One of the most contested issues in the church in recent days concerns the role of men and women in the church. The chief question among many people is this: “Can a woman preach on a Sunday morning to a congregation that consists of both men and women?” People also...
Embodied: Living as Whole People in a Fractured World by Gregg R. Allison addresses a crucial matter that impacts everyone. While every systematic theology addresses the issue of embodiment, few tackle this subject with the skill and precision that Dr. Allison does...
The New Creation and the Storyline of Scripture by Frank Thielman is the most recent installment in Crossway’s Short Studies in Biblical Theology. The goal of this series, according to the editors, is “to magnify the Savior and build up his church – magnifying the...
Reading has fallen on hard times. Technology and all things visual have led to a steady decline of the written page. Leland Ryken and Glenda Faye Mathes have something to say about this problem in their book, Recovering the Lost Art of Reading. Reading is a Lost...
The church is at the very center of God’s redemptive purposes. Gregg Allison is quick to articulate this great reality in The Church: An Introduction. Dr. Allison’s work is the newest installment in Crossway’s Short Studies in Systematic Theology series, one that...
Introduction John Piper has been a faithful pastor and author for several decades and has greatly influenced the Reformed Evangelical community. In his most recent book, Providence, Piper unpacks one of the central themes of his life and ministry, namely, the...
Gerald Bray offers the latest installment in the Short Studies in Systematic Theology Series by Crossway Books. The series is designed to introduce readers to a specific theological subject and equip the next generation of Christian leaders. The great strength of...
Corporate Worship by Matt Merker is the most recent installment in the Building Healthy Churches series of books. This series helps Christians obey the biblical commands that are an integral part of growing a healthy church. This volume addresses the matter of...
On December 14, 2017, Dr. R.C. Sproul entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was greatly used by God as he reintroduced Reformed theology to the evangelical church. He articulated the doctrines of grace with passion, courage, conviction,...
“The quality of your elder plurality determines the health of your church.” This is the premise that undergirds Dave Harvey’s new offering, The Plurality Principle. The subtitle, How to Build and Maintain a Thriving Church Leadership Team, nicely summarizes this...
I’ll never forget my visit to St. Andrews Chapel in Sanford, Florida. It was a rare opportunity to see Dr. R.C. Sproul preach. I entered the sanctuary to a bustle of people. Some were visiting. Others were preparing to enter the sanctuary. After several minutes of...
Some of the best gifts come in small packages – an engagement ring, a ticket to Europe, a diamond pendant. From time to time, a small book will hit the shelves that pack a powerful punch. Such is the case with Sam Crabtree’s, Practicing Thankfulness. Crabtree’s...
During my time at seminary, I had the great privilege of studying Charles Haddon Spurgeon's evangelistic ministry. As I began to develop a biographical sketch of Charles Spurgeon’s life and ministry, I was struck by the wonderful marriage that Charles had with...
If you enjoy good biography as much as I do, you will probably appreciate reading Bryan A. Follis’s Truth with Love: The Apologetics of Francis Schaeffer. This book is an excellent summary of the life and teaching of the highly influential apologist and founder of...
Introduction I am a huge fan of systematic theology. There is nothing that so informs my mind with God’s truth, warms my heart with God’s love, and motivates me to serve God as studying His Word set forth in systematic theology. For this reason, I am so...
Wondrous Works of God: A Family Bible Story Book, by Starr Meade is a well written and a nicely illustrated (by Tim O’Connor) storybook. It has many thoughtful questions and promptings for families to use during Bible study time. As someone who has a young nephew,...
The ESV Seek and Find Bible was one that I requested as a review copy from Crossway. I requested this book to be given as a gift to my niece, who loves to read. Unfortunately, she is too young at this stage to really enjoy reading this book, as she is only 2 ½...
The Serpent and the Serpent Slayer is the most recent offering in Crossway’s Short Studies in Biblical Theology series. Andy Naselli takes readers on a short and illuminating tour of Scripture and reveals the main features of God’s plan in redemptive history. In...
Introduction I have to begin this review with a bit of honesty: I’ve read a lot of books on marriage, so when I first pulled out Biblical Marriage: Two Sinners and a Gracious God by John-William Noble, I thought to myself, “Another marriage book, huh? What is going...
J.C. Ryle’s book Holiness stands as a cornerstone piece in the library of Christian classics. This 350-plus page work offers readers a deep dive into the biblical topic of personal and practical holiness. As Ryle served in his role in the Church of England and as...
I first read He is There and He is Not Silent by Francis Schaeffer in 1992. Multiple readings have ensued, and I turn back to Schaeffer’s book again and again for help with apologetics. Readers will be pleased to see this new edition by Crossway Books with a...
Personal Tribute Dr. J.I. Packer (1926-2020) is undoubtedly one of the most influential Christian theologians of the past century. That is certainly the case in my life. It was reading his famous book Knowing God as a naïve 21-year-old that first gave me a taste...
The church has a leadership crisis. Paul Tripp argues that this crisis is one reason many pastors fail, experience burnout, and leave pastoral ministry altogether. He proposes that the solution to this problem is a leadership model based on the gospel, “The model...
The LGBT airwaves are filled with opinions, and books are being written from every angle – both conservative and liberal. Rachel Gilson adds her voice in her most recent book, Born Again This Way. What makes Gilson’s book refreshing is that she approaches the...
The postmodern clouds loom large over our heads, what Francis Schaeffer anticipated in the sixties and seventies is now upon us – in full force. What was once suspected has now arrived. The full force of secularism has invaded our culture and is wreaking havoc in...
Several years ago, I was introduced to the writing of Dr. Mark Talbot. His sharp intellect and warm heart instantly grabbed my attention. Talbot is well-known for his writing on the subject of pain and suffering. As one who was partially paralyzed in his teens,...
Stott on the Christian Life: Between Two Worlds by Tim Chester is the latest installment in the excellent, Theologians of the Christian Life, edited by Stephen J. Nichols and Justin Taylor. John Stott was a formidable figure in the evangelical world, a reality that...
Christian universalism has been gaining ground in both the academy and the church. As this regrettable trend and theology heresy grows by the day, the responses have been few and far between. James W. Walraven presents a biblical rebuttal of Christian universalism...
It’s Common Many anxious teens will feel as if they are completely weird, that no one else is like them or understands them. They look around at their peers and can’t imagine anyone else their age feeling like they do. They see the carefully curated social media...
Many parents feel at a loss about how their teenagers are feeling and what they can do about it. Studies show that more teenagers are battling anxiety, and many of those same teenager's battle depression also. David Murray has written two books to help Christian...
“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching (didaskalia) that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and...
Dr. Dane Ortlund has gained a reputation for writing Christian books that are solid, edifying, and gospel-centered. His newest work, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Suffers, is no exception. Ortlund uses Matthew 11:29 as the basis for his...
Discipleship is one of the most important aspects of Christian parenting. The young hearts of children are very impressionable and need to be carefully guarded and led. It is for this reason why it is crucial to start discipleship early in a child’s life. Proverbs...
The most important thing about us is what we think about God. What do you think of when you think about the Son of God? Some might first think about His miracles, the work of atonement, or His teaching. Others may think about His person. Christ is one person with...
We live in a very divided age. Yet, this should not surprise us because, wherever there are human civilization and at least two differing opinions, there will inevitably be divisions. In any given society, there will be division politically, socially, economically,...
It is true that Christian discipleship starts at home. The church, of course, plays a vital role in the spiritual development and growth of all believers. However, the home is the genesis of discipleship and spiritual growth. For this reason, families need to...
Every marriage has faced, is facing, or will someday face some type of storm. Storms range in size, fury, and aftermath. Most physical storms in weather start out with small raindrops pattering on your window intensifying as time passes. Soon the thunder,...
For more than two thousand years, the gospel of Jesus Christ has traveled the world over. It has spread from Jerusalem in the first century to remote villages in the twenty-first century. The main way that the gospel message has spread is by faithful followers of...
In recent years, in evangelical circles, much talk has centered around the idea of “theological triage.” The term has been credited to Dr. Albert Mohler, though the concept has been around for a long time. In a divided age, unfortunately, even many Christians fall...
The gospel story is the most important story that has ever been told. For this reason, God has called Christian parents to rehearse the gospel story with their families. The gospel must be taught and lived out in the home. Scripture reminds us to tell our children...
In the past few decades, the Western church has seen a drastic rise in the number of megachurches. Along with the rise of megachurches has come a rise in the number of churches going to multiservice and/or multisite models of ministry, which has happened so rapidly...
The heart of God is at the center of the gospel message. His affections towards His people is not a great mystery that needs to be discovered but has been revealed in the person and work of Jesus. God’s heart towards His people is seen throughout Scripture. The...
Pain and suffering are part of the human experience that modern society tries its best to avoid. Most people are afraid of suffering and desire to get through it as quickly as possible when it comes. Yet, pain and suffering will come to all people, even followers...
Evangelism is an essential part of the Christian life. It is through evangelism that the gospel has made its way around the globe and down through the ages. Yet, many Christians find it difficult to evangelize. There are many reasons for this; however, evangelism...
Prayer is an integral part of the Christian life. Many Christians, though, struggle in their prayer lives. This lack of prayer causes all sorts of issues including a lack of prayer over temptation. Prayer at its core is how believers commune with God. A lack of...
Becoming a Christian is not an easy transition. For many in today’s culture, they are coming to faith from a secular background. They may not have been raised in the church or haven’t been in a long time. By the time they come to faith later in life, they are often...
Being a new Christian is an exciting time in one’s discipleship journey. A person has passed from death to life and has been born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet, it can also be a scary time, especially for believers who have entered the faith despite...
The body of Christ is a beautiful reality of redeemed souls from every corner of the globe. There is much diversity in Christ’s people, as well it should be. Yet with diversity comes differences of opinions and variations of worldview. Although every believer must...
Self. The very word makes postmodern people proud. After all, we are encouraged each day to please ourselves, nurture ourselves, and congratulate ourselves. Self-promotion is considered a virtue in our age. This propensity to narcissism is part of the warp and woof...
Clive Staples Lewis is arguably one of the most well known Christian writers of all time. Much is known about his adult life and his story of conversion from atheism to Christianity. What is not as well known, however, is his early life and formative years. Most...
The postmodern prophet and rock star, Bono Vox laments, “I have run, I have crawled, I have scaled these city walls, these city walls, only to be with you. But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.” U2 isn’t the only one tapped into the inner drive and...
Interest among evangelicals in the Protestant Reformation has been on the rise for several years. With the recent quatercentenary commemoration of the Reformation, interest continues to blaze hotter than ever. Gavin Ortlund, himself a student of the Reformation,...
Over two thousand years of church history have produced a wide assortment of Christian leaders, theologians, and churchmen. One man who exerted an enormous amount of influence in his day was John Calvin. In recent years, theologians and pastors have revived an...
Redemptive Reversals and the Ironic Overturning of Human Wisdom by G.K. Beale is the latest installment in the Crossway series, Short Studies in Biblical Theology. Thus far, the books in this series stand on their own merits and make a unique contribution to the...
Systematic Theology by Robert Letham is a solid work designed to fit within the framework of Reformed confessionalism. Systematic Theology is unique in that is begins with a treatment on the Triune God. Dr. Letham begins by offered the dominant arguments for God’s...
I was recently asked by a parishioner to evaluate a professing Christian author. My response was tenuous, as the author under consideration is notoriously difficult to nail down. Is he a Calvinist or an Arminian? A Complementarian or an Egalitarian? Does he affirm...
Something needs to change. This is the thought that David Platt had after a trek through the Himalayas. As a pastor and author, Platt is well known for his heart for global missions, and unreached peoples around the world. His resource ministry Radical provides...
From time to time, I enjoy a good children’s book. There’s something about taking a break from my usual theologically robust reading schedule and immersing myself into a book designed to inspire and educate kids. J. Ryan Lister’s book is targeted to pre-teens and...
One of the recent encouraging developments in the church is an interest in biblical theology. 2 Peter 3:13 says, “According to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” This grand promise is the theme of Ian K....
In an age where it has become in vogue for pastors to question the Christian faith, compromise the faith, or even abandon the faith – David Platt is a breath of fresh air. The fiery Washington D.C. pastor and author of Radical is back with another thought-provoking...
In 1869, Charles Haddon Spurgeon published Lectures to My Students. The book is packed with preaching helps and anecdotes that pastors have benefited from for almost one hundred and fifty years. Jason Allen, president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary,...
I am my own and I am mine. In the West, we live by this mantra. We proclaim it with exuberance and pride. We write stories and sing about our freedom to be ourselves, to follow our own hearts, to not be restrained or limited by anything outside of ourselves. We’ve...
Tim Anderson, a professor of theology and biblical studies at Corban University, has written a book that is much needed within the church today. Sadly, the Charismatics and Mystics have hijacked the concept of Intimacy with God and created confusion on the issue of...
Discipline is not something many people like to think about regularly. Discipline is how anyone makes it in life. It takes discipline to go to work every day, keep up a hobby, and maintain strong relationships. Everyone disciplines themselves in some way every day....
James Montgomery Boice was the pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA until he went home to glory. He was a leader in the Reformed movement, and his commentaries have received a wide reading and helped many (and continue to do so). Foundations of...
The so-called prosperity gospel has been a virtual “wrecking ball,” inflicting damage on the unsuspecting, infiltrating local churches with a diabolical message of health and wealth, and inviting the wrath of a holy God. The prosperity gospel is not another version...
I had the opportunity to get my hands on a copy of Crossway’s new Prayer Bible. As you have probably guessed, this is another ESV Bible, but instead of commentary or extensive footnotes, this Bible is designed to show you how the Scriptures devotionally warmed the...
Most people have experienced the frustration of trying to untangle the laces on a pair of tennis shoes. Frustration only escalates as the knot tightens which leads to a sense of heightened angst. This normal occurrence vividly depicts how many people approach their...
In a style that Christians have grown fond of, Sinclair Ferguson gifts the church with Maturity: Growing Up and Going On in the Christian Life. Originally penned in 1980 and distributed with the title, Add to Your Faith, and in 1981 as Taking the Christian Life...
Martin Luther boldly declared, “Justification is the article upon which the church stands or falls.” John Calvin argued that justification is the “hinge on which religion turns.” In the sixteenth century, scores of people found these arguments both biblical and...
Faithful Endurance: The Joy of Shepherding People for a Lifetime is a call to pastors to remain true to their call and cross the finish line with God-centered resolve. Faithful Endurance is edited by Collin Hansen and Jeff Robison. The editors gathered a group of...
Our Ancient Foe is edited by Ronald L. Kohl. The subtitle of the book is a fitting description of the contents, namely – Satan’s History, Activity, and Ultimate Demise. Kohl has assembled a team of scholars and expository preachers to unveil the diabolical devices...
These are perilous times. Our day is marked by pragmatism and situational ethics. The current milieu, for the most part, is not informed or undergirded by biblical principles. As our loved ones reach the end of their days, it is essential that we refuse to allow...
We find ourselves in the midst of a culture that is awash in sexual sin. Ironically, there are very few resources available to help people deal with this vexing problem. Some books minimize sexual sin and even ignore their pernicious effects on the lives of people....
Whenever Kevin DeYoung pens a book, I devour it – quickly. DeYoung writes with biblical precision. He writes with clarity. And his writing exalts the Lord Jesus Christ. His latest book, Grace Defined & Defended, is no exception. This short book is a summary and...
None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God by Matthew Barrett is a book for our times. Better put, it is a book that is desperately needed in this generation. Many books that explore the subject of theology proper are fraught with errors. Barrett’s book is...
At the heart of Julie Lowe’s Child Proof is a simple word of encouragement to Christian parents: “Instead of ‘how-tos’ and formulas, we rely on who God is in relationship to us.” Nothing tempts me as a parent more than the promise of a new set of rules. I am...
Our generation is fraught with challenges that militate against the Christian faith. We are constantly battling heresy, both inside and outside the church. The propagation of lies is commonplace, and the repudiation of truth is part of the fabric of the...
All people seek happiness. Blaise Pascal reminds us, “All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end … This is the motive of every action of every man, even of those who hang themselves.” Yet most...
Most young people aspire to be like someone. The people they emulate are athletes, rock stars, and actors. These people serve as heroes to the upcoming generation. But Tim Keesee has a different set of heroes in mind. Keesee is thinking about heroes who embrace...
We live in an increasingly visual culture. As a pastor, I hear the relentless sound of the postmodern drumbeat: “The average person cannot sit through a forty-five-minute sermon,” I’m told. Yet that same person will sit in a dark room for nearly four hours and...
Abby Ross Hutto wants us to know that God can reach every single one of us. Using an innovative allegorical approach, Hutto turns the true stories of men and women she knows into characters named after the characteristic that describes them: Distant, Skeptic,...
I was absolutely thrilled to receive a copy of James Durham’s A Practical Exposition of the Ten Commandments from Reformation Heritage Books (RHB) to review. The Ten Commandments have been a particular area of focus for me over the last couple of years, and I’ve...
Education is made up of two equal, parallel tracks: content and communication. If what is taught does not immediately link with how the subject is taught, learning is downsized. We need more college professors who have been high school teachers, who can right-size...
I’ve had the opportunity to get my hands on a copy of Crossway’s new Story of Redemption Bible, and I have enjoyed it for what it is. First, allow me to say that I appreciate Crossway not calling this Bible a study Bible. It seems that study Bibles come out so...
Discipling in a Multicultural World by Adith Fernando compressive work that describes the essence of the discipling process. Fernando brings a wealth of experience as a longtime director of Youth for Christ in Sri Lanka. His expansive knowledge and lengthy tenure...
Protestant evangelical believers hold fast to one of the doctrines of the Reformation, Sola Scriptura, the teaching that the Scriptures alone hold the highest authority in the Christian life. However, many believers in the evangelical tradition do not read the...
John Piper’s most recent book aims to help readers get to know Paul, the apostle. Piper’s motive is that Paul’s “God-entranced soul and his unparalleled vision of Jesus Christ and the authenticity of his life would move you to admire him and believe his message and...
The mandate to finish strong is the calling of every follower of Christ. Men called to pastoral ministry must carefully heed this call, which is the theme of John MacArthur’s most recent book, Remaining Faithful in Ministry: 9 Essential Convictions for Every...
The heart of what Luther and the reformers discovered during the sixteenth century can be summarized in what we know today as the five solas of the Reformation, namely, that sinners are saved by grace alone (sola gratia), through faith alone (sola fide), in Christ...
Christian women seem to love advice. We write it, share it, put it in pretty fonts on beautiful backdrops, set it to music. Most importantly, we buy it. Books marketed to women often invite to take better care of ourselves or better understand ourselves. We are...
Katherine Elizabeth Clark has a story to tell and it isn’t like any other story I’ve heard. Where I End begins with a freak accident, the kind of thing that could happen to any young mom trying to have fun with her kids at the playground: One second she is playing...
As a young girl, I thought the board game Life laid out the basic script for adult life. The path allowed me to drive my little plastic car from college to a career, then on to marriage and eventually to home ownership in just that orderly sequence. In actuality,...
I have always thought my husband and I were probably among the first people to take selfies. We dated in the pre-digital era so we used disposable cameras pre-loaded with film. If we wanted to remember a moment, Paul would reach one arm out with his finger on the...
Pastor and professor David Murray has become all too familiar with the phenomenon of pastoral burn-out. In addition to his own seasons of burn-out, Murray has spent years counseling pastors and church leaders through these difficult times. Reset: Living a...
“Before we begin, I really want you to get to know me. I’m successful. I’m intelligent. I am a wise and self-sufficient woman. In other words… I don’t want you to know me at all. Not the real me. I only want you to get to know a carefully crafted version of me.”...
Dr. Joel R. Beeke is one of my favorite writers to read. I’ve lost track of how many books he’s written and how many of them I’ve read, but there is a common thread between them all- they are devotionally warm. One of Beeke’s goals in everything he writes is to...
I was introduced to the writings of David B. Calhoun when he published his book with Banner of Truth, Knowing God and Ourselves: Reading Calvin’s Institutes Devotionally. I enjoyed that book immensely, and this book is just as good. In Calhoun’s latest book, In...
The New Elder’s Handbook by Greg Scharf and Arthur Kok provides readers with a field-tested approach to training elders in the local church. The book is arranged in three parts, each of which is summarized below. Vision The first part sets forth the biblical...
If you’re an overwhelmed mom, Christina Fox gets what you’re going through. “Unlike hard and difficult jobs I’ve had before, motherhood is all consuming. It consumes energy, time, emotion, wisdom, and everything else…. It reveals our insufficiencies. It shows us...
Submission and authority are hot topics these days. Tragically, however, most people are not flocking to read about it, let alone embrace this important reality. Jonathan Leeman explores this subject in his book, The Rule of Love. The subtitle nicely captures the...
Kristen Padilla may have achieved the impossible with Now That I’m Called. It is difficult to write a book on women being called to ministry without playing into the obvious conflicts surrounding ordination and eldership, namely: are these roles women are allowed...
I don’t usually get too excited about devotional books. They are typically too short and far too shallow. Such books gain a wide readership, which only adds fuel to my frustration. But when I learned about Dr. Owen Strachan’s new book, Always in God’s Hands: Day By...
There’s a book popping up on lots of “Best of 2018” lists called Everything Happens for a Reason (And Other Lies I’ve Loved) by Kate Bowler. I had the privilege of hearing Kate Bowler, professor at Duke Divinity School, tell her story at the Festival of Faith and...
Todd A. Wilson has a “church growth strategy” as old as the church itself: follow the advice in Paul’s letter to Titus. In brief, practical terms, Wilson lays out Paul’s advice for the church in his new book Zealous for Good Works. American evangelicalism, says...
Rosaria Butterfield calls Christopher Yuan’s book, Holy Sexuality and the Gospel “the most important humanly composed book about biblical sexuality and godly living for our times.” That is quite a statement from such a respected woman. After a thorough reading, I...
Sandra Peoples is not asking you to feel sorry for her. Neither is she asking you to be impressed with how well she’s dealing. Although his book is a personal testimony about the challenges and joys of raising her non-verbal son, she actually wrote this book for...
The Biblical Counseling Movement largely recovered by Jay Adams and his prophetic book, Competent to Counsel is wide open for publications. By God’s grace, this critical ministry is really taking root in seminaries and local churches all over the world as pastors...
Preaching the Word of God is at the very center of pastoral ministry. Indeed, the task of preaching God’s Word that should occupy a good portion of the pastoral week. Neglecting this critical responsibility results in weak sheep who are unable to discern the times....
Sidney Greidanus’ From Chaos to Cosmos is the latest installment in the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series. Though I haven’t read the others in this series, I can see that this series is incredibly practical for those who are teaching the Bible regularly....
Ask anyone if they are familiar with the Ten Commandments, and the answer will be in the affirmative. But ask that same person to recite the Ten Commandments by memory and the results will not be as encouraging, even among professing Christians. Kevin DeYoung...
To read Ray Rhodes’ recent biography, Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon, is to witness a life of utter surrender to service. As much as Susie was able, she offered herself fully and wholeheartedly to supporting her famous husband’s ministry. She made...
Biblical Building Blocks As a single person and a fan of HGTV, I thoroughly enjoyed Marry Wisely, Marry Well: A Blueprint for Personal Preparation. Dr. Ernie Baker—Professor of Biblical Counseling, certified conciliator with Peacemaker Ministries, pastor, husband,...
Only four pages in to Karen Swallow Prior’s masterpiece On Reading Well, I knew I was in trouble. I love reading in lots of genres, but books about the act of reading are my weakness. I love them. I’ve already read Prior’s first book, Booked: Literature in the Soul...
In White Picket Fences, Amy Julia Becker comes to terms with a lifetime’s worth of privilege. She looks back on her life with newfound ambivalence about the subtle advantages of her childhood. For example, her family employed a nanny, a gardener, and a cleaning...
I enjoy children’s books. I did so long before I had children of my own. Some of my favorite literature is written for children. Writing children’s books is hard work that takes a sharp mind, deep understanding of your subject, and clear, simple communication to...
In her latest book All That’s Good, Hannah Anderson stirs our appetite for goodness. There is a satisfying simplicity to her thesis that we ought to train ourselves in discernment by taking up Paul’s charge to the Philippians and seeking out “whatever is true,...
Tim Chester’s has a gift for reframing gospel subjects. His book A Meal with Jesus drew my attention to all the times Jesus’ ministry happened in the context of sharing food through ordinary hospitality and miraculous generosity. Suddenly I saw connections I’d...
Introduction What Jeremy Begbie offers in A Peculiar Orthodoxy might best be described as “music therapy for theologians” (146). Although there has been a “flourishing of activity at the interface of theology and the arts” over the past 30 years, Begbie still...
When Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species in 1859, the intellectual tectonic plates shifted with a force that continues to reverberate to this day. One of the tragic consequences (among many) that the book helped spawn was the philosophical notion of...
For the first ten years of my life, I took electricity for granted. I flipped on light switches and turned the dial to change channels on my TV without thinking twice about how easy and available it was. It wasn’t until fourth grade that I received a basic...
Depression and anxiety are no strangers to most of us, although some of us experience it to greater degrees than others. Many of us are silent strugglers, afraid to verbalize our thoughts, feelings, and emotions for fear of being judged, rejected, and considered...
A new memoir, Gay Girl, Good God, tells the very personal story of how Jackie Hill Perry came to be a Christian. Based on the title, readers may expect a bold conversion but actually the moment when Perry finally recognizes God’s goodness is a rather ordinary...
Growing up in an evangelical church, I heard a lot of dramatic testimonies. At summer camp or during a church service, someone would occasionally stand up and tell the story of how lost and sinful they had been before Jesus transformed their lives. As powerful as...
Pastors are not immune to spiritual depression and burn-out. According to a survey conducted by Lifeway Research in 2015[1]: 84% of percent of pastors say they’re on call 24 hours a day. 80% expect conflict in their church. 54% find the role of pastor frequently...
If you are old enough to remember a world before Google, a world where postage stamps needed to be licked, a world that wasn’t connected through wi-fi, then you’ve already successfully survived your teenage years. For young adults entering college this fall, these...
Reality, C.S. Lewis says, is the great iconoclast. Whatever fragile ideas we may have about God, about ourselves, and about our neighbors are constantly at risk of being broken when they confront the real thing. Lewis explains that God himself is an iconoclast, and...
Many issues have come to the forefront for Christians in recent years. However, I cannot think of an issue of greater importance than our view of the Word of God. This crucial matter is addressed by John Feinberg in his recent work, Light in a Dark Place: The...
I am a big fan of catechisms. So when I learned about The Preacher’s Catechism by Lewis Allen, I was intrigued. Actually, I jumped at the chance to read and review this book. Little did I know that this powerful little book would break me and convict me. It would...
Each Christmas, like most families, we gather around the Christmas tree. After telling the story of the birth of Jesus and celebrating his incarnation, we open presents. When I was a child, I remember gravitating toward the big presents. After all, bigger is...
Wayne Grudem has become a household name in evangelical circles over the years. His landmark book, Systematic Theology, is used in Bible Colleges and Seminaries around the world. I have personally taught through his excellent book at least six times. As a result,...
Over the last few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to read through Joel Beeke’s expository commentary on Revelation published by Reformation Heritage Books. It is one commentary in a growing series of expository commentaries on the New Testament. At the time of this...
One of the perils of refusing to buy a smartphone is that I have to rely on our old GPS. The maps haven’t been updated since 2012, so occasionally I’ll drive on a new road that simply doesn’t exist according to my GPS’ outdated maps. I appear to be driving through...
12 Faithful Men is a collection of portraits that capture the lives and ministries of godly men, scattered throughout church history. These men come from a variety of backgrounds and have all made significant contributions to the kingdom of God. Collin Hansen and...
At a farmhouse halfway between our house and our church lives a peacock. We don’t see him every time we drive by, but we always slow down to look. We’ve found him walking among the free-range chickens, hopping on the bird feeder, even perched on the handle of a...
The subject of spiritual gifts is an ongoing topic in the church that often times generates more heat than light. The matter of the sign gifts, in particular, is especially controversial. Continuationists set forth arguments in favor of the sign gifts. And...
C.S. Lewis is one of the most beloved and influential figures in modern church history. He only lived as a believer for a relatively short period of time, about 30 years. In that span of time, however, he wrote prolifically and touched the lives of believers the...
I didn’t realize this before reading Mrs. Mohler’s book, but this is her freshman book. Although this book is Mohler’s first, it does not read like you’d expect a first book to read. In just a short 130 pages, Mohler somehow demonstrates a type of hospitality in...
Biblical counseling has been going through something of an identity crisis as of late. What exactly is “Biblical counseling,” what is its relationship to extra-biblical content, how is it best practiced?: Answering these questions requires nuance, careful...
The doctrine of salvation is awash on a sea of Pelagianism and Semi-Pelagianism. Marked by the curse of sin, the image-bearers of God have a need to “earn” their salvation. “Surely, there must be something I can do to merit favor before a holy God,” says the modern...
“Imagine a world where the power of the gospel to change lives is our to behold.” This is the soul-stirring, gospel-focussed message that Rosaria Butterfield proclaims in her most recent book, The Gospel Comes With a House Key. The author aims to inspire readers to...
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones could very well be the most influential preacher of the twentieth century. If there is any doubt that the Doctor carries such a weighty influence, Jason Meyer skillfully recants such a notion in his work, Lloyd-Jones on the Christian Life....
“A theophany is a manifestation of divine presence accompanied by an extraordinary display mediating that presence.” This is the primary goal of Vern S. Poythress in his recent book, Theophany: A Biblical Theology of God’s Appearing. Theophanies, according to the...
Tightrope walkers amaze me. I marvel at the ability to concentrate and balance on such a small wire while certain death awaits the slightest mishap. They must keep their center mass balanced perfectly over the wire and not lean too far in either direction. I once...
“Calvinism is back,” writes David Van Biema, in a Time Magazine article, entitled ‘The New Calvinism.’ The featured article, which was written in 2009 was included in a list of “Ten Ideas Changing the World Right Now.” That’s quite a claim for a secular magazine to...
The resurgence of biblical theology and an emphasis on the kingdom of God has been a profound help to Christians, both in the academy and the local church. Patrick Schreiner’s offering, The Kingdom of God and the Glory of the Cross is the latest publication in...
One of the critical components of the Christian life involves understanding Scripture and applying it to our lives. This goal is at the heart of Nick Roark and Robert Cline’s book, Biblical Theology: How the Church Faithfully Teaches the Gospel. The authors join...
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21). The words of the Lord Jesus Christ cut through every conceivable pretense, motive, and smokescreen. Similarly, Paul David Tripp exposes our hearts in his book, Redeeming Money. Tripp’s aim is...
The Long Line of Godly Men Profiles is a series published by Reformation Trust that has been educating and inspiring Christians for over ten years. Steven Lawson serves as the series editor and oversees this vital project. This excellent series introduces readers...
With Jesus, by Brian G. Hedges is a book that invites readers on a journey of a lifetime. The gospel is weaved into the fabric of this story and helps readers understand the role that Christ places in individual lives. Hedges writes, “Whatever the shape of your...
Nothing is more important than contemplating the truth. Each person has a specific way of approaching the truth. For example, the Sophists did not believe in absolute truth – they were relativists. Protagoras said, “Man is the measure of all things.” Socrates...
Spurgeon on the Christian Life by Michael Reeves is the latest installment in the Crossway Series, Theologians on the Christian Life. This excellent book covers some basic biographical information on the Prince of Preachers. He is rightly described as a man who...
C.H. Spurgeon calls the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah “a Bible in miniature … the condensed essence of the gospel.” John MacArthur refers to Isaiah 53 as “the most remarkable chapter in the Old Testament” and takes it as the theme of his latest book, The Gospel...
“I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages,” said the British preacher, C.H. Spurgeon. Embracing trials in a God-honoring way is the theme of Dave Furman’s new book, Kiss the Wave. The author does not write in an ivory tower. Nor does...
The matter of truth is of utmost importance for the follower of Jesus Christ. However, sometimes a person with a passion for the truth has a tendency to “steamroll” the unsuspecting – the one who has either never learned the truth or the one who has chosen to...
I have been teaching theology for over twenty-five years. During that time span, I have been privileged to use some of the finest theological resources available. Contemporary books like Wayne Grudem’s, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine or...
“God’s purpose in creating this world is to establish a resplendent metropolis that will fill the earth, where God will reside in harmony with humans,” says T. Desmond Alexander. The author’s latest work, entitled The City of God and the Goal of Creation is a book...
Americans understand the idea of revolution. It is a part of our collective DNA. However, many Americans stop short when spiritual revolution comes into view. Albert Mohler argues in his latest book that such a revolution will come when we pray the Lord’s Prayer:...
“The fact is that you simply cannot understand the history of Scotland unless you know something about the Protestant Reformation. It is the key to the understanding of the history of your great country in the last four hundred years.” So said, Martyn Lloyd-Jones...
It was one of the most dramatic conversion experiences in redemptive history. The Apostle Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus was miraculously transformed into a man who found his delight in God. Guy Prentiss Waters tells the story of Paul’s conversion in his latest...
Whenever a friend purchases a Kindle or e-reader, I always make an important recommendation – Pick up The Crucial Questions Series by R.C. Sproul. Ligonier Ministries has graciously made this 25 book series available, free for the asking. Subjects explore basic...
The day that Sinclair Ferguson’s new book, Some Pastors, and Teachers arrived, I was like a kid in a candy store; a monkey in a banana factory; a shark in blood-infested waters. Gazing at the table of contents caused my heart to race, which is a testimony of my...
He was the most important mind America ever produced, a theologian/philosopher extraordinaire. He was one of the most well-known pastors to stand behind the “preacher’s desk.” And he was a prolific author, missionary, and college president. Despite his impressive...
Long Before Luther: Tracing the Heart of the Gospel From Christ to the Reformation by Nathan Busenitz recently hit the shelves. Busentiz sets out to discover whether or not the doctrine of justification by faith alone was taught and stressed before the days of the...
Herman Selderhuis, professor of church history at the Theological University Apeldoorn needs little introduction. His book, John Calvin: A Pilgrim’s Life was warmly received by many as he unpacked the Reformer’s life and legacy. Now the author makes his...
Edward Welch has become somewhat of a household name in recent years, especially in circles that welcome biblical counseling. Dr. Welch’s new book, A Small Book About a Big Problem is written for everyday people who experience everyday problems. In this short and...
Graeme Goldsworthy has become a bit of a household name, especially as one considers the field of biblical theology. The Son of God and the New Creation is another solid contribution by Goldsworthy where he focuses on the second member of the Trinity and alerts...
One man blazed a trail in the sixteenth century that laid the groundwork for countless numbers of Christians. Martin Luther was the primary agent who God used in a mighty way as he hammered his 95 theses on the castle door at Wittenberg on October 31, 1517. He...
Biblical theology is the discipline that reveals the storyline of Scripture. It looks at the big picture, which begins at creation and culminates with the new earth, where God makes all things new. “The purpose of biblical theology,” according to James Hamilton “is...
Does the Reformation still matter? A better question is, “Does Reformed Theology still matter?” We should also ask ourselves, “Does Reformed Theology still have a place in the Twenty First Century's theological landscape?” Many Christians are not familiar with...
Much has been said about who the church is, what the church does, and how the church does it over the past two thousand years. We live in an age where there is no shortage of ecclesiology books that address such topics. I have found that many of these books live in...
The Counterpoints series by Zondervan is a long-standing examination of various Christian views and issues that allow different perspectives to be shared together in one volume, with the hopes that it allows us all a better understanding of each other’s position,...
John Newton once wrote, “I have often wished we had more female pens employed in the service of the sanctuary. . . . In the article of essay writing, I think many are qualified to succeed better than most men, having a peculiar easiness of style, which few of us...
I understand very little about what it means to be a homemaker, and even less about what it means to be female. One might perceive that a book such as this one, with its floral cover print and cursive title font, is not the kind of downtime read I would spend time...
As our society develops and moves along the line of historical time, we have voices pop up along the way that remind us not to forget where we came from and the ones who came before us. We see this in politics all of the time. America has had its share of political...
Does it take a miracle to read the Bible? That is the question posed on the inside flap of the cover jacket on Dr. John Piper’s newest book, Reading the Bible Supernaturally. I am curious as to what your answer is. For many years of my life, I think I would have...
If only the Christian Living section knew you, right? I recently sat down to read one of the most popular books around on discipleship, because it’s so critically acclaimed and well-known I felt like I was responsible for knowing (and practicing) its contents. Over...
Nearly five hundred years ago, Martin Luther nailed his now famous ninety-five theses to the castle door in Wittenberg. Luther’s courage continues to inspire faithful followers of Jesus. His character raises the bar for anyone who strives to serve with...
J. Warner Wallace is an experienced cold-case detective and a committed follower of Jesus Christ. In his latest book, Forensic Faith, J. Warner Wallace brings a wealth of experience and knowledge. The book is apologetic in nature but is laced with evangelistic...
Doubt is not the same as unbelief, but if we don’t wrestle with our doubts wisely, they can lead to unbelief. John Stevens, National Director of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches in the UK, wants to help Christians wrestle well with their doubts....
There is no real disconnect between the theological and the practical. If we are sometimes convinced otherwise, and if we often live to the contrary, their compatibility remains. Don Whitney knows this, that’s why as he approaches the issue of assurance of...
“The fact of death is unsettling; yet there is no other way to live.” Paul Kalanithi’s quote ironically strikes at the heart of what it means to be a Christian: to see death as a reality, and life as the preparation for it. But more often than not, we find...
Tim Keller expounded on the gravitas of Christian catechisms for our day, saying, “Catechesis is more important than ever. We are being catechized, whether or not we know it, by culture.” In other words, catechism is happening, right at this moment. Twitter...
Believers are commanded in 1 Peter 3:15 to always be ready to “to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” Being able to provide such a defense requires the believer to have a practical understanding of the faith in which...
On May 25, 2016, one of the most important theologians of my time passed into Glory. John Webster, a British Anglican, was a theologian, preacher, lecturer, and disciple of Jesus Christ. Webster is not widely known. He does not sell books at a popular level. His...
Gospel-Centered Teaching by Trevin Wax is a practical book that admonishes readers to put Jesus at the center of every lesson and sermon. Indeed, Spurgeon’s plea in the 19th century to preach the text and then “make a bee-line to the cross” is at the core of this...
Theologians of the English-speaking world are aware of household names such as Abraham Kuyper and B.B. Warfield, two of the greatest Calvinist scholars of the last century. Both of these men died within 12 months of each other, yet there is a third man who joined...
There can be no argument that our society is inundated with technology. As I write this, I am wearing an exercise monitor that automatically syncs with my phone. I am typing this on a laptop while watching a smart television. All of my vehicles have Bluetooth...
I worked full-time most of my summers in college, and I loved it. I loved everything about my job and the feeling of coming home to rest, going out to eat with friends, or heading out for an evening run after a long day of work. I changed jobs during the months of...
Studies show that the average human works 10.3 years in a lifetime. Imagine taking the next decade to work, never clocking out. That’s how much time you’ll spend at the office, making sales, making sandwiches, digging holes, checking on patients, or whatever you...
I have a large section of books in my library devoted to the topic of discipleship and Christian living. I also have a much smaller section of books dedicated to discipleship and Christian living – books that are actually worth reading and re-reading and focus on...
Fred Sanders is a professor of Theology at the Torrey Honors Institute at Biola University in La Mirada, California. Fred Sanders has another book on the Trinity called The Deep Things of God. Summary In the opening of The Triune God, Fred Sanders lays out his...
Biblical Counseling is all about sanctification. The goal of counseling is to help people, in the midst of their suffering and/or sin, to grow in their likeness to Jesus Christ. This means that the way we understand the process of sanctification, then, has a direct...
“Why another book on culture?” you may ask. It seems that hundreds of books are being written on culture, and yet, we have light years to go in understanding what culture is and how we go about living within it and as part of it. Thankfully, another significant...
Tony Reinke did not convince me to trade my smartphone for a dumbphone in his new book 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You. This is not his purpose. His overall aim is to “avoid both extremes: the utopian optimism of the technophiliac and the dystopian pessimism of...
Just over ten years before this writing, the iPhone was announced to the world. No one knew at the time what such technology meant. It all seemed a little silly to me. I remember some of the reviews of the original iPhone. “It doesn’t show much promise.” “I don’t...
When it comes to doing biblical theology, a common pattern is to take a topic or a theme and trace it from Genesis to Revelation. The Covenants, for example, between God and man, are meant to be a theme that we attempt to look for from the beginning of humanity to...
Trauma destroys. Diane Langberg knows something of the specifics of that kind of destruction, for she has been counseling those who suffer from trauma for more than forty years. In Suffering and the Heart of God, she uses her experience as a counselor and an...
Nearly thirty years ago, Dr. John MacArthur wrote The Gospel According to Jesus. The book was a clear articulation of the gospel and a sharp repudiation of antinomianism and other views that failed to affirm the lordship of Jesus Christ in salvation. A firestorm...
For quite some time I have anxiously awaited a book to be released in the Christian publishing genre geared towards teenagers and the plethora of issues they deal with on a daily basis. There are certainly many books on the market regarding issues such as dating...
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it” (Ps 139:6). David’s words in this verse sum up my thoughts when I come before Scripture, good books, and teachers of theology. Discourses on various doctrinal concepts have kept theologians...
When I read the Puritans, I often feel completely in their debt, but part of me is also envious of their lives. They always seem so…fine. Nothing ever throws them. Life never seems “messy” on their pages. It feels like a disconnect at times to read Samuel...
I have read every book that Gloria Furman has written. What I love the most about her books is her persistent hammering of the gospel into each page. While her other books deal mainly with the gospel and womanhood, Alive in Him intrigued me to dive in even more as...
Books on marriage are a dime-a-dozen these days, even from a Christian perspective. However, only a handful of books on marriage, pass the test of biblical fidelity. John Piper’s book, This Momentary Marriage passes both. In fact, it ranks among the best books I’ve...
People “tend to drift between two extremes when considering” the role of the past, says Steve Viars: (1) the past is nothing, or (2) the past is everything. Christians ought to recognize the influence and the limitations of the past in the formation of an...
The first review I read of Joe Thorn’s new book, The Heart of the Church was decisively negative. This specific reviewer awarded the book with a dreaded “two stars,” which in the land of book reviews is something akin to wandering through a barren wasteland without...
The closest I’ve been to being a curious person happened when I became curious about what Barnabas Piper could write about it in his most recent book, The Curious Christian. I’m the type of uncurious person who doesn’t care when someone accidentally almost tells me...
Let’s face it: the Trinity is without a doubt the most important, complex, and debated doctrine in all of Christian thought. For thousands of years, Christians have been attempting to define the Trinity, and nothing is new under the sun. Even today, despite all of...
Today I want to share with you an incredible resource that will not only enhance your study of God’s Holy Word, but also increase retention and understanding of difficult passages, doctrines, and give you tools to utilize in teaching others the basics of the...
The word “desire” has become a misnomer of sorts. In the Christian life, we too often equate desire with sinfulness, like jealousy or sexual temptation. At best, we view desire as something that should be merely suppressed or given up in the pursuit of holiness....
When we think of being blessed thoughts of financial abundance and success naturally fill our minds. Job promotions, smart children, luxurious vacations, and material possessions make us feel blessed. But what if this isn’t what Scripture means when it talks about...
Go around the circle at your small group this week. Ask the folks on your staff and leadership team. Pitch this question to your spouse or your children, “Have you talked to someone about Jesus this week?” When we’re not stretching the truth or embellishing, most...
Lies We Believe About God is the latest book from the author of The Shack, WM. Paul Young. The author originally penned The Shack at the request of his wife as a Christmas gift to his six children. First published in 2007, this book has sold over 20 million copies...
Most people are familiar with the respective generations which are designated as the Silent Generation (born 1928-1945), the Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964), Generation X (born 1965-1980), Older Millennials (born 1981-1989), and the Younger Millennials (born...
When the term apocalyptic literature is used, most are likely drawn to thinking about books in Scripture such as Revelation or perhaps the ending chapters of Matthew where Jesus described the time of the end. While both are indeed apocalyptic, what is often...
A theological tour de force. A magnum opus. A breath-taking panorama that leaves the reader in awe. These are only a few descriptions of Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth by John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue. The book is arranged as one might...
Last summer I had the opportunity to pick up a few sets of great books. Included in that purchase was a title by someone whose works for which I was only minimally familiar, namely Robert Murray M’Cheyne. If you are not familiar with this individual, M’Cheyne...
“It is a stupendous claim that any book written by human hands is the infallible word of God” (39). The Bible without a doubt is the most polarizing, the most significant, the most widely-read, and the most important book in all of human history. On that, we can...
It has been some time since I dug into a good “nerdy” theological style text. Over the past few months, I had tried to give my brain a bit of a break after another breakneck pace of reading last year. The kind folks at IVP Academic sent in my direction a book which...
Everyone who has a passion for preaching or expositing God’s Word has felt this tension, “Which kinds of commentaries should I invest in?” Some feel that buying a commentary series, made up of different authors, looks best on a shelf and stays united in their...
Reality is a subject that every person should be interested in. Reality stares us in the face each day and reminds us of the bare facts. Perhaps the most important realities to come to grips with is the Christian worldview. Gregory Koukl presents the major...
Isaiah is a really big book. It’s the 6th-largest book in Scripture, amassing over 25,000 words in 66 chapters. Not to mention, this is a prophetic book, one of the Major Prophets of the Old Testament. Factoring in its size and subject, anything that aids us in its...
“I dearly hope that the Protestant tribalism of American denominationalism dies. I will do all in my power to kill it, not least in myself” (191). Hopefully, you didn’t start at the end of Peter Leithart’s book and read backwards. Reading these words at first gives...
I was recently listening to a sermon from a noted preacher years ago, who encouraged his congregation to consider the task of “finding a home” in one or two books of the Bible. His philosophy was that most of us, with our limited amount of brainpower as humans,...
Every pastor and ministry leader desires church growth, and so books on how to attain growth are ubiquitous. Most of these books claim to have unlocked some secret, or assert the keys to revolutionize ministries. They make a case for “epic” church, and dynamic...
The Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary is a welcome addition to the growing number of resources which help explain the biblical text and apply the truth of God’s Word to readers. This volume which that focuses on four Minor Prophets beautifully captures the...
Issues surrounding the dignity of human life have been the loudest topics of conversation lately in political and social spheres. We are witnessing a society that simultaneously argues over the legitimacy or criminality of abortion, what the framework for marriage...
Crossway’s Foundations of Evangelical Theology series is actually a long-standing one, with volumes dating back to twelve years ago. However, Wellum’s new addition to the series is only the sixth volume to be published. In short, the intent of this series is not a...
If you have ever read from the New Studies in Biblical Theology series edited by D.A. Carson and published by IVP Academic, you know that it is a major blessing to the Church for providing us rich explorations into what the Bible truly has to say, cover to cover,...
There are only a handful of living pastors who I would trust to write on such an important topic as is the pastorate and the justification of the Pastor. Jared Wilson is one of these men, and he has given a tremendous gift to pastors, seminary students, and laymen...
Maybe you know someone, or are someone, who has lived an entire life in one country, one region, or one state. Such a person has spent their days only experiencing what is familiar, what is commonplace. They never “get out of their bubble” if you will. Any of us...
Another year has come and gone, and with it, another round of book of the year lists have slowly but surely made their rounds around the blogosphere. Here at Servants of Grace, we review a lot of books. We trust that you, our readers have found those book reviews...
I thoroughly enjoy resources that enable me to dig deeper into Scripture. Of particular note is the ability to explore and understand the biblical languages. While there is certainly nothing wrong with simply reading Scripture via the numerous quality translations...
A few years ago, Tim Keller released one of the most significant works on church planting and development to hit the shelves this century. Center Church is a massive examination of what it looks like to do Gospel-centered ministry in your community. It received...
God the Son Incarnate by Stephen J. Wellum is the latest installment in the Foundations of Evangelical Theology Series. This outstanding series, edited by John Feinberg was first introduced with the publication of No One Like Him back in 2001. The author notes that...
“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” You have probably heard this quote, one of Abraham Kuyper’s most famous of all. Part of the reason this quote is so famous is...
Christians are transformed by the renewing of their minds. They understand that, in large measure, how they think about the gospel will determine how they live for God’s glory. They are learning to allow the Word of God to do its own work, informing, and...
Christmas for many people is a difficult time. Whether it's fighting, bad memories, the death of a loved one around this season, or some other reason, Christmas is hard for many people. The gospel story, the incarnation, sinless life, death, burial, and...
Which angry person are you? The Domestic Gunslinger? The Volcano? The Iceberg? Maybe you don’t think you’re an angry person at all like I did before reading this book. Or maybe, you think your anger is always and on every occasion sinful. This book is for you. All...
Your marriage, in all its details, is intimately connected to God. This is the major thesis of Winston Smith’s fantastic book on marriage. He sees that the most important part of your marriage is your relationship to God. All the mundane, frustrating, and even...
Many of us come to the Major or Minor Prophets of Scripture and we feel like we’re preparing to summit a difficult mountain range. They’re complex to read and understand, even hard to read given the often negative and harsh language we see in their writings....
One of the classic doctrinal differences in the Evangelical church is determining how the Old Testament relates to the New Testament: Should we observe a dispensational, or covenantal, view? But perhaps the matter isn’t as black-and-white as it is normally...
“The problem is not biblical authority but how to negotiate the conflict of interpretation of that authoritative source” (21). Vanhoozer states the problem outright, the tension that we feel when we read our Bibles, individually and corporately. Most of us affirm...
What makes InterVarsity Press’ series New Studies in Biblical Theology such a success? It is their ability to recruit good authors and researchers to draw out often-overlooked themes that are actually significant points of discussion in the Bible, helping readers...
A good book review will help readers determine the good, the bad, and the ugly in a given title. There is nothing bad or ugly in J. Daniel Hays’ new work, The Temple, and the Tabernacle. In fact, describing the contents of this book as “good” would be a massive...
I am typically leery of taking on any Christian leadership books because the market is so overwhelmed with absolute fluff, it is sometimes hard to separate the wheat from the chaff! Many Christian leadership books simply use Christianity as a “prop” of sorts. If...
America is not necessarily known for its theologians. We know many important theologians from Africa, Germany, England, and the like. To be fair, America has only been around for a little over 400 years, so the timeline is short. But given its short history and its...
Out of all the Pauline Epistles, the book of Colossians can arguably be labeled as one of the most overlooked. This is in part understandable given the plethora of material within the Pauline corpus. For that matter, think of the last book from the Minor Prophets...
I am a language nerd. While not a linguistic expert by any stretch of the imagination, I nevertheless fully understand the importance of knowing what words mean in context as well as the development of terms over time. It seems when studying Scripture and...
Most of us are familiar with Paul’s famous exhortation to begin Romans 12: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to...
A few years ago, Tim Keller released one of the most significant works on church planting and development to hit the shelves this century. Center Church is a massive examination of what it looks like to do gospel-centered ministry in your community. It received...
There seems to be a pattern of behavior in the church that needs to change. What is that pattern you might ask? Focusing on getting people saved with little or no sense of direction provided to those who declare their allegiance to God and proclaim their...
When I think about the importance of biblical theology and learning from its leading scholars, one of the first names that come to mind is Graeme Goldsworthy. Nearly every work Goldsworthy has completed has BT as its driving force, which is really helpful for...
The book market is beginning to see a rise of titles that deal with the Protestant Reformation as we move closer to the 500th anniversary of Luther’s bold move at Wittenberg. Gregg Allison and Chris Castaldo collaborate on a creative work that poses a critical...
To practice a “long obedience” in terms of discipleship seems like a total anomaly. Our fast-paced society communicates the idea that anything that requires commitment and devotion is probably not worth our precious commodity of time. But it’s not just the outside,...
About the Editor: Joe Carter is one of the sharpest minds in Evangelicalism today. He is the current Communications Specialist for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, and the Senior Editor at the Actions Institute. He...
There are many caricatures of Biblical Counseling. One popular caricature paints practitioners of Biblical Counseling as offering simplistic explanations, pad answers, and little sympathy. The caricature is just that, a caricature, and yet it arises because there...
Every time I attempt to sit down and read God’s Word, there is one enemy that I always find myself battling: his name is Noise. You have probably met him. Noise is one of the most powerful opponents to healthy, worshipful Bible reading. Some days on my commute I...
The past fifteen years have seen a massive increase in conversation and debate about what Islam teaches. From US politicians proclaiming that Islam is a religion of peace to pronouncements that Islam isn’t a religion of peace, and everywhere in-between there are...
Most books devoted to exploring the mandate to preach the Word of God focus on homiletical method. They help young preachers craft an introduction and a conclusion. They help young theologians with good exegetical skills. They discuss tone, body language, and eye...
Many Christians know that the church fathers play a significant role in the development of what we know as “church” today, but few probably understand the gravity of what they did, and the wisdom that they can offer us. Of course, we know names like Augustine, and...
Every volume in the Theologians on the Christian Life series produced by Crossway continues to help readers make progress in their understanding of church history and the key figures that brought us to where we are. The thing I love about this series is that each...
Thousands of Americans flock to Alcatraz, the penitentiary in San Francisco Bay. Of course, this intimidating fortress has since closed its doors to violent criminals and lawbreakers. Brave guests may choose to stand for a few moments in one of the tiny cells and...
I have owned or own numerous single volume or collected sets of introductions to the Bible. Some have been quite helpful in my studies, personal or academic, and others have been shall we say a bit lackluster and somewhat disappointing. Given the plethora of...
“Be angry and do not sin.” This proclamation by the Apostle Paul seems a bit far-fetched at times. At least in my own life, anger seems to be directly associated with sinful behavior on my part. I certainly am a pro at getting angry or at the least, a bit miffed...
What is Reformed Theology? originally appeared in 1997. This updated volume has a new cover and new contemporary format. The content, however, remains the same as Dr. Sproul guides readers through the wonders of Reformed Theology. Part One: Foundations of Reformed...
A number of books out there on how to relate to others who are hurting are very long, and not very deep. It is one thing to read a book written by a gifted communicator and writer who churns out principles and concepts, writing more out of position than experience....
Few authors over the past decade have exerted as much of an influence outside of the Bible as Tim Keller, Albert Mohler, and John Piper on my thinking about the Christian life and ministry. Whenever they release a new book I know I want to read it. I know in the...
Andrew Fuller: Holy Faith, Worthy Gospel, World Mission is a great primer for further study into the life and ministry of the British pastor Andrew Fuller. Fuller was the pastor of Kettering Particular Baptist Church for 33 years and served as the first secretary...
“God is love…here is the same good news of the gospel of the death of Christ that is believed by a toddler and yet has kept busy some of the greatest minds in human history with its unfathomable profundity” (13). The opening lines of Garry Williams’ book, His Love...
Andrew Fuller was a zealous promoter of world missions. He is likely to be unknown to most Christians. Before reading this biography Andrew Fuller: Holy Faith, Worthy Gospel, World Mission by Dr. John Piper I had no real idea who he was other than I might have read...
Jesus is Lord. This is a common proclamation by believers. However, do we truly understand what Jesus as Lord means to our lives? If he is Lord, what does that look like on a practical level and how does it impact everything we do? Or does it? We certainly claim it...
It’s common today to hear people say, “I believe such and such thing” but then you ask them the question, “Why do you believe that?” and they can’t offer any explanation. Ours is also a day where biblical illiteracy is on the rise. Many Christians would rather just...
Summary: Good Faith is not just another “Christian Living” book or Christian self-help book. This book is the product of years of research on both Dave and Gabe’s part in seeking after how Christians can live out their faith in a society that thinks Christians are...
What Christians Ought to Believe by Michael F. Bird examines the Apostles’ Creed and guides readers step-by-step through this important document. In chapters 1 and 2, the author highlights the importance of creeds. He notes: “The creeds constitute an attempt to...
Anyone who has spent time studying philosophy has heard that famous Danish name before Kierkegaard. The influence of Kierkegaard’s work and thought is unmissable for the student to see. But for many, the name “Søren Kierkegaard” completely flies under the radar,...
Few series of biographies are as encouraging as Dr. John Piper The Swans are Not Silent series. In his seventh book in this series, Dr. Piper explores the lives of Charles Spurgeon, George Muller, and Hudson Taylor. All three of these men were known for...
I will never forget reading the first installment of Steven Lawson’s series in the Long Line of Godly Men Profiles. The Expository Genius of John Calvin riveted my attention and engaged my mind. This book captivated my imagination and challenged my studying habits....
The past decade has seen a great resurgence of the doctrines of grace. This resurgence has come on the heels of a conversation that continues to take place on the place of the gospel in the Christian life, church, and ministry. The Christian life was never meant to...
As a self-titled book nerd and Seminary survivor, I can humbly state there are many, many theologians for which I have at least a passing familiarity. It seems everyone gravitates towards certain scholars/theologians for a variety of reasons ranging from the...
Everything rises or falls on good leadership. The fruitfulness and effectiveness of the local church are dependent upon men who exert strong, humble, and God-centered leadership. Weak men spawn weak churches. But men who live according to God’s mandate are a part...
Many Christian leaders are in a great deal of danger. No, they aren’t in trouble with the law. Many Christian leaders are in trouble because they are sacrificing their families on the altar of ministry. As Christian leaders, pastors and ministry leaders are called...
If you were to ask most Pastors what they dread the most they would most likely say change. Some Pastors have had a horrible experience bringing about change in their churches. Many Christians greatly resist change of any kind. We tend to fight change in our own...
I was interested in grabbing this book the moment I heard of its release. The human conscience is a pretty fascinating aspect of creation. Most of us think of it as a “shoulder angel” or an “inner lawyer,” but conscience is a beautiful component of our humanity. No...
Asking someone to define discipleship into one small sentence is no small task. The gospel-centered, disciple-making movement among Evangelicalism has got a wide lens. We define our churches as churches that “make disciples,” but to the non-believer or the believer...
Many Christians today think that the Christian life is to be lived in isolation from the local church. Some Christians also don’t see the need to continue to listen to sermons. We are living in a rapidly biblical illiterate church culture where people may know...
The 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation will soon arrive. A handful of evangelicals awaits this special day of celebration, when on October 31, 2017, they will remember Luther’s courageous act as he nailed the Ninety-Five Theses to the Castle Church in...
James K.A. Smith posted a thought on Twitter that captured it perfectly. “I still haven't decided whether 2016 is the worst year, or the best year, to be writing a book on political theology.” In some sense, you could perceive the political horizon of 2016 as being...
There are at least 1.2 billion Roman Catholics in the world – a stunning number to the unsuspecting. It would be a massive understatement to confess that Rome has had and continues to have a titanic influence on Western thought and culture. In recent years, some...
When it comes to the famous “Five Points of Calvinism,” there is one among the rest that stands alone as the most divisive and disagreed-upon of all the rest. In the corresponding TULIP acronym, it takes the middle letter, Limited Atonement. This doctrine posits...
As I am currently wading my way through InterVarsity Press’ New Studies in Biblical Theology, I come to the second volume in the series, authored by one of my favorite authors and preachers, Ray Ortlund. Ortlund is a key voice on a host of subjects with a Christian...
“How did we get here?” If you’re married, this is a question you and your spouse have probably asked yourselves (perhaps each other) over the course of your time together. Whether it’s 3 months, 3 years, or 3 decades, we all face certain aspects of marriage that...
Hidden Agenda: Dropping the Masks That Keep Us Apart by Steve Brown is a “wake-up call” book. This book intends to shake Christ-followers and wake them up to the glorious reality of grace. The author points his finger a lot in this book. Much of the finger-pointing...
The Biblical Counseling Coalition’s new book, Biblical Counseling and the Church: God’s Care Through God’s People demonstrates the progress that has been made in the ministry of biblical counseling since Jay Adams’ initial exhortation to the church many years ago....
The core roots of the faith. What exactly are they and why are they considered as the foundational elements of belief as opposed to other issues? Furthermore, what are we supposed to do with what is determined as the core facets of the faith? These are vital...
What does a 1700s internecine Scottish theological debate have to do with the contemporary church? According to Sinclair Ferguson, quite a lot, since the issues at the heart of that Marrow Controversy remain prominent issues for every generation of the church. He...
The Dutch statesman, Abraham Kuyper famously said, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine.’” Such is the theme of the recent book by Vern Poythress, The Lordship of...
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to read dozens and dozens of preaching books. Whenever a new preaching book comes out, I try to read it. One reason for this is I want to improve my craft of preaching and teaching the Word of God. A new book Pulpit Aflame...
2016 has, to many, seemed to be the year in which the word “evangelical” has been completely watered down to nothingness. “Evangelical” has become a word that carries virtually no distinction and thus no meaning; everything from the media’s misuse of the word to...
It seems that now more than ever, the “public square” is becoming an important component of Christian living. In fact, with the rise of social media, the public square has become nearly inescapable. Cultural commentary is only a click away, as our news feeds are...
Writing articles and speaking to people has been a big part of my life since my teenage years. Ever since that time, I’ve loved writing Christian articles, speaking to God’s people, and ministering to them through the written word and through preaching and...
In our fast-paced world, it can be hard to have joy in the Lord. Between distractions, duties, and responsibilities each one of us have, joy seems to be low on the list. Sometimes it seems to me like joy is fleeting. In The Secret of Spiritual Joy by William P....
The idea of James K.A. Smith’s book You Are What You Love, is as old as the Old Testament. The Psalmist, many centuries ago, declared that despite having features such as hands, mouths, eyes, and ears, the false gods of other nations were impotent and inactive....
The past few years of John Piper’s ministry have been focused intensely on writing. We have seen multiple books coming out bearing Piper’s name, and that’s a good thing. As someone who owns about a dozen of Piper’s books, I must say that if you’ve read one of them,...
When it comes to discussion of the Trinity, Christianity surprisingly runs quite a gamut of opinions and thoughts. While the Trinity is one of the most creedal and thus essential doctrines of Evangelicalism, some accuse the Trinity of being explicitly unknowable...
Who reading this review finds the Psalms to be among or at the top of their list of favorite books of the Bible? I am quite sure most if not all of you raised your virtual hands to that question. Why are we so passionate about reading the Psalms? In my humble...
Anyone who has read the sermons of Charles Spurgeon knows that every jot and tittle of Spurgeon’s work is a warmth to the soul, pointing us to the glory of Christ. Spurgeon was certainly not a polemicist, nor a scholarly exegete, but his ability to devotionally...
People look for certain things when it comes to the consultation of commentaries. Some are looking for a fresh perspective on the text, gathering new hermeneutical insights they didn’t catch. Others look for practical ways commentators have applied the text or...
Admittedly I am a very visual learner. Many times when my wife is attempting to describe her vision for a future home renovation project, it is difficult for me to put her words into a mental picture of what she is trying to get across. I need a blueprint or a...
To the unassuming reader, one of the most confusing and seemingly misplaced words throughout the Scriptures is “heart.” It feels like on many occasions, most noticeably in the New Testament, that the verb presented in the verse does not necessarily match what our...
In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine listed “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” At the top was Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone.” Second on the list (presuming no bias in the choices made by the magazine) came the Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” This...
Over the past couple of years, I have become a huge fan of Lecrae’s music. So much so, that we have acquired his entire catalog of music. As one who appreciates Lecrae the artist, I was excited to read his autobiography to learn more about Lecrae the man. Let’s...
I love it when the Lord uses a book to speak straight to my heart the exact words I need to hear at a particular time. Some time back I was in a used bookstore here in Birmingham when a book caught my eye. The title was Called: My Journey to C.S. Lewis’ House and...
Behind many of our problems is idolatry. We may not all bow down to physical statues of foreign gods, but we all displace God in our hearts with other things, people, and desires. Seeking to identify, expose, and root our these idols from our hearts is essential to...
In Romans 8:19-21, Paul says that the whole of creation is waiting with “eager longing,” because we are anticipating the day in which “creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” That...
It’s a shame that theology so regularly needs to be defended. The fact that it does just goes to support Keith Johnson’s book Theology as Discipleship. The divorce that theology and Christian living has been through over time has had massive and long-lasting...
Over 40 years ago, a classic was born. The great Mortimer Adler and Charles Van Doren released a book that would become the go-to source for learning how to read books. Since its inception, How to Read a Book has been pretty well the only source for a deep look...
Good Survey of Apologetics The task of doing apologetics can be a bit of a burden. Apologists devote their lives to learning the ins and outs of various arguments and how competing views think about the existence of God. Doing apologetics is meant to be a slow and...
In the year 381 AD, a council of men came together, what we now know as the First Council of Constantinople. This council built on the First Council of Nicea’s meeting in 325 AD and sought to outline the essential confessions of what Christian orthodoxy is. In this...
The concept of “habit” is seeing a bit of a resurgence among philosophers and theologians. Thomas Aquinas, centuries ago, had emphasized the importance of spiritual habits, but the concept has been overlooked for some time. James K.A. Smith rejuvenated the idea in...
It is no secret regarding the existence of hostilities between Israel and Iran. While the overt war between the two nations as not yet taken place, a shadow war clearly exists with Iran utilizing a number of fronts to include terrorist proxy groups to extend its...
The law. Few words arguably create more of a firestorm of opinions than these two words. Add to that the seemingly perennial question of whether the Apostle Paul gave the green light for Christians to jettison the various laws noted in the front of Scripture and...
When it comes to the conversation of same-sex attraction, we have seen a sort of “Red Rover” happening among some folks. We’ve picked our sides and dared others to come join us. The focus is on building our viewpoint, our “camp” so to speak. Along the way, when...
Ecclesiastes is a hard book for many people to study and to preach from. In my yearly reading of the Bible, I’ve always found this book of the Bible to be fascinating. One day I’d love to teach through this book and study it in more depth because it is just so rich...
Burnout. It’s a popular topic in pastoral ministry these days, most likely because it is a very real and prevalent topic among our churches today. As someone who works in pastoral ministry, I am already seeing just how easy it is to get burnt out in ministry, how...
In the past decade, the conversation surrounding discipleship has exploded. At first, this conversation was directed towards how disciples of Jesus could engage the culture. Then a shift occurred as this conversation split off into two camps. One went the way of...
Those of us interested in the subject of apologetics find ourselves normally dividing into two categories – presuppositional, interested in engaging with the presuppositions of the unbeliever, or evidential, interested in engaging with the evidence before us. Both...
Many Christians today would probably argue that a deep study of Leviticus would be extremely difficult. I’m willing to bet that some would take it a step further in saying that it is a book not truly worth studying. After all, what is the point of Leviticus,...
Faith is a term used throughout Scripture. It is one that in my humble opinion is often misunderstood, especially when it comes to understanding the dynamic between how a sound faith will result in godly behavior in the life of the Christian. What exactly does a...
“I believe that the affirmation of the Bible’s inerrancy has never been more essential to evangelicalism as a movement and as a living theological and spiritual tradition…Without inerrancy, the evangelical movement will inevitably become dissolute and indistinct in...
B.B. Warfield, the great Princeton theologian of the 19th century, has sometimes been hailed as a scholastic theologian. A scholar interested purely in the academics of dogmatics, not the kind of theologian you would consult on matters of the Christian life....
Ministry is hard! It is tiresome, demanding, never-ending work that requires a great deal of sacrifice. If you are in ministry or have been in ministry you know exactly what I am talking about. But all too often the journey in ministry brings an unexpected detour...
Money, sex & power. These three terms more often than not conjure up images of power-hungry mafia men or celebrities gone wild. But are money, sex, and power always things and actions that should be viewed as entirely carnal? Perhaps it is our approach to these...
The challenges posted towards the exclusivity of the Christian gospel are not a new phenomenon by any means. But as our culture continues to grow post-Christian, the “Coexist” bumper stickers increase, academia starts to muddy the waters and blur the lines between...
“Counseling is a theological discipline.” That statement captures the very heart of Lambert’s book. It is also, he says, the most “controversial part of this book” (11). Despite what many others believe, counseling is inherently theological and as such we must...
When it comes to the Reformed tradition, one of the words that normally causes us to tense up is “revival.” Maybe it’s because we have had bad experiences theologically with revivals. In my rural Southern Baptist upbringing, “revivals” were scheduled events in...
Does the Bible actually speak to the issue of addictions? That’s one of the common questions – or perhaps it’s more accurate to say veiled accusations – that I get when working with guys in our Recovery program. After all, the word “addiction” is not found in the...
Everyone is searching for meaning and purpose in life. People pursue pleasure through sports, entertainment, and other activities. Everyone is seeking to live in a story greater than themselves. Only God has a story big enough in the Gospel to save and govern our...
The greatest help the believer has to their struggle with fear or worry is the God of rest and peace. In Running Scared, Ed Welch seeks to apply the truths of Scripture to our fears in specific and detailed ways. The broad approach to fear this book takes means it...
The Lord is using Lecrae’s music ministry to impact a generation. His music has also spawned a greater appreciation and respect for Gospel rap among Christians. Before I listened to Lecrae, I never enjoyed listening to rap. In fact, when my wife first saw me...
As Christians, it is difficult to sometimes know how to move the ball forward in terms of proving the existence of God among skeptical culture. We feel that in order to defend God against atheists and agnostics, we must be well-versed in the areas of science and...
This year I’ve been reading Carl Henry’s massive six-volume set “God, Revelation, and Authority”. To be honest I haven’t done very well reading it thus far. I’m still in volume two but I am enjoying it. Reading it slowly has helped me to understand this great man...
I counsel more people on the issue of anxiety than nearly any other issue. Worry is common to us all, and its ubiquity makes it a great target for a short Biblical counseling book. Tim Lane, a seasoned and respected counselor within the movement, has written here a...
It seemed so promising. The Israelites had entered by the mighty hand of God into the Promised Land. Joshua left the people with a firm reminder of the need to be mindful of their covenant with God. This covenant had as its basis obedience to God’s commands which...
I hate to admit that I both love and hate the book of James. Okay – I know we are not supposed to hate any book of the Bible, but James addresses a plethora of life issues, many of which we struggle to place under the Lordship of Jesus. I love what James has to say...
I’m (very slowly) working my way through InterVarsity’s New Studies in Biblical Theology series. As I was scanning some of the titles available, I came across a volume from Craig Blomberg. Naturally, I went straight to the endorsements. I saw D.A. Carson, the...
She did not fit the stereotype of an addict. This 24-year-old girl was articulate, intelligent, and pretty. She seemed smart and full of potential, but she was also addicted to meth. It was an important realization in those early days of my ministry: every addict...
Several times in my life, I’ve been confronted with the poor. By poor, I don’t mean going into a major city in the United States and finding the poorest place, and ministering there. Instead, what I mean is going into poor countries with the Gospel. Ministering to...
Time. We are constantly faced with the issue of time. “I don’t have enough time to accomplish that task.” “If I could go back in time, I’d make State.” (statement courtesy of Uncle Rico). What exactly is time? Have we ever taken the time to stop and think about...
Parenting is not easy. I have lost count of how many days just in the past few weeks that have been jammed packed full of hectic activities along with the accompanying stress that on most occasions lead to angry parenting. As parents, we have the best of intentions...