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IN LIGHT OF THE EARTHQUAKE & CRISIS IN HAITI...!

02/01/2010

Apologetics is making a defense of the faith which you hold. It is not apologizing for your faith; the word comes from the Greek word, apologia, which means to make a defense. Are they cogent reasons why you believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ? Is the Bible really the Word of God written? These and so many other questions have to do with defending the truth against critics and explaining the way of the faith more correctly to those who are untaught or mistaken as to the contents of the faith.
The devastating earthquake in Haiti and the subsequent loss of life, and the suffering and misery of the survivors bring to many sensitive minds the questions: "Where was God in all this?" "If He cares, why did this happen?"
"Couldn't He have prevented it?" "Were Haitians worse sinners than other sinners such that they were killed and their land destroyed?"
Apologetics is the branch of Christian theology that seeks to answer the legitimate questions raised by questioners of the faith. Here are some books and booklets that will help you answer questions, either in your own mind or in the minds of those you minister to. If you are a father who wants to relate the Word of God to current events, or a campus Bible study leader wanting to answer the accusations of skeptical dorm residents, or a Sunday School teacher teaching a short class on the subject, or a pastor preaching a message or two on the subject, or simply a faithful Christian rising to defend the honor of Christ at the water cooler at work, in homeroom or at a family gathering.

BOOKLETS:
John Blanchard, WHERE WAS GOD ON SEPTEMBER 11TH; Evangelical
Press--written in the aftermath of the infamous attacks of that day,
it makes a cogent case for the sovereignty and love of God and the
compassion of the Son of God who visited this planet and waded
through misery after a miscarriage of justice to ransom guilty sinners.
John Blanchard, WHERE IS GOD WHEN THINGS GO WRONG?;
Evangelical Press; an updating of the above booklet, geared to the
bigger questions about the devastation of Hurrican Katrina, and the
tsunami in the Indian Ocean. Very, very good. [Our church is
purchasing as many French language copies as we can afford to send
to Haiti to speak to the questions which have arisen among many
Haitians.
John Gerstner, THE PROBLEM OF PLEASURE; Soli Deo Gloria--a
prominent theologian, now with the Lord, Professor Gerstner was
R. C. Sproul's mentor. He asks the question never raised by skeptics.
They might ask, "If God is good, why do bad things happen to nice
people like us?" The Bible asks the question: "IF God is holy, holy,
holy, why do sinners ever have a nice day, or a happy marriage, or
a day of good health?" Why do good things happen to bad people?
He turns the tables on sinners and instead of putting God on trial,
he puts guilty sinners on trial.

BOOKS:
R. C. Sproul, SURPRISED BY SUFFERING ?; Reformation Trust--many
people are shocked when they must undergo suffering. Many
Christians are shocked when they face suffering. It seems almost
"unAmerican" to them. Isn't that why people buy a house in the
suburbs and send their children to safe schools, and purchase
automobiles with a high safety rating. I repeat: it is unAmerican to
suffer, not to mention die, before the age of 88--and then we want
to die in our sleep with no heartaches, literal or figurative. Sproul
shows us the role of suffering in God's plans.
R. C. Sproul, THE HOLINESS OF GOD; Tyndale--has a chapter that
speaks to this question of seemingly unjust human suffering
(whether it was the Jewish pilgrims at the hand of Pontius Pilate's
Roman thugs or a seeming "act of God" when the tower of Siloam
fell down on the construction workers}. He puts things in God's
perspective.
C. S. Lewis, THE PROBLEM OF PAIN; Harper One--a classic study of what
God is doing in times of suffering.
John Piper and Justin Taylor, SUFFERING AND THE SOVEREIGNTY OF
GOD; Crossway--a study I hope becomes a long-running classic. It is
a compendium of many essays by godly, good men on the inter-
section of God's sovereignty and human suffering.

We need grace to size up those who ask us to give a reason for the hope that is within us (1st Peter 3:15). May the Lord give you grace to stand by Christ and His Word and speak the truth in love and compassion to those who deny or at least question the goodness of God.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin

Posted: 05:43:09 PM :: permalink :: discuss ::

TWO URGENT STUDIES FOR MEN AND/OR AGING BOOMERS

01/26/2010

The events in American culture of the past years had led to a financial meltdown, tightening of credit, loss of jobs, loss of savings, and grave economic uncertainty. What are Christian to do? How are they to view their jobs, their money, their work, their retirement? Some recent books give great help in these important areas of life. Men especially would benefit from studying this material as the heads of homes and usually leaders in their workplace.

Michael Haykin, IN GOD WE TRUST ? (What is God saying in the Midst of
this Financial Crisis?); Audubon Press--a simple booklet that packs a punch. Haykin was once a committed Communist growing up in England before the hardships of life in a fallen world brought him to an end of himself. He later became a Christian and went on to become a professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He writes about the parallels of our financial meltdown and those of the past. He shows us how we are to view our money biblically and rather than hunker down and pull our portfolios closer to our vests, he shows us that biblically we are to be faithful and generous givers.

Craig Blomberg, NEITHER POVERTY NOR RICHES (A Biblical Theology of
Material Possessions); Apollos/IVP--a supplement to Haykin's booklet and great for someone teaching a Sunday School class or doing a sermon series on the Bible's view of money, wealth and material possessions.

John Piper, RETHINKING RETIREMENT (Finishing Life for the Glory of
God); Crossway--the American dream became to work hard until you are 65 (or perhaps 60 or younger) then retire and live off your retirement package, playing golf or sight-seeing and traveling, purchasing an RV, moving to Florida or Arizona where the climate is favorable to aching bodies and live the rest of your life for yourself. There are a million variations on this theme but the central idea is to save, work for a company that will pay toward your retirement and then finally retire with benefits to do what you have always wanted to do--whatever that is. But the operative idea is to DO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO. But in biblical Christianity, disciples of Christ die to themselves and deny themselves and the old egoistic residue of remaining sin. Christ did not sacrifice and die for us that we can throw away our remaining years and fortune in a determined pursuit of self-indulgence.
John Piper's booklet is just the antidote we need to begin to escape the cultural trap that have ensnared most Americans.

May the Lord help us to finish well, to run our race with perseverance until the end, and not turn aside to the By-path Meadow (to use Bunyan's phrase) of retirement. Having once left the path of righteousness for the path of self-indulgence, we may find ourselves never returning. And that would be a tragedy! To have lived our life and then to end it living for seashells, shuffleboard, bingo, early morning coffee klatches at McDonald's, "Silver Sneakers Day Outings" and such
would be so sad. Hard working tradesmen, million dollar salesmen, foremen, doctors, teachers and professors, lawyers, pastors, and barons of industry living in a fool's paradise--such is the current conception of retirement in America.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin

Posted: 08:29:00 AM :: permalink :: discuss ::

IN LEARNING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, BEGIN AT THE BEGINNING

01/18/2010

Everything depends upon the Being whom God is. If God has revealed Himself in a book, then by all means study and know that book. God is a Being of incredible but revealed attributes. He is the One, True and Living God. He is a God of mercy and grace and justice and wrath. He has supremely revealed Himself in Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said: "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father." The Bible is the other revelation of God that contains what we know about God the Father and Jesus His Son. If we want to understand what Christianity is all about, we must study the Bible and we must begin with the doctrine of God--what God teaches about Himself in the Bible.
This week I have broken down the books to study God according to how difficult they are to read--BASIC, INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED. Begin where you feel comfortable, but by all means begin. It is a grievous sins to spend one's life as a professing Christian and never know more about your God. Willful ignorance is culpable. Protestants have always been people of the Book. May the Lord give us each grace to study our Bibles and especially the subject of first importance in the Bible--what kind of a Being is God?

BASIC BOOKS ABOUT GOD
Sinclair Ferguson, A HEART FOR GOD; Banner of Truth--a great study
of making sure your heart is right and then looking at what God has
revealed of Himself in the Bible. For example, his chapter on the book
of Ruth and the faithfulness of God is worth the price alone!
Peter Jeffrey, GREAT GOD OF WONDERS; Evangelical Press--a fine
introduction to the doctrine of God by a master of putting the cookies
down where we can all reach them.
R. C. Sproul, THE CHARACTER OF GOD; Servant Publications--popular
exposition of the main attributes of God.
Stuart Olyott, THE THREE ARE ONE; Evangelical Press--excellent
introduction to the doctrine of the Trinity--the Triune God.
Richard Belcher, A JOURNEY IN PROVIDENCE; Richbarry Press--Dr.
Belcher continues his best-selling studies of theology disguised as
novels. Professor/Pastor Ira Pointer continues his study of God's Word
as life unfolds before him and his friends.
Jerry Bridges, TRUSTING GOD (Even When Life Hurts); NavPress--the
most practical book on the doctrine of God's sovereign control over
all things--the doctrine of Providence.
Jerry Bridges, IS GOD REALLY IN CONTROL ?; NavPress--additional
material on the sovereignty of God over even the tragedies of our
lives.

INTERMEDIATE BOOKS ABOUT GOD
James R. White, THE FORGOTTEN TRINITY; Bethany House--an
excellent study of the Trinity, intra-Trinitarian relations and why it
matters.
Arthur W. Pink, THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD; Banner of Truth--one of
the best books on a subject paid lip service to by many but denied in
practice. I have looked up every one of the hundreds of verses he
cites and they are all true and in context.
R. C. Sproul, THE HOLINESS OF GOD; Tyndale--perhaps Sproul's
greatest contribution to the Christian faith--reminding us that God is
holy, holy, holy and very near.
A. W. Tozer, THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY; Harper-Collins--a classic
of holy theology on our holy God.
R. C. Sproul, THE INVISIBLE HAND; P & R--is God really in control? Is
the doctrine of Providence really true? Is Providence really the hand
of God in the glove of circumstances?
John Flavel, THE MYSTERY OF PROVIDENCE; Banner of Truth--a golden
Puritan classic on God's mysterious ways in His providential
outworking of His holy, loving, wise and sovereign will.

ADVANCED BOOKS ABOUT GOD
R. C. Sproul, IF THERE IS A GOD, WHY ARE THERE ATHEISTS?;
Ligonier--examines Romans 1 and explains how so-called atheists
have a psychological bias against God because He makes them very
nervous!
Paul Helm, THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD; InterVarsity Press--excellent
study by a Reformed theologian and philosopher.
Iain H. Murray, SPURGEON VS. HYPER-CALVINISM; Banner of Truth--
examines how Charles Spurgeon fought against unbibical views of the
sovereignty of God by "hyper" (going above and beyond) Calvinists--
men who so emphasized the sovereignty of God that they denied
human responsibility. This error is a mirror image to Arminianism,
which denies God's absolute sovereignty if man if to be responsible.
The Bible teaches both.
Robert Letham, THE HOLY TRINITY (In Scripture, History, Theology and
Worship); P & R--the best study available on this most important
subject. Shows how many areas of the doctrine of God impacts in our
lives and our churches and even our families.
Herman Bavinck, THE DOCTRINE OF GOD; Banner of Truth--a classic
study by perhaps the greatest Dutch Reformed theologian.
John Frame, THE DOCTRINE OF GOD (A Study in Lordship); P & R--a
recent study which may well become a classic.
John Frame, NO OTHER GOD (A Response to Open Theism); P & R--the
best of a number of excellent refutations of this recent heresy which
has invaded some churches, denominations and theologians.

These books are obviously not to be read tomorrow. They would take time to read and even more time to digest. But they are truly worth it and no one should begrudge the money to buy them or the time to read them or the time to reflect and pray over them. How much richer would your Christian life be if you truly knew these things.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin

Posted: 08:05:00 PM :: permalink :: discuss ::

BUILDING YOUR MARRIAGE, RENEWING YOUR MIND OR TEACHING A CLASS ON CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE

01/11/2010

One of the naive things bordering on sad things that many Christians have done is to not re-think or better renew their minds about what makes for a good marriage, a Christian sex life, Christian child raising and a biblical view of aging, retirement and the elderly. I can remember being converted at age 20 and knowing that baptism did not wash away my faulty understanding of marriage and family, sex and aging. I went to conferences on marriages as a Christian single that I might better understand the life to which God had called me. I knew that neither of my parents were Christians though we had a nominal Christian home. Jesus Christ and His will, revealed in the Bible, did not determine what we did or did not do.
If you wanted to renew your mind on the subject of Christian marriage, Christian sexual intimacy, biblical child rearing and such, where would you begin.? Let me heartily recommend the following.

BIBLICAL VIEW OF GENDER AND ROLES IN THE FAMILY
John Piper and Wayne Grudem, eds.; RECOVERING BIBLICAL
MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD; Crossway--the foundational
document written by evangelical and Reformed Christians to
reestablish the biblical foundation for gender.
Stuart Scott, THE EXEMPLARY HUSBAND; Focus Christian Publications
Stuart Scott, BIBLICAL MANHOOD; Focus Christian Publications
Martha Peace, THE EXCELLENT WIFE; Focus Christian Publications
Mark Chanski, MANLY DOMINION; Calvary Press
Mark Chanski, WOMANLY DOMINION (More Than A Gentle and Quiet
Spirit); Calvary Press
Wayne Grudem, ed.; BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR MANHOOD AND
WOMANHOOD; Crossway

BIBLICAL VIEW OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH
Andreas Kostenberger and Tom Schreiner, eds.; WOMEN IN THE
CHURCH; Baker
Wayne Grudem and Dennis Rainey, eds.; PASTORAL LEADERSHIP FOR
BIBLICAL MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD; Crossway

BIBLICAL VIEW OF MARRIAGE and MARITAL INTIMACY
Andreas Kostenberger and David Jones, GOD, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY;
Crossway
Daniel Heimbach, TRUE SEXUAL MORALITY; Crossway
O. Palmer Robertson, THE GENESIS OF SEX; P & R
Ed Wheat, INTENDED FOR PLEASURE; Revell/Baker

CHRISTIAN CHILD-REARING
Tedd Tripp, SHEPHERDING A CHILD'S HEART; Shepherd Press
Paul David Tripp, AGE OF OPPORTUNITY (Raising Teenagers); Shepherd
Press

CHRISTIAN VIEW OF AGING AND RETIREMENT
Jay Adams, WRINKLED BUT NOT RUINED; Timeless Texts
John Piper, RETHINKING RETIREMENT; Crossway

You might be tempted to throw up your hands and say: "Man, what does he expect? I have to work for a living! I'm not a pastor with a lot of free time to read and such. Maybe not. But when I began, I wasn't a pastor, I was a man who saw that he could not "leave and cleave" to his wife unless he left behind the programming of my original family, Otherwise, I would surely replicate the family I grew up in. Genesis, Matthew and Ephesians each quote the same verse: "A man shall leave his father and mother and shall cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." You are free to take short-cuts and build a mediocre family or worse. But I did not want to wreck my marriage and become another statistic. I didn't want my children to curse my name because they despised me because I was such a poor father and husband. I gave myself to study this subject. Maybe you should too. Your marriage is to be a portrait of Christ's relationship with His Bride, the Church. Is it? A loving Christian family should be the 2nd best place in the world after a loving Christian church. Is yours? May I suggest that you have all the time you need . Print out my list and go to work. In under two years you could easily read all these books and have your Christian life, marriage and family impacted for eternity!

May God give you grace to build a better marriage and family than your parents...and bring real glory to God in the process.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin

Posted: 06:41:00 PM :: permalink :: discuss ::

BOOKS YOU HAVE BEEN MEANING TO READ AND FINALLY WILL IN 2010

01/04/2010

Book readers read for many reasons. Perhaps the number one reason is to solve a problem. "How To" books from gardening and home improvement to smaller thighs and larger IQ's are but the tip of the iceberg of the "problem solving genre" of books. (If you use "genre" in a sentence, it appears that you are an educated person--or vain and self-referential.) That is what the experts in adult education say about how adults learn. Adults no longer read to explore knowledge or the mysteries of life, they read for to fix a problem and secondarily for entertainment (i.e. books to read at the beach while your skin is loading up on carcinogenic rays from the sun).
But the new birth by the Holy Spirit changes a person's orientation. Those who had no good reason to read before their conversion now find themselves reading their Bible and Christian books to help them understand this amazing new relationship with God through His Son, Jesus. After a few years of reading and reading, one frequently finds oneself getting behind and wishing he or she had read this book and that book. Your Christian friends that you respect recommended a certain book but you have never gotten to it. Your pastor encouraged the congregation from the pulpit to read a certain book. And you were going to but you got sidetracked.
2010 is your year to correct that. Put aside what else you might read and make it your aim to read just six books that you have heretofore skipped. They will bless you. Read them prayerfully and they will really bless you.

HERE ARE SIX BOOKS I AM GOING TO READ BY GOD'S GRACE IN 2010
(I hope they will not be the only 6 books I read this year, but they are books I have not read or only read in and not fully digested. They are not in any particular order.)

1. John Owen, COMMUNION WITH GOD; Crossway--I read Volume 6 of
Owen's WORKS, TEMPTATION AND SIN, while in seminary to keep me
sane. I was getting good grades but not growing in holiness. I quickly
saw why. But I not only want to put my sins to death, I want to do so
so that I might commune more intimately with Christ. I could want to
put my sins to death so that I would feel better or feel superior to
those who don't. And I am not above that. That is the way of the
Pharisee. He wants to do right neither to please God nor be closer to
God but to be right, to attain the top of the Hill of Vain Glory. Surely
the reason to put our sins to death is that we might please Him and
enjoy Him more!

2. Timothy George, ed.; J. I. PACKER AND THE EVANGELICAL FUTURE;
(The Impact of His Life and Thought); Baker Academic--based upon a
symposium hosted by Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham,
Alabama, scholars from many backgrounds and denomination weigh
in on Dr. Packer's contributions to the health of the evangelical (and
Reformed) faith. Some of the contributors are Charles Colson, Mark
Dever, Timothy George, Paul House, Bruce Hindmarsh, Alister
McGrath, and Carl Trueman. (I want to learn more about the man,
who along with Martyn Lloyd-Jones and Iain Murray, who has most
taught me the things of God.)

3. John D. Hannah, AN UNCOMMON UNION (Dallas Theological Seminary
and American Evangelicalism); Zondervan--having recently read
Gregory Wills excellent history of The Southern Baptist Seminary in
Louisville (Oxford University Press), I was eager to find out how Dallas
has evolved over the years. My early years as a Christian were in a
parachurch setting and many of the speakers I heard had a direct
connection to Dallas. I want to understand how God has used
seminaries in our land and how our culture has impacted our
seminaries.

4. Paul Miller, A PRAYING LIFE (Connecting with God in a Distracting
World); NavPress--David Powlison writes the forward to a book that
"everyone has said is a great book on prayer". Whose prayer life could
not use some help? Who could not learn from those God has taught?
I hope to read at least one other book on prayer this year too. J. I.
Packer and Steve Brown say its a great book. I want to pray more and
better.

5. Steven Keillor, THIS REBELLIOUS HOUSE (American History and the
Truth of Christianity);IVP or GOD'S JUDGMENTS (Interpreting History
and the Christian Faith); IVP Academic. Dr. Keillor wrote two books
on American history and how a Christian might interpret what has
happened here. THIS REBELLIOUS HOUSE, which came out in 1997.
shows the positive impact that the Christian faith has had on
America's development and overall history. GOD'S JUDGMENTS, which
came out in 2007, asks hard questions about what God was and is
doing through such things as the War of 1812 and the Burning of
Washington, the Civil War, 9-11 and other events. I want to under-
stand how to interpret the signs of the times by the Bible's way of
looking at history.

6. O. Palmer Robertson, THE CHRIST OF THE PROPHETS; P & R--his
earlier book, THE CHRIST OF THE COVENANTS, drew many admirers
and critics. This second volume has drawn mostly admirers. I want to
learn more about the Savior. Our Lord and the first century believers
relied upon their Old Testaments to see Christ until the New
Testament canon was complete. The prophets will help me see Christ.

What books are you finally going to read this year? Make your list, purchase them if you have not already, and get to your enjoyment. I almost said "work" but I don't view reading as "work". It has become a pleasure for me, especially after I became a Christian in college. Ask the Lord to make it your joy too!

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin

Posted: 07:25:00 PM :: permalink :: discuss ::

TEN BOOKS AT MY SIDE (A Minimal Working Library for a Christian)

12/28/2009

Whether you are a layman or a pastor, an elder or a deacon, a housewife or a university student, a plumber or a university professor, if you are a Christian you need to have the best possible books available and at your side. When issues are raised, when circumstances demand a response, when a trial hits, when an opportunity strolls into your life, you need to know what your Lord and Master thinks about it. The following books are working tools that each Christian should have at hand. You don't have to have a large, working library to be a faithful Christian, but it would help immensely if you had the following books besides your well-worn Bible.

1. CONCORDANCE-geared obviously to which version you use--key words can be looked up and screened for how God uses these words and what they mean to Him.

2. STUDY BIBLE--let me suggest that you have two. A good study Bible is like having a good commentary or seminary professor readily at hand. You want to check and make sure that you are seeing the full picture so checking one study Bible against the other keeps you from whatever bias might lurk in one study Bible. [I recommend the ESV STUDY BIBLE and THE REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE. Each has strengths. The ESV is more in the free church and credo-Baptist traditions on matters of the sacraments and church and state; the REFORMATION reflects a more paedo-Baptist understanding of the sacraments and view of church and state and church and culture.

3. BIBLE HANDBOOK--I heartily recommend the new RYKEN BIBLE HANDBOOK. It gives brief, succinct introductions to each book of the Bible, suggestions as to the proper interpretation of that book and how you might teach or communicate that to others. Worth far more than its price. The older HALLEY'S BIBLE HANDBOOK and UNGER'S BIBLE HANDBOOK had their day but I believe them to be surpassed by Leland and Philip Ryken's work.

4. TOPICAL BIBLE--Orville Nave wrote his original topical Bible years ago when stationed at Ft. McPherson here in Atlanta. It has been updated and amplified by other men and various publishers. I recommend the DICTIONARY OF BIBLICAL THEMES from Zondervan. Edited by Martin Mansoor, James Packer, Alistair McGrath and D. J. Wiseman, it is a compendium of verses gathered under the many issues the Word of God speaks to.

5. CROSS REFERENCES--For over a hundred years, THE TREASURY OF SCRIPTURE KNOWLEDGE (Hendrickson) has had pride of place as number 1. For my money, it still is the best one. Originally it was the almost half million marginal notes from Thomas Scott's commentary on the whole Bible. In Christian history, Thomas Scott's commentary is second only to Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible for sales and general usefulness. In the late 19th or early 20th century, R. A. Torrey took Scott's references and added his own and it became known as THE TREASURE OF SCRIPTURE KNOWLEDGE. It is mostly the spade work of Scott. As you are studying a verse, this book will tell you every other place in the Bible where that phrase or clause is used to that you can compare Scripture with Scripture.

6. SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY--having a faithful and concise systematic theology book at hand keeps you on track and keeps you from making serious errors in judgment. You might be tempted to take the verse you are studying and come up with a novel or crazy interpretation had not you read what the systematic theology book said about it. I recommend
the following for those who are just getting started in the faith:
a. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, GREAT DOCTRINES OF THE BIBLE; Crossway--
an evangelical and Reformed classic by the greatest preacher in the
English language of the 20th century.
b. James Montgomery Boice, FOUNDATIONS OF THE FAITH; IVP--laid
out like Calvin's INSTITUTES, it is very readable, organized and
helpful. I know one seminary graduate who finally figured out what
he believed by working through Boice.
c. James Packer, CONCISE THEOLOGY; Tyndale--for my money, this
book packs more punch than almost any other theology book.
Don't be fooled by it s small size; it is concise--jam packed with
biblical insights that have stood the test of time and have been
honored by God over the centuries.
d. James Packer, EIGHTEEN WORDS (formerly titled GOD'S WORDS);
Christian Focus. For many years, dictionaries of biblical theology
(Kittel's, Colin Brown, etc.) have provided us with lengthy word
studies of the main words of the Bible. How does the Word of God
use words? Professor Packer takes 18 of the most important words
found in the Bible and shows us what they mean. This is a great
supplement to his CONCISE THEOLOGY.
e. Bruce Milne, KNOW THE TRUTH; IVP--formerly professor of theology
at Spurgeon's College in London and then pastor of 1st Baptist
Church of Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Milne's work is not as well
known as it should be. It is a fine work that is Reformed and
Baptist, readable and clear.
For those a bit more mature and farther down the road as Christians, let me recommend:
a. Louis Berkhof, SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY; Eerdmans--classic theology
by a master teacher of systematic theology and historical theology.
b. Wayne Grudem, SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY; Zondervan--the best
Baptist and free church systematic theology, marred by his
charismatic understanding of the Holy Spirit (e.g. in over 100 pages
on the Holy Spirit, there are no references to preaching or revival,
surely two classic works of the Holy Spirit--but lots of talk about
gifts, charisma, etc. Other than that, this is a very good theology
book.
c. Robert Reymond, A NEW SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY; Nelson--a very
good and short systematic theology by a long time professor of
systematic theology at Covenant Seminary.

7. BIBLE DICTIONARY--the NEW BIBLE DICTIONARY wins hands down. It is a bit pricey and has some contributors who are not as conservative as I would like, but it has the most up to date information in the smallest space currently available. What was the High Priest's ephod? What is the Bible's own doctrine of its inspiration, sufficiency and authority? These and a zillion other issues and questions are handled very well.

8. SURVEY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT AND ITS THEOLOGY--such a book
gives the reader an overview of each book of the Old Testament and
how it fits into God's plan of salvation.
a. Hill and Walton, SURVEY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT; Zondervan
b. Mark Dever, THE MESSAGE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT (Promises
Made); Crossway--a book by book overview of the Old Testament
and its message.

9. SURVEY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT AND ITS THEOLOGY--such a book
shows how each book of the New Testament fits into God's bigger
picture of salvation and what each particular book has to teach us.
a. J Gresham Machen, THE NEW TESTAMENT (An Introduction to Its
Literature and History); Banner of Truth-great place for beginners
b. Kostenberger, Kellum and Quarles, THE CRADLE, THE CROSS AND
THE CROWN (An Introduction to the New Testament); Broadman
and Holman--great introduction to the books and message of the
New Testament.
c. Tom Schreiner, THE THEOLOGY OF THE NEW TESTMENT; Baker--
also very good and aimed at intermediate and above readers.
c. Mark Dever, THE MESSAGE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT (Promises
Kept); Crossway--the fulfillment of God's Old Testament promises
in the New Testament revelation.

10. Alan Stibbs, etc., ed.; SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES; IVP--a book with a
forty year history, its takes the reader through the whole Bible by
asking questions of each paragraph and chapter of the Bible. This
book truly is a great help to reverent and intelligent Bible reading
and understanding.

Perhaps you already have your favorites that did not make this list. Let me know if you have a suggestion or criticism.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin

Posted: 04:37:00 PM :: permalink :: discuss ::

A BAKER'S DOZEN OF BOOKS TO READ FOR THE NEW YEAR

12/22/2009

When we come upon a New Year, we make resolutions to change or make plans to plot out a course of action for the year. Resolutions usually go the way of the dodo, but plotting a course of action, prayerfully followed in dependence upon God the Holy Spirit, can yield great benefit (even if the course plotted is not followed to the "T").

A BAKER'S DOZEN OF BOOKS TO READ FOR TO IMPACT YOUR LIFE

1. Aurelius Augustine, CONFESSIONS; Whitaker House--you might have heart of Augustine but never dreamed you would be reading something by him. If you read this modern English version of the CONFESSIONS, you get some reason why he is remembered today and how he impacted so many Christians down through the century, from Luther and Calvin right down to today's Christians. His insights into the heart and our sinfulness as well as the necessity of the free grace of God mark him out as the first great "Augustinian" (Pauline) theologian (Luther and Calvin and the Puritans and Edwards come to mind as later Augustinians).

2. S. M. Houghton, SKETCHES FROM CHURCH HISTORY; Banner of Truth
I have given away books to many people, but this one always gets read and people find themselves to be surprised that they loved a church history book! With its many pictures and photos and fast pace, it keeps the plot line of God's redemptive history moving. Like a peg board in a garage that help you keep your tools in place and find them next time, this book is a peg board to see how church fathers, hermits, monks, Reformers, Puritans, awakening preachers, heretics and so many others fit on the great peg board of God's history.

3. Roland Bainton, HERE I STAND (Biography of Martin Luther); Hendrickson--an outstanding biography that is a half-century old but none written since read better and still capture the great essence of the man and his times. If you want to know why a Reformation was needed, how it came about, and what kind of a man Martin Luther was, there is no better place to start.

4. Richard Stauffer, THE HUMANNESS OF JOHN CALVIN; Solid Ground Christian Books--you have heard that John Calvin was "the theologian" of the Reformation. And he was. You may have heard other things about him that were less flattering. But to know the man, see how he related to his family and friends. Many have testified that this book forever changed their view of the man.

5. John Bunyan, PILGRIM'S PROGRESS; Banner of Truth and other editions--the greatest allegory every written by a man who wrote it while in jail for preaching the gospel! John Bunyan spent 12 years in prison for preaching the gospel. This is the story of the progress of a man from his time of conviction and conversion throughput his pilgrimage until he gets to heaven. The second half picks up where his wife comes under conviction and wants to be saved and go to heaven too. Who "Christian" meets and what dangers and follies confront him are the stuff of legend as Bunyan makes reality and theology and art blend in this best of studies of the Christian life pilgrimage.

6. Samuel Rutherford, THE LETTERS OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD; Banner of Truth--Charles Spurgeon thought them so full of Christ and godliness that they were the most inspired writings, after the Bible, that he had ever read. Who am I to argue with that?

7.Andrew Bonar, REMAINS AND MEMOIR OF ROBERT MURRAY McCHEYNE; Banner of Truth--inspiring and convicting life of a Scot's minister who died at 29 but not before impacting his generation for Christ and godliness.

8. Jerry Bridges, TRUSTING GOD (Even When Life Hurts); NavPress--the first book written in English in the 20th century on the doctrine of God's providence (the hand of God in the glove of circumstances). A sanity saver for sure and one not to be missed. Great theology well applied!

9. James Packer, KNOWING GOD; InterVarsity Press--by acclamation, one of the few books of the 20th century that is destined to become a classic. I read it almost every year with great profit.

10. R. C. Sproul, THE HOLINESS OF GOD; Tyndale--shows how God's holiness is His primary attribute and how all other attributes flow out from that as spokes from the hub of a wheel. Everything depends upon the kind of being that God is. A life-changing book.

11. Jerry Bridges, THE PURSUIT OF HOLINESS; NavPress--the best book on the Reformed and biblical understanding of sanctification in print. Should be read slowly and applied each year.

12. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT; Eerdmans--a classic exposition of the Sermon on the Mount (how the citizens of Christ's Kingdom live compared to the citizens of this world). Dr. Lloyd-Jones was arguably the greatest preacher in the English language in the 20th century and Dr. James Packer called him the greatest man he ever met who taught him more about God and godliness than any man he ever met!

May the Lord show you His glory and make you a more useful vessel in the New Year.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin

Posted: 11:28:00 AM :: permalink :: discuss ::

OVERLOOKED BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

12/15/2009

When my own children were young (they are in their thirties now), I was on the lookout for really good books for them, secular and Christian. Since that time there has been a rapidly growing number of good books for children in Christian families. Today I wanted to look at some overlooked ones. They are overlooked because they are from a source that most of CVBBS customers do not check--the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. This historically conservative Lutheran denomination has produced good materials over the years which Calvinistic and Reformed people missed to their impoverishment. Let me show you some of their excellent books for children and humble adults from the renowned historian Paul Maier. If an historian cannot document conversation noted in his work, then it must be called "historical fiction". Don't let the fiction word stop you. Many have greatly profited from Michael Shaara's THE KILLER ANGELS (the story of Civil War battle at Gettysburg, made into the movie of the same name). His son Jeff has picked up his father's mantle and produced other well-received historical studies (with undocumented conversation to make the narrative flow). This is just one family of examples. Paul Maier provides dialogue that is plausible to pull you through to the facts which are record in Scripture.
Justin Taylor in his excellent blog, BETWEEN TWO WORLDS, also highlights Dr. Maier's excellent work and highly recommends his books.
The following are books for children and youth which parents and adults can enjoy also.

FLAMES OF ROME--what was the fall of the Roman Empire like?
PONTIUS PILATE--what kind of a man was Pontius Pilate?

LUTHER: A MAN WHO CHANGED THE WORLD--what kind of a man was
Martin Luther?

THE REAL STORY OF THE CREATION--since no human being was there but only God the Creator we must rely on what the Bible says!
THE REAL STORY OF THE FLOOD--what does the Bible data say?
THE REAL STORY OF THE EXODUS--what really happened?

THE VERY FIRST CHRISTMAS--makes that first Christmas come alive.
THE VERY FIRST EASTER--makes that first Easter come alive.
THE VERY FIRST CHRISTIANS--makes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
at Pentecost come alive.

May the Lord help us read the best books to our children and give the best books to our children.

NOTE: If you are looking for more excellent children's books, check out
CVBBS's list of books from these two publishers:

1. Solid Ground Christian Books which as a publishing venture gleans the best of the 19th century books and reprints them for the 21st century church. Their offering of children's books is superb. Look especially for books by Richard Newton and J. R. Miller for a starter.
2. Christian Focus Publications--Carine MacKensie and others have produced so many good books for children of all ages.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin

Posted: 10:32:18 AM :: permalink :: discuss ::

ITS NEVER TOO LATE TO GIVE BOOKS AS CHRISTMAS GIFTS

12/08/2009

Years ago, Ernie Reisinger wrote an article in BANNER OF TRUTH MAGAZINE on "Twenty Six Good Soldiers for Christ". The "good soldiers" were the English alphabet. His article promoted the giving away of good books and literature as a means of impacting others' lives for Christ. While human witnesses are not always faithful or reliable, the written word never "chickens out" or loses its train of thought or has an "off day". It remains on duty and at its post until such time as someone picks up the booklet or book and reads it. A book can sit on a shelf unread and then it is picked up and it snaps to attention and performs its duty. I love to read and I love to receive books and give books as gifts. Books, have under God, changed my life third only to the Bible and the preached Word. I am indebted to more men and women authors than I can count. Back in the seventies, Zondervan had an ad campaign to promote its books and it went this way: "Read for your life!". And I thought it was true then and true now. Others have had ad campaigns that said: "Readers are leaders!". That slogan is true too. In age when people have all kinds of instant information through text messages, tweets, and blogs, the best information is that which has been studied, thought about and digested before it becomes a book or booklet. Who can speak to the multitudes of people whose lives were changed by a book or booklet. One of my favorites is the story of a shepherd boy in Australia who was out tin the Australian "outback", far from a city or church. As he watched the sheep, a piece of paper blew by in the ever present outback wind. He ran over and grabbed it and it turned out to be a page from a newspaper in London that had apparently been wrapped around a package mailed to Australia. The newspaper had been unwrapped and thrown aside but its printed message was still in tact. It was a sermon by Charles Spurgeon!
The boy reading the newspaper came under conviction of sin and was converted reading this printed sermon. How like our God and how like the printed word to due their duty!

WHAT BOOKS DO I RECOMMEND FOR THIS CHRISTMAS ?

FOR MEN, HUSBANDS AND DADS:
Stuart Scott, BIBLICAL MANHOOD (Masculinity, Leadership and
Decision Making); Focus Christian Publishing--what could be a
life-changing book to help a man learn how to be more of a biblical
man. Six chapters with four appendices which are helpful and
convicting and enlightening.
Jerry Bridges, THE BOOKENDS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE; NavPress--
our whole church is going through this right now in our Wednesday
evening small groups. Jerry is profoundly helpful because he
combines the best doctrine with practical application. How to avoid
smug self-righteousness and crippling guilt are the problems met by
the righteousness of Christ. The power of God the Holy Spirit to
transform your life is the other bookend.
Wayne Grudem, BUSINESS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD; Crossway--little
is in print on this important theme. As millions of men (and women)
get up each morning and go to work, how should they view their
jobs? Or how do their jobs matter to God? How can they be
motivated each day by their work as Christians?
Timothy Keller, COUNTERFEIT GODS (The Empty Promises of Money,
Sex, and Power and the Only Hope That Matters); E. P. Dutton--
perfect gift to give men in the rat race of their careers whether
they are professing Christians or not.
Michael Haykin, THE CHRISTIAN LOVER; Reformation Trust--a heart-
warming collection of thoughts by different Christian men originally
written to their wives on how they love them.
Geoffrey Thomas, ERNEST REISINGER: A BIOGRAPHY; Banner of
Truth--one of the best biographies of a Christian businessman and
lay preacher who late in life became a pastor. It covers his life and
conversion and growth and struggles without glossing over his
weaknesses. Heart-warming and inspiring!

FOR WOMEN, WIVES AND MOTHERS:
Jerry Bridges, THE BOOKENDS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE; NavPress
Just as important for a woman to master as a man.
Nancy Leigh DeMoss, LIES WOMEN BELIEVE AND THE TRUTH THAT
SETS THEM FREE; Moody Press--confronts the cultural lies that
weigh down and often warp women's lives. A great, helpful read!
Elyze Fitspatrick, COMFORTS FROM THE CROSS; Crossway--a wonder-
ful book, warm, practical, Christ-centered and suffused with reality.
The author shows how the cross applies to everyday, every minute
life.
Martha Peace, DAMSELS IN DISTRESS; P & R--practical advice for
women of every age and situation.
John MacArthur, TWELVE EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN; Nelson--shows
how these women in Bible times faced their lives by the aid and
enablement of their God.

FOR TEENS THROUGH COLLEGE AGE:
Nancy Leigh DeMoss, LIES YOUNG WOMEN BELIEVE AND THE TRUTH
THAT SETS THEM FREE; Moody Press--a sequel to her book for
women, this helps high school and college girls to see ways the
culture is trying to deceive them (and in the process ruin their lives)
Donald Drew, LETTERS TO A STUDENT; Christian Focus--reminding
one of the letters of C. S. Lewis, this is a helpful book of counsel to
a college student who is trying to find their way in college and in
this fallen world.
Harris, DO HARD THINGS! (Rebelling Against a World of Low
Expectations; Multnomah

FOR CHILDREN:
Diana Kleyn and Joel Beeke, REFORMATION HEROES; Reformation
Heritage Books--a fine introduction for children 8-12 about the
Reformation and the men and women who made it happen and
its on-going impact.
Bruce Ware, BIG TRUTHS FOR YOUNG HEARTS; Crossway--a great
book for children 8-14 on who God is.

FOR PASTORS AND ELDERS:
Iain Murray, HEROES; Banner of Truth--lifestories of Christian pastors
(and their wives) who can become heroes for us today (in a world
without heroes). A great and inspiring read.
Iain Murray, D. MARTYN LLOYD-JONES: THE FIRST FORTY YEARS;
Banner of Truth--the best biography I know of to teach and inspire
a pastor or preacher.
Cornelius Van Dam, THE ELDER (Today's Ministry Rooted in All of
Scripture); P & R--good book to give to the Elders of your church.
Jerry Bridges, THE GREAT EXCHANGE (My Sin for Christ's
Righteousness); Crossway--most professing Christians only hear
half of the gospel--"Christ died for your sins". The other half has
dropped out of evangelical pulpits and hearts--"Christ's
righteousness is imputed to the believing sinner as their
righteousness forever". Combs through the New Testament in the
heritage of 19th century Free Church of Scotland scholar George
Smeaton.

FOR SUFFERERS:
Jerry Bridges, TRUSTING GOD (Even When Life Hurts); NavPress--
the first book in English in the 20th century (published in 1988)
on the doctrine of providence--God is holy, holy, holy (and nothing
sinful ever crosses His mind about how to treat His people);
sovereign (nothing beyond God's ability or power ever thwarts His
plans); omniscient (infinitely wise such that the path taken is
always the perfect path for us); and infinitely loving with His
covenant love (and always has our best interests at heart). Salve
for the wounded soul.
Jerry Bridges, IS GOD REALLY IN CONTROL?; NavPress--sequel to
TRUSTING GOD but focusing more on "fiery harpoons" than "fiery
darts".
Paul Wolfe, MY GOD IS TRUE (Lessons Learned Along Cancer's Dark
Road); Banner of Truth--just what it says.

FOR UNBELIEVERS AND PROFESSING BELIEVERS (without fruit)
Timothy Keller, COUNTERFEIT GODS (The Empty Promises of Money,
Sex and Power and the Only Hope That Matters); E. P. Dutton--
exposes the emptiness of the promises held out to today's
worldlings that money, sex and power will satisfy their soul.
Timothy Keller, THE REASON FOR GOD; E. P. Dutton--like C. S. Lewis,
Keller tries to answer the big questions and turn the table on the
unbeliever showing the Christianity is the only reasonable faith.
Sinclair Ferguson, THE PUNDIT'S FOLLY; Banner of Truth--booklet
based on the book of Ecclesiastes showing on its cover a masked
clown holding a golden crown just out of the reach of grasping
crowds. Our hearts are restless and empty until they are filled by
Christ.
Cesar Malan, THE CROSS: WHERE ALL ROADS MEET; Evangelical
Press--a Reformed pastor meets an older man one day on a hike
in the French Alps. The older man claims to be a Christian but the
back and forth conversation reveals that he is not trusting in the
Christ of the Bible but his own works. Christ wasn't enough. Very
helpful to show religious people that they are not to add their works
to Christ but trust in His finished work alone!

May those on your Christmas List thank God for your thoughtful gift!

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin

Posted: 12:23:00 PM :: permalink :: discuss ::

ITS NEVER TOO LATE TO GIVE BOOKS AS CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Posted: 12:21:19 PM :: permalink :: discuss ::

BOOKS FOR THE AUTUMN AND WINTER OF LIFE

12/01/2009

I can remember after my conversion in college in 1969 (that's right, I was a prodigy and only 2 years old!) that the only Christians I knew were all under 25! How scary was that? In reality, that fact was mixed into the cultural stew which had as another ingredient, "Don't trust anyone over 30!". Thankfully, I could see that was mostly false. But I didn't see how foolish it was until I was beyond 30 and wondering if I was "over the hill". The Word of God does not despise the aged person unless that person has spent their life despising the Word of God in which case the Bible would call them an "old fool". But to have attained a ripe, old age and to be walking with God are together a great blessing. Today I am including books that will assist you if you are an aging Christian or ministering to an aging Christian. These are precious books for your soul and the soul of your loved one. They have profited my soul and the soul of loved ones nearing eternity.

John Piper, RETHINKING RETIREMENT; Crossway--America bought the lie
that you live a life of sacrifice and service to others until you reach the
age of 65, then you revert to being a teenager and live for yourself
until you die. Such is how many think about retirement--a time of
uninterrupted living for oneself and one's pleasures. John Piper helps
us rethink retirement in light of biblical teaching.
Eyrich and Dabler, THE ART OF AGING; Focus Christian Publishing--two
senior saints who have lived profitable lives help us learn how to age
as Christians.
John Holme, ed; LIGHT AT EVENING TIME (A Book of Support and
Comfort for the Aged); Solid Ground Christian--devotionals and
exerpts from great authors about the end of our journeys.
Ann Benton, IF ITS NOT TOO MUCH TROUBLE; Christian Focus--help for
those taking care of aged parents.
Michael Emlet; HELP FOR THE CAREGIVER; CCEF--caregivers can burn
out or become drained in their giving to others. How to keep your
soul while keeping the body and soul of another.
Tom Barnes, LIVING IN HOPE OF FUTURE GLORY; Evangelical Press--the
only book I know on the subject of what our glorified state will be in
eternity. Great food for thought and prayer and hopeful anticipation.
Eryl Davies, HEAVEN IS A FAR BETTER PLACE; Evangelical Press--Welsh
theology professor helps us all to see how checking out and going to
heaven is far better than staying here!
Edward Hartman, HOMEWARD BOUND (Preparing Your Family For
Eternity); Christian Focus--Imagine yourself away from home on a
trip and you get the call that your wife has a brain tumor and is in
emergency care and is not expected to life but a few days! What
would you do? How would you help your small children cope with
this reality? Pastor Hartman faced this and this is what he learned
and practiced in getting his family ready for heaven themselves.
Sharon James, THE DAWN OF HEAVEN BREAKS (Anticipating Eternity);
Evangelical Press--good helps about the things we face as we age and
eternity is apparently closer than we first believed.
Jay Adams, WRINKLED BUT NOT RUINED; Timeless Texts--may be out
of print and you may have to find this at BOOKFINDER.COM but it is
helpful to remind aging saints that they are not excess baggage in
God's church but still viable workers and glory givers until they are
taken home.
Elyse Fitzpatrick, THE AFTERNOON OF LIFE (Finding Purpose and Joy in
Midlife); P & R--a great book for women who have raised their children
and find themselves in the "afternoon" of life. Heaven is still to be
won, children still need our prayers and we are not getting any
younger!
Deborah Howard, SUNSETS (Reflections For Life's Final Journey);
Crossway--the author is a hospice nurse and as anyone with any
experience in hospice care knows, the closest thing on earth to
angels. She writes from the point of view of the issues and questions
we face ourselves or our loved ones face in their final countdown to
eternity.
Clifford Pond, THE AUTUMN OF LIFE; Evangelical Press--advancing age
can be viewed as a burden or a blessing. In a positive but realistic
book, this English pastor shows us how to profit from old age.
William Bridge, A WORD TO THE AGED; Soli Deo Gloria--famed Puritan
pastor and author writes about the struggles of advancing age and
how the Christian is to handle them. A short but highly practical work.
William Schenck, NEARING HOME; Tentmaker--a great compilation of
articles and sermons by great preachers and writers of the 19th
century on getting ready for going to glory. A most encouraging book!

We have a responsibility to honor God in our old age (Psalm 71) though it can be difficult and difficult in ways that younger Christians know nothing about. May the Lord help us all to age in grace and honor Him until the end.

SPECIAL NOTE:
Paul David Tripp, CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE; Shepherd Press--men and women in their 30's and 40's begin to take stock of their lives and how they are doing, where they are going and have they lived their lives well. This book helps you not be discouraged and not to prop your ladder against the wrong wall. You may not be in the autumn of your life, but it may be "Indian summer" and you are beginning to evaluate how you have spent your life. Rich food for thought and change.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin

Posted: 04:55:00 AM :: permalink :: discuss ::

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON IN AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY ?

11/24/2009

Years ago a dear Christian brother remarked that when he became a Christian in the university, the world began to make sense. After he came to the doctrines of grace, Christianity made sense. As I have thought about that insight over the years, the more I see that it is true.
God has used Iain Murray, the co-founder of the Banner of Truth Trust, to write books which explain what has happened in British and American Christianity over the past 250 years. Once assistant to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in London, Rev. Murray has gone on to chronicle the ebbs and flows of Protestant Christianity in Britain and America. The following books, each published by the Banner of Truth, provides a window of understanding into the past.

JONATHAN EDWARDS: A NEW BIOGRAPHY--this biography shows what had happened to the New England Puritans in the 100+ years since the founding of New England. Edwards was instrumental in several ways to refresh American Protestant Christianity.

WESLEY AND MEN WHO FOLLOWED--a peer of Edwards, John Wesley was in many way so different from contemporary Arminian evangelicals. The impact of his parents seemed to negate the impact of his Puritan grandfather. The men who followed Wesley loved Christ and the lost and they leave a lasting testimony to the transforming power of God.

THE OLD EVANGELICALISM (Old Truths for a New Awakening)--what the evangelicals of previous generations believed about the new birth, repentance and faith, law and gospel, and saving grace and saving faith is far removed from what many if not most contemporary evangelicals believe.

REVIVALS AND REVIVALISM (The Making and Marring of American Evangelicalism)--this book is supremely important for understanding how American Protestant Christianity changed under the ministries of such men as Charles Finney and Lyman Beecher. New measures were brought in because classic Calvinism was not selling well in the ethos of the new country. So many of our problems in the churches today stem from this measures and theology introduced in this time period. A most important book.

THE FORGOTTEN SPURGEON--when Iain Murray wrote this book some 50 years ago, Spurgeon was all but forgotten. His name was kept alive largely by fundamentalists who only conceived of him as a great pulpiteer and jokester. Spurgeon was neither. Murray shows the understanding of the times and how Spurgeon had to face both Arminianism and hyper-Calvinism. When the churches began to abandon the truthfulness of the Scriptures, Spurgeon was right there in the fight.

SPURGEON VS. HYPER-CALVINISM--an important read to understand the theoretical and functional difference between evangelical Calvinism and hyper-Calvinism.

MARTYN-LLOYD JONES, Vol. 1--The Fight of Faith--when Martyn Lloyd-Jones left being a medical doctor in London and returned to his native Wales to become a pastor, little did her or the British ecclesiastical scene know what was going to happen. God blessed his preaching and leadership in a remarkable way. This first volume shows how he was a leader going in a direction different from the other churches, why he had a different kind of preaching and how God was pleased to bring revival to his church. This book will make you a better leader, a better Christian, and a better prayer for your church, your pastor and revival. Pastors in reforming situations should read this book every year for the first five years they serve there. (If I had the power, I would make it mandatory reading for pastors and editors.)

MARTYN-LLOYD JONES, Vol. 2--Picks up where volume one leaves off, with MLJ leaving Wales for London and a wider ministry. To read and understand this volume is to read and understand the years from 1938-1981 and what was going on in British and American evangelicalism.

EVANGELICALISM DIVIDED--chronicles the sad division in evangelicalism in Britain and America, from 1950-2000. It shows how personalities and issues that changed evangelicalism and in some ways, the "gospel" that evangelicals preach. R. C. Sproul said that if he had the power, he would make this book a mandatory read for every Protestant minister in America.

PENTECOST--TODAY ?--some evangelicals have claimed that we are in another Pentecost since the outbreak of the charismatic movement coupled with the older Pentecostals. Iain Murray shows why this is NOT the case and why.

HEROES--his latest books takes another look at some worthies that are well known and some that are almost unknown and shows how when we need heroes to encourage and exhort us, these men (and one woman) are worthy of our prayerful attention.

May the Lord show us what is wrong, how to do it right and the courage and prayerfulness to make the necessary changes. to get it right.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin

Posted: 11:25:00 AM :: permalink :: discuss ::

REFORMED EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS

11/17/2009

Two summers ago, I spent the summer preaching to my church from the Psalms, particularly the Psalms where the Psalmist was making the LORD his refuge. At the end of the summer, September really, we went beyond making Christ our refuge in times of danger and trial and merely running to Him. We began learning what it was to abide in Him.
This summer I proved the adage, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." I adapted a series of messages by Pastor Ron Dunn (died in 2001) from MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church in Irving, Texas on "God's Strange Ministers". This excellent series was about ministers sent from God whom we don't recognize because they don't come dressed in the uniform we expect. Instead, failure, powerlessness, adverse circumstances, temptation, darkness, misery, the valley of the shadow of death, being overwhelmed, etc. are hand picked by God to accomplish His holy, loving, wise and sovereign purposes in our lives.
I concluded the series reminding the congregation that many people in the world have the same problems that we do (joblessness, chronic sickness, failed marriages, rebellious children, betray by a friend, etc.) but without a Savior and Friend to carry them through. We would be the most calloused of people if we did not reach out to others (even in the midst of our trials), because the lost have trials but without any divine help.
So today I thought I might jog your memory or bring you up to speed on very good books highlighting various aspects of gospel witnessing, evangelism and missions.

FOR PASTORS, MISSIONARIES, EVANGELISTS AND ELDERS:
Iain H. Murray, THE OLD EVANGELICALISM (Old Truths For A New
Awakening); Banner of Truth--shows what evangelicals used to
believe about the state of a lost person's soul and what it took to
evangelize them.
John MacArthur, Jr.; ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL; Crossway--shows how
many evangelicals have given up confidence in the gospel and have
tried to "enhance a beggarly and helpless message" with the tawdry
dress of psychology, sociology, and therapeutic feel-goodism.
Charles Spurgeon, THE SOUL WINNER; Eerdmans--classic counsel from
the prince of evangelistic pastors
Horatius Bonar, WORDS TO WINNERS OF SOULS; P & R--convicting
words from 19th century Presbyterians who were convicted that
God's heart was not their heart regarding reaching the lost and how
it had come to that.
Ichabod Spenser, A PASTOR'S SKETCHES (2 volumes); Solid Ground
Christian Books--the "Bunyan of Brooklyn" was highly gifted at
turning conversation to Christ and the state of a person's soul.
These are classic gospel conversations that are still relevant today.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, EVANGELISTIC SERMONS; Banner of Truth--early in
his career in Wales, Dr. Lloyd-Jones used to write out his sermons
verbatim. Here are some of the choicest messages God was pleased
to use during this time of revival and awakening.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, OLD TESTAMENT EVANGELISTIC SERMONS; Banner
of Truth--shows how Old Testament texts can be preached
evangelistically
Walter Kaiser, MISSION IN THE OLD TESTAMENT; Baker--missions was
not the invention of Christ and the Apostles but has been at the very
heart of God's purposes since Eden.
John Piper, LET THE NATIONS BE GLAD! (The Supremacy of God in
Missions); Baker--a galvanizing call to look at our Bibles more closely
and see the missionary heart of God.
Edkhard Schnabel, PAUL THE MISSIONARY; InterVarsity Press--will prove
to be the classic study of how and why Paul was a missionary.
Christopher Morgan and Robert A. Peterson, eds.; FAITH COMES BY
HEARING (A Response to Inclusivism); InterVarsity Press--answers
the questions surrounding why believers need to take the gospel to
unbelievers, particularly in light of inclusivism and creeping
universalism among professed Christians.
Martin Klauber and Scott M. Manetsch, eds.; THE GREAT COMMISSIONS
(Evangelicals and the History of World Missions); Broadman &
Holman--essaus by evangelical and Reformed scholars (e.g. D. A.
Carson, Timothy George, Erwin Lutzer, Tom Nettles, et al) in honor
of Dr.John Woodbridge's 35 years of teaching at Trinity Evangelical
Divinity School in the Department of Church History (with an eye on
missions)
Erroll Hulse, THE GREAT INVITATION (Examining the Use of the Altar
Call in Evangelism); Audubon Press--just what it says.
Daniel Webber, WILLIAM CAREY AND THE MISSIONARY VISION; Banner
of Truth--why and how did William Carey begin the modern
missionary movement?!

FOR FAITHFUL LAYMEN AND WOMEN:
Daniel Webber, WILLIAM CAREY AND THE MISSIONARY VISION; Banner
of Truth--ditto above
Andrew Fuller, A HEART FOR MISSIONS (The Classic Memoir of Samuel
Pearce); Solid Ground Christian Books--Samuel Pearce was one of the
faithful men who helped Carey by "holding the rope" back in England
and promoting the cause of missions amidst a busy and holy life.
Margaret Hayes, A RELUCTANT MISSIONARY; Day One Publications--Miss
Hayes did not really set out to be a missionary but became a faithful
one.
Margaret Hayes, MISSING, BELIEVED KILLED; Day One Publications--and
certainly her goals was not to be a martyr. How she was nearly
martyred in the Simba uprising in the Congo in the 1960's.
Courtney Anderson, TO THE GOLDEN SHORE (Missionary Biography of
Adoniram Judson); Judson Press--one of the great Christian
biographies and certainly one of the best missionary biographies ever.
Sharon James, MY HEART IN HIS HANDS (The Life of Ann Hazeltine
Judson); Evangelical Press--the equally thrilling life and labors of
Adoniram Judson's intrepid wife, Ann.
John G. Paton, THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JOHN G. PATON; Banner of
Truth--the other great bookend missions biography of the late 19th
century missionary to the South Pacific cannibals.
Charles Spurgeon, AROUND THE WICKET GATE; Christian Focus--a
person may be close to the Kingdom but not yet trusting to Christ.
This is biblical counsel about going through the wicket gate of Christ.
Charles Spurgeon, ADVICE TO SEEKERS; Banner of Truth--someone may
profess to be seeking Christ. What should you tell them? Here it is.
Mark Dever, THE GOSPEL AND PERSONAL EVANGELISM; Crossway--what
is the gospel; what is evangelism, what is NOT evangelism, etc. Very
good and practical.
Will Metzger, TELL THE TRUTH (The Whole Gospel to the Whole Person
by Whole People); InterVarsity Press--one of the best handbooks on
personal evangelism, especially the chart comparing the man-
centered "gospel" of modern evangelicalism and the God-centered
gospel of historic evangelicalism.
Walt Chantry, TODAY'S GOSPEL (Authentic or Synthetic?); Banner of
Truth--woke many evangelicals up to the debased evangelism they
were practicing. This gem is now some 40 years old!

These books are not everything, but they are a list of the best materials on how and why to get the gospel out and examples of those who did so faithfully.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin

Posted: 11:44:00 AM :: permalink :: discuss ::

THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION & CATECHISMS, ETC, ETC, ETC.

11/10/2009

Those who are familiar with Cumberland Valley Bible Book Service (CVBBS) know that it is a book service dedicated to bringing the finest evangelical and Reformed books to its constituency. What forms the core of CVBBS's inventory? Books reflecting the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ recovered at the time of the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century and multiplied to an even greater degree during the Puritan Revival (and 2nd Dutch Reformation) of the 17th century. There has been an explosion of books in the last 50 years that have been recovered from obscurity and brought to the light of day. Publishers like the Banner of Truth, Crossway, Reformation Heritage, Soli Deo Gloria, Northampton Books, etc. have majored in reprinting the great preacher/theologians of the Puritan past. What is not so much appreciated is the great "confessions of faith" that came out of the same period. Seeking to summarize in a small space the full spectrum of what the Bible teaches, the Reformation confessions of the 17th century provided a convenient way for believers to learn biblical theology. These confessions also provided a way that opponents of the truth could learn what these Protestants believed and stood for. In honor of these confessions, I thought it would be good to list them and the helps that are available to enter more deeply into their teaching (and the teaching of the Bible).
CAVEAT EMPTOR (Buyer Beware)--Some folks may tell you that they do not follow any man nor do they believe any man-made document. They only believe the Bible! That sounds spiritual and may well be intended to be spiritual, but it is grossly naive bordering on foolish. When a person says "No creed but the Bible" and say that they only believe the Bible, ask them what they believe the Bible teaches. Cults and unorthodox fringe groups have long stood behind a seemingly untouchable screen of "We believe the Bible". Yes, but what do they believe the Bible teaches!? Jehovah's Witnesses of the 21st century profess to believe the Bible but reject that the Bible teaches the deity and atoning work of Christ. Mormons profess to believe the Bible, along with their Mormon revelations but they do not believe Christ alone atoned for a sinner and makes them right with God. Orthodox Jews profess to believe the Bible, every word of the Hebrew Old Testament--but they do not believe Jesus is the long awaited Messiah, God's Anointed King and Savior. It is not enough to say you believe the Bible, it's what you believe the Bible teaches that separates a believer from a cult member. Churches that hold to a confession are saying: "We believe the Bible and we believe the Bible teaches x, y, and z." Confessions are not perfect or inspired by God, but they have stood the test of time and one should not be disagreed with lightly or without serious study. God the Holy Spirit has been with Christ's true church for 2000 years and has taught it much.

THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH, CATECHISMS, ETC.
R. C. Sproul, TRUTHS WE CONFESS (A Layman's Guide to the
Westminster Confession of Faith); P & R--3 volumes of valuable
material giving laymen a great overview of the Westminster
document.
WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH; Free Presbyterian Church--a
standard editing and printing of the Westminster Confession
David Dickson, TRUTH'S VICTORY OVER ERROR (A Commentary on the
Westminster Confession of Faith); Banner of Truth--a valuable
document by one of the participants in the Westminster Assembly.
A commentary dating to the time of the documents writing gives us
the best understanding of how terms were used and what meant
what.

WESTMINSTER SHORTER AND LARGER CATECHISMS
John Brown (of Haddington); QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ON THE
SHORTER CATECHISM; Reformation Heritage Books--by one of the
truly great ministers of a nation in which God produced many great
ministers of the gospel.
Alexander Whyte, AN EXPOSITION ON THE SHORTER CATECHISM;
Christian Focus/Heritage--an orphan who rose to occupy one of the
most influential pulpits of Scotland wrote this commentary for the
uneducated layman.
Thomas Watson, A BODY OF DIVINITY; Banner of Truth (edited with
an Introduction to the Life of Thomas Watson by Charles Spurgeon)--
I have decided that I would sound better too if Charles Spurgeon
edited my works! Just teasing!! Long recognized as the most
readable of the Puritans, Watson's treatment of the Shorter
Catechism is a classic.
John Whitecross, THE SHORTER CATECHISM ILLUSTRATED; Solid
Ground Christian Books--a great 19th century book of illustrations
based upon the Shorter Catechism. Great for parents, teachers and
preachers.
Johannes G. Vos, THE WESTMINSTER LARGER CATECHISM (A
Commentary); P & R--edited by G. I. Williamson--a great author and
a great editor on a great subject make for a most helpful book.

THE WESTMINSTER DIRECTORY OF PUBLIC WORSHIP
Mark Dever and Sinclair Ferguson, THE WESTMINSTER DIRECTORY OF
PUBLIC WORSHIP (discussed by Mark Dever and Sinclair Ferguson);
Christian Focus/Heritage--a most underused aid to understanding
Reformed worship
Richard A. Muller and Rowland S. Ward, SCRIPTURE AND WORSHIP
(Biblical Interpretation & The Directory of Public Worship); P & R

THE WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY AND ITS WORK
John L. Carson and David W. Hall, EDS; TO GLORIFY AND ENJOY GOD: A
COMMEMORATION OF THE WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY; Banner of
Truth
Ligon Duncan, editor; THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION INTO THE 21ST
CENTURY; Christian Focus/Mentor--3 volumes of valuable essays
explaining and applying the Westminster Assembly and its great
works

REFORMED CONFESSIONS HARMONIZED AND COMPARED:
Joel Beeke and Sinclair Ferguson, editors; REFORMED CONFESSIONS
HARMONIZED (with an annotated bibliography of Reformed doctrinal
works); Baker--seven Reformed, paedobaptist confessions are
harmonzed--Belgic, Heidelberg, Second Helvetic, Canons of Dort,
Westminster Confession of Faith; Westminster Shorter Catechism,
Westminster Larger Catechism.
James M. Renihan, TRUE CONFESSIONS (BAPTST DOCUMENTS IN THE
REFORMED FAMILY); Reformed Baptist Academic Press--shows how
the credo-baptist 2nd London Confession of 1689 fits into the
Reformed family of confessions mentioned above (and where Baptists
clearly diverge)
Nehemiah Coxe and John Owen, COVENANT THEOLOGY (FROM ADAM
TO CHRIST); Reformed Baptist Academic Press--two Puritan giants,
the Congregationalist, John Owen, and the Baptist, Nehemiah Coxe,
show their overlapping understanding of covenant theology. Puts to
rest the notion that Baptist views of covenant theology cannot be on
a par with paedo-baptist views.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin

Posted: 10:31:00 AM :: permalink :: discuss ::

NOT NEGLECTING THE NEGLECTED HOLY SPIRIT

11/03/2009

Much of the controversy of the past 40 years in American and world Christianity has been over the "once so-called forgotten member of the Trinity", God the Holy Spirit. Prior to the mid-1960's, there were not too many books written on the Holy Spirit in the mid twentieth century.
But that all began to change with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that occurred in America from the mid-sixties through the mid-seventies. Tens of thousands of students and laymen were converted and student ministries on college campuses proliferated like mushrooms after a summer rain. I can thank God that I was one of the those lost college students who was the recipient of the new birth in 1969. For over forty years now, books about the Holy Spirit, who He is and what His ministry is all about have filled bookstores. Books and literature by the sensational teachings of some that one must speak in tongues or have fanatical manifestations (the laughing blessing, animals noises, vomiting in the Spirit, etc.) to truly show the Spirit have made bookstore shelves sag (even as many books have been written to show you why you do not have to speak in tongues or why you should not have the fanatical manifestations (laughing, barking, vomiting, etc.). There has been much
confusion and name calling ("fanaticism", "cessationist", etc.).
With all this attention and at times real fanaticism about the Holy Spirit, it is so ironic that John writes (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) in John 13-17 that the Spirit has come to glorify Christ (not Himself) and point people to Christ, and illuminate people's minds about
Christ (not Himself). So we must be careful that if we are going to teach and study about God the Holy Spirit, then we must honor what the Scripture teaches about the Spirit's primary ministry of pointing away from Himself. If we are studying the Holy Spirit and seeking to understand what He is doing in our lives, and we have not seen Christ and His work more clearly, then we have missed what the Spirit came to do and are missing the Spirit's work altogether. James Packer's most helpful illustration shows us this point: Imagine seeing people standing in the bushes outside a great cathedral carefully examining the floodlights carefully hidden behind the bushes but neglecting to turn and gaze in wonder at the beautiful that was the object of the floodlights work! That is to fixate on the messenger and miss the Message!
So with those things in mind, I thought it might be helpful to survey the literature of the best books on this subject today. They will be divided into the more popularly written and devotionally aimed books and also those of a more studious bent.

POPULARLY AND DEVOTIONALLY ORIENTED BOOKS ON THE SPIRIT
Octavius Winslow, THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (An Experimental
and Practical View); Banner of Truth--a supremely helpful opening up
of the Scriptures on such subjects as "the Godhead and personality
of the Holy Spirit". "the Spirit a quickener", "the indwelling of the
Spirit", "the sanctification of the Spirit", etc. Very practical and
experiential by the preacher Charles Spurgeon had preach at the
opening of his Metropolitan Tabernacle!
Octavius Winslow, PERSONAL DECLENSION AND REVIVAL OF RELIGION
IN THE SOUL; Banner of Truth--equally powerful treatment of why
and how Christians slide back into sinful ways, grieve the Holy Spirit
and spiritually decline and the way of renewal and fulness. A most
important book!
Robert Philip, THE LOVE OF THE SPIRIT TRACED IN HIS WORK;
Reformation Heritage Books--this 19th century classic shows how
the Holy Spirit takes all the ministry of Jesus Christ and applies it to
believer's lives in love! A truly edifying book.
Edwin Palmer, THE HOLY SPIRIT (His Person and Ministry); P & R--
straight-forward, easy to understand treatment on the Holy Spirit.
A standard text for many years.
Richard Belcher, A JOURNEY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT; Richbarry Press--Dr.
Richard Belcher has put the church in his debt by writing this series
of "theological novels" about a young preacher who must grow up
and as he does so he faces all of these theological and ecclesiastical
trials that force him to study the Scriptures more carefully. Being in
the form of an easy to read novel, it pulls you chapter by chapter
through the study of the Bible and theology. You might recognize
some of the characters in his novel and "characters" you have met
in Christendom!

STUDIES ON THE HOLY SPIRIT REQUIRING MORE STUDY & EFFORT
James I. Packer, KEEP IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT; Baker Books--a biblical
and theological feast of understanding on the Holy Spirit, what the
Scriptures teach and what some men and groups have taught that
is not altogether helpful. After "Getting the Spirit in Focus", Dr.
Packer has a most important but densely packed chapter on "The
Holy Spirit in the Bible", and then shows "The Way of Holiness". A
most helpful chapter on the various understandings of the work of
the Spirit in Augustinian (Reformed), Wesleyan, and Keswick (carnal
Christian; "surrendered life") theologies. Then two chapters follow,
seeking to kindly critique the Pentecostal/Charismatic understand-
ings of the Spirit's work. (The only caveat here is that Dr. Packer
bends over backwards to be gentle with the Pentecostal persuasion,
not going to the Scriptures and not being as evaluative as it seems
he was to the other three traditions he examines. To me these chap-
ters critiquing the Pentecostal/charismatic theology reads like "they
mean well and we should be nice to them though they are wrong"
without any rigorous analysis. He concludes with examinations of the
need and power of Holy Spirit revivals.
C. R. Vaughn, THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT; Banner of Truth--you
were surprised to see that such a staunchly conservative publisher
as the Banner of Truth would publish a book on the Spirit's gifting.
And the book is dedicated to Robert L. Dabney, the Southern
Presbyterian theologian par excellance! What could this mean? It
means that Christians in previous generations saw the Scriptural
teaching on the Spirit's work to be far above today's narrow focus
on gifts and manifestations. The book is broken in two halves: (1)
Nine chapter are on GIFTS TO UNBELIEVERS--restraint of depravity,
awakening, convicting, repentance faith, regeneration, etc.; (2)
GIFTS TO BELIEVERS includes the gift of Himself, anointing with
insight into the Scriptures, the sealing of the Spirit, unction, witness
of the Spirit, the down payment or earnest, the leading of the Spirit,
the intercession of the Spirit, the comfort of the Spirit, the reminder
of the Spirit, the love of the Spirit, the Spirit in public worship and
the personality of the Spirit. Altogether a great book!
George Smeaton, THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT; Banner of Truth
Here is another Banner title that opens up the person and ministry
of the Holy Spirit in a most experiential way. A very thorough study
of the doctrine of the Trinity in both testaments; the personality and
procession of the Spirit; the work of the Spirit in the Anointing of
Christ; the work of the Spirit in revelation and inspiration of Scripture;
the work of the Spirit in the new birth, regeneration; the Spirit of
Holiness; and the work of the Spirit in the church. He concludes with
an overview of the history of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Very
substantial and important work.
James Buchanan, THE OFFICE & WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT; Banner of
Truth. This is the third of a trilogy (see Vaughn and Smeaton above)
of 19th century classics that the Banner has blessed the modern
church in reprinting. Professor Buchanan has the first part on THE
SPIRIT'S WORK IN THE CONVERSION OF SINNERS; the second part
consisting of 9 chapters is on ILLUSTRATIVE CASES (OF THE SPIRIT
CONVERTING SINNERS); and the 3rd part is THE SPIRIT'S WORK IN
THE EDIFICATION OF HIS PEOPLE AFTER THEIR CONVERSION in
holiness, adoption, prayer and comforting. What a great triumverate
of books on the blessed Holy Spirit!
Sinclair Ferguson, THE HOLY SPIRIT; InterVarsity Press--a modern
classic which passes on the best of previous Christian scholarship
(Calvin and the Refomers, Owen, Goodwin and the Puritans, the
great 19th century Reformed theologians mentioned above, as well
as the best modern scholars works). Biblical and theological study
basted in the Spirit and pitched at a higher level than most of his
other popular writings. A most satisfying coverage. His suggested
and annotated reading list is most valuable.
Graham Cole, HE WHO GIVES LIFE (The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit);
Crossway--a great work in the FOUNDATIONS OF EVANGELICAL
THEOLOGY SERIES, this book answers so many questions and
opens up so many helpful texts that it is sure to have a long and
useful life in ministering to the church. Systematic theologian
James Packer raves about its worth as does noted New Testament
theologian Peter O'Brien. After the Introduction of some 40 pages,
there are sections on THE MYSTERY OF THE SPIRIT (2 chapters);
THE MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT--OLD TESTAMENT PERSPECTIVES
(3 chapters); THE MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT--NEW TESTAMENT
PERSPECTIVES (4 chapters); and a concluding section and chapter
THE MAGNIFICENCE OF DIVINE SELFLESSNESS. A rich and
rewarding and heart-building study. You don't have to agree with
every exegetical or theological decision Cole makes to see this as a
very good book.
Graham Cole, ENGAGING WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT (Real Questions,
Practical Answers); Crossway--this could be listed in the first category
of popular and devotional treatments of the Spirit. But it sits upon
the work done in Dr. Cole's more rigorous study above. It asks and
seeks to answer the most frequently asked questions about the
Spirit's work: What is Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?; How May
We Resist the Holy Spirit?; Ought We to Pray to the Holy Spirit?; How
do we quench the Holy Spirit?; How do we grieve the Holy Spirit?;
and How does the Holy Spirit fill us?. Very, very stimulating & helpful.
Herman Bavinck, SAVED BY GRACE (The Holy Spirit's Work in Calling
and Regeneration); Reformation Heritage Books--one of the great late
nineteenth and early twentieth century Dutch Reformed theologians
helps us navigate the turbulent waters of how the Holy Spirit works
the new birth, or regeneration. He shows the relationship between
the immediate work of the Spirit and the means of grace. Some
Reformed paedobaptists fall into presumptive regeneration (simply
stated: a baptized baby is presumed to be regenerate unless they
state/act otherwise). Bavinck seeks to be a faithful biblical theologian
and systematic theologian in the Reformed tradition as he guides us
through the biblical texts. Helpful to paedobaptists and credobaptists
alike.

May we learn to love, honor and obey the blessed third member of the Divine Trinity and in so doing be more biblical and faithful Christians.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin

Posted: 11:44:00 AM :: permalink :: discuss ::

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