Christian Book Notes

Ferguson, Sinclair B. Ignatius of Antioch: The Man Who Faced Lions. Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2010. 42 pp.  $14.00.  Purchase at Westminster for $9.80.

Introduction/Summary

Sinclair Ferguson is well known in Reformed circles. He is a noted author and speaker and is now working toward helping parents pour a solid foundation of early church history through the children’s series, Heroes of the Faith.

Ignatius of Antioch traces the life of the saint of old who stood against the Roman Empire because of his faith in Christ. We learn that Ignatius was born when the Apostle John was still alive thus creating a continuity through church history from Christ on down to the present day. Perhaps what will be most impactful to the children is the truth that he stood before lions and though he was not saved as Daniel was, he never did renounce his faith in Christ. Here, the child learns that Jesus keeps his promises even in death.

At the end of this short little book, as with the rest of the books in the series, Ferguson offers a one page bio that helps to summarize the book. He includes a helpful timeline that spells out, I believe, the titles forthcoming in the series. The last word of exhortation from the author concerns itself with the use of the word heroes and the child’s propensity to have heroes.

Review

I appreciated the way Ferguson treated the death of Ignatius. He never explicitly states that the lions ate him or killed him; rather, he allows the thought to hang there for the child to grasp on his own. Again, the artistic qualities of the book come to the fore as the child is enraptured by the colorful drawings as well as the story line. It is most helpful to see that while Daniel and the Lions Den had a favorable ending, the truth found in Daniel 3:17-18 still holds true. Ignatius is an example of that faith.

Recommendation

Um…get this book. Your children will be amazed that Christians faced lions and were not saved miraculously. They will be surprised to know that faith that leads to death is real. If the Lord is willing, their definition of heroes will begin to change and this is not a bad thing at all.

Spurgeon, Charles H. Majesty in Misery: 3 Volumes.  Edinburgh:  Banner of Truth, 2005.  983 pp.  Each book sells for $24.00.  Each book can be purchased for $16.80 at Westminster Books.

Introduction

Does C.H. Spurgeon really need an introduction?  If so, he lived from 1834-1892 in England.  He has been called the Prince of Preachers and has the largest volume of writings extant today by any one author due to the publication of his Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit which is a publication featuring all of his sermons.  There are numerous quality websites not the least of which is the Spurgeon Archive run by Phillip R. Johnson.

Summary

The Majesty in Misery series is a collection of Spurgeon’s sermons brought together to speak to one topic–the Passion of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  The first volume looks at the Garden of Gethsemane and consists of 19 sermons.  Judgment Hall, the second volume, looks at the time from Jesus’ arrest to his taking up his cross on the road to Calvary.  Over the course of another 19 sermons, the reader will be brought to tears reading how the Christ submitted himself to the authority of man for a time so that we may have Life.

The final volume of the three part series is entitled Calvary’s Mournful Mountain. This time there are 25 sermons included making this the largest though perhaps most important volume of the three.  As you read these messages, you will see why Spurgeon loved Christ so much and why Spurgeon’s congregation (and listeners) grew to love Christ in like manner.

Review

Though the language is a bit different from what we regularly use in the United States, the messages in each will prove edifying to the soul.  The joy of reading (and “sitting under” the teaching) one of the greatest pastors to ever grace a pulpit is both a challenge and payoff.  There is no arguing that the Lord used Spurgeon mightily.  After reading these 3 volumes, you will understand why.

I greatly appreciated having the sermons from throughout Spurgeon’s service as a minister brought together in one location on one specific topic–the Passion of Jesus Christ.  Each sermon is also cross-referenced with the numbering system that has come to define most of Spurgeon’s sermons.

Recommendation

While picking up a 3 volume set of books is not feasible for many, I would highly recommend picking up a book at a time and make reading Spurgeon one of your goals in 2011.  If I could choose one volume to recommend, I would offer volume 3 as that is the most profound of the three and will certainly cause much rejoicing at what it cost God to save for Himself a people…those who call on the name of Jesus.

You can purchase the larger work as well as the Pocket Puritan Sampler here.

Another New Release from The Banner of Truth

A Way to Pray by Matthew Henry (edited & revised by O. Palmer Robertson) Most evangelical Christians know of Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible, but few are as familiar with his A Method for Prayer, with Scripture Expressions Proper to be Used under Each Head (1710).  This work consists almost entirely of Scripture, arranged under various headings, to help Christians to pray in harmony with the truth of God, revealed in his Word.  First published three hundred years ago, it has been revised and updated by O. Palmer Robertson to allow the language of prayer to be expressed in today’s idiom.  It is sent out in the confidence that God will continue to honour his own Word, as it is redirected back to him in the form of heartfelt prayer. FROM THE INTRODUCTION by O. Palmer Robertson Prayer in this form is nothing more and nothing less than what the old Puritans called ‘pleading the promises’.  God has made promises to his people.  His people respond by redirecting those promises to the Lord in the form of prayer.  How could a God who is faithful to his word fail to answer prayers of this kind?  He has promised.  He will honour that promise.  If Christians would join together and form their prayers with the maturity and insight provided by Scripture itself, the impact on the world could not be measured.” TABLE OF CONTENTS: Appreciation Introduction How to Read this Book 1: Praise 2: Confession 3: Petition 4: Thanksgiving 5: Intercession 6: Prayers for Particular Occasions 7: Concluding Our Prayers 8: The Lord’s Prayer Expanded 9: Shorter Forms of Prayer A Short Summary of Prayer Topics An Expanded Summary of Prayer Topics Subject Index ————————————————————————————– A WAY TO PRAY: A Biblical Method for Enriching Your Prayer Life and Language by Shaping Your Words with Scripture by Matthew Henry ISBN: 978-1-84871-087-0 440 pages, Clothbound List Price: $24.00 (U.S. currency)

Case, Thomas. Edited by Richard Rushing. When Christians Suffer. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2009. 128 pp. $6.95. Purchase at Westminster Books for $4.20.

Introduction

These Pocket Puritans are not new to readers here at Christian Book Notes. Thomas Case, however, might be. Thomas Case (1598-1682) experience suffering first hand during the “dark days of the gospel in England.” He was imprisoned in 1651 for a short time for speaking against the Independents and was ejected in 1662 for Nonconformity. He published two major works during his life, A Treatise of Afflictions from which this short work is extracted and A Prospect of Heaven.

Summary/Review

Forged in the midst of persecution, Thomas Case explains the value and importance of suffering for the sake of Christ. He offers twenty lessons learned in affliction in the first part while looking at the nature of divine teaching found in persecution. The final three sections instructs the reader to seek God during these dark times. His exhortation is basically do not avoid affliction for the sake of the Gospel. Rather, embrace it and know that God is worthy of whatever may befall you in this life.

To review the works of an age gone by is a difficult task. Nonetheless, what is perhaps the best feature of any of the Puritans and their writings are that they are not written in an “ivory tower” so to speak. They wrote from a deep knowledge of the divine and even a deeper knowledge of the Scriptures. They sought to apply what they learned in every day living rather than offer a three point sermon and an application with an invitation to respond to the message.

Recommendation

Thomas Case writes of suffering through the lens of having suffered. Not like many think suffering is today. Getting made fun of and laughed at for being “conservative” or a member of a particular denomination is not being persecuted for one’s faith. Case explains that this persecution is serious and real and it is because of the preaching of and believing in the gospel that one is afflicted for the sake of Christ. If that is why you are being persecuted, Case offers a sweet balm to the soul.

Pick up a copy of When Christians Suffer and the rest of the Pocket Puritans to edify and nourish your soul at Westminster Books.

Book Title: Voices from the Past: Puritan Devotional Readings
Author : Richard Rushing
Price: $ 28.00
Purchase at Westminster Books: $19.60
ISBN#: 9781848710481
Binding: Clothbound
Page Count: 428

Description: Over the past fifty years there has been a great resurgence of interest in the writings of the Puritans. The reading of their works has brought great benefit to the people of God in many lands. Christians from many different backgrounds and cultures owe a great debt of gratitude to those faithful pastors and preachers who continue to speak through their writings even though they have long since entered into their heavenly reward. The Puritans really knew how to teach and apply God’s Word in the Spirit’s power!

Richard Rushing has compiled this book of daily devotional readings from his favourite Puritan authors because of the great help he has gained from their Works. ‘How thrilling it has been for me to read the Puritans on the glory and attributes of God, divine providence, fellowship with God, holiness of life and the mortification of indwelling sin, heavenly mindedness, prayer, evangelistic zeal, and trust in the Lord during times of affliction. At every turn these truths are eloquently taught, faithfully applied, and kindly offered as the subject of sweet spiritual meditation.’

This book is sent forth with the prayer that it will open a door to the vast stores of treasure to be found in the writings of the Puritans and that it will stimulate further exploration of this rich spiritual inheritance.

This week’s family reading from Banner of Truth is John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.  You can check out my reviews on no less than five of John Bunyan’s titles.

THE PILGRIMS PROGRESS: In the Similitude of a Dream

As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place, where was a Den, and I laid me down in that place to sleep: And as I slept, I dreamed a Dream. I dreamed, and behold I saw a Man cloathed with rags, standing in a certain place, with his face from his own house, a Book in his hand, and a great Burden upon his back. I looked, and saw him open the Book, and read therein; and as he read, he wept and trembled; and not being able longer to contain, he brake out with a lamentable cry, saying, What shall I do?

In this plight therefore he went home, and refrained himself as long as he could, that his wife and children should not perceive his distress; but he could not be silent long, because that his trouble increased: Wherefore at length he brake his mind to his wife and children; and thus he began to talk to them: O my dear Wife, said he, and you the Children of my bowels, I your dear friend am in myself undone, by reason of a Burden that lieth hard upon me: moreover, I am for certain informed, that this our City will be burned with fire from Heaven; in which fearful overthrow, both myself, with thee my wife, and you my sweet babes, shall miserably come to ruin, except (the which yet I see not) some Way of escape may be found, whereby we may be delivered. At this his relations were sore amazed; not for that they believed that what he had said to them was true, but because they thought that some frenzy distemper had got into his head; therefore it drawing towards night, and they hoping that sleep might settle his brains, with all haste they got him to bed: But the night was as troublesome to him as the day; wherefore, instead of sleeping, he spent it in sighs and tears. So when the morning was come, they would know how he did; he told them worse and worse; he also set to talking to them again, but they began to be hardened; they also thought to drive away his distemper by harsh and surly carriages to him: Sometimes they would deride, sometimes they would chide, and sometimes they would quite neglect him: Wherefore he began to retire himself to his Chamber, to pray for and pity them; and also to condole his own misery: He would also walk solitarily in the fields, sometimes reading and sometimes praying; and thus for some days he spent his time.

Now I saw, upon a time, when he was walking in the fields, that he was (as he was wont) reading in his Book, and greatly distressed in his mind; and as he read, he burst out, as he had done before, crying, What shall I do to be saved?

I saw also that he looked this way, and that way, as if he would run; yet he stood still, because (as I perceived) he could not tell which way to go. I looked then, and saw a Man named Evangelist coming to him, and asked, Wherefore dost thou cry?

He answered, Sir, I perceive by the Book in my hand, that I am condemned to die, and after that to come to Judgment; and I find that I am not willing to do the first, nor able to do the second.

Then said Evangelist, Why not willing to die, since this life is attended with so many evils? The man answered, Because, I fear that this Burden that is upon my back, will sink me lower than the grave; and I shall fall into Tophet. And, Sir, if I be not fit to go to Prison, I am not fit to go to Judgment, and from thence to Execution; and the thoughts of these things make me cry.

Then said Evangelist, If this be thy condition, Why standest thou still? He answered, Because I know not whither to go. Then he gave him a Parchment Roll, and there was written within, Fly from the Wrath to come.

The Man therefore read it, and looking upon Evangelist very carefully, said, Whither must I fly? Then said Evangelist, pointing with his finger over a very wide field, Do you see yonder Wicket Gate? The man said, No: Then said the other, Do you see yonder Shining Light? He said, I think I do. Then said Evangelist, Keep that Light in your eye, and go up directly thereto, so shalt thou see the Gate; at which, when thou knockest, it shall be told thee what thou shalt do. So I saw in my dream that the Man began to run: Now he had not run far from his own door, but his Wife and Children perceiving it, began to cry after him to return; but the Man put his fingers in his ears, and ran on crying, Life! Life! Eternal Life! So he looked not behind him, but fled towards the middle of the Plain.

The Neighbours also came out to see him run, and as he ran some mocked, others threatened, and some cried after him to return; Now among those that did so, there were two that were resolv’d to fetch him back by force. The name of the one was Obstinate, and the name of the other Pliable. Now by this time the Man was got a good distance from them; but however, they were resolved to pursue him, which they did, and in a little time they overtook him. Then said the Man, Neighbours, Wherefore are you come? They said, To persuade you to go back with us; but he said, That can by no means be: You dwell (said he) in the City of Destruction, (the place also where I was born) I see it to be so: And dying there, sooner or later, you will sink lower than the grave, into a place that burns with Fire and Brimstone: Be content, good neighbours, and go along with me.

What, said Obstinate, and leave our Friends and our Comforts behind us!

Yes, said Christian, (for that was his name) because that all which you shall forsake, is not worthy to be compared with a little of that, that I am seeking to enjoy; and if you will go along with me, and hold it, you shall fare as I myself; for there where I go, is enough and to spare; come away and prove my words.

Obst. What are the things you seek, since you leave all the World to find them?

Chr. I seek an Inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away: And it is laid up in Heaven, and safe there, to be bestowed, at the time appointed, on them that diligently seek it. Read it so, if you will, in my Book.

Obst. Tush, said Obstinate, away with your book; will you go back with us, or no?

Chr. No, not I, said the other; because I have laid my hand to the Plough.

Obst. Come then, neighbour Pliable, let us turn again, and go home without him; There is a Company of these craz’d-headed coxcombs, that when they take a fancy by the end, are wiser in their own eyes than seven men that can render a Reason.

Pli. Then said Pliable, Don’t revile; if what the good Christian says, is true, the things he looks after are better than ours; my heart inclines to go with my Neighbour.

Obst. What! more Fools still? Be ruled by me, and go back; who knows whither such a brain-sick fellow will lead you? Go back, go back and be wise.

Chr. Nay, but do thou come with me, neighbour Pliable; there are such things to be had which I spoke of, and many more Glories besides; if you believe not me, read here in this Book, and for the truth of what is express’d therein, behold all is confirmed by the Blood of him that made it.

Pli. Well, neighbour Obstinate, (said Pliable) I begin to come to a point, I intend to go along with this good man, and to cast in my Lot with him; but, my good companion, do you know the way to this desired place?

Chr. I am directed by a man whose name is Evangelist, to speed me to a little Gate that is before us, where we shall receive instructions about the Way.

Pli. Come then, good neighbour, let us be going. Then they went both together.

Obst. And I will go back to my place, said Obstinate: I will be no companion of such misled fantastical fellows.

Now I saw in my dream, that when Obstinate was gone back, Christian and Pliable went talking over the plain; and thus they began their discourse.

Chr. Come, neighbour Pliable, how do you do? I am glad you are persuaded to go along with me; and had even Obstinate himself but felt what I have felt of the Powers and Terrors of what is yet unseen, he would not thus lightly have given us the back.

Pli. Come, neighbour Christian, since there are none but us two here, tell me now further, what the things are? and how to be enjoyed, whither we are going?

Chr. I can better conceive of them with my Mind, than speak of them with my Tongue: But yet since you are desirous to know, I will read of them in my Book.

Pli. And do you think that the words of your Book are certainly true?

Chr. Yes verily, for it was made by him that cannot lye.

Pli. Well said, what things are they?

Chr. There is an endless Kingdom to be inhabited, and everlasting Life to be given us, that we may inhabit that Kingdom for ever.

Pli. Well said; and what else?

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Purchase this classic edition of this classic tale, to learn the rest of Christian’s answer to Pliable’s question, “What else?” Travel along on their journey through the very miry Slough that was in the midst of the plain and on to the Wicket Gate. You, and your children or grandchildren, will treasure this edition for years to come (AND the time that you might spend reading it to them!).

Below is an excerpt from Our Great God and Savior recently released by the Banner of Truth.  You can purchase the book from Westminster books.

But here the prophet says: ‘Here is your God! See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him’ (Isa. 40:9-10).

The rest of this chapter is composed of prophetic insight into the incomparable greatness of this most sovereign Lord. The people to whom Isaiah is writing are a people who at the time envisaged would be in bondage; they would be in despair. They would have known the distress caused by being oppressed by their enemies. But God brings them this vision of himself as the cure for these burdens. As Professor John N. Oswalt puts it in his commentary on Isaiah: ‘The prophet seems to be saying that if humanity could ever glimpse the true picture of God’s greatness and glory, their problems would be on their way to being solved.’

I believe that is true of our generation. There is nothing that the church of Jesus Christ needs more in our day than this fresh revelation – an eye-opener – of the glory, majesty and wonder of God.  Isaiah displays the greatness of God in this passage by relating four elements:

1. God’s uniqueness within the creation (verse 12)

2. God’s independence from the creation (verses 13-14)

3. God’s supremacy above the creation (verses 15-20), and

4. God’s sovereignty over the creation (verses 21-24).

UNIQUENESS WITHIN THE CREATION

In verses 12-14 the prophet asks five unanswerable questions to establish the absolute uniqueness of God within, and the independence of God from, the created order. The first two deal with his uniqueness.

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? (verse 12).

These questions relate to the measuring of creation, and they display God as both infinitely transcendent above his creation and unique within it. They are challenges to man in his littleness – to stop viewing God as though he were a person like ourselves.

That is one of the tendencies that often develops as we think about God in his personal nature. You may remember how the psalmist records God’s complaint about this in Psalm 50:21. The people had lost their vision of God’s greatness, and God says, ‘You thought I was altogether like you.’ This is why Isaiah asks, ‘Who else holds the oceans in his hand to measure them?’ This is what God does! ‘Who else measures the heavens as a handbreadth or the soil of the earth in his basket, or holds the mountains in his scales to weigh them?’

Can you picture what Isaiah is saying of God? Can you think of God taking the mountains – Everest and the Eiger, for example – putting them in a balance and holding them to see which is heavier? Or again, can you think of the Lord God putting his hand on the heavens and measuring it with just a span? Isaiah asks, ‘Who else has done this?’

Isaiah is trying to teach us about God’s immensity. Is this not precisely what we have lost in so much of our thinking? It is one reason we need a new emphasis on the doctrine of God as Creator. This is how the men and women of the Bible enlarged their faith and fed it. They came into the presence of God, and then, like Jeremiah, they prayed: ‘Ah, Sovereign Lord, you made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you’ ( Jer. 32:17). Similarly, in Acts 4, in equally difficult circumstances the apostles prayed, ‘Sovereign Lord, you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them’ (verse 24).

What is it that persuaded them of the glory and greatness of God? It was the doctrine of creation.

Somebody once commented to me, ‘Historically evangelicals have been strong on the doctrine of redemption and weak on the doctrine of creation.’ I think that is true. But in Isaiah God is using this argument (from the nature of God’s work as Creator) to persuade his people to trust him (as their Redeemer). Notice how he says: ‘Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded?’ (verse 21). Then he expounds to them how he created the heavens and the earth.

A. W. Pink is right when he says, ‘The god of this century no more resembles the Sovereign of Holy Writ than does the dim flickering of a candle the glory of the midday sun.’ We need to grasp that the God of Scripture is a God who holds the mountains in a balance and spans the universe with his hand. We get things in proper perspective when we see the uniqueness of God in creation.



This week’s Winsday giveaway is sponsored by the Banner of Truth Trust. I have reviewed most of the Pocket Puritans series here at Christian Book Notes and have been blessed by every single one I have read. I eagerly anticipate each new edition to the series as they are always a sweet balm to the hurting soul.

To win these four books, simply fill out the contact form below. Good providence!

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.

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.