I place books on church history in two distinct categories – boring or breathtaking. The Unquenchable Flame: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation by Michael Reeves is of the later sort. The Puritan, Richard Sibbes called the Reformation “that fire which all the world shall never be able to quench.” Reeves is careful to keepContinue reading “THE UNQUENCHABLE FLAME: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation – Michael Reeves (2009)”
Author Archives: davidsteele1966
SCANDALOUS:The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus – D.A. Carson (2010)
Don Carson writes good books. His new book, Scandalous is no exception. The essays in Scandalous are the fruit of Carson’s work at the 2008 Resurgence conference at Mars Hill in Seattle. Carson recounts the story of the cross of Christ and his resurrection with the clarity and insightfulness that we have grown to expectContinue reading “SCANDALOUS:The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus – D.A. Carson (2010)”
SPURGEON AND THE TRUTH OF GOD
“The doctrine which is now rejected as the effete theory of Puritans and Calvinists will yet conquer human thought and reign supreme. As surely as the sun which sets tonight shall rise tomorrow as the predestined hour, so shall the truth of God shine forth over the whole earth.” – C.H. Spurgeon Cited in IainContinue reading “SPURGEON AND THE TRUTH OF GOD”
THE GOOD NEWS WE ALMOST FORGOT: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism – Kevin DeYoung (2010)
I was first introduced to Kevin DeYoung back in 2008 when I read Why We’re Not Emergent. I found his follow-up book, Why We Love the Church exceptional. The Good News We Almost Forgot is no exception. DeYoung carefully unpacks the Heidelberg Catechsim, first published in 1563. The Catechism is primarily an overview of theContinue reading “THE GOOD NEWS WE ALMOST FORGOT: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism – Kevin DeYoung (2010)”
PASTOR DAD: Scriptural Insights on Fatherhood – Mark Driscoll (2009)
Pastor Dad by Mark Driscoll is a short and straightforward book for dads. Driscoll brings his typical no-nonsense approach to the Christian life and applies his witty and biblical approach to parenting. This short but powerful book begins where every book on parenting ought to begin, with God. Driscoll rightly says, “The first thing weContinue reading “PASTOR DAD: Scriptural Insights on Fatherhood – Mark Driscoll (2009)”
WORLDLINESS: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World – C.J. Mahaney, Ed. (2008)
Scripture warns, “Do not love the world or the things of the world” (1 John 2:15, ESV). This same warning is found throughout C.J. Mahaney’s, Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World. Mahaney is quick to point out, “Today, the greatest challenge facing American evangelicals is not persecution from the world, but seduction byContinue reading “WORLDLINESS: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World – C.J. Mahaney, Ed. (2008)”
NO CREED BUT CHRIST
One of the most genuine and repeated phrases I hear again and again is “No creed but Christ.” It sounds slick. It sounds trendy. It even sounds biblical and evangelical. However, I believe it is time to rethink this so-called Christian mantra. Initially, the slogan seems innocent enough. It appears to give Christ his properContinue reading “NO CREED BUT CHRIST”
JONATHAN EDWARDS: LOVER OF GOD – Owen Strachan and Doug Sweeney (2010)
Jonathan Edwards: Lover of God is the first installment in a series of five by Owen Strachan and Doug Sweeney. The Essential Edwards Collection includes additional works on beauty, heaven and hell, the good life, and true Christianity. If you have never met Jonathan Edwards before or if you are familiar with the name butContinue reading “JONATHAN EDWARDS: LOVER OF GOD – Owen Strachan and Doug Sweeney (2010)”
HERESY: A History of Defending the Truth – Alistair McGrath (2009)
Heresy: A History of Defending the Truth, by Alister McGrath is a detailed overview of the progression of heresy in the church. Part one defines heresy and provides a helpful summary of the origins of the idea of heresy. “The essential feature of heresy is that it is not unbelief (rejection of the core beliefsContinue reading “HERESY: A History of Defending the Truth – Alistair McGrath (2009)”
THE GOSPEL AND THE CROSS
“Justification is first and foremost about the vindication of God. God simultaneously preserves his justice while justifying the ungodly. That is the heart of the gospel … Do you want to see the greatest evidence of the love of God? Go to the cross. Do you want to see the greatest evidence of the justiceContinue reading “THE GOSPEL AND THE CROSS”
Veritas et Lux 