Barrett’s Book Notes: Paul, Machen, Sproul, and the Reformers

Robert L. Plummber & John Mark Terry. Paul’s Missionary Methods: In His Time and Ours. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2012. Here is a fascinating book by a diverse group of contributors, examining how Paul approached missions. This book builds off of Roland Allen’s work, Missionary Methods: Saint Paul’s or Ours? Among others, here are some…

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Jesus in the Gospel of Luke

The theme of The Gospel Coalition’s 2013 National conference was: His Mission: Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. Plenary speakers included John Piper, Colin Smith, Crawford Loritts, D. A. Carson, Kevin DeYoung, Stephen Um, Gary Millar, and Tim Keller. You can listen to all of the messages here. Below are the messages of Piper, Carson,…

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C.S. Lewis: A Life – Q&A with Alister McGrath

Alister McGrath’s new biography of C. S. Lewis with Tyndale House has been published recently and is titled: C. S. Lewis – A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet. Here are two commendations for the book: Alister McGrath sheds new light on the life of the incomparable C. S. Lewis. This is an important book. Eric…

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Covenantal Apologetics – 60% off

For just one week, starting today, K. Scott Oliphint’s new book, Covenantal Apologetics: Principles and Practice in Defense of Our Faith, is 60% off at Westminster Bookstore. Here is the book’s description: “Defending the faith can be daunting, and a well-reasoned and biblically grounded apologetic is essential for the challenge. Following in the footsteps of…

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The Benefits of Wisdom: Proverbs 3:1-18 (Thomas Schreiner)

One of my favorite novels is David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. Is there anyone better than Dickens at filling a novel with fascinating and unforgettable characters: from the hypocritical Uriah Heep to the incompetent but likable Mr. Micawber? When my son, Daniel, had a literature class at Western Kentucky University, the professor said that no…

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The Conviction to Lead – Interview with Albert Mohler

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following interview was first published in “Towers” and the interview was conducted by editors Steve Waters and Aaron Cline Hanbury, who talk with R. Albert Mohler Jr., President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, about his new book, The Conviction to Lead: 25 Principles for Leadership That Matters. This interview has been…

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John Owen and Christology: Recommended reading (Matthew Barrett)

In a previous post, “The Excellency of Christ and the Christian Life,” I reflected on John Owen’s unceasing gaze upon the glory of Christ. As promised, in this follow up post I would like to recommend to you several of Owen’s works so that you can read Owen for yourself, allowing him to open your…

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What is Systematic Theology? (Wayne Grudem)

Currently, Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology is 37% off at Westminster Bookstore. And here is a description: “The Christian church has a long tradition of systematic theology, that is, studying theology and doctrine organized around fairly standard categories such as the Word of God, redemption, and Jesus Christ. This introduction to systematic theology has several distinctive…

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The Trinity and the Christian Life

One of the dangers every church faces is slipping, slowly and quietly and perhaps unknowingly, into a routine where sermons are preached, songs are sung, and the Lord’s Supper is consumed, but all is done without a deep sense and awareness of the Trinity. In other words, if we are not careful our churches, in…

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A forgotten Baptist pastor…until now (Michael Haykin)

The history of the Baptists’ reception of their own past is a fascinating one in its own right. Most of the Baptist works of the seventeenth century were never reprinted and consequently a significant amount of their thought was obscure to their eighteenth-century heirs. To be sure, there was a certain amount of reflection on…

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John Calvin and rebellion against the government

I’ve heard it said that John Calvin was not in favor of rebellion against the government, and that it was John Locke to whom would-be rebels looked to justify Christian rebellion, as we might call it. For a recent example of this view see here.  But I think the matter is a bit more complicated than…

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