Resources by Charlie Wingard
“To love any thing more than God, is to make it a god.” – Thomas Watson, The Ten Commandments (Banner of Truth, 2009, first pub. 1692), 55. “Pride makes a god of self, covetousness makes a god of money, sensuality makes a god of the belly; whatever is esteemed or loved, feared or served, delighted in or depended on, more than God, that (whatever it is) we do in effect make a god of.” – Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible, vol. 1 (Macdonald, orig. published 1706), 358-359.
Read MoreIntellectual genius, courage, piety, and administrative skill make Anselm of Canterbury one of the most admired Christians of his age. Born in northern Italy, he accepted the formidable task of establishing order in the English church, serving as archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of two kings who demanded the right to appoint bishops in the church. Anselm demurred. Conflict and exiles were the stiff price he paid for his principled stand. His most famous work, Cur deus homo (usually translated, Why God Became Man) presents his doctrine of Christ’s atoning work. Sin insults God’s honor, and man is forever lost unless he makes satisfaction. But this fallen man cannot do; sin is too grave, too outrageous. Wonderfully, the Triune…
Read More10 Favorite Books on Preaching
At a Providence Presbytery meeting earlier this month, a fellow minister and I discussed books about preaching. It reminded me of a former colleague’s request several years ago for a list of my favorite books on preaching. In no particular order, my ten favorites are: 1. The Supremacy of God in Preaching, John Piper 2. The Art of Prophesying, William Perkins 3. Christ-Centered Preaching, Bryan Chapell 4. The Christian Ministry, Charles Bridges. My favorite book about the pastor and his work. 5. The Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures in the Worship of the Christian Church, Hughes Oliphant Old. I believe there are now six volumes; I have read the first three. 6. Between Two Worlds, John Stott. This is the…
Read More(“St. Augustine in His Study” by Vittore Carpaccio, 1502) “So anyone who thinks that he has understood the divine scriptures or any part of them, but cannot by his understanding build up this double love of God and neighbor, has not yet succeeded in understanding them.” Augustine of Hippo (354-430) On Christian Teaching, 1:36
Read MoreSeventeenth century Puritanism produced some of Christianity’s most able preachers. Many of them received a university training that required the careful reading of texts in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. A language-based educational system prepared future ministers to find a home in biblical texts. If they tutored children of the affluent, they sharpened their expository skills. (T. David Gordon, Why Johnny Can’t Preach. P&R, 2009) The written text no longer dominates America’s educational landscape, and comparatively few students devote themselves to rigorous study of literature or ancient languages before entering seminary. Preaching suffers. T. David Gordon’s Why Johnny Can’t Preach engages the modern preacher by considering his ability both to read biblical texts and communicate compellingly their God-breathed truth. The minister’s…
Read MoreConflict is inevitable; lack of charity isn’t. One of my heroes of Christian ministry, Charles Simeon, served Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge, England from 1782-1836. During the early years, his evangelical convictions became the target of ridicule and withering criticism, and throughout his career, he fully engaged the theological controversies of his day. Simeon had no fear of debate, but the trashing of reputations that often accompanies controversy gravely concerned him. If an argument’s merits won’t prevail, go after an opponent’s character when he’s absent. Debase his reputation; reduce the esteem others have for him. To fight against the temptation to speak evil of others, Simeon formulated a strategy. In a July 1817 letter, he counseled: “The longer I live,…
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