Brett A. Baggett, Dusty Deevers, and James Silberman: Rescue Those: How Can We Rescue Those Being...
book review
Book Review: Ann Judson: A Life of Self-Denial
Ann Judson: A Life of Self-Denial. Copyright 2012 Chapel Library, Pensacola Florida. 22 pages....
Hebrews: Kerux Commentary (book review)
Bateman, Herbert W. IV and Steven W. Smith, Kerux Commentaries: Hebrews. Bellingham: Kregel, 2021....
R.C. Sproul – Defender of the Reformed Faith (book review)
Nate Pickowicz’s new biography, R.C. Sproul: Defender of the Reformed Faith from H&E Publishing is an accessible and concise look at one of the most influential teachers God ever gifted to the church.
Hebrews: Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (book review)
Tom Schreiner’s new Hebrews: Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary from Lexham Press is a worthy resource for students, scholars, and laypeople eager to better understand the Letter to the Hebrews.
Reformed Ethics Vol 2: The Duties of the Christian Life (book review)
Reformed Ethics – Vol. 2 is another treasure trove of Herman Bavinck’s thinking on mankind’s duty before God, himself, and his neighbor.
Orthodox Yet Modern: Herman Bavinck’s Use of Friedrich Schleiermacher (book review)
Cory Brock’s vital new book, Orthodox Yet Modern is a helpful corrective to the popular but inaccurate “Two Bavincks” theory.
Louis Berkhof’s Systematic Theology – Expanded Edition (book review)
Louis Berkhof’s Systematic Theology – Expanded Edition is a must-have for any serious student of theology. Banner of Truth has now given us a handy single volume of Berkhof’s most significant works.
Commentaries on Ephesians: Kerux by Magee & Arthurs and Mentor Expository by Phillips (book review)
With this article, we are continuing our recurring series of reviews looking at notable commentaries on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Here we are looking at Magee and Arthurs contribution to Kregel’s Kerux Commentaries series and Richard D. Phillips’s entry in the Mentor Expository Commentary series.
Ore From the Puritans’ Mine (book review)
Dale W. Smith has obviously put a remarkable amount of work into compiling the best of Puritan writings in Ore From the Puritans’ Mine. This book will serve effectively as a scholarly resource, as personal devotional reading, or as material for family worship. Highly recommended.
Systematic Theology – 2nd Edition (book review)
Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology has rightly become a modern classic. Readers can benefit from this book as an introductory source. I also think the author would agree that his listed resources for further reading should be used as a springboard to lead into deeper waters.
Commentary on Ephesians: WBC by Lincoln (book review)
This important commentary on Ephesians comes to us from Andrew T. Walker as part of Zondervan’s Word Biblical Commentary series. Unfortunately, while Lincoln may be an accomplished scholar, his denial that the Apostle Paul actually wrote Ephesians affects the usefulness of this book for believing students of the Bible.
Talking Back to Purity Culture by Rachel Joy Welcher (book review), part 1
This post contains adult subject matter. Here in 2021, it appears that the concept of "purity culture" has imploded upon itself. Joshua Harris was sort of a punchline even before he announced his apostasy. Every Man's Battle series author Stephen Arterburn is on his...
The Christian Teacher as Office Bearer (book review)
The Christian Teacher as Office Bearer does not present a simplistic “What Would Jesus Do?” way of “being like Jesus.” Joel Beeke gives readers a wonderfully biblical, theologically rich, and aspirational vision of what it means to reflect Christ to students.
ESV Preaching Bible (book review)
The ESV Preaching Bible is another solid contribution from Crossway to the premium bible market. The elegant black goatskin, art guiding, generous font size all make this bible a pleasure to use in service to the church or simply to read from devotionally.
John Calvin (book review)
From the Back Cover In this attractive volume, Simonetta Carr introduces young readers to the life, thought, and work of one of the most famous Reformers of the Christian church. She tells about the life of John Calvin from his birth to his death, placing him within...
Reading with the Grain of Scripture (book review)
Richard B. Hays’ Reading with the Grain of Scripture is a worthy contribution to the literature on properly interpreting the Bible and the historicity of the Christ that it points us to. Recommended.
John Newton (book review)
Never in my life have I read a testimony that brought to mind my own life as the biography of John Newton. From the near-death experiences displaying the providence of God to the conversion of a hateful sinner into a preacher of God's love, I was moved on nearly every...
Jonathan Edwards (book review)
From the Back Cover Jonathan Edwards lived at a time when many people were seriously questioning long-accepted ideas about the world, life, and God, and his answers to these questions have left a mark on the way we think today. While he is often remembered as the...
Julia Gonzaga (book review)
Carr, Simonetta. Julia Gonzaga (Christian Biographies for Young Readers). Hardcover. Reformation Heritage Books, 2018. 64pp. $8. Purchase at RHB website. Biographical Sketch of Author and Illustrator Simonetta Carr - Author (from Amazon) Award-winning author Simonetta...
Do You Feel Called by God? by Michael Bennett (book review)
Less than two months into my time on campus at Dallas Seminary, these words of unapologetic careerism came to us from a guest speaker at chapel: If you're in your fourth year — first, second, third-year students listen up — if you're in your fourth year, and you don't...
Commentaries on Ephesians: EEC by Baugh and NICNT by Cohick (book review)
With this article, I am introducing what will be a recurring series of reviews looking at notable commentaries on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. I have been blessed to teach from Ephesians and hope these reviews will help readers to consider some of the many resources out there.
On Accusations Against Voddie Baucham and Fault Lines, part 1
On July 30th, Joel McDurmon posted a blog article titled "Voddie's Fault Lines Worse Than Before: Fake Quotations AND Plagiarism." McDurmon previously posted a series of videos critiquing Voddie Baucham's book, Fault Lines, that had not captured my attention despite...
Therefore the Truth I Speak: Scottish Theology 1500–1700 (book review)
Donald Macleod’s beautiful new book, Therefore the Truth I Speak is an engaging look at Scottish theology that mines the past and brings it into the present.
Mama Bear Apologetics (book review)
I became aware of Mama Bear Apologetics by means of the Wokeness and the Gospel conference last month. The book somehow became in high demand at the bookseller table and sold out. Luckily enough, the parents of one of the authors were attending the conference, so they...
The T&T Clark Handbook of Analytic Theology (book review)
The T&T Clark Handbook on Analytic Theology is a landmark resource from a team of authors hoping to bridge the gap between philosophy and theology.
Reformed Dogmatics Single Volume Edition by Geerhardus Vos (book review)
Geerhardus Vos’s Reformed Dogmatics is a must-have for aspiring theologians. The new Lexham Press single-volume edition of this important work is a great option for anyone who has been reluctant to pay for the previous five-volume set.
Reformed Systematic Theology – Vol 2: Man and Christ (book review)
Reformed Systematic Theology Vol. 2: Man and Christ effectively balances academic theological precision with devotional posture.
Covenant Theology and The Fulfillment of the Promises of God (book reviews)
In this article we review a pair of great books which look at the many variations of Covenant Theology.
Puritan Reformed Theology: Historical, Experiential, and Practical Studies for the Whole of Life (book review)
With Puritan Reformed Theology, Joel Beeke has given the church a handy collection of his writings commending and interacting with the best of Puritan theology.
Jesus and John Wayne (book review)
Kristin Kobes Du Mez (pronounced "doo may") is a professor of history and gender studies at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation, she lays out a seventy-five-year...
Fault Lines by Voddie Baucham (book review)
Author's note (02 August 2021): I have become aware of Joel McDurmon's credible accusations of misquotation and plagiarism in Fault Lines. My own independent investigation into the misquotation issue confirms Baucham's misquotation of CRT scholar Richard Delgado on...
Baptists and the Christian Tradition: Towards an Evangelical Baptist Catholicity (book review)
Baptists and the Christian Tradition offers ample material contributing to the conversation of what it means to be an evangelical, committed to the church catholic.
Spurgeon – Tethered to the Cross and Lost Sermons – Vol. 4 (book reviews)
In this article, we will take a look at a pair of recent books on Charles Haddon Spurgeon. First up is Tethered to the Cross: The Life and Preaching of C.H. Spurgeon, followed by The Lost Sermons of C.H. Spurgeon – Vol. 4. Enjoy.
Biblical Doctrine and Biblical Theology (book reviews)
In this article, we have the privilege of offering you another double review. We will be looking Biblical Doctrine (a systematic theology, not a biblical theology), and Invitation to Biblical Theology (a how-to on biblical theology, not systematic theology). Confused yet? Don’t be. It will be ok. We can do this. Enjoy.
Manga Messiah (children’s book review)
Manga Messiah is the first to be published in a series of manga books that covers the narrative biblical canon. Manga Messiah in particular is a harmonization of the Gospels, starting with the birth story in Luke and ending with Acts 1:8, John 20:30; 21:25. The other...
A Pair of Pauls: “Paul’s ‘Spirit of Adoption'” and “Paul’s ‘Works of the Law'” (book reviews)
In this article, we have the privilege of offering you a double review. We will be looking at a pair of recent books on the Apostle Paul. First up is “Paul’s ‘Spirit of Adoption’ In Its Roman Imperial Context”, followed by “Paul’s ‘Spirit of Adoption’ in the Perspective of Second-Century Reception.” Enjoy.
The Church History ABCs (children’s book review)
The Church History ABCs is a fun way for kids to learn about great figures in Christian history. Twenty-six heroes of the faith march through the alphabet, boldly telling their stories in language children can understand. This wide range of characters—men and women...
Reformed Ethics, vol. 1: Created, Fallen, and Converted Humanity (book review)
Reformed Ethics – Vol. 1 is the first in what will be an eventual 3 Volume set from one of the great rediscovered theologians of the past. Bavinck’s method for thinking through ethics is challenging and helpful. In many sections I found myself driven to worship the God who frees his people from the spirit of slavery, grants them his Spirit of Adoption, and frees them to obey Him out of gratitude.
Book Review — Bavinck – A Critical Biography
In Kingdom Through Covenant – 2nd Edition, Gentry and Wellum have given us a much needed updated to their seminal work on the biblical covenants. Whether one finds their arguments convincing or not, theologians who argue for or against covenant theology or dispensationalism will eventually have to consider the claims made by the authors.
Book Review — Zondervan Single Column Reference Premier Collection
Zondervan’s Premier Collection NASB Single Column Reference is a beautiful presentation of God’s Word in the renowned NASB 1995 translation. The materials and typesetting make this a Bible that can compete with similar, more expensive Bibles on the premium market.
Children’s Book Review — Just Nicholas by Annie Kratzsch
About the Book From Amazon: Read the true story of Saint Nicholas of Myra, the man who gave what he had to help others because he was grateful for what God had given him. As a young boy, Nicholas learned the story of Jesus from his parents. When he grew up, he lived...
Book Review — Kingdom Through Covenant – 2nd Edition
In Kingdom Through Covenant – 2nd Edition, Gentry and Wellum have given us a much needed updated to their seminal work on the biblical covenants. Whether one finds their arguments convincing or not, theologians who argue for or against covenant theology or dispensationalism will eventually have to consider the claims made by the authors.
Book Review — John Calvin: For a New Reformation
Love him or hate him, John Calvin remains “The Theologian” who is often dismissed, pigeonholed, or lionized without actually being read. In John Calvin: For a New Reformation, editors Derek Thomas and John Tweedale ask us to reconsider Calvin.
Book Review — Carl F.H. Henry – Architect of Evangelicalism and Basics of the Faith
Both Architect of Evangelicalism and Basics of the Faith are significant works, centering around the question of what it means to be an “evangelical.” In them, Henry has given us ample evidence that the best of the evangelical movement stands in the great tradition or orthodox Christianity, while also having much to say to the ultimate needs of modern man.
Ep. 042 | Bavinck: A Critical Biography with James Eglinton — TAU Roundtable
Chuck Ivey is joined by James Eglinton, Senior Lecturer in Reformed Theology at The University of Edinburgh. Dr. Eglinton has written a fantastic new biography of Herman Bavinck, published by Baker Academic. ...
NASB 2020 Review (and GIVEAWAY!), part 1 — Gender, Slaves, and Lovingkindness
I now have two copies of the recently released NASB 2020. I'll give you a short preview of the physical editions, and then we'll dig into the translation. The Lockman Foundation is selling two primary offerings: the Large Print Ultrathin edition and the Giant Print...
Book Review — BECNT – Romans: Second Edition
Thomas Schreiner’s updated edition of the BECNT – Romans is a must have resource on Paul’s much cherished and debated letter to the earliest followers of Christ.
Book Review — The Baptists – Vol 1: Beginnings in Britain
The Baptists – Vol 1: Beginnings in Britain is one of the must have works of Baptist history by one of the sharpest Baptist historians the church has been blessed with.
Book Review — Thriving in Grace: Twelve Ways the Puritans Fuel Spiritual Growth
Thriving in Grace is a worthy introduction to the riches that the Puritans have to offer. The authors have a contagious urgency to draw on the many practical helps from Puritan writings.
Book Review — Spurgeon’s Quotes–The Definitive Collection
Click the link and use code straighttruth to save 40% off this book. A great gift for the preacher in your life or just for exploring the mind & heart of the Prince of Preachers! This 624 page beast of a reference book is a must for the desk of every man who...
Book Review — Creation Basics & Beyond, 1st Edition
Creation Basics & Beyond sounds like a fairly generic, nondescript title, but it's actually fitting. Sometimes it can be very basic, and other times it goes beyond my understanding to the point that I have to just leave a note on the chapter to go back to it...
Book Review — The Jesus of the Gospels: An Introduction
The Jesus of the Gospels is a reliable guide to the Gospels from one of the most reliable guides in biblical scholarship. The book strikes an effective balance for lay people interested in a supplement to their reading of the Gospels.
Ep. 041 | The Story Retold: A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament with Benjamin Gladd — TAU Roundtable
Chuck Ivey is joined by Benjamin Gladd, associate professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary. Dr. Gladd has coauthored a unique New Testament introduction called The Story Retold: A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament, published by...
Book Review — The Story Retold: A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament
New Testament introductions can be an invaluable tool for the student of the Bible. They typically provide a starting point for teachers and students of the Bible to go into more depth. More detailed than notes in a study Bible, but not as specific as a commentary, introductions fill an important gap.
Book Review — Schuyler Quentel ESV black goatskin
Evangelical Bible and Schuyler created the Quentel ESV to serve as a classic reference bible, but made by expert craftsmen with the best materials available.
Book Review — NIGTC: The Epistle of James – A Commentary on the Greek Text
Originally published in 1982, Peter H. David’s work in the NIGTC: The Epistle of James – A Commentary on the Greek Text is far from being outdated. Those who are serious about seeking to understand what the Letter of James teaches about wisdom, faith, and justification should consider picking this volume up and making it a part of their theological library.
Children’s Book Review — The Woman Who Loved To Give Books
The Woman Who Loved To Give Books is a short depiction of the life of Susannah Spurgeon, wife of the prince of preachers, Charles Spurgeon. Faced with a difficult illness, Susannah wonders how she can serve God. And then she finds just the way!
Children’s Book Review — The Man Who Preached Outside
The Man Who Preached Outside is a short depiction of the life of George Whitefield, the well-known itinerant preacher in the UK and USA. Your children will see George Whitefield heralding the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ to a crowd. A good idea will be to show the child the variety of responses Mr. Whitefield is getting from the crowd. Warning, they aren’t all positive! But this should give the opportunity to prepare your child for opposition should he or she come to saving faith.
Children’s Book Review — The Woman Who Helped A Reformer
The Woman Who Helped A Reformer is a short depiction of the life of Katharina Luther, the wife of the well-known reformer, Martin Luther. The work that she did to help her husband be free to preach and teach the Word of God during a pivotal time in church history is shown with wonderful imagery. Although the book is very well-written and captures little one’s attention, it is the illustrations that put the entire story together. Thoughtful parents will take time to ask their children questions like “How many things is Mrs. Luther carrying on this page? and “What is that in her hand?” in order to engage young readers’ attention.
Book Review — ESV Omega Thinline Bible
The ESV Omega Thinline Reference Bible is a beautiful presentation of God’s Word. Crossway has given us a thinline that balances premium materials, size, and functionality well.
Book Review — Theoretical-Practical Theology, Vol 2: Faith in the Triune God
Like the proverbial Eskimo with 100 words for snow, Petrus van Mastricht was a theologian with countless ways to describe faith and the Triune God we are called to place our faith in.
Children’s Book Review — A Rainbow of Rocks
There are two main sections to this children’s book. The first section takes your child page by page and displays a picture of a rock with a little text about the rock on each page. The photos are brilliant, and the name of the rock is highlighted in the same color as the rock. The color scheme is really neat. Each set of two pages has similarly colored rocks. By the end, you’ve looked at 16 different rocks of several different hues.
Book Review — Canon, Covenant, and Christology: Rethinking Jesus and the Scriptures of Israel
How far should professing Christians go in pursuit of unity? When and how should we disagree with each other? Are there ever circumstances when we should break fellowship? The thorough look into church history in The Story of Creeds and Confessions serves as a helpful reminder to seek and speak the truth humbly and in love.
Book Review — The New Testament in Its World: An Introduction to the History, Literature, and Theology of the First Christians
How far should professing Christians go in pursuit of unity? When and how should we disagree with each other? Are there ever circumstances when we should break fellowship? The thorough look into church history in The Story of Creeds and Confessions serves as a helpful reminder to seek and speak the truth humbly and in love.
Book Review — The Story of Creeds and Confessions: Tracing the Development of the Christian Faith
How far should professing Christians go in pursuit of unity? When and how should we disagree with each other? Are there ever circumstances when we should break fellowship? The thorough look into church history in The Story of Creeds and Confessions serves as a helpful reminder to seek and speak the truth humbly and in love.
Book Review: Walking In Christ by Jared Baergen
Author Jared Baergen is a Bears and Cubs fan living in Wisconsin. He's a serving member (Bible teacher) at Racine Bible Church and an online student at The Master's University. I met Jared in 2012 as part of a fellowship a mutual friend was holding on Google hangouts....
Book Review — When Wright is Wrong: A Reformed Baptist Critique of N.T. Wright’s New Perspective on Paul
When Wright is Wrong is a significant contribution to the growing list of critical responses to NT Wright and the “New Perspective on Paul.” The author’s stated goal was to offer a critique of NPP from the Reformed Baptist perspective but anyone wishing to better understand and defend the “old perspective” can benefit from this book.
Book Review: A Call to Pure Worship
Pastor Meadows created something I really needed in this explanation of the Regulative Principle of Worship: clarity, conciseness, and a direct explanation of the doctrine.
Book Review — Orthodox Radicals: Baptist Identity in the English Revolution
The Doctrine on Which the Church Stands or Falls takes its title from the Reformation era conviction that justification by faith is the dividing line between the biblical gospel and man-centered efforts to earn favor with God. Matthew Barrett serves as editor and co-author with several significant theologians. In the forward, D.A. Carson writes that nothing is more important than the subject of this massive volume (15). The book is organized into four parts, grouping the chapters by looking at justification according to what the Bible itself teaches, theological perspectives on the doctrine, church history, and pastoral practice.
Expository Apologetics: Answering Objections with the Power of the Word
I came across Voddie Baucham's Expository Apologetics: Answering Objections with the Power of the Word (Crossway, 2015) back when he gave a four-message chapel series at Dallas Seminary. I picked up a cheap copy at the chapel for five dollars, and it was about time I...
Book Review: Truth & Grace Memory Book 1
I bought this book on the recommendation of a reformed Baptist pastor friend. I knew that I was supposed to teach my kids, and I had learned the value of catechizing them, but I didn’t know where to start. The Baptist Catechism book I owned seemed “too big” to ask my little ones to memorize. The question and answer format is a great teaching tool, in my opinion, so when I saw that Founders had produced a children’s catechism which was recommended by a trusted friend, I purchased a copy immediately.
TAU Beginnings
On January 15, I was reminded that it has been two years since we started ThingsAbove.Us. The reminder came by way of a tiny bit of hardship where our domain name expired precisely two years after we purchased it. We got that fixed, but I wondered how many of our...
Book Review — Reformed Systematic Theology Vol. 1: Revelation and God
The Doctrine on Which the Church Stands or Falls takes its title from the Reformation era conviction that justification by faith is the dividing line between the biblical gospel and man-centered efforts to earn favor with God. Matthew Barrett serves as editor and co-author with several significant theologians. In the forward, D.A. Carson writes that nothing is more important than the subject of this massive volume (15). The book is organized into four parts, grouping the chapters by looking at justification according to what the Bible itself teaches, theological perspectives on the doctrine, church history, and pastoral practice.
Children’s Book Review – The Barber Who Wanted to Pray
The Barber Who Wanted to Pray by R.C. Sproul Summary (from the Ligonier website) This imaginative tale from the late R.C. Sproul, based on a true story, begins one evening with Mr. McFarland leading family devotions. When his daughter asks him how she should pray, Mr....
Book Review — Divine Impassibility: Four Views
The Doctrine on Which the Church Stands or Falls takes its title from the Reformation era conviction that justification by faith is the dividing line between the biblical gospel and man-centered efforts to earn favor with God. Matthew Barrett serves as editor and co-author with several significant theologians. In the forward, D.A. Carson writes that nothing is more important than the subject of this massive volume (15). The book is organized into four parts, grouping the chapters by looking at justification according to what the Bible itself teaches, theological perspectives on the doctrine, church history, and pastoral practice.
Children’s Book Review: Dynomike: Pay It Forward
Dynomike: Pay It Forward Children's Book on Being Kind by by Frankie B. Rabbit (Author), Robyn Mendolla (Author) BooksGoSocial Dynomike: Pay It Forward is a book for children aged about 3-6 years old, in my opinion. I am not aware of the character "Dynomike" so if he...
Children’s Book Review: Pause Power
The key for Gabe is to use his “pause power” when he is upset. By pausing and thinking through his next choice, Gabe is able to make better choices. Basically, the book teaches children to pause before acting out on anger and to take deep breaths or count. It falls short of teaching children to trust God and to avoid sin for the sake of righteousness, so it won’t be sufficient for a Christian home, but the ideas presented are not bad, especially the tips for parents to help you teach your child to stay calm.
The Trojan Mouse (book review)
I'll admit from the outset that I was never a huge Disney fan as a child. In fact, I rather disliked nearly everything on Disney Channel, and I can’t recall ever visiting a theater to watch a movie from Disney proper (as opposed to Pixar or other Disney subsidiaries)....
Children’s Book Review: Leo’s Monster
Leo’s Monster is a book for children aged about 4-7 years old. The setting is “the country” where a city mouse (Leo) visits his friend Zoe. Leo ventures out without Zoe and encounters what he can only assume is some sort of monster!
Book Review — Human Nature from Calvin to Edwards
The Doctrine on Which the Church Stands or Falls takes its title from the Reformation era conviction that justification by faith is the dividing line between the biblical gospel and man-centered efforts to earn favor with God. Matthew Barrett serves as editor and co-author with several significant theologians. In the forward, D.A. Carson writes that nothing is more important than the subject of this massive volume (15). The book is organized into four parts, grouping the chapters by looking at justification according to what the Bible itself teaches, theological perspectives on the doctrine, church history, and pastoral practice.
Created to Care by Sara Wallace (book review)
The following is a guest review written by Joan Douglass. Created to Care by Sara Wallace, P & R Publishing (2019). 160 pp. $16.99 If you have any further questions, please email Joan at johnandjoan@gmail.com Summary Sara Wallace has written a book that...
Book Review — Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon
The Doctrine on Which the Church Stands or Falls takes its title from the Reformation era conviction that justification by faith is the dividing line between the biblical gospel and man-centered efforts to earn favor with God. Matthew Barrett serves as editor and co-author with several significant theologians. In the forward, D.A. Carson writes that nothing is more important than the subject of this massive volume (15). The book is organized into four parts, grouping the chapters by looking at justification according to what the Bible itself teaches, theological perspectives on the doctrine, church history, and pastoral practice.
Book Review — Cracking the Foundation of the New Perspective on Paul
The Doctrine on Which the Church Stands or Falls takes its title from the Reformation era conviction that justification by faith is the dividing line between the biblical gospel and man-centered efforts to earn favor with God. Matthew Barrett serves as editor and co-author with several significant theologians. In the forward, D.A. Carson writes that nothing is more important than the subject of this massive volume (15). The book is organized into four parts, grouping the chapters by looking at justification according to what the Bible itself teaches, theological perspectives on the doctrine, church history, and pastoral practice.
Book Review — The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text
The Doctrine on Which the Church Stands or Falls takes its title from the Reformation era conviction that justification by faith is the dividing line between the biblical gospel and man-centered efforts to earn favor with God. Matthew Barrett serves as editor and co-author with several significant theologians. In the forward, D.A. Carson writes that nothing is more important than the subject of this massive volume (15). The book is organized into four parts, grouping the chapters by looking at justification according to what the Bible itself teaches, theological perspectives on the doctrine, church history, and pastoral practice.
Book Review — The Whole Christ
The Doctrine on Which the Church Stands or Falls takes its title from the Reformation era conviction that justification by faith is the dividing line between the biblical gospel and man-centered efforts to earn favor with God. Matthew Barrett serves as editor and co-author with several significant theologians. In the forward, D.A. Carson writes that nothing is more important than the subject of this massive volume (15). The book is organized into four parts, grouping the chapters by looking at justification according to what the Bible itself teaches, theological perspectives on the doctrine, church history, and pastoral practice.
Book Review — The Doctrine on Which the Church Stands or Falls
The Doctrine on Which the Church Stands or Falls takes its title from the Reformation era conviction that justification by faith is the dividing line between the biblical gospel and man-centered efforts to earn favor with God. Matthew Barrett serves as editor and co-author with several significant theologians. In the forward, D.A. Carson writes that nothing is more important than the subject of this massive volume (15). The book is organized into four parts, grouping the chapters by looking at justification according to what the Bible itself teaches, theological perspectives on the doctrine, church history, and pastoral practice.
The Myth of Peacetime Christianity
One of the things I got to do over the Summer of 2019 was read David Steele's new book The White Flag: When Compromise Cripples the Church and write its foreword. I commend this book to TAU readers. In today's post, I'm simply posting the foreword for the book. See...
No More Holding Back — Kat Armstrong (book review, part 4)
In part 1 of this review, we saw Armstrong’s argument that Mary Magdalene is the “second Eve,” thereby meaning that the curse of women being easily deceived ceased at the resurrection. In part 2, we examined Armstrong’s treatment of Ephesians 5:22 and the Hebrew...
No More Holding Back — Kat Armstrong (book review, part 3)
Kat Armstrong's No More Holding Back: Emboldening Women to Move Past Barriers, See Their Worth, and Serve God Everywhere conveys a certain feminist, idealistic image of a Christian woman who seeks to live out all four aspects of the second greatest commandment. In...
Book Review — Eschatological Discipleship
Eschatological Discipleship: Leading Christians to Understand Their Historical and Cultural Context Review by Chuck Ivey Wax, Trevin K., Eschatological Discipleship: Leading Christians to Understand Their Historical and Cultural Context. (Publisher: B&H...
No More Holding Back — Kat Armstrong (book review, part 2)
In part 1 of this review, we introduced Kat Armstrong's No More Holding Back: Emboldening Women to Move Past Barriers, See Their Worth, and Serve God Everywhere. We primarily found that Armstrong advocates an over-realized soteriology of women which interprets Mary...
No More Holding Back — Kat Armstrong (book review, part 1)
As Kat Armstrong opens No More Holding Back: Emboldening Women to Move Past Barriers, See Their Worth, and Serve God Everywhere (Thomas Nelson, July 2019), she tells a story of an incident. In the middle of a class at Dallas Seminary, she lamented to her professor,...
Before The Throne Book Review: Exalting God’s Holiness
I’m happy and blessed to have read Allen Nelson’s book, Before the Throne. There aren’t many books about God’s holiness that accurately convey the wondrous truths of God’s manifold holiness in 12 readable, bite-sized, yet satisfying, chapters. It was a breath of fresh...
So You Want to Be a Street Preacher? (Book Review)
Jimmy Hamilton has been a street preacher for thirty-six of his thirty-eight years as a Christian. That’s how his booklet “So You Want to Be a Street Preacher?” begins. Thirty-six years of participation in a Christian task certainly qualifies this author to speak on...
Book Review and Giveaway: CSB He Reads Truth Bible
The CSB has fast become one of my favourite translations of the Scriptures. Combining accuracy to the original languages of the Scriptures with clear readability, it's become my go-to for reading, study and public ministry of the Word. The CSB He Reads Truth Bible,...
Book Review — None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God
Barrett, Matthew, None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God. (Publisher: Baker Books), 2019. 283 pp. $16.99 Biographical Sketch of the AuthorMatthew Barrett serves at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary as associate professor of Christian theology. He is...
Book Review — Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health by Donald Whitney
I've read one other Donald Whitney book in my life, and I'm sorry to say it was not very good. It is — I think (I'm not sure) — his most popular book. I don't want to slam a faithful brother here, so I won't mention the title, but I will say that it did absolutely...
Book Review — The Trinity and the Covenant of Redemption
The Trinity and the Covenant of Redemption by J. V. Fesko, 414 pages. Publisher: Mentor. Overview Rating: 4/5. The main point: The gospel was always the triune God’s plan 'A' for the salvation of sinners. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit made a covenant in eternity...
Book Review: Brave Dad by John MacArthur
While John MacArthur is usually first on my lips when recommending a Bible teacher, I'm not the biggest fan of MacArthur's writing. The eminently gifted preacher isn't a bad writer. In fact, he's written several things that are quite good including a few books that...
Guest Book Review of Before the Throne
Before the Throne: Reflections on God's Holiness is scheduled to print Spring 2019. Dr. David Steele, who also reviewed From Death to Life, graciously agreed to write a review for my new book. I thought I'd share it in hopes of building a bit of anticipation and to...
From Death to Life – Another Guest Review
Grateful to put up another review of From Death to Life: How Salvation Works. This one comes from Jeffrey Perry from Landis, NC. Jeffrey led his youth group through a study on this book and has graciously shared his insight below. I asked him to share because I really...
Book Review – A Biblical Theological Introduction to the Old Testament: The Gospel Promised
A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the Old Testament: The Gospel Promisedby Miles V. Van Pelt. 601 pgs. (Publisher: Crossway) Overview What was God’s intention in giving us the Old Testament Scriptures? Is there one big idea or many themes to be found in the Old...
Surplus – A Book Review
I had the joy recently to read a new book by Bryan Elliff entitled Surplus: Fearless Generosity in 2 Corinthians 8-9. This is Book 1 in a new series of books called the Bristol Series coming out from Christian Communicators Worldwide (CCW). Disclaimer I know Bryan...
Christian Ethics by Wayne Grudem — Book Review
Trigger warning! Not only did Crossway provide me with free digital copies of this book in exchange for an honest review, but it also has Wayne Grudem's name on it. That's right — from the guy who is infamously labeled as the greatest academic advocate of the...
Book Review – God’s Mediators: A Biblical Theology of Priesthood
God’s Mediators: A Biblical Theology of Priesthood by Andrew S. Malone. 230 pgs. (Publisher: InterVaristy Press) OVERVIEW Why did God give His people priests? In what sense is Christ a priest? Does the role of priest continue today? In this book, Andrew...
Foster’s Celebration of Discpline, part 3 — Intercessory Prayer
In part 2 of this review, we went over Foster's view of the spiritual discipline of meditation, a.k.a. contemplative prayer. In this part, we'll look over chapter 3. Though simply titled "The Discipline of Prayer," this chapter of Celebration of Discipline...
Foster’s Celebration of Discipline, part 2 — Meditation and Contemplative Prayer
In part 1, I introduced some historical context behind Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. Foster's book is foundational within the Spiritual Formation movement. In this article, I'll go through the first chapter, which explains...
Nine Day Queen of England – Book Review
In October of 2018, I took our church through a Sunday Night Series entitled "Church History Profiles." We looked at various people of the Reformation and sought to explain their significance and how we might learn from them. As an aside, I think this is something I...
From Death to Life Review (Guest Post)
I am grateful to my Twitter friend, @PJ_Mills15. for writing this review of the book and small group curriculum for From Death to Life! We had the opportunity to meet at the 2018 G3 Conference. For all the headache Twitter can bring, it has also brought about many...
Book Review: Agonizing for the Faith by Thomas Coutouzis
As I write, I am sitting at my desk in my study with a dozen commentaries lined up in front of me. On the two shelves behind me, I have at least one commentary on every book of the Bible. I don’t begin with that to ‘collect’ props for how many commentaries I own - but...
Book Review — ESV Archaeology Study Bible
Crossway provided me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Criticisms of Bible publishers abound, whether they be the current glut of English Bible versions currently available, the resulting glut of study Bibles named [version] Study Bible or [someone's...
Review: John Huss, The Goose
"Before Martin Luther there was John Huss, the Bohemian Goose whose gospel preaching set his country on fire. Huss was an early Reformer who was given the incomparable privilege of sealing his testimony with his own blood. His enemies seemed to triumph, but the joke...
God-Breathed: A Response to Rachel Held Evans’s View of Scripture – Part 7
For now, this is my last post on Rachel Held Evans' (RHE from now on) new book Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again. Congratulations if you've made it through the other 6! You probably could have read half her book by now. I need to...
God-Breathed: A Response to Rachel Held Evans’s View of Scripture – Part 6
In the last post on Rachel Held Evans's (RHE from now on) new book Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again we talked about her view of the Old Testament. Today, we'll discuss her view of the New Testament. All totaled this project has...
God-Breathed: A Response to Rachel Held Evans’s View of Scripture – Part 5
Perhaps you've made it through the previous four posts(Post 1, Post 2, Post 3, and Post 4) already, or maybe you're joining us for the first time today. I've been taking the time to write out some thoughts on Rachel Held Evans' (RHE from now on) new book Inspired:...
Is the Bible Merely Inspirational or God-Breathed? (Response 3 to Rachel Held Evans’ View of Scripture)
This is Part 3 (Part 1 , Part 2) of a 7 Part response to Rachel Held Evans's (RHE from here on) new book, Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again. In this post, I want to address the inspiration of Scripture. The Problem In the book,...
God-Breathed: A Response to Rachel Held Evans’s View of Scripture – Part 2
In the first post on Rachel Held Evans’ (RHE from now on) new book Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again, I exhorted readers to teach the Bible well. In this post, I want to talk about one of RHE’s main issues with the Bible, which is...
God-Breathed: A Response to Rachel Held Evans’s View of Scripture – Part 1
Why Read and Review this Book? If my memory serves correctly the first time I remember learning about Rachel Held Evans (RHE from here on) was when she appeared on the Today Show in 2012 to talk about her book A Year of Biblical Womanhood. It was fairly obvious to me...
Review: Lemuel Haynes, The Black Puritan
Christian biographies are some of the most enjoyable books to read, in my opinion. I love to hear how God saved a man (or woman), and what good work the Lord did in that person's life, and through that person. The biography of Lemuel Haynes, by Pastor Luke Walker...
Book Review — God Speed by Chad Bonham
There were two primary things I didn't know about God Speed before it arrived by parcel. First, it doesn't center around driver Sage Karam's struggle following an accident that killed fellow driver Justin Wilson, though the story does occupy a couple of chapters. Much...
Book Review — Demons: A Biblically Based Perspective by Alex Konya
I finally got to reading Demons: A Biblically Based Perspective by Alex Konya this year. It only took more than two years since one of the elders at my church gifted it to me, but hey, seminary had me rather busy. You might want to know why exactly I was gifted this...
Review: The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible
The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible is an excellent resource for parents of small children! Positive Review This book is THICK and HEAVY. The pages are strong, able to withstand the awkward turning of toddler hands, which is essential for a book for small children. Each...
Bridging the Knowledge Gap in New Testament Textual Criticism
Textual criticism is the art and science of finding the original wording of a given biblical text when conflicts between manuscripts ("variants") arise. Much has been written concerning King James Onlyism and its variations’ impact upon unity in the local church, and...