Sailhamer, John H. The Meaning of the Pentateuch: Revelation, Composition and Interpretation. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2009.

Brief Overview of the Book (Theme, Perspective, Approach):

This 612 page (plus indexes) magnum opus has several concerns. One is to make sure that we do not relegate the Old Testament to a substandard status in comparison with the New Testament. He even goes so far as to say that the Old Testament was the early church's New Testament. Unlike the factions within Judaism, Christianity did not create its own form of the "Hebrew" (portions in Aramaic) Scriptures but accepted it as their Scriptures and added more books to it. This complements his argument that the Old Testament is about a coming Messiah King from the tribe of Judah and the New Testament identifies that Messiah as Jesus. He does not want to read the New Testament back into the Old Testament but rather to read the Old Testament into the New Testament. This means includes seeing how the Old Testament interprets itself before moving to the New Testament. And it is worth noting (as he has a whole chapter about it) that when we are talking about meaning we are speaking about the meaning of the words of Scripture. His focus on the words of Scripture complements the focus of the words of Scripture on the words of Scripture (i.e. Joshua 1 and Psalm 1, cf. Neh 8:8).

As you can already tell, the book is about much more than the meaning of the Pentateuch. Sailhamer discusses the way the prophets and Psalms interpret the Pentateuch. This leads him to describe the compositional strategy and seams of Jeremiah (see pages 404ff and 494ff) and the Psalms (Psalms 1-2, 72, and 145) as he earlier had done the same with the whole of the Hebrew Scriptures. The seams of the Hebrew Scriptures even led him to highlight Daniel and the end of Chronicles (two of the last three books in the Hebrew canonical order with Ezra-Nehemiah in between).

The book has one major thesis: the canonical Pentateuch is actually the Second Edition or Pentateuch 2.0 that highlights themes already present in the First Edition. And many sub-theses concerning its interpretation in light of the strategy of the authors. One concerning the theme of faith is that the Pentateuch employs the same strategy as the lament pattern to highlight the importance of faith: emergency, promise, faith, certainty (Gen 15, Exo 3-4 and in reverse as Num 14, and highlighting unbelief in Num 20). One concerning the theme of law is that the various written laws were added after major transgressions. The covenant at Sinai was originally to resemble the one with Abraham -- living by faith one would walk according to the stipulations written on the heart. Throughout the discussion Sailhamer looks to the intertextual "learned quotations" and these patterns to see the "intelligent design" of the human author.

Critique (strengths and weaknesses):

Sailhamer offers a very well thought out approach to understanding the Pentateuch. No one can accuse him of shortcutting to easy answers to the complicated issues. And he has clearly wrestled extensively with the approaches of others to the issues (including learned interaction with Vos, Coccejus, Calvin, and Augustine). It would help the average scholar-pastor if he had translated many of the sources he quotes in Latin, German, and etc. But it is obvious that this book is the product of years of study and reflection where he does not hesitate to articulate how his approach disagrees with others.

I appreciate his metaphors for describing the canonical Pentateuch as "the Pentateuch, 2nd Edition" or "Pentateuch 2.0." The point being that the additions of comments in the narrative, language explaining obscure poetic texts (you can identify them often by seeing the breaks in the parallelism), the additional poem and epilogue at the end of Deuteronomy, and other texts were not random updates but reflect the "intelligent design" of an anonymous author. The purpose of these updates was to accent the relevance of the text for a later generation. Sailhamer is not very clear on the extent of the updating he believes was done, and every time it seems like he is going to make such a conclusion he stops short, instead stressing that his approach is to interpret the present text.

Sailhamer makes lots of interesting observations about the Hebrew Scriptures and reads many of these observations into the New Testament. He believes that the Gospels and Paul, in particular, understand the Pentateuch and how it has been interpreted in the rest of the Hebrew Scriptures. For example, Sailhamer argues that Gal 3:19 and Matt 19:8 understand correctly the strategy of the Pentateuch adding laws after transgressions. And likewise, Matt 2:15 understands Hosea 11:1 correctly in the strategy of that book. These things have been a matter of great debate in scholarly circles and there are many who would beg to differ with his conclusions because their approach to the text is different.

It is definitely a strength that Sailhamer spends so much time on the major poems of the Pentateuch and their learned quotations of the "promise narratives" was an interesting observation. But I am not persuaded by his argument that the Second Edition is a prophetic edition. If this was a major part of the thesis statement (which it appeared to be at the beginning, but I left out above because it did not seem to be in the end) he did not demonstrate thoroughly enough why it would be a prophetic edition rather than a wisdom edition, especially since some of his other writings suggest the latter.

Application (specific, shows just how valuable & relevant the book is):

I found the faith pattern helpful in explaining questions that I myself had about the Genesis narrative. How he suggests that the Pentateuch (which I would call the Torah) compares and contrasts Abraham and Moses is particularly helpful. But the greatest value of this book lies in its tracing of biblical-theological themes and allusions throughout the Scriptures. Pastors need to know their Bibles and need to meditate day and night on the word of God. I found it particularly interesting that the theme seems to be private meditation on the word rather than public. As a pastor, I find myself stressing public meditation on the word in Sunday worship. This is somewhat to correct the belief among many today that one can go it alone in the walk of faith (i.e., without the church). But the text of the Hebrew Scriptures does stress at its very seams, as Sailhamer points out, the importance of individuals studying the word of God day and night. This reminds me that both need to take place and that individual meditation on the word is vital. This is why this book is valuable -- it got me to ponder on the word of God and to think about my own presuppositions as I approach the Scriptures.

Representative Quote:

Although the Sinai covenant began as an extension of God's covenant with Abraham, the Pentateuch is clear that Sinai was to be replaced by another covenant and assigned a new purpose as law for a people tainted by the sin of the golden calf. To be sure, the Pentateuch was not assigned the status of being Israel's law code. That was a role to be taken over by the laws of the Sinai covenant. The Pentateuch, itself an expression of the hope for a new covenant, was set over against the Mosaic law of the Sinai covenant. This shifting role of the Sinai covenant in the theology of the Pentateuch can be seen already in the beginning stages of the Sinai covenant (Ex 19-24).

When viewed from the perspective of the strategy of its composition and its treatment of the various collections of laws, such as the Decalogue, the pentateuchal narratives present themselves as an extended treatise on the nature and purpose of the Sinai covenant. The author of the Pentateuch is intent on showing that Israel's immediate fall into idolatry with the golden calf brought with it a fundamental shift in the nature of their covenant with God. At the outset of the covenant, the text portrays the nature of the covenant in much the same light as that of the religion of the patriarchs. Like Abraham, Israel was to obey God (Ex 19:5; cf. Gen 26:5), keep his covenant (Ex 19:5; cf. Gen 17:1-14) and exercise faith (Ex 19:9; cf. Gen 15:6). Though they immediately agreed to the terms of this covenant (Ex 19:8), Israel quickly proved unable to keep it (Ex 19:16-17). In fear, they pleaded with Moses to go into God's presence for them while they themselves stood "afar off" (Ex 19:18-20; 20:18-21). In response to the people's fear and disobedience, God wrote out for them the Decalogue, as well as the Covenant Code and the plans for building a tabernacle. As depicted in the Decalogue and Covenant Code, Israel's relationship with God was based on the absolute prohibition of idolatry and the simple offering of praise and sacrifice. The covenant was still very much like that of the patriarchal period, except that now it had clearly defined stipulations ("the ten words").

[As Sailhamer continues, he notes that the golden calf incident marks the decisive change to a law with a multitude of stipulations, then the people's sacrifices to goat idols (Lev 17:1-9)leads to the addition of the Holiness Code. Deuteronomy adds more laws, but then begins to talk of a different kind of covenant (see Deut 29).]

Labels: canon, chronicles, daniel, faith, jeremiah, law, pentateuch, psalms, scripture, torah

Q&A 39 Of Man's Duty to God

The Will of God revealed in the Scriptures is our only Rule of Obedience, Isa 8:20 To the Law, and to the Testimony; if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no Light in them.

[This next question and answer are interesting:] But if a Man have a Voice, a Vision, or a Dream, seeming to hint the secret Will of God, may he not obey it? A. Yes; if it be consonant to the revealed Will of God in the Word, otherwise not, Deut 29:29

Labels: dream, moral law, obedience, vision, voice

Q&A 38 Of Christ's acknowledging Believers

Let none be afraid or ashamed to confess the Person, Office, or any Truth of Christ, for any Loss or Danger, that may threaten them, Luke 12:8-9 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before Men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before the Angels of God. But he that denieth me before Men, shall be denied before the Angels of God.

Of Christ's acquitting Believers

Though the Day of Judgment be awfully solemn, it should not be dreadful to Believers. They should look for, and hasten to the coming of the Day of God, 2 Pet 3:12 Looking for, and hastening unto the coming of the Day of God, &c.

Of the full Enjoyment of God

What will such a Vision of God produce? A. It will produce perfect Conformity in them to God, 1 John 3:2 When he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And perfect Joy will result from hence, Psa 16:11 In thy Presence is Fulness [sic] of Joy, at thy right Hand there are Pleasures for evermore.

Labels: conformity, day of judgment, joy, profess Christ

Institutes 4.16.9

Accordingly, let those who embrace the promise that God's mercy is to be extended to their children deem it their duty to offer them to the church to be sealed by the symbol of mercy, and thereby to arouse themselves to a surer confidence, because they see with their very eyes the covenant of the Lord engraved upon the bodies of their children. On the other hand, the children receive some benefit from their baptism: being engrafted into the body of the church, they are somewhat more commended to the other members. Then, when they have grown up, they are greatly spurred to an earnest zeal for worshiping God, by whom they were received as children through a solemn symbol of adoption before they were old enough to recognize him as Father. Finally, we ought to be greatly afraid of that threat, that God will wreak vengeance upon any man who disdains to mark his child with the symbol of the covenant; for by such contempt the proffered grace is refused, and, as it were, foresworn.

Labels: baptism, children, infants, seal, seeing the covenant

Q&A 37 Of Perfection at Death

The Saints should earnestly pursue that Perfection, even in this imperfect State, Phil 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one Thing I do, forgetting those Things which are behind, and reaching forth to those Things which are before, I press towards the Mark, for the Price of the high Calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Of immediate Glorification

At Death they are as ready for Heaven as ever they shall be, John 9:4 I must work the Work of him that sent me while it is Day, the Night cometh, when no Man can work.

Of rest in the Grave

Seeing that our Bodies are to have so long and so sweet rest in the Grave, we should not spare them in God's service now, 2 Pet 1:13-14 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this Tabernacle, to stir you up, by putting you in Remembrance, knowing that shortly I must put off this my Tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

Of the Resurrection

Is it sinful to doubt of the Doctrine of the Resurrection? A. 'Tis not only a Sin to doubt it, but an Heresy to deny it, it being a fundamental Article, Heb 6:2 And of the Resurrection of the Dead, 1 Cor 15:13-14 But if there be no Resurrection of the Dead, then is Christ not risen; and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your Faith is also vain.

Labels: death, glorification, grave, perfection, resurrection

Q&A 36 Of Assurance, the Fruit of Justification

How is true Assurance discerned from Presumption? A. True Assurance humbles the Soul, Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. And makes the Soul afraid of Sin, 2 Cor 7:1 Having therefore these Promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit, perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God.

Of Peace of Conscience

What is that which hinders the Sense of Peace in Believers? A. Their Sins against the Lord, and grieving of his Spirit, Isa 59:2 But your Iniquities have separated between you and your God ; and your Sins have hid his Face from you, that he will not hear.

Of Joy in the Holy Ghost [besides saying that "Religion is no melancholy Thing, but the Fountain of all Joy and Pleasure"]

Have not Hypocrites their Joys as well as real Christians? A. Yes, but the Joy of the Hypocrite is not grounded upon Scripture-warrant, and will vanish away, and will come to nothing at last, John 5:35 He was a burning and a shining Light, and ye were willing for a Season to rejoice in his Light.

Of the Increase of Grace

After saying that true Grace may sometimes decay, the first inference is "To bless God for Gospel Ordinances, Psa 92:13-14 Those that be planted in the House of the Lord, shall flourish in the Courts of our God, they shall still bring forth Fruit in old Age; they shall be fat and flourishing.

Of Perseverance

Why do not all persevere? Because all Professors have not a good Root and Foundation, Matt 13:20-21

Labels: assurance, grace, joy, ordinary means, peace of conscience

...
I deny that they are gathered in his [Christ's] name who, casting aside God's commandment that forbids anything to be added or taken away from his Word, ordain anything according to their own decision; who, not content with the oracles of Scripture, that is, the sole rule of perfect wisdom, concoct some novelty out of their own heads. Surely, since Christ promised that he would be present not in all councils whatsoever but laid down a special mark by which a true and lawful one might be distinguished from the rest, it behooves us never to neglect this distinction.
...

Labels: councils, truth, wisdom, word

Q&A 31 Of Effectual Calling

Do the Called of God hear any Voice from Heaven? A. Ordinarily it is a Call without Sound, yet as efficacious as an audible Voice from Heaven.

Q&A 32 Of the Concomitants of Vocation

That all Believer's Privileges are not in Hope, but some in Hand, 1 John 3:1 Behold what Manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the Sons of God.

Q&A 33 Of Justification

But doth not James say otherwise, James 2:14 What doth it profit, my Brethren, though a Man, says he, hath Faith, and have not Works, Can Faith save him? A. The two Apostles contradict not one another. Paul speaks of Justification before God; and James of justifying our Faith before Men.

Q&A 34 Of Adoption

It teacheth us to carry ourselves as Children to our heavenly Father: First, In our Imitation of him, Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore Followers of God as dear Children : Secondly, In our Submission to him, Heb 12:9 Furthermore, we have had Fathers of our Flesh, which corrected us, and we gave them Reverence: Shall we not much rather be in Subjection to the Father of Spirits, and live? Thirdly, In our Dependence on him, Matt 6:32 For your heavenly Father knoweth that you have Need of all these Things.

Q&A 35 Of Sanctification

True Sanctification purgeth the Heart from the Love of Sin, Rom 7:15 For that which I do, I allow not And the Life from the Dominion of Sin, Rom 6:19 As ye have yielded your Members Servants to Uncleanness, and to Iniquity, unto Iniquity ; even so now yield your Members Servants to Righteousness, unto Holiness.

Labels: adoption, benefits, calling, efficacy, justification, righteousness, sanctification, sin, works

Q&A 30 Of our Union with Christ

Can none have saving Benefit by Christ, but such as are united to him? A. No; for as Adam's Sin could not hurt us, except we had been in him ; so Christ's Redemption cannot profit us, except we are in him, 1 Cor 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption.

What are the Bonds of this Union? A. The Spirit on God's Part, 1 John 3:24 And he that keepeth his Commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him; and hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. And Faith on our Part, Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your Hearts by Faith.

Labels: adam, faith, redemption, righteousness, sanctification, spirit, union with Christ, wisdom

Q&A 29 Of the Application of Christ

What means doth the Spirit use in applying Christ? A. The external Means he makes use of, is the Ministry of the Gospel, 1 Cor 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollo, but Ministers by whom ye believed?

Is this sufficient of itself? A. No; the Blessing and Power of the Spirit must accompany it, or Christ cannot be applied, 1 Thes 1:5-6 For our Gospel came not unto you in Word only, but also in Power and in the Holy Ghost, and in much Assurance, as ye know ...

I recently read Herman Bavinck's Saved by Grace, which develops these ideas.

Labels: application of salvation, ordinary means, paul, spirit

Q&A 27 Of Christ's Humiliation

What is the first inference from hence? A. That Lowliness and Humility becomes Christ's Followers, Matt 11:29 Take my Yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek, and lowly in Heart.

Q&A 28 Of Christ's Exaltation

For what End did he ascend? A. To take Possession of his Glory, John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the Glory which I had with thee before the World was. And that as our fore-runner, Heb 6:20 Whither the fore-runner is for us entred, even Jesus, &c.

The Second Part of the 28th Question of Christ's Exaltation

What is implied in Christ's sitting there? A. That his Work on Earth is finished, Heb 10:11-12 But this Man after he had offered one Sacrifice for Sin, for ever sate down on the right Hand of God.

What else doth it signify? A. Christ's Power over all Enemies, Psa 110:2 The Lord shall send the Rod of thy Strength out of Sion ; rule thou in the midst of thine Enemies.

Labels: ascension, exaltation, humiliation, humility, sitting on the right hand of God

Q&A 22 Of Christ's Incarnation

The Lord Jesus Christ is their [the elect of God's] only Redeemer, and there is no Redeemer besides him, Acts 4:12 Neither is there Salvation in any other ; for there is none other Name under Heaven given among Men, whereby we must be saved.

Of the Manner of Christ's Incarnation

Was he then in all Respects like to other Men? A. No ; his Conception was not like others, Isa 7:14 Behold, a Virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call his Name Emanuel. And he had no Sin in him as others have, Heb 7:26 For such an High Priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from Sinners.

Q&A 23 Of Christ's Offices

What Promises flow out of the Prophetical Office? A. All the Promises of Illumination, Guidance and Direction flow out of Christ's Prophetical Office.

What Promises flow out of the Priestly Office? A. All the Promises of Pardon and Peace flow out of it.

What Promises flow out of the Kingly Office? A. All the Promises of Defence, Protection and Deliverances.

Q&A 24 Of Christ's Prophetical Office

How doth Christ teach Men the Will of God? A. He doth it by external Revelation of it, Acts 3:22 For Moses truly said unto the Fathers, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your Brethren, like unto me, him shall ye hear in all Things, whatsoever he shall say unto you. And by internal Illumination, Luke 24:45 Then opened he their Understandings, that they might understand the Scripture.

Q&A 25 Of Christ's Priesthood

That the Christian Religion only settles the Conscience in Peace, Heb 9:14 How much more shall the Blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without Spot to God, purge your Consciences from dead Works to serve the living God?

Q&A 26 Of Christ's Kingly Office

That all Plots against the Church shall surely be defeated, Isa 54:17 No Weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.

Labels: king, priest, prophet, redeemer, virgin birth

Q&A 21 Of the Only Redeemer

How did Christ deliver us from this Misery [of Sin and Hell] ? A. First, By Price : Secondly, By Power. By Price, 1 Peter 1:18-19 Ye are not redeemed with Silver and Gold from your vain Conversation, received by Tradition from your Fathers : But with the precious Blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without Blemish, and without Spot. By Power, Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the Power of Darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.

Labels: misery, power, price, redeemer, sin

Q&A 20 Of the Salvation of God's Elect and of the Covenant of Grace

Did God chose some because he foresaw they would be better than others? A. No: God's Choice was not on foreseen Works ; but meerly [sic] of his Grace, and good Pleasure of his Will, Eph 1:5-6 Having predestinated us unto the Adoption of Children by Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good Pleasure of his Will, to the Praise of the Glory of his Grace.

Of the Covenant of Grace

May a Sinner that hath no Worthiness at all of his own, be taken into the Covenant of Grace? A. Yes, he may, Isa 43:25 I, even I, am he, that blotteth out thy Transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy Sins. This Covenant is not of Works but of Grace, Rom 11:5-6 And if by Grace, then it is no more of Works, otherwise Grace is no more Grace ; but if it be of Works then it is no more Grace, otherwise Work is no more Work.

Labels: covenant of grace, covenant of works, election, grace, works

Q&A 14 Of Sin

Nothing can be a Sin but what God hath either expressly, or by Consequence, forbidden in his Word.

Q&A 15 Of the Tree of Knowledge

Why was this Tree called the Tree of Knowledge? A. Not from any natural Efficacy it had to give Knowledge ; but the Knowledge he should have by eating, or not eating, was experimental Knowledge, i.e. Knowledge to his Sorrow.

Q&A 16 Of the Fall of Adam, and ours in him

Did no Man ever escape the Sin of Adam? A. Yes, the Man Christ Jesus did, and he only, Heb 7:26 For such an high Priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from Sinners.

Why was Christ not tainted with it? A. Because he came into the World in an extraordinary Way, Matt 1:18

Q&A 17-18 Of Original Sin

It should provoke Parents to use their utmost Diligence for the Conversion of their Children, who draw Sin from them.

Q&A 19 Of Man's Misery

[What do you learn from the misery here and hereafter?] The wo[e]ful State of the unconverted. Miserable here, and miserable to Eternity.

Labels: adam, conversion, original sin, sin, tree of knowledge

Q&A 13 Of the Fall of Man

Did the Will of Man lose its Liberty to Good, by the Fall? A. Yes, it did, and is so wounded, that it cannot without preventing and regenerating Grace put forth one spiritual and saving Act, Eph 2:8-10 For by Grace are ye saved, through Faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the Gift of God. Not of works, lest any Man should boast ; for we are all his Workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good Works, &c.

Labels: fall, good, will

Q&A 12 Of the Covenant of Works

How was the Threatning fulfilled, of dying in the Day he eat, seeing he lived 930 years? A. He died spiritually, that Day; and though the Sentence on his Body was respited in Order to Posterity, yet then his Body received the Death Wound, of which afterward he died.

Labels: adam, covenant, covenant of works, death

Q&A 11 on Providence

It is no small Privilege to be adopted Children of God, and the Members of Christ, for all is ordered for their eternal Good, Eph 1:22-23 And hath put all Things under his Feet, and gave him to be head over all Things to the Church, which is his Body, the fulness of him, that filleth all in all.

Labels: providence

Q&A 9 Of the Creation:

What is the Third Instruction from the Creation ? A. That God only is the proper Object of Worship, Jer 10:11 Thus shall he say to them, The Gods that have not made the Heavens and the Earth, even they shall perish from the Earth, and from under these Heavens.

Q&A 10 Of Man's Creation:

What is meant by the Image of God? A. Not a Resemblance of God in any bodily Shape or Figure, but in Holiness, Eph 4:24 And that ye put on that new Man, which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness.

What is the Fourth Instruction from hence? A. That the Despisers of Holiness are the Despisers of God; for Holiness is God's Image.

I hope to write a review when the quotes are complete.

Labels: creation, holiness, image of God, righteousness

Allein, Joseph. An Alarm to Unconverted Sinners in a Serious Treatise. You can find it and download it in pdf format for free. Or if you insist on a hard copy, Banner of Truth has published it as A Sure Guide to Heaven

O ye saints, how should ye love the word ? for by this you have been converted : O ye sinners, how should you ply the word ? for by this you must be converted : no other ordinary means but this. You that have felt its renewing power, make much of it while you live ; be forever thankful for it : tie it about your necks, write it upon your hands, lay it in your bosoms, Prov 6:21-22. When you go, let it lead you ; when you sleep, let it keep you ; when you wake, let it talk with you : Say with holy David, I will never forget thy precepts, for by them thou hast quickened me, Psa 119:93. You that are unconverted, read the word with diligence, flock to it where powerfully preached, fill the porches, as the multitude of the impotent, blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water, John 5:3. Pray for the coming of the Spirit in the word. Come off thy knees to the sermon ; and come to thy knees from the sermon. The seed doth not prosper, because not watered by prayers and tears, nor covered by meditation.

Labels: conversion, meditation, ordinary means, prayer, puritan, sermons, word

Q&A 7 Of God's Decrees

What is the last Instruction from God's decrees? A. That we ought to be thankful to God for all the Good, and patient under all the Evils that befal[l] us, Job 2:10 Shall we receive good at the Hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?

Note that Q.8 is explained under the next few questions. Thus the next entry will be on Q.9

Labels: decree, evil, good, patience, thanksgiving

Q&A 5: Of One God

Why is he called the living God? A. Because all Life, natural, spiritual, and eternal, is in him, and from him only. First, Natural Life, Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being. Secondly, Spiritual Life, Eph 2:1 You hath be quickened, who were dead in Trespasses and Sins. Thirdly, Eternal Life in Glory, Col 3:4 When Christ who is our Life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in Glory.

Q&A 6: Of Three Persons in the Godhead

After showing this from the baptism of Christ, the institution of baptism "in the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost," the Apostolical Benediction (The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.) and others, Flavel gives us some practical application of the doctrine. I have a special interest in this, and have written some reasons out on my teaching blog previously, many of the reasons below are in addition to those.

First Instruction:

That the Doctrine of the Gospel concerning Christ, is fully confirmed and ratified by three Witnesses from Heaven, who are above all Exceptions, 1 John 5:7 For there are Three that bear Record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost.

Second Instruction:

Hence we learn the true Order and Manner of worshipping God in the Son, John 16:23 Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name, he will give it you. And by the Spirit, Eph 6:18 Praying always, with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit.

Third Instruction:

That the Covenant of Grace conveys a rich Portion to Believers, in making over all three Persons to them, Jer. 31:33 But this shall be the Covenant that I will make with the House of Israel after those Days, saith the Lord, I will put my Law in their inward Parts, and write it in their Hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my People.

Fourth Instruction:

That as it is the Duty of all the Saints to give distinct Glory to the three Persons in the Godhead; so it will be a special Part of their Blessedness in Heaven, to contemplate the distinct Benefits received from them all, Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful Witness, and the first begotten of the Dead, and the Prince of the Kings of the Earth, unto him that loved us, and washed us from our Sins in his own Blood.

Labels: life, theology proper, trinity

Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Translated by Ford Lewis Battles. I used the version available from AGES Digital Library, though I also have a hardcopy.

2.8.10, to understand you may need to refer to the Institutes and read this in context, on the Ten Commandments, Calvin says,

But why did God, as it were by half commandments, signify through synecdoche what he willed, rather than express it? While other reasons are also commonly given, this one especially satisfies me: the flesh ever tries to wash away the foulness of sins, except when it is palpable, and to overlay it with plausible excuses. Hence, God has set forth by way of example the most frightful and wicked element in every kind of transgression, at the hearing of which our senses might shudder, in order that he might imprint upon our minds a greater detestation of every sort of sin. In appraising our vices we are quite often deceived by this into making light of those which are somewhat concealed. The Lord disabuses us of these deceptions when he accustoms us to refer the whole mass of vices to these categories which best represent how heinous each kind is. For example, when called by their own names, we do not consider anger and hatred as things to be cursed. Yet when they are forbidden under the name "murder," we better understand how abominable they are in the sight of God, by whose Word they are relegated to the level of a dreadful crime. Thus moved by his judgment, we ourselves become accustomed better to weigh the gravity of transgressions, which previously seemed light to us.

What Calvin does with the sixth commandment we could do with each of the commandments.

Labels: moral law, ten commandments

Q&A 4 God is a Spirit

What else may be learned from [the Spiritual Nature of God]? A. That our Souls are the most noble and excellent Part of us, which most resembles God, and therefore our chief Regard and Care should be for them, whatever becomes of the vile Body, Matt 16:26 For what is a Man profited if he gain the whole World, and lose his own Soul? Or what shall a Man give in Exchange for his Soul?

Q&A 4 Of God's Infinity

If God be thus infinite, and no Understanding can comprehend him, how then is it said in 1 John 3:2 We shall see him as he is ? A. The Meaning is not, that glorified Saints shall comprehend God in their Understandings; but that they shall have a true apprehensive Knowledge, though not a comprehensive Knowledge of God: And that we shall see him immediately, and not as we do now thorough [sic] a Glass darkly.

Q&A 4 Of God's Eternity

That tho' Angels, and the Souls of Men shall have no End; yet they had a Beginning, which God had not; Secondly, Our Eternity is by Gift from God, or by his Appointment; but his Eternity is necessary, and from his own Nature.

The Gospel is called the everlasting Gospel, Rev 14:6 because the Effects thereof upon the Souls it sanctifies, will abide in them for ever.

Q&A 4 Of God's Unchangeableness

The Happiness of God's People is firm, and sure, being built upon the Word of an unchangeable God, Mal 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye Sons of Jacob are not consumed,Heb 6:18

Q&A 4 Of God's Wisdom

What is the last Instruction from God's Wisdom? A. That the Study of Christ, and of the Scriptures, is to be preferred to all other Studies in the World, Col 2:3 In whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom, and Knowledge. And the Scriptures contain all that Wisdom which is for our Salvation, 1 Cor 2:7 But we speak the Wisdom of God in a Mystery, even the hidden Wisdom which God ordained before the World, unto our Glory.

Q&A 4 Of God's Power

Are there not some Things which God cannot do? A. Yes, there are, but they are such Things as are inconsistent with his Truth and Holiness, Titus 1:2--which God that cannot lie, 2 Tim 2:13He cannot deny himself.

Q&A 4 Of God's Holiness

The Holiness of God is twofold; Communicable or incommunicable; of his communicable Holiness the Apostle speaks, Heb 12:10 But he for our Profit, that we might be Partakers of his Holiness. Of his incommunicable Holiness that Scripture speaks, 1 Sam 2:2 There is none holy as the Lord.

The Gospel is of inestimable Value, as it is the Instrument of conveying the Holiness of God to us

Q&A 4 Of God's Justice

The greatest Evidence that ever was given of the Justice of God, was in his exacting full Satisfaction for our Sins upon Christ.

Q&A 4 Of God's Goodness

What is the Goodness of God? A. It is an essential Property of his Nature, whereby he is absolutely and perfectly good in himself, and the Fountain of all communicated Goodness to the Creature, Psalm 119:68 Thou art good, and dost good, teach me thy Statutes.

What is the Second Property of the divine Goodness? A. That it is supreme, and perfect in itself, so as the Goodness of no Creature is, or can be, Luke 18:19 None is good save one, and that is God: And consequently above all additions from the Creature, Psalm 16:2 O my Soul, thou hast said unto the Lord--my Goodness extendeth not unto thee.

Q&A 4 Of God's Truth

He is universally true in all his Words and Works. 1. In all his Words, John 17:17 Thy Word is Truth 2. In all his Works, Psalm 25:10 All the Paths of the Lord are Mercy and Truth, unto such as keep his Covenant.

Labels: eternity, goodness, gospel, holiness, infinity, justice, knowledge of God, soul, spirit, truth, wisdom

Flavel, John. An Exposition of the Assemblies Catechism, with Practical Inferences from each Question. You can find different editions on Google Books or Archive.org. I have made minor updates, including interpreting Roman numerals.

The Preface:

That Catechizing is an ordinance of God, few will doubt, when they consider the Apostles did first lay the Fundamentals of Religion; Heb 6:1 And fed Babes with Milk, teaching them the first Principles of the Oracles of God, Heb 5:12 and questionless taught them in that Manner, which was most suitable to the Capacity of the Learners, which may well be supposed to be by plain and short Questions, and suitable Answers thereunto; and therefore this has been a constant Practice in the Church of God.

Q&A #1 Of Man's Chief End:

Wherein consists the Enjoyment of God? A. It consists, First, in the facial Vision of him in Heaven. Secondly, in full Conformity to him, 1 John 3:2. But we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Thirdly, in that full Satisfaction which results from both the former, Psalm 17:15 I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy Likeness

Q&A #2 Of the Scriptures as Our Rule

What is the Holiness of the Scriptures? and how doth that prove them to be God's Word? A. The Holiness of the Scriptures doth appear in two Things. First, In commanding and encouraging whatsoever is pure and holy; Phil. 4:8 Whatsoever Things are pure. Secondly, In forbidding all Unholiness, under Pain of Damnation, 1 Cor 6:9 Know ye not, that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God, &c. This shews that they came not from Satan, being cross to his Design; nor from Men, it being against his corrupt Nature; and therefore from God only.

What is their Authority and Efficacy on the Soul? and how doth that prove them divine? A. Their Authority and Efficacy on the Soul, consists in three Things: First, In the Power they have to search and discover the Secrets of Men, Heb 4:12The Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged Sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of Soul and Spirit, of the Joints and Marrow; and is a Discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart. Secondly, In their converting Efficacy, changing and renewing the Soul, Psalm 19:7 The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the Soul. Thirdly, In their cheering and restoring Efficacy, when the Soul is cast down under any inward or outward Trouble, Psalm 19:8 The Statutes of the Lord are right, rejoycing the Heart. No humane Power can do such Things as these, John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy Truth, thy Word is Truth.

Q&A 3 Of Faith and Obedience

It is our Duty to examine what we hear, by the Word; and not receive any Doctrine, because Men confidently affirm it, but because the Scriptures require it, Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those of Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all Readiness of Mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether these Things were so. Secondly, That Christian Religion is not notional, but practical; and that impractical Faith saves no Man, James 2:20 Faith without Works is dead.

Labels: authority, catechism, conversion, efficacy, faith, holiness, joy, obedience, satisfaction, scripture, soul

Keller, Timothy. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. New York: Dutton, 2008.

Brief Overview of the Book (Theme, Perspective, Approach):

The book is a tool for evangelism. He gets people in his setting in New York city to doubt their doubts. He would be considered conservative by the culture where Scripture is considered conservative and he would be considered liberal by the culture where Scripture is considered liberal. Therefore, he is in a unique position to reach out in a very liberal city. He does not shirk back from the controversial topics like there being just one true faith, suffering, the sins of Christians, and hell. Instead, he tackles these subjects 'head on,' so to speak. Technically speaking, this is a book of applied apologetics (in the tradition of Van Til).

Critique (strengths and weaknesses):

Like with most people, I would not agree with absolutely everything that he says. However, the strengths of this book far exceed any weaknesses. It is not the book that I would have written, but that is mostly because I am serving in a different context and have different interests and style. I would be interested if anyone has any comments about arguments you find particularly persuasive in the book. While his critique resembles Van Til, his positive argument is open to the criticism that it moves away from this approach. [Take a look at my sermon for Easter 2009 for a positive approach sometimes relying on things Keller says but making a different apologetic, what I hope is closer to Van Til's approach.]

Application (specific, shows just how valuable & relevant the book is):

I actually appealed to things that Keller says concerning the difference between religion and faith in Jesus Christ in some of my sermons on the clash between Jesus and the Pharisees. This is probably the best part of the book to apply in the context of the Bible belt. Nevertheless, I will not hesitate to refer back to the other arguments made in this book when people assert the views he addresses.

Representative Quote:

The noted religion scholar John Hick has written that once you become aware that there are many other equally intelligent and good people in the world who hold different beliefs from you and that you will not be able to convince them otherwise, then it is arrogant for you to continue to try to convert them or to hold your view to be the superior truth.

Once again there is an inherent contradiction. Most people in the world don't hold to John Hick's view that all religions are equally valid, and many of them are equally as good and intelligent as he is, and unlikely to change their views. That would make the statement "all religious claims to have a better view of things are arrogant and wrong" to be, on its own terms, arrogant and wrong. (11)

Labels: apologetics, evangelism, skepticism

Carson, D. A. The Cross and Christian Ministry: Leadership Lessons From 1 Corinthians. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1993.


Brief Overview of the Book (Theme, Perspective, Approach):
The premise is that the cross is more than just the means of our salvation. Carson says,

The cross not only establishes what we are to preach, but how we are to preach. It prescribes what Christian leaders must be and how Christians must view Christian leaders. It tells us how to serve and draws us onward in discipleship until we understand what it means to be world Christians.

The chapters are "The Cross and Preaching" (1 Cor 1:18-2:5), "The Cross and the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor 2:6-16), "The Cross and Factionalism" (1 Cor 3), "The Cross and Christian Leadership" (1 Cor 4), and "The Cross and the World Christian" (1 Cor 9:19-27). The approach is exegetical (interpreting the text) and the application is to Christian leadership.

Critique (strengths & weaknesses):

Carson does the work of interpretation convincingly and thoroughly. He teaches, using different words, the same thing that I heard at WTS: our message, methods, and character need to reflect Jesus. His approach is balanced -- explaining that Paul was a competent communicator (cannot appeal to 1 Cor 2:1-5 to be lazy in sermon prep or delivery). The example of the preacher who switched from high Arabic to street Arabic is especially illustrative -- people should not be more interested in his Arabic than his Savior. (We might add great accents from across the pond?) He challenges popular ways of reading 1 Cor 2:6-16 and 1 Cor 3...interpretations that result from sin. And he reminds those who follow Christian leaders that their leaders are accountable to the Lord Christ "and therefore to avoid judging them as if the church itself were the ultimate arbiter of ministerial success" (98). In other words, he teaches those who follow Christian leaders as well as Christian leaders themselves. Overall the book is interesting and challenging. Its weakness lies in its brevity.

Application (specific, shows just how valuable & relevant the book is):

I found the chapter "The Cross and Factionalism" especially helpful. He explains that the architectural analogy in 1 Cor 3 is about the work of Christian leaders. Even when building on the right foundation these leaders might use materials that will not withstand the heat on The Day. The worker whose building materials are not going to withstand the heat will be saved (as if running out of a burning building) but will have nothing to show for their labors. We must give an account of our service on The Day. As Carson says,

People may come, feel "helped," join in corporate worship, serve on committees, teach Sunday school classes, bring their friends, enjoy "fellowship," raise funds, participate in counseling sessions and self-help groups, but still not really know the Lord. If the church is being built with large portions of charm, personality, easy oratory, positive thinking, managerial skills, powerful and emotional experiences, and people smarts, but without the repeated, passionate, Spirit-anointed proclamation of "Jesus Christ and him crucified," we may be winning more adherents than converts. (80)

The immediate application (of which I need to constantly remind myself), in my own words, is to remember to whom we must give an account and therefore to remember how we must focus our energies and to die on that hill (as the saying goes, and very appropriate for the cross). This is different than the measures of the world and the tendency of factionalism ('I follow so and so'), which makes a particular leader their hero to be praised rather than God.

Best Quote:

An excellent illustration of his son vomiting if he was not burped as an infant is applied to 1 Cor 3 this way:

There are Christians who are international-class projectile vomiters, spiritually speaking, after years and years of life. They simply cannot digest what Paul calls "solid food." You must give them milk, for they are not ready for anything more. And if you try to give them anything other than milk, they upchuck and make a mess of everyone and everything around them. At some point the number of years they have been Christians leads you to expect something like mature behavior from them, but they prove disappointing. They are infants still and display their wretched immaturity even in the way they complain if you give them more than milk. Not for them solid knowledge of Scripture; not for them mature theological reflection; not for them growing and perceptive Christian thought. They want nothing more than another round of choruses and a "simple message"--something that won't challenge them to think, to examine their lives, to make choices, and to grow in their knowledge and adoration of the living God. (72)

Labels: cross, factionalism, ministry, sermons

Lucado, Max. For These Tough Times: Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope & Healing. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2006.

Brief overview of the book (Theme, Perspective, Approach):

This book discusses a theme highlighted in Reformed theology: the sovereignty of God. The book begins with Scripture (Psa 11:3-4) though verse three "When all that is good falls apart, what can good people do?" (NCV) is more literally "if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (ESV). See the critique. Lucado then uses Joseph, Moses, Daniel, and then Jesus, as exemplary. The theme is that when everything falls apart, God is on His throne. The second chapter has to do with the love of God for us even while we sin ("how does God feel about me when I am a jerk?", 16) and quotes Romans 8. This chapter focuses on the nativity. The next chapter has to do with Jesus having all authority -- while on earth and as the ascended Christ. Then chapter four is the theodicy. And it focuses on Satan and how he is a servant of God (albeit unintentionally). As he says, "The wolf cannot get to the sheep without the permission of the Shepherd, and the Shepherd will only permit the attack if, in the long term, the pain is worth the gain" (44). Forgiveness compared to revenge, how God is the one who should be asking questions and we should be silent (see Job), and life after death for Christians, are themes that round off the book.

Critique (Strengths & Weaknesses):

One can see why Lucado is such a popular writer from this book with his cute little comments and quick comebacks to common objections and cute anecdotal stories and the later chapters have great devotional power. But in many respects the books weaknesses far surpass its strengths. The translation difference mentioned above sets the book off on the wrong foot. It plays into the world's thinking: I am a good person. When they need to see that they are rotten at the core. Translating with the word righteous changes this because people in the world hesitate to say that they are righteous. My overall complaint with the book is that it is not bold and challenging enough. Yet it avoids the main failure of popular theodicy -- it does not try to answer the question but instead simply declares, 'God is on His throne.'

Even his strengths are weaknesses as the cute little comebacks to straw men can be misleading. For example, on the trinity the straw man asks, "How can God be the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?" and Lucado replies, "Could it be that heaven has a different set of physics than earth?" (5). This cute comeback to the straw man is worse than misleading on many levels, including the reality that the Triune God created the invisible heavens. He is the Creator. He is not subject to any set of physics He has created. Lucado's mistake is that he does not take God's transcendence or immanence far enough.

In sum, Lucado looks at a distinctively Reformed theme (the sovereignty of God) but does not approach apologetics in a Reformed fashion and therefore fails to offer comfort and answers. That being said, many believers will undoubtedly find this cute little book helpful because they already believe and it reinforces their worldview so long as they do not stop to think about it very long and they should find some of his later chapters fairly helpful from a devotional perspective though he failed to notice that Job's friends did sit in silence for seven days and seven nights before they began their speeches (Job 2:13).

Application:

I have done a lot of funerals this year and this book is fairly helpful as a check to make sure you are not saying something unhelpful to those who grieve. Ironically my most recent funeral sermon building from Job 2:13 was the one that touches on some of the themes of this book most closely. One thing as I was reading this book I came to appreciate more was that I could use more time in silence with the Lord.

Best Quote:

Read slowly the phrase "God is for us" [cf. Rom 8:31]. Please pause for a minute before you continue. Read it again, aloud. (My apologies to the person next to you.) God is for us. Repeat the phrase four times, this time emphasizing each word. (Come on, you're not in that big of a hurry.)
God is for us.
God is for us.
God is for us.
God is for us.
God is for you. (11)

I received this book for free in order to write this review.

Labels: devotional, job, righteousness, sheep, shepherd, silence, sovereignty, theodicy

Welch, Edward T. Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest. Greensboro, N.C.: New Growth Press, 2007.




Brief Overview of the Book (Theme, Perspective, Approach):

This book is written in the tradition of biblical counseling out of CCEF and Westminster Theological Seminary. Parts build upon his books When People Are Big and God is Small and Depression: A Stubborn Darkness. The approach is thoroughly biblical -- it shows you how God's word can speak into your world. He begins by showing how this book is for everyone (not just those who display extremes like OCD)and lets God speak. God speaks on money and possessions, on people and their judgments and on death, pain and punishment. The last several chapters then bring it all together with more of God's word. Each chapter was written as meditations to take one at a time, but I could hardly put it down.

Critique(strengths and weaknesses):

I am afraid that many people will not read this book because of its title Running Scared. Any weaknesses in the book are unimportant. The strengths are so great that my only concern is that people will not read it because they do not think of themselves as worriers. I did not begin the book thinking it would be a great help for me, I did not see the need for me. In fact, I thought it would be a greater help for others. Perhaps those who worry a lot would benefit even more, but I found that this book really helped me to listen to God's word. By the end of the book I had grown in my faith and in my assurance of salvation.

Application (specific, shows just how valuable & relevant the book is):

I really need to go back and reread the book one devotion at a time now that I have gone through the whole thing. It would be even better if I journaled reflections as I go. The greatest application of this book is reflection. Not every specific application to be valuable has to be for change of our actions directly -- changing the way we think about everything will lead to change in actions.

I used a quote from the book in my message this last Sunday on the book of Joshua. We are looking at Joshua in light of the death, resurrection, Great Commission, and Acts of the Apostles of Christ. In other words, I am preaching about evangelism. Fear is only natural to connect with such messages because people are afraid to do evangelism and because the people we reach out to in evangelism here are often afraid of the final judgment.

Reflection on how worriers are false prophets has been very helpful to me. When we worry we think of the worst possible outcome (in gory detail) but it never happens exactly the way we worried and thus we are functional false prophets. Instead, we should immerse ourselves in the true prophets -- in Scripture. It may not tell us if the economy is going to collapse or if we are going to have paying work tomorrow, but it promises that God will provide for His people in this life (where he also provides for those who do not belong to Him) and the next. It is worthwhile to remember that the cable news networks have plenty of prognosticators who are false prophets and many politicians are false prophets too. Actually, all of us can get caught up in this because worry lives in the future and none of us are immune from worry.

Best Quotes:

Remember, the assurance that we belong to God is a big deal in Scripture. There is no reason that you should be kept guessing. If you are a member of a church that takes allegiance to Christ seriously, then you have, in a sense, already appeared in court with witnesses who testify that you are a follower of Christ. The pastors and leaders of your church know you are not perfect, but they have evidence that you turn to Christ when you see your sins. [p.218]

Here is a way to test your progress: confess your past sin to another person. ... Now, what would it be like if someone else knew your past sin? If you shudder at the thought, your liberation is incomplete. After all, if we are persuaded that we have been forgiven by the divine Judge, why would we cower at the judgments of people who are no different from ourselves? Yes, people can reject us if we tell them certain sins, but that reveals more about them than about us. [p.227]

The chapters these quotes come from are full of other gems I could have quoted.

Labels: assurance, confession, depression, devotional, false prophets, fear, rest, worry

Hart, D.G. and John R. Muether. Seeking a Better Country: 300 Years of American Presbyterianism. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2007.



Brief Overview of the Book (Theme, Perspective, Approach):

The book was written to American Presbyterians to cure us of our historical amnesia. It fills in many of the details explaining the splits and reunions of the Presbyterian Church over the 300 plus years of history. The title of the book, Seeking a Better Country reflects this history as many in the church saw improving America as their primary task. The book comes across as a tragedy, explaining why the Presbyterian denominations are in the predicaments we find ourselves today and showing that there has been no golden age in the history of Presbyterianism in this country. The authors come from a conservative tradition and more conservative denominations than the mainline Presbyterian Church but they work primarily to describe what has taken place in the mainline church and their approach is more descriptive than anything else (leaving much of the prescription to each reader) as they are historians.

Critique (strengths & weaknesses):

The book is a fascinating read and showed me (someone who was a history major in college) how much historical amnesia even I had towards my tradition. No one does brute history -- all history is interpreted. Therefore, we should expect that the authors will show some of their biases. The question, of course, is whether their interpretation is God's interpretation. Thankfully they know this and try to avoid declaring God's verdict. The comparison with Hebrews is well thought through (see best quote and its surrounding context). But my impression in reading the book was that they celebrated the "spirituality of the church" doctrine. They explain this teaching as follows:

Southern Presbyterians saw the church's task as preaching the gospel, trusting that the Holy Spirit would regenerate sinners by His Word and build them up in Christ. The church was not commissioned to make the world a better place in which to live. It had no business telling the government how to rule the body politic. It was not to feed the hungry, or provide houses for the homeless, or protest social injustice. These political and social temptations only distracted the church from its spiritual calling. (223)

One can appreciate that staying out of the political and social fray may have helped the church avoid some of its mistakes. However, this view is incredibly WRONG. The church must work to make the world a better place in which to live. It must speak prophetically to the government. It must feed the hungry, provide shelter for those who are homeless, and protest social injustice. It must do these things. The problem is not that the church took up these issues. The problem is that often the church was not informed by the Scriptures on these issues and sought to bind consciences where Scripture did not require it.

Application (specific, shows just how valuable & relevant the book is):

The natural thing to do as you read this account is to take sides. It is a historically anachronistic thing to do, but fun nonetheless. And it bears fruit in application. Their conclusions at the end as to what time period and group different people would see as "heroes" is very interesting. I think that they are right about most mainline Presbyterians seeing the golden age of Presbyterian history in America as during the twentieth century. They are also right when they argue that most liberals and conservatives read this history selectively to shore up their own arguments. We have been seen that lately in the PUP report in the mainline church. It is fascinating that the Presbytery of New Castle began requiring subscription to the Westminster Standards before the whole synod did. Even then there were debates as to how strict one should be about the standards. Nevertheless, a presbytery could require standards that the whole church did not. This is interesting since I have been hearing lately that presbyteries cannot set standards, which is nonsense.

Nevertheless, all this just raises more questions than answers for me as to application today. But what does seem to apply is this idea of choosing sides. For example, I can see the strengths of both the Old and New Sides in that split. I think that to a large extent both are right. But I would probably identify more with the Old Side for the following reason: the piety that the New Side was encouraging does not always mesh with Reformed teaching. As they say,

"Although that form of piety could lead as it did to new members and greater godliness among its ministers and members, it was also a form of devotion that was in tension with the covenantal faith of the Reformed tradition that stressed children growing up and inheriting the faith of parents rather than having to undergo a religious experience as a Christian rite of passage" (68-69).

This is something that I constantly find myself emphasizing because our youth fall away thinking they need some sort of religious experience before they can take ownership of the faith. Thus the application for me was realizing that I am more like the Old Side pastors of old and that the churches I serve are more like the New Side pastors of old. I was surprised by how un-Reformed the theology of so many in the Presbyterian Church had been. Yet as we apply this history to our present we need to see the strengths as well as the weaknesses in each of these groups.

Best Quote:

Remembering that I disagree with their agenda of promoting the "spirituality of the church" doctrine, which shows up even in this paragraph, this is still the best quote:

"If the authors of this book tried to assert, not midway but in the conclusion of their narrative, that the Presbyterians we think most faithful were seeking a heavenly city, not an earthly church of prominence and influence, we would justly open ourselves up to criticism. Again, the author of Hebrews possessed religious auspices that we obviously lack. Nevertheless, a point that a reader could plausibly draw from both the eleventh chapter of Hebrews and the history of American Presbyterianism told here is that there is no golden age in the history of the church. To expect such an age of wisdom for fallen creatures is to demand too much." (256)

The Reformed are right--total depravity.

Labels: church history, new side, old side, politics, presbyterian, religion, spirituality of the church

Again an odd entry as I have heard the audiobook free for Thanksgiving from ChristianAudio

Piper, John. Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2006. As of May 2009, it is available online in pdf format for free from Piper's Desiring God website.



Brief Overview of the Book (Theme, Perspective, Approach)
Piper aims to put the work of Member of Parliament William Wilberforce, largely credited with abolishing the slave trade and slavery in England itself, back into the context of his Christian faith. He argues that we need to start with Wilberforce's own book A Practical View of Christianity before we read biographies about him. We need to begin with the central distinguishing doctrines of Christianity in order to transform society and politics. Seeking joy was one of the important religious affections that drove him to endure.

Critique (strengths & weaknesses)
Piper has a real gift for telling the narrative of Wilberforce's life and especially his conversion. It is detailed and vivid, but brief. The chapter on Wilberforce's book is also very good. In it Wilberforce explains the difference between nominal Christians and true Christians -- justification by faith alone. Nominal Christians tried to do good apart from Christ. His work for the reformation of manners and the promotion of good works always kept in mind the theological. The main weakness of the book is that it is so short.

Application (specific, shows just how valuable & relevant the book is)
The story of Wilberforce shows the providence of God (what is seemingly accidental) can use one person to great consequence. Whenever we think that we cannot make a dramatic difference in society, we need to remember that God can use even just one person to do great things. This is an important lesson because too often we are thinking what can I as one person possibly do about bringing jobs to Eastern Kentucky, or winning the war on drugs here, or ending the physical and sexual abuse of children here. But God can use even just one of us to do His will. Wilberforce never gave up and is a model of perseverance on an unpopular social justice topic just because the cause was just. This was even though he was up against all powerful financial interests and very powerful people. One important caveat here, Piper stresses that Wilberforce had many close friends that helped him keep going. As Piper says, "A man can change his times, but he cannot alone." We need to pick one of these social justice issues and work for change, always exalting Christ as we do so.

Best Quotes

Wilberforce touched the world when he made goodness fashionable.

The nominal [Christian] pursued morality, holiness, sanctification, without first relying utterly on the free gift of justification and reconciliation by faith alone based on Christ's blood and righteousness.

Labels: amazing grace, providence, reformation of manners, slave trade, slavery, wilberforce

This report will vary somewhat from the norm in that I did not actually read this book but am listening to the audiobook, recently free at ChristianAudio

Edwards, Jonathan. The Diary and Journal of David Brainerd with Preface and Reflections. Banner of Truth.



Brief Overview of the Book (Theme, Perspective, Approach)
Brainerd displays the piety and evangelistic style reminiscent of the Puritans as related by J.I. Packer's Quest for Godliness. The book is largely excerpts from Brainerd's private diary and public journal. They give us a picture of a remarkable man of God. As Jonathan Edwards explains, he had two main faults -- he was prone to melancholy (depression) and to be a workaholic. His clear strength was that he was able not only to read others but especially himself. He knew his weaknesses and he knew his heart.

Critique (strengths & weaknesses)
From a modern point of view the work includes insensitive language such as savage, heathen, and so forth. However, it appears that Brainerd did not look down on the so-called Native Americans. He even often complained about the behavior of formerly European people when they would come to worship services he held for the so-called Indians. One also wonders about contextualization for his evangelism. He makes some progress in learning some of the languages but sees the most progress as people become more and more familiar with English. His messages are different when one compares how he speaks to an English audience as to an Indian audience. He simplifies things greatly for the latter because of the language problem. But by far the great strength of the work lies in how it displays his Reformed/Puritan piety and a Reformed/Puritan method of evangelism. As Packer said about the Puritans having Spiritual maturity as compared to people today lacking it, we might say the same of Brainerd.

Application (specific, shows just how valuable & relevant the book is)
Physical Self-care -- this book is yet another reminder that the minister of the gospel needs to take care of his physical health and to frequently rest from his labors.

Spiritual Self-care A. this book provides an example of how to persevere through depression. The Lord was with him in the midst of it and whenever he was about ready to lay it all down God would show him enough success to keep going until he was quite fruitful. The focus is on being faithful and knowing that God is in charge of the results. This is an important reminder for those who feel that they are failing. B. this book provides an example of Spiritual maturity and self-examination that I need to work towards.

Evangelism -- I have a lot to learn from the evangelism Brainerd does. I think I will need to listen to the book again and to try to integrate some of his style into my own.

Best Quote
The most interesting quotes are those where Brainerd is quoting new members of his congregation.

Labels: contextualization, depression, evangelism, native americans, puritan, reformed