THE UNQUENCHABLE FLAME: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation – Michael Reeves (2009)

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 keep the fire stoked in his work on the Reformation.

The author helpfully explains the historical context of the Reformation and links together the important pieces that ultimately led to the formation of what we now know as Protestantism.

Reeves provides a basic and very interesting overview of the key players that emerge in the Reformation.  He is especially concerned with Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin.  He also summarizes the Reformation in Britain and the Puritans.

The author fans the 493 year Reformation flame by responding to Mark Noll’s assertion that the Reformation is essentially over.  Indeed, as Luther so poignantly wrote, “Justification by faith alone is the article upon which the church stands or fall.”

The Unquenchable Flame is well researched and well written And it certainly has the potential to serve as kindling for a new generation of young Reformed theologians who faithfully live and wield the great truths of the Reformation!

4.5 stars

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 expect from him.

The author zero’s in on the ironies of the cross.  Carson beautifully captures the subtle realities that emerge as Christ approaches the cross and dies for sinners.  Everyday realities are seen and evaluated in the shadow of the cross; grieving sinners, stinky corpses, and crushed dreams.  Carson weaves through narratives and reflects on the hope that emerges in a suffering Savior and resurrected Savior.

Carson skillfully unpacks crucial doctrines that pertain to the cross of Christ, drawing the reader closer to a better understanding of the gospel.  I recommend Scandalous to new and veteran Christians alike.

4.5 stars

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 Iain Murray, The Forgotten Spurgeon (p. 190)

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 the Apostle’s Creed, the The Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer.  The basic pattern focuses on man’s misery, man’s deliverance, and man’s response.  DeYoung’s categories are instructive: “guilt, grace, and gratitude.”

The Good News We Almost Forgot has a devotional feel.  DeYoung “keeps the cookies on the lower shelves” but never sacrifices content for the sake of brevity.  Honestly, his insight is very impressive.  He promotes a high view of God (in keeping with the Heidelberg Catechism) and offers practical suggestions for pursuing intimacy with God.

The Good News We Almost Forgot reminds readers that followers of Christ need a steady stream of faithful and meaty teaching/preaching.  DeYoung adds, “We cannot capitulate to the contemporary ethos that laments short attention spans and linear thinking.  We must resist the urge to get with the spirit of the age and feed our people with more than a steady diet of video clips and sermonettes” (p. 169).

My only beef with DeYoung is his promotion of paedo-baptism.  While I admit that his arguments are interesting, they are not very clear, convincing or compelling.  Then again, I have never been impressed with any argument in favor of paeodo-baptism.  However, I am encouraged with his humility and the respect he pays his Baptistic friends!

The most impressive feature of DeYoung’s book is its relentless presentation of the gospel: “I’ll be damned, discouraged, and dismayed if being a follower of Jesus means nothing but a new set of things I’m supposed to do for Him.  Instead, my following Jesus should be, first of all, a declaration of all that He has done for me” (p. 27).

The Good News We Almost Forgot is an important resource that should be utilized in churches for many years to come. It is a continual reminder of the importance of catechisms in the life of the church.

4 stars

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 we must note is that before a man can be a good father, he has to be a good Christian … Our ultimate goal must be that our children would grow to love and worship our God … I must worship the one true God as my Father, by repenting of my sin and coming to him by faith for grace to love him, as an example and pattern for my sons and, God willing, grandsons.”

Driscoll stresses a biblical approach to discipline.  The father must “discipline his children as needed to keep them on a path of wisdom and righteousness.”  He encourages dads to live exemplary lives before their children.  “Fathers are to lovingly lead their children toward heartfelt repentance of sin.”

Pastor Dad focuses in on the father’s duty to disciple his children.  It is the duty of every father to cultivate Christ-centered qualities and maturity in his children.  The father bears the primary responsibility for the spiritual growth of his family.

Driscoll rightly discusses the biblical roles of mom and dad: “There is no way anyone could read the Bible and wind up with the silly notion that both the husband and the wife are to be providers and that daycares or relatives are supposed to raise the children of a Christian couple.”  He willingly enters a contentious arena in a culture that is diametrically opposed to the biblical blueprint for family life.

I heartily recommend Pastor Dad.  Driscoll’s work is practical, thought-provoking, and challenging.  However, the most important feature of Driscoll’s book is its commitment to biblical principles.  Don’t expect an exhaustive approach to parenting.  Driscoll doesn’t pretend to provide all the answers.  But this is a good start.

Read this ebook which available for free at http://www.relit.org and pass it along to another dad.

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 by the world.”

Worldliness is a timely book.  It is an important book to read for parents, pastors, and children alike.  Perhaps a few quotes will lure a potential reader in:

“Worldliness, then, is a love for this fallen world.  It’s loving the values and pursuits of the world that stand opposed to God … It is to gratify and exalt oneself to the exclusion of God.” – C.J. Mahaney (p. 27)

“The drift toward worldliness is subtle, gradual, and internal.  And if we assume we’re immune to it, that’s a sure sign the drift has begun.” – Craig Cabaniss (p. 42)

“There can be many explanations for our diminished zeal for God.  Sometimes the most obvious reason is that we’re feasting regularly at the world’s table of delights”  – Bob Kauflin (p. 84)

“The sin of covetousness is not that we have stuff; it’s that our stuff has us … As we, by grace, delight in God and guard our hearts against covetousness, we’ll see the chains loosen, and a freedom from the tyranny of stuff will grow in our lives.”  – Dave Harvey (p. 114)

Worldliness offers a bold challenge without being legalistic.  It is a clear call to God-centered living that revolves around the cross of Christ and his gospel.

4 stars

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 proper place in the church.  And it seems to rightly place Christ in the center of the Christian life.  But is it possible that this slogan is at its root the very antithesis of all that is Christian and all that honors Christ?

Consider some of the serious implications of the slogan, “No creed but Christ.”  First, imagine where the church would be if Athanasius adopted this mantra.  Clearly, Athanasius wouldn’t have quibbled over one iota.  And Arianism would have assaulted the church with its godless Christology.

Second, one wonders which “Christ” the slogan appeals to.  Is this “creedless Christ” the figure portrayed in Islam, who is regarded as a mere prophet but stripped of his deity and majesty?  Or is he the Christ of Arianism, a mere created being whose blood is unable to forgive sinners?  Is he the Jesus of modern-day liberalism; you know the “cool Jesus” who tolerates sin and changes his mind about hell and eternal punishment?

If the thought of comparing this “creedless Christ” to a hodge-podge of world religions sparks concern, consider the essence of the phrase.  It could actually mean just about anything.  The term, “creed” comes from the Latin, meaning “I believe.”  Therefore, this “creedless Christ” could mean anything one wants to believe!

Third, if “No creed but Christ” is truly valid, then this notion renders the imperative to catechize believers utterly meaningless.  Scripture stands opposed to such a view:

“Build yourselves up in your most holy faith” (Jude 20, ESV).

“[Get] rooted and built up in him [Christ] and established in the faith (Col. 2:7).

“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching.  Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Tim. 4:16).

“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine” (Tit. 2:1).

“Apollos was instructed (catechized) in the ways of the Lord” (Acts 18:25).

Additionally, the great gladiators of the Christian faith agree that catechising is an essential element of the Christian faith.  John Bunyan wrote, “But the composition of a catechism was found to require the clearest conception of truth, and the fullest command  of simple, expressive phraseology.”  C.H. Spurgeon added, “I am persuaded that the use of a good Catechism in all our families will be a great safeguard against the increasing errors of the times.”  And J.I. Packer has wisely stated, “The greatest challenge for the twenty-first century church is to re-catechize and disciple believers.”

Next, the slogan “No creed but Christ” is self-refuting.  The statement uttered is in fact a creed, dare I say, a proposition.  Yet, this creed bemoans propositions, reacts to doctrinal statements, and discounts theological systems.  In the final analysis, the dogmatic slogan, “No creed but Christ” becomes a sort of theological system!

At best, the slogan, “No creed but Christ” is naive and has been embraced by well-intentioned Christians who have failed to think through the implications.  And the fertile soil of naivety, though well-intentioned, may easily grow into grievous theological error and produce thorns and thistles in the Christian life.

At worst, the slogan is arrogant.  To discount the foundational creeds of historic Christianity is always a step in the wrong direction.  Indeed, to cast aside the historic creeds is to do violence to the nature of faith itself.  Consider the following creedal statements that describe fundamental Christological components:

“… Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made” (The Nicene Creed, 325 A.D.)

” … Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man, of a reasonable soul and body …” (The Chalcedonian Creed, 451 A.D.)

“The Father uncreated: the Son uncreated: and the Holy Spirit uncreated” (The Athanasian Creed, 4th-5th centuries A.D.)

The subtle trend in the church is to move away from doctrine.  We see this at every juncture, especially in churches where postmodernity has taken root.  Spurgeon stated emphatically, “Those who do away with doctrine … are the worst enemies of Christian living.”  A creedless Christ is in fact a creedless Christianity which is something akin to a toothless tiger whose motives may be noble, but will, in the final analysis be ravaged by his enemies.

The next time you hear a well-intentioned person promote a “No creed but Christ” worldview, remember that godly people gave their lives to hammer out the creeds and confessions to protect the church from theological wolves.  The creeds were carefully and prayerfully fashioned so we might know and worship Christ rightly.  This Christ is the uncreated One who himself created all things (Col. 1:16).  He was born of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-35), the Savior who was tempted as we are, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:21-24).  This Christ perfectly obeyed the law of God, died on the cross for sinners, and rose on the third day for our justification (1 Cor. 15:3-5; Rom. 4:25; Acts 2:22-24).  This Christ is fully God and fully man and stood in the place of everyone who would ever believe (Gal. 3:13; Isa. 53:4-6), bearing their sins (2 Cor. 5:21), satisfying the wrath of God (Rom. 3:23-26), redeeming them from hell (Col. 1:13-14), and reconciling them to a God (Rom. 5:10).  And this Christ is worthy of our undivided allegiance, devotion, and worship!

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 but have resisted the opportunity to meet him, this collection provides the perfect rendezvous point.

Volume one is a terrific summary of Edwards’ life as a pastor, theologian, philosopher, missionary, husband, father, and university president.  Strachan and Sweeney skillfully weave brief Edwardsean citations throughout and include thought-provoking commentary.

Jonathan Edwards: Lover of God is filled with strengths and will receive wide readership.  Each chapter concludes with an application that challenges readers to inculcate Edwardsean principles into daily living.  And despite the constant emphasis on Edwards’ skill as a pastor and theologian, this work is quick to point out that Edwards was first and foremost a Christ-follower:  “He was a Christian – not a super-Christian, not a man who walked an inch off of the ground, but a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ who fought the same fight we do and loved the same God we love.”

4.5 stars

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 beliefs of a worldview such as Christianity) in the strict sense of the term, but a form of that faith that is held ultimately to be subversive or destructive, and thus indirectly leads to such unbelief.”

Part two examines the roots of heresy.  McGrath provides a fascinating historical survey of the development of heresy and its early development in church history.

Part three summarizes the classical heresies of Christianity including Ebionitism, Docetism, Valentinism, Arianism, Donatism, and Pelagianism.  McGrath does an especially noteworthy job on his treatment of the arch-heretic, Pelagius.  However, I would commend R.C. Sproul’s, Willing to Believe to any readers interested in a deeper look at the Pelagian heresy.

McGrath rightly points out the pervasiveness of Pelagianism “on Western culture, even if its name means little to most.  It articulates one of the most natural of human thoughts – that we are capable of taking control of ourselves and transforming ourselves into what we would have ourselves be.”  Indeed, the tentacles of Pelagianism are not only choking the world, this diabolical worldview has found entry into the American church.

Finally, part four focuses on the impact of heresy.  The author urges the reader to recognize that “the pursuit of orthodoxy is essentially the quest for Christian authenticity” and to recognize the tendency that heresies have in “repeating themselves.”

McGrath’s book is a noteworthy summary of the history of heresy.  However, if one is a newcomer to this subject, I recommend starting with John Hannah’s, Our Legacy: A History of Christian Doctrine.  Additionally, Harold O.J. Brown’s work, Heresies will provide readers with a detailed look at the heresies that have consistently plagued the church.  Each work is a clear reminder of the danger of heretical ideas creeping into the fabric of the church.

3.5 stars

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 justice of God?  Go to the cross.  It is where wrath and mercy meet.  Holiness and peace kiss each other.  The climax of redemptive history is the cross.”

– D.A. Carson, Scandalous (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 67, 70)