGLISH INTERLINEAR NEW
TESTAMENT (NASB/NIV); Zondervan--straight-forward interlinear
ESV REVERSE INTERLINEAR; Crossway--like the one by Mounce from
Zondervan but this one is based on the ESV. I used this some too.

Depending upon what version you read and study from and hear from the pulpit, I would use the NKJV and the ESV.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin
]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=665 http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=665 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:27:00 EST
Nathan,

Thank you for your question. I heartily recommend the following:

Martyn Lloyd-Jones, THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT; Eerdmans--greatest
exposition of Christ the King's explanation of how His Kingdom is
  different than the kingdoms of this world. Inspiring & convicting.
Philip Ryken, WRITTEN IN STONE (The Ten Commandments And
Today's Moral Crisis); Crossway--great explanation of the Ten
Commandments, what they mean, how to apply them today.
LOVE RULES; Banner of Truth--various authors explain how Christ and
Ten Commandments interrelate. A heartwarming and convicting
study.
J. I. Packer, KEEPING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS; Crossway--clear study
by a master teacher of the Bible and Christian theology.

These should get you started. You might also check out Sinclair Ferguson on THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT; Banner of Truth.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin
]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=663 http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=663 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:42:00 EST
Jerry,

Thank you for your important question. My recommendation would be to start with Baugh's A NEW TESTAMENT GREEK PRIMER and then move on to his FIRST JOHN READER.

May the Lord reward your careful study of His holy and inerrant Word.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=661 http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=661 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:18:00 EST
Dan,

Thank you for your important question. I can recommend the following:

Charles Hummel, TYRANNY OF THE URGENT; IVP (booklet)--shows
concisely that our Lord not do what His family or friends, or crowds
or enemies wanted Him to do but what His Father wanted Him to do,
therefore He was not harried and harassed by other people's
expectations.
Charles Hummel, FREEDOM FROM THE TYRANNY OF THE URGENT; IVP
A longer treatment which seeks to build on the basic premises of the
booklet and work them into one's life.
Charles Hummel, PRIORITIES: THE TYRANNY OF THE URGENT; IVP--a
6 sessions study on the subject.
Kent and Barbara Hughes, LIBERATING MINISTRY FROM THE SUCCESS
SYNDROME; Crossway--a pastor's struggles to gain perspective on
ministry. Is bigger always better? Is doing more always doing well?
A necessary building block for anyone in ministry.
Ed Welch, WHEN PEOPLE ARE BIG AND GOD IS SMALL; P & R--gets at
the root of the problem that we care more about what people think
of us than what Almighty God thinks of us.

These should be plenty of help.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin
]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=659 http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=659 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:19:00 EST
Al,

Thank you for your question. Romans has several good commentaries of the kind you are looking for. Let me recommend the following:

Stuart Olyott, THE GOSPEL AS IT REALLY IS (Romans); Evangelical Press
(the best place to start)
R. C. Sproul, ROMANS (The Gospel of God); Christian Focus--good primer.
Geoffrey Wilson, ROMANS (found along with other books in his great two
volume commentary on the N.T.); Banner of Truth--worth the price
as he gleans from all the best commentaries of the past.
Steele and Thomas, INTERPRETIVE OUTLINE OF ROMANS; P & R--helpful
outline and overview.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=653 http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=653 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:41:00 EST
Greg,

Thank you for your important question. Without knowing most of the details of this young man's life, I can still recommend the following:

Jerry Bridges, THE BOOKENDS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE (The
Imputed Righteousness of Christ and the Power of the Holy Spirit);
NavPress--confronts two important missing elements in most
believers' lives. Many have despair because they know they don't
measure up (but Christ did) or self-righteousness because they think
they do.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, SPIRITUAL DEPRESSION (Its Causes and Cures);
Eerdmans--excellent messages "given" to Lloyd-Jones one night
while he was also preaching through Ephesians. Hits many of the
reasons people because "spiritually depressed".
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, THE NEW MAN (Sermons on Romans 6); Banner of
Truth--mind and life altering exposition of the new man that Christ
has made us into (as opposed to the "old man" as we were in Adam)
Ed Welch, DEPRESSION: A STUBBORN DARKNESS; CCEF--a great
resource for those depressed and those who seek to minister to them.
Jim Winter, DEPRESSION: A RESCUE PLAN; Day One Publications--
another excellent resource I use; written by a biblical pastor who is
also a professional counselor. Great chapter on the use of the Lord's
Day.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=652 http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=652 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:52:00 EST
Larry,

Thank you for your question. I recommend the following as the best commentaries on Ecclesiastes:

Derek Kidner, THE MESSAGE OF ECCLESIASTES; IVP--he is always
excellent on whatever O.T. subject he contributes to.
J. Stafford Wright, ECCLESIASTES, EXPOSITORS BIBLE COMMENTARY;
Zondervan--one of the better works in this series with a helpful
explanation.
Tremper Longman, ECCLESIASTES; Eerdmans--the latest evangelical
contribution. Longman is Reformed but is not as conservative as I
would like.
Charles Bridges, ECCLESIASTES; Banner of Truth--a classic.
Michael Eaton, ECCLESIASTES; IVP--a short commentary fitting in with
the series but a good overview of the message of the whole book.
Ian Provan, ECCLESIASTES and SONG OF SONGS (NIV Application
Commentary)--helpful in applying a book that begs for contemporary
application.

You are well served. May the Lord bless your studies.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin

]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=648 http://www.cvbbs.com/ask/index.html?cm_id=648 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:14:00 EST