Christian Book Notes

Haykin, Michael A.G.  The Christian Lover: The Sweetness of Love and Marriage in the Letters of Believers. Orlando, Reformation Trust Publishing, 2009.  101 pp.  $15.00.  Purchase at Westminster for $10.20.

Introduction

Dr. Haykin is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and editors.  You can read a few of my reviews of his books here or check out a series he is co-editing with Joel R. Beeke entitled Profiles in Reformed Spirituality.  The Christian Lover is a compilation of love letters mostly written between and wife though not always.

Summary

Twelve chapters comprise this short volume.  Keep in mind that the axiom size does not matter is very appropriate to this little book.  The letters between husband and wife and men interested in courting women will show you the lost art of Christian love.  Letters are included from notable men like Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Adoniram Judson.  Also included are letters from less known men and women like Henry Venn, Thomas Charles, and Helmuth von Moltke.

Review

It was humbling to read the intimate discourse between a husband and wife from days gone by.  Also, I greatly appreciated the centrality of Christ in the letters.  Sadly, this is missing from most of our Christian marriages today.  Perhaps the most striking difference in this day and age of text messaging and Twitter feeds and “status” updates, is the length and care taken in each letter.  While all the letters have been typed into the book, we can visualize each writer sitting down and putting pen to paper (in many cases, using a dip pen).  Each stroke of the pen had emotion and meaning.

Recommendation

I thoroughly enjoyed The Christian Lover and would recommend it to all readers.  Even more, as a pastor, I would make the book available to members of your congregation.  More importantly, this resource would be an excellent conversation starter for a young married couple or a couple looking to be married.  The wisdom and Christ-centered marriages found in this book are an excellent example of what the Christian marriage should look like still today.

Sproul, R.C. Abortion: A Rational Look at An Emotional Issue. Orlando:  Reformation Trust Publishing, 2010. 257 pp. $15.00. Available at Westminster Books for $10.65.

Introduction

R.C. Sproul says this is “…a book I wish I did not have to write.”  I have reviewed a few books by R.C. Sproul and have always been blessed by his ministry.  This current edition marks the 20 anniversary of the original publication.  It is also being released in conjunction with the anniversary of the 1973 decision of Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion on demand.

Summary

The book is divided into three parts with two appendices.  The first part looks at the ethical dilemma of our time.  Here Sproul outlines what the actual problem is concerning the abortion debate.  In the second part, he offers an objective analysis of both the pro-abortion and the pro-choice arguments.  Part three is a two-chapter response & strategy for those who are pro-life.  The two appendices offer a look a scientific look at the beginning of human life and a list of resources for the pro-life camp.

Review

To be able to actually live up the “rational look at an emotional issue” subtitle to this book is impressive in its own right.  Sproul actually goes above and beyond his own calling as a pastor with the republication of Abortion: a Rational Look at an Emotional Issue.  He does a remarkable job of spelling out the argument for both sides of the debate.  While he is unashamedly pro-life, he remains objective when discussing the issue from the pro-choice perspective.  Especially helpful was his dealing with the reality that both sides value human life…a truth that is lost on many in the pro-life camp.

Even more, his two concluding chapters on the correct response and proper strategy for the pro-lifer is worth the price of the book.

Recommendation

I believe that every member of the pro-life camp should read this book.  It will open your eyes to a deeper understanding of what is at stake.  It will also provide a winsome manner in which to engage “the other side.”  For those who are pro-abortion, I would recommend this resource to you as well.  Here you will honestly find a fair and balanced handling of your claims as well as thoughtful responses to your arguments.  Sproul has done a marvelous job in looking at what has become an extremely emotional issue with a much needed rational perspective.  Do not let this achievement go unnoticed.

The Masculine Mandate.  Phillips, Richard D.  Orlando: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2009.  175 pp.  $15.00.  Purchase at Westminster for $10.05.

Introduction

Lately, thanks in large part to the Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, there has been a resurgence of men taking leadership in their lives, homes, and even in the local church. There have been numerous books written on the subject of being a man and being a woman all from a biblical perspective. Add to that The Masculine Mandate by Richard Phillips.

Richard D. Phillips is the senior minister of Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, S.C., and he also serves on the board of directors for the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. He has written numerous books including What’s So Great About the Doctrines of Grace, Jesus the Evangelist, Holding Hands, Holding Hearts, and The Reformed Expository Commentary: Hebrews.

Summary

Quite simply, The Masculine Mandate is an apologetic written for men on what it means to a be a man in God’s eyes according to God’s word, the Bible. The book is divided into two parts. The first part, understanding our mandate, looks at the theological foundations for being a man. The second part details how we are to live out our mandate as men.

The main verse of the entire book is found in Genesis 2:15, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” In the first section, we have five chapters. Phillips looks at man in the Garden before the Fall and then traces how the Fall impacted everything about man and his relationship, not just with God, but with fellow man. Also in this section, we are introduced to the reality of our having to work and lead our families in light of our newfound sinful natures. Perhaps the most important chapter is chapter four where Phillips looks at what it means to be created in the image of God.

The second part unpacks how we are to live out our masculinity as Christians in a fallen world. I will give you a hint, John Wayne does not really figure into this picture. Primarily, Phillips looks at our role in marriage and family life. This includes the necessity of our being ready to discipline our children in light of clear teachings in the Bible. The last three chapters take leave from the family and investigate how men are to respond to one another as well as in the church as servants of God most high.

Review

I want to offer a warning to those who will read this book, don’t do it unless you are prepared to be confronted with your need to conform to Scripture! Richard Phillips challenges his readers on every page—not as one who lives a perfectly masculine life, but as one who has studied the Word of God and can say, with authority, thus says the Lord.

He offers great advice on parenting and disciplining your children. More importantly, he offers excellent advice on what it means to be a husband to your wife in the context of a Christian marriage. More than once I found myself confessing my failures and asking the Lord to help me be a more Christ-honoring husband!

Being deeply rooted in Scripture, you will find that your argument is not with Phillips’ interpretation and exegesis, but with the author of Scripture itself; i.e., God.

Recommendation

For those young men entering their “teen” years or getting ready to graduate high school or even getting ready for a marriage, The Masculine Mandate will offer sage advice and become one of those resources that the young man will return to often. I recommend reading The Masculine Mandate in a men’s group or just by your self. You will be a better man in so doing. Regardless, the questions for discussion at the back of the book are excellent for meditative study as well as group study. Honestly, your wives and children will thank you for taking the time to understand better what the Bible says about being a man.

Lawson, Steven J.  The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards.  Orlando: Reformation Trust, 2008.  200 pp.  $16.00.  Purchase at Westminster for $11.84.

Introduction

Dr. Steven J. Lawson serves as the senior pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama.  He has written more than fourteen books a couple of which can be purchased here and includes a few commentaries from the Old Testament.  In addition to his pulpit ministry, he also serves as the president of New Reformation Ministries whose stated purpose “is to recover and reclaim in the church a high view of God, a vision of Him, who reigns in the heavens over all.”

Summary

Divided into nine chapters, Lawson takes his readers on a journey through the heart of Jonathan Edwards.  The first chapter takes an aerial view of Edwards’ life and the legacy he left.  Chapter two sets the setting of the world in which Edwards lived.  Here we learn what made Jonathan Edwards tick as we discover his spiritual purpose, theological roots, and even the cultural precedence for his ministry.

The third chapter takes a peak at the prerequisite of faith and how that is solely a work of God in man.  It is when one understands his inability to become a believe and submits humbly to God, he will then seek to give God all the glory in everything that he does.  This leads directly into chapter four where Dr. Lawson lays out Edwards’ making the glory of God a priority in his life.

Chapter five is most helpful as it details how Edwards mortified (i.e., put to death) sin in his life.  Eternity is the subject of chapter six as Edwards looked much to heaven to keep his heart tuned to God.  Ultimately, Edwards was a very disciplined man of God who gave his wholehearted devotion to his spiritual training and well-being.

The outward fruit of the inner fight in Edwards’ life was seen in his love for others and how Jonathan wanted to live according to the Scriptures in that he would do whatever he could to live peaceably with all.  The concluding chapter, chapter nine, needs to be read by all.  Here, Dr. Lawson presents the discipline of self-examination in accordance with the Scriptures that Jonathan Edwards would routinely do.

There is one appendix to the book that lists all seventy resolutions by which Edwards lived.

Review

Lawson offers wonderful insight into the life of Jonathan Edwards in The Unwavering Resolve.  What is more important, we see how his personal, private piety played into his personal relationships with friends, family, congregation, and those in the community.  Lawson helps to rectify the mischaracterization of Edwards in recent years as one who was only a hell-fire and brimstone type of preacher.

Far from being tedious reading, each chapter flows in such a way that the reader finds himself completely engaged in the life of Jonathan Edwards.  You will enjoy reading deep into the night as you learn more about Edwards than you ever thought.

Recommendation

In addition to the other quality biographies of Jonathan Edwards, I highly recommend reading The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards.  While it is not a biography per se, it does serve to answer many questions as to why Jonathan Edwards did what he did.  It is also an excellent resource to see how to practically live out your faith and piety in the world today.

Sproul, R.C. St. Andrew’s Expositional Commentary-John: In the Beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Lake Mary: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2009. 434 pp. $27.00. Purchase at Westminster for $17.55.

Introduction

This is the second book in the St. Andrew’s Expositional Commentary Series. These are being co-published by both Crossway Books and Reformation Trust Publishing.

Summary

This commentary on the gospel of John is not so much a commentary on the history of interpretation or exegetical work and word studies of the contents of John. Rather, this is commentary is Dr. R.C. Sproul’s sermons on the Gospel of John. We are blessed with fifty-seven sermons preached on Sunday’s at St. Andrew’s in Sanford, Fl. That encompasses almost two full years of Sunday morning sermons according to Dr. Sproul in the preface.

Chapter by chapter, verse by verse, Dr. Sproul unpacks and unleashes perhaps some of the best messages recently preached from the Gospel of John. He intertwines high theology and doctrine with simple and practical application in just about every sermon. He shows how the evangelist continually pointed his audience toward the great truth that God became flesh and dwelt among us.

Each chapter is only 6-10 pages long and therefore makes for fairly easy reading in that a chapter can be read and meditated on each day. You will plumb the depths of the purpose and content of the Gospel of John as it applies to us today while you read these messages.

I greatly enjoyed his two-part sermon on the man born blind (chapters 25 & 26).  In these two sermons, Dr. Sproul takes a look at sin and suffering and how we should biblically view suffering in light of Scripture.  In the course of these two sermons, we find that God is always glorified in suffering even if man does not give him the glory.  We see how the man reacted (praising God and being willing to be thrown out of the synagogue) and how his parents reacted (not willing to be chastised for their son’s good fortune!).  Sproul concludes this two-part series with the exhortation to speak of Christ and what He has done for you on the cross (assuming you are a believer).

Recommendation

As I stated in my review of the commentary on Romans in this series, having a compilation of Dr. Sproul’s sermons on a particular book of the Bible is a wonderful addition to any Christian’s library. I am excited that the sermon series on John was the second book to be published in this commentary series. This is not a book that you will purchase as a resource where you will only use it if you are wanting to study the gospel of John. Rather, you will find that drinking of Dr. Sproul’s wisdom through the reading of these messages now transcribed and collected into one source will be of great benefit to your soul.