Christian Book Notes

Profiles in Reformed Spirituality - Venture all for God: Piety in the Writings of John Bunyan.  Edited by Roger D. Duke and Phil A. Newton.  Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2011.  196 pp.  $10.00.  Purchase at Westminster Books for less.

Introduction

I have interviewed and reviewed books by Dr. Roger Duke in the past as well as having had the pleasure of meeting him in person at a recent conference.  You can read the reviews, the interview and even a couple papers he presented here.  Phil Newton is heavily involved in the Founder’s Conference as well as the serving as the Pastor of South Woods Baptist Church.  He has written a number of helpful books of which a couple can be found here.

The Profiles in Reformed Spirituality series is personally one of my favorite series of books and Bunyan is one of those authors that has resonated with me through the years.

Summary

Divided into a life introduction followed by seven sections of sermon snippets, one could spend weeks digesting the thoughts of Bunyan from subjects such as Christ our Advocate and Him as the merciful Savior.  The third section offers much hope for the sinners while sections four through seven contain more practical (not that the gospel is not practical!!!) to living the Christian life.  In section four, the reader is exposed to what true humility looks like while section five is about Christian ethics.  The seventh section offers warnings.

I saved sections six for last because I believe it to best sum up the entire book and thus the life of John Bunyan.  Section six is aptly entitled the Gospel Applied.  Here we have the shortest of all sections in terms of only two selections, but much to chew on and guide one’s reading of the works of the great Dreamer.

Review

I enjoyed reading snippets from some of Bunyan’s lesser known works though I found the number of selections from The Jerusalem Sinner Saved to be just as appropriate.  The biographical sketch at the beginning of the book is an extremely helpful, albeit short, introduction to the life of John Bunyan.  Many know the highlights due in large part to his Pilgrim’s Progress.  Sadly, many do not know much, if anything at all, about the rest of his life, writings, and ministry.  Venture all for God will go a long way to rectify that problem.

Another helpful section in this small work is found at the end.  The two editors offer a guide to various books in print that can be purchased in order to read more of John Bunyan.

Recommendation

If you have ever read or even heard of Pilgrim’s Progress then I highly recommend that you pick up this introduction to John Bunyan and his life.  For less than $10 you can add a book to your library that you are sure to read time and again.  What is more, you will find that this book will somehow multiply the books on your shelf as you will want to begin reading more and more of John Bunyan.  You will not be sorry once you read this book.  In fact, I dare you say, the Lord would use this work to help your walk with Christ.

Reason for the Season: Ministerial Reflections on Grief & Suffering as Spiritual Formations. Agee, Bob R. and Roger D. Duke.  Cape Coral: Founders Press, 2010.  114 pp.  $9.95.  Purchase through Founder’s Ministry for $8.25.

Introduction

Everyone experiences suffering.  Everyone wonders just what in the world God is up to whenever one does go through the valley of the shadow of death or in one of life’s many seasons of trials.  Rarely does one take the time to seek out those who have “been there, done that.”  Fortunately, Roger Duke and Bob Agee have edited an invaluable resource in Reason for the Season that deals with just those seasons of life.

Summary

The book was divided into two parts though more for the sake of continuity than anything.  The first part consists of nine chapters offering the minister’s contributions while the second part consists of only two chapters from a physician’s perspective.  The contributors include Dr. Curtis McClain, Fred Luter, David Miller, both editors, and L. Rush Bush (1944-2008) among others.

Each chapter can stand alone from the others, but when brought together into this one volume, the unity found only in Christ is striking.  You have eleven contributors all sharing various and different stories of grief and suffering yet striking one common theme–Christ is sufficient.  In some of the stories, loved ones die.  In other stories, loved ones come so close to death and then the Lord graciously grants them new life.  In all the stories, you hear of how the Lord granted faith amidst the darkest of times.  In each story, you will be challenged to have the same faith.

Review

Most of the contributors appeal to M. Robert Mulholland definition of spiritual formation: “The process of being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others.”  With this definition as the basis, the reader can easily see how the Lord uses the suffering in the Christian’s life to bring about glory and honor for His name as well as the means by which many are saved–once they hear the gospel message that under-girds one’s faith at such a time in life.

Having experienced many seasons of suffering and grief (though not death of a close loved one), I found that I could identify with many of the “lessons” learned.  It was also nice to see that it is only by faith that one can experience such seasons and still maintain their love for God.  In essence, we are all equally needy of God’s grace and mercy, not just in times of grief and suffering, but in every day living as well.

Recommendation

Pastor, purchase this book and have it readily available to lend out.  That being said, it is not just a book for pastors.  We all experience suffering.  Many will look for resources that deal with a theology of suffering and many others will strive to find the silver lining.  Instead of seeking for those, why not sit down and “talk” with eleven ministers and doctors who have experienced similar circumstances in their lives and have come through the other side more resolute in the goodness of God?  I understand how difficult it is while in the Valley to think about coming through.  Allow these men to be a guide used by Christ to help.