Veritas et Lux

Tim Challies and Josh Byers. Visual Theology: Seeing and Understanding the Truth About God. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Books, 2016. 155 pp. $10.60

Visual Theology: Seeing and Understanding the Truth About God is the highly anticipated book by Tim Challies and Josh Byers. This is an absolutely beautiful book! The larger than life cover welcomes readers to dive headlong into the journey of grace. A quick glance through the book will reveal colorful infographics that attract the eye and lead the heart in a Godward direction. It truly is a stunning display of graphics that will no doubt, receives rave reviews.

The book is arranged in four sections:

Grow Close to Christ
Understand the Work of Christ
Become Like Christ
Live for Christ

Visual Theology attempts to communicate the basics of biblical doctrine. It provides readers with a stunning visual introduction to the Christian faith. It is an invaluable aid to Christians who are beginning their journey into grace. But it will benefit longtime believers as well. Readers will receive encouragement that will serve them well as they are nurtured and strengthened, all for the purpose of Christian health, growth, and maturity.

The Importance of Theology

One of the great strengths of Visual Theology is the stress that Challies and Byers place on theology. Challies adds, “Doctrine is never meant to be a cold pursuit of the facts, but a red-hot pursuit of the living God that leads to joyful obedience.” Doctrine should captivate Christ-followers, not make them weary:

Doctrine is meant to amaze you as you encounter the sheer power and magnitude of God. It will astonish you with the awful sinfulness of mankind. It will humble you with your own insignificance apart from God and yet your sheer significance in his plan of redemption. It will move you with the incredible mercy of God as expressed in sending his Son to die for you and with the amazing grace of God as expressed in sending his Spirit to dwell within you. It will swell your heart with hope for Christ’s coming return.

Visual Theology reaffirms the central role that theology should have in the life of every believer. But the authors rightly stress the need for the application of theology, as well. The final two sections of the book are a vivid reminder that theology is meant to be lived.

Chapters 6 and 7 describe the essential activity of “putting off” and “putting on.” Indeed, these chapters are worth the price of the book as Challies and Byers alert readers to the contribution of the great Puritan, John Owen. In the matter of sanctification, this work mirrors what John Owen proposes in his massive work, Sin and Temptation (Volume 6). This book brings Owen’s treatment of sin and sanctification to a level that any Christian can understand and immediately make use of the material in the Christian life. Owen famously says, “Be killing sin or sin will be killing you.” These authors help readers actually do it!

The strengths of Visual Theology are wide and varied. This work is intensely gospel-centered, Christ-saturated, and Bible-based. It is practical. The infographics catapult this book into the stratosphere – blending the best of systematic theology with the artistic genius of Josh Byers. The best gospel resources are commended along the way, giving readers a helpful tool to continue the process of Christian growth.

I commend Visual Theology which is the perfect blend of truth and beauty. May God use this creative work to strengthen and edify many people in the days ahead. Well done, Tim and Josh!

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

CORNERED IN A CASTLE: THE RESOLVE OF MARTIN LUTHER

The Protestant Reformers were men of unbending principle. They were men of unyielding conviction. These men fought relentlessly for the truth. Some of the battle took place privately as godly men wrote books and treatises, which magnified the mighty work of the gospel.

The story is well-known about how Frederick the Wise arranged to have Martin Luther “kidnapped” and secretly transported from the city of Worms to the Wartburg castle where the Protestant Reformer would spend the next ten months in seclusion. These days were spent largely in isolation under the pseudonym, Junker Jörg.

Luther made good use of his time at Wartburg, translating the Greek New Testament into German, the language of the people. Leather spent hour after hour, laboring over the text and translating God’s Word for the common man. Soon, thousands of people would read the Word of God in their mother tongue for the first time. They would hear the Word of God thunder from the pulpit in their heart language.

After his brief stop in Wartburg, Luther made his way back to Wittenberg where his reformation efforts continued. Indeed, the Reformation tides continued to swell as the Word of God grew and people were transformed by God’s Spirit.

For more on this topic, see David Steele’s new book, Bold Reformer: Celebrating the Gospel-Centered Convictions of Martin Luther.

Dr. David Steele is the Senior Pastor at Christ Fellowship in Everson, Washington.

REFORMATION THOUGHT – Alistair McGrath (1988)

Alistair McGrath. Reformation Thought: An Introduction. Oxford: Blackwell, 1988. 285 pp. $40.54

Reformation Thought: An Introduction by Alistair McGrath explores the fascinating contours of the sixteenth century. The author helps readers understand the historical, cultural, and theological context of the events that led up the Protestant Reformation.

McGrath guides readers on a fascinating Reformation tour and overviews key areas such as justification by faith, predestination, Scripture, and the sacraments.

There is much to commend about this excellent work. Pastors, students, and theologians will greatly benefit from McGrath’s work.

RECOVERING THE REFORMATION

Today, you will have an opportunity to pick up Stephen Nichol’s excellent book, Martin Luther: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought (2002) for $1.99.

Students of the Reformation will also want to pick up my new book, Bold Reformer: Celebrating the Gospel-Centered Convictions of Martin Luther. Here’s a brief sample:

The Protestant Reformers were men of unbending principle. They were men of unyielding conviction. These men fought relentlessly for the truth. Some of the battle took place privately as godly men wrote books and treatises, which magnified the mighty work of the gospel. Much of the battle, however, took place in public as the reformers made their bold ascent into the pulpit. Lines were drawn, the Word of God was declared, and lives were forever changed.

Oh, that we would recover the spirit of the Protestant Reformers in our day. May our pulpits reflect the great truths that Luther boldly proclaimed. May the great Name of Jesus be exalted in our generation.

Soli Deo gloria!

A Peculiar Glory

John Piper. A Peculiar Glory. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2016. 302 pp. $20.98

How is the Bible confirmed by the peculiar glory of God? This critical question is addressed in John Piper’s latest book, A Peculiar Glory. The book is written to nourish and edify followers of Christ and help bring clarity on the matter of biblical authority. Yet, initial reviews are troubling. One critic accuses Piper of “circular reasoning and arrogance.” In a Christianity Today review, Jason Byassee laments a “lack of charity” in Piper’s new book. And while he affirms that liberals and mainline denominations need “Christ-centered, biblically attentive doctrines of Scripture,” he doubles down in his critical review of Piper. “This book doesn’t quite fit that need” argues Byassee. I will argue, much to the contrary that not only does Piper succeed, he does it with grace, unmatched skill. Indeed, this work will leave a significant mark that will be difficult to surpass.

Peculiar Glory gives readers an inside look into the words of the Westminster Larger Catechism (Question 4): “The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the word of God, by … the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God.”

Readers will discover the glory that occupies Piper’s attention (and should occupy ours as well) is the glory of Jesus Christ. Piper argues there is “an essence or a center or a dominant peculiarity in the way God glorifies himself in Scripture.” He observes that God glorifies himself in “working for those who wait for him, through fulfilled prophecy, the miracles of Jesus, and through Scripture-shaped lives of radical love. That dominant peculiarity is the revelation of God’s majesty through meekness.” And in the final analysis, we learn that the most intense aspect of God’s glory shines brightest in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, who has died for sinners and was raised and seated at the right hand of God the Father.

Piper’s conclusion is simple: “The Bible has final authority over every area of our lives and that we should, therefore, try to bring all our thinking and feeling and acting into line with what the Bible teaches.” He admits this is a massive claim of epic proportions:

The Bible is not the private charter of a faith community among other faith communities. It is a total claim on the whole world. God, the creator owner, and governor of the world, has spoken. His words are valid and binding on all people everywhere. That is what it means to be God. And to our astonishment, his way of speaking with unique, infallible authority in the twenty-first century is through a book. One book. Not many. That is the breathtaking declaration of the Christian Scriptures.

Piper’s concluding argument is laced with precision and resolve:

Only the divine ‘light of the gospel of the glory of Christ’ transforms the soul. Only divine light yields certainty that secures the soul for a life of love through the worst sufferings. Only the sight of God’s glory in his inspired word gives certainty to the simplest and the most educated person.

I commend A Peculiar Glory to followers of Christ who want to gain a deeper understanding of God’s word. This book will no doubt ground many believers in the deep soil of God’s grace and help nourish many souls so that God’s peculiar glory will manifest itself in their lives.

RAISING UP GODLY ELDERS

Bob Thune. Gospel Eldership. Greensboro: New Growth Press, 2016. 144 pp. $14.99

Everything rises or falls with good leadership. The fruitfulness and effectiveness of the local church is dependent upon men who exert strong, humble, and God-centered leadership. Weak men spawn weak churches. But men who living according to God’s mandate are a part of churches that thrive and produce spiritual fruit to the glory of God.

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer; he desires a noble task.” So says the apostle Paul in his letter to Timothy. Raising up biblical elders was a challenge in the first-century church. It continues to pose a tremendous challenge in our day as well. There are numerous resources that help equip biblical elders. The most notable resource is Biblical Eldership by Alexander Strauch.

However, Robert Thune’s excellent work, Gospel Eldership: Equipping a New Generation of Servant Leaders serves as a suitable companion and will no doubt be greatly used by God in the days to come.

The thesis is clear enough: “And is it not true that for a church to go deep in the gospel, its leaders must be deep in the gospel? That’s the vision and the goal behind Gospel Eldership.”

So the author presents ten lessons that provide a workable platform to train prospective elders and nurture the faith of men who currently serve as elders.

Description of an Elder
Section one discusses biblical eldership at a grassroots level. The author explores the importance of servant leadership, examines the necessity of a plurality of leadership, and walks readers through the various character qualifications the make up an elder.

Duties of Elders
Section two focusses on the important duties of elders. Elders are called upon to feed, lead, protect, and care for the church. In addition, Mr. Thune discusses the necessity of leadership that is missional and also touches on some temptations that emerge in missional leaders.

The first thing readers will notice in this work is the short, readable chapters. Each lesson is packed with biblical wisdom that point readers to the gospel. Discussion questions are included along with exercises that help apply the biblical principles. There is much to commend in Thune’s work. But the highlight of this book is found in its repeated emphasis on the gospel. The author sets his sights on the heart of the reader. It is clear from beginning to end that the aim is heart transformation in every elder.

I highly recommend Gospel Eldership and look forward to hearing about how it encourages Christian leaders around the world.

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

BOLD REFORMER: Celebrating the Gospel-Centered Convictions of Martin Luther – David S. Steele

On April 1, 2016 my new book, Bold Reformer will be available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, and Booksamillon.com. Here’s a brief summary:

On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed the ninety-five theses to the castle door in Wittenberg. One act of courage sparked a theological firestorm in Germany that set the world ablaze in a matter of days. Spreading like wildfire, thousands were introduced to the gospel which is received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

Bold Reformer: Celebrating the Gospel-Centered Convictions of Martin Luther takes readers on a journey through a remarkable period of church history. It will challenge contemporary readers to learn the lessons of courage, and perseverance. It will inspire a new generation of people to follow Jesus, obey Jesus, and worship the Savior with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. It invites a new generation of Christ-followers to recover the gospel in their generation and make their stand as a bold reformer.

Bold Reformer is born out of personal pastoral turmoil and inspired by the courage of Martin Luther. My hope is that many pastors, Christian leaders and Christ-followers will be encouraged as a result of reading this book; that God will propel them into the future by his grace and for his glory.

Soli Deo gloria!

MASTERING THE ART OF FREAKING OUT

Lance Hahn, How to Live in Fear: Mastering the Art of Freaking Out. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2016. 2034 pp. $10.35

How to Live in Fear: Mastering the Art of Freaking Out by Lance Hahn is a book that addresses a variety of fears, including various anxiety disorders. The book is arranged in three parts and is summarized below:

Part 1: My Story
In Part one, the author shares in some detail his personal battle with fear and anxiety. He should be commended for the depth of transparency and his willingness to share his struggles with readers. He should be especially acknowledged for his willingness to share his battles as a pastor.

Part 2: Our Journey Together
In Part two, Lance Hahn discusses some of the root causes of fear and anxiety. He reveals how our false assumptions lead to unwanted fears which typically begin to spiral out of control.
The author includes a helpful section on the pros and cons of medication, a controversial topic that some Christ-followers are simply unwilling to discuss. I found Hahn’s comments illuminating and thoughtful.

Finally, Pastor Hahn includes some meaningful suggestions on how to steal clear from the pit of fear and anxiety. He urges readers to discipline their thoughts and focus on the needs of other people. The benefits of exercise and the habit of journaling are explored, among other things.

Part 3: The Journey With Our Father
Part three leads readers to the ultimate solution which is found in a faith walk with Christ. The attributes of God are explained and readers are encouraged to dig deep into Scripture. The author encourages readers with a basic treatment of the sovereignty of God. The author concludes by presenting what he refers to as the three truths to treasure, namely – 1) God loves you and cares for you, 2) God is in charge, and 3) God has not abandoned you.

Summary
One of the biggest challenges of writing reviews of Christian books is being charitable to the author but also providing honest feedback for potential readers. So I’ll be honest: I struggled a bit through this book. The author is a good writer and his transparency is refreshing. He is unafraid (irony?) of revealing who he is and is more than willing to share his personal struggles, not only with his congregation but also with his readers. This truly is one of the stronger points in the book. In being willing to sympathize with readers, he invites them to participate in the drama of anxiety. No doubt, many will be encouraged by this approach.

It is true that in part three, Pastor Hahn leads fellow strugglers to the only real hope, which is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Readers are encouraged to rely on Christ alone. My hope is that the gospel would have been emphasized more; that the benefits of the cross would have been explored and applied in greater detail, in order to serve people who battle with fear and anxiety.

As I completed the book, my thoughts turned to new believers who would benefit from Hanh’s book. It truly is an entry-level book for people who struggle with issues that pertain to fear and anxiety. So in the final analysis, I could recommend How to Live in Fear provided they move on to other resources that unpack the gospel with greater clarity. A few recommended resources include When I Am Afraid by Ed Welch, Spiritual Depression and Let Not Your Heart by Troubled by Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and Spurgeon’s Sorrows by Zach Eswine.

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

3.5 stars

LESSONS FROM A HOSPITAL BED – John Piper

John Piper, Lessons From a Hospital Bed. Wheaton: Crossway, 2016. 77 pp. $7.99

Lessons From a Hospital Bed by John Piper is a book for sick people. It is a book for people who face the prospect of death. That is to say, it is a book that deserves to be read by all people. For each of us are plagued by the curse of the fall (Rom. 5:12). And while we may enjoy a measure of health, each of us will stare death in the face at some point.

Lessons From a Hospital Bed grew out of two specific experiences the author had after being hospitalized himself. In Part 1, Dr. Piper discusses ten beliefs that he brought to the hospital:

1. The Bible is the Word of God and should be trusted.
2. God is good.
3. God is wise and knows everything.
4. God is totally in control.
5. Sin is the ugly origin of ugly disease.
6. Jesus Christ died and rose to save sinners.
7. Sickness is not God’s first design or final plan for this world.
8. Satan is real and cruel but not in control.
9. Healing is possible now and certain later.
10. Your life and your illness are not meaningless.

Piper presents each principle is a few short pages and provides the supporting biblical rationale for readers to consider. Indeed, these beliefs are rock-solid biblical pillars that every believer needs to revisit on a regular basis.

In Part 2, the author includes ten principles that he learned in his brief stay in a hospital bed. These principles truly get to the heart of the matter. They are practical and challenging and help encourage a robust biblical faith.

I commend Piper’s work to all people and trust that this little book will be received well. Each of us will face the grave one day. Piper’s work is sure to encourage people as they make their way to the Celestial City!