Tag: Christian Living Page 2 of 14

REPOSTING JUST CUZ: Prayer by Ole Hallsby

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

REPOSTING JUST CUZ: The Man Christ Jesus: Theological Reflections on the Humanity of Christ by Bruce A. Ware

By HCNewton

On March 10, 2024

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

Well, this is what I get for having the hubris to say that things were getting back to normal yesterday 🙂 Thanks to Daylight Saving kicking in this morning, I didn’t have enough time last night to finish a post. So, let’s jump back 10 years ago to see what I was talking about…

The Man Christ Jesus: Theological Reflections on the Humanity of Christ

by Bruce A. Ware
Kindle Edition, 160 pg.
Crossway, 2012
Read: March 9, 2014

One of Ware’s presuppositions — repeated throughout this book — is that evangelical Christians today have a good understanding of and embrace the doctrine of the Divinity of Christ, but their understanding of his humanity is wanting — enter this book. Without dipping a toe into Nestorianism, Ware wants his readers to understand the humanity of Jesus. He explains this so with a constant eye to His divinity — and how that divinity is expressed in the life of the God-man.

One of his main interests is for his readers to understand the dependency of Jesus on the Spirit — His indwelling, guidance and empowering. Without that indwelling, it would be impossible for Jesus to carry out His father’s will. If we grasp that, we see the limitations of the divine nature of Christ to his earthly work, which may seem paradoxical, but isn’t as Ware will explain.

The application portions to every chapter keep this book from being merely theoretical (however great that theory is) to helping readers put shoe leather to this teaching — as every teaching ought. It’s just easier when the author goes out of his way to help us start that on our own.

I really appreciated the chapter “Resisting Temptation,” Ware’s reflections on Hebrews 4:15 and the idea of Jesus being tempted to sin in general. He surveys some of the leading theories before suggesting his own idea how the idea of the impeccable theanthropos being tempted without sinning. He put into words an idea or two that had been floating around in my own head for a few years, and

I was surprised that Ware had to devote an entire chapter defending the masculinity of the God-man, although I shouldn’t have been. Sadly, this was a pretty boring chapter. Ware really beat this horse far beyond the point of its flatline. Sadly, he probably needed to be as through given today’s thinking.

Deep enough to discourage a casual read, but friendly enough that this should be able to be read by thoughtful laity.

—–

4 Stars

The Two Kingdoms: A Guide for the Perplexed by W. Bradford Littlejohn: A Handy Intro (that maybe could’ve used a little more detail)

By HCNewton

On March 3, 2024

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

The Two Kingdoms:
A Guide for
the Perplexed

by W. Bradford Littlejohn

DETAILS:
Series: Davenant Guides 
Publisher: Davenant Press
Publication Date: April 11, 2017
Format: eBook
Length: 120 pg.
Read Date: TEXT

We are simul justus et peccator, at the same time free lords and dutiful servants, at the same time alive with Christ in the heavenly places and toiling in murky paths here below, and even as we enjoy the liberty of a conscience set free by grace, we live under the laws (natural and civil) that regulate our lives with one another as human creatures. To confuse these two rules is to risk libertinism or legalism, triumphalism or despair.

What’s The Two Kingdoms About?

The Publisher describes it better than I could:

What does it mean to say Christ reigns in two kingdoms?

What does it mean to live as citizens of this world and of the world-to-come? How can we render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s? In recent years, fresh controversy has erupted over these age-old questions, and especially over the meaning and relevance of the Reformation’s “two-kingdoms” doctrine. At stake in such debates is not simply the shape of Christian politics, but the meaning of the church, the nature of human and divine authority, and the scope of Christian discipleship.

In this concise guide, Reformation scholar and Christian ethicist Bradford Littlejohn first sketches the history of the doctrine and clears away common misunderstandings. He then shows that the two-kingdoms doctrine can offer a valuable framework for thinking about pastoring, politics, and even financial stewardship.

Littlejohn gives us three chapters tracing the development of the concept starting with Luther and going through the early seventeenth century, looking at the “implications for political theology, ecclesiology, and Christian life.”

Then he offers “a creative appropriation of the doctrine today in the three key spheres of church, state, and marketplace, suggesting how it can shed fresh light on seemingly sterile disputes over how to live out the lordship of Christ in the 21st century.”

Throughout this, he will draw distinctions from his view of the Two Kingdoms to the “R2K” views (defined as “radical Two Kingdoms” or “Reformed Two Kingdoms”, depending who you ask) as well as a neo-Calvinist view, a Theonomistic view, or some others.

A Positive and A Negative

This is an introductory volume—and one that is only 120 pages long. So we’re only going to get a cursory look at all these ideas, ideas that are inherently complex just from a positive point of view—as he also offers critiques as well, that really doesn’t give Littlejohn a lot of time for explanation or depth.

This is a strength because he gives you a quick lay of the land, a look at Two Kingdom theology from 10,000 feet.

But it’s a weakness because that’s all we get—there aren’t even a plethora of footnotes. So we get assertion after assertion—but not a lot of reason to do more than take his word for it. It’s hard to swallow when he says something along the lines of, “I’m right about what Calvin said, unlike this other guy.” I don’t think he slips into the fallacy of ipse dixit, but he can see it from his front porch.

So, what did I think about The Two Kingdoms?

The two- kingdoms doctrine was a rebuke to our eagerness to call Christ down from heaven, seeing his hand in our own works and hearing his voice in our own words. It was an eschatological reminder that we live in a time between the times of Christ’s coming, that regardless of our duty to witness to the reign of the Son of Man, that reign remains hidden behind the “masks” that God has ordained to do his will in history.

I have, honestly, stayed as far away as I could from the topics of Christianity and politics/political theory/etc. for several years now. And really have only looked at it a little now because of some prodding by others, most of whom strongly recommended this book and cite it often.

Despite my misgivings (see above) about Littlejohn not really proving his assertions, I did find this helpful for giving a lay of the land, for drawing lines between his view and the R2K proponents (and I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and agree he’s closer to the first few generations of Protestants than the R2Kers are).

I found a lot of wisdom in the chapters about the State and Market, and found the chapter “Two Kingdoms in The Church” to be provocative.

As with any good introduction, I was left with more questions than answers—but I think I know the directions to look for some of those answers. I do wish the book was 80 pages or so longer—it still would’ve been able to stick to its foundational nature but it could’ve put a little meat the bones to help with some of those details.

I recommend this with some caveats, just know that when you’re only getting the beginning of an idea about the Two Kingdoms.

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.

The Water and the Blood by Kevin P. Emmert: Sacraments and Identity for In-Christ Persons

By HCNewton

On February 25, 2024

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

The Water and the Blood:
How the Sacraments
Shape Christian Identity

by Kevin P. Emmert

DETAILS:
Publisher: Crossway
Publication Date: November 7, 2023
Format: Paperback
Length: 213
Read Date: January 21-February 11, 2024

Every now and then I come across a book that leaves me as close to speechless as I get when it comes to time to blog about it—I just can’t express things concisely about a book. Give me a couple of weeks to write and about 20-30 pages, and I might get somewhere. Although, that somewhere is pretty much just going to be an extended abstract of the book.

I think in the past, I’ve talked about wanting to just post the back-of-the-book blurb, say “GO READ IT,” and call it a day.

Obviously, this is one of those books (or it’d be mighty insulting to start the post this way). I’m not going to allow myself to do the extended abstract, and I’m going to try to say a little more than the second option. But that’s pretty attractive. And frankly, if you get into my first section and I’m not being clear enough for you, just click on one of the links above to read the description and then GO READ IT.

Let’s see if I can do a little better than that, eh?

If our morality and sense of identity—which mutually reinforce one another—are shaped so profoundly by aesthetics, then Christians need to not just participate more frequently in the sacraments but also reflect more deeply on their nature, meaning, and power. When rightly understood, rightly administered, and received with faith, baptism and Communion have the power to shape our self-understanding and moral vision. This is because they connect us to the greatest and most powerful story of all time—the gospel of Jesus Christ. Moreover, the sacraments exhibit the historic church’s core beliefs and practices in an attractive and appealing, though certainly ordinary, manner. In baptism and Communion, we find a direct connection between beauty, orthodoxy, and orthopraxy that catechizes the people of God with a greater understanding of the gospel and how they fit into that larger reality as persons in Christ.

What’s The Water and the Blood About?

This is a confessional and theological look at the sacraments and their role in teaching Christians about Christ and forming their character and lives in Him. Unlike almost every book I’ve ever read about the Sacraments (either considered individually or together), there’s no polemics, no debate, nothing along those lines. It’s just careful encouragement, instruction, and guidance.

The book starts by talking about the dependence of the Sacraments on the Word, then moves to a look at the nature of the Sacraments and how they function generally to form Christians. The next two chapters look at each Sacrament specifically—what they tell us about those “who have been immersed into Christ and who commune with Him.” The last two chapters apply all this, how the Sacraments form and inform Christian morality and then how they equip and guide believers into the work of ministry in a variety of settings.

In-Christ Persons

At the core of the statement that the Christian’s identity is in Christ is the biblical truth that our very existence as Christians is constituted in and determined by the living, active, and present Christ. The Christian self is a self in Christ. Put differently, being in Christ is our primary identity as Christians.

From the beginning, Emmert’s clear that his book isn’t just about the Sacraments shaping Christian Identity, it’s about Union with Christ. The Sacraments are an important and essential part of reinforcing that unity, in causing us to meditate on it, in shaping us more and more into the image of Christ—and are effectual and beneficial to us only because of this union (as is the case with all blessings enjoyed by Christians).

To help emphasize that union, Emmert frequently refers to believers as “in-Christ persons.” This is both a nice phrase and a reminder that this is the core, the source of all our benefits—it’s our primary identity. This was the core of John Calvin’s teaching (no matter what you might have heard), drawing on the work of theologians and teachers before him, and is his major contribution to those that follow. Emmert is standing on Calvin’s shoulders here, and the book is better for it.

From that Union, he can then proceed to consider the sacraments.

As visible and tangible confirmations of God’s work in Christ, the sacraments therefore give flesh and bones to the statement that the Christian’s identity is in Christ… Stated differently, baptism and Communion are identity-forming rituals that teach us in touchable and accessible ways what it means to be persons in Christ.

Broadly Protestant

Anytime you see a book citing The Three Forms of Unity, The Thirty-nine Articles of Anglicanism, the Westminster Standards, and the London Baptist Confession of 1689 (and other confessional statements) in a way that those statements support each other—and not to show weaknesses with the latter—you know you’re looking at something of a unicorn in theological books. This is one of the emphases of this book, however. Emmert says in the preface that he’s not interested (in this book) in polemics about proper administration, proper recipients, etc., but about what the sacraments mean in the lives and identity of those in-Christ.

But it’s not just about being Protestant—Emmert’s also looking at what Christians have said since the beginning about these ideas, showing that Protestantism stands in the same continuity as the Early Church and beyond.

So, what did I think about The Water and the Blood?

I was going to quote a passage from the Conclusion to start this section of the post, but I couldn’t pick a portion that satisfied me—it was either all four pages or nothing. So I opted for nothing. But it’s that kind of a book—you can’t just quote a little bit, you want to keep going. Incidentally, all the quotations above are from the Introduction. If I let myself cite from particular chapters…well, see what I said in the opening paragraph.

It sort of feels like I’ve been waiting for decades for someone to write this book—I don’t know that Emmert breaks a lot of new ground here—in fact, he probably hopes he doesn’t. But I think the way he combines statements and positions from a variety of Protestant Confessions and traditions and weaves them together is fantastic. He excels at reminding us of what we all agree on, and what (to be true to our own tradition) we should be saying/thinking/teaching about the Sacraments and our Identity in Christ.

Particularly in the last century and a half (give or take), American Protestants have shied away from talking about Baptism and The Lord’s Supper as anything but rites and rituals—things that talk about our faith and remembering events from Redemptive History. But that’s largely due to anti-supernaturalism, the impact of the (so-called) Second Great Awakening, and a fear of looking/sounding like Roman Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy.* This is a deviation from historic Protestantism, and we need to recover the language and points of view of our predecessors. Not because we like history and want to be consistent with that history—but because the early Protestants held to these things because they’re Biblical, and Christians have been speaking in these/similar ways since the First Century.

* That’s awfully reductionistic, and not as nuanced and detailed—or extensive—as it should be. I’m aware of that, I’m also not writing a detailed work on the idea here, so that’s as good as you’re going to get.

Emmert has done us all a service in reminding us of this heritage, calling us to dust off our understanding of it, and to start acting in line of it. Even better is the way that he ties in our identity in Christ—the doctrine of Union with Christ—and how the sacraments shape us into better living out that identity.

A few weeks ago, a few of us were supposed to skim this for a chat about the book as kind of an overview before we dove in. I could not skim it. I just couldn’t, because I wasn’t even halfway through the ten-page introduction before I could tell that this was one of those books I had to marinate in, skimming was not an option.

The book is geared to scholars, preachers, and leaders—theoretically, at least. But this isn’t a message just for them—it’s for everyone in the Church and should be read that way. Sure, leaders and teachers will be able to do more with it, than the rest of us—but that’s true of every theologically-inclined book. Laity shouldn’t feel like this isn’t a book for us.

In case I haven’t been clear so far The Water and the Blood is one of the more helpful and educational books I’ve read in ages. I strongly recommend it to you.

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.

The Lord Bless You and Keep You by Michael J. Glodo: It’s More than Just a Signal that the Pastor is Done

By HCNewton

On February 11, 2024

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

The Lord Bless You and Keep You:
The Promise of the Gospel
in the Aaronic Blessing

by Michael J. Glodo

DETAILS: 
Publisher: Crossway
Publication Date: September 19, 2023
Format: Paperback
Length: 174 pg.
Read Date: December 3-17, 2023

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,

The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

“So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”

What’s The Lord Bless You and Keep You About?

This book is a reflection on, study of, and application of the Aaronic benediction (above), “possibly the most frequently heard passage of Scripture in Christian worship”.

Luther called the Psalms “a little Bible” since each psalm sets out in brief form all that is taught in the rest of Scripture. I am suggesting the same observation is true of the Aaronic blessing. By exploring the blessing’s background, central elements, spiritual meaning in Israel, and realization in Christ, we will grasp the comprehensive nature of the theme of God’s face and be enabled to stand more fully in its light. We will see that God made us with faces so that his could shine on ours and that the Aaronic blessing could be to us not only a “little Bible,” but a “little gospel.”

The book is essentially broken into two sections—the first three chapters examined the context of the Aaronic blessing’s introduction, the content of the blessing itself, and then looked at it in the light of the New Testament. The second section is more practical—the consequences of the blessing both for ourselves and the way we treat others, and the pastoral use of the blessing.

A Question of Timing

I would’ve appreciated a version of this book written in 2019. Too often, Glodo, sounded to me like he was trying to re-fight the battle over masks from 2020-2021 with a theological veneer in the latter chapters (and the introduction). A version of those chapters without reference to that would’ve been more helpful—and less potentially off-putting—and might have prepared the reader to come to their own informed conclusions on that issue if a similar pandemic occurs again.

Maybe I’d have been happier if he took a firm pro-/con- mask position, because the mentions of the practice with just a negative tone (or so I took it), was unsatisfactory. (if only because it was so vague it’s hard to interact with)

So, what did I think about The Lord Bless You and Keep You?

I was very excited to hear that someone was giving us an entire book on the Aaronic benediction—and overall, I was pleased with what we got. Personally—I wanted chapters 1-2 to be longer, more detailed and a little more developed, especially 2. I think three could’ve probably used the same treatment, but I didn’t write that in my notes (unlike with the other two). The chapters on the consequences of the blessing were fine. I also anticipated that the book would’ve featured a lot more of what the chapter on pastoral use and application gave us—and would’ve liked more of that.

That said, I’m not complaining that Glodo didn’t write the book I wanted/expected—but it would’ve been nice. (I’m not sure we needed the appendix, but, eh—it’s an appendix, so…who cares?)

I really do think that this is a good contribution and will be helpful to readers. I do recommend reading this—particularly the first half.

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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A Mystery Revealed: 31 Meditations on the Trinity by Ryan M. McGraw: Helpful and Quick Prompts to Greater Understanding

By HCNewton

On February 4, 2024

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

A Mystery Revealed:
31 Meditations on the Trinity

by Ryan M. McGraw

DETAILS:
Publisher: Reformation Heritage Books
Publication Date: May 8, 2023
Format: eBook
Length: 256 pg.
Read Date: July 2-December 31, 2023

The Trinity is the grammar shaping the language we use to relate to God before we become self-conscious about it or skilled in using it. We often learn to hear the Bible and to speak to God and others in Trinitarian terms before we learn how and why those terms work.

What’s A Mystery Revealed About?

The Publisher’s site says:

Dr. Ryan McGraw peels back the curtain on how the Trinity forms the foundation for everything from evangelism to corporate worship. As he follows the Trinitarian shape of Scripture, McGraw brings this heavenly doctrine down to earth for the average Christian to experience.

These 31 meditations trace the biblical storyline, drawing us closer to the blessed persons of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

And that’s basically what the book gives—McGraw starts by trying to sketch the grammar of the Trinity and then traces the storyline of the Bible showing how that grammar was revealed. McGraw notes early on that:

Many believers do not read the Bible like a story but like a collection of memory verses. How many verses have you memorized in your life, only to realize they mean something different than you thought?

So while helping readers to find the Trinity revealed throughout the Scriptures, he also helps the reader to understand the storyline of the Bible—how it’s not just a collection of memory verses.

The chapters end up with a good balance of “theory” and “practice.” McGraw isn’t known for just feeding the head or the heart in his books, he’s also focused on the reader putting his ideas into action—and that’s clear in this book.

Maybe Too-Reliant on J.R.R.?

McGraw begins every/almost every chapter with some sort of illustration to bring the reader to the subject—it’s not my favorite tool, but it’s time-tested and reliable. One frequent source of illustrations for this book are the works of Tolkien. I have nothing against Tolkien—and wish I knew his work better. But…I think it’s a well that McGraw maybe returned to too often. I didn’t pick up this book for ideas about the Trinity and The Hobbit/The Lord of the Rings/The Silmarillion.

Sure, Tolkien is an easy touchstone that a lot of McGraw’s readers will be familiar with, making the transition to the topics at hand easier. I just think he’d have been better served with other sources of introduction.

The gospel is the centerpiece of the Bible’s story line. All things anticipate it in the Old Testament, and all things point back to it in the New Testament. God is the author of the narrative, and Christ is the narrator. The Spirit makes us participants, rather than spectators, in the story . As we have seen, writing Himself into the story, it turns out that the triune God is the main character as well.

So, what did I think about A Mystery Revealed?

Now this is a devotional—meant to be read in short bursts on a daily (or weekly, like I used it) basis. It’s not to be read cover-to-cover, and you’re not going to get in-depth on any of the points considered. So you have to bear that in mind—McGraw’s addressed some of these topics in greater depth elsewhere, and it’s worth the effort to find them. Nevertheless, even in these devotional-length chapters, he does a capable job of addressing them.

Also, the “Further Reading” recommended with every chapter will satisfy whatever itches for greater depth or expansion on ideas the reader may have. They gave me a reading list I’m eager to tackle (or revisit).

McGraw’s use of grammar as a metaphor and reminding the reader of the storyline of the Bible are throughout and are so useful.

Some of the chapters didn’t do a whole lot for me—did we really need 4-5 pages on this? And others were like a cup of cold water on a hot day. But I imagine that if I read this book again in a year or so, I’d have a completely different list of chapters under each heading. This is to be expected, I assume, and isn’t a reason to walk away.

A Mystery Revealed is a nice way to spend a few minutes a day for a while. It should be helpful to remind/refresh/create a better understanding of the way the Trinity can be seen throughout the story of the Bible and point you to the greater needs of your soul.

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.

REPOSTING JUST CUZ: Songs of a Suffering King by J. V. Fesko

By HCNewton

On January 21, 2024

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

Songs of a Suffering King: The Grand Christ Hymn of Psalms 1–8

by J. V. Fesko

Kindle Edition, 123 pg.
Reformation Heritage Books, 2014

Read: January 17, 2016

This is a “small survey” (his words) of the first 8 Psalms, looking at them as testifying of Christ — His experiences, His heart, His prayers, His praise. Fesko doesn’t ignore the original author or context, but his focus is reading them through the filter of John 5:27/Luke 24:27. With that filter, it’s easy to see how the first 8 Psalms (as a microcosm of the Psalter as a whole) testify to Jesus Christ.

This book was just “oooohkay.” Maybe I came in with too high of expectations. I get that Fesko was writing for a more popular audience than some of this other work — but this seemed very shallow. There wasn’t a whole lot to sink my teeth into. I’m glad he made this material very accessible — it’s the kind of thing the Church needs more of. I’m just afraid he didn’t hit the right balance of content and ease of understanding.

The content was good, I do think each chapter helped me understand the Psalm in question a little better (more than that at least twice). The conclusion is very strong — probably the best chapter in the book. I just wish he’d brought some of that strength to bear on the earlier chapters.

The book contained some great insights, but it was primarily surface-level material. I just wanted more from the book. Maybe I wanted too much, but I don’t think so. There were a couple of “wow!” moments for me that lead me to rate this at 3-stars rather than 2 1/2 (but if he’d developed those ideas for more than the one or two sentences he gave them I’d have gone with 4). It’s a nice, quick easy read with some good devotional material, but it could’ve been more without making it too technical.

—–

3 Stars

My Favorite Theology/Christian Living Books of 2023

By HCNewton

On January 7, 2024

In News/Misc., Theology/Christian Living

My Favorite Theology/Christian Living Books of 2022
It probably says something about me that 40% of this list was written pre-20th Century (I have some friends who’d opine that it says I read too many contemporary authors). My reading plans for 2024 (as sketchy as they are at the moment), suggest I could be looking at a similar number next year. I actually hope so—this was good for me.

As always, re-reads don’t count for these lists.

(in alphabetical order by author)

The Nicene Creed: An Introduction

by Phillip Cary

My original post
This is a fantastic introduction to the Nicene Creed and/or some of the doctrines taught by it (technically, the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, but who calls it that outside of technical discussions?). In many cases, it’ll be a review of ideas—but even in those cases, Cary will likely shed a different light on it, or make you think about the idea in a way you’re not used to. This can be a quick and breezy read, but it’s a mistake to let Cary’s simple and straightforward text let you read quickly—because there’s a lot to think about and reflect on here. Even if—especially if, actually—you recite the Creed on a regular or frequent basis every Lord’s Day. This is a great way to stop and meditate on these essential truths of the Christian faith.

4 1/2 Stars

The Existence and Attributes of God: Updated and Unabridged

by Stephen Charnock, edited by Mark Jones

An original post (another is forthcoming)
This isn’t a definitive, exhaustive work on God’s attributes (or existence)—it cannot be (and would be blasphemous to suggest otherwise). But when you’re in the middle of a chapter, it’d be easy to think it is. Not just because of the depth Charnock goes into on each topic, but the angles he approaches it from. In the middle of the Discourse on God’s Knowledge, I was astounded, for example, by how many different ways he found to talk about it. It’s easy to see why this work has stood the test of time and can’t imagine anything in the 21st Century topping it (maybe someone will get their act together in the 22nd).

5 Stars

Who Chose the Gospels?: Probing the Great Gospel Conspiracy

by C. E. Hill

My original post
An alternate title for the book could be, how do you solve a problem like Iraneaus? Or, more to the point, how do you ignore his (early date) recognition of only 4 gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—despite what we’re told about the state of gospel availability and canonization by so many today. Hill examines some of the time frames, uses, content, and provenance of some of the so-called competitor gospels (i.e., those that never were considered canonical) to compare them to both the canonical gospels and those early figures of the Church we see discussing the gospels. But primarily, Hill is concerned with the use of and testimony regarding the canonical gospels—and the evidence regarding their use by the Church and when it started. What’s more, he discusses (and educates) these ideas while being entertaining (never sacrificing educating for entertaining). Hill is careful and thorough, acknowledging challenges to his position about the emergence of the fourfold Gospel to the place it holds today. But he’s consistent in showing how those challenges don’t have the weight and merit that so many in our culture assume they do.

5 Stars

On the Apostolic Preaching

by Irenaeus of Lyons , John Behr (Translator)

My original post
This is exactly what I want to see out of a 2nd Century writer—because it’s the kind of thing I appreciate in a 21st Century Writer. It’s reassuring to see that the central idea of what Apostolic Preaching ought to be is pretty much the same for both eras—yeah, some of what Irenaeus wrote could use some fine-tuning (and he’d likely say the same of what shows up in one of the Essential Studies in Biblical Theology volumes I’ve discussed). But their modus operandi are so similar, that it’s clear that they’re walking in the same direction. This is a a quick, approachable read—as relatable today as it had to have been centuries ago (although I guess it’d be safe to say that many of his readers might not be ready to hear what he said in the same way I was). I was very encouraged by this and wish I’d read it years ago so I could be on my fifth or sixth reading now.

5 Stars

The Beginning and End of All Things: A Biblical Theology of Creation and New Creation

by Edward W. Klink III

My original post
Klink starts by saying that a doctrine of creation needs to be about more than what happened in Genesis 1-2, piquing my interest and getting me on his side immediately. His point is that the doctrine needs to concern itself with why God made the Earth—what was His purpose in creating, what’s His goal for the creation, and so on. It’s about the goodness of the creation and how we are to enjoy and preserve it. It’s ultimately about the new creation, what is going to happen on that Last Day when creation is renewed, restored, and recreated. This is a refreshing, warm, and pastoral look at a doctrine we too often limit to a narrow question, missing the big picture.

4 Stars

Flood and Fury: Old Testament Violence and the Shalom of God

by Matthew J. Lynch

I read this book back in March, and have yet to write a post about it because I’m still wrestling with some of Lynch’s positions and arguments. The biggest area that I was working through and on was his treatment of the relation of the Flood to the Covenant in the Garden and the Noahaic covenant to that covenant as well. The next book on this list helped me tremendously (mostly to Lynch’s detriment). But that’s not to say that I didn’t get anything from that portion of the book, it just made me think a lot—so much that I couldn’t write anything about the book as a whole. The portions of the book on Divine Violence in general (how to think of it, how not to think of it or avoid the idea, either) and about the conquest of Canaan are strong and very helpful.

4 Stars

God to Us: Covenant Theology in Scripture

by Stephen G. Myers

My original post
I’ve read more books on Covenant Theology than I can easily count, and if this isn’t the best, it’s so close to it as not to matter. Myers gives his readers a thorough introduction to Covenant Theology as it came to the Protestant Church from the Reformation—particularly the English Reformation and the explanation offered by the Westminster divines and their contemporaries. His introduction is readable, clear, and helpful to the layman willing to put in a little work—but he’s not just repeating what the previous generations gave us, he’s looking at contemporary theology and insights as well.

That our Lord would condescend to His people in covenant is mind-blowingly gracious in the first place—that He does so to rebels in order that he could win them to Himself? That should drive us to worship. And the more we understand the gracious and remarkable nature of these covenants, the more we should be driven to it. Myers brings his readers to this point repeatedly—sometimes just by explaining something clearly—sometimes by applying his explanation to the reader to help us understand how it should make us reflect in worship.

5 Stars

The Holy Spirit: An Introduction

by Fred Sanders

My original post
A very capable, useful, and timely introduction to Pneumatology. Sanders doesn’t allow himself to get drawn into the flashy and controversial aspects of the doctrine of the Spirit (not that he shies away, either)—he sticks to the basics and essentials (and a good understanding of those will eliminate the need to discuss some of the controversial areas). Sanders’s tone is certainly engaging—he never loses sight of the importance of what he’s talking about, and the necessary reverence. But he’s okay with being chatty and a little witty with the reader. He’s able to break down some complicated and technical points in a way that the reader can find them understandable and compelling. It’s just so helpful, and so good, that I can’t help but recommend this one.

4 1/2 Stars

The Shadow of Christ in the Book of Lamentations: A Guide to Grieving with Faith

by C.J. Williams

My original post
I didn’t expect this to come up as an option for this year’s list, I thought I read this a year or two ago, not 11 months ago. But I was glad to look over my notes and post about it again for this post. This is a very accessible and thorough—without trying to be exhausting—look at the book of Lamentations and how it reveals Christ to the reader for his assurance and comfort in trial.

4 Stars

I Will Build My Church: Selected Writings on Church Polity, Baptism, and the Sabbath

by Thomas Witherow, Edited by Jonathan Gibson

My original post
Yes, this is kind of a cheat—because I have read one of the three works (plus a lengthy biographical essay) in this collection. But it’s a self-imposed rule, so I’m not going to be that precious about it (this once). Also, reading it in the midst of all this other material gave The Apostolic Church: Which Is It? a different vibe (for lack of a better term). It’s not just a defense of Presbyterian Church Polity, but it’s part of an apologetic for Presbyterian Distinctives as a whole.

And that’s what Winslow’s mission was—to present Presbyterianism as not just another flavor for Irish Protestants to pick, but one that has a message, a conviction about their distinctives, and Biblical reasoning—not just whim or tradition—behind them. Sure, some of it will feel dated to contemporary readers. And it should—but that doesn’t make any of it bad. Nor does it disprove any of Winslow’s arguments (in fact, some of our contemporary situations would lead the reader to say, “he was right, if we do X, Y will follow.”)

5 Stars

The God of the Mundane by Matthew B. Redmond: A Call to the Ordinary Life

By HCNewton

On December 31, 2023

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

The God of the Mundane:
Reflections on Ordinary Life
for Ordinary People

by Matthew B. Redmond

DETAILS:
Publisher: Cruciform Press
Publication Date: April 3, 2021
Format: eBook
Length: 146 pg.
Read Date: December 24, 2023

What’s The God of the Mundane About?

So I wondered. I wondered about the great majority I have known and know, the great majority living fairly ordinary lives.

Is there a God, for instance, for those who are not changing anything but diapers? Is there a God for those who simply love their spouse and pour out rarely appreciated affection on their children day after day? Is there a God for the mom who spends what feels like God- forsaken days changing diapers and slicing up hot dogs? Is there a God for the man who hammers out a day’s work in obscurity for the love of his wife and kids? Is there a God for just and kind employers? Generous homemakers? Day-laborers who would look at a missions trip to Romania like it was an unimaginable vacation?

Is there a God for the middle-class mom staving off cancer, struggling to raise teenagers, and simply hoping both Mom and Dad keep their job? Is there a God for the broken home with a full bank account but an empty bed? Is there a God for grown children tending to the health of their aged parents?

Is there a God who delights in the ordinary existence of the unknown faithful doing unknown work? Is there a God of grace for those who live out their faith everywhere but do not want to move anywhere?

Is there a God for those who have bigger homes than me? More money than me? Nicer cars than me? Better health than me?

Is there a God for the mundane parts of life, the small moments? Is there a God of kind smiles, good tips, and good mornings? Is there a God of goodbye hugs and parting kisses? What about firm, truthful handshakes and grasps of frail fingers in sanitized hospital rooms?…

Is there a God of the mundane?

Does this God I worship care about mundane people and moments?

The answer to this question is, obviously, yes. In fact, almost every believer, Redmond argues lives the kind of quiet life that most contemporary preachers ignore—quiet, faithful, mundane. Ordinary. (Redmond limits his arguments to New Testament believers through the present. He could’ve/should’ve gone back to Genesis if you ask me).

There’s some gentle critique of contemporary Evangelical preaching and the kind of striving for the monumental it encourages—calls for, but largely this is a positive book. Redmond is primarily focused on saying, “Your ordinary life is good. It’s nothing to be ashamed of if you’re being faithful.”

Horton’s Ordinary

It’s been nine years or so since I read it, but this book felt a lot like Michael Horton’s Ordinary: Sustainable Faith in a Radical, Restless World. I do think that Horton did a better, or at least, more thorough job of looking for the quiet, unremarkable life. And people who read and gained from Redmond should hunt Horton’s book down.

But every time I started to say something comparing the two in my notes, Redmond would say something in a way that caught me off guard. A way of framing his argument that raised my eyebrows, an illustration that made the point so clear.

So I’m not going to make any other comparisons between the two, I’m just going to say that these two are singing from the same hymn book and I hope their tribe increases. If you liked one, read the other.

So, what did I think about The God of the Mundane?

missed the obvious: the apostles are writing to normal people. Most of them are nameless. They are Jew and Gentile, yes. But they are also not apostles. And most are not pastors. They are carpenters, farmers, traders, sailors, fishermen, shepherds, guards. They are mothers and fathers and children. Compared to the life of an apostle, their lives are probably mundane. These are ordinary men and women believing an extraordinary story…

But he never asks them to stop being who they are. He never challenges them to go anywhere. We don’t even get hints that he is making them feel guilty for living with comforts he doesn’t enjoy. That’s weird. It’s weird because this is so common in our pulpits and in conferences held for zealous college students.

I’ve cut so many things from the outline I dashed out before starting this post—basically, I was going to end up providing a compressed paraphrase of this entire book as a disguise for talking about it. I don’t want to do that. But it’s tempting.

I do think that Redmond makes some of the same points too often. That’s not a crime in books, obviously, but in 146 pages, that kind of thing stands out. He could’ve added a little variation to some of his arguments, etc. to keep the text fresh. But his writing is clear, convincing, and engaging. You can easily see yourself getting this advice from a trusted friend across the table at a coffee shop or diner.

This isn’t classroom wisdom or what an Ivory Tower will come up with. It is pulpit wisdom. It’s like an application of everything the Preacher says in Ecclesiastes—and is almost as wise. It’s also the wisdom of someone who’s been around a while, has seen a lot, and has learned from that—and then coupled that experience with what the Scriptures say. (also, I just said the same thing three times in different ways) As such, it’s something we should at least hear out.

I didn’t mean to buy this book, I’d meant to put it on a “think about this later” list, but a slip of the finger later, and I had another ebook to read. I’m glad I got this, it’s not quite what Ross means when he talks about happy little accidents, but it works for me. This was encouraging to me. It was a reminder of principles I’ve tried to live by—and who doesn’t need a good reminder like that from time to time.

Do I think it could’ve been a better book? Yes. Do I think it’s a little surface-level, and frequently redundant? Sure. But when it’s good—it’s really good. It would’ve taken doubling (at least) the length of the book for it to be the kind of “better” I want—and would almost certainly leave it as the kind of thing that so many who need to read it won’t bother with. And frankly, a good message, wise words, or however you want to put it, means more than a good book any day.

But I say: Be nobody special. Do your job. Take care of your family. Clean your house. Mow your yard. Read your Bible. Attend worship. Pray. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Love your spouse. Love your kids. Be generous. Laugh with your friends. Drink your wine heartily. Eat your meat lustily. Be honest. Be kind to your waitress. Expect no special treatment. And do it all quietly.

3.5 Stars

REPOSTING JUST CUZ: Faithful Theology: An Introduction by Graham A. Cole: Basics for Building a Theological Method

By HCNewton

On November 26, 2023

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

I’m supposed to be posting about the latest book in this series tonight, but I just don’t like the way the post turned out. So I’m taking another crack at it (which almost never works, but I have to try). So here’s a rerun while I try to remember how to string sentences together.

Faithful Theology: An Introduction

by Graham A. Cole
Series: Short Studies in Systematic Theology

Paperback, 106 pg.
Crossway, 2020

Read: June 27, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

…faithful theology is a human project that arises from wise reflection on the self-revelation of God. Because it is our reflection on God’s revelation, it is always to be reformed and corrected by that revelation…it is one thing to have an evangelical’s high view of Scripture. It is quite another to know how to derive teaching (doctrine or theology) from Scripture.

Cole’s purpose in this is to give his readers a method to use in “doing faithful theology.” Moving from Scripture to doctrine. Trying to balance orthodoxy, orthokardia, and orthopraxy (right opinion, right-heartedness, right practice of life), Cole organizes his approach through five elements, exploring each in a chapter. The first element is the foundation on which the others are built—God’s self-revelation in Scripture. The second is reflecting on the witness of the theology and practice of the Church through history—not on an equal footing with Scripture, but it should inform how we approach doctrine. The third element is realizing our context as we do theology—we’re in a fallen world, yet we are redeemed and are awaiting the return of Christ. Our thinking, our theologizing needs to be done fully aware of what that means. The fourth is centered on wisdom. We need to be wise in our application of the previous. The last element puts all of the above together and focuses it in a doxological direction—our theology should be a service to God.

Throughout, Cole uses examples of these principles applying to Christological and Trinitarian thought. There are some other examples, too, Which is a tremendous help—if for no other reason than they’re bedrock doctrines on which there should be no disagreement. He brings up baptismal practices at one point as an example of something where there’s an opportunity for a divergence of opinion, standing in contrast to Trinitarian dogma.

So, what did I think about Faithful Theology: An Introduction?

This is an easy read, full of solid, useful advice. I found it a little wanting, a little…uninspired? A little basic? I’m not sure precisely what word I want but it’s somewhere in that vicinity. But it’s supposed to be basic—it’s an introduction. It’s a tool to be used as someone begins working on their theology. So, what do I know?

The for Further Reading and books/articles suggested in the footnotes are helpful, but I didn’t feel inspired to track any of them down right away, but they seemed like solid and useful recommendations.

The last chapter, where he brought all the ideas together and gives a great example of how to use his elements in shaping our Trinitarian dogma is great. It makes all the rest of the book worth it.

It’s good stuff, I think it’ll be helpful to a lot of readers. I just wanted a bit more. I think Swain’s book on the Trinity left me with higher expectations. I’m looking forward to the next book I get in this series to see which of these first two are more representative of the series as a whole.

3 Stars

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