2013 Books by Credo Magazine contributors
As the year comes to an end, we would like to highlight books published in 2013 by some of our Credo Magazine contributors and bloggers. May there be many more to come in the new year!
Thomas Schreiner. The King in His Beauty: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013.
Thomas Schreiner, a respected scholar and a trusted voice for many students and pastors, offers a substantial and accessibly written overview of the whole Bible. He traces the storyline of the scriptures from the standpoint of biblical theology, examining the overarching message that is conveyed throughout. Schreiner emphasizes three interrelated and unified themes that stand out in the biblical narrative: God as Lord, human beings as those who are made in God’s image, and the land or place in which God’s rule is exercised. The goal of God’s kingdom is to see the king in his beauty and to be enraptured in his glory.
Four Views on the Role of Works at the Final Judgment (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology). Contributors: Thomas Schreiner, Robert Wilkin, James Dunn, Michael Barber. Edited by Alan Stanley. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013.
Through a discussion of Biblical texts, this book presents four perspectives on the role of works at the final judgment including: Robert N. Wilkin: Works will determine rewards but not salvation: At the Judgment Seat of Christ each believer will be judged by Christ to determine his eternal rewards, but he remains eternally secure even if the judgment reveals he failed to persevere in good works (or in faith). Thomas R. Schreiner: Works will provide evidence that one actually has been saved: At the final judgment works provide the necessary condition, though not the ground for final salvation, in that they provide evidence as to whether one has actually trusted in Jesus Christ. James D. G. Dunn: Works will provide the criterion by which Christ will determine eternal destiny of his people: Since Paul, Jesus, and the New Testament writers hold together ‘justification by faith and not by works’ with ‘judgment according to works’, we should not fall into the trap of playing one off against the other or blend them in a way that diminishes the force of each. Michael P. Barber: Works will merit eternal life: At the final judgment, good works will be rewarded with eternal salvation. However, these good works will be meritorious not apart from Christ but precisely because of the union of the believer with him.
David Gibson and Jonathan Gibson, eds. From Heaven He Came and Sought Her: Definite Atonement in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013.
Credo Magazine contributors include: Michael A.G. Haykin, Paul Helm, Thomas Schreiner.
There is a palpable sense of confusion—and sometimes even embarrassment—with regard to so-called limited atonement today, pointing to the need for thoughtful engagement with this controversial doctrine. Incorporating contributions from a host of respected theologians, From Heaven He Came and Sought Her stands as the first comprehensive resource on definite atonement as it examines the issue from historical, biblical, theological, and pastoral perspectives.
Offering scholarly insights for those seeking a thorough and well-researched discussion, this book will encourage charitable conversations as it winsomely defends this foundational tenet of Reformed theology.
(Right now you can get the book 45% off here.)
Matthew Barrett. Salvation by Grace: The Case for Effectual Calling and Regeneration. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2013.
Salvation by Grace: The Case for Effectual Calling and Regeneration presents a magisterial case that God’s grace is monergistic—that God acts alone, apart from human cooperation, to effectually call and sovereignly regenerate sinners. Thus effectual calling and regeneration logically precede conversion in the ordo salutis (order of salvation), thereby ensuring that all of the glory in salvation belongs to God, not to man. The author also evaluates Arminian and modified views of the nature of God’s grace in salvation, finding them unbiblical because they fail to do justice to the scriptural portrayal of God’s sovereignty and glory in salvation.
The relationship between saving faith and regeneration is vitally important in the biblical doctrine of salvation. It is a watershed issue in the debate between historic Calvinism and historic Arminianism. Although one can savingly believe the gospel without rightly understanding this relationship, the integrity of the biblical witness to the grace of God in that gospel cannot be consistently maintained without recognizing the priority of regeneration in the application of salvation. Dr. Barrett sees this truth clearly and argues persuasively for the monergistic—or Calvinistic—position. His arguments are exegetically careful, theologically rigorous, and historically informed. Monergists will welcome this book as a helpful guide to the issues at stake, and synergists will not be able to ignore its devastating critique of their strongest arguments.
Matthew Barrett. Reclaiming Monergism: The Case for Sovereign Grace in Effectual Calling and Regeneration. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2013.
In 2013 Salvation by Grace: The Case for Effectual Calling and Regeneration, by Matthew Barrett, executive editor of Credo Magazine, hit the shelves. The discerning reader may have noticed, however, that Salvation by Grace is an abridged version of Barrett’s dissertation. For those of you who want to dig deeper, Barrett’s unabridged dissertation has now been published by P&R to be read on Kindle. It is titled: Reclaiming Monergism: The Case for Sovereign Grace in Effectual Calling and Regeneration. Here you will find far more material when it comes to Barrett’s historical treatment, representation and critique of Arminianism, and defense of Calvinism. Currently, on Amazon the Kindle book is available for $9.99.
Matthew Barrett. What Is Regeneration? (Basics of the Faith). Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2013.
Many people believe they can initiate their salvation, either through choosing to believe or on their own merits. Yet the Bible is clear that we can’t take even the first step toward reconciliation with God on our own—we are spiritually dead and can do nothing unless we are given new life.
Matthew Barrett explores the doctrine of regeneration to show us what truly happens to us when we are saved. He compares the gospel call with the effectual call and shows us how God’s gift of a new heart and new birth—not anything we have done—initiates our salvation.
Matthew Barrett. The Grace of Godliness: An Introduction to Doctrine and Piety in the Canons of Dort. Ontario: Joshua Press, 2013.
When the pastors and theologians who comprised the Synod of Dort met in 1618 and 1619 to frame a response to the rise of Arminian theology in Dutch churches, they were concerned to provide not just theological argument but pastoral vision. They considered seriously the implications of right theology on both growth in grace and holiness and the spiritual comfort of believers.
Keenly aware of this vital link between theology and practice, they drew up the Canons of Dort in a manner that astutely rebutted from Scripture the Arminian Remonstrants, point by point, arguing the veracity of the doctrines of predestination, particular atonement, total depravity, effectual grace and the perseverance of the saints—the five points that have come to be known as ‘‘the doctrines of grace.”
Matthew Barrett opens a window on the synod’s deliberations with the Remonstrants and examines the main emphases of the canons, with special attention on their relationship to biblical piety and spirituality. For example, the doctrine of predestination is shown from Scripture to establish not just God’s electing grace but assurance of salvation—comforting believers that the God who saved them will preserve them to the very end. As Dr. Barrett examines the Canons of Dort it becomes clear why they are so important. Indeed, the piety and godliness that saturates these seventeenth-century canons shows they are as relevant for the church today as they were then.
Matthew Barrett and Ardel B. Caneday, eds. Four Views on the Historical Adam (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013.
Contributors include: Denis O. Lamoureux, John H. Walton, C. John Collins, William Barrick, Gregory A. Boyd, and Philip G. Ryken.
As a part of the Counterpoints series, Four Views on the Historical Adam clearly outlines four primary views on Adam held by evangelicals, featuring top-notch proponents of each view presenting their positions in their own words and critiquing the positions with which they disagree. You will come away with a better understanding of the key biblical and theological issues at stake and of the implications of Adam for contemporary Christian witness and church life.
Contributors include Denis O. Lamoureux, John H. Walton, C. John Collins, and William Barrick. Each focuses his essay on answering the following questions:
What is the biblical case for your viewpoint, and how do you reconcile it both with modern science and with passages and potential interpretations that seem to counter it?
In what ways is your view more theologically consistent and coherent than other views?
What are the implications of your view for the spiritual life and public witness of the church and individual believers, and how is your view a healthier alternative for both?Concluding reflections by pastor-scholars Gregory A. Boyd and Philip Graham Ryken highlight the significance of the topic in the faith of everyday believers.
Michael A.G. Haykin. Ardent Love for Jesus: English Baptists and the Experience of Revival in the Long Eighteenth Century. Evangelical Press, 2013.
The eighteenth century began with the Calvinistic Baptists in poor condition. Small in number and despised, there seemed to be little hope for the future. Yet as the years passed by remarkable ministries arose and the Lord worked in wonderful ways. Michael Haykin plots the course of events, looking at figures such as Benjamin Francis and Anne Steele, John Sutcliff and the ‘concert of prayer’ and the theology of Andrew Fuller. This is not only history: the experiences of these Baptists has much to teach us today about our need of a work of God.
G. Stephen Weaver Jr. and Ian Hugh Clary, eds. The Pure Flame of Devotion: The History of Christian Spirituality. Joshua Press, 2013.
Note: This book was written in honor of Michael A.G. Haykin.
Contributors include: Douglas Adams, Peter Beck, Joel R. Beeke, Nathan A. Finn, Keith Goad, Crawford Gribben, Francis X. Gumerlock, David S. Hogg, Erroll Hulse, Clint Humfrey, Sharon James, Mark Jones, Sean Michael Lucas, Tom J. Nettles, Dennis Ngien, Robert W. Oliver, Kenneth J. Stewart, Carl R. Trueman, Austin R. Walker, Donald S. Whitney, Malcolm B. Yarnell, Fred G. Zaspel.
Since the time of Christ, the church has known men and women renowned for their devotion, spiritual insight and piety. Collectively their lives portray a broad history of Christian spirituality. This volume is meant to ignite your interest and understanding of key time periods and pivotal people from various eras of church history. Instead of exploring the overall spiritual perspective of a person or period, only certain aspects of thought are dealt with. This is an approach to church history with an eye to issues of spirituality that emphasizes how today’s Christians can cull ancient sources for their spiritual enrichment and encouragement as they seek to live their lives under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Each of the exceptional contributors is knowledgeable in their particular subject area.Through extensive original research they skillfully expound the vitality and richness of the spirituality of their subjects. Introduced to these historical figures who walked closely with God, Christians will find rich application and benefit for their souls. May this book stir up many more men and women to pursue intimate communion and fellowship with God, turning from all that distracts and devoting heart and soul to loving God and living for his glory and the spread of the kingdom of Jesus Christ.
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