The Loveliness of Christ

Pastor Fred mentioned this little book by Samuel Rutherford, the 17th century Scotsman, in his recent sermon. The book is actually a collection of extracts from the letters of Rutherford that was compiled in 1909 by Ellen S. Lister. Many of the extracts deal with the sweetness of Christ in the midst of Christian suffering and the purpose of the Lord in bringing about His fruit in His children (See the quotes below). His language is beautiful. You can almost hear his Scottish accent. The book itself is quite nice. It is small (almost breast pocket small) and the cover is imitation leather, very similar to the little ESV covers. There should be a current bunch on the stand for $10.60 per.

"Why should I start at the plough of my Lord, that maketh deep furrows on my soul? I know he is no idle husbandmen, he purposeth a crop." Page 8

"'In all their afflictions he was afflicted.' Then Christ bore the first stroke of this cross: it rebounded off him upon you, and ye got it at the second hand, and he and ye are halvers in it. And I shall believe for my part, he mindeth to distil heaven out of this loss, and all others the like; for wisdom devised it, and love laid it on, and Christ owneth it as his own, and putteth your shoulder only beneath a piece of it." Page 77-78

"This soul of ours hath love, and cannot but love some fair one; and O, what a fair One, what an only One, what an excellent, lovely ravishing One is Jesus." Page 53

What Jesus Demands from the World

Pastor Tim recently mentioned John Piper's What Jesus Demands from the World as a resource we will use at FCC in discipleship. We currently have these on the book stand and will hope to keep them always in stock. Don't forget too, that you can read it for free online, here.

Pierced for Our Transgressions

The subtitle of the book is Rediscovering the Glory of Penal Substitution. Should be on the book stand by Sunday, November 4. 384 Pages, $15.20

Description

The belief that Jesus died for us, suffering the wrath of his own Father in our place, has been the wellspring of hope for countless Christians through the ages. However, with an increasing number of theologians, church leaders, and even popular Christian books and magazines questioning this doctrine, which naysayers have described as a form of “cosmic child abuse,” a fresh articulation and affirmation of penal substitution is needed. And Jeffery, Ovey, and Sach have responded here with clear exposition and analysis.

They make the case not only that the doctrine is clearly taught in Scripture, but that it has an impeccable pedigree and a central place in Christian theology, and that its neglect has serious consequences. The authors also systematically analyze over twenty specific objections that have been brought against penal substitution and charitably but firmly offer a defining declaration of the doctrine of the cross for any concerned reader.

Endorsements

“The Bible historically has been understood to teach explicitly and implicitly that Christ died as a penal substitute for sinners. That’s what this excellent volume teaches us, too. Carefully studying the primary biblical texts and then answering numerous objections, this book explains and defends the understanding that Christ died in our place, taking our penalty for us. From the biblical material to patristic quotations, from pastoral implications to present objections, this book is a responsible and comprehensive introduction. All the authors’ careful work promises to make this book the new standard text on Christ’s atoning work. Now, I can’t wait to read it again, devotionally.”
- Mark Dever, Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church

“This book is important not only because it deals so competently with what lies at the heart of Christ’s cross work, but because it responds effectively to a new generation of people who are not listening very carefully to what either Scripture or history says.”
- D. A. Carson, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“One of the most comprehensive treatments available of the doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement. The writing is clear and understandable to non-specialists, but its authors fully understand the technical issues, so that the book makes a real contribution to the academic discussion as well.”
- John M. Frame, Reformed Theological Seminary, formerly of Westminster Theological Seminary

“This book is faithful to Scripture, knowledgeable of history, conversant with current debate, and deeply committed to seeing the church flourish in our day.”
- David F. Wells, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

“An important scholarly contribution to a current doctrinal debate with enormous spiritual and pastoral implications.”
- Timothy George, Beeson Divinity School

“The authors defend the doctrine of penal substitution with sparkling clarity and winsome logic.”
- Thomas R. Schreiner, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“I commend this book for its comprehensive and fair scrutiny of the many objections brought against the doctrine of penal substitution in recent years.”
- I. Howard Marshall, emeritus professor, University of Aberdeen

“A very significant book. The authors have carefully and convincingly evaluated the biblical material on which the teaching of penal substitution has been based and reaffirmed it.”
- Peter T. O’Brien, Moore Theological College

Communion with the Triune God

In the same way Kapic and Taylor edited John Owen's Sin & Temptation, so now have they edited Owen's Communion with the Triune God. In John Piper's endorsement of this work he said,

No one else has laid open the paths of personal fellowship with the three persons of the Trinity the way Owen does. It is simply extraordinary.

The book is broken into three parts with each part devoted to communion with a Person of the Trinity.

I have two copies on the way and they should be available by Sunday, October 21st. 448 Pages, $15.00.

The Great Exchange: My Sin for His Righteousnesss

Jerry Bridges has recently published two new books, this one and Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate (FYI - WTS says that due to overwhelming demand the first printing of Respectable Sins has completely sold out and they are waiting for a second printing, available perhaps at the end of November. Considering the subject matter, this seems a good sign for the body of Christ.)

Those of us fortunate enough to go to the Desiring God National Conference this year were able to hear Jerry Bridges speak. This was my first encounter with Bridges of any kind. He exhorted us in enduring to the end 1) to keep a daily time of focused personal communion with God, 2) to daily appropriate the Gospel to our souls, 3) to daily commit our lives as a living sacrifice to God and 4) to firmly believe in the sovereignty and love of God. He struck me as a very wise man, unromantic about the doctrine of sin and serious about holiness.

If you like me have not read anything by Bridges, I can't imagine a more worthy topic to cut your teeth on. For the rest of you who have previously been blessed by Bridges (his Transforming Grace has recently been taught at FCC), you need no encouragement from me to pick up this book.

I hope to have this on the stand on Sunday, October 21th. 304 Pages, $11.00. Let me know what you think.

Growing Up Christian

By request of Pastor Tim and a Sunday School teacher at FCC, I have ordered 5 copies of Growing Up Christian and should have them on the book stand on Sunday, October 21st. 235 Pages, $10.35

Publisher's Description: Many teens are active in church youth programs, yet drop out of church later in life and never return. Other young adults rest on the merits of their parents’ faith without ever experiencing their own relationship with Jesus Christ. In Growing Up Christian, Karl Graustein and Mark Jacobsen seek to help teenagers who have grown up in Christian homes by reminding them of the blessings of growing up in a Christian home, warning them of some of the dangers they face, providing practical suggestions for avoiding these dangers, and urging them to think and live in a way that pleases God.

"Growing Up Christian is a great book. Karl Graustein gets it! He understands the pitfalls and dangers that track with the rich privilege of growing up in a Christian home. He addresses all the standard temptations; getting ensnared by sin, presuming oneself to be saved, craving for popularity. In winsome, “kid friendly” ways he turns the reader to knowing God, knowing the Bible, solid theology, fellowship with others. This book has a look and feel that young people will appreciate. Much of the teaching is found in engaging interactive text boxes that will make this book a small group leader’s dream. I look forward to seeing this book used in the church I serve. " - Ted Tripp, Author of Shepherding a Child's Heart.

The Expository Genius of John Calvin

Steven Lawson may be a pastor we are not as familiar with but I believe that will soon change. He has begun a series of books entitled, A Long Line of Godly Men. Below is a description of the first book in the series (Foundations of Grace) and of the series of books in general from ligonier.org

From the lawgiver Moses to the apostle John, and from the early church fathers to modern defenders of the faith, there has marched onto the stage of human history a long line of godly men, a triumphant parade of spiritual stalwarts who have upheld the doctrines of grace. In this book, the first in the five-volume A Long Line of Godly Men series, Dr. Steven J. Lawson takes readers on a heart-stirring survey of the Scriptures to show that the Bible in its entirety teaches the doctrines of grace.

The research for this work was originally done for a teaching series for the men of his church. You can download that teaching series and other sermons, and subscribe to the podcast here. The Expository Genius of John Calvin is an individual profile in this series.

I have ordered a single copy of Expository Genius for the book stand. It should be there by Wednesday, October 17 for $11.00. 142 Pages. Let me know if there is interest in the Long Line of Godly Men series. The books are a bit expensive (about $20.00 at wts) and long (Foundation of Grace is 584 pages).