Resources on Book Reviews
Covenantal Baptism is a concise and thorough explanation of the doctrine of infant – indeed, all covenant children’s – baptism. It is biblical in content, irenic in tone, and pastoral in application. I especially appreciate Jason Helopoulos‘s exposition of the vows PCA parents and congregations take – a feature that makes the book helpful in inquirers’ and new members’ classes. Many thanks to P&R Publishing for making this fine book available.
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Good, Good Father: Knowing God as He Wants to Be Known explores a grand theme: abiding in God’s fatherly care through Jesus our Lord. In twenty-six short meditations, readers are invited to experience the joy of knowing the God who lavishes his love on his adopted children. Identifying the promises of our heavenly Father and learning to claim them is the privilege Charley Chase wants every reader to enjoy. His scripture expositions are clear, his illustrations sparkle, and his plentiful quotations draw on the treasures of Reformed writers who have thought deeply about God’s fatherly love and care for his dear children
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Joel R. Beeke and Nick Thompson, Pastors and their Critics: A Guide to Coping with Criticism in the Ministry. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2020. $10.00, paper. Criticism can drive men from the ministry. For some it comes early in their careers, unexpected and fierce, like a flash flood. Unable to receive criticism, the pastor resigns or moves to another field believing, wrongly, that his initial experience was unique. What went wrong? Part of the problem can be unrealistic expectations. While preparing for ministry, a young man envisions his future congregation as a group of believers eager to learn from him and follow his leadership. Early on, criticism came and expectations were shattered, leaving him hurt and disillusioned. Isolation can exacerbate the…
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Many books analyze the apostle Paul’s theology and missionary work. Reuben Bredenhof examines the ministry of Paul the pastor in his new book, Weak Pastor, Strong Christ. His careful study of 2 Corinthians unfolds an apostolic model for pastoral work. Here, ministers straining under the burden of unbiblical expectations will find relief; those unsure of how to model their ministry will find godly help. He summons all pastors – in joy or trial – to rely upon Christ’s all-sufficient grace, saying with Paul, “when I am weak, then I am strong.”
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With an economy of words and an extensive acquaintance with M’Cheyne, Jordan Stone explains the doctrines, biblical texts, people, and controversies that influenced him. This alone makes A Holy Minister a valuable book. But far more valuable is the care taken to show how M’Cheyne’s personal piety, preaching, and pastoral ministry flowed from his deep love for the Lord Jesus Christ – the very love I want every seminarian to cultivate and cherish. The author is senior pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in McKinney, Texas, and Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology at RTS Dallas.
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7 Big Questions Your Life Depends On, by William J. Edgar. Pittsburgh: Crown & Covenant, 2020, 68 pages, $9.00, paper. Only a rare book fits well in the hands of both the unbeliever (exploring what Christianity is all about) and the mature believer who wants to think deeply about the demands of God’s Word upon his life. William Edgar’s 7 Big Questions Your Life Depends On is one of those books. The author identifies four fundamental questions from Genesis: Did God really say? Where are you? Where is the lamb? Am I in the place of God? To these he adds three from the gospels: Where is the baby born to be King of the Jews? Do you want…
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