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Patience: Waiting with Hope is Megan Hill’s recent contribution to P&R Publishing’s “31-Day Devotionals for Life” series. As I’ve come to expect, Megan’s grasp of the scriptures, practical wisdom, and apt use of illustrations shine on every page. Meditations are brief and thoughtful. During the course of a month, she encourages readers to think afresh about the character of God – our supremely loving heavenly Father and omnipotent King, who is patient with his beloved people. She carefully presents the benefits that come from waiting on him – as well as guidance on how to wait, and what to do while we wait. I was especially struck by her meditations on time as she sympathetically reminds us that from…
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When I finish reading or listening to a book, I add it to my annual “books read” list. My 2021 list is at the end of this post. 2021 Reading Highlights One of the privileges I enjoy as a seminary professor is being asked to read books before they are published. Among the best books I read this year is Theology for Ministry: How Doctrine Affects Pastoral Life and Practice. I will be adding it to my required reading list for students. Twenty-six pastor-theologians, touching upon every major area of ministry, winsomely demonstrate how theology gives shape to a godly pastorate. That this book honors Sinclair Ferguson is especially appropriate — his books, lectures, and sermons mine God’s…
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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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Each Lord’s Day my congregation has morning and evening worship services. Old and New Testament readings are included at each service – a total of four readings. Along with singing Psalms, this method exposes the congregation to large amounts of scripture during the worship services of the church. At each service, one scripture passage is my preaching text. For the other reading, I prepare a brief introduction to the reading. I have found the following valuable resources in preparing my comments: Family Worship Bible Guide, Joel Beeke et al. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible (6 volumes) Sabbath Scripture Readings (2 volumes), Thomas Chalmers Promise and Deliverance (volumes 1-4), S.G. DeGraaf I want my RTS Jackson students familiar…
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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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When I finish reading or listening to a book, I add it to my annual “books read” list. My 2020 list is at the end of this post. 2020 Reading Highlights This year I devoted time to reading Scottish preachers and theologians. I returned to some old companions who have served me well through the years: the memoirs of Boston and McCheyne and John Macleod’s Scottish Theology, to name just three. A new favorite is Donald Macleod’s Therefore the Truth I Speak: Scottish Theology 1500-1700. His biographical sketches and survey of key events and theological literature of the period make for a compelling story, exceedingly well told. For readers who long for a deeper understanding of the heart, Craig…
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