Christian Book Notes

Carr, Simonetta. Athanasius. Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2011. 66 pp. $18.00. Purchase at Westminster for $13.50.

Introduction

Simonetta Carr is no stranger to the readers of Christian Book Notes. She is the author of the Christian Biographies for Young Readers Series that is doing amazing things to bring the glorious history of the church to life for a new and much younger generation. You can read past reviews on the other three books in the series –John Calvin, Augustine, and John Owen.   She has also been interviewed here. You can become a fan of Christian Biographies for Young Readers on Facebook, too.  This particular volume in the series looks at the life of Athanasius.

Summary

Divided into five chapters, the young (an old) reader is introduced to a young Athanasius who is called to lead the Christian church during a difficult season.  You will quickly discover that God called Athanasius during a special time in which he became one of the greater defenders of orthodox faith.  Twice Athanasius was forced into exile and hid in the deserts for much of his life.  In the end, the young reader will learn that the early church fought many battles to maintain a proper understanding of who Christ is.  In this case, the doctrine of the Trinity was defended.

Included in the back of the book is a timeline offering the highlights of the life of Athanasius as well as a “Did you know?” section that gives some finer points and information that was alluded to in the body of the book.  The author concludes with the Nicene Creed.

Review

As usual, the story is well told and is engaging for the children.  The colorful pictures and paintings help the kids to visualize the realness of what took place in the life of Athanasius.  Matt Abraxas is the artist behind paintings.

Most impressive is Simonetta’s way in which she tackles the sometimes difficult life of Athanasius.  He was a fierce defender of orthodoxy, but was also what I would call a firebrand.  Regardless, the author does a wonderful job of showing why he was so beloved then and now.

Recommendation

While each book in the Christian Biographies for Young Readers can stand alone, Simonetta Carr is painting a beautiful mural of the history of the Christian church.  I echo Michael Haykin’s sentiments when he wrote, “I am fast becoming a real fan of Simonetta’s writing.”  The only change I would make is that I am already a huge fan.

I highly recommend Athanasius as well as the other books in this series to parents who are wanting to introduce true heroes to their children.

Swinnock, George. The Fading of the Flesh and the Flourishing of Faith. Grand Rapids, Reformation Heritage Books, 2009. 178 pp. $10.00. Purchase at Westminster for $7.50.

Introduction

George Swinnock was an English Puritan who lived from 1627-1673.  He is best known today because of his extraordinary gift of giving vivid illustrations of doctrinal truths found in the Scriptures.  You can get a succinct introduction to this divine by reading Trading and Thriving in Godliness, a book in the Profiles in Reformed Spirituality Series published by Reformation Heritage Books.  J. Stephen Yuille edited both works.

Summary

Swinnock originally preached most of what later became this work at the funeral of his cousin, Caleb Swinnock.  In what amounts to a large exegetical sermon, Swinnock looks at Psalm 73 in its proper context.  From there he draws out the two opposing perspectives by the Psalmist.  The first is that of jealousy with the heathen who seems to have it all.  After arriving at the crux of the Psalm, verses 16-17, the Psalmist makes an about face in his perspective and then praises God for His mercy and grace.  Swinnock’s leaping off point for the majority of his message is rooted in vs. 26 where the Psalmist writes, “my flesh and my heart may fail, but God i the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (ESV).

While I do not think that Swinnock originally split his work into 20 chapters (I am not completely sure on this), this book is divided into 20 chapters.  This is a good thing as each chapter requires much thought and contemplation from the reader.  Swinnock builds a foundation of teaching  the reader how to prepare to die.  After that foundation is laid, Swinnock points us to the truth that God is man’s only true happiness and joy.  God is the only one who offers the comfort and joy we desire.

Review

One of my (many) jobs in this season of life is to work at my father-in-law’s funeral home.  I am around death a lot.  That being said, I, as a pastor and believer in Christ, have noticed a great need for a return of a theology of death as our enemy.  George Swinnock, writing in the 17th century, helps us to do that.  His exegesis of Psalm 73 is phenomenal and I dare say unheard of today in most pulpits.  His vivid (that word does not begin to describe the imagery conjured!) depictions of the biblical truths and the reality of death will leave the reader longing for more.  There are 178 pages worth of daily meditations on life and death found in The Fading of the Flesh and the Flourishing of Faith.

This book is one of the first to come out in the new series being produced by Reformation Heritage Books.   The series prefaces states:

Interest in the Puritans continues to grow, but many people find the reading these giants of the faith a bit unnerving. This series seeks to overcome that barrier by presenting Puritan books that are convenient in size and unintimidating in length. Each book is carefully edited with modern readers in mind, smoothing out difficult language of a bygone era while retaining the meaning of the original authors. Books for the series are thoughtfully selected to provide some of the best counsel on important subjects that people continue to wrestle with today.

Recommendation

I am greatly excited about this series and cannot wait for more to be published.  This edition of George Swinnock’s work is profound and would do well to be on your shelf.  There is not as much contemplation of the brevity of life and the ultimate end to all man as there should be.  While it may be a short book, it will certainly take the reader deeper into Psalm 73 that he has ever been.  I highly recommend this resource–especially if you are a believer and you know someone that may die before you.

Boekestein, William. Illustrated by Evan Hughes. Faithfulness Under Fire: The Story of Guido De Bres. Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage, 2010. 32 pp. $10.00. Purchase at Westminster for $7.50.

Introduction

William Boekestein is Pastor at Covenant Reformed Church in Carbondale, PA. He formerly taught in a Christian school for a few years. He earned his M.Div. at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. Evan Hughes is an illustrator and graphic designer. Both men blog at LifeReformation.org.  Guido de Bres (1522-1567) was the author of the Belgic Confession of faith.

Summary

Guido de Bres was born in the heat of the Protestant Reformation (it began in 1517). Growing up he studied the writings of Martin Luther and John Calvin. Upon his salvation, he felt called to the gospel ministry. Early on he was able to study in peace without the threat of persecution. Later in his ministry, however, he faced much persecution as the Catholic church maintained much more control over Europe with the rise and fall of many Kings in the land—some Protestant some Catholic. Guido was ultimately hanged for preaching the gospel.

Review

Faithfulness Under Fire might at first glance be viewed as too much for a child given the graphic detail and pictures (see the front cover). That being said, however, it is important that we teach our children that we truly stand on the shoulders of giants who have gone before us. It is easy in the United States to take for granted our ability to worship in freedom. The life of Guido de Bres shows us that this was not always the case.

Having read this book to my children (ages 6 and under), I discovered that they were fascinated by what happened to him and other Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. The pictures and story line was not too harsh as might first appear. This is especially true given what many of our children are allowed to watch on television or listen to on the radio.

Recommendation

If you want an excellent and graphic introduction to the atrocities that took place during the Protestant Reformation, Faithfulness Under Fire is a great place to start. In reading this book to your children, they will begin to respect the reality that we can worship freely in the United States. It will also enable you as a parent to have discussion regarding the persecution still taking place in the church today. For an excellent website for that discussion you can check out the Voice of the Martyrs.

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.

Carr, Simonetta.  John Owen.  Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2010.  66 pp.  $18.00.  Purchase at Westminster for $12.60.

Introduction

Simonetta Carr is no stranger to the readers of Christian Book Notes.  She is the author of the Christian Biographies for Young Readers Series that is doing amazing things to bring the glorious history of the church to life for a new and much younger generation.  You can read past reviews on the other two books in the series –John Calvin and Augustine.  She has also been interviewed here.  You can become a fan of Christian Biographies for Young Readers on Facebook, too.  This particular book looks at the life, ministry, and writings of John Owen.

Summary

In essence, Carr hits the highlights of the “career” of John Owen.  She looks at his birth and death as well as his ministry with Oliver Cromwell whom he served as a chaplain to and even introduces the children to his numerous books that are still impacting the world today.

Review

I was impressed with how Carr brought to life such a difficult man to understand.   She even makes the comment that his books and sermons are not easy to read today but they are worth reading nonetheless.  She also introduces the children to other figures through the life of John Owen.  For example, she shares of Owen’s affection for John Bunyan and how he would trade in all of his learning if he could preach the way Bunyan could.

Recommendation

As I have with the other two books in this series, I highly commend this book to you as both a parent and a pastor.  I enjoy reading these to my children and enjoy even more seeing my oldest (6) want to read about the lives of the saints from yesteryear.  Begin early cultivating a love for reading and history and your children will be the better for it.

As a pastor, I am thankful that many parents who read these books to  or with their children are learning themselves.  I know I have learned from reading these books myself.

Reformed Confessions of the 16th and 17th Centuries: Volume 2, 1552-1566. Edited by James T. Dennison, Jr. Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2010. 918 pp. $50.00. Purchase at Westminster Books for $37.49.

Introduction

There has been great interest in Reformation theology and thinking in the last 10-20 years in the church. This is a good thing though often misguided since there has not been a central source that traces the thinking of the Reformers through their various confessions and articles. James T. Dennison, Jr. has come to our rescue! He has painstakingly translated all of the Reformed confessions into English (many for the first time) in the hopes to offer a more comprehensive understanding of the thinking behind the theology of the men that the Lord used to Reform His bride, the church.

Summary

Volume 2 begins literally where volume 1 left off. This is quickly evident with a quick glance at the Table of Contents. The first chapter is 34 and not 1! Each confession is introduced with a historical context as to the necessity of its being written. Information, where known, is given about the author as well as where the source of the text was located when translated. There are 33 confessions found in this volume. At over 900 pages, you can readily see that the Reformers sought to leave no stone unturned.

Review

I was impressed with the readability of the confessions as well as their accessibility really to all readers. The historical context given at the beginning of each confession was extremely helpful. I cannot wait for the future volumes to be published though I am beginning to wonder how large this series will be!

Recommendation

If you are a student of history, this is a series you will want to own. Even more, if you are a student of church history, this is a series you must own. In the end, it will wind up being just as important to church history as Schaff’s The Creeds of Christendom.

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.

Ventura, Rob and Jeremy Walker.  A Portrait of Paul: Identifying a True Minister of Christ. Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2010.  256 pp.  $18.00.  Purchase at Westminster Books for $13.86.

Note: I am republishing this review because the book is due to be published/released on October 10, 2010.  You really need to purchase a copy for your pastor, or if you are a  minister, purchase a copy for yourself!

Introduction

A Portrait of Paul is the culmination of a preaching series by the author’s in their attempt to better understand their roles as pastors.  Rob Ventura serves as pastor of Grace Community Baptist Church in Cumberland, Rhode Island.  Jeremy Walker, who blogs at The Wanderer, is pastor of Maidenbower Baptist Church in Crawley, England.

Summary

A Portrait of Paul is divided into ten chapters all focused in on Paul as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Each chapter plumbs further what amounts to be a radical (and Puritanical–think Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter), albeit Biblical, view of the pastoral ministry.

Chapters one through three look at the joys, focus and hardships of Paul’s ministry.  These joys are not frivolous nor are they “fun.”  No, these three chapters actually look at the the sufferings (joys) for the churches (focus) through his many afflictions (hardships).  Not a job description we see much of today!

Chapter four takes a look at the origin of Paul’s ministry which is obviously from God while the essence of Paul’s ministry (chapter five) is plainly the gospel and making it know to all people. The subject and goal therefore remains message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ so that those who are regenerated may be presented perfect to Jesus Christ. How many pastors seek to actually do this as they prepare their sermons?

The final three chapters are quickly summed up as follows: Paul’s strength came from Christ (chapter 8 ) so that he could suffer many conflicts (chapter 9) on behalf of the saints so that he could warn them not to be led astray by another gospel (chapter 10).

Review

As a book reviewer, I do not have much to really critique since the book is an exposition of Colossians 1:24-2:5. Ventura and Walker strike at the heart of what is wrong with so much in the pastoral ministry today quite simply because so many of the pastors in the ministry are not following God’s word for pastors. A Portrait of Paul, while about the apostle Paul is extremely Christo-centric in its approach and application. In other words, when Christ says, “I am the vine and you are the branches, apart from me you can do nothing” (emphasis added), He means it–especially for pastors.

As a pastor, I needed this book. There were sections I read which brought me to tears as I realized just how frail and unbiblical a pastor I am. While it may surprise some to hear that a pastor is not perfect (some pastor’s actually suffer from a “God-complex!”), I can readily admit that I have much room for improvement. Especially when compared to the “job description” laid out for us by Paul in Colossians 1:24-2:5.

Recommendation

If you are a pastor, please pick up this book. If you are thinking about going into the ministry, this book is an must read–you may quickly learn that the pastoral calling is not for you! If you have a pastor, pick up a copy today and give it to them. We are indebted to Rob Ventura and Jeremy Walker for writing this book. While many may not read Baxter’s Reformed Pastor because it was written so long ago by a (gasp!) Puritan that it can’t possibly speak to us today, they would readily pick up this book given its “modern” take on the ministry. In so doing, they will be the greater for it and the congregation in which they are the undershepherd will reap the benefits.

Carr, Simonetta. Augustine of Hippo. Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2009. 64pp. $18.00. Purchase at Westminster Books for $12.60.

Introduction

This is the second book in the Christian Biographies for Young Readers series by Simonetta Carr. The first book was on John Calvin (read review here). I know the third book in the series and will say I am uber-excited about the third book! For now, I turn my attention to Simonetta’s treatment of Augustine.

Summary

Simonetta takes a simple approach for the children to easily see the life of Augustine. She offers chapters on his childhood and young adulthood and his search for wisdom and becoming an extremely articulate young man in Italy. She shares how Augustine’s mom prayed for his salvation daily and how he ultimately did become a Christian and followed God into the ministry even if it was against his will! She concludes the biography with chapters on the difficult times that Augustine faced and what he did in the last days of his life.

The book is full of colorful illustrations and even includes a time-line and a “Did You Know?” section for kids who want to know more about the man many call a saint.

Review

I am really enjoying these children’s biographies. They make for great read aloud’s and offer excellent introductions to some great divines that many believe to be beyond the grasp and understanding of children. The colorful illustrations help the kids to “see” the events in Augustine’s life.

The chapters are short enough to read aloud and keep the children seated but just long enough to offer enough detail to pique the curiosity of your kids.

Recommendation

If you are looking for great books or biographies for your 7-12 year old to read, I highly recommend beginning with these. For younger children, I have discovered that these biographies make great read-aloud’s. Even more, I am confident that many adults reading these books will want to know more about the men being discussed.

Anyabwile, Thabiti M. May We Meet in the Heavenly World: The Piety of Lemuel Haynes. Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2009. 132 pp. $10.00. Purchase at Westminster Books for $7.00.

Introduction

I have written before on the must read series Profiles in Reformed Spirituality. This particular volume is edited by Thabiti Anyabwile, Pastor First Baptist Church, Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands (he hates the beach!). Thabiti has written quite a bit recently regarding African-Americans in the pastorate. In his writings, he has focused primarily on Lemuel Haynes, a New England preacher who lived from 1753-1833.

Summary/Review

In this short book, Thabiti introduces this “unsung hero of the Christian Faith.” Lemuel preached in the generation following the First Great Awakening (1740-1742). He was indentured to a family at the age of five months and lived with them until he was 21 years old. He began his ministry at the age of 27 and preached until his death in 1863.

He was most known for God’s presence, providence,and power being foremost in his life and preaching. He was also known to have a sense of humor that would bring laughter to just about anyone. We finally see how his sense of God’s presence led him to lead his family in worship each night.

In the snippets of sermons selected by Anyabwile we learn about a pastor who took his charge seriously. Moreover, we learn of a man who thought much of death, not only in his own life, but in the lives of everyone he would talk with or preach to. Often times, he would challenge his listeners that many of them would not be here the next time they meet. You gather a deep sense of the weight Lemuel felt in preaching and sharing the gospel with anyone who would listen.

I have never read anything about Lemuel Haynes (I have the books by Thabiti, but have not been able to read them, yet!). This short introductory biography is a wonderful introduction to a black pastor who was deeply influenced by the “giants” as are many today. It is interesting to read his take on ministers in government or his thought on God’s judgment on congregations regarding the death of pastors.

Recommendation

If you have never heard of Lemuel Haynes, you need to pick up a copy of May We Meet in the Heavenly Places. It is a quick read but one that will have an impact on your ministry and/or walk with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are indebted to Thabiti’s research on Lemuel and making him once again accessible to the many (especially black preachers) wanting an example of pious living and preaching from America’s early history.