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.

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.

Introduction

We have seen a plethora of books published by the men at IX Marks Ministries in the last year. I have reviewed many of them here at Christian Book Notes and have found each one to be extremely helpful to the local church. What Does God Want from us Anyway? is no different. Though it is not explicitly one of the 9 marks of a healthy church, that characterizes the ministry, it is an essential understanding of what they are all about because, quite simply, IX Marks is all about striving toward a biblical understanding of how the local church should operate.

Summary

The introduction sums up the book best: this is a big picture of the Bible’s message. Dever has divided this short little book into three parts. The first part looks at the message of the entire Bible. Here, we see the promises of God both made and kept.

Parts two and three break down the message of the whole Bible into the theme of promises made and kept in the Old and New Testaments. Obviously, I hope, part two is dealing with the promises made throughout the Old Testament. Dever shows God’s passion for His holiness and the promise of hope that He will make a way for His people to be holy because He is holy.

The third part, then, is the message of the New Testament in that God kept His promises set forth in the Old. This section shows that Christ is the promise kept and the only person able to bridge the eternal gap between an unholy people and a holy God.

Review

Dever nails it! I love the recent trend to return to a biblical theology and the language of the promises made and kept show God to be the faithful God He claims to be in His word. Much like Crossway’s The Big Picture Bible, Dever shows how the entire Bible points to one Person and one claim–God is holy, we are not and in order to be with Him for eternity we are to put our faith in Christ.

Also, throughout the book, Dever uses the language of particularity. This is not unnoticed and is really one of the more important “words” used in the book. In using “particular,” Dever shows explicitly that God is a particular God and that He has ordained the means by which man can approach Him. Not the other way around as many think is the case.

Recommendation

For those who struggle to see the Bible as a unified collection of 66 books, this is the book for you! Mark Dever simplifies what can easily be a difficult topic for some as he strives to show the Person with whom we should all seek to serve and why we should seek to serve him. It is an age old story that has been lost in many churches today. Thankfully, Dever is showing us the lens by which we should read the scriptures. This book makes an excellent resource for the new believer who asks “What is the Bible about?”

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.

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.

Audio book

Narrated by Lloyd James.  Esconido: christianaudio.  10.75 hours.  Download – $14.98, CD – $24.98.

Introduction

I will allow Dr. Tripp to provide the introduction for this book:

You can also listen to Dr. Tripp on a recent FamilyLife Today broadcast series talking about this book.

Summary

Dr. Tripp reshapes the expectations of marriage with six commitments. They are as follows:

1. We will give ourselves to a regular lifestyle of confession and forgiveness.
2. We will make growth and change our daily agenda.
3. We will work together to build a sturdy bond of trust.
4. We will commit to building a relationship of love.
5. We will deal with our differences with appreciation and grace.
6. We will work to protect our marriage.

You will note that the operative phrase is “we will.” Marriage is not all give or all take. Marriage is when two sinners say “I do.” Those two sinners must now figure out how they are going to live together in a God glorifying marriage.

Review

The content of What Did You Expect is dead on.  Tripp is God-centered, Christ-exalting, and very real when it comes to dealing with the marital strife. With the entire book set up as a marriage counseling session. Each “session” points the person being counseled (the reader) as the problem in the marriage. Dr. Tripp continually points to “you” as the problem. It is easy for the counselor to tell the counselee that s/he is not at fault thus really making the problem worse.

Fortunately, Tripp nails this. By taking the focus off of the problems of the spouse, and, rightfully I might add, onto the person reading the book, Tripp effectively breaks down many barriers to counseling. After showing the reader that he is the cause of the problem, Dr. Tripp points him to Christ. That is the most important aspect of this book–Jesus Christ needs to be at the center of your marriage. Without Him, your marriage is in more trouble than you realize.

I do have one minor problem with the book (besides being aggravated that it was not written before I got married!) although it is very minor given the scope of the book. At the end of chapter 3, Tripp writes,

Reconciling your marriage begins when you begin to reconcile with God. It begins when you begin to pray this radical prayer: ‘Your kingdom come, you will be done, right here, right now in this marriage as it is in heaven.’ Good things happen as the result of that prayer!

My only concern is that this prayer might become a “magic” prayer causing the reader to become delusional thinking that just by merely reading it or saying it or repeating it, his marriage will be saved. I completely understand that Dr. Tripp does not intend for that to happen, but people have been putting their hope in prayers instead of Christ for so long that this must be cautioned against.

Audio Review

It was the best of the times and it was the worst times.

Lloyd James (not to be confused with Lloyd-Jones) became my favorite narrator with this book.  He read this book quick enough to keep your attention but slow enough to allow the words to really sink in to your mind and then heart.  His voice rose and fell when necessary and sped up with excitement when the context called for it.  I was engaged with the “voice” the entire time and felt as though I was sitting in the counselor’s room.

With that said, christianaudio needs to reformat the audio files.  In most cases, they format their downloaded files with the numbers as such: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, …20, 21, 22.  This can become problematic when you download the files to your mp3 player.  The mp3 player recognizes the order as such: 1, 10, 11, 12,….2, 20, 21, 22, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.  You can see how this can be aggravating but not horrible to deal with.

This time, however, they formatted the files as such: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven….seventeen.  It became a real pain to attempt to listen to the book since “eight” was the first file and one came towards the bottom.  Having to search for those files almost caused me not to listen to the book.  Thankfully, the content and narration was worth the effort.  If you are going to purchase the audio book, I would advise getting the CD’s instead of the download.  Still, the book is worth the struggle.

Recommendation

As I stated above, I really wish this book was available when I got married in 2002. Reading this book helped me to see some of my own problems. Now, my wife is wanting to read it. This book needs to be in every pastor’s library. If you plan on getting married, read this book. If you are already married, read this book…together. You can purchase the CD audio or the DVD presentation of the seminar as well as 10-packs of books at greatly reduced prices. Do so.

Introduction

Jonathan Leeman is an elder at Capitol Hill Baptist Church.  He also serves as director of communications for 9Marks as well as the editor of the eJournal.  For those who are not aware, the IX Marks of a healthy church are expositional preaching, biblical theology, a biblical understanding of the gospel, conversion, and evangelism and biblical church membership, church discipline, discipleship, and church leadership.  It is marks 7 and 8 that Leeman is concerned with in this particular book.

Summary

Love.  That is the one word summary of this book.  Love.  While many think of love in regards to church membership, but few think of love as regards church discipline.  In Part one Leeman looks at the idolatry of love and how the individually, and consequently, the church, has completely misappropriated it today.

In part two, the author redefines love.  Oddly enough, his “redefinition” is an old definition; i.e., one that is rooted in that ancient text we have been handed down from above, the Bible.  In this section, he looks at the nature (think Christ on the cross), the rule, the charter and the covenant of love. Part two is by far the meat of the book.

Finally, the third part seeks to show how we are to live out a biblical love in the church.  Affirmation and witness of love is discussed in chapter six while the submission and freedom of love concludes the book.

The appendix to the book offers an outline as well as a discussion guide to use as an aid in bringing a local body of believers to a biblical understanding of church membership and discipline.

Review

It is unfortunate that this book has to be written.  According to Gregory Wills in Democratic Religion, church discipline was the norm and church membership, specifically in the SBC, was taken very serious.  To our detriment, this is not the case today.  Leeman does an excellent job of setting the record straight regarding the importance of church membership and the power of church discipline.

I thought his keying in on the word “love” was perfect given the current climate of church membership and our “don’t judge me” attitude, generically speaking.  As he made the case that, “As we love like this, we define Christ’s love for the world” (p. 356).  The common idea of love in the church today is nothing more than licentiousness to sin.  Leeman masterfully brings the reader back to the Biblical understanding of church membership as well as the necessity of church membership.

Recommendation

As I stated above, it is unfortunate that this book needs to even be written, but alas, it must.  The church is indebted to Jonathan Leeman and Crossway Books for publishing this volume.  I recommend this book to any church leader looking to bring their church body back in alignment with the scriptures.  Those who are members of the church would also do well in reading this book as they might discover that they are improper members of a local congregation.  I am of the opinion that many of the problems in the church today are from a lack of discernment in church members and a lack of proper church discipline.  I pray that The Church and the Surprising Offense of God’s Love is used by God to rectify this problem.

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.

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.

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.