Christian Book Notes

Beeke, Joel R.  Getting Back in the Race:  The Cure for Backsliding.  Adelphi: Cruciform Press, 2011.  122 pp.  $9.99. Purchase at Westminster or you can sign up as a subscriber for even greater discounts.

Introduction

Dr. Joel R. Beeke has written numerous works (I think he and John Piper are in a competition). I have been fortunate to review a few of them here.  He serves as president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, the editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, and vice president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society which is all located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His PhD is in Reformation and post-Reformation History from Westminster Theological Seminary.

Summary

Divided into four chapters, Dr. Beeke with an introduction and a conclusion based on Scripture and the writings of men from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.  Using the analogy of a runner running a race, Beeke shows us how we can recognize when backsliding occurs.  Not everyone who is struggling with their faith is backsliding and Beeke takes great care to explain the difference.  The second, third and fourth chapters are expositions based on Hosea 14:1-9.

Chapter two looks at the runner returning to the fight and is based on verses 1-3.  Here, backsliding has been diagnosed and the Christian is now seeking the information necessary for the cure.  Chapter three is subtitled the medicines of grace and is rooted in Hosea 14:4.  Here the sickly Christian is take the prescription and is now in the midst of getting healthy once again.

The final chapter looks at verses 5-9 and offers the recovery process through the healing of grace.  In the end, if you are running the race, you have the grace of God on your side.  Beeke concludes the work with an exhortation to runners to continue the race.

Review

Backsliding is not a topic discussed often in books or churches.  Joel Beeke offers a sweet as honey elixir to cure this problem.  To date, Joel Beeke is the most well-known author to publish with Cruciform Press.  For Cruciform to take this next step as a publishing company and lead off with a book on backsliding as that next step is noteworthy (at least to me).  This tells me, and I think many would agree, that backsliding is an epidemic in today’s church.  Sadly, most pastors and Christians are ill-prepared to recognize let alone encourage, exhort, and challenge the believer who is backsliding.

It is a natural fit for the publishing model of Cruciform Press to offer what amounts to an introduction to the topic of backsliding through their publishing company.  Lord willing, this introduction will begin a paradigm shift in the church today to bring her back to good health.  Somehow, I think what will also happen is that many will discover they are not backsliding because they are not a believer.  Educating the members of your congregation can have that effect.  Only then can/will we see revival.

Beeke’s book is fast paced and just deep enough to cause the reader to want to learn more.  If said reader will plumb the depths of the Bible and use the endnotes as a springboard to more reading, only the Lord knows what will happen.  What I know is that the saints will certainly become more equipped than ever.

Recommendation

You can never go wrong with a resource by Joel Beeke even if you disagree with him on a specific doctrine.  Getting Back in the Race is a book most Christians need to read but do not know it.  Get a copy and see for yourself.  I am grateful (as will you be) for Cruciform Press taking this next step as a publishing company and to do so with this particular title is excellent.  I unreservedly recommend this book to all Christians.

Beeke, Joel R. and James A. La Belle.  Living by God’s Promises.  Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2010.  172 pp.  $15.00.  Purchase at Westminster for $11.00 or direct from Reformation Heritage Books.

Introduction

Everyone knows about the Puritans.  Some think, wrongly, they were nothing more than prudes and fundamentalists.  Many others, thankfully, are finding a godliness and piety that is rarely found in the church today.  Beeke and La Belle have co-authored a book looking at three lesser known Puritans who have written about the importance of the promises of God.  These three Puritans from which Living by God’s Promises is drawn is Edward Leigh (1603-1671), William Spurstowe (1605-1666), and Andrew Gray (1633-1656).  You can learn more about these three Puritans in Joel Beeke and Andrew Pederson’s magnificent work Meet the Puritans.

Summary

I believe at 172 pages, the book itself hardly would have room for the biblical text of all the promises given to us in the Scriptures.  That being said, the book is divided into nine chapters with an invaluable appendix and a helpful selection of readings on God’s promises.

The nine chapters can readily be divided into two parts though they are not necessarily done so in the book.  The first part deals with readers mind and consists of five chapters.  Reading these five chapters, you will understand the promises of God more fully and who the promises have their foundation and fountainhead in.  You will also see the characteristics and right use of the promises of God.

The second part is the application of living by these promises.  This part looks specifically at God’s promises during affliction and in our constant battle against sin and temptation.  The last chapter looks at how we can use God’s promises as we pursue holiness.

For me, personally, the appendix is worth the price of the book by itself.  Appendix A is a table of promises whereby there are six pages of triple-columned listings of the promises found in the Bible as compiled by Edward Leigh.  All you have are the references, but that is the joy of it!  You have a perfect launching point in which to write down and meditate on the promises of God.

Review

Um…about the only negative I could find with this book is that it ended.  I appreciated the tip of the cap to the Puritanesque preaching style found in the structure of the book.  First, the authors dealt with your mind and showed you the reality of God’s promises.  Second, as a surgeon deftly uses a scalpel, so to the writers of Living by God’s Promises operate on your heart.  With precision not common today, you will discover the truthfulness of Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Recommendation

There have been few books that have led me to worship as I read.  Living by God’s Promises will lead you to worship Christ.  2 Corinthians 1:20 will carry much more meaning to you after reading this book.   I cannot wait to take the appendix, write out the promises, categorize them into a notebook (hand written and probably in a moleskine but certainly with a fountain pen!), and then have that handy for the purpose of meditation.  Get your copy today and drink from the fountain filled with blood where all of these promises have their foundation.

The Soul of Life: The Piety of John Calvin. Edited by Joel R. Beeke. Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2009. 220 pp. $10.00. Purchase at Westminster books for $7.89.

Introduction

The Soul of Life is a volume found in the Profiles in Reformed Spirituality. Other volumes have looked at the piety of George Swinnock, Jonathan Edwards, Hercules Collins, Lemuel Haynes, Thomas Goodwin, Alexander Whyte, and Horatius Bonar. This particular volume looks explicitly at John Calvin through his own writings that have been gathered under various topical headings. Dr. Joel R. Beeke, one of the series editors along with Michael Haykin, took it upon himself to edit and introduce this book.

Summary

Dr. Beeke does a masterful job of offering a short 26 page bio of John Calvin. His work on the piety of John Calvin maybe more impressive in that reading it really brings new light to a man who has been mischaracterized for centuries. After this brief two-part introduction, Dr. Beeke offers five sections looking explicitly at Calvin’s piety.

The first section shows the importance of piety as well as defining what piety means biblically. Section two develops the goal of piety – the glory of God while section three offers the theological dimensions that one’s piety ought to be rooted in. Sections four and five were, in my estimation, the most profound sections in the book. Section four looks to piety in the local church and section five delineates the practical implications of one’s piety. The book concludes with a selection of recommended books by or about John Calvin.

Review

The only negative to this book is that it was not printed first in the series! To define piety (this is where the title of book comes from) as the soul of life is to show that each of the men written about in this series made it their life-long ambition to grow closer to God through Christ and knowledge of the Scriptures.

The way the book was laid out with the introduction giving a short synopsis of the life and piety of John Calvin and then to move from a general definition of piety to a specific application of piety helps the reader to move along in his understanding of how our thought life should impact our lives insofar as we interact with others and with God.

Recommendation

After reading The Soul of Life, you will want to go back and read the rest of the series. If you have not read any of the other books in the series, then you need to start with this one as it will undoubtedly shed light on 1) what the series editors are seeking to accomplish and 2) the influence John Calvin had on so many great saints through the ages.

Kleyn, Diana and Joel R. Beeke. Reformation Heroes. Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2007. 240 pp. $25.00.  Purchase at Westminster Books for $17.00.

Reformation Heroes is written for a slightly older audience–approximately 11-17 year olds, but can be read to younger children. The following is written by the author’s in the introduction of the book as to the purpose of this book:

The purpose of this book is threefold: first, to teach a general knowledge of the Refomration and the events leading up to it. Second, because young people often lack helpful mentors and role models, we wish to set forth accurate life stories of Reformers who are still genuine heroes and helpful mentors for us today. Third, we hope you also gain a deeper respect for the doctrines of the Reformation, as well as for the freedom we enjoy to worship God according to Scripture.

The author’s meet, and exceed, these three goals. With chapters not exceeding 8 pages in length, there is just enough space for a brief overview of the lives and roles of each saint used of God in the Reformation. Peppered throughout each chapter are wonderful illustrations that help to bring to the mind the face and culture in which the Reformers lived. Not only do the illustrations aid in keeping the attention of the children, but they also elevate the children’s awareness of how different the world in which the Reformation took place when compared to the world we live in today.

Undoubtedly, the more this book is read, the more a young boy or girl will find someone who they can relate with at some level and want to learn more about that particular Reformer. What is even better is that as the parents read this book to the younger children, they will certainly learn quite a bit about this important time in the history of the church. It is nice to be able to share with your children why Christians are willing to die for their faith as well as what that faith entails.

Recommendation

This is an excellent resource at numerous levels. For example, if you are a children’s minister, then you can use this for a summer study on the Reformation. If your family has a time of family worship, you can integrate Reformation Heroes into your family worship. If you are homeschooling your children, then this can very easily be incorporated into a history curriculum. As can be seen, the uses for this resource are endless.

Beeke, Joel R. Living for God’s Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism. Orlando: Reformation Trust, 2008. 416 pp. $24.00. Buy at Reformation Heritage Books for $18.00 or at Westminster Bookstore for $15.84.

With his usual flair for meticulous research, Dr. Joel R. Beeke has written a masterpiece in Living for God’s Glory. The book was written for those who are interested in the basics of Calvinism in a simple, non-technical, yet scholarly style. Dr. Beeke sought contributions from eight other writers for ten of the twenty-eight chapters. Some of those contributors are Michael A.G. Haykin, Ray Pennings, and Sinclair B. Ferguson.

This book serves two purposes. First, it is a resource book that will be referenced quite often in a young, Reformed, Christian’s life. There is so much in this book that involves Calvinism as a lifestyle that it will need to be drank from slowly as if allowing it to soak in over time. Second, this book is a theology book that will be read over and over as one wrestles with (or against) the impact these beloved doctrines that have come to be known as Calvinism.

Dr. Beeke does a wonderful job of laying out the central tenants of biblical Calvinism while at the same time answering the common (and not so common) objections to these doctrines. The chapters on what we now call the T.U.L.I.P. does much to dispel the many mischaracterizations of Calvinism while showing the historic, and more importantly, biblical evidences. His chapters on sanctification are much needed today and should be mandatory reading for all believers.

Perhaps the one glaring problem with the book is found early on page six where Dr. Beeke explains the spread of the Reformed faith. In that section, he mentions that “the terms Reformed and Calvinism became virtually synonymous” (p.6). He continues to use “Reformed” throughout most of the chapter but jettisons that word for “Calvinism” throughout the rest of the book. I would have rather seen a more detailed explanation for the use of Calvinism instead of Reformed than that the two words “became virtually synonymous.” How and why did they become synonymous?

If you are among those who hold to Reformed theology, this book is a must own. It would be the perfect resource for those young Calvinists who are in the “cage-stage” because it shows what exactly these glorious doctrines entail and just how far-reaching they are in one’s life. If you are not a Calvinist but have wondered what exactly Calvinism is (i.e., without all of the assumptions and misunderstandings), then I would highly recommend this book. Dr. Beeke does a great job of not “shoving these doctrines down your throat” as some have claimed Calvinists do. Rather, he meticulously charts the historical understanding and how they impacted those who believed in them. More importantly, he explains how these doctrines should impact everything about your life.

Beeke, Joel R. Heirs with Christ: The Puritans on Adoption. Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2008. 134 pp. $13.00. Purchase direct from the publisher at Reformation Heritage Books or from Westminster Books.

Introduction

Dr. Joel R. Beeke is renowned for his writings on Puritan theology. He has written, edited, or co-authored over fifty books including Meet the Puritans, Reformation Heroes, Striving Against Satan, and Living for God’s Glory (my review is forthcoming). He serves as president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, the editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, and vice president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society which is all located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His PhD is in Reformation and post-Reformation History from Westminster Theological Seminary.

Obviously, Dr. Beeke is well-versed in Puritan theology and this book does not disappoint. Justin Taylor states it best in his blurb on the back: “In this short but spiritually substantive book…” What he lacks in length he makes up for with content and depth.

Summary of Heirs with Christ

The book was written as an apologetic for the Puritans and their writings on adoption. Many, thanks in part to J.I. Packer’s Knowing God, believe that the Puritans never dealt with the doctrine of adoption. Beeke spends the entire book showing that this is not the case and that the doctrine of adoption was foundational too much of their thinking.

Beeke first shows the comprehensiveness of adoption and its impact on soteriology (matters of salvation) and the Christian faith in general. He then states explicitly what adoption is not—regeneration, justification, and sanctification—and how you cannot have one without the other but they must be differentiated.

The chapters on the transforming power of, the transformed relationships in, and the privileges and benefits of adoption leave one breathless and wanting to plumb the deeps of the Puritan minds. Along the way throughout the book, Beeke offers a sneak peek into the thinking behind the Westminster Assembly Confession as well as adoption in both testaments of the Bible.

Critical Analysis

Beeke does a wonderful job of sticking to his thesis that the Puritans wrote extensively on the doctrine of adoption. As one reads Heirs with Christ, he feels as though he is part of a documentary. Dr. Beeke strives to let the Puritans speak in their own words. He merely provides guidance as we peer back in time and see how the Puritans emphasized the doctrine of adoption and how it was foundational too much of their teachings.

Recommendation

If you are a believer in Christ, then you need to read this book. To see the richness and glory of being adopted by God into His Family will have you shouting “Amen!” To be completely honest, the footnotes and the bibliography are worth the price of the book. Personally, I found the introduction to Cotton Mather (chapter nine) to be worth the read! Having only heard of him in passing, I was not prepared for his pastoral writings and the blessing they would be to my soul.

This book certainly deserves to be read over and over. For those who struggle with assurance—and many do—they can read about their adoption into the family of Christ and rejoice to know that their assurance rests solely on God and not themselves. What a joy to realize that all over again “for the first time.”