Rating More Books

 Christian Ethics by Grudem - 9.3/10      This book has been one of my most important books of the year.  Most helpful.  To be honest, I knew of this book but didn't think I needed to acquire it; there are so many books that might be just fine but are not truly needed.  I was with my wife at a homeschool bookstore and started to glance through it.  This is no ordinary ethics text, and I was hooked after those first 30-45 mins. at the store.    

Genesis by Steinmann - 9.1 / 10      If I give a book a "9" or higher, I really like it.  (I pretty much don't give perfect scores)      This is a good commentary!  

Little Pilgrim's Big Journey (Parts I and II) - 9.4 / 10      Great books!  My kids have enjoyed them, and it has been great to read them specifically with my youngest.   Glad to have discovered these.  

Rating Books

 How to Speak a Sermon by Trotter - 9.5/10 ....simply one of the best books on preaching out there.  Think this is some pragmatic book about mere technique or gaining an audience seeker-friendly style?  Think again!  This book is not to be missed.  

The Beauty and Power of Biblical Exposition by Ryken and O'Donnell - 9.5/10  ...the high mark here is due, for me personally, to the "practical" section that comprises roughly half of each chapter (the second half of each chapter).  This is an important and very helpful book.  

3 Volume Commentary on the Psalms by Ross (Kregel) - 9/10 ...I really like this work.  What a joy to own and use.  Perhaps it could be more Christ-focused.   However, it is of superb quality.  

From Prisoner to Prince (NSBT) by Emadi - 8.6/10     I have not read every page of this book.  It is good and suggestive for teachers.  

Providence by Piper - 9.2/10    So far, I am using this book as a help in preaching OT "providence" sections.  The sections that I have consulted are clear--very clear--and most helpful! 

For the Glory by Hamilton (about Eric Liddell) - 9/10       Get it! 

Three Views on Israel and the Church edited by Compton and Naselli - 8.5/10    Good!   Merkle's chapter is intriguing.  

Exodus by Duane Garrett - 9/10      So far, it is both clear and helpful; these qualities don't happen/emerge without much hard work.  

Preaching Christ from Genesis by Greidanus - 9.3/10     What a gift this book is.  

Two Books, Similar Subject

I think these two books would complement each other at least 85%.  DeYoung's is more measured.  You can find a favorable review of Deyoung's by Garris...with only mild criticism.   You can find an interview with Garris on the Greenville Presby Seminary podcast--from probably about one year ago.  

From Costi (Benny's transformed nephew)....

Costi W. Hinn

@costiwhinn

·

Jan 12

This year I have heard leaders in Bible churches, pagan organizations, liberal mega churches, and religious entrepreneurs say these four words: “I hate John MacArthur.” As his 4th quarter of life continues, what a joy to be hated. Must be doing something right. John 15:18.

Books for the New Year

 Here are some books that I am enjoying.... 

This one, as well as other good resources, can be obtained for a great price at Truth for Life's website, the ministry of Begg.   (get it there for $8, vs. $20 on Amazon)

This one was recommended on multiple top 10 lists for 2021.  It is scholarly and yet very accessible.  It is biased but not in a terribly distracting way.  Interesting stuff.  As K. Deyoung said, if you want to know what in the world Doug Wilson is up to, this might be your book.  

The Dynasty by Benedict has been good so far.  Well done.  (It is not G rated...but it is also far from R)  

This one and the one immediately below both caught my eye.  I have only looked at the Kindle sample of each.  Both offer a critique and then a better way for modern missions.  I am not surprised to learn that non-radical folks like these authors are upset at some of the things that go on in ministry and missions.  

One more for now....

So far, this one garners an 8/10, only because it's still too early for me to give it higher.  Might very well end-up being a 9.  Well-written!  

A FUN BOOK FOR THEOLOGY NERDS

Maybe that's not the best title.  I don't think that was his intention in writing this book: for it to be viewed as only a niche book in this way! I am always intrigued by theological matters.  Here is the age-old discussion that somewhat dovetails with discussions of the role of the law and law/grace.  When I first looked at the contents of this book (see pic below), I knew that I wanted to see more.  

Belcher not only walks through the biblical and theological covenants, he also gets into polemics, albeit in a gentle and gentlemanly-like way.  That's what drew me in--seeing that he was not afraid to interact with those with whom he disagreed, even with those who disagree in a somewhat minor way.  And, he interacts with my default camp, which is sometimes called progressive covenantalism.  He has accomplished much in this book.  

As a Baptist, I cannot go with him on a lot of it.  I am intrigued by Belcher because he is the product of his father (what a revelation!).  His father is "famous" for his many theological novels, such as the one that very helpfully explains what we call "Calvinism."  The Lord seemed to bless his father's ministry, and now he himself has had a fairly wide ministry via RTS, etc.  He even writes a bit about his upbringing in this book.  Good stuff!....and again, the parts where he interacts with "opponents" in his own camp and in the Baptist camp are interesting. 

LET THE CHURCH INFLUENCE THE "ACADEMY" FOR ONCE

This book (pictured below) is mentioned in the interview with C. Ash about his "reading life" in my most recent post.  I actually just happened to stumble upon this book while browsing Amazon, and I realized that it was the one that Ash is reading.  Carter writes here about theological interpretation of Scripture (TIS).  I read the parts of this book that interested me the most, and I think that I also was able to pretty explicitly discern his thesis.  I find myself pulled-in by this work and by this way of thinking in many ways.  If Christian scholars can barely agree to seeing any trace of the Lord Jesus in Isaiah 53, for example, then we need to 'dump' being so scholarly and return to reading our Bibles the way the Lord (and His earliest followers) would have us read.  He has praise for folks like Don (D.A.) Carson, even while implying that he--Carson-- and others might become even more comfortable with premodern exegesis.  From what I read of it, I do not think that this is a perfect book, but I am glad that I perused it. 

A FAVORITE AUTHOR'S FAVORITE BOOKS

I have been very grateful for Christopher Ash in the past five or so years....many good books from his pen.  Seems like a humble and faithful man.  I was excited to see this little interview with him.
Ash's books that I have appreciated are:  his one on marriage, his one on preaching (so good), Romans commentary, and then others! (like his book on zeal and burnout, which is great).

Check out the interview
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/on-my-shelf-christopher-ash/

HAPPY TO COMMEND THIS ONE

I am in the middle of this one, and I am glad that I got it.  Biography is a great genre; I am always looking for a good one.  Very reliable author and a worthy subject here.  Praise the Lord for both of these men.  Instructive, good for the soul.

IS LEEMAN'S BOOK JUST RIGHT FOR THIS TIME OF PANDEMIC?

I reference Leeman's new book One Assembly in a post below.  By the way, I think Leeman hits the nail just right sometimes and at other times not; the same is certainly true for all of us.
Just a quick thought -- This book has just been released, AND we are unable currently to meet together as local churches due to Covid-19.  Now, his book was obviously not planned for release in conjunction with this!
But, I do believe that there is--what word do I want to use?....  ironic, surprising, helpful overlap....overlap between local churches currently being forced to be physically distant and a book that argues that physical presence together at one time and in one place is a very basic non-negotiable of what it even means to be a church according to Scripture.

Leeman is NOT saying that a church with 2 or more Sunday morning services is bad or that multisite is evil, No!  What he is clearly arguing--we all have to gauge if he is right according to Scripture--is that if you have multisite or even just multiple services, then you have more than one church.
He is not arguing pragmatics in this book; there is a place for that.  No, in this book, he is arguing ontology.  What is the essence of the church?  It is one assembly.  Assembly. One assembly.  Do you see the connection here?
Preachers and churches may be scrambling a bit to keep up with the Joneses technologically during this pandemic.  But, are we even thinking about the fact that, by definition, online church is not church.  I think many do know this.  But, if we truly believe it, then it should affect how we minister during this time.  (which does not mean that we cannot minister; we must!!)

DON'T HATE HIM FOR THIS ONE

Leeman might be in his wheelhouse with this one.  I wish his thesis was not so controversial.  Even if we disagree with him, could we not still long for and work for only having one service / assembly? 

Schreiner's endorsement: “Too often we don’t think about what it means to be a church or to do church together. Jonathan Leeman’s book, therefore, might shock our pragmatic and individualistic sensibilities. Still, Leeman makes an excellent case that the word church in the Scriptures means ‘assembly,’ and that two assemblies are by definition two churches. The matter is complex and people who love the Scriptures disagree, but I think Leeman’s case is the most plausible.”
Leeman, Jonathan (2020-03-26). One Assembly (9Marks) (Kindle Locations 22-25). Crossway. Kindle Edition.

GOOD STUFF...

Challies confesses that he likes this book better than the Valley of Vision.  I like it too. 

A DIFFERENT AND SURPRISINGLY GOOD SERIES - ESPECIALLY EPISODE 1

The very first episode with Joe Rigney, professor up at Piper's school (Bethlehem), is very very good.  Andrew Naselli has this to say about the series and about episode 1 - "Doug Wilson's interview of Joe Rigney on the "The Sin of Empathy" (Episode 1) is thought-provoking and insightful. It applies to marriage, parenting, family relations, neighbor relations, church member relations, counseling, leading, and pastoring."

Bird Nest in our Church Wreath

VERY FUNNY

Go here.

Gotta love those hymn books.