Christian Book Notes

Kostenberger, Andreas J.  God, Marriage, and Family: Rebuilding the Biblical Foundation, Second Edition.  Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2010.  400 pp.  $22.99.  Purchase at Westminster books for $15.40.

Introduction

Andreas Kostenberger is professor of New Testament and director of PhD studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary where he has taught since 1996.  This is a second edition of the book originally published in 2004.  Much has changed in the landscape of the the church, world, and more importantly, the family since its first edition; hence, the second edition following in such short order.

Summary

The book begins with the call to rebuild the foundation of our society beginning with the family.  To do this, Kostenberger first looks at marriage in the Old and New Testament.  Once a couple is married, a family unit is formed (family being defined as at least a married couple).  From here, we now look at the family in both the Old and New Testaments.  In this “section,” we read about special issues related to the family including whether or not to have children.

A helpful chapter on the gift of being single as well as a chapter setting the record straight regarding what the Bible says about homosexuality (this chapter flies in the face of the world today!).  Another chapter that may very well rub the reader the wrong way is his chapter on divorce and remarriage.  The book concludes with three chapters looking at the husband’s role in church leadership and how we should learn to be the family of God in the context of our own family.

Review

I greatly appreciated Kostenberger’s handling of the biblical texts especially in his chapter on divorce and remarriage.  He covers a ton of ground in just this topic.  He is very objective in his treatments of the current trend of family-integrated churches and homosexuality and marriage in general.  He is objective insofar as he offers arguments for and against each issue.  He is fair in that he allows both sides to present their argument without his own commentary.  Fortunately, he does show what the Bible says about each issue as well (that is, if the Bible does speak specifically to the issue).

I do wish he would have come down a bit harder on the issue of divorce and remarriage.  I also disagreed with his assessment that birth control is acceptable if morally permissible.  His only concern was whether or not the birth control was an abortificient.  I would have liked to see him deal with the heart issues of this particular conversation.  Regardless, he does offer some food for thought even if it is pureed food.

Recommendation

Do not let the page count (400 pages) frighten you–there really is only 288 pages of text.  The final 118 pages include end notes and recommendations of other resources for each chapter.  This book is an easy read though it will challenge you.  The fact that there already is a second edition shows that there is a great need for its content.  God, Marriage, and Family offers an excellent introduction to the married life.  I agree with Mark Driscoll that this book makes an excellent premarital counseling resource.  If you have not read the first edition, do yourself a favor and pick up the second edition.  Read it and be prepared to look at your own family a bit differently–through a biblical lens.

Lawrence, Michael. Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church: A Guide for Ministry. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2010. 234 pp. $16.99. Purchase at Westminster Books for $10.19.

Introduction

Michael Lawrence is associate pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington DC. He is also a co-writer of It is Well: Expositions on Substitutionary Atonement with Mark Dever. The IX Marks ministry has been churning out numerous books to help the pastor in the local church to be able to preach, teach, and lead the congregation in a more biblical manner. Biblical Theology is yet another edition that was written for this purpose.

Summary

The book is divided into three sections. The first details the tools needed in order to be a sound biblical exegete. Here, Michael looks at the necessity of the grammatical-Historical Method and how that plays into our understanding of biblical theology. The next two chapters discuss the tools of biblical theology; i.e., what is being revealed to us about God through the canon of Scripture. The last two chapters of the first section is a helpful look at the biblical and systematic theology and why we need both.

Simply stated, the second part is the biblical theology–Creation, Fall, Love, Sacrifice, and Promise. The third section seeks to apply biblical theology to both preaching and teaching. Here, the reader is introduced to what this can look like in the local church. The book concludes with an extremely helpful “for further reading” section where he offers a descriptive bibliography for each chapter of other resources that will further educate the reader.

Review

Biblical Theology is an extremely helpful book in many areas. First, his chapter on the importance of both biblical and systematic theology helped me to wrap my mind around the idea that they are a both/and rather than an either/or. In other words, I had struggled with the thought of having to jettison one of the two manners of theology for the other thinking they were incompatible with one another. Michael really helped to put that misunderstanding to rest.

Second, his section on the theology of the Bible is a great help in introducing how one understands biblical theology in its “inner workings.” The five main points he offers (listed above) can readily be seen all throughout scripture over and over again.

Finally, as mentioned above, the descriptive bibliography at the end of the book is extremely helpful. He offers books that he does not necessarily agree with doctrinally. Mostly, he offers books by recognized, conservative evangelical authors, many of which I would have never thought to read as regards the use of biblical theology in the local church.

Recommendation

If you are seeking to go into the ministry, Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church will be a book you will want on your shelf. It will be a resource that you will come to refer to again and again to which your congregation will appreciate more than they know. Still, this book is not just for pastors. Sunday school teachers and mid-week bible study leaders can also glean quite a bit from the pen of Michael Lawrence and help to shape their lesson preparation and teaching.

Nichols, Stephen J. and Ned Bustard.  The Church History ABC’s.  Wheaton:  Crossway Books, 2010.  36 pp.  $15.99.  Purchase at Westminster for $10.55.

Introduction

Stephen Nichols is research professor of Christianity and culture at Lancaster Bible College & Graduate School in Pennsylvania.  Ned Bustard is a graphic artist who has written and illustrated numerous children’s books.  The ABCs are, well, the English alphabet .

Summary

The Church History ABCs is a fun way to introduce your child to the history of the Christian faith.  You will not meet Jesus or Paul or Shadrach, Medrach, or Abednego.  You will meet, however, Jonathan Edwards, the Wesley Brothers, and Lady Jane Grey.

Each letter of the alphabet is accompanied by a paragraph or two that is meant to be read aloud to your children.  For example, when introducing Hippolytus, they begin with, “Hi. Let’s get on thing straight, my name is Hippolytus, not hippopotamus.”  Each short bio offers some quick facts meant to introduce the man (or woman) in church history that represents the letter.

At the end of the book, there is a couple more paragraphs for each person which contain a bit more detail.  The entire book is designed to whet the appetite for the family as the children learn more about those giants on whose shoulders we stand.

Finally, in Sesame Street fashion, I believe The Church History ABCs was brought to us by the letter “J.”  I say this because of the 26 letters in the alphabet 11 of the names start with J!  Obviously, this is mostly do to the “John’s” who represent Calvin, Donne, Edwards, Foxe, Knox, Owen, and Wesley.

Review

The book is rather large and extremely colorful.  Ned Bustard did a fine job of illustrating The Church History ABCs.  The bios easily keep the children’s attention as they contain many funny side comments or anecdotes.  Given the audience (3-6 year olds), I am impressed how Nichols was able to keep my attention as I read the book to my children.  You can check out C is for Calvin and L is for Luther to see what I am talking about.

Recommendation

We are indebted to Nichols and Bustard for writing and illustrating such a wonderful book.  This book serves multiple purposes and therefore deserves a spot on your or your child’s book shelf.  First, it teaches the alphabet.  Second, it teaches church history.  Third, your kids will keep wanting to go back to it, thus cultivating a love of reading and church history.

Brownback, Lydia. Purity. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2010. 136 pp. $10.99. Purchase at Westminster for $7.80.

Introduction

Lydia Brownback is the author of the series “On-the-Go-Devotionals” written with the busy woman in mind. Lydia is a conference speaker as well as a book editor for a Christian publishing company.

Summary

Joy is one of those emotions, though Lydia makes the implicit case that joy is not an emotion but a lifestyle, that we all struggle with.  In women, it may be a bit more difficult to cultivate given the daily duties as a wife, mom, and maybe professional.  Beginning with joy in going forward in life, Lydia takes her readers on a journey of cultivating a lifestyle of joy in all things culminating in finding your joy in God’s love.  Along the road, you will discover how to have joy in forgiving, letting go, being vulnerable, praying, trusting, and submission among many other areas of life.

Review

To find joy in every situation is tough.  Sometimes, seeking for the joy can actually become idolatrous.  What I mean by that is rather than looking to Christ, you seek the “silver lining” or the joy in every situation thus taking your focus from Christ.  Lydia does a masterful job of guiding her readers to cultivating a biblical understanding of joy.  Again, she does not write about joy as an emotion.  Rather, she writes of joy as a lifestyle. 

Each chapter is written in short, succinct messages allowing for more thought and meditation than simply reading and forgetting.  These devotionals will stick with the reader throughout the day and hopefully throughout her life. 

Recommendation

As with all of the “On-the-Go Devotions,” I highly recommend Joy to any woman looking to truly be joyous in every situation in life–even if that is in changing a diaper!

Brownback, Lydia.  Purity.  Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2010.  136 pp.  $10.99.  Purchase at Westminster for $7.47.

Introduction

Lydia Brownback is the author of the series “On-the-Go-Devotionals“ written with the busy woman in mind.  Lydia is a conference speaker as well as a book editor for a Christian publishing company.

Summary

The sub-theme of all the “On-the-Go Devotionals” is “A godly woman’s adornment.”  Purity takes a look at the woman’s heart and how she is to be singly devoted to the pursuit of a pure heart.  The second part looks at the fruit of biblical purity in a woman’s life. 

The first fruit is that of feminine purity.  Here, the woman is challenged to know and understand her biblical role as a woman–especially in the context of marriage.  The second fruit looks at the body.  Here, she is challenged to glorify God with her body throughout life. 

The third fruit is sexual purity.  (As a guy, I was stunned (in a good way) by this section.)  Sexual purity took on a much deeper meaning for me as I read through these chapters on passions, godlingess, weaknesses, flattery, etc.  The final fruit is that of pure love.  Pure love is best understood as other-focused. 

Review

As a guy, this was a bit challenging to read.  I was not prepared mentally to read how these principles speak to a woman.  In talking with my wife, though, Lydia is dead on in her assessments of biblical purity.  The chapters are short and to the point and leave the reader (preferably a female!) with much to think about. 

Recommendation

I heartily recommend Lydia’s “On-the-Go-Devotionals” to women who want to better understand there God-given roles as women, wives, and mothers.  Specifically, this book on purity is a must read in our sex-saturated culture where more women feel they must flaunt their so called purity rather than give God the glory for it.

Poythress, Vern.  In the Beginning was the Word: Language- A God-Centered Approach.  Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2009.  416 pp.  $25.00.  Purchase at Westminster for $18.00.

Introduction

Dr. Poythress is professor New Testament interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA.  He has taught for longer than 25 years.  You can find more of his works here.  This particular book looks to God’s use of language to communicate to us about Himself.

Summary

Divided into six parts with thirty-six chapters, Dr. Poythress expertly shows the importance of both the spoken and written languages.  He begins in section one looking at God’s involvement with language.  I love that he begins with a discourse on language and the Trinity.  We talk of the fellowship within the Trinity but have you ever really thought of Their use of language in that fellowship?  He concludes this section with our understanding of how God has communicated His Law to us through written language.

Part two looks at the use of language in the context of history…both good and bad uses.  The third part details discourse and how we interpret the Bible.  Part four takes a specific look at storytelling with a very important chapter on the story of redemption. 

Sentences and words are the subject of part five.  Here, Poythress traces how words have meaning and how the meanings of those words form our perspectives.  The final chapter looks to how we are to apply our understanding of God’s use of language.  The book concludes with many appendices discussing philosophical approaches to language.

Review

We use language every day and never really give it a second thought except when we are attempting to communicate with someone who cannot understand what we are saying.  Poythress does a huge favor by showing how our use of language is (and ought to be) rooted in the Triune God. 

Each chapter is short yet extremely thought provoking.  Poythress moves logically from a prolegomena of God as Triune through to the history of language in humanity.  It all begins, as Poythress rightly shows over and over, with God and ends with humanity.  To think that God would actually condescend to be able to speak with and to us through His Word, the Bible is more than my brain can handle.  Seriously, think about how we try to communicate to a frog or a hamster or a duck but to quickly realize that we cannot begin to communicate to them other than trying to throw something at them or chasing them down.  Now, think of how much more difficult it was for God, an infinite and all-powerful being, to actually communicate to us.  You are now beginning to get the picture of what Poythress is communicating.

Recommendation

While I realize that not everyone will find this subject as fascinating as I did, I do recommend this book openly to all.  Throughout the pages of In the Beginning was the Word, the reader will be shown over and over the glory of God through His communication with us–the Bible.  If you are philosophically minded, then you will devour the contents found between the covers of this book.

John Piper and Justin Taylor, general editors.  The Power of Words and the Wonder of God.  Wheaton:  Crossway Books, 2009.  176 pp.  $15.99.  Purchase at Westminster books for $10.71.

Introduction

John Piper and Justin Taylor are back as general editors of yet another wonderful treatise that the church needs to hear.  This particular edition deals with the words we use each and every day.  More importantly, this volume deals with the Word of God and how the power of salvation and creation comes from God’s words.

Contributors include Mark Driscoll, Sinclair Ferguson, Bob Kauflin, Piper, Taylor, Daniel Taylor and Paul David Tripp.

Summary

These papers were presented at the 2008 Desiring God National Conference.  Paul Tripp introduces the mere fact that everything we do involves speech.  We need to be seeking to season our speech with the love of the gospel so that when we do speak, it will be effective for God’s glory.  Next, Sinclair Ferguson exposits James 3:1-12 which is truly worth the price of the book.

Piper offers a stirring look at how our speech should be eloquent so that God’s glory may be magnified all the more.  This is a chapter that needs to be read by all pastors and Christian speakers.  Often times, we are unable to move beyond superficial words except to sprinkle “smart sounding” words in so that we sound intelligent.  Thus the saying remains true: “a mile wide and an inch deep” when applied to our vocabulary.

Interestingly enough, Driscoll speaks on Christ, Controversy, and Cutting Words.  I say interestingly enough because it is Driscoll who has come under fire for having used profanity from the pulpit (he has since repented).  Daniel Taylor, a professor of literature and writing at Bethel University, writes regarding how our faith is writing a story and how we should express it as such.

Finally, Bob Kauflin concludes the essays with his take on how our singing brings much glory and honor to God.  The book ultimately concludes with two panel discussions regarding the power of words.

Review/Recommendation

These messages are not for the faint of heart.  There is no letting up in this book.  From the beginning to the end, the reader is challenged to watch what he says.  The theme verse while reading this book is Matthew 12:36.  Amazingly enough, I can never recall a sermon being preached on this text in any church I have ever attended.

Regardless of the difficulty of reading (you can download the sermons and listen to them), these men need to be heard.  If Matthew 12:36 is true, then there are many of us (myself included!) who are going to be in a lot of trouble though we have been covered by the shed blood of Jesus Christ (at least those who have repented of their sins and confessed Christ as Lord and Savior).  As you read this book, you will find yourself realizing just how easily one sins by opening his mouth. Read this book.

Lloyd-Jones, Martyn.  The Gospel in Genesis: From Fig Leaves to Faith.  Wheaton:  Crossway Books, 2009.  160 pp.  $15.99.  Purchase at Westminster for $10.55.

Introduction

Many wonder how Jesus Christ is present in the Old Testament or how even one can preach the gospel of Jesus Christ from the Old Testament.  Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981), with exegetical acuteness shows how.  The Doctor, as he was affectionately called, shows us today how this is so in The Gospel in Genesis: From Fig Leaves to Faith–a series of sermons being published in book format for the first time.

Summary

Preaching nine sermons on various passages from Genesis chapters three through twelve, the Doctor shows how indeed the gospel message of Jesus Christ is rooted in not only the Creation of the heavens and the universe but also the fall of man.  Of the nine sermons, six are from Genesis 3:1-24.  There is a sermon on the Flood, the Tower of Babel, and the calling of Abraham.

In every sermon, we find a New Testament usage either explicitly or implicitly. Dr. Jones expertly draws the gospel from the text being taught and shows how it is foundational to the whole of Scripture.  These messages are timeless and very applicable to the Christian today because they are deeply rooted in what we as Christians believe–that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners (1 Tim. 1:15).

Review/Recommendation

To review another man’s sermons–even in book form–is a difficult task.  To critique a sermon, unless there is heresy being taught, is beyond the scope of what I am seeking to accomplish at Christian Book Notes.  Are there some areas that I disagree with the Doctor?  Absolutely! But, those are secondary and tertiary issues at best.  I am not seeking to call a man out on those issues unless I have been asked to engage at that level.  Insofar as the Martyn Lloyd-Jones is concerned, I have not been asked to do so nor do I feel it necessary to do so.

His sermons are spot on regarding application to us today.  Much of what he says needs to be said from pulpits today and, as sad as it may be, will never be preached.  The Doctor talks of judgment and deliverance.  He talks of Christ and His exclusivity.  He talks of the gospel and the necessity of its proclamation.

For anyone seeking the gospel in the first twelve chapters of Genesis, I commend Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ The Gospel in Genesis to you.  For those looking for a good, quick read on how Christ came to die because of the sin of Adam, I, too, recommend this book to you.  If you have never read Lloyd-Jones, this would be an excellent place to start–it is a quick read and is as Christocentric as one can find.

Piper, John.  Ruth: Under the Wings of God.  Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2010.  90 pp.  $21.99.  Purchase at Westminster for $14.51.

Introduction

I have review numerous books by John Piper and therefore do not really need to introduce anything about him.  Regardless, you can find more about John Piper and his ministry at DesiringGod.org.  There are numerous resources available for free.

This particular book of poems comes as a reflection from Piper’s exegetical work on Ruth which was published a few months prior to this one.  That book is entitled A Sweet and Bitter Providence.  I have reviewed it here.

Review

This is not a book of exegetical thoughts though it is based on Piper’s sermon preparation for the book of Ruth.  In this book of poetry, John Piper takes artistic license as Obed, Ruth’s aged son, tells his young grandson about how God cared for his mom during some rough times.  Obed tells how God brought his mom and dad (Boaz) together and how his dad had to redeem his mom in order for them to be married.  That grandson is a little 8 year old inquisitive boy named David.

While I am not one to do well with reading poetry–I always seem to notice the rhythm and rhyme more than the content–I found this one to be a fun and unique way of looking at the book of Ruth.  Personally, I had to read the book twice in order to be familiar enough with it to better see the content.  Aside from that one personal issue, I greatly enjoyed the storyline and the angle in which the story was shared.

Recommendation

If you are not into reading poetry, this will be a tough read (as I shared above).  If you are into poetry, then you will greatly love this book.  I have found that my children loved the reading of this book because of the rhythm and rhyme.  It makes for a memorable story for the children.

Lloyd-Jones, Martyn.  Living Water: Studies in John 4.  Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2009.  730 pp.  $40.00.  Purchase at Westminster for $25.60!

Introduction

Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) is well known by many in the Reformed circles of Christianity.  This is because of his love for the Puritans–he has been given credit as the man who single-handedly brought Banner of Truth into life.  Banner of Truth is most known for their Puritan Paperback Series.   My prayer is that he would be well known throughout all of Christendom.  He has much to offer today’s Christian.  You can download sermons for free at OnePlace.com.  I highly recommend you check out that website.

Summary

Living Water is a compilation of 56 sermons delivered by Dr. Lloyd-Jones on John 4:13-14.  The breadth of these sermons (imagine one year spent in studying two verses!) is beyond my ability to describe.  He begins with the possibility of the Christian life for all people and shows, through careful exposition how Christ impacted one woman in a private discussion and then explains how He should impact all of us in much the same way.

His sermon entitled Wrong Ideas of Worship and of God is worth the price of the book as he shows how Christ says we should worship God.  The five or so sermons at the end of the book greatly challenged me regarding my evangelism.  Again, these sermons are very pertinent to today’s church.

Along the way, ML-J details what conviction of sin really means, how one can be saved, why we ought to believe in the authority of the Bible as the Word of God, and even a sermon on the difference between Christianity and religion.  As I said above, this sermon series compiled into this book is amazing in detail and length.

Review/Recommendation

It is hard to review another pastor’s sermon unless he is espousing heresy.  Dr. Lloyd-Jones brings out many different nuances of these two verses.  He applies them to the Christian walk today and offers many defenses of the Christian faith along the way.  To read Living Water is to take a class in evangelism, systematic theology, and apologetics at the same time.

What is more, Ian Murray wrote in an article for Banner of Truth magazine that this is the last of ML-J’s sermons to be published.  All of his sermons have been exhausted in terms of formatting them for print publication.  While starting with Living Water may seem daunting (it is 730 pages!), I highly recommend that you pick up anything by Martyn Lloyd-Jones and be fed by arguably the greatest expositor and pastor of the 20th century.