FYODER DOSTOEVSKY – Peter Leithart (2011)

Fyodor Dostoevsky has been somewhat of an enigma to me for many years.  Thankfully, Peter Leithart’s latest book that bears the name of this famous Russian author sheds light on his life and worldview.

Dostoevsky was the son of a strict Russian physician.  He graduated from the military academy and was, in the final analysis, exiled to Siberia – accused of “subversive activities” against the state.

Once released, Dostoevsky continued his brilliant writing career – but not without personal struggle and hardship.  Many of his novels bear this out – namely, his battle with gambling and interpersonal conflict.  He also struggled physically.  Epilepsy dogged him for many years.

Despite his battle with sin, Dostoevsky clung to the cross of Christ.  He was a real man with real pain.  Perhaps this is what attracts so many people to his writings.  Dostoevsky was an authentic man who was not afraid to share his struggles.

Peter Leithart should be applauded for his latest work on Dostoevsky.  It is evident that he has read and devoured Dostoevsky’s novels.  And his creative, first-person look at the writer is an inside look at this fascinating Russian man.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program.

3.5 stars

The Christian Mind – Harry Blamires (1963)

My uncle Dwight gave me this book almost twenty years ago.  I’ll never forget what he said when he handed it to me: “Only real men can read this book.”  Whether it was meant to motivate or amuse, I read it with a vengeance.  This is my third time through.

Blamires thesis is clear throughout the book: “There is no longer a  Christian mind.”  An interesting proposal, given the original publishing date of 1963.  But the facts outweigh any contrary argument.  The author notes, “And we have emptied our brains of Christian vocabulary, Christian concepts, in advance, just to make sure that we should get fully into touch.  Thus we have stepped mentally into secularism.”  We live in a post-Christian era.  This much is certain.  The frightening reality is that some Christians understood this in the 1960’s.  Many Christians today simply have no comprehension of the Christian mind.

In part two, the author suggests  what the Christian mind should look like.  He delineates six marks of the Christian mind which include:

1. A supernatural orientation.

2. An awareness of evil.

3. A conception of truth

4. Accepts the notion of authority

5. Has a concern for the person

6. Has a passion to live life to the glory of God.

The Christian Mind should be celebrated for its analysis of culture and its allegiance to the Word of God.  Like Francis Schaeffer, Blamires is in touch with the barriers to Christian thinking.  While his concerns originated in 1963, they continue to reverberate almost fifty years later.

The point my Uncle was trying to make is this: Real men think Christianly.  Real men live according to truth.

“The Christian mind is the prerequisite of Christian thinking.  And Christian thinking is the prerequisite of Christian action.”

Harry Blamires

KING SOLOMON – Philip Graham Ryken (2011)

King Solomon: The Temptations of Money, Sex, and Power by Philip Graham Ryken is a candid look at the famous king who struggled with the flesh.

It is clear from the outset that the author has done his homework.  He paints historical detail onto the canvas of his exposition.  And he clearly presents the movements of Solomon’s life through the book of 1 Kings – the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The most important feature of this book is how the author weaves the gospel into the story of Solomon’s life.  The author’s conclusion is a fitting end to this gospel-saturated exposition: “Praise God for Jesus Christ, the risen King, the true and righteous Solomon of our salvation!  By the power of his resurrection, we will be able to serve God to the end of our days.  And afterwards we will rise with Solomon and all the children of God, to offer our Savior an eternity of praise.”

4 stars

A MILLION MILES IN A THOUSAND YEARS – Donald Miller (2009)

I spent part of my day off with Don Miller.  I should say that I spent part of the day reading his book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.  This is interesting because I have critiqued some of his writing.  But make no mistake.  Agree or disagree with his views, Miller can write – and he writes well.

My buddy Ron urged me to read this book, which I resisted at first.  But Ron knew how to reel me in.  “It’s an interesting book.  I think you’ll like it,” Ron said.  “And it’s about bikes!”

Miller is interested in telling a story.  And he’s very good at it.  But the more important point concerns the story in the lives of people: “I believe God wants us to create beautiful stories, and whatever it is that isn’t God wants us to create meaningless stories, teaching the people around us that life just isn’t worth living.”

While I may disagree with Miller on some points, this book has made me realize – “Hey, I like this guy.”  Maybe it is his gut level honesty.  Maybe it his love for reading and writing.  But I think it mostly comes down to his love for life and his ability to communicate real life stories in a meaningful way.

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years made me think and ponder.  It made me re-evaluate.  It forced me to ask important questions – some of which may not have answers.  But at the end of the day, Miller’s work is worth reading.  It might even motivate you to hop on a bicycle.  I think you’ll “enjoy the ride.”

4 stars

THE THEOLOGICAL BACKBONE OF WILLIAM TYNDALE (1494 – 1536)


Today  marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of William Tyndale.  This faithful man was born in 1494.  He attended Oxford, Magdalen Hall and Cambridge University.  A student and adherent of the Protestant Reformation, Tyndale engaged in numerous debates with Roman Catholics.    One leader in the Roman Catholic church mocked Tyndale: “We are better to be without God’s laws than the Pope.”  Tyndale, never one to mince words replied, “I defy the Pope and all his laws.  If God spare my life ere many years, I will cause the boy who drives the plow to know more of the Scriptures than you.”

Tyndale was a confident, bold, and fearless theologian and scholar who translated the Bible into an early form of Modern English, likely with Luther’s help in Wittenberg.  But Tyndale was arrested and imprisoned for 500 days in a kangaroo court, and ultimately convicted.  He was sent to be strangled and burn at the stake in the prison yard on October 6, 1536 – the same year that Calvin published the first edition of The Institutes of the Christian Religion.  His last words were, “Lord, open the king of England’s eyes.”

May God raise up a new generation of leaders like William Tyndale – courageous and bold; men with a theological backbone and rock solid integrity.  May God raise up  a new generation of men who say what they mean and mean what they say; men who are unashamed of the gospel; men who are utterly unwilling to compromise the truth; men who are willing to be burned at the stake for the sake of truth.

Semper Reformanda!

THE GOSPEL COMMISSION: Recovering God’s Strategy for Making Disciples – Michael Horton (2011)

Michael Horton has been on somewhat of a writing streak in recent days.  Earlier this year, he released his magnum opus, The Christian Faith, a systematic theology that ranks highly along with theologians such as Wayne Grudem and Robert Reymond.  In 2008 he embarked on an important study that included Christless Christianity and The Gospel Driven Life.  Horton completes this theological trilogy with The Gospel Commission: Recovering God’s Strategy for Making Disciples.

Horton’s work articulates the Great Commission in a compelling way that motivates followers of Christ to welcome others into God’s covenant family and challenges the presuppositions concerning the evangelistic task.  Horton wastes no time in critiquing ancient heresy and alerting readers to the  alarming contemporary trends associated with the emergent church.

The author helps recover the core elements of the Great Commission and invites readers to seriously consider the mandate before every Christ-follower.  The Gospel Commission is challenging and convicting.  It is an important reminder and calls God’s people to remain faithful to the task.

THE PRIEST WITH DIRTY CLOTHES – R.C. Sproul (2011)

On Sunday morning, I was  preparing for worship.  My ten year old son came bolting onto the platform.  He had important news to share – news that probably had something to do with a new video game or Lego set.  Nathan said with a smile on his face, “R.C. Sproul’s new book is out!”

We purchased the book and by 2:00 p.m. he had completed R.C.’s newest treasure.  My son says, “Dad, you’ve gotta read this book.  It’s really cool.” Who can argue with an eager ten-year old who is excited about a new book by R.C. Sproul?

The Priest With Dirty Clothes is story based on Zechariah 3:1-5.  The story illustrates the theological realities that emerge,  including justification by faith alone and imputation.  At the end of the day, Sproul intends to communicate rich biblical truth that make up the gospel message.  The story-telling vehicle is a creative way to drive these important truths into the hearts and minds of children.

Sproul’s book is beautifully illustrated and is appropriate for young children and pre-teens.  But the message Sproul communicates is for everyone – namely, sinners need a new set of clothes; they need a new heart.  And Christ, our great high priest is the only One qualified to grant what we need most.

THE GOSPEL CENTERED LIFE – Bob Thune (2011)

The Gospel-Centered Life by Bob Thune is short, yet powerful study designed to help Christ-followers live in a way that reflects the Lord Jesus Christ and his gospel.

Each lesson is self-contained and includes helpful discussion questions and a short article that supplements the specific aim of the chapter.

The lessons are arranged as follows:

Lesson 1 – The Gospel Grid

Lesson 2 – Pretending and Performing

Lesson 3 – Believing the Gospel

Lesson 4 – Law and Gospel

Lesson 5 – Repentance

Lesson 6 – Heart Idolatry

Lesson 7 – Mission

Lesson 8 – Forgiveness

Lesson 9 – Conflict

The content is theologically informed and is rooted in the great truths of the Reformation.  Yet is it written in a way that will appeal to new believers and veterans of the Christian faith.

This resource will be  utilized best in small group ministry but may also be a helpful tool for individual Bible Study.  The Gospel-Centered Life is a vivid reminder that the gospel is more than a mere invitation to receive forgiveness and eternal life in Christ alone.  It is an invitation to enter life itself; a life that is centered on the claims of Christ and is propelled to joyful obedience which is empowered by the gospel.

5 stars

 

TELL THE TRUTH – Will Metzger (2002 Revised)

Books on evangelism are a dime a dozen these days.  Much of what passes for “evangelism” is watered-down, pragmatic, and in the final analysis promotes a different gospel (Gal. 1:6).  Tell the Truth by Will Metzger stands head and shoulders above every other book I’ve read about evangelism.

The subtitle is a nice summary of this excellent book: “the whole gospel to the whole person by whole people.”  Metzger’s Reformed approach to evangelism is saturated in Scripture and confronts the man-centered approach to evangelism with a vengeance.

The heart of the book is to communicate a proper view of God and a proper view man.  Metzger rightly adds, “We cannot explain the work of Christ unless we present a true picture of God.”  The author prizes God-centered theology and roots healthy evangelism in the biblical reality of predestination.  But note: there is no fatalism here.  Metzger embraces the notion popularized by Jonathan Edwards: “God ordains the ends and God ordains the means.”  To that end, the author promotes a rigorous approach to evangelism; a kind of evangelism that pleads with sinners to repent of their sin and place their faith in Christ alone for salvation.

Readers familiar with Spurgeon’s approach to evangelism will be instantly drawn to this work.  The sovereignty of God in salvation is emphasized.  As such, “sovereign saving grace gives power to obey, as well as grants a pardon for disobedience.”  But the responsibility of man is equally emphasized.  Simply put, the sinner (who is unable to believe apart from sovereign grace) must believe.

Metzger calls Christians to speak the truth in love (Eph.  4:15).  This is the high calling of every follower of Christ.  He reminds readers, “Action should be the fruit of sound doctrine.”  Tell the Truth is a powerful primer on the mandate to evangelize lost people.  Highly recommended!

4.5 stars

FEELINGS AND FAITH: Cultivating Godly Emotions in the Christian Life – Brian Borgman (2009)

The thesis of Jonathan Edwards’ landmark work, Religious Affections is clear: “True religion, in great part, consists in holy affections.”  This reality was embraced by the Reformers and the English Puritans.  Our forefathers not only stressed the importance of theology; they stressed the necessity of holy affections, to borrow Edwards phrase.

Tragically, however a shift has taken place in the evangelical world.  Emotionalism is sweeping through the church and in some circles a mystical approach to the Christian life is becoming readily accepted.  This preoccupation with the mystical at best minimizes theology and at worst, mocks the very notion of theological truth.

And some at the other end of the spectrum have embraced a dry form of rationalism – one where intellectual pursuit marginalizes any thing that resembles true God-centered emotion.

Feelings and Faith: Cultivating Godly Emotions in the Christian Life by Brian Borgman bridges the gap between both kinds of erroneous thinking described above.  The book contains four parts:

Part One – A Biblical Theological Foundation for Understanding Our Emotions

Part Two – Biblical Sanctification and Our Emotions

Part Three – Mortifying Ungodly Emotions

Part Four – Cultivating Godly Emotions

Borgman’s work is Bible saturated and in touch with daily life.  He promotes a Christ-saturated theological framework that results in holy affections to the glory of God.  He writes like a Puritan with contemporary illustrations that draw readers in.  Jonathan Edwards, John Owen, and John Bunyan would be proud of their student that they tutored from afar!

Feelings and Faith: Cultivating Godly Emotions in the Christian Life should be read and re-read by Christians who are serious about cultivating a doctrinally rich framework that leads to communion with God.

5 stars