Christian Book Notes

Calvin, John. Edited by Paul Helm. The Secret Providence of God. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2010. 128 pp. $15.99. Purchase at Westminster for $11.99.

Introduction

We all know who John Calvin (1509-1564) is. The great Reformer and, now mostly maligned, namesake to a particular set of doctrinal beliefs called Calvinism. Paul Helm is teaching fellow at Regent College and a professor at Highland Theological College in Scotland. He has written numerous books on theology in general and Calvin in particular.

The Secret Providence of God looks at an argument (actually an exchange of writings) between Calvin and Sebastian Castellio (1515-1563). Though he never claims authorship of the ‘attacks’, it is clear by the context of what Calvin writes, that it is Castellio.

Summary

The book begins with an editor’s introduction that is necessary for setting the context of the exchange between the two theologians. The editor believes that by reading these exchanges, we have a decent understanding of how John Calvin would have responded to one Jacobus Arminius.

After reading the introduction, we begin down the trail of the discussion with Castellio drawing first blood. He does so by listing fourteen articles that he feels Calvin must address. Castellio writes anonymously, thus the comment above regarding Calvin’s assumption of who was the antagonist. Upon Castellio’s charges being presented, Calvin then deftly answers point by point what he understands the Bible to say. He does so in a most convincing manner.

Review

Much like the debates taking place in Christendom today, (see Piper and Wright on the doctrine of justification) we are able to peer back in time to see how the debates of yesteryear at a most pivotal time in the history of the church played out. Helm shows Calvin to be a man of deep conviction as regards the doctrine of God’s providence in and through history.

While I would have loved to see a point-counterpoint presentation, I highly doubt one would have existed given the magnitude of the argument in which Calvin presented. In essence, I could see Job (Castellio) wanting to ask God all these questions and God simply saying Where were you…? Who are you…?

Recommendation

The Secret Providence of God is not easy reading. I would not pick this up if you have a question regarding the providence of God. Calvin’s arguments will fly over the head of most in the church today because, truth be told, most of us in the church today are not nearly as concerned with these issues as we would like to think. We would rather keep everything simple and argue from ignorance of facts more often than not. Once you become familiar with the historical truths of the debate that has raged for ages, then you should read this book.

If; however, you have been wrestling with the doctrine of God’s providence for some time, this book may be the perfect balm to heal a hurting mind. Calvin’s arguments are precise and biblical…something not often seen in today’s theological discussions or debates.

Nehring, Scott. You Are What You See: Watching Movies Through a Christian Lens. RightLine Publishing, 2010. 287 pp. $27.95. Purchase at Amazon for $20.12.

Introduction

First, I must confess that I am not a movie watcher. Unless my children (all younger than 6) are watching a movie, I am very unlikely to sit down and watch a movie. I would honestly, and perhaps obviously, rather read a good book. With that being said, I was intrigued by the statement on the back of the book that “Movies impact your life every day, even if you never watch one.” I mean, I know this, but had never really thought of it in the context of worldview development as much as Scott Nehring does.

For those of you who have never heard of Scott Nehring (like me), allow me to introduce him to you. He is a movie reviewer at Good News Film Reviews. His reviews have been syndicated in USA Today, Reuters, FoxNews, and The Chicago Sun-Times. Scott’s passion is to bring the Christian back to the Arts; specifically, the art of movies. He argues that by leaving and ignoring the Arts, Christians have become ill-prepared to be critical in a edifying manner thus portraying biblical Christianity in a negative light to the world. (Honestly, the world is going to hate us anyway–see John 15:18-25–we really do not need to add to their hatred by our own ignorance!)

Summary

Scott has divided You Are What You See into three fairly extensive sections. The first section looks at our culture’s standards of indecency. Here he tracks the corrosion of moral values specifically in movies and what it has done to us as people. He argues that movies are intentional in charting the direction in which the culture moves. Further, he looks at how God has been mocked and Christ crucified has been maligned in order to make a dime. This section concludes with a look at how we allow celebrities from Hollywood to become the gods our children worship and how we have allowed the ratings system to determine what is acceptable rather than using our own judgment based upon Scripture.

The second part looks at the details of a film. In this valuable section, Scott offers the basic plots to practically every genre of movie that has been written. By the end of this section, the reader will be prepared to be an active movie watcher using tools of biblical discernment in order to better understand the war that is being waged in your heart and mind through the television or movie screen.

The final part offers the tools to be a discerning watcher of movies. Perhaps the most helpful chapter in this section is chapter twenty-six where Scott offers tips on how to discern the purpose, truth, and content behind what is going on on the screen. He challenges the movie watcher to temper what he or she watches but whenever you do watch something to do so in a manner that honors Christ.

Review

I was impressed by the extensiveness in which Scott discussed movies and having a Christian worldview. There is a lot to read and even more to digest–especially if you are not an avid movie watcher. I appreciated the forthright language he used throughout the book. For example, he has a chapter entitled, Freedom from choice means the freedom to be an idiot. That is such a true statement, but in the PC world we live in, too many are afraid to state the facts. Scott does not shy away from the truth and for that, I commend him.

Reading You Are What You See was a stretch for me as I have never given that much thought to what I watch except on television. This is not because I lack the ability to discern; rather, it is due to the fact that I am not a movie watcher and therefore I just don’t think about it.

Recommendation

I do find it somewhat humorous that I am reviewing a book by a movie reviewer exhorting the reader to be more discerning about what they watch! With that being said, if you do watch movies, do yourself a favor and read You Are What You See. It will cause you to re-think what you place before your eyes on television or in the theaters.

If you are a youth pastor or even a college & careers pastor, you should really read this book. It will provide some excellent talking points with the youth and those you minister to as regards what they watch. Given Scott’s discernment and Christian worldview, Good News Film Reviews has become a resource I will return to again and again when deciding what to watch and what not to watch. I recommend you use this resource as well.

Lloyd-Jones, Martyn.  The Kingdom of God.  Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2010.  224 pp.  $14.99.  Purchase at Westminster for $10.04.

Introduction

I have reviewed many books by Martyn Lloyd-Jones and have been blessed to interview his grandson, Jonathan, as well.

This particular book, The Kingdom of God, was from a set of sermons preached by the Doctor in 1963.

Summary

Compiled from twelve different sermons, the Doctor allows the Bible to speak on the topic of what the kingdom of God really is.  He expertly divides the Word of Truth to show us how Jesus proclaimed the coming and arrival of the kingdom as well as our first priority as believers is to seek the kingdom.

In most of his messages, he adds one detail to our understanding of God’s kingdom and drives that point home.  After reading the book, you will know that you cannot attain the kingdom though an outward show of faith but that it takes an inward regeneration by the Spirit.  You will know that the kingdom has come in power and will prevail through that power.  You will find that you must be born again to enter the kingdom.  You will also find that while the kingdom is so close, it remains far away and cannot be moved.

Review

It is hard to critique one of your personal heroes in the faith, and I confess, that I could really find nothing to critique Lloyd-Jones on in this book.  I did like that his grandson made mention of the Profumo scandal and how these sermons showed Dr. Lloyd-Jones’ graciousness in dealing with it at a time when everyone in his country wanted to see the man judged and hanged for his crime.

While there may be some doctrinal differences between you and Lloyd-Jones, you will find that his exegetical prowess will help to educate you in your understanding of what the Kingdom of God really is and what it looks like as found in the Bible.

Recommendation

As will all Martyn Lloyd-Jones books, I do recommend The Kingdom of God to everyone.  In reading this book, you may find that much of what you thought you knew about the kingdom is not biblical.  That will not be the case will all, though it is always great to sit at the feet of one of the greatest preachers of all time and learn about what the Bible says on a particular topic.

Calvin, John.  A Guide to Christian Living.  Edinburgh:  The Banner of Truth Trust, 2009.  152 pp.  $16.00.  Purchase at Westminster for $11.20.

Introduction

Extracted from Calvin’s larger, Institutes, Banner of Truth has offered a gift edition of the last chapter entitled, ” On the Christian Life.”  While written in the 1500′s, Calvin’s thoughts very much apply to us today.

Summary

Calvin lays the foundation for Christian living according to Scripture in the first chapter.  From there it gets rough…if you are not a believer!  The second chapter looks at the importance of denying the self if one really wants to live the Christian life.

Chapter three instructs the reader to live under the cross.  This chapter alone is worth the price of the book.  Finally, we see in the last two chapters the glory that awaits us in the life to come juxtaposed with the blessings that are to be found in this present life.

Review

As I stated above, this book is very much a profitable book to read today.  There is nothing controversial about this book insofar as Calvin is known for controversial doctrines.  Rather, this book is simply an exhortation to the Christian to live a life worthy of your salvation and calling.

Recommendation

This “gift book” makes a perfect…ahem…gift for the new believer.  It also makes an excellent gift to the “seasoned” Christian.  The chapter on the glory of the life to come will be a pleasant and sweet balm to the soul of any believer.  Purchase copies to give to your family and friends.  If you are on staff at a church, I would highly recommend giving a copy away to those who call upon the name of the Lord for salvation.

Gilbert, Greg.  What is the Gospel? Wheaton:  Crossway Books, 2010.  128 pp.  $12.99.  Purchase at Westminster for $8.57.

Introduction

Greg Gilbert serves as an assistant pastor Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC.  He has written this book as part of the IX Marks ministry line of books.

The message of the gospel would seemingly be something that all who call upon the name of Christ would agree.  Unfortunately, that is not the case as Greg Gilbert points out in his book What is the Gospel?

Summary

Gilbert takes a long hard look at what the biblical gospel is and what it is not.  In this short, about 100 pages of text, little book, we are introduced (or re-introduced) to the necessary points in the gospel.  First, God is the creator of the universe and therefore the only righteous judge.  Second, we (man) are sinners and will be held accountable for our sins.  Third, Jesus Christ came to this earth to live the sinless life and to then die so that we may have life.  Fourth, We are called to respond in faith and repentance.

Chapter six takes a look at a by-product of the repentance; i.e., eternal life in heaven with Christ.  Chapter seven, arguably the most useful chapter, looks at some misrepresentations of the gospel that are en vogue today: “Jesus is Lord,” ” Creation-Fall-Redemption-Consummation,” and “Cultural Transformation.”

The final chapter looks at the power of the gospel.  After reading about the biblical gospel and what the gospel is not, Gilbert exhorts the reader to share the gospel because of its power to save and change the human heart.

Review

I really do not like the fact that this book had to be written in the first place.  Nonetheless, history is replete with examples of Christians and non-Christians just plain getting the simplest of doctrines wrong.  Today is no different.  Greg Gilbert does an excellent job of righting the ship so to speak.  His treatment of the gospel is much needed today and is so saturated in Scripture that one really cannot find fault with what he writes.  That is, unless you do not believe the Bible to be the word of God.

Recommendation

Pastor, read this book.  Buy a copy for everyone on your staff.  Study this book and the Scriptural proof presented therein.  Your congregation will be the better for it.  I would highly recommend this book as a gift to your Sunday School teacher or children/youth workers.  If you are a new believer, this book is definitely worth picking up as you will certainly have questions.  Allow Greg Gilbert to answer them.

Bunyan, John.  The Jerusalem Sinner Saved or, Good News for the Vilest of Men.  Edinburgh:  Banner of Truth Trust, 2005.  128 pp.  $10.00.  Purchase at Westminster for $7.00.

Introduction

Do you struggle with loving the person next to you?  Do you ever think that so-and-so cannot possibly be saved by Christ?  Reading The Jerusalem Sinner Saved will change your heart for those around you who you think cannot possibly be saved.  You can read reviews of more of John Bunyan’s works here.

Summary

John Bunyan looks at the importance of Christ’s commission for the disciples found in Luke 24:47, here the Lord tells them that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached to all the nations beginning at Jerusalem.

In showing that those in Jerusalem were to first be exhorted with the gospel, Bunyan explains that this shows the greatest of mercies by Jesus Christ.  This is so because it was the Jerusalem sinner that crucified Christ.  It was the Jerusalem sinner that mocked Christ.  It was the Jerusalem sinner that ultimately rejected Christ while here on earth.

By preaching first to the Jerusalem sinner, Christ is showing that there is no one having ever sinned so much or so bad that they are beyond salvation.  The only person beyond salvation is the one who has lived a complete life as an unrepentant sinner.  That is, the one who has died in his sin is the only one incapable of being saved.

Review

I was constantly humbled to see the grace and mercy extended by Christ to the worst of sinners.  While most believers I know will say they are (rightly) the worst sinner they know, Bunyan shows us how Christ viewed the absolute worst of sinners in His day–those who executed Him.

Bunyan, in fine Puritanical exposition, takes three English words, “Beginning at Jerusalem,” from Luke 24:47 and expounds upon it in such detail that the reader closes the book time and again asking to have this same heart for the sinner next door.

Recommendation

If you struggle with sharing the gospel, The Jerusalem Sinner Saved is the book for you.  If you know someone who makes the claim that they have done too much to be saved, then you need to read this book.  You will be better equipped to show the great grace and mercy that Christ has bestowed upon us!  To read Bunyan is to be exhorted practical Christian walk.

Bliss, William G.  Leadership Lessons from the Book: Applying Biblical Lessons for Today’s Leaders.  Kearney:  Morris Publishing, 2009.  190 pp.  $19.95.  Purchase at Amazon.

Introduction

William G. Bliss is a 25-year veteran as a leadership consultant.  He established a consulting firm in 1996 called Bliss & Associates, Inc. If you are involved in leadership in your corporation or ministry, I would highly recommend checking out his website.

Summary

Divided into seven chapters, Bliss offers a leadership conference in print.  He begins with the importance of setting a vision and moves into the importance of quiet time and prayer.  Once this foundation has been set, he exhorts the readers to become servant leaders.

Perhaps the most needed chapter (though all are very well written) is his chapter on communication.  In this chapter, he details the importance of communicating not just the vision you have, but the way in which your corporation is going to practically work it out.  Once you have communicated these goals and the way in which you are going to live them out, he shows the importance of developing the next generation of leaders.

As the process continues to gain momentum and grows and people continue to “buy in” to what you are doing, you will want to set the expectations of everyone in your influence.  Finally, he looks at what it means to be a steward of what God has blessed you with in the corporate world as in the ministerial world.

Review

I greatly appreciated his bibliocentric approach to writing this book.  Each chapter begins with the biblical foundation of the particular topic followed quickly by the application of those passage(s). The self-assessment sections help you to take a closer look, through the lens of Scripture, at how you measure up to what is demanded/commanded of us by God.

As I said above, the chapter on communication is most necessary in every area of life.  I appreciated more his chapter on the importance of prayer and quiet time as well as his emphasis on stewardship–a word that has lost favor to the more popular phrase “going green.”  In using the word stewardship, Bliss keeps us centered, once again, on Scripture.

Recommendation

If you want to be a better leader, Leadership Lessons from the Book is an excellent resource.  William Bliss’ experience in the field of leadership and leadership development is well worth the price of the book.  I highly recommend this book.  Purchase it and prepare to sit at the feet of one of the wisest, biblically saturated, leadership consultants today.

Chester, Tim.  You Can Change.  Wheaton:  Crossway Books, 2010.  192 pp.  $15.99.  Purchase at Westminster for $10.55.

Introduction

Tim Chester is co-leader of the Crowded House, a group of international church planting networks as well as co-author of Total Church.  You can read my review of Total Church here.  You Can Change is aptly subtitled “God’s Transforming Power for Our Sinful Behavior and Negative Emotions.”

Summary

I will allow author, Tim Chester offer his video summary of the book.

Review

I love that the book is set up to answer the common questions of the believer. There are ten questions Tim Chester asks. There are ten questions that Tim Chester answers. Convicingly. With Scripture.

At the end of each chapter is a section that includes reflection and a change project. The reflections help the reader to digest what has just been read. The change project aids the reader in actually doing what the change requires.

The end of the book has a Scripture index that is 6 pages long! I draw your attention to this only because of how much Chester draws on the Bible. It is refreshing to read a book on change that is centered on Scripture.

If I have one critique of the book it would be the change projects. This is only because these projects can easily become programmatic thus losing their desired effect. Nonetheless, if they are done properly and with the correct attitude, they can be a useful tool.

Recommendation

In a day when self-help is all the rage,You Can Change, offers a biblical and practical for how we can truly experience change.  Tim Chester’s book would make for an excellent book study in a home group or Sunday School class.

Murphy, Martin.  The Essence of Christian Doctrine: A Brief Study of the Apostle’s Creed and Basic Christian Doctrine. Dothan:  Theocentric Publishing Group, 2010.  192 pp.  $12.95.  Purchase at Amazon.

Introduction

I have had the pleasure of interviewing Martin Murphy about his books and his new publishing group, Theocentric Publishing.    You can check my review of his two other books, The god of the Church Growth Movement and Theological Terms in Layman Language.

Summary

The Essence of Christian Doctrine is a systematic approach to understanding biblical doctrine that is a bit more than a systematic theology.  Murphy begins with a short, but very helpful treatise on the Apostle’s Creed.  Using the Apostle’s Creed as the structural basis for the rest of the book, we are treated to an exposition of what each element of the Apostle’s Creed means from both a historical understanding as well as what it means for believers today.

There is one chapter on God followed by five chapters on Jesus Christ.  He then moves to the Holy Spirit and the church body.  Moving through the Creed, we come to the forgiveness of sins and the resurrection of the body to everlasting life.

At this point, Murphy moves from the Apostle’s Creed to the basic Christian doctrines.  Here he begins with the Bible and then moves to God’s plan from eternity past in His created order.  After establishing God as creator, the reader is treated to chapters on sin, salvation, sanctification, and church government.  The book concludes with understanding what it means to live by God’s law, biblical evangelism and the principles of reformation and revival (continually striving for a biblical understanding of the Christian life and church).

Review

I appreciated the style in which Martin wrote The Essence of Christian Doctrine. By sticking to the Apostle’s Creed, the first half of the book appeals to all Christians across a wide panorama of denominations.  He offers a fairly objective treatment on each doctrine but drives home the importance of understanding what the Bible says about each point found in the creed.

The second half of the book breaks away from the creed but offers some keen insight on the importance of Scripture and the doctrines such as sin and salvation.  Here, Murphy offers much technical information but does so in a way that anyone can understand what he is saying.

The book would have been made much better by including the Apostle’s Creed in its entirety somewhere in the book.  While he does offer the creed in part throughout the book in the respective chapters, it would have been extremely helpful to read it before delving into the study.

Recommendation

The uniqueness of this systematic treatment of Christian doctrine makes this book an excellent resource for the pastor, the Sunday School teacher, or the small group leader.  If you are going to teach through the Apostle’s Creed, this book will be an invaluable resource.  If you want to know more about historic Christian faith, The Essence of Christian Doctrine is perfect place to start.

Kammann, Ian.  Hezekiah.  CreateSpace, 2010.  28 pp.  $9.95.  Purchase at Amazon.

Review/Recommendation

Everyone who has attended church for any length of time has heard of the book of Hezekiah.  Many have looked for Hezekiah 3:17 only to be frustrated that their Bible does not include this particular book.

Thanks to Ian Kammann, your Bible can now have this “lost book” of the Bible.  Next time someone says to turn to Hezekiah 3:17, you will be actually be able to quote the passage!  You will know that it reads, “Yet few shall make the effort to look up Bible references.”

OK, seriously now.  Ian Kamman has written a fun book that every youth pastor will want to have available.  It is definitely not meant to be serious–if you take this serious, you really need to get out more!

It certainly makes a great “gag” gift and will have you laughing with each “verse.”  I recommend this book as a gag gift that will surely be enjoyed by whoever receives it.

You can find out more and read a few pages at Ian’s website, Hezekiah.