Category: Theology/Christian Living Page 21 of 33

A Sheep Remembers

Paperback, 137 pg.
Banner of Truth Trust, 2021

Read: December 12, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

All the circumstances of the pilgrimage—want, weariness, journeyings, wanderings, perplexities, the shadowed mysteries of the valleys, the thronging enemies, and the infinite beyond—are present; and the singer knows them. They are, however, only mentioned to sing of their negation by the graciousness of the Shepherd. Want is cancelled. For weariness he has green pastures of rest. On journeys he leads by pleasant ways. From wanderings he restores. Through perplexities he guides, and that by right ways. In the valleys of death’s shadow his presence cancels fear. In the presence of enemies he makes a feast, and he is a host royal in bounty.

What’s A Sheep Remembers About?

RIght out of the gate, Calhoun cites Spurgeon: “I cannot say anything new on this text…But I can remind you of old and precious truths,” and that’s pretty much Calhoun’s mission statement, reminding readers about Psalm 23. He’s not trying to shake things up with a new understanding, he’s not going for bold scholarship, or something along those lines. It’s simply an exercise in taking a slow look at what we already know, to remember the old and precious truths.

Each chapter takes a verse (or less) and reflects on it—the chapter starts with a version of the Psalm or a hymn based on it, then there’s a commentary on the phrase(s) examined, something written by a shepherd to help the reader understand (literal) sheep and their ways, illustrations from others to help understand the theme of the chapter and then a part of his own life story. The commentary sections are largely strings of quotations from other writers of various theological persuasions and varying degrees of orthodoxy, with a little addition from Calhoun–mostly to tie them together.

Preparing to Die

Calhoun talks about this in the book a bit—the Puritans had a practice to prepare for death, when terminally ill (or at least when they would suppose they were), they’d meditate on death, and the state of their soul as they neared it. In many ways, that’s what this book was for him.

Calhoun had been battling cancer for years, and he knew his death was imminent—he actually died shortly after delivering the final version of the manuscript to the publishers. You can tell from the latter chapters that he was very aware of the shortness of his time. Which adds some poignancy to this work—particularly the chapters concerning “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death” and “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Supplementary Material

I don’t typically talk about this kind of thing—because, why would I? But these merit a mention.

Calhoun includes an Addendum of Additional Versions of Psalm 23—the versions included in the text were good, but I guess that there just weren’t enough chapters for everything he wanted to use. I haven’t seen most of these before and I’m glad I was exposed to them.

The Bibliography is your standard bibliography, but Calhoun includes some personal notes describing the works—that’s a nice touch, and I wish more people would do that.

So, what did I think about A Sheep Remembers?

How could I be joyful when my body was slowly, perhaps not so slowly, dying? I have lost sight in one eye and the other eye is failing, as is my hearing. I have been hospitalized seven or eight times in the last three years with pneumonia. I can no longer swallow food or talk very well. And, most disturbing, my mind is letting me down. How could I be joyful when all this was happening to me? In the valley I learned that joy comes, not from my feelings, nor from my daily experiences, but from the inner conviction that my life is going according to God’s plan. Joy is a gift of God. David wrote, ‘You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound’ (Psa. 4:7).

This book isn’t just about Psalm 23 in the abstract, it’s about Calhoun’s Shepherd guiding him through his cancer. The latter is what made this book worth reading.

Like the other book I’ve read by Calhoun, In Their Own Words, the bulk of the text seems to be tiny quotations—that quotation I open this post with isn’t Calhoun, it’s G. Campbell Morgan—and it’s one of the longest quotations Calhoun uses, many are a single sentence long. It takes a certain genius to have these various sources on hand and be able to cite them together in such a way to present an argument. But really, Calhoun seems to use these to frame his argument, rather than to support it.

I appreciated the work, I profited from it—but I think it could’ve been stronger. If there was more of Calhoun, and less a medley of other writers—I think it would’ve been.

Still, it’s hard to walk away from time in this Psalm and not be refreshed. And the quotations, sayings, metrical versions, and paraphrases assembled here all help that endeavor. It’s hard to say anything bad about that.

3 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, opinions are my own.

Who Is Jesus? Knowing Christ through His “I Am” Sayings by J. V. Fesko

By HCNewton

On December 12, 2021

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

Who Is Jesus?:
Knowing Christ through
His “I Am” Sayings

by J. V. Fesko

Paperback, 93 pg.
Reformation Heritage Books, 2016

Read: December 5, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

What’s Who is Jesus? About?

This book does three things—at the same time—first and foremost, it looks at all fourteen times that Jesus uses the phrase “I am,” in the Gospel of John, and discusses the context and meaning of it. Fesko doesn’t just look at Christ’s meaning of “the door,” “the bread of life,” and so on, but the significance of the use of “I am” (ἐγώ εἰμι, ego eimi).

Secondly, it looks at the “seven signs of divinity” presented in John—and how they’re intertwined in the “I am” sayings. But Fesko doesn’t let the focus linger on these signs.

Lastly, and this is the unique part of this study, is to look at the Old Testament allusions and roots of the fourteen “I am”s. Seeing how Christ was self-consciously pointing to the Scriptures to show how he fulfills them is a real treasure.

Fesko concludes each chapter with a few paragraphs of application to the reader and some questions for further study.

So, what did I think about Who is Jesus??

This might not be the best comparison, but it’s the one that I kept thinking of as I read this, so…if you don’t like this, I’ll give you a full refund for the cost of your subscription.

In The West Wing, there were repeated worries about the President’s approach to things—the way he interacts with people, there’s “The President at his Best”/”The Professor” or “Uncle Fluffy.” Fesko’s books feel like they’re written the same way. For example, Death in Adam, Life in Christ: The Doctrine of Imputation or Word, Water, and Spirit: A Reformed Perspective on Baptism are products of “The Professor.” Who is Jesus? is pure Uncle Fluffy.

This is not a complaint. This is an observation. Well, okay, maybe a little of a complaint. I’m glad this was the Uncle Fluffy Fesko—I appreciated that this was an accessible, short read—but I think it could’ve used a little more of The Professor. Just a little more depth would’ve been great. But it’s good as it is, just could’ve been a bit better.

At the same time—you give me a version of this book by The Professor? I’m there in a heartbeat.

Who is Jesus? is a quick read (it’s very easy to be too quick about it, I had to tap my breaks a few times), but it’s a good read. There’s a richness to the study of the “I Am” sayings and a real reward to looking at their Old Testament roots. This is well-worth your time, it’d be good for Bible Studies, Sunday Schools—even Family Worship aids.

3 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, opinions are my own.

Psalms that Curse by Sean McGowan: A Primer on Controversial Prayers

By HCNewton

On December 5, 2021

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

Psalms that Curse

by Sean McGowan

Kindle Edition, 90 pg.
Reformation Zion Publishing, 2021

Read: November 28, 2021

What’s Psalms that Curse About?

Simply put:

…in our modern day some psalms have seemed to not “make the cut.” To say it another way, some would argue that not all the psalms should be sung or prayed today, particularly the ones that speak out harshly against enemies. Some popular approaches would say that these psalms were for a different time, or only to be used by the old covenant people of God. But the burden of proof rests on them to demonstrate why some of these psalms cannot be sung or prayed today, while the others can. Should the psalms that present “harsh language” and make us uncomfortable at times still be considered relevant for the church today? Should we still be able to sing, and specifically pray, these kinds of prayers today?

McGowan first sketches out the role of the Psalms and then ends with the question above, then he spends a chapter focusing on the imprecatory psalms and various views about them floating around the Church. He then focuses his attention on Psalm 137 and uses the exegesis of the psalm to establish his view on the purpose of imprecatory psalms. Then he spends a chapter on the use of them in the New Testament—or are they even compatible with a New Testament ethic? (short answer: yes)

This is short work, and the depth of each chapter reflects that—but McGowan covers the essentials in each.

Comparing This to Others

I don’t typically do books on similar topics back-to-back like this, but I saw this talked about on a couple of podcasts I listen to after I read The Morality of God in the Old Testament, and was curious about another take on it.

McGowan’s take is different from similar works I’ve read here in the past—like The Morality of God in the Old Testament and War Psalms of the Prince of Peace—he quotes the latter, labeling it “inadequate” (along with other views, he didn’t single it out). McGowan’s thesis is more straightforward and less nuanced than Beale’s (not superior or inferior, just more direct).

This is a primer—as McGowan reminds the reader—so he doesn’t spend time analyzing or critiquing differing views, he mentions them briefly to distinguish his—but the focus of this short book is on his take.

Would I have preferred analysis and critique? Seeing how his views match up against others? Yes. But I’m not going to fault a guy for writing the book he wanted to rather than the one I wanted (at least until I’m wealthy enough to act as a patron).

Besides, this gives me a chance to chew on the ideas myself.

So, what did I think about Psalms that Curse?

We are not saying that the only way to respond to intense persecution is to call down God’s vengeance. In fact, the normative response should be to pray for God to convert them…what we are arguing for is a recovery of the prayer of imprecation. We are arguing for the category. We are arguing that the prayer of imprecation should have a seat at the table, not for it to be the only thing at the table.

Hard to argue against that.

I don’t know that McGowan convinced me with his position about the—but he impressed me with the argument. It’s a short work, but he does the work. First, he established his thesis from a noteworthy example of an imprecatory psalm, and then after showing his thesis at work he tactfully and pastorally lays out how the believer ought to apply it. Hard to ask for more.

I really appreciated the chapter exegeting Psalm 137 and the concluding chapter, focusing on the way the Christian ought to pray imprecatory prayers. It was an important chapter and one that I hope many encounter. I think there’s some good overlap there with some of what Adams suggested in his work, too.

Not a perfect book, but a good one, a helpful one, and a thought-provoking one. A work that should lead the reader back to the psalter for study and reflection.

3.5 Stars

The Morality of God in the Old Testament by G.K. Beale

By HCNewton

On November 28, 2021

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

This is a lot shorter of a work than I usually talk about, but I needed a short read to break up longer, heavier reads. So now I guess I get to talk briefly about it before I talked about longer, heavier reads. (not that this is lightweight by any means)

The Morality of God
in the Old Testament

by G.K. Beale
Series: Christian Answers to Hard Questions

Booklet, 43 pg.
P&R Publishing and Westminster Seminary Press, 2013

Read: November 21, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

What’s The Morality of God in the Old Testament About?

Believers and unbelievers alike stumble over some of what seems immoral in the Old Testament. Particularly what seems to be evil on the part of God. For example: God’s commands to exterminate the Canaanites and the imprecatory (cursing) Psalms.

How ought the believer to respond to their own questions about this, much less the questions from those outside the faith?

Beale looks briefly at a couple of popular responses to this and finds them wanting. In their place, he suggests a “plausible fivefold approach.”

There seems to be a better way to look at this problem. We will explore it from five different angles, which will help us to understand it more thoroughly. First, how does the killing of the Canaanites demonstrate God’s justice and righteousness? Second, how could Israel’s unique commission as a “kingdom of priests” (Ex. 19:6) shed light on the extermination of the Canaanites? Third, how does God’s sovereignty over all things help us to better understand that he can be considered blameless in all that he does, despite the problems just mentioned above? Fourth, how does the idea of God’s judgment of unbelieving humanity at the end of time shed light on this problem? Finally, how does the law of loving one’s neighbor now and at the end of time help us to better apprehend the issue about the Canaanites and the psalmist’s cursing of his enemies (though this last point has some overlap with the fourth point)?

Each question gets a couple of pages of explanation before moving on, so that the reader is given the complete fivefold approach along with some idea of how the ideas are worked out.

So, what did I think about The Morality of God in the Old Testament?

Not surprisingly, my main concern is length. I want to see each of these points better developed–I don’t think this has the makings of a 200+ page book or anything, but I think it could easily be twice as long to really flesh out some of the points.

The brevity works against itself primarily in that I don’t get to see the ideas examined thoroughly, or tested. The reader is given enough to understand the fivefold approach, enough to chew on it. But I’d like to see it worked out. I’d like to see Beale work through one of the difficult passages, or one of the Psalms in question and show “here’s where we see this and over there is where you see that aspect in action,” etc.

But the point of this series, the point of this being a booklet is for a short introduction to the idea. It’s supposed to be enough to show the reader that there are answers to the hard questions, just not enough to convince them. So I have to take it on its own terms–as such, it’s fine. Even more than fine. And I think there’s something to that fivefold approach, I just want to be convinced. I’m just going to need to look elsewhere for that.

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, opinions are my own.

My Theology: Return from a Distant Country by Alister McGrath

By HCNewton

On November 21, 2021

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

My Theology:
Return from a Distant Country

by Alister McGrath
Series: My Theology

eARC, 96 pg.
Darton, Longman & Todd, 2021

Read: November 14, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

What’s Return from a Distant Country About?

In this brief work, McGrath starts off with a brief spiritual biography—sketching out his early life and interests and then what brought him to faith while a student at Oxford.

He then gives a brief definition of theology and how he sees himself as a theologian, and how he’s demonstrating both in his own work. He then sketches out four main themes in his own work and theology—historical theology, the relation between natural sciences and theology, Christian Apologetics, and theological education—both a look at his and then how he tries to educate others.

The My Theology Series

The publisher’s website (Darton, Longman & Todd) describes this series as: “The world’s leading Christian thinkers explain some of the principal tenets of their theological beliefs.” The US Publisher (Fortress Press) helpfully adds “in concise, pocket-sized books” to that description. It looks to be sixteen projected volumes published from September 2021-March 2022 (in the UK), this volume will be published in the U.S. in January, and I would expect the rest to follow a similar schedule.

I think that’s an interesting, and potentially fascinating, idea. I don’t recognize the overwhelming majority of names, which I guess indicates how far my finger is from the pulse of the world’s leading Christian thinkers. I’m a little curious as to who these people are, which might lead me to read some more of these books.

So, what did I think about Return from a Distant Country?

I’ve started reading “intellectual biographies” in the last few years, and I guess this is pretty much a (mini) intellectual autobiography, which isn’t the way I’m used to reading. As such it was an interesting exercise. There was a time when I’d frequently read McGrath’s work, but it’s been a long time since I did—not that I didn’t appreciate it, I just had other priorities. It was nice to touch base with him after all this time. Seeing how he views his work within these four themes–and what he thinks about them–helps the reader understand him as a thinker, theologian, and (I’d imagine) person better than you did before.

I enjoyed this work, and think I got something out of it but it wasn’t as good as I’d hoped. Too much of McGrath’s description of his work makes it seem like Christianity is a largely—maybe even almost exclusively—a cognitive matter—all about thinking the right things to the exclusion of feeling, belief, and action. That’s a tendency for those in the neighborhood of conservative evangelicalism—particularly those with some connection to Reformed theology. I personally would’ve appreciated it if McGrath had made it clear that wasn’t his intention or belief. But that’s a more of a me thing than a substantive criticism.

I wouldn’t say that this book gave me new insight into Christian theology or any of the themes he addressed. But I got a better insight into who McGrath is and what I should expect as I read his other work—which, for a series called “My Theology” makes a lot of sense.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Darton Longman Todd via NetGalley in exchange for this post—thanks to both for this.

3 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, opinions are my own.

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Faith in the Time of Plague Edited by Stephen M. Coleman, Todd M. Rester

By HCNewton

On November 14, 2021

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

Life events and questionable time management have left me without anything new to post today. So, I’m just going to put up a Spotlight post about one of the works I’m working my way through. I’m also not sure how I’m going to have anything to say about this when I’m done, so this may end up being my only post about it. It’s the kind of book that as you read it, you hope that other people are aware of it so they can benefit from it, too. It’s fascinating and (sadly) timely.

This is pretty much just material I’ve copied and pasted from the publisher’s site. I hope they don’t mind.

Book Details:

Book Title: Faith in the Time of Plague Edited by Stephen M. Coleman, Todd M. Rester
Publisher: Westminster Seminary Press
Release date: September, 2021
Format: Hardcover/Ebook
Length: 400 pages

Book Blurb:

We often hear the Covid-19 pandemic described as “unprecedented”, yet for Christians of earlier times, plague was nothing new. For generations, Church leaders regularly faced the sorts of ethical questions that still prove divisive today.

Selecting from the great “plague writings” of the historic church, Todd M. Rester and Stephen M. Coleman have translated and assembled a one-of-a-kind anthology. The wisdom of the past collected in this book offers much needed and trustworthy illumination for pastors, leaders, and laypeople in times of crisis and uncertainty.

Many of the works appearing in Faith in the Time of Plague have never been available in English until now. Included in this volume are the writings of Martin Luther, Theodore Beza, Ulrich Zwingli, Cyprian of Carthage, Zacharias Ursinus, Gijsbert Voetius, and many more.

Introduced by Peter A. Lillback, Faith in the Time of Plague also includes a Foreword from Mayo Clinic Virologist, Dr. Gregory A. Poland.

Book Trailer:

Purchase Link:

Westminster Bookstore

About the Editors:

Stephen M. Coleman (PhD, The Catholic University of America) is assistant professor of Old Testament and biblical languages at Westminster Theological Seminary, co-editor of the Westminster Theological Journal, and senior research fellow at the J. Alan Groves Center for Advanced Biblical Research. A graduate of Grove City College (BA, 2002), Westminster Seminary California (MDiv, 2005), and The Catholic University of America (MA, 2010/PhD, 2016), he previously served as associate pastor at Wallace Presbyterian Church in College Park, Maryland (2008–2017) and Assistant Pastor of Valley Presbyterian Church in North Hills, California (2005–2008).

Todd M. Rester (PhD, Calvin Theological Seminary) is associate professor of church history at Westminster Theological Seminary. Dr. Rester is a post-doctoral research fellow at Queen’s University Belfast (September 2016–present). During his time as a research fellow at Queen’s University Belfast, Dr. Rester has served the institution as a guest lecturer in the Master of Arts, History of Religion department as well as various undergraduate history courses. In addition to his time at Queen’s University Belfast, Dr. Rester has taught as an adjunct professor at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (2010–2016), Kuyper College (2013–2015), and Calvin Theological Seminary (2011–2015). He also works as a translator for the Dutch Reformed Translation Society (2009–present). Dr. Rester’s academic interests include but are not limited to: the history of the doctrine of Scripture and its reception; early modern and Enlightenment conflicts between theology and philosophy on general and special revelation; and early modern and post-Enlightenment models of missiology.

The Glorious Feast of the Gospel by Richard Sibbes: An Entirely Okay Collection of Sermons

By HCNewton

On November 7, 2021

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

The Glorious Feast of the Gospel

by Richard Sibbes

Paperback, 166 pg.
The Banner of Truth Trust, 2021

Read: October 31, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

What’s The Glorious Feast of the Gospel About?

The subtitle to this when originally published was “or Christ’s Gracious Invitation and Royal Entertainment of Believers,” it’s a series of nine sermons on Isaiah 25:6-9.

Banner of Truth reprinted the original title page, which does a better job of summarizing the book than I could. It states that among other things, “these Comfortable doctrines” are addressed in the book:

1. The Marriage Feast between Christ and his Church.
2. The vaile of Ignorance and Vnbeliefe removed.
3. Christ’s Conquest over death.
4. The wiping away of teares from the faces of Gods people.
5. The taking away of their Reproaches.
6. The precious Promises of God, and their certaine performance.
7. The Divine Authority of the Holy Scriptures.
8. The Duty and comfort of waiting upon God.

So, what did I think about The Glorious Feast of the Gospel?

I was genuinely excited when I saw that the Banner would be publishing a new Sibbes book, but it didn’t live up to my hopes. I’m going to go with the assumption that this wasn’t the right time for me to read this book. I just didn’t connect with it—I’m not saying it was bad, it just left me with a feeling of “meh.”

Sermons 5, 6, and 9 did grab me—proving that I’m not totally dead inside. Sermon 5, in particular, on the comforts of the Gospel as seen through “And all tears shall be wiped away from all faces” (v. 8), made the experience of the book worthwhile.

Once upon a time, Richard Sibbes was my “go-to” Puritan, so I do find it surprising when I don’t connect that well with a book by him. So, my assumption is that when I read this again in 2023-5, my reaction will be different. But for today, this was an okay book, but not a must-read.

3 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, opinions are my own.

The Trinity and the Bible: On Theological Interpretation by Scott R. Swain: A Demanding and Rewarding Look at a Fundamental Doctrine

By HCNewton

On October 31, 2021

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

The Trinity and the Bible:
On Theological Interpretation

by Scott R. Swain

Hardcover, 131 pg.
Lexham Press, 2021

Read: October 17-24, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

Scriptural Trinitarianism is not unformed, inchoate Trinitarianism. As the self-revelation of the Triune God through his authorized and anointed prophets and apostles, scriptural Trinitarianism is the primary discourse of Trinitarian theology: normative, fluent, and eloquent. Ecclesiastical Trinitarianism, the Trinitarian theology of the churchs sermons, hymns, confessions, and creeds, is the secondary discourse of Trinitarian theology. Ecclesiastical Trinitarianism, at its best, is the attempt to represent the “grammar” of Scripture’s primary Trinitarian discourse in new settings and on new occasions, not to refine or develop what would otherwise be unrefined and undeveloped without it but to promote the church’s greater fluency in reading Scripture’s primary Trinitarian discourse and in responding to that discourse in its own eloquent expressions of prayer, proclamation, and praise of the Triune God.

What’s The Trinity and the Bible About?

I’m going to keep this short, because I’m sure that if I try to really get into the material, I’m only going to show how ill-equipped I am to discuss it in a meaningful fashion.

Rather than one overarching topic, this is a collection of papers that seek to show both how the Bible reveals the Trinity and how the Trinity shapes our reading of the Bible.

Swain describes the book in his introductory chapter:

Some of [the chapters] began as formal academic lectures; all of them have been published previously in various books and journals, The first and second chapters address the broader hermeneutical framework of Trinitarian biblical exegesis as well as the reception of one particular instance of such exegesis in North American Reformed and evangelical theology. The final three chapters address different aspects of Trinitarian theology by means of exegetical attention to different forms of New Testament literature, including Gospel, Epistle, and apocalyptic.

The Table of Contents, to match up with Swain’s description, is:

1. (Re)turning to the Subject: Trinity and Biblical Interpretation
2. The Bible and the Trinity in Recent Thought: Review, Analysis, and Constructive Proposal
3. B. B. Warfield and the Biblical Doctrine of the Trinity: A Historical Experiment
4. God’s Lordly Son: Mark 12:35–37 and Trinitarian Christology
5. Heirs through God: Galatians 4:4–7 and the Doctrine of the Trinity
6. To Him Who Sits on the Throne and to the Lamb: Hymning God’s Triune Name in Revelation 4–5
7. Seven Axioms: On the Trinity, the Bible, and Theological Interpretation

So, what did I think about The Trinity and the Bible?

Theological interpretation of Scripture prepares us for the vision of the Triune God by cultivating our capacities for spiritual perception and by attuning our affections to the intelligible and adorable good that the Triune God is. But theological interpretation of Scripture is more than mere preparation for this happy vision. Like the Israelite spies who tasted the grapes of Eschol before entering the Promised Land, theological interpretation of Scripture enables us to participate in this happy vision in advance by helping us perceive traces of God’s Triune glory in God’s good creation and by serving faith’s grasp of God’s Triune glory in the mediate adumbrations and attestations of that glory in the prophetic and apostolic scriptures (2 Cor 4:6).

This is not an easy read, even at 131 pages, it took several hours for me to get through it (honestly, after reading the first chapter, I wondered if I should limit myself to one chapter a week).

But it was worth the effort, every bit of it. Like a lot of the more scholarly theological books I read, I was reminded frequently while reading that I’m not an academic and this is above my weight class. But it wasn’t inaccessible, just difficult and required a little commitment.

But like the best academic theology, there were moments of the most doxological writing—or doxology-inspiring writing (or a mix). There are paragraphs and paragraphs that I wish I could commit to memory, so I could use them at the drop of my hat in conversation and in prayer.

The “Seven Axioms: On the Trinity, the Bible, and Theological Interpretation” (Chapter 7), in particular, are the kinds of things that everyone needs to learn and I think I’m going to read a few times over the next few weeks/months and really internalize.

I strongly recommend this to anyone who wants to solidify their understanding of the Trinity and wrestle with Scriptural texts, theology, and history for that.

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, opinions are my own.

The Church: An Introduction by Gregg Allison: Tries to Do Too Much and Falters

By HCNewton

On October 24, 2021

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

The Church: An Introduction

by Gregg Allison
Series: Short Studies in Systematic Theology

Paperback, 164 pg.
Crossway, 2021

Read: October 10, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

What’s The Church: An Introduction About?

Allison starts with a good Introduction, sketching the ambiguity of the current English term “church”—driving home the need for a book like this. He then spends two chapters with the foundation—outlining both the relationship between the Trinity and the Church and then with a broad overview of the Scriptural doctrine of the Church.

Then he moves into the bulk of the book:

I will present the church in terms of its local expression according to the following topics: identity, leadership, government, ordinances or sacraments, ministries, and future. For each topic, the first section—mere ecclesiology—presents the common ground shared by most churches throughout history. This aspect addresses the essence, or core, of the church’s identity, leadership, government, ordinances or sacraments, ministries, and future. The second section—more ecclesiology—describes how this essence expresses itself in the actual identity, leadership, government, ordinances of sacraments, ministries, and future of particular churches.

So, what did I think about The Church: An Introduction?

In summary, ecclesiology properly begins with a consideration of the doctrine of God. Specifically, it is grounded in Trinitarian theology, which leads to this conclusion: There is one people of God, who from eternity past has graciously elected all those who will believe in him by faith and walk with him in obedience, worship, love, and service. This one people of God consists of two aspects: the people of Israel in old covenant relationship with him and the people of the church in new covenant relationship with him. Specifically in regard to this second aspect, the church is the body of Christ and temple of the Holy Spirit. As the body, the church submits to its head, celebrates its diversity of people and gifts, lives out its siblingship in all purity, and portrays and fosters its unity by participation in the Lord’s Supper. As the temple of the Holy Spirit, the church in which he dwells is birthed, empowered, gifted, directed, sent, and sanctified by the Spirit.

The first couple of chapters got me excited for the book, and then after that, each chapter annoyed me more. He totally squandered that start—the “Mere” portions of the chapters were generally decent, but far too short. The “More” portions on the other hand…didn’t belong in a book like this (for the most part)—to get into all my problems would involve getting into the nitty-gritty of the arguments. They seemed to be what he wanted to write about more than the “Mere” bits and aren’t really introductory ecclesiology.

Also, and this is just one of those things, one chapter felt like it was written in response to my pastor’s sermon that day—each point seemed to be counter one of his (or vice versa). I was already having issues with the book, but that might have been the straw that broke the camel’s back for me. (not that I think my pastor is infallible, it was just bad timing—and a bad take on the text)

If this was the first book in the Short Studies in Systematic Theology that I’d read, I probably wouldn’t have come back for more. But, as it’s the fifth, I can keep going, trusting that this was a fluke.

In the end, I think this book tried to do too much. It tried to be all things to all people rather than embracing a confessional point of view as well as getting hung up on the structure, and ends up not accomplishing much at all. Focusing on and fleshing out the “More” portions would’ve made for a better read, a more profitable read, and a less problematic read. File this one under “don’t bother.”

2 Stars

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What God Has to Say about Our Bodies by Sam Allberry: The Body and the Christian

By HCNewton

On October 17, 2021

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

It is frequently difficult to remember that this is a book blog and not a theology blog and I’m frequently tempted to engage with the teaching presented in a book, rather than talking about a book as a book. This is one of those times…I ended up deleting about 5 paragraphs from this (and was gearing up to write more when I remembered what I was supposed to be writing).

What God Has to
Say about Our Bodies:
How the Gospel Is Good News
for Our Physical Selves

by Sam Allberry

Paperback, 185 pg.
Crossway, 2021

Read: October 3, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

What’s What God Has to Say about Our Bodies About?

At the center of the Christian faith is the belief that by coming to earth as one of us, Christ could die for our sins, rise to new life, bring us into fellowship with God, and begin the process of putting right all that’s gone wrong. But at the center of that claim, tucked away where we don’t always see it, is the notion that to become one of us, Jesus had to become flesh. To become a human person, he needed to become a human body.

Become a body, not simply don one for a few years…

Bodies matter. Jesus couldn’t become a real human person without one. And we can’t hope to enjoy authentic life without one either. That his body matters is proof that mine and yours do too. He became what he valued enough to redeem. He couldn’t come for people without coming for their flesh and without coming as flesh.

From the foundation that bodies matter, that humans aren’t just souls trapped in bodies, but are bodies with souls, Allberry sketches out a theology of the body. Something that the Western Church just hasn’t thought a lot about recently.

He discusses things like: identiry, sex, gender, disease, death, the body and discipleship, resurrection. There isn’t a lot of Law in these pages (though it’s not antinomian), as the subtitle says, it’s about the Gospel and what it means for our bodies (both in weakness and in promised renewal).

High Points

Hardwired into most of us is some sense that we all get what we deserve. So it is easy to apply that mindset to sickness and infirmity and wonder if the suffering isn’t some sort of payback for sins. But Jesus is unequivocal in his response: “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents” (John 9:3). We’re not to extrapolate from someone’s suffering what they might have done to deserve it. It doesn’t work like that. The main connection between suffering and sin is at a general, humanity-wide level rather than at an individual level. It is not that one person’s suffering is a sign of his or her sin, but that anyone’s suffering is a sign of everyone’s sin.

While reading the book and when I sat down to write this, I had in mind two specific chapters to mention, but flipping through it, I almost doubled the list (and there was a danger I’d have gone further). Basically, I’m saying there’s a lot to like here.

But let’s get back to the highpoints of the book—I’m going to stick with my original plan and mention chapters 1 and 5.

Chapter 1, “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: The Body and its Creator,” is one of those things that I wish everyone would read. It’s foundational for this book, and a vital reminder that our bodies are made and made for a purpose.

“Subjected to Futility: The Body, Affliction, and Shame,” Chapter 5, is similarly foundational—in a fallen world, each of us is confronted daily by the weakness of the body—affliction, sickness, and even shame. Some of the problems discussed in this book aren’t things that we all struggle with—and even with the certainty of death for all of us, it’s clear that in the West we’re pretty good at denying that. But weakness? Sickness? Infirmity? We’ve all dealt with that—deal with it all the time, and seeing that in Scriptural light, in terms of the Gospel, is just so helpful.

So, what did I think about What God Has to Say about Our Bodies?

We need to know this. In too many areas of our discipleship we have separated our Christianity from our bodies. There are areas of our physical life that we think are irrelevant to our faith, and there are parts of our Christian life that we think have nothing to do with our bodies.

The truth is that the New Testament often speaks of discipleship in bodily terms, and in ways that tend to surprise us…These things are not trivial or spiritually irrelevant. The problem many of us have is that we are oblivious to their spiritual significance; we don’t see them as part of our discipleship and service to God.

I’ve read a few books by Allberry (and my wife owns a couple I haven’t gotten to yet), and this is noticeably longer and goes a bit deeper than he normally writes, but still, it’s an introductory volume. So I’m left wanting a little more.

That said, it’s an introductory discussion The Church (and others) need. The contemporary Church’s teaching on the body, on physical-ness is so narrow, so negative*, so deficient that it’s pointless. This is a good corrective. It’s only a first step, but we need to start somewhere. Regardless, Allberry’s writing is crisp, clear, engaging–the prose flows smoothly and the ideas are clear.

* Basically “taste not, touch not” kind of things.

I do wonder if Allberry had gone a little deeper if I’d quibble more or even downright disagree with him on some things, but here? I just spent time appreciating that he was addressing topics and ideas that I haven’t really seen done before. I do strongly recommend this—not as a final word, but as the beginning of a course of study (now I just have to figure out where to go from here).

Introductory and basic or not—I really commend this to your attention.

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, opinions are my own.