Book Notes: Reformed Theology, Suffering, and Christology (Matthew Barrett)
Kelly M. Kapic and Wesley Vander Lugt. Pocket Dictionary of the Reformed Tradition. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2013.
Here is a little dictionary that will help beginners navigate their way through Reformed theology and the theologians that have defined its heritage. For example, here are a variety of entries:
Latin terms, such as ad fontes and sola fide
Theologians, from Calvin to Torrance
Confessions, such as the Belgic and Westminster
Doctrines, such as atonement and sanctification
Apologists, such as Francis Schaeffer and Cornelius Van Til
Horton and Vanhoozer praise this small resource:
“For students of theology who have no home in a confessional tradition, this book will prove a valuable resource. Like the best travel guides, it orients newcomers to a strange new land (e.g., Calvinism, covenant theology), its leading lights (e.g., William Ames, Herman Bavinck, Karl Barth), their beliefs (e.g., common grace, infralapsarianism, sola scriptura) and customs (e.g., mortification, paedobaptism, worship), thereby enabling readers to understand and speak the language of its Reformed inhabitants. It may even prompt strangers to the tradition to become sojourners. And even when it does not, readers will find the book’s value to be disproportionate to its small size.” (Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School)
“Only well-informed teachers can summarize large topics in a way that is both accurate and accessible. That is precisely what the authors of this pocket dictionary have achieved.” (Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology & Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California)
J. I. Packer. Weakness is the Way: Life with Christ Our Strength. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013.
I will let Packer describe his book for himself:
Sam Storms. Tough Topics: Biblical Answers to 25 Challenging Questions. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013.
One method of theology that is not often used today is the Question and Answer format, a method long used by theologians in the past. In his new book, Sam Storms utilizes this method once again to answer some of the most common, difficult, and curious questions Christians have. Here are a couple of examples:
Could Jesus have sinned?
What is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
Are Those Who Die in Infancy Saved?
Can Christians Lose Their Salvation?
Will There Be Sex in Heaven?
Bruce Ware and Gregg Allison commend the work of Storms:
“Let’s face it, the church has not always done the best possible job at fielding the hard questions posed to it by both skeptics and members. In the case of the first group, skeptics end up discounting Christianity, dismissing it as irrational, head-in-the-sand religious fanaticism. In the case of the second group, members become frustrated with the Christian faith and often drift away from what they have found to be a shallow, inconsistent, and quite unsatisfying worldview. Sam Storms, is a leader whom has the Lord has wonderfully gifted not only to answer the tough questions, but also to provide an accessible resource for Christian leaders to be better prepared to engage skeptics and church members who wrestle with these issues rather than to rebuff them and discount their difficulties. Sam’s passion is to deal with twenty-five of the most challenging questions you will ever face, and do it in such a way that you become convinced of the answers and are prepared to offer help to others who face them as well. He accomplishes this goal, not by offering his own good ideas and the best of human counsel, but by relying on the wisdom of God as found in Scripture.”
—Gregg R. Allison, Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary“Sam Storms’s Tough Topics is equally the work of a deeply concerned and caring pastor, and that of a thoughtful, seasoned, and biblically-saturated theologian. As I read this book, specific people kept coming to mind who would be helped greatly by one of more of its chapters—such wisdom, such balance, and such biblical clarity. Readers will likely differ at points with their pastor-theologian guide, but they will rise up and thank him for offering such wise counsel on such an array of difficult and important questions. There’s something here for everyone. Pick up and read, and see how faithful pastoral theology really does bless the church.”
—Bruce A. Ware, Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Alistair Begg and Sinclair Ferguson. Name above All Names. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013.
There is nothing more important in life than meditating on the beauty, supremacy, and excellency of Christ. Begg and Ferguson remind us that this is our first priority in the midst of life’s demands. These experienced pastors build off of their years of ministry and take a look at what the Scriptures have to say about who Christ is and what he has accomplished. Here are the chapter breakdowns:
Jesus as the True Prophet
Jesus as the Great High Priest
Jesus as the Conquering King
Jesus as the Seed of the Woman
Jesus as the Son of Man
Jesus as the Suffering Servant
Jesus as the Lamb on the Throne
MacArthur praises this little book:
“No biblical or theological subject captivates my heart and stimulates my mind more than the glory of Christ. One day every knee with bow at the mention of His name. If you want to understand why (and have your won heart humbled, filled with gratitude, and aroused to worship), nourish your soul with this simple yet profound overview of who Jesus is and what He has accomplished.”
– John MacArthur, Pastor, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, California
D. A. Carson, ed. The Scriptures Testify About Me: Jesus and the Gospel in the Old Testament. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013.
This book contains the plenary addresses of the April 2011 national conference of The Gospel Coalition in Chicago. They include:
Albert Mohler — Studying the Scriptures and Finding Jesus (John 5:31–47)
Tim Keller — Getting Out (Exodus 14)
Alistair Begg — From a Foreigner to King Jesus (Ruth)
James MacDonald — When You Don’t Know What to Do (Psalm 25)
Conrad Mbewe — The Righteous Branch (Jeremiah 23:1–8)
Matt Chandler — Youth (Ecclesiastes 11:9–12:8)
Mike Bullmore — God’s Great Heart of Love toward His Own (Zephaniah)
D. A. Carson — Getting Excited about Melchizedek (Psalm 110)
Martyn Lloyd-Jones. The Assurance of Our Salvation: Exploring the Depth of Jesus’ Prayer for His Own: Studies in John 17. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013.
Crossway has been republishing some of the works of Lloyd-Jones and this most recent volume combines his expositions on John 17, that famous text recording the high priestly prayer of Christ. Here is an excellent opportunity to sit at the feet of one of the greatest preachers in the history of the church. R. C. Sproul commends this hefty volume: “Lloyd-Jones was a tital of Christian ministry and it thrills me to see his influence accelerating today for the benefit of the church around the world.”
Matthew Barrett (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Assistant Professor of Christian Studies at California Baptist University (OPS), as well as the founder and executive editor of Credo Magazine. He is the author of The Grace of Godliness: An Introduction to Doctrine and Piety in the Canons of Dort
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