WHAT CAN I DO WITH MY GUILT? – R.C. Sproul (2011)

I cannot think of anyone who has done more to bring Reformed theology to center-stage than R.C. Sproul.  This rock of the Christian faith has a unique way of communicating challenging theological concepts in understandable ways. His teaching gift is evident in his little book, What Can I Do With My Guilt?

Sproul distinguishes between guilt and guilt feelings.  He challenges readers to honestly evaluate the depth of their guilt and to recognize the chasm between the sinners’ guilt and the holiness of God.

The author surfaces some popular ways that people tend to deal with guilt.  Some deny their guilt.  Others rationalize their behavior.  Sproul warns, “In God’s court, we’re guilty, and nothing we can say can change it.  It is absolutely futile for any human being to attempt to justify himself or herself before God.”  Still others seek to make restitution via acts of penance.

Finally, Sproul presents the cure for guilt.  Of course, the cure is forgiveness found in the merits of Christ and banking one’s hope in his life, death, burial, and resurrection from the dead.  The crucial question concerns the gospel which promises hope for anyone who believes and turns from their sin.

Sometimes short books can catch a reader by surprise.  This book will undoubtedly shock many a reader.  Some readers will be horrified by Sproul’s candor and the cure he presents.  But others will be blessed and shocked to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.  One wonders – what will your response be?

UNDERSTANDING THE BIG PICTURE OF THE BIBLE – Wayne Grudem, Ed. (2012)

Understanding the Big Picture of the Bible, edited by Wayne Grudem is the resource that I needed as a first year Bible College student in the 80’s.  The introduction by Vern Poythress is worth the price of the book.  Dr. Poythress reveals the storyline of the Bible and skillfully unfolds God’s plan for redemptive history: “The Bible … makes it clear that God has a unified plan for all of history.  His ultimate purpose, ‘a plan for the fullness of time,’ is ‘to unite all things in him [Christ], things in heaven and things on earth’ (Eph. 1:10), ‘to the praise of his glory’ (Eph. 1:12).  He continues, “The work of Christ on earth, and especially his crucifixion and resurrection, is the climax of history; it is the great turning point at which God actually accomplished the salvation toward which history had been moving throughout the Old Testament.”

Poythress introduces Christ in the Old Testament and the promises of God.  He reveals a fundamental assumption of the Old Testament, namely – that Christ would redeem a people for his own possession and make all things new.  The author affirms that Scripture “directly points forward through promises of salvation and promises concerning God’s commitment to his people.”

Warnings and curses are set forth: “Christ at his second coming wars against sin and exterminates it.  The second coming and the consummation are the time when the final judgment against sin is executed.”  Additionally, Poythress points to the covenants.  He adds,  “God’s commitment takes the form of promises, blessings, and curses.  The promises and blessings point forward to Christ, who is the fulfillment of the promises and the source of the final blessings.  The curses point forward to Christ both in his bearing the curse and in his execution of judgment and curse against sin, especially at the second coming.”

The author continues to show how Christ fulfills the promise set forth in the Old Tesatment.  This overview of the Bible’s storyline is the perfect set up for the rest of the book.  A top-notch host of scholars write from a conservative viewpoint; theologians that include the likes of Thomas Schreiner, Paul House, and Dennis Johnson, to name a few.  Part one summarizes the theology of the Old Testament.  Part two walks readers through the background to the New Testament, including a brief discussion on period between the Testaments.  Finally, part three examines the theology of the New Testament.

This work would be an appropriate place to begin for Bible College students or readers unfamiliar with the flow of Biblical history.  The discussion is simple enough to read for beginners but is challenging enough for readers who are versed in redemptive history.

A TALE OF TWO SONS – John MacArthur (2008)

A Tale of Two Sons by John MacArthur is a rich retelling of one of Jesus’ most popular parables – the parable of the prodigal son.  MacArthur unpacks this powerful parable with typical skill.

Details of the parable are explained.  Misconceptions are cleared.  The horror of sin exposed.  The hypocrisy of the Pharisees’ is revealed. The drama of redemption is celebrated. And the primary aim is articulated, namely – that sinners (both prodigals and elder brothers) would turn to Christ for forgiveness by grace alone through faith alone.

4 stars

DEAR TIMOTHY: Letters on Pastoral Ministry – Tom Ascol, Ed (2004)

Dear Timothy: Letters on Pastoral Ministry, edited by Tom Ascol includes twenty mock letters to a new pastor.  Each letter is meant to inspire, educate, motivate, and admonish.  Letters are written by seasoned pastors who have “run the bases” of pastoral ministry multiple times.  Topics include matters of character, theological conviction, preaching, evangelism, worship, training, discipleship, among other things.

While Dear Timothy is geared to rookie pastors, it is sure to encourage experienced pastors as well.  This is a tremendous resource that should be reviewed consistently.  The advice is timeless.  Pastors will only be strengthened and edified by reading this work.

4 stars

JEREMY LIN: FAITH, JOY, AND BASKETBALL – Ted Cluck (2012)

Yesterday, I was listening to sports radio and the host commented, “The NFL has never been more popular.”  Indeed, sports is an important part of American culture.  Yet fewer and fewer athletes are worth emulating these days.  Multi-million dollar contracts eclipse the need to demonstrate character on and off the field.  More and more athletes are picking up where Charles Barkley left off in the 80’s – roles models appear to be a thing of the past.

Jeremy Lin: Faith, Joy, and Basketball by Ted Kluck shatters the stereotype that is dominating professional sports.  Kluck is quick to point out how Jeremy Lin is a unique combination of talent and Christ-honoring character.  The book serves as an inspiration for Christian young people who aspire to honor God on and off the playing field.

Kluck brings his usual witty, tongue-and-cheek realism to the table in his latest book.  His outlook is refreshing.  His honesty is commendable.  This little book is a fun read and should find its way into the hands of young Christian athletes.  May a new generation of young people make it their aim to glorify Christ in every shot, pass, spike, and jump.  “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV)

OF THE MORTIFICATION OF SIN IN BELIEVERS – John Owen (1658)

“Be killing sin or it will be killing you.”  This crucial principle stands at the core of John Owen’s monumental work, “Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers.”  This marks the first of four lengthy expositions in Volume 6: Temptation and Sin.

The Puritan divine clearly sets forth the biblical case for mortification.  Mortification is the duty of every believer: “The choicest believers, who are assuredly freed from the condemning power of sin, ought yet to make it their business all their days to mortify the indwelling power of sin.”  Indeed, Owen adds, “The vigour, and power, and comfort of our spiritual life depends on the mortification of the deeds of the flesh.”

In typical Owen fashion, he leaves no stone unturned here.  He describes the imperative, the motivations behind the imperative, the dangers of disobedience, the  blessing of obedience, and practical principles for mortifying the flesh.

Owen leaves a God-centered legacy that stands the test of time.  His writing goes to the core of indwelling sin and offers Christians a wealth of biblical ammunition that will sufficiently arm them as they engage in hand to hand combat in the area of spiritual warfare.

Highly recommended

5 stars

THE GOSPEL AND THE MIND: Recovering and Shaping the Intellectual Life – Bradley G. Green (2010)

R.C. Sproul has stated, “We live in the most anti-intellectual period in church history.”  Sproul’s words are right on target.  His timely words are a sober reminder that once we have lost the Christian mind, we have lost all basis for discussion.  Indeed, we have lost our basis for meaning and morality.  When the epistemological scaffolding collapses, one may as well give up the quest for truth.  And when one abandons the quest for truth, one abandons the quest for God!

Bradley Green has brilliantly captured the essence of the Christian mind in his book, The Gospel and the Mind.  The subtitle goes to the core passion of the author, namely – “recovering and shaping the intellectual life.”

Green’s theses is clearly presented at the outset:

1. “The Christian vision of God, man, and the world provides the necessary precondition for the recovery of any meaningful intellectual life.”

2. The Christian vision of God, man, and the world offers a particular, unique understanding of what the intellectual life might look like.”

The remainder of the book defends the theses with skill and precision.  I found the book most helpful and should be included in the arsenal of any thinking Christian.

5 stars

RID OF MY DISGRACE: HOPE AND HEALING FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT – Justin and Lindsey Holcomb (2011)

Rid of My Disgrace, a book that explores the sin of sexual abuse has received some bad press.  None of it is justified.  Justin and Lindsey Holcomb have crafted a fine piece of work that is honest, transparent, and accurately unpacks the baggage that tragically has been laid at the feet of so many people in this country.   The authors are quick to point out that “at least one in four women and one in six men are or will be victims of sexual assault in their lifetime.”  Their aim is to offer hope to victims of sexual abuse; hope that is found in the sacrificial work of Christ on the cross and the gospel.

A myriad of resources are available for victims of sexual abuse, however most tools are rooted in Freudian psychology or man-centered ideology.  Rid of My Disgrace is a sharp departure from the typical drivel that floods the marketplace of ideas.

Part one exposes the sin and side effects of sexual assault.  Part two walks readers through the complicated emotional responses that most victims experience.  And part three presents hope for victims that is rooted in the gospel of Jesus.  This gospel is clearly articulated and applied specifically to the hurts experienced by those who have been sinned against.

Rid of My Disgrace is a powerful tool for pastors and counselors and a treasure chest of hope for victims of sexual abuse.  My hope is that this book receives a wide reading and will accomplish great things to glory of God in the days ahead.

Highly recommended

JESUS: THE ONLY WAY TO GOD – John Piper (2010)

For several years, we have been drowning in a sea of relativism.  This is certainly no secret to anyone who has strolled the postmodern beach that is littered with tolerance trash and the rubbish of situational ethics.  What comes as a shock is that this relativism is slowly creeping into the church.  Like an unnoticed leaky pipe, this diabolical worldview is creeping into the fabric of the church.  If we are not careful, we will soon find ourselves adrift – with no shore in sight.

John Piper addresses these concerns in his little book, Jesus: The Only Way to God.  He aggressively tackles the thorny question, “Must you hear the gospel in order to be saved?”  Piper’s passion is to “convince our minds and strengthen our hearts to do the loving thing, namely, t0 spread to all peoples the good news  of God’s work in Jesus to rescue sinners and someday renew the world.”  His mission is accomplished in six short chapters as he obliterates the heretical ideas of annihilationism and universalism.  He effectively answers the question that concerns whether or not a sincere person can receive eternal life, while never hearing the good news of Jesus’ gospel.  And the answer is a resounding “No!”

“The question for the church in every generation,” Piper writes, is: “Will we submit gladly to the Scriptures?  Will we devote ourselves to understanding them truly, valuing them supremely, applying them properly, obeying them wholeheartedly, and speaking them courageously and publicly?”  Piper’s work is a clarion call to the evangelical world.  It is a clear warning that utters the indispensable need for gospel proclamation – no matter the cost.  Followers of Christ have been duly warned.  Our task is to clearly communicate the Word of God.  Our task is to herald the truth concerning God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Our task is to faithfully utter the gospel to the nations!

4.5 stars

MEN OF GOD – Trevor Archer and Tim Thornborough (2011)

Men of God is not for the faint at heart.  This excellent resource probes several areas that are of deep significance to Christian men.

The book is patterned after a typical Pauline epistle with a section on doctrine that is followed by a section on practical matters.

Part One: Men and the Gospel

The authors ground their work in the gospel of God.  This gospel is compared to an engine: “To become a Christian is to have the gospel of God installed in our hearts like a new engine to power our lives.”  The author endeavor to show how this gospel provides the fuel to live a life that honors Christ and enables men to serve their families as godly fathers and husbands.

Men are challenged to embrace three crucial weapons, namely – prayer, holiness, and the Scriptures: “The man of God is called to fight by prayer, by holiness of life and by the Word of God; to follow the captain of the Lord’s hosts, who himself won the battle by a sacrificial bravery that took him to the cross, and who calls his disciples to follow him.”  Part one effectively demonstrates the necessity of the gospel and propels men to live for Christ with all their hearts.

Part Two: Living for Christ

Part two includes short chapters on practical matters including marriage, singleness, fatherhood, sex, the church, work, witnessing, discipleship, and leisure.  Each chapter is brief, yet is grounded in Scripture and provides a wealth of suggestions and challenges for Christian men.

Men of God is an encouraging book that should be a source of strength and education for men who are seeking to obey Christ.  Don’t expect weighty exegetical arguments here.  This is truly a primer, a mere introduction – but one that is well worth reading and digesting.

4 stars