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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.
Read MoreEach 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…
Read More7 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…
Read MoreWhen 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…
Read MoreThe Preacher’s Catechism, by Lewis Allen. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018, 226 pages, $10.92. Years ago someone pointed out to me that a principal value of a catechism is to teach students to ask the right questions. Since the seventeenth century the Westminster Shorter Catechism has taught believers to ask (and answer) the right questions about the Bible, the Trinity, the person and work of Christ, man’s duty to God, the way of salvation, and the means of grace. Employing the Westminster Shorter Catechism as his model, Lewis Allen’s The Preacher’s Catechism helps preachers ask the right questions about their lives and ministries. He is convinced that it “is an outstanding resource for the heart needs of every preacher” (21), a conviction…
Read MoreImputation of the Active Obedience of Christ in the Westminster Standards, by Alan D. Strange. Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage, 2019, xviii + 158 pages, $7.79, paper. The doctrine of the imputation of the active obedience of Christ in the justification of believers is vital to Reformed pastoral care. It is the desire of my heart that every sheep in my flock come to the assurance “that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God” (WCF 18.1). Active obedience, correctly understood, is a joy and comfort to the believer, assuring him of his right standing before God. God is righteous and requires that all who come before him be righteous.…
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