Books Read 2018
1. Jan 11 – The Holy Spirit (New Studies in Dogmatics)
Christopher R. J. Holmes
Excellent book on the theology of the doctrine of our God, The Spirit. Holmes engages with three prime interlocutors; Augustine Aquinas and Barth. Some great insights can be gleaned from this piece as Homes interacts in a enlightening way with these three past theological giants.
For the scholar. 4.5/5
2. Jan 13 – The Work of The Holy Spirit
Octavius Winslow
Excellent mixture of solid orthodox theology with devotional, and “experimental” encouragement. Considering Winslow is a 19th century baptist pastor the style and prose may be a little tedious for some, but well worth the effort.
Winslow combines deep theological reflections with experiential praise.
Well worth the read for the Christian who wants to learn and experience a deeper and relationship with The Spirit. 4.3/5
3. Jan 15 – Covenant and God’s purpose for the world (Short Studies in Biblical Theology)
Thomas R. Schreiner
This is a good short book (119 pages) to read in order to get better acquainted with Covenant Theology. Schreiner is a Reformed Baptist and so we see Covenant Theology explained through the Baptist framework.
Easy to read and follow. 3.8/5
4. Jan 20 – Brave New World
Aldous Huxley
The dystopia of the future through the eyes of Huxley. A classic, with some of Huxley’s musings bordering on the prophetic. A haunting insight into the mind and desires of the human heart written in a fascinating novel. 3.8/5
5. Jan 24 – King’s Cross
Timothy Keller.
Excellent book brought about from Keller’s sermons on the gospel according to Mark.
Always aiming to reach the hearer at the personal level, Keller explains certain passages of Mark and how the gospel affects the hearer at the level of the soul.
Well worth the read for the pastor! 4/5
6. Jan 31 – Theology of Mark; Explorations in biblical theology
Hans B.Bayer
This is a solid book to help the pastor formulate an understanding of the gospel of Mark as a call to discipleship. Bayer aims to show us how to combine a God-perception with a Self-perception that is “shaped by the gospel”.
Bayer spends a quality section on Eight Discipleship qualities that can be found throughout Mark, hence making this book a good companion/study guide for discipleship courses/classes.
For the Pastor 3.5/5
7. 22 Feb – Isaiah’s new exodus in Mark
Rikki E. Watts
A rich scholarly work that draws the connections of Isaiah’s exodus of God’s people from Babylon as the shadow of Jesus’ final exodus as recorded in the Gospel of Mark
The book is for the serious scholar and covers the Isaianic descriptors in great depth, while addressing disagreements.
Knowledge of Hebrew will help not essential. Some sentences tie a conclusion to a Hebrew Word without translation. Also, German is used without translating its meaning.
If you can read around the numerous references, citations and sentences in foreign or biblical languages, this book is essential to understanding the structure and theology of Mark. 4.6/5
8. Feb 27 – Jesus Christ and the life of the mind
Mark A. Noll
This book is more of an exhortation than an exploration on how the mind is used for the glory of Christ. Noll’s emphasis is; Christians should not abandon the field of academia and deep thoughtful exploration to the secular world. 3/5
9. Feb 28 – Strong and Weak
Andy Couch
Basically ok. Couch addresses the true aim of flourishing to be fuelled with both weakness and strength. Using an x – y chart or as Couch calls it; “a 2×2 Chart”. Couch segments a chart into quarters starting with the top right corner; “flourishing”, then moving clockwise in quarters, “suffering”, “withdrawing” and “exploiting”.
Of course we all need to be in the top right corner; flourishing!
There is not great deal of theology in the mix of Couch’s psychology. I found some of the examples a little too far on the “liberal” side.
“God had given her specific words to speak to me, specific instructions for my own prayer life … [the instructions] sit on my desk as I write”
“I sensed the unmistakable voice of Another addressing me… ‘I hear your prayers’”
With very little attention given to biblical example and texts; its really a pop-pyschology fuelled read on how good leadership is framed with both strength and vulnerability.
2.4/5.
10. March 1 – The Cross from a distance. (NSBT Vol. 18)
Peter G. Bolt.
Bolt examines the great importance the cross stresses in the gospel of Mark. Under five heading stressing the impending Cross; 1. The cross and the abolition of religion; 2. the necessity; 3. “as the end of the world”; 4. where God comes close; and 5. resurrection and hope of humanity.
Bolt, like the gospel of Mark, impresses upon the reader the urgency to get to the cross, while spending valuable time taking in the rich theological landscape on the way. 3.8/5
11. March 11 – Christ, Our Righteousness. (NSBT Vol. 9)
Mark A. Seifrid
In this volume Seifrid lays out the historical movement of Justification through the Apostle Paul’s conversion unto his exposition through Romans (concentrating on Romans 1-3) and the church corpus general. Bolt spends more focused attention on righteousness and the Law in Galatians.
The chapter 5 its an exceptional treatment on faith as God’s work through the gospel and obedience.
This volume is a valuable resource for the student or preacher hoping to cement their understanding of justification, righteousness and faith in the midst of the confusing errors of the “new perspective on Paul”.
4.6/5
12. March 16 – The Way Of The Lord
Joel Marcus
Technical book on Mark’s use of Isaian motifs.
Excellent treatment of Mark 9:11-13
As an armchair student of theology I found the book concentrated heavily on the proving or disproving of hypotheses. Although the book is excellent in its intent; to demonstrate the Isaian motifs found throughout the gospel of Mark, acting as its backbone, I consider this book to be beyond the average pastor range of study for every Sunday.
Having said this, I used this book to gain a deeper appreciation of Marks use of not only Isaiah, but a conflation of Psalms in various passages!
It therefore needs two separate scores.
For the layman 3.2/5
For the “Serious” student 4.6/5
13. March 16 – The Chosen
Chaim Potok
A well written novel that captures the growing friendship of two young Jewish boys growing up during the second war in America. One from a strict, yet warm Jewish household, the other from a fundamentalist and colder family environment.
Potokk develops the characters with such intricate and gravitational skill, that once the reader reaches the last page you are left wanting to know more of their lives. 3.5/5
14. March 21 – A Gracious and Compassionate God (NSBT 26).
Daniel C. Timmer
Quite the extensive setting of the historical landscape leaving the reader exhausted by the time Timmer begins to handle the book of Jonah. Out of 154 pages it takes Timmer 67 to actually engage with the book of Jonah. Chapter 3 headlines with Jonah 1 … and again takes several pages (8) to begin to tackle Jonah.
Timmer’s conclusions (20 pages) is really where the pastor wants to head. Insightful and Christocentric, viewing the book of Jonah with the lens of the imitatio dei! 3.2/5
15. March 29 – Reading the Gospels wisely
Jonathan T. Pennington
Pennington organises his book like building a house; Part 1 the laying of its foundation; Part 2 Building the house by reading the gospels wisely; Part 3 Living in the gospels.
Pennington begins where one should when dealing with the gospels; what are the gospels? Why we need them? Then delves into the reasons for the synoptic differences and the richness of four separate gospel accounts that complement each other. Following with what it means to read and write history.
I found chapter 6, Reading Holy scripture well, excellent! The use of John Frame and the exhortation that one does not understand the meaning of a text without its application truly riveting.
Pennington also offers his Hermeneutical approach that looks behind, in and in front of the text. I found his chapters on Digging deeper. Discarding a “what strikes me” (WSM) approach to the gospels, and applying Chapell and others, Pennington recommends a Fallen condition (FC), Redemptive solution (RS), and virtue formation (VF) approach.
This book reignited a desire to read the gospels more wisely.
Intermediate reader. 4.8/5
16. April 03 – The Imperfect disciple
Jared. C Wilson.
Wilson talks about those Christians that have their life together as a multi-book author writing about how to be a better Christian. Oh those Christians that have their life sorted! If Wilson hasn’t sorted our his life, but has written several books, what hope is there for, well, the rest of us?
So contrary to many other favourable reviews I found Wilson Indirect Posturing! Which smacked to me a little like a justification to his vocational decisions.
I found the book difficult to read because I didn’t consider Wilson humour even remotely funny.
There was also what I believe to be over stretching in his theological application.
Using Gen 22, in the giving of Isaac Wilson considered Isaac was “in one way an idol for Abraham”. Perhaps, but seems a stretch … as the main point in that sacrifice is to anticipate the antitype of Christ, and who may Abraham be representing giving up his only idol of a son, may we ask? … maybe at a distant tertiary point would be to examine our idols?? Hence, the application that God will test us by taking away our idols may be true … but the test in Gen 22 did not go that far, in fact, God said now I see, and Isaac was given back to Abraham.
Wilson uses Gen 22 as reflective of his own idolatry, being pastoral ministry and justifying quitting the vocation?
Then to refer to Isaac, as “my Isaac”, analogous to “his idol”, I found a little difficult to follow. Thus giving up pastoral ministry was not quitting but giving up an idol, giving up ministry was sacrificing to do the will of God!
2.3/5
17. April 03 – Exegetical Fallacies
D. A. Carson
The book title pretty much sums up Carson’s intention; To examine the fallacious use of philosophical, grammatical, hermeneutical and exegetical errors befalling most preachers. I say most preachers because Carson gives examples of a plethora of mistakes used by quite renown pastors and teachers. Hence, if they make exegetical errors, well, you can imagine a pleb like me. An intermediate knowledge of Greek is required!
Helpful, but not essential to the pastor.
3/5
18. April 04 – Preaching as poetry
Paul Scott a Wilson
Wilson looks as developing what he calls; Theopoetry or theoretic preaching. He says; “it relies on theology yet minimises abstract speech about God. It uses language of the bible in poetic ways and speaks of God acting”. In other words Wilson encourages preaching that is poetic – not a quick sermonette that disseminates data; affecting the intellect but avoiding the imagination!
Towards the end Wilson suggests what can come close to a consumerist church service. “Individuals design their own service… their own order of worship according to their interests” (133).
Wilson mistakes the congregation gathered for worship, as individuals gathering as consumers to have their interests met!
Wilson however, suggests he is not making an argument against traditional worship services, but rather, opening a way to start conversations? ONLY for the discerning pastor!
For the suggestions on applying a beautiful clothing to preaching 3.8/5
For his ecclesiology 1.2/5
19. April 05 – The roots of endurance
John Piper.
Piper brings a brief primer on three greats; Newton, Simeon and Wilberforce. Especially interesting is how each man’s life affected the other, brief, and how they endured through the hardship of ministry.
A good start to reading biographies!
3.3/5
20. April 18 – Studying the Synoptic Gospels
Robert H. Stein
Excellent book from the delving into the synoptic problem, to exploring through a critical lens form criticism, to ending with a favourable light on the value of redaction criticism. Stein brings forth a solid case the priority of Mark!
As a text book I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. To the point I will pursue further readings on redactional criticism!
Every pastor should read – 4.7/5.
21. April 19 – You are what you love.
James K. Smith
Smith posits greater attention is needed in the habits of Christian living that will promote greater Christ-like discipleship, thus Smith suggests there is quite a lot the church of today could do regarding its liturgy to create spiritual habits leading to stronger faithful Christians!
I think he places too much emphasis on the habits and less so on knowledge that may leave the young Christian to misunderstand his point.
Using the psychological concept of automaticity Smith muddies the waters in what forms biblical orthopraxy. In other words how can one establish good habits unless they learn such habits or imitate. Regardless each begins with the knowledge of God and His revelation.
Needless to say, very well written, worth the read – 4/5
22. April 23 – How bible Stories work (Reading the bible as literature)
Leland Ryken
In his short book Ryken aims to encourage the pastor/teacher to read the bible as literature. Such as looking for the structure of each narrative in focus. Ryken spends each chapter on a specific part that makes up a story, eg. setting, characters, plot, heroes and explains how to identify each part.
I found the book a little to vague and at times I hoped more would be said on a particular chapter.
Each chapter concludes with a section titled learning by doing. Thus, giving a challenge to practice was previously explained.
3/5
23. April 26 – Every Good Endeavour
T. Keller.
Keller delivers quite a bit worthy of contemplation; why do we work?
The Christian can be at times, double-minded when it comes to work and rest. How is one to understand work and how it relates to God’s divine mandate for humanity? And How, does the Lord’s command to rest, serve this mandate?
As always Keller is clear and insightful! This book helps to think through the way Christians can find identity apart from work and yet consider work in the world a vital part of their existence.
3.8/5
24. April 26 – Amusing ourselves to death
Neil Postman
Postman charts the birth of TV from the inception man’s desire to communicate. From the Telegraph to the telephone to the lounge room TV. Postman superficially refers to Huxley (Brave New World) and Orwell (mainly 1984) on how these two visionaries perceived the trajectory of the world in formulating their dystopian ideas. Postman suggest that out of the two Huxley was closer to the mark. Rather than having books and ideas censured, society will be lulled into willing and blissfully giving up their freedom, by giving up their minds.
Postman’s thesis is that the medium of TV as the transmitter of information and with its prime intention to entertain, will inevitable desensitise the viewer to the content being offered. Hence, meaning discourse loses its profundity by the medium (TV) used to deliver its message.
Worth the read – 4/5
25. May 06 – Interpreting Gospel Narratives
T. Wiarda
Wiarda does a superb job teaching, and I guess, redirecting our attention, on how to look at the characters within the gospel narratives, so as to; “enrich, sharpen or correct” interpretations from commentaries. His thesis is that by focusing on the characters depicted in the unfolding stories within the gospels we will be in better shape to derive the main point of a particular scene. Additionally, Wiardia is at pains to tell us that the surrounds and how the characters interact also, give clues to interpreting a pericope accurately.
Well worth the Pastors attention.
4/5
26. May 06 – True Beauty.
C. Mahaney & N. Whitacre
This book has been past on to many women within our congregation and it is well worth a read. It moves the reader to contemplate where True beauty lies. Although targeted at women, it would do well for church men to read and peek through a window in the life of women. Nevertheless, much of what is discussed can be directed at men, I would say the primary audience is to church women.
I minor critique, I felt the book could’ve been a little more honest? … when discussing diet. There were the usual suspects of not feeling guilty with dieting, the overly discussed anorexia and bulimia, but what is conspicuously absent is over eating, obesity, gluttony?
Having said that is was a breath of fresh biblically understood air.
The catechism questions moulded around inner beauty I found interesting and something worth considering.
3.7/5
27. May 09 – The Cost of Discipleship
D. Bonhoeffer.
Bonhoeffer’s classic master piece! Sure, not all can be accepted without question, but not much that Bonhoeffer writes is without biblical precedence. As disciples of Jesus Christ, do we live as though our calling cost much, or do we live as though the grace bestowed upon us is cheap? Hence, Cheap grace?
Not an easy read at all. Which I suspect many who begin to read this volume will falter as they reach chapter 3. That said even those first three chapters are worth labouring over. On the teaching side; I found Bonhoeffer’s leading into each chapter with a biblical passage quite helpful. I marked by bible with each page reference for easy referencing come the time to preach on such a passage.
For example, section 2; “The Sermon on the Mount” is broken into three subsections, Matt 5, 6 and 7 respectively. An each chapter of each subsection begins with a verse of the sermon on the mount. I then placed a note in my bible at Matt 5:1 – “Cost of discipleship – page 105”. For future reference. Thus the book was very helpful in this manner.
3.9/5
28. May 11 – The Catcher in the Rye
J.D Salinger
Holden is a troubled coming of age teenager. Salinger charts his life (in the first person), as Holden is being expelled from yet another school, making his way from his dormitory back home in which he will then have to confront his parents.
It is understood to be a classic! I limit my thoughts here because I found the book very difficult to read with its constant profanity!
The story itself, in my opinion, which in fact does not matter a great deal, has been remarkably over-hyped!
2.6/5
29. May 11 – These strange ashes.
Elisabeth Elliot.
Elisabeth Elliot regarded this book her favourite. It tells the story of her first missionary adventure, as a young woman, making her way to the jungles of Ecuador to minister to a small group of women. Elisabeth set out with high expectations to document the unwritten language of the Colorado people with hopes of translating the bible in their own language. The story telling is at time humorous and at other times heart breaking. It is in fact remarkable that a young women in her early twenties would set aside the commodity so life and bravely venture into the jungles of Ecuador to reach the unreached…And this makes the story compelling.
4.2/5
30. May 18 – The majesty of mystery
K. Scott Oliphint
The lifeblood of our walk with God is mystery!
Oliphint begins by directing our knowledge of God to its rightful end, the glory of God.
Oliphint speaks into the rationalising of God; the stripping of God’s mystery to fit our understanding of God within our intellectual capacities? This should not be! Oliphint careful elucidates the concepts of God while allowing the incomprehensible God to remain with some mystery. Rather than falling into desperation that God is incomprehensibly mysterious, this reality to should make us fall down to worship!
I need to give a minor caution. When discussing God’s immutability Oliphint seems to sway from classical theism and to loosen God’s simplicity. Oliphint considers God immutable, yes, and also holds to God’s aseity, yes. However, his discussion of God “beginning” a relational interaction with His creation implies a creaturely affect upon God! That said, the book is excellent and well worth the read.
Excellent
4.8/5
31. May 21 – Satan Cast Out
Frederick S. Leahy
A reformed and biblical perspective of demonology. You will not find a method of how to exercise demons in this book as Leahy rightly exhorts against such unbiblical practices. Rather Leahy exports the biblical mandate of prayer and evangelism to the lost soul.
There is much to commend the book as it completely denies the modern and popular approaches of branding the name Jesus around as form of incantational power. Worth the time on such short book.
4/5
32. May 31 – The book of Isaiah and God’s Kingdom (NSBT 40)
Andrew Abernethy
Excellent treatment of God’s Kingdom and reign in the book of Isaiah!
Abernethy makes an interesting and convincing case for the threefold sections of Isaiah to be seen through the agents of Yahweh. Chapters 1-39 we see the Davidic Ruler, chapters 40-55 The Servant and Chapters 56-66 The Messenger.
Chapter 3 looking at God the Warrior is exceptional!
There is too much to commend.
If Isaiah or the Kingdom/King is a topic of preaching or teaching this book should be consulted. Abernethy also has teaching outline in an appendix.
4/5
33. June 11 – All that is in God.
James E. Dolezal
This book must be read after Bruce Ware and Rob Lister’s God is Impassible and Impassioned! Dolezal takes on the giants of modern theology to caution a divergence from classical Christian theism.
As a reformed baptist Dolezal engages what he sees as a shift away from the simplicity and aseity of God to a more palatable emotionally changes God, by referring back to traditional christian thought.
Without a doubt Exceptional
4.8/5
34. June 12 – Five Festal Garments – NSBT – Vol 10
Barry Webb
Webb considers the most neglected parts of the Christian Bible to be; the Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes and Esther. Hence we have an brief overview of each book examining some of its difficulties while looking at its christian application.
3.2/5
35. June 12 – Home; How heaven and the New Earth Satisfy our Deepest Longings
Elyse Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick presents a biblical understanding of heaven (New Heavens and New Earth) as a means to ignite a passion and anticipation for what awaits the believer in Christ.
Although Fitzpastrick begins by stating a general view of the eschaton she proceeds to unpack certain areas of God’s reign IN Jesus through a very particular view.
I suspect a person holding an amillenial view will find some sections jarring with their understanding of scripture. Nevertheless the book at times brought a much desired sense of Hope in the promises of our Lord.
3/5
36. Jun 19 – Now my eyes have Seen You – NSBT – Vol 12
Robert S. Fyall
We think Satan was given control of Jobs life only in the physical, but what about within the spiritual?
Confusing at times. The first and last thirds are best. The dealings with darkness as demonic forces was enlightening.
The theological reason of Job being under demonic oppression including his sickness, infirmities, nightmares AND circumstances was enlightening. Also, Fyall’s view of Behemoth and Leviathan as death and Satan respectively was worth the read.
3.6/5
37. July 6 – Reset
David Murray
A solution based book page 33
To be more cautious to go slower, to redirect our drive to God’s purpose and not achieved goals, to eat better, spend more time with family, consider mediation when prescribed not to discard it outright.
I get all this, but what about the man ministry that acknowledges all this, yet desires live hard? Desires to burn both ends, desires to give his/her life as a living sacrifice? Offering himself like a drink offering over the sacrifice of others?
These books are written for middle-aged men living in first world countries experiencing first world problems with their first world families. And so, the book is directed at a particular demographic in a particular niche of the world.
What of the single man dedicating his life to missions work? – should he become more cautious in his forward planning? I am waiting for the book that teaches the soldier of God, how to be a better soldier, while in the thicket of the Jordan!
Now I understand that rest is vitally important, and taking time off to smell the roses is just as necessary – but the biblical examples do not give us this prescription. It describes men and woman who spent themselves for the gospel, with every ounce of energy!
Yes they sought rest, but did not find it on this side of glory!
I believe if Paul Tripp with his book “Awe” collaborated with David Murray’s “Reset” then we would see something worth reading, to then apply.
2/5
38. July 7 – Why I am a Baptist
T. Nettles and R. Moore
This book is a collection of SBC baptists giving small snippets as to their position in the baptist camp. Its not really a defence of the denomination as to a gathered group of baptist professing a conviction to the baptist way and life.
Interesting read if one is looking to hear others profess a baptist conviction but very little on biblical support for the baptist position.
3/5
39. July 8 – A Reformed Baptist Manifesto [Booklet 102 pages]
Sam Waldron
In this small book Waldron expresses the view that the New Covenant itself, as evidenced from Jer 31,” is the ultimate, formal basis and legal rule constitution of the Church”.
Waldron’s book is a polemic as it defends the Reformed Baptist Covenantal view against, Dispensationalism, Antinomianism, Arminianism and Paedobaptism.
Not only is this booklet is helpful to any Reformed Baptist wanting to know more about the New Covenant and how it relates to other views, but it also shows how the bible pointed to a New Covenant!
4/5
40. July 9 – Work and our Labour in the Lord [Booklet 104 pages]
James M. Hamilton
Hamilton has a knack of writing biblical theology in an engaging way. This booklet is easy to read and thoroughly thought-provoking. Hamilton traces the concept of work … from Eden as Adam is created with the DNA of work built within him and moves towards the New Heavens and Earth where humanity will continue to labour as part of God’s good creation.
4.2/5
41. July 12 – Words of Delight
Leylan Ryken
Colossal! Reading the bible as literature. It is a labour of love. Intensive, thorough and well worth reading with bible at the ready.
Ryken handles four main headings; Biblical Narrative, Biblical Poetry, Literary Forms and New Testament (as literature?). There were so many texts that were shown through the literary lens that if each text referenced is noted with Ryken’s insights, it will take a couple of months to get through this book. … a little over 500 pages.
I would say this is all about the “how to” for the pastor that desires to read and preach the bible in all its literary beauty.
For its magnitude and its thoroughness it deserves
5/5!
42. July 17 – Dangerous Calling
Paul Tripp
Tripps confesses this is a diagnostic book aimed to take a look at the self – the pastor self.
Treatment of Heb 3:12 was worth considering.
3.3/5
43. July 24 – The Heresy Of Orthodoxy
Kostenberger/Kruger
Kostenberger and Kruger respond to the allegations asserting many theologies and “christianities” existed before an established Orthodoxy, as false.
Their polemic is against the main adherent to such a position (Bauer) and his modern students (Ehrman and Pagels). Bauer’s thesis states the only reason one canonical book is incorporated apart from a non-canonical lies solely on the ruling power exerting its preferences to a holy canon. Ehrman incorporates Bauer’s thesis and adds a skepticism to historical knowledge by pleading one cannot be totally sure of anything without the original manuscripts.
The authors do a good job refuting these post-modern ideas with such little space!
4.4/5
44. July 28 – Slogging along the paths of Righteousness
Dale Ralph Davis
Excellent devotional commentary. But I’m bias to the way Davis preaches … hence I hear his voice and sense of humour through pages as he points me to my Lord!
Excellent devotional and pastoral help to the Psalms.
4/5
45. July 30 – The (Unadjusted) Gospel
Together for the Gospel 2010
Sermons from the T4G 2010
3/5
46. July 30 – Evidence not seen
Darlene Deibler Rose
The heart-touching story of the young Darlene as a missionary to the people of Papua New Guinea during the period of WWII. I found the book takes a little to get going but once the Japanese invade the region of her mission work we see her story take a heart-rending twist.
Her account as a prisoner of war and the life she lived with other missionary wives and their children is eye-opener as the reader realises she does it all for the Name of the Lord!
4/5
47. August 15 – Mark as story
D. Rhoads, J. Dewey & D. Michie
This is another book on what can be called literary criticism or better yet, Narrative Criticism. Its a book that aims to read the gospel of Mark as narrative or story, hence the title.
The authors aim to read Mark solely within its individual story without consulting the parallel accounts. Although we may agree with the assertion we should let Mark emphasis his own events, we do not suggest with neglect of the parallel accounts.
There are indeed several areas of strong disagreement, I mention two.
On page 107 we read about Jesus; “He is not God…for Godis the only Lord an don one is good except God alone.” The authors it seems go out of their way to leave the divinity of Christ in muddied waters, ambiguity reigns leaving the reader unsure if the authors intended to highlight the man Jesus to the exclusion of God IN Jesus.
On Page 113 the authors make this claim; “Mark does not portray Jesus’ death as a sacrifice for sin… His death is not needed to make forgiveness possible.” Then on the next page they mention Jesus believing His sacrifice a ransom for many, but not within sacrificial terms.
It’s all about the rule of God in Jesus as His King! Realised eschatology
It’s all about the good news, but it’s not the gospel we know with a sacrificial atonement, but a moralistic Jesus king of an earthly and heavenly kingdom. The good news of the rule of God without the good news of forgiveness!
Hence it is not a Christian story … p. 147
2/5 for theology
3/5 for its Narrative Criticism.
48. August 16 – The Lord’s Supper as a means of Grace (booklet 115 pages).
R. Barcellos
Excellent… book on the theology of the Lord’s Supper. It can be technical in some places but well worth the read. Barcellos engages the biblical evidence with the 1689 London Baptist Confession to boldly demonstrate that “something” actually happens during the partaking o the Lord’s Supper; The Lord’s Supper is a means of grace!
4.9/5
49. August 28 – Fighting Satan
Joel R. Beeke
I was after a book that would deal more on the fallen angel Satan and Christ’s conquering of that strongman… its subtitle; Knowing his weaknesses, strategies and defeat, instead it was more of the same. I do not believe Beeke accomplished his task.
Good as a first book, primer in demonology.
3/5
50. September 4 – Recovering a Covenantal Heritage
Ed. Richard Barcellos
For the advanced reader. A collection of essays building the case for reformed baptist covenant theology as opposed to paedobaptist covenant theology.
Its massive and full of meat.
For the confessional baptist.
4.8/5
51. September 7 – Faith Alone. The doctrine of Justification
Tom Schreiner
I found the chapter on The Role Of Good Works confusing. The dealing of James 2 difficult to follow, even though agreeing with his conclusions.
Schreiner’s engagement with contemporary challenges to sola fide (think Beckwith and N.T Wright) is worth a read.
Over all I tend to enjoy Schreiner’s work, but this book for some reason seemed a little laborious to get through.
3.4/5
52. September 12 – When God weeps
Joni Eareckson Tada
Steven Estes
Who better to talk about suffering than one who has suffered for decades?
Eareckson Tada attempts to makes sense of God through the life of one who suffers and she does a great job.
One areas of disagreement, the books promotes an impassioned God, but does not overly emphasise it which makes it an easy read, although at times, very emotional.
3.5/5
53. September 14 – From Eden to the New Jerusalem
T. Desmond Alexander
Alexander does a great job addressing two questions through a trajectory of biblical theology; why does the earth exist? and what is the purpose of human life? Alexander begins in the garden of Eden as a type of temple, a garden-temple and moves to the tabernacle ending in the church as temple with a view to a future everlasting temple kingdom that culminates in a New Heavens and New Earth.
It a solid book for understanding the theological revelation of God’s purpose with Eden, to Tabernacle towards a People and ending in an everlasting kingdom!
3.9/5
54. September 22 – The Distinctiveness of Baptist Covenant Theology
Pascal Denault
This is a reformed baptist stable. The subtitle says it all; a comparison between seventeenth century particular baptists and paedobaptist federalism.
This book is very helpful understanding the reformed baptist view of covenant theology. The manner that Denault works to inform the reader is by contrasting the reformed baptist view with the paedobaptist.
Essential read for the reformed baptist.
4/5
55. October 9 – Out of the Silent planet
C. S. Lewis
First book of C.S. Lewis science fiction trilogy. It was an interesting book, but I wouldn’t say at the riveting levels of his chronicles … yet it is interesting on how C.S Lewis uses his protagonist; “Ransom” to explore a world that doesn’t seem to be grasped by the same noetic effects as earth.
3/5
56. October 10 – The flow of the Psalms
O. Palmer Robertson.
Brilliant no better book on the structure of the Psalter. So well organised, and such thoughtful detail to the composition of the Psalter. I confess this book has shifted not only the way I read the Psalms but also how I come understand them as a whole and therefore preach from them
5/5
57. October 31 – The Providence of God
Paul Helm
Part of the Contours of Christian Theology I found Helm’s work robust and well within the reformed tradition. It is not heavily weighed with exegesis and tends to spend more tie-in the philosophical arguments for God’s ultimate sovereignty as expressed in His orchestra of life.
Helm holds to the classic view that the Lord knows all things and permits them to come to be as part of His holy decree, hence God has “no risk”. Helm argues against modern evangelicals who espouse a God who “takes risks”.
4.2/5
58. NOV – Who Shall ascend the mountain of the Lord (NSBT Vol 37)
L. Michael Morales
Excellent. Morales takes the reader on thoroughly enlightening biblical trajectory that illustrates how the the tabernacle, in fact the whole of creation was to meet with God. The cultic structures not only suggested a place of God’s dwelling, but a place to meet God.
Morales eventually points us to Christ as the tempe of God that has come to mediate our dwelling and meeting with our Creator God.
For the technically minded laymen, student, preacher.
Excellent
5/5
59. Dec 03 – The Gospel according to Daniel
Bryan Chapell
This is a Pastorally focused book, not necessarily a commentary. I found this book some what helpful and certainly not exhaustive by any means. It is a reasonable resource for personal study going through the book of Daniel, however for preaching it will need much supplementation.
Probably the third or fourth resource to supplement preaching through Daniel.
3.6/5
60. Dec 05 – All the light we cannot see
Anthony Doerr
Novel – brilliantly written!
Doerr uses 2-3 pages per chapter to engage us with two protagonists, Werner and Marie-Laure; a German boy and a French blind girl as their lives intersect in occupied France during the second World War.
That said, with with these snippets an author runs the risk under-developed characters, yet the novel was thoroughly engaging.
4.8/5
61. Dec 13 – With the clouds of Heaven; The book of Daniel in biblical theology (NSBT Vol 32).
James M. Hamilton.
Hamilton is one of my favourite biblical theologians. He is a robust exegete and writes academic pieces in a manner easy to understand. Hamilton is thorough in his examination of Daniel but this not a commentary in its strictest sense.
That said, Hamilton engages the book of Daniel in early Jewish literature, examines typologies and the New Testament use of Daniel.
Hamilton is a premillenialist and so reads Daniel through that lens.
Son of Man in chapter 7 and the figure in chapter 10 (only one person, no Christ then angel) a Christophony –
Chapter 7 is describing the second coming and not associated with the first advent.
All in all, a solid and extremely helpful book.
4.2/5
62. Dec 28 – The secret thoughts of an unlikely convert
Rosaria Butterfield
The testimony of Butterfield coming from a world of lesbian love and secular academia to Christian love and Christian teaching. There a moments where I admire her will to dome than just enough. Butterfield opens her homes to the needy, to the youth, to bible teaching, adopts children, and this she doesn’t she fosters.
Coming from a reformed perspective it is an encouraging and challenging read.
3.5/5
63. Dec 28 – The gospel of the Kingdom
George Eldon Ladd.
Excellent treatment of the kingdom of God …
One must be careful to sift through his premillennialism and what at times can be misunderstood as replacement theology.
I found Ladd to be very insightful and I helps to clarify what the Kingdom of God is … The kingdom of God is not a realm or people, not the church, but the Kingdom of God is “firstly the divine redemptive rule manifested in Christ.”
4.4/5
64. Dec 30 – The Last Adam
Brendon D. Crowe
It is not just the death of the Lord, so the work of the cross was not solely what accomplished redemption – but the birth, life, WORKS, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus completes the necessary act of atonement.
At times difficult to follow … but illuminating when all the theological ducks are lined up. From a reformed perspective!
3.7/5