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The Kindle version of Holy Excavation: Unearthing Seven Treasures in the Heidelberg Catechism is now available. Only $2.99 for a limited time!

Frederick III secured the services of a twenty-eight-year-old theology professor from Heidelberg University named Zacharias Ursinus and a twenty-six-year-old preacher named Casper Olevianus to pen a catechism that would help disciple young people. This catechism would also be a tool for pastors and help them shepherd the flock. It has proven to be one of the most influential catechisms in the history of the church.

The Heidelberg Catechism, published in 1563, is warm, thought-provoking, and easy to understand. But most important, it is biblical. The authors’ careful and systematic approach to God’s Word has encouraged discipleship that is both profound and authentic.

Holy Excavation: Unearthing Seven Treasures in the Heidelberg Catechism, by Dr. David S. Steele, will help readers explore the timeless biblical truths of the Christian faith and equip them to serve in God’s kingdom.

Endorsements

“I was so encouraged to see such a treasure trove of Christ-centered practical theology in one place. Reading Holy Excavation is indeed like mining ‘spiritual gold.’ Dr. David Steele has done it again. He’s written a book that will especially help new believers discover the depths of the treasures to be found in the application of the gospel from a theological and catechetical masterpiece that deserves to be mined from the Heidelberg Catechism. Take up and read and bask in the infinite treasures to be stored up in your heart and mind from this wonderful book.”

— DR. DAVID P. CRAIG, Lead Pastor, Marin Bible Church, San Rafael, CA and Founder of Vertical Living Ministries

“Holy Excavation is a pastoral masterpiece that holds high God’s Word against the soul-destroying ideologies of our day. Dr. David Steele highlights seven life-defining realities of the Christian life that will encourage and strengthen your faith. This accessible and tremendously refreshing book will cause you to glory in the greatness of God, the wonder of the gospel, and the matchless love of Jesus Christ!”

— JEREMY PICKENS, Senior Pastor, Good Shepherd Bible Church, Ferndale, WA

“Dr. Steele unfolds the timeless truths of Scripture to guard us and help us accurately perceive our God, ourselves and our secure future in Christ. Holy Excavation entices believers to spend methodical time in the great confessions of the faith and is a penetrating, all-you-can-eat smorgasbord of gospel realities that will anchor your soul in the Savior.”

— MARK LIND, President, Whitefield Global College, Bellingham, WA

“Holy Excavation is an outstanding resource for the church, offering a historically accurate and solidly biblical gleaning of truth in the Heidelberg Catechism. David Steele has given both depth and clarity in this book. He provides an insightful exploration of this treasured confession, demonstrating its continued relevance for Christian faith and practice. Readers will appreciate the book’s impactful coverage, weaving together theological precision with real-life application. Whether used for personal study, group discussion, or church teaching, this work serves as a wonderful guide to understanding the rich doctrines of grace that have shaped Reformed theology for centuries. In an age where many struggle with biblical literacy, this book stands as a vital tool for grounding believers in the gospel’s truth. I highly recommend it to pastors, teachers, and all who desire to grow in their knowledge of God and his Word.”

— JOSEPH COY, Senior Pastor, The Bridge Church, Longview, WA

“In a day and age when we desperately need God’s people to stand biblically firm—even in the face of ‘cancel culture’ — this little volume will not only point you to Christ, but also help you apply his transforming truth. Pastor Steele’s excavation of the Heidelberg Catechism will refresh and encourage your soul to ‘… lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us’ (Heb. 12:1). As you engage with the gospel truths found within these pages, I am confident this book will serve you well in your pursuit of Christ and the holiness found only in him.”

— BRYAN PICHURA, Senior Pastor, Mt. Olivet Church, Huron, SD

“What a great little book. David Steele’s, Holy Excavation is a deep dive into the first question of the Heidelberg Catechism. David is able to excavate seven timeless treasures from the answer to this first question. While doing this he also hits on a plethora of topics that are important for Christian living. In the end, David helps us all to remember many timeless truths of the Christian faith and the promises that we have in Jesus.”

— AARON MARSHALL, Ratio Christi Chapter Director, Utah Valley University, Orem, UT

Available now at Amazon.com

Ryle on the Christian Life: Growing in Grace – Andrew Atherstone

Andrew Atherstone, Ryle on the Christian Life: Growing in Grace (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2025), 188 pp.

We live in an age of unprecedented compromise. Courage has been eclipsed by cowardice. Conviction has been highjacked by capitulation. The spirit of syncretism is gaining ground. The bishop of Liverpool, J.C. Ryle (1816-1900) lamented the lack of courage and conviction that characterized so many Christians in the United Kingdom. He bemoaned the cowardice that dominated the theological landscape, especially among young people:

It produces what I must venture to call a ‘jellyfish’ Christianity in the land: that is, a Christianity without bone, or muscle, or power. A jellyfish is a pretty and graceful object when it floats in the sea, contracting and expanding like a little, delicate, transparent umbrella. Yet the same jellyfish, when cast on the shore, is a mere helpless lump, without capacity for movement, self-defense, or self-preservation. Alas! It is a vivid type of much of the religion of the day, of which the leading principle is, ‘No dogma, no distinct tenets, no positive doctrine.’

Ryle on the Christian Life by Andrew Atherstone celebrates the life and legacy of this faithful man. Rather than writing a strict biography, Atherstone draws the attention of readers to the highlights of Ryle’s ministry and his core convictions.

The doctrine of Scripture was the driving force of Ryle’s life. Here is a man who stood on the solid ground of the Bible. He embraced the authority, inerrancy, infallibility, and sufficiency of Scripture throughout his life – and never wavered. Ryle lamented the rampant compromise concerning the Bible in the United Kingdom in the nineteenth century and would be deeply discouraged to see the slide that continues to this day, especially in the UK and America.

Atherstone focuses on Ryle’s orthodox views on sin and salvation. Ryle was never shy about his doctrinal commitments. His allegiance to Reformed theology was proclaimed with passion and faithfulness – in the pulpit and with his pen. He consistently preached about the doctrine of the Trinity. He argued, “that the work of all three Persons in the blessed Trinity, is absolutely and equally needful to the salvation of every saved soul.” Ryle was quick to emphasize the person and work of the Holy Spirit. He maintained that “without the intervention of the Holy Spirit, no one can ever turn to God in repentance and faith.” Ryle’s commitment to an Augustinian theological framework is clear. It is a commitment he maintained throughout his life and ministry.

Ryle was a man of action – and he expected his listeners to follow in his stead. The theme of discipleship reoccurs in his preaching as well as his writing ministry. “Holy practice will not flourish without sound doctrine.” He was concerned that God’s people were doctrinally sound; but doctrine is never alone. He constantly pushed people to move their feet and open their mouths.

Ryle focused on personal sanctification as is evidenced in his well-known book, Holiness. He critiqued the “higher life” movement (also known as Keswick) and focused his attention on the necessity of fighting for holiness. Of course, he believed that the Holy Sprit sanctifies the people of God, but never apart from personal responsibility. The popular moniker, “Let go and let God,” had no place in the vocabulary of J. C. Ryle. He urged Christians to “keep up a perpetual war” against their sins.

Dr. Atherstone also touches on the importance of preaching in Ryle’s life. The bishop of Liverpool held to the indispensability of preaching. His little book, Simplicity in Preaching is a gold mine of information for preachers – a resource that should be read and re-read. The author notes, “He never flagged in his conviction that lively proclamation of the gospel – whether from the pulpit or with the pen – is the God-ordained means of conversion and spiritual growth, essential to reviving the church and establishing healthy Christian disciples.”

The book concludes by drawing the attention of readers to Ryle’s experience with sorrow and affliction, and eventually in death. Ryle is a man who consistently maintained an eternal perspective. He constantly urged the unconverted to repent and believe in Christ for their salvation. He warned unbelievers about eternal judgment. But he also prepared Christians as they chart their path to the heavenly City.

Ryle on the Christian Life is an encouraging and educational read, designed for the man who stands behind the pulpit and anyone seated in the pew. This timely book will encourage the timid, prod the lazy, and challenge every reader. I commend this excellent work, a fitting addition to the Crossway series, Theologians of the Christian Life.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.

Top 10 Books of 2025

2025 was a great year for books. Here are my top ten reads in no particular order.

  1. Meet the Puritans – Joel Beeke, Randall Pederson, and Fraser Jones

Meet the Puritans is exactly what the title suggests.   This powerful book is a second edition, revised and expanded. The new edition includes:

  • 45 New Biographies for a total of 190 English and American Puritans, seventeenth-century Scottish Presbyterians, and Dutch Further Reformation divines.
  • 278 New Summaries of Puritan works, with annotated bibliographies of modern reprints.
  • Comprehensive Revision of the entire previous edition.
  • 200 New Titles Added to the select bibliography of secondary sources.
  • New, Expanded Glossary plus an updated, expanded list of Puritan publishers.

This book is nothing to trifle with.  It is a veritable tome that weighs in at over 1,200 pages.  But readers should not be intimidated by the sheer volume; rather they should make their way through this valuable book, noting key insights and marking Puritan writers they were previously unfamiliar with and delighting in old friends from years gone by.

Meet the Puritans is a labor of love that should be cherished by the church for years to come.  It should be read for its helpful theological insight.  It should be read devotionally.  The contents are bound to equip, encourage, and rebuke.  For me personally, the Puritans have been a deep source of encouragement, especially concerning the nature of God, the promises of God, the sovereignty of God, the lordship of Christ, sanctification, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  Of course, no one surpasses the courage demonstrated by the Puritans as they sought to faithfully live the Christian life in the power of the Spirit.

It is not uncommon for people in our generation to marginalize and malign the Puritans.  Even more disturbing, it is not unusual to find people who caricature the Puritans or assign false motives.  I know of one personally who accused the Puritans of becoming Unitarians!  Much to the contrary, the Puritans were a godly lot who battled sin and believed the promises of God, forever faithful on their pilgrimage to the Celestial City.  Oh, that we would learn the lesson of church history well and seek to emulate the Puritans.  May their love of Christ and his gospel permeate our hearts and minds.  May their hatred of sin enter the arena of our lives.  May their disdain for the triple-headed monster – the world, the flesh, and the devil be weaved into the fabric of our worldviews.  And may their passion for God’s Word and holiness become a part of the warp and woof of our lives.

2. Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation – Matthew Bingham

A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation by Dr. Matthew Bingham is a book for our times. Bingham defines spiritual formation as “the conscious process by which we seek to heighten and satisfy our Spirit-given thirst for God through divinely appointed means and with a view toward working out our own salvation with fear and trembling.” Tragically, many churches have few resources that point parishioners in a God-Centered direction. A Heart Aflame is a step in the right direction.

The author begins by constructing a foundation that will help orient Christians to growing spiritually. At the heart of this foundation is the Bible’s command to “keep the heart.” Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Puritan authors are utilized to drive home the importance of keeping the heart. This involves an intense battle with sin, but also entails fighting for joy. In the end, this activity is designed to push us toward Christian maturity and godliness, or sanctification.

The five solas of the Reformation are reflected upon that serve both the head and the heart. Bingham writes, “If we believe that the Reformation got the gospel right, then we should be equally attentive to the way a Reformation vision of spiritual formation follows from that same understanding of the gospel.”

There is no pitting of the head and the heart in this work, which proves to be one of its greatest strengths. Indeed, as Bingham notes, “the affections of regenerate Christians are primarily stirred through reflecting on God’s truth as revealed in his word.” Thus, we find a marriage of both the head and the heart, which is in keeping with the thought of the New England Puritans.

Bingham carefully unpacks the crucial spiritual practices that God’s Word sets forth for his people to grow in godliness, namely – Bible intake (hearing from God), meditation (reflecting on God), and prayer (responding to God). A chapter for each discipline (which Bingham refers to as the Reformation Triangle) is included that educates and inspires.

A Heart Aflame for God is a much-needed balm for the soul, a book that is sure to warm hearts and ignite minds for the great cause of the gospel.

3. Spurgeon: A Life – Alex DiPrima

Spurgeon: A Life by Alex DiPrima is a pastoral look at the Prince of Preachers. DiPrima opens a refreshing new window on the life and ministry of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. No stone is left unturned. The faithful ministry of a mighty man of God is set forth in a way that is accessible and educational.

4. The Sin of Empathy: Compassion and Its Counterfeits – Joe Rigney

Joe Rigney skillfully cuts through the fog that has settled on the church and academy. Highly recommended.

5. Stockholm Syndrome Christianity: Why Christian Leaders Are Falling – and What We Can Do About It – John G. West

John West alerts readers to the compromise that has crippled Christian Universities.

6. Mark Twain – Ron Chernow

Ron Chernow has done it again. Mark Twain is an illuminating account of an enigmatic figure who continues to capture the imagination of the American mind.

7. The 1916 Project: The Lyin’, the Witch, and the War We’re In – Seth Gruber

Seth Gruber skillfully exposes the lies that undergird the abortion industry.

8. The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777 – Rick Atkinson

The British is Coming is a sweeping account of American history that explores the events leading up to the founding of the most pivotal nation on earth. Required reading for history enthusiasts.

Remembering Heaven: Meditations on the World to Come for Life in the Meantime – Matthew McCullough

Heaven is not only the final resting place for the people of God; it is what they long for the most. Yet, too many times, Christians become fixated on earthly things. Matthew McCullough’s book, Remember Heaven: Meditations on the World to Come for Life in the Meantime is an encouraging reminder to focus on our future home.

McCullough sets the parameters early in the book. He writes, “I want to show that the issue is not whether you love this world and its joys, its people and their needs. The question is whether you have any hope beyond this world and what it has to offer. In other words, he reframes the trajectory for Christians and challenges them to orient their hearts and minds heavenward. He adds, “Heavenly-mindedness is absolutely vital because what we want or expect from our future has a huge effect on our experience in the meantime. We humans are future-oriented creatures whether we like it or not.”

The author argues his case for heaven with skill and biblical fidelity. Seven chapters drive readers deeper into the reality of heaven, each one touching on a theme that resounds with gospel hope. The wisdom of the Puritans saturates this work, which bolsters its credibility and invites a more thorough investigation of our heavenly home.

Remember Heaven is an invitation to “set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col. 3:2).

9. Spies, Lies, and Cybercrime – Eric O’Neil

Scariest book I’ve read in recent memory. Tons of timely wisdom and help for people in a world dominated by tech.

10. The Gospel According to Christmas – Allen Nelson IV

Allen Nelson’s book, The Gospel According to Christmas, is a battering ram to human pride and the pagan notions that have subtly crept into the church. This timely gift shines the light of the biblical gospel through the glorious lens of 1 Peter 2:24 by pointing readers to Jesus, who came to pay the price on the cross for sinners, and rise triumphantly from the grave on the third day.

More Christians Like Calvin

There is a gaping chasm in the evangelical church. This chasm is a result of compromise and capitulation. It is the result of lazy thinking and lethargic living. This chasm has been produced by years of theological neglect, educational apathy, and lackadaisical leadership. The ungodly leaders that have emerged from the church have spawned a new generation of pragmatists which breeds a brand of progressive Christianity that helps no one.

We need more Christians like John Calvin – people whose gaze is Godward. We are in desperate need of leaders who are humble, contrite, and tremble before the Word of God. This is their holy pursuit. We need more Christian leaders like Calvin who trod faithfully on the path the leads to the Celestial City.

I Offer My Heart to God as a Sacrifice

In many respects, we are far removed from Calvin’s day. In April 1538, Calvin was driven out of Geneva when he refused to compromise his biblical convictions, which concerned the administration of the Lord’s Supper. Just over two years later, in October 1540, Calvin was invited back to Geneva by his friend, William Farel. The prospect of returning to this place caused fear to rise within his soul: “There is no place under heaven that I am more afraid of – I would submit to death a hundred times rather than to that cross on which I had to die daily a thousand deaths.”

In a letter addressed to Peter Viret, Calvin refers to Geneva as “that place of torture.” Yet, this godly Reformer was determined to obey God and follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit. His response to Farel vividly shows the mixture of fear and reverence that consumed him: “If I had any choice I would rather do anything than give in to you in this matter, but since I remember that I no longer belong to myself, I offer my heart to God as a sacrifice.”

As Calvin packed his bags and make his way back to Geneva, he penned these words to Farel: “And for myself, I protest that I have no other desire than that, setting aside all consideration of me, they may look only to what is most for the glory of God and the advantage of the Church.” Calvin chose to boldly walk the path of obedience instead of treading on the convenient path of pragmatism. He writes, “Therefore I submit my will and my affections, subdued and held fast, to the obedience of God; and whenever I am at a loss for counsel of my own, I submit myself to those by whom I hope that the Lord himself will speak to me.”

This is exactly what we need in the church today. We need men and women of courage and conviction. We need people of character. We need people who say what they mean and mean what they say. We need nothing less than people who willingly and joyfully submit to the authority of God and his Word. We need more Christians like John Calvin.

In a stirring letter to William Farel dated October 24, 1538, Calvin points his dear friend, Godward: “But since the truth of the Lord remains firm and unshaken, let us stand resolutely upon the watchtower even to the end, until the kingdom of Christ, which is now hidden and obscured, may shine forth.”

We need more Christians like Calvin because his desire was to be Christ-like. Scripture tells us of the single-minded resolve of the Lord Jesus Christ: “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8).

More Alive Than Ever Before

Today is the 461st anniversary of John Calvin’s death. On May 27, 1564, Calvin breathed his last breath. They buried him in a common grave, a final act of humility, fulfilling one of Calvin’s last requests. The earthly life of the Genevan Reformer came to an end. But Calvin’s death only signified the beginning of a new life with his Savior in his heavenly home. D. L. Moody reminds us that death is not the final chapter for a follower of Jesus Christ: “Soon you will read in the newspaper that I am dead. Don’t believe it for a moment. I will be more alive than ever before.”

David W. Hall beautifully summarizes the life of the French reformer. He writes of Calvin: “A single man with heart aflame changed the world.” Calvin’s influence began in Geneva as he faithfully exercised the gifts God bestowed upon him. He taught God’s Word, preached God’s Word, counseled with God’s Word, and shepherded the flock with great care and patience. His pastoral ministry soon spread to the corners of Europe and eventually made its way around the world. His ultimate aim had nothing to do with building his platform or attracting the eye of men. Rather, the aim of Calvin was to glorify the great God of the universe.

A Godward Gaze

John Calvin was a man whose gaze was Godward. His gaze was fixated upon his heavenly home. “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you” (Ps. 73:25). Calvin’s life echoed the words of the psalmist as he gazed heavenward.

Calvin riveted his gaze upon his Savior. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Ps. 73:26). For much of his adult life, Calvin battled poor health. Yet, he continued to gaze upon his Savior. There was no wavering in this man. His faith in Jesus was solid until the end. This man fought the good fight. He finished the race. He kept the faith. And when he entered into his heavenly rest, his gaze was Godward.

Oh, that we would follow the lead of this godly man. May our lives be marked by humility, contrition, and trembling before God’s Word. Then, and only then, will our gaze be Godward.

Soli Deo gloria!

Learn more in my book, A Godward Gaze: The Holy Pursuit of John Calvin.

Counterfeit Kingdom: The Dangers of New Revelation, New Prophets, and New Age Practices in the Church

Holly Pivec and R. Douglas Geivett, Counterfeit Kingdom: The Dangers of New Revelation, New Prophets, and New Age Practices in the Church (Nashville: B&H Publishing, 2022), 257 pp.

Turn on the radio or walk into almost any evangelical church. One of the first things you will hear are songs by Bethel Worship or Jesus Culture. Young people are especially attracted to these songs. The production quality and musicianship is top-notch. The Jesus Culture website says, “Jesus Culture is not a band, but a family with a collection of songs that reflect what God is doing in their church and their lives. The heart of Jesus Culture has always been to not just sing songs, but to encounter God and see lives changed through those encounters.”

Tragically, few people (and few churches) are examining the doctrinal foundations of these ever-popular and growing groups. Both Bethel Worship and Jesus Culture are products of Bethel Church, located in Redding, California. Two authors have researched the Bethel movement and present their findings in Counterfeit Kingdom: The Dangers of New Revelation, New Prophets, and New Age Practices in the Church.

The book narrows its focus on the practices of the so-called New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and the various ways that it influences music and ministry in churches around the world. The authors reveal that more than 3.5 million people in America alone, attend churches that embraced NAR. These churches are governed by so-called “prophets” and “apostles.”

Pivec and Geivett alert readers to the theological infrastructure and polity that governs Bethel Church. They uncover the controversial practices of “angelic slumber,” “grave sucking,” “holy laughter,” “laughter in the Spirit,” “the fire tunnel,” “destiny cards,” “communication with the dead,” and the promotion of the so-called “glory cloud.” These occult activities are not only dangerous; they are expressly forbidden in Scripture (Deut. 18:9-12).

Counterfeit Kingdom includes a series of helpful warnings that Christians must heed when evaluating assertions that come out of churches like Bethel. Also included are the various “control tactics” that are being used to deceive unsuspecting people. The authors encourage Christians to read the Bible broadly and develop basic skills in hermeneutics.

The book discusses biblical revival and helps readers discern what is authentic and synthetic. “In short, revival is measured in terms of obedience and holiness. Anything short of that is a counterfeit,” argues Pivec and Geivett.

The Passion Translation of the Bible is discussed. The authors reveal that it is anything but a translation. “Simmons” (the author) has crafted a Bible that would gladden the heart of a narcissist while slighting the sovereign exercises of God’s will through us.” Thus this erroneous “translation” should be marked and avoided.

One of the most helpful chapters included a discussion of the dangers of Bethel worship, which smuggles in NAR theology. Bethel worship should also be avoided.

Now is the time for followers of Christ to be discerning. We must pay close attention to our life and doctrine. We must carefully evaluate our music and the books we read. Counterfeit Kingdom is a book for our times; one that should be studied and passed along to unsuspecting people.

Wimpy, Weak, and Woke: How Truth Can Save America From Utopian Destruction – John Cooper

John Cooper, Wimpy, Weak, and Woke: How Truth Can Save America From Utopian Destruction (2023), 506 pp.

On November 14, 2023, “Wimpy, Weak, and Woke: How Truth Can Save America From Utopian Destruction,” written by Skillet frontman, John Cooper, hit the shelves. Within a few scant hours, several one-star reviews appeared on Amazon. Since I had already read one-third of the book and benefited from Cooper’s content, I posted a short line on Facebook in a show of support for the book:

Disregard all the petty and cowardly reviews of the new John Cooper book.Wimpy, Weak, and Woke is an important book for followers of Christ to digest and meditate on.

Almost immediately, leftists assaulted my Facebook wall with inflammatory language, targeting both John Cooper and me. Within 48 hours, I received almost three hundred negative responses to my post.

What is it that draws the ire of this small army of protesters? Several themes emerge in Wimpy, Weak, and Woke. First, this book is unashamedly biblical. John Cooper is a man of the Book. He is unwilling to compromise the truth of Scripture. Page after page, he articulates a Christian worldview that is faithful to the testimony of Scripture. For that reason, his critics mock him with vicious criticism and scathing reviews.

Second, Cooper’s writing is bold. This writer pulls no punches. He is quick to tell the truth and is unafraid of confronting the wolves. His writing is reminiscent of J.C. Ryle, who wrote:

Strive to live a courageous life. Confess Christ before men. Whatever station you occupy, in that station confess Christ. Why should you be ashamed of him? He was not ashamed of you on the cross. He is ready to confess you now before his Father in heaven. Why should you be ashamed of him? Be bold. Be very bold. The good soldier is not ashamed of his uniform. The true believer ought never to be ashamed of Christ (Holiness, 302).

Third, Wimpy, Weak, and Woke exposes the lies of the enemy. Mr. Cooper addresses the social justice movement. He confronts cultural Marxism and gnosticism. And he deals with sexual sin directly. Cooper writes, “Do I sound extreme when I say that Marxism and its offshoots are diabolical, demonic, or satanic? Frankly, what I find extreme is how sympathetic modern Christians have become to atheistic worldviews, desperately attempting to find common ground with the doctrine of demons.” He clearly states at the beginning of the book, “This is the woke gospel: salvation through virtue signaling.”

Fourth, this book uncovers the truth about postmodernism and “progressive Christianity.” The ugly underbelly of each movement is revealed, which is moral relativism made popular in our generation. Cooper writes:

Christians have embraced progressivism as a counterfeit way of expanding what they believe is the gospel of the Kingdom. Progressives are attempting to build their perfect world – utopia. When Christians cannot discern the difference between the Kingdom of God and utopia, they get duped into building secular utopia, which often makes them the tip of the spear against utopia’s number one enemy – traditional Christianity.

John Cooper put everything on the line in this book. Clearly, he understands the stakes. He writes, “These days it is the person who is devoted to biblical truth who is accused of being divisive. Those who hold fast to the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God are treated as outdated and retrograde. We are viewed as the religious leaders of Jesus’ day who rejected Him.”

I commend Wimpy, Weak, & Woke to the next generation of Christian leaders. John Cooper will encourage you to be faithful in the Christian life. He will embolden you to stand strong when the persecution is fierce. And he will inspire you to march steadily to the shores of the Celestial City.

Remember Death: The Surprising Path to Living Hope – Matthew McCullough

Matthew McCullough, Remember Death: The Surprising Path to Living Hope (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2018), 185 pp.

The subject of death is off limits in our culture. Sadly, many churches say very little about death. For this reason, Matthew McCullough’s book, Remember Death: The Surprising Path to Living Hope is a much-need tonic.

McCullough guides readers down the pathway to hope by first acknowledging the reality of death. He establishes this trajectory early in the book:

Before you long for a life that is imperishable, you must accept that you are perishing along with everyone you care about. You must recognize. that anything you might accomplish or acquire in this world is already fading away. Only then will you crave the unfading glory of what Jesus has accomplished and acquired for you. And you need to recognize you are going to lose everything you love in this world before you will hope in an inheritance kept in heaven for you.

One of the great strengths of Remember Death is facing the subject without equivocation. McCullough writes, “Death is an intrusion into the perfect world of the Creator designed by that same Creator to make a point. Death is a punishment for human pride. It exposes our foolish confidence in our freedom to be whoever we want to be.” But the reader is never left dangling. At every juncture, hope is offered and the vista of heaven is on the horizon.

Ultimately, death reveals what awaits each one of God’s elect, a heavenly home, where sin is extinguished forever. The author returns to this theme throughout the book by directing the reader’s attention to the Word of God, his promises, and the triumphant gospel of Jesus Christ.

Remember Death is a much-needed antidote to the pragmatism and man-centeredness that pervades the church. I commend it without reservation.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.

Spineless: Restoring Courage and Conviction to the People of God

For a limited time, the Kindle version of Spineless: Restoring Courage and Conviction to the People of God is available for only $2.99.

The book addresses the insipid kind of “Christianity” that has subtly slipped into the church. It carefully diagnoses the decline of Christian courage and traces its tragic demise. The book sets forth a carefully crafted plan for recovering lost ground in our generation. And it presents biblical strategies for restoring our spiritual muscle and sets a course for moving forward with bold courage and conviction in a world that is hostile to the historic Christian faith.

Endorsements

“Every generation of church history demonstrates that the people of God must exercise courage and conviction in order to pass on the truth to the next. In our own generation, we have seen countless men and women capitulate God’s truth in exchange for cultural relevancy. Spineless is the manifesto we so desperately need. Thoroughly biblical, David Steele has served the church well by setting courage and conviction as the necessary virtues that will ensure that believers never surrender the high ground of God’s truth in Christ.”

–DR. DUSTIN BENGE, Provost and Professor of Church History, Union School of Theology, Bridgend, Wales

“Spineless is a call for courageous and convictional Christianity in the midst of an evangelicalism that is often more prone to capitulation than to fearless proclamation Author David Steele, identifies the problems afflicting both the church and the world but he is not content to simply “curse the darkness”; he shines the light back to the path of courageous Christianity. The need is great. The stakes are high. The time is now to stand up for truth and to stand confidently on God’s inerrant Word. Steele skillfully utilizes history, theology, and worldview scholarship as he illustrates the biblical call to courage. This book is biblical, timely, and needed. You will learn, grow, and be challenged to a life of courageous faithfulness. I recommend this excellently written work.”

–DR. RAY RHODES, JR., Author of Yours, Till Heaven: The Untold Love Story of Charles and Susie Spurgeon and Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon.

“This is a timely call from Pastor Steele to avoid, in a time of great opposition to the Christian faith, the sin Christians fall into of passivity and cowardice. It is a helpful reminder of the importance of staying rooted in Scripture and being helped by the example of heroes of the faith, like the OT prophets, the apostles, the Reformers, the Huguenots, and the Puritans. Also being instructed by theologians like Luther, Calvin, Bavinck, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, J.I. Packer, C. S. Lewis, Francis Schaeffer and Al Mohler in his book, The Gathering Storm. Specifically, strong Christians must settle the matter of worldviews, and be aware of the stark contrast between biblical Christianity and false religious and philosophical systems of our day, knowing that only the Christian worldview is sufficient.”

–DR. PETER JONES, Director, TruthXchange; author of The Other Worldview, Escondido, CA

“My comrade in ministry has hit another home run with this book. One of the most detrimental quotes attributed to Francis of Assisi so many Christians have latched onto is the saying, “Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary, use words.” Dr. Steele balances this ancient pragmatism with the facts that those who have most, and will most transform society are those who know the Word, are convinced and convicted of its authority and truth, and apply it daily in their thoughts, hearts, actions and proclamation of the gospel. Never more than today do we need men and women of conviction that know their Bibles and proclaim and live its message boldly with grace and truth. Thanks again, Dr. Steele for such a motivational manifesto to be theologically and theocentrically courageous in our time by speaking and proclaiming the gospel clearly and loudly.”

–DR. DAVID P. CRAIG, Lead Pastor, Valley Baptist Church, San Rafael, CA

“In his latest book, Spineless: Restoring Courage and Conviction to the People of God, David Steele takes readers by the hand and guides them as only a pastor-theologian par excellence can into the rich soil of biblical-theological convictions that will help shape their lives. In our day, we need Christians who are unafraid of the truth and unashamed to stand upon God’s Word. David, in this work not only gives the correct diagnosis, but the remedy to the ills of why many Christians lack a backbone by steadying our gaze upon the biblical text and the person and work of Jesus Christ. By doing so, he helps his readers discover from the Bible and Church History how men and women of God have stood upon the truth of God’s Word with courage and conviction. Wherever you are at in your walk with the Lord and whatever station you have in the church reading, Spineless will help you grow and be shaped by the Word of God, for a life lived under the gaze of God, for the glory of God.”

–DAVE JENKINS, Executive Director, Servants of Grace Ministries, Executive Editor, Theology for Life Magazine, Host, Equipping You in Grace, Teacher, Servants of Grace and Warrior of Grace Podcasts

“Drawing from the rich legacy of bold and courageous men of church history, and chock-full of sound biblical teaching, Spineless is a must read for all Christians who desire to boldly live with courage and conviction in an age of timidity and rampant compromise.”

–JEREMY PICKENS, Senior Pastor, Good Shepherd Church, Ferndale, WA

“I not only highly recommend this book to you, but just as importantly, its author. Dr. David Steele doesn’t just write words well, he lives them out. His character is worthy of emulating and his writings should be read and reflected on. We need more men like Pastor Steele, men of Gospel grit, who confront our age’s spinelessness with courage and boldness.”

–BRYAN PICHURA, Senior Pastor, Mount Olivet Church, Huron, SD

“The negative effects of pride and domineering church leadership have been well documented, but not enough has been said and written about the perils of cowardice and passivity. Drawing from Scripture, church history, and personal life experience, Dr. David Steele pens a well-researched book for Christians to get serious about being men and women of courage. The amount of relevant church history references in this book is stunning. It’s the kind of book that will be particularly suitable for young Christians.”

–DAVID QAOUD, Associate Pastor, Blogger, Bethesda Evangelical Church, St. Louis, MO gospelrelevance.com

Available now on Amazon

Remember Heaven – Matthew McCullough

Matthew McCullough, Remember Heaven: Meditations on the World to Come for Life in the Meantime (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2025), 157 pp.

Heaven is not only the final resting place for the people of God; it is what they long for the most. Yet, too many times, Christians become fixated on earthly things. Matthew McCullough’s book, Remember Heaven: Meditations on the World to Come for Life in the Meantime is an encouraging reminder to focus on our future home.

McCullough sets the parameters early in the book. He writes, “I want to show that the issue is not whether you love this world and its joys, its people and their needs. The question is whether you have any hope beyond this world and what it has to offer. In other words, he reframes the trajectory for Christians and challenges them to orient their hearts and minds heavenward. He adds, “Heavenly-mindedness is absolutely vital because what we want or expect from our future has a huge effect on our experience in the meantime. We humans are future-oriented creatures whether we like it or not.”

The author argues his case for heaven with skill and biblical fidelity. Seven chapters drive readers deeper into the reality of heaven, each one touching on a theme that resounds with gospel hope. The wisdom of the Puritans saturates this work, which bolsters its credibility and invites a more thorough investigation of our heavenly home.

John Bunyan offers this stunning insight as he describes the travelers in The Pilgrim’s Progress at the end of their journey:

Thus therefore they walked on together; and as they walked, ever and anon these trumpeters, even with joyful sound, would, by mixing their music with looks and ges-tures, still signify to Christian and his brothers how welcome they were into their company, and with what gladness they came to meet them.

Remember Heaven is an invitation to “set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col. 3:2).

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.

A Christian Reading Manifesto: A New Resurgence of Learning

For a limited time, the Kindle version of A Christian Reading Manifesto by David Steele is only $2.99!

Reading is a discipline that allows us to explore new frontiers and supercharge our intimacy with God. It is one of God’s appointed means of helping us grow in our knowledge of Christ and love for him. Yet many Christians are reluctant to read and as a result, are spiritually malnourished.

A Christian Reading Manifesto is a brief rationale and apologetic for Christ-followers. It is both a challenge and an invitation to enter the world of reading to help accelerate sanctification and Christian growth.

Endorsements

“Dr. David Steele is a reader! I don’t know another person as deeply committed to a daily, disciplined pattern of reading and learning as this seasoned pastor and author. His new book, A Christian Reading Manifesto: A New Resurgence of Learning, is designed to help other Christians embark on a literary journey. Steele begins by pointing out how reading fuels our minds for productive thinking and ignites our hearts with a greater love for God. Recognizing the obstacles which hamper serious reading, the author offers helpful insights on how to avoid the lure of digital media and mind-numbing images. I was personally motivated by his encouragement to read ‘with the aim of becoming a lifelong learner.’ The ‘added value’ of Steele’s book is a list, categorized topically, of books he has read and recommends. This bibliography is a treasure that is worth the price of the book! I enthusiastically endorse and recommend David Steele’s, A Christian Reading Manifesto.”

— DR. J. CARL LANEY, Professor Emeritus, Western Seminary, Portland, OR; author of The Divorce Myth.

“Dr. Steele provides a fresh look at an age-old idea: that believers should know what they believe and prioritize their lives accordingly. A Christian Reading Manifesto is a must-read for any believer making an effort to reorient their lives toward that which matters: to return to the purer and baser points of spirituality, to take their souls seriously, to remind themselves that there are resources that have been and are being neglected, and to love God with all of their minds. I highly recommend Dr. Steele’s work and will be recommending it to my congregation.”

— DR. DANNY GARDNER, Senior Pastor, Highland Baptist Church, Westminster, CO

“As a Christian Educator, I am grateful for Dr. Steele’s faithfulness to doctrinal truth, the written Word and the great books of the faith. A Christian Reading Manifesto is a timely and compelling call to action that inspires the next generation of Christians to sharp eyes, soft hearts and sanctified minds.

I had the blessing and honor of studying school leadership under David Steele’s father. David continues his father’s legacy of clear, faithful teaching that balances faith, excellence and scholarship. This book is a clear reflection of those values. I want to encourage you to prayerfully join Dr. Steele in his celebration and call to become a Christian reader!”

— BOB RUHLMAN, Superintendent of Schools, Christian Unified Schools, El Cajon, CA

“Whether you are new to the Christian faith or a seasoned saint, I encourage you to read A Christian Reading Manifesto. Your mind will be enriched, your heart will be encouraged, and your feet will be set to action as you are exhorted to put into practice what you’ve read, while continuing in your journey of studying sound Christian literature. A Christian Reading Manifesto is a treasure to help you to grow in your discernment so that your faith can be Word-grounded and Word-shaped in this present age.”

— DAVE JENKINS, Executive Director, Servants of Grace Ministries, Executive Editor, Theology for Life, Host and Producer, Equipping You in Grace, and Contending for the Word; author of Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime.

Pick up your copy of A Christian Reading Manifesto today!