Category: Non-Fiction Page 6 of 54

Proclaiming Christ in a Pluralistic Age by J.I. Packer: A Rediscovered Gem from a 20th Century Great

DETAILS:
Publisher: Crossway
Publication Date: February 27, 2024
Format: Hardcover
Length: 132 pg.
Read Date: May 5-12, 2024

What sort of communication is the gospel? Answer: It’s a story. Itsa story told about God. Ultimately, inasmuch as it’s a matter of revelation, it’s a story about God told to us by God. It’s a story in which God through his spokesman bears witness to himself. The theme of the story is precisely the living God at work—in this world, in the past, in the present, and in the future. It’s the story of what God has done, is doing, and will do.

What’s Proclaiming Christ in a Pluralistic Age About?

This book is made up of a series of five lectures inspired by 1 Corinthians 1:22-24:

For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

The lectures set out to talk about how we proclaim Christ in an age (as Paul’s was) dominated by other ideas about God, the world, Jesus Christ, and so on—starting with Christ crucified and then moving to Jesus’ humanity, his divinity, what he did (particularly the atonement, as Packer is focused on him crucified), and his uniqueness. Throughout these talks, his aim is to build up the understanding and confidence of believers in light of secular thought, universalism, pluralism, other forms of theological liberalism, and so on.

Apparently, this was supposed to be a book back in the 70s or 80s, but the project was abandoned (or maybe just overlooked—Packer has something like 70+ titles under his name, he’d have been bound to forget if he didn’t finish a book). But now Crossway has got the lectures cleaned up and polished and in our hands now. I, for one, am glad about that.

So, what did I think about Proclaiming Christ in a Pluralistic Age?

The chapters are a little over twenty pages each—so there’s not a lot of depth that he can get into (I wonder if Packer had put the book together himself if he’d have expanded on the talks). But he does cover each topic adequately—and Packer’s a little better at getting in details into a brief work than others are.

While he might not get as granular on some points as a reader (or me, to be specific) would’ve liked. He covers the breadth of the topic, pointing the reader in the right direction to go to dig deeper themsleves.

As always when one reads Packer, you have to be impressed with the clarity that he brings to his work. His desire to see Christ proclaimed correctly and passionately shines through and his perspective on them is like a breath of fresh air. It just rejuvenates you to read him.

Strongly written, convincing, and encouraging—Proclaiming Christ in a Pluralistic Age will satisfy the attentive reader.

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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The Return of the Kingdom by Stephen G. Dempster: A Quick Look at this Redemptive Historical Overview

By HCNewton

On May 12, 2024

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

The Return of the Kingdom:
A Biblical Theology of God’s Reign

by Stephen G. Dempster

DETAILS:
Series: Essential Studies in Biblical Theology
Publisher: IVP Academic
Publication Date: March 19, 2024
Format: Paperback
Length: 202 pg.
Read Date: April 14-28, 2024

What’s The Return of the Kingdom About?

I’m low on energy, so I’m just going to copy the back of the book here:

The biblical story begins and ends with God as king. Human beings rebel, however, rather than fulfilling their royal calling to rule creation on behalf of their Sovereign—and the world became enslaved to the rule of a dark, serpentine lord.

In this volume of IVP Academic’s Essential Studies in Biblical Theology, Stephen Dempster traces the themes of kingship and kingdom throughout Scripture, illuminating the challenges, pain, and ultimate hope that the Bible offers. The story of God’s kingship is ultimately the fulfillment of a promise, a promise to restore the rightful rule of humanity over creation by defeating sin and death and to establish a world of peace and justice.

After a quick overview of his approach in this book and his understanding of the Kingdom, Dempster surveys the story of the Bible highlighting the teaching of the Kingdom throughout. After spending three chapters covering Creation and the Fall, he then covers Redemptive History–with two chapters on the Gospels. Then he wraps things up with a look at Revelation and the current status of the Church and Kingdom–and what we should expect after the present.

So, what did I think about The Return of the Kingdom?

Dempster’s survey was helpful, and on more than one occasion, insightful. But at the same time, it was a little too much like the other surveys in this series. What he brought wasn’t all that distinctive from the rest.

On the one hand, this is a very good thing–while focusing on other themes and motifs than the others, he’s picking up the same overarching storyline in the Bible the others were. And there should be a lot of overlap between those.

On the other hand, for the reader, while we can draw confidence from the unity, we can also get bored.

I thought the introduction (“The Return of the Kingdom: The Biblical Theology of God’s Reign”, the first chapter “The Big Picture: The Bible’s Bookends”), and the last chapter (“Grand Finale and Kingdom Come: Revelation and the Present”) were very strong and helpful. And they pretty much justified the time and money I invested in the book. The rest was utterly fine. I wanted more, but I can be satisfied with what I got.

For people who haven’t read all/most of the books in this series, you could probably gain a lot from this book. For those who have read the rest? Go in with the right expectations and you’ll be okay.

3 Stars

Institutes of Elenctic Theology Vol. 1: First through Tenth Topics by Francis Turretin: A Master Class on Theology and Methodology

By HCNewton

On May 5, 2024

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

Institutes of Elenctic Theology
Vol. 1: First through Tenth Topics

by Francis Turretin, George Musgrave Giger (Translator), James T. Dennison, Jr. (Editor)

DETAILS:
Series: Institutes of Elenctic Theology, Vol. 1
Publisher: P & R Publishing
Publication Date: October 1, 1992
Format: Hardcover
Length: 685 pg.
Read Date: January 7- April 28, 2024

What’s Elenctic Theology Anyway?

Elenctic refers to a logical method involving asking questions, of defending a position (or arguing to persuade people to accept it) by proposing alternatives and asking a series of questions—practically cross-examing the alternatives, to show the problems of the alternatives. A good deal of what we call the “Socratic method” is elenctics.

Therefore, Elenctic Theology is a form of defending the the truth of Christianity or Christian dogmas by suggesting alternatives and demonstrating their lack by way of asking and answering questions about them. Or by asking a question about a true dogma and asking questions that affirm them. Aquinas’ Summa Contra Gentiles is one example. This book is another.

What’s Institutes of Elenctic Theology Then?

For a long time, it was the standard textbook to train Presbyterian and Reformed ministers in various parts of the world—including the U.S.—until Charles Hodge’s systematic theology overtook it in popularity (Hodge, it should be noted had his students read Turretin’s Institutes).

Turretin wrote it at the height of Protestant Scholasticism, defending the Reformed understanding of Christianity in a post-Synod of Dordt and post-Westminster Assembly-era. He interacts with the best of Roman Catholic theology of the era, as well as Socinians, Remonstrants (read: Arminians), Lutherans, and others.

He examines the big issues of the time—and several smaller issues, as well. In this volume, he covers the first 10 of the 20 topics he’ll cover in the three volumes (which suggests something about the length he’ll discuss the second half of the topics in the following volumes). The topics in this volume are:

Theology

The Holy Scriptures
bullet

The One and Triune God
bullet

The Decrees of God in General and Predestination in Particular
bullet

Creation

The Actual Providence of God
bullet

Angels

The State of Man Before the Fall and the Covenant of Nature
bullet

Sin in General and in Particular
bullet

The Free Will of Man in a State of Sin

Turretin’s Method

I think the best way to show how Turretin approaches these discussions is to show you the list of questions from one of the topics. Here’s what he looks at in the roughly 120 pages of The Fourth Topic: The Decrees of God in General and Predestination in Particular:
I. Are decrees in God, and how?
Il. Are the decrees of God eternal? We affirm against Socinus.
Ill. Are there conditional decrees? We deny against the Socinians, Remonstrants and Jesuits.
IV. Does the decree necessitate future things? We affirm.
V. Is the fixed and immovable end of the life of each man with all its circumstances so determined by the decree of God, that he cannot die in another moment of time or by another kind of death than that in which he does die? We affirm against the Socinians and Remonstrants.
VI. Ought predestination to be publicly taught and preached? We affirm.
VII. In what sense are the words “predestination,” prognōseōs, eklogēs and prosthesōs used in this mystery?
VIII. Was there a predestination of angels, and was it of the same kind and order with the predestination of men? The former we affirm; the latter we deny.
IX. Whether the object of predestination was man creatable, or capable of falling; or whether as created and fallen. The former we deny; the latter we affirm.
X. Is Christ the cause and foundation of election? We deny against the Arminians and Lutherans.
XI. Is election made from the foresight of faith, or works; or from the grace of God alone? The former we deny; the latter we affirm.
XII. Is the election of certain men to salvation constant and immutable? We affirm against the Remonstrants.
XIII. Can the believer be certain of his own election with a certainty not only conjectural and moral, but infallible and of faith? We affirm against the papists and Remonstrants.
XIV. Is the decree of reprobation absolute, depending upon the good pleasure (eudokia) of God alone; or is sin its proper cause? We distinguish.
XV. Is infidelity, or unbelief of the gospel, presupposed as a cause of reprobation? We deny against the Remonstrants.
XVI. Is the will of God to save persevering believers and condemn the unbelieving, the whole decree of reprobation? We deny against the Remonstrants.
XVII. Can there be attributed to God any conditional will, or universal purpose of pitying the whole human race fallen in sin, of destinating Christ as Mediator to each and all, and of calling them all to a saving participation of his benefits? We deny.
XVIII. Is any order to be admitted in the divine decrees, and what is it?

I’m not sure if it was while reading this topic (I think so), or something a little later, but I remember texting a friend saying that I wish I could break down an idea like Turretin. He made me feel a little better by replying, “You and everyone else born in the 20th century.” Because from these questions, he’ll spend a few pages breaking down the idea further, systematically working his way through the question and seemingly every possible angle of it.

There’s part of me that wants to abandon this re-read and just focus on observing his method and trying to replicate it in my life.

So, what did I think about Institutes of Elenctic Theology Vol. 1?

Let me get this out of the way first: This is dry. Dry like a stale crouton. I know most people think that about Theology in general—and sure, bad theology is usually dry, but not the good stuff. This is one of those exceptions that proves the rule.

There are moments, I should note, that some of Turretin’s personality shows through, some moments expressing the awe appropriate to the topic, the emotions stirred by the Gospel, and even a little humor/snark at the thoughts of his opponents. But those moments are brief and rare.

As it’s dry, it’s a little harder to read than others (say, Calvin or Bavinck). But it’s absolutely worth the effort—and after a little while, you won’t notice the effort. It’s so crisp, so clear, so helpful that you relish getting to read it. Giger and Dennison likely are due as much credit for this as Turretin is. Giger’s also likely due some credit for the arid language (he was translating in the early Nineteenth Century, not one an era known for punchy prose).

I can’t recommend this highly enough.

5 Stars

Grandpappy’s Corner: Tiny Hands Hymns, Tiny Hands Prayers, and Tiny Hands Promises edited by Hannah Duguid Estes, illustrated by Jessica Hiatt: A Great Set of Starter Devotional Reads

By HCNewton

On April 28, 2024

In Grandpappy's Corner, Theology/Christian Living, YA/MG/Children's Books

Tiny Hands Hymns

Tiny Hands Prayers

and

Tiny Hands Promises

edited by Hannah Duguid Estes, illustrated by Jessica Hiatt

DETAILS:
Publisher: P & R Publishing
Publication Date: October 25, 2023
Format: Board Book
Length: 16 pg. (each)
Read Date: April 27, 2024

What are the Tiny Hands About?

These are little board books that serve as beginning devotional materials—training wheels for young worshippers, if you will.

Tiny Hands Hymns

These are the first stanzas/verses of some of the best hymns around (and easiest to learn, too): “Holy, Holy, Holy,” “Be Thou My Vision,” “Amazing Grace,” “This Is My Father’s World,” “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” “Crown Him with Many Crowns,” and Thomas Ken’s doxology.

On the opposite pages are fitting illustrations, with some accent illustrations on the pages with text.

Tiny Hands Prayers

These are a selection of prayers—translated by Iain Duguid (Professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary), from various portions of Scripture to serve as models of prayer.

They include: Mary’s prayer from Luke 1, Hannah’s from 1 Samuel 2, a prayer based on Daniel’s Prayer from Daniel 9:4-19, a prayer based on Ephesians 3:14-19, David’s prayer from Psalm 130, The Lord’s Prayer from Matthew 6, and the prayer of the saints from Revelation 19, and the Aaronic benediction from Numbers 6.

Again, opposite each is an appropriate illustration, with some accent illustrations on the pages with text.

Tiny Hands Promises

This is a collection of covenant promises from the Old and New Testaments to introduce and remind even the littlest members of the covenant of what God has promised them. These, too, are translated by Iain Duguid.

They are Isaiah 43:1-3; John 10:27-28; Matthew 7:7-11; 2 Corinthians 12:9; James 1:5; 1 John 1:9, 7*; Philippians 1:6; and Revelation 21:3-5.

*I’m not sure I get why he ordered them this way.

Yet again, opposite each is an appropriate illustration, with some accent illustrations on the pages with text.

Let’s Talk about the Art for a Minute

I’ve apparently appreciated Hiatt’s work as a cover designer on a few books (The Wonderful Works of God by Herman Bavinck, Things Unseen by J. Gresham Machen, and Struck Down but Not Destroyed by Pierce Taylor Hibbs), but illustrating board books calls for a slightly different skill set. Still, the illustrations remind me of those covers.

I think these are great. Bright and cheerful, without being cartoonish or silly (I have nothing against those kinds of illustrations, but they’re not fitting for the subjects).

How are they to Read Aloud?

They’re fine—although I can’t imagine that anyone, even those who can’t carry a tune, not singing the hymns instead of reading them.

The translations (I’d be tempted to call them paraphrases, but the books say translations—and I don’t know enough to contradict that) are foreign-feeling for people who are familiar with/have memorized the relevant portions from the AV, ESV, NASB, etc. Once you get past that feeling, there’s nothing about the text that’s difficult or odd to read—and they seem easy enough for young children to comprehend (to some degree).

What did the Little Critter think of Them?

Okay, I haven’t had the chance to read these with him, but his Momma has. She reports that he likes Tiny Hands Hymns, because she sings them, and he really responds well to singing. He doesn’t really seem to care about the others one way or another. That fits his personality—but doesn’t really reflect on the books, if you ask me.

So, what did I think about the Tiny Hands books?

I think they’re a great idea—and overall, I am pleased with the execution. I do recommend them without hesitation.

I have some questions about some of the technical bits of translation, verse choices, and whatnot—not so much that I have a problem with the books, I’d just like someone good with the original languages to sit down with me and walk through these.

But for a young child? I think they’re well done and would be great resources for regular use.

4 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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Grandpappy’s Corner: Along Came a Radioactive Spider by Annie Hunter Eriksen, Lee Gatlin (Illustrator): The Man Behind Spidey’s Look (and more!)

By HCNewton

On April 25, 2024

In (Auto)Biography, Comics, Grandpappy's Corner, Non-Fiction, YA/MG/Children's Books

Along Came a Radioactive Spider:
Strange Steve Ditko and
the Creation of Spider-Man

by Annie Hunter Eriksen , Lee Gatlin (Illustrator)

DETAILS:
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Publication Date: August 1, 2023
Format: Hardcover
Length: 32 pg.
Read Date: April 20, 2024

What’s Along Came a Radioactive Spider About?

It’s right there in the title—subtitle, really, I guess. This is an unauthorized biography (we’re told at one point that Ditko would hate a book about him, so there’s no chance of an authorized one) of Spider-Man’s co-creator, Steve Ditko, written for the older picture book reader.

It covers his childhood and a little of his comic book career up to Spider-Man and then Doctor Strange. Following that, we get two text-heavy pages talking about Ditko in a bit more detail (for the parents, I’m guessing).

Let’s Talk about the Art for a Minute

Gatlin has a very distinctive style that I wish I knew how to describe. I’ve seen his work here and there on the internet (I don’t think it ever had his name attached, sadly), but I’ve never seen this much in one place at a time.

You’re never in doubt as to what he’s drawing, but realism isn’t really what he’s going for. There’s an energy, a mood, a feeling of movement to all his drawings that I find really appealing—and I imagine young readers/those-read-to will find compelling as well.

I assumed that when the book covered people like Spider-Man or Doctor Strange that he’d go for a Ditko-feel to the art, just to pay homage or show the reader what Ditko produced. But he didn’t—at least not too much—there’s a distinct look to most of that art to separate it from the rest of the book, but it’s just a different flavor of Gatlin (which is perfectly fine, I’m just trying to describe things in my own meager way).

I’m planning on spending more time just looking at the illustrations, catching what I missed the first couple of times—and I don’t imagine I’ll be the only one.

So, what did I think about Along Came a Radioactive Spider?

I really do wonder how many children will care about this—they may like Spider-Man or Doctor Strange, but will they care about the story of the man who drew them and helped create them? I’m just not sure.

Now, their parents and grandparents are going to love this—and probably want more. And yes, this could be a fun non-Marvel Cinematic Universe way to introduce a child to a couple of comic book heroes, and that’s probably the idea behind most people buying this book.

Or I could be wrong—that’s just a guess on my part. I’d like to be wrong.

For a biography of a little-known figure who has altered superhero history the way that few have, this is a great read. And the right reader is going to delight in it. I’d have liked it to be twice the length—but the subject and the medium don’t really allow for that, so I got over that pretty quickly.

This is apparently a companion book to With Great Power: The Marvelous Stan Lee from the same creators—I’ve got to get my hands on that one.

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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Great Minds on Small Things by Matthew Qvortrup: Philosophers Addressing Ordinary Life

By HCNewton

On April 23, 2024

In History, Humor, Non-Fiction

Great Minds on Small Things:
The Philosophers’ Guide to Everyday Life

by Matthew Qvortrup

DETAILS:
Publisher: Duckworth Books
Publication Date: October 5, 2023
Format: eARC
Length: 224 pg.
Read Date: March 21-29, 2024

What’s Great Minds on Small Things About?

In 1764, Voltaire published Dictionnaire philosophique. In 1957, Roland Barthes published Mythologies. In 1987, Quiddities: An Intermittently Philosophical Dictionary was published by W. V. Quine. Taking a little something from all of these (and others), in 2023, Matthew Qvortrup brought us Great Minds on Small Things: The Philosophers’ Guide to Everyday Life.

This is a (brief) survey of what philosophers from Plato to George Santayana, and several points between (and a little spillover on either side) have to say about topics that aren’t usually thought of as subjects of philosophical meditation. More like things discussed over beers with coworkers and friends, pontificated on by stand-up comics, or things that people mutter about on social media between photos of sandwiches or cats.

Rather than the meaning of life, the source of ethics, the nature of the will, or social contracts, Qvortrup collects thoughts on things like artichokes, smoking, hiccups, sports, sports, and more sports. Told with a little bit of humor and a clear familiarity with the thinkers and writers he’s covering and quoting, Qvortrup’s survey is both entertaining and educational.

The Breadth of Topics

Qvortrup hits on so many things–here’s a (very non-exhaustive) list that I compiled to give you a taste (the categories are mine, Qvortrup lists things alphabetically). The things I didn’t jot down are just as varied and strange, let me add.

Food/Drink
bullet

Artichoke

Beer

Breakfast

Cheese

Coffee

Quiche

Radishes

Tea

Tomato Juice
bullet

Wine

Inventions
bullet Boilers
bullet Cars
bullet Ships
bullet Telephone

Pets
bullet Cats
bullet Dogs

Activities
bullet Baseball
bullet Basketball
bullet Dancing
bullet Football*
bullet Being Lazy
bullet Marriage
bullet Smoking
bullet Sneezing
bullet Tennis
bullet Wrestling

Human Bodies
bullet Excrement
bullet Farting
bullet Hiccups
bullet Laughter
bullet Penis
bullet Ticklishness
bullet Urination
bullet Winking
bullet Wiping (no, really)
bullet Yawning

* Sorry, Americans, he means “soccer.”

And, sure, while this is about everyday things, Qvortrup does interact with some of the deeper thinkers in (mostly Western) history, and does end up brushing up against some of their deeper thoughts and categories–so, he includes a glossary to help readers like me get through it all.

One Problem with the Tone

Yes, I enjoy writers mixing humor (mild or otherwise) with deeper or controversial topics. Even just a lighter touch to writing is a winner for me. And Qvortrup makes this whole thing really amusing.

Sometimes, however, I had a hard time telling when he was exaggerating for humorous effect or just making a joke and when he was conveying actual information in a whimsical way. It doesn’t take away the enjoyment from the reading–it just makes it hard to know what you can repeat in conversation or cite in writing (you know, if you’re the kind of person who does that.)

So, what did I think about Great Minds on Small Things?

I had a great time reading this book–it’s a great mix of light reading with some interesting perspectives–and can easily be used as a launching point to further reading or research. “So-and-so used baseball to describe X economic principle, I want to see how that actually works out beyond this quick summary.” “Hanna Arendt’s personal story seems interesting, especially how it is expressed in Topic Y.” It’s also just fun to think about names you’ve read about (or maybe read) debating the type of breakfast that’s best for productivity or enjoyment of life.

I do think it’s best to dip in and out of the book, and not read from cover-to-cover the way I did. When I return, it will be to look at particular topics (not necessarily the ones I listed above).

My major complaint is the brevity of the book–I don’t think most of the entries needed to be longer, I just wanted more entries. Some letters only have one thing listed. Sure, it has to be difficult to find everyday things that philosophers have opined about, but now that Qvortrup has shown us some, it’s hard to believe there isn’t more to see.

Pick this one up, folks, you’ll have a good time.

3.5 Stars

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Duckworth Books via NetGalley—thanks to both for this.
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Cultural Christians in the Early Church by Nadya Williams: Same Song, Older Verses

By HCNewton

On April 21, 2024

In History, Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

It’s done. It’s not good—or what I wanted it to be—but it’s done. Finally.

Cultural Christians in the Early Church:
A Historical and Practical Introduction
to Christians in the Greco-Roman World

by Nadya Williams

DETAILS:
Publisher: Zondervan Academic
Publication Date: November 14, 2023
Format: Paperback
Length: 207 pg.
Read Date: January 7-14, 2024

What’s Cultural Christians in the Early Church About?

First, let’s define “Cultural Christian”—for Williams, they’re “individuals who self-identify as Christians, but whose outward behavior, and, to the extent that we can tell, inward thoughts and motivations are largely influenced by the surrounding culture rather than by their Christian faith and teachings of Jesus.” It’s easy to find examples of these types of Christians today—and many ministers will talk about the struggle to minister in some areas (like the Bible Belt) because of this phenomenon. But clearly, from the title of this book, Williams holds they were present in the Early Church.

She has three reasons for writing (or reading) this book—the first is to combat the idea that the Early Church was too spiritual and correct to have to deal with these individuals—and because of that we can have some problematic ideas about the Church today. Secondly, because of our historical ignorance, we can fail to see how the Early Church was influenced by the culture around them. Third, if we see how the Early Church is susceptible to this, and that we are, too—we can more easily see the need to push beyond Cultural Christianity to the genuine article.

To pursue these aims, Williams considers Early Church History (the first five centuries A.D.) in three eras:

“Part 1 focuses on cultural Christians in the New Testament era and considers sins resulting from Christians’ culturally inspired treatment of property, food and drink, and sexuality.”

“Part 2 moves past the New Testament period and considers apostasy, the gendered nature of sin, and the sin of self-care among cultural Christians in the second and third centuries CE.”

“part 3 looks at the shifts that occurred after Constantine’s conversion, when Christianity went from being a persecuted minority to a privileged minority, and eventually, a privileged majority religion in the empire. How did the conversion of Constantine change the story of cultural Christianity in the church? The answer, we will see, is the rise of new forms of cultural Christianity, which were not possible when the Christians were a persecuted minority.”

Average Believers

Most books that I’ve read on or around these years in Church History focus on the heavyweight theologians and Church Leaders of the time—those people whose names we still recognize, who played significant roles in the development of Creeds and Dogmas, etc. And yes, Williams does cite and discuss some of them.

But her focus is on average believers—people like you (probably) and me. People who will never be cited in a history text, people that few will know existed 10 years after we die. But people who leave records, or who will be talked about (at least in aggregate) by others.

Again, this is not to say that the “big names” of history are ignored—for one thing, it’s frequently through them that we have records of, and access to, the average person. But to get a real flavor of what life is like we don’t just need the theological tracts and creeds, we need to know what people ate, wore, did for a living, and so on.

So, what did I think about Cultural Christians in the Early Church?

I absolutely loved this book and have brought it up in casual conversation a lot over the last couple of months (and repeatedly tossed out drafts of this post because I didn’t like it enough).

Because this book isn’t just a history, it’s about the current Church, too. How we are susceptible to the same—or similar—foibles. Frequently, the reader can see this just by reading the historical portions and reflecting (it usually doesn’t take deep reflection). But Williams will also focus on parallels, or draw out clear lines of comparison. This is a call to the reader to think about their own beliefs and practices and to examine them—are they based on Scripture or are they based on the culture around us?

While we may think that we are removed from the world of the early church, the nature of human sinfulness has not changed. The stories of these early Christians, therefore, are surprisingly familiar and convicting, if only we look closely. While it is at times jarring to admit, their stories are our stories too.

We have the same feet of clay as our forefathers did—and the same challenges to overcome. Thankfully, we have the same Savior. This book helps us to remember that—and I encourage everyone to pick this up (and not just so you don’t have to hear me do it in person).

4 Stars

Crisis of Confidence: Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity by Carl R. Trueman: Why The Church Needs Creeds

By HCNewton

On April 14, 2024

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

Crisis of Confidence:
Reclaiming the Historic Faith
in a Culture Consumed
with Individualism and Identity

by Carl R. Trueman

DETAILS:
Publisher: Crossway
Publication Date: February 6, 2024
Format: Hardcover
Length: 173
Read Date: March 17-25, 2024

What’s Crisis of Confidence About?

This is a new and slightly updated version of Trueman’s 2012 book, The Creedal Imperative. The updates don’t change the overall thesis of the book, but a new nuance or two are added. The first edition focused on contrasting the point of view of “No creed but the Bible” with the Protestant traditions that embrace the Ecumenical Creeds and Confessions of Faith. This time, the focus is on maintaining Ecclesiastical positions and individual convictions via the Creeds/Confessions in a rapidly changing culture—particularly in light of what Trueman calls “expressive individualism.”

The book begins with a chapter arguing against Creeds and Confessions, which is followed by a chapter providing the Scriptural basis for their creation and use. We then get two chapters looking at the history of them in the Church—one chapter for the development of the Ecumenical Creeds in the first few centuries of the Church, and one looking at the development of Confessions during the Protestant Reformation (with some discussion of non-Reformed Confessions as well).

Trueman wraps up with a chapter on the use of Creeds/Confessions in the worship of the church—to form and frame it, their use in a church’s worship, and how they serve an integral role in both. From there he offers a final chapter with a non-exhaustive list of ways creedal material is useful for particular congregations, denominations, and individuals.

So, what did I think about Crisis of Confidence?

Now, I’d intended on re-reading The Creedal Imperative back in January, but the time got away from me and then this dropped in my lap quite unexpectedly—so I was able to tackle that re-read, in a sense. For that, I’m glad I read this.

I’m not sure it was worth the new edition—and the minor updates didn’t add that much to the book as a whole. It was probably a good move from a publishing/selling point of view—the design makes it fit with Trueman’s last couple of books, and the new focus fits those, too. This is a good way to get people who’ve only read his last two books to read his older material (especially because those books are likely to have been attractive to people who wouldn’t be interested in a book about Creeds/Confessions without that connection).

Did that new material and the updates hurt the book? Nope. It’s still a strong apologetic for the use of them—not just that creedal documents are allowed by the Scriptures, but Trueman argues that they’re necessary, even expected for the Church (and shows indications that the First Century Church employed them). In the anti-Creedal cultures (both secular and ecclesiastical) that the Western Church finds itself in, we need as many of these defenses and arguments for that as we can get.

Trueman delivers those in his typical learned, engaging, and clear style. He doesn’t come out swinging as he does in some contexts—but you don’t walk away wondering what he really thinks about something, either.

I recommend this book and encourage you to read it if you haven’t read the original. if you have—it’s not a bad idea to read this (or just re-read the original), who doesn’t need a refresher on topics like this from time to time?

4 Stars

REPOSTING JUST CUZ: Prayer by Ole Hallsby

By HCNewton

On April 7, 2024

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

1. Yes, I’m doing too many of these lately. But I had a good reason for not finishing the post for today. 2. I really wanted to edit this, but I don’t have the time, so please be gracious to some sentences that need help. 3. I really needed to revisit this book and just reading my post about it helped me remember a lot of what I needed to see. So I’m chalking this up as something for me, and I’ll try to have something fresh for the next Lord’s Day.

Prayer

by Ole Hallesby

Papberback, 176 pg.
1994 (originally 1931), Augsburg Fortress

Read: September 3 – 10, 2017

The section from Calvin’s Institutes on prayer is fantastic, Wistsius’ book is incredibly helpful, Luther’s little A Simple Way is pretty good, as is Matthew Henry’s Method, but none of them have been as much help as this little book by Norweign Lutheran Ole Hallesby (at least that’s my guess, I’ve had years to chew on those others, only a couple of weeks for Hallesby). I heard of the book briefly on an episode of Christ the Center this summer, and then they devoted an entire episode to it later — I was halfway through the book when that second episode was posted, thankfully, they didn’t say anything that spoiled the ending. If not for those podcast episodes, I probably would’ve gone my whole life without ever hearing of this book. That would’ve been a shame.

He doesn’t set out to write a comprehensive book on the subject, or a systematized theology of prayer, but to present “a few simple rules for the benefit of souls who are fainting at prayer.” It’s not much of a rule book, thankfully, as much as it wants to be — more like a collection of helpful suggestions.

Hallesby describes two things that make up the attitude of prayer — helplessness and faith. Faith that Jesus can and will answer our prayers and a realization that we are helpless and need him to even pray. What he writes about helplessness is worth the price of the book alone. I think it’s changed the way I pray already. I would quote a bit of it here — and I started to, but I wasn’t sure where I’d stop. So let me just encourage you to grab the book.

I also really appreciated his discussion of how we “think we must help God to fulfill our prayer,” by giving Him lists of suggestions for how to and times when He can answer us. Instead, we are to faithfully pour out our need to Him, and then trust that He will answer as He sees best. I’d really never thought of it in those terms but we really can end up trying to tell God the best way to go about helping us — which flies in the face of our admitted helplessness in a given situation.

Hallesby covers the work of prayer, the struggles we may have in it, some suggestions for how to learn to pray better, as well as giving some answers to common questions about prayer (that seem to be the same questions I hear others having almost 100 years after this book was written, probably questions believers had 100 years before that, too). Throughout the book, you get a strong sense of a pastoral heart behind the words and advice, which makes it all much easier to heed.

It’s not a perfect book by any means — most of my problems have to do with the fact that I’m not a Lutheran, nor a Pietist. So, anything that leans too heavily on those traditions/characteristics are obviously going to at least raise my eyebrows, but on the whole those aspects of the book are quibbles. For example, his definition of prayer involves letting God help us, or his aversion to pre-written prayers (that one has many allies in my own tradition, so it is more of a note than anything). More substantial concerns are his utter lack of reference to — much less use of — the Psalms or the Lord’s Prayer. A book on prayer that doesn’t even touch on those is mind-boggling. None of these concerns or quibbles detract too much from the book — and they’re certainly outweighed by the help the book gives.

Pound-for-pound, the best book on the subject I’ve read. Easy to read, encouraging, convicting and insightful. Highly recommended.

—–

4 Stars

Opening Lines: Miracles by C.S. Lewis

By HCNewton

On March 31, 2024

In Fiction, News/Misc., Non-Fiction, Opening Lines, Quotations, Theology/Christian Living

from Miracles by C.S. Lewis:

In all my life I have met only one person who claims to have seen a ghost. And the interesting thing about the story is that that person disbelieved in the immortal soul before she saw the ghost and still disbelieves after seeing it. She says that what she saw must have been an illusion or a trick of the nerves, And obviously she may be right. Seeing is not believing.

For this reason, the question whether miracles occur can never be answered simply by experience. Every event which might claim to be a miracle is, in the last resort, something presented to our senses, something seen, heard, touched, smelled, or tasted. And our senses are not infallible. If anything extraordinary seems to have happened, we can always say that we have been the victims of an illusion. If we hold a philosophy which excludes the supernatural, this is what we always shall say. What we learn from experience depends on the kind of philosophy we bring to experience. It is therefore useless to appeal to experience before we have settled, as well as we can, the philosophical question.

If immediate experience cannot prove or disprove the miraculous, still less can history do so. Many people think one can decide whether a miracle occurred in the past by examining the evidence “according to the ordinary rules of historical inquiry.” But the ordinary rules cannot be worked until we have decided whether miracles are possible, and if so, how probable they are. For if they are impossible, then no amount of historical evidence will convince us. If they are possible but immensely improbable, then only mathematically demonstrative evidence will convince us: and since history never provides that degree of evidence for any event, history can never convince us that a miracle occurred. If, on the other hand, miracles are not intrinsically improbable, then the existing evidence will be sufficient to convince us that quite a number of miracles have occurred, The result of our historical enquiries thus depends on the philosophical views which we have been holding before we even began to look at the evidence, The philosophical question must therefore come first.

Here is an example of the sort of thing that happens if we omit the preliminary philosophical task, and rush on to the historical. In a popular commentary on the Bible you will find a discussion of the date at which the Fourth Gospel was written. The author says it must have been written after the execution of St. Peter, because, in the Fourth Gospel, Christ is represented as predicting the execution of St. Peter. “A book,” thinks the author, “cannot be written before events which it refers to.” Of course it cannot—unless real predictions ever occur. If they do, then this argument for the date is in ruins, And the author has not discussed at all whether real predictions are possible. He takes it for granted (perhaps unconsciously) that they are not. Perhaps he is right: but if he is, he has not discovered this principle by historical inquiry. He has brought his disbelief in predictions to his historical work, so to speak, ready made. Unless he had done so his historical conclusion about the date of the Fourth Gospel could not have been reached at all. His work is therefore quite useless to a person who wants to know whether predictions occur, The author gets to work only after he has already answered that question in the negative, and on grounds which he never communicates to us.

This book is intended as a preliminary to historical inquiry. I am not a trained historian and I shall not examine the historical evidence for the Christian miracles, My effort is to put my readers in a position to do so. It is no use going to the texts until we have some idea about the possibility or probability of the miraculous, Those who assume that miracles cannot happen are merely wasting their time by looking into the texts we know in advance what results they will find for they have begun by begging the question.

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