But my list is guided by these main criteria: (a) books that focus on the theological side of biblical authority and not as much on the historical evidences for the Bible’s history (though some overlap is inevitable); (b) books that are “modern,” meaning they have been written sometime between the Reformation and the present (otherwise,... Continue Reading

“Evangelical preachers will want to take note of Packer’s strong words of caution (which have a wider application than just to the preacher). He assumes the content of preaching will come from Scripture, and insists a preacher know it and instill in his congregation a desire to learn it; the preacher, after all, is “there to teach from the Bible.”... Continue Reading

Things have not improved in our time. Vast numbers of people still listen to those who tell them what they want to hear without checking to see if this is what the Scriptures teach. “God is all love and everyone is going to heaven.” No! That is not what Jesus or the rest of the... Continue Reading

A fifth reason for education is the theological argument.  By this Riesen means that the Christian message itself is an intellectual thing and thus it lends itself to the project of education.  Theology is an ally of education, and the Bible itself tells us to think.  Finally, there is the apologetic argument for education.  This... Continue Reading

But the main reason that I bring up the confusion about the Book of Revelation and the error of dispensationalism is because I have had a couple conversations recently about these things. In these conversations, I’ve received questions about Reformed (or covenant) theology, eschatology (the study of the last days), and the book of Revelation.... Continue Reading

Bad ideas also have a funny way of seeping into our brains through the unlikeliest channels unbeknownst to us. These ideas then get handed down from generation to generation. I don’t have the time and probably not the stomach for it, but it would be very interesting to do a side-by-side comparison between Fascinating Womanhood... Continue Reading

People still do things like this today, mixing a bit of law with the gospel, mixing works with grace.  They talk about a “lawful gospel” or say that the gospel includes law, or they say that we are justified by faith alone – but define faith as “faithfulness” or “obedient faith.”  These types of statements... Continue Reading

Ryle was a deeply committed and non-compromising evangelical Christian. In fact, Charles Spurgeon referred to him as an “evangelical champion.” His book ‘Holiness’ has been reprinted numerous times since its original publication in 1879. It is deservedly considered a Christian classic on the subject of sanctification.   In the early centuries of the church’s existence,... Continue Reading

The authors make a good case that without pastor theologians, theology has become ecclesially anemic, and the church theologically anemic. While it’s a blessing to have academic theologians working on specialized topics, such as whether James Dunn’s interpretation of Paul viewing the Jewish law as an ethnic boundary marker is correct or not, we also... Continue Reading

“After the Bible, the first book I direct people to is ‘Knowing God.’ I read this book when I was struggling with my own theology. The chapter on the kindness and severity of God changed everything for me.”   In a couple months I will be posting the obligatory “best reads of the year” list.... Continue Reading