“Best books” lists are unavoidably idiosyncratic—hence an effort at recommending “significant” books for pastors. This may well mean a pastor should read them, but it certainly means a pastor should, at least, be aware of them. My criteria remain the same: (a) I try to include a range of genres, since different books contribute different... Continue Reading

Packer has practiced for decades what we like to call “accessible theology,” which lies midway between abstruse academic writing and pop over-simplification. Packer has provided both the tersest definition of Christian belief that I know of—“God saves sinners”—and one of the most readable books on that subject, Knowing God.   J.I. Packer turns 90 this... Continue Reading

The combination of rampant commercialism, individualism and heresy has so weakened the church in the UK and the US, that there is a real and present danger we will become like the ‘seven churches’ of Asia – wiped out by the incoming tide of an increasingly paganistic post-modern confused culture. Of course the gates of... Continue Reading

“In The Abolition of Man, C.S. Lewis sets out to persuade his audience of the importance and relevance of universal values such as courage and honor in contemporary society. Both astonishing and prophetic, this books is one of the most debated of Lewis’s extraordinary works.”   In a 1993 talk, Peter Kreeft, professor of philosophy... Continue Reading

The ironic thing about this religious test is that these admission committees say that they are committed to diversity. But the book makes clear that the diversity is primarily racial and sexual, not ideological. In other words, applicants cannot stray from certain liberal orthodoxies if they wish to be admitted into elite Ph.D. programs. And... Continue Reading

There are also internal factors that draw people to theonomy: “Theonomy is well suited to appeal to our contemporary culture because it is, in important respects, characteristically American, evangelical, and modern” (ibid.). It is American since it believes that America should return to its biblical foundations. It is also an American in that its millenarianism... Continue Reading

I certainly appreciate Barclay’s titanic effort, and I suspect scholars will wade into the ocean of first-century literature on gift giving to confirm, challenge, or modify elements of Barclay’s claims. I welcome Barclay’s work since it casts light on the world of the New Testament that can help pastors and academics refine their exegesis and understanding... Continue Reading

When I first began reading Webber’s book, which was written several decades ago, I was worried that it would be a bit dated, only in terms of its evaluation of the current attitudes and dynamics in Evangelical Protestantism. Turns out, most of his insights about church culture and worship practice are still very relevant.  ... Continue Reading

Although Christian is the protagonist of Bunyan’s allegory, Christ is undoubtedly the central figure.  Jesus is not only the Wicket Gate, but He is the Lord of the Hill, who was the topic of Christian’s discussion with the Virtues at Interpreter’s House, and He had preceded Christian and Faithful through Vanity Fair.  In fact, Christ... Continue Reading

To paraphrase Holy Scripture, specifically Paul in Galatians 2-3, the law does not give life; obedience does not bring justification; works do not earn the inheritance; the promise does not come by performance. Life, justification, and the inheritance come only by faith in the promise – in Christ alone.  To distinguish the law and gospel... Continue Reading