Spurgeon is one of the best writers, theologians
340301
Wow! Spurgeon is one of the best writers, theologians, and word painter of all times! He loves the Lord and he is so genuine in his writings! The trials he faced all those years ago are the same trials we face today! Spurgeon has a very expanse vocabulary and I really like having to look up words, tap and hold on the Kindle app is excellent for that! I give it 10 stars!!
1082834
Although I find that Spurgeon was an inconsistent or "tolerant" Calvinist, his prayers can provide soaring fodder for your own. But then, so can the Bible...
4620126
When I say this is one of the best books I have ever read, it is not because it is one of the most well written. For style I'd give it a 4 out of 5 but for content and insight it truly deserves more than a 5 star rating. His Holiness is truly one of the greatest minds of the church in recent history and this text is simply one of many proofs for that. No matter what your level of understanding and appreciation of the liturgy, this book will enhance it.
3341646
John Piper's has written many books through the years but he has not written a longer form book in several years. A Peculiar Glory joins the classic trilogy (Desiring God, The Pleasures of God and Future Grace) among the best of Piper's works. Piper is a bit of a lightning rod in the evangelical world but it is here where he is at his best, discussing the glory of God as it is revealed in Scripture. The peculiar glory of God is Scripture is the revelation of both His majesty and mercy, His supremacy and self-sacrifice. In revealing this God of peculiar glory, the Scriptures demonstrate their truthfulness. So Piper argues that while there are apologetic arguments from outside Scripture which attest to the truthfulness of the Bible, these are not primary. Instead, it is the Bible's self-attestation through the glories it reveals, when coupled with the working of the Spirit on the heart, which is primary. I look forward to a second volume from Piper, which he hints at in the close of the book, which will deal with how we live in light of the Bible day-by-day.
2680853
Charles Spurgeon, his thought provoking words are just as fitting today as when he wrote them. My favorite daily devotion book.
370129
It begins with Spurgeon;
"Everywhere there is apathy. Nobody cares whether that which is preached is true or false. A sermon is a sermon whatever the subject; only, the shorter it is the better".
Spurgeon wrote that in 1888. Does that sound familiar?

MacArthur writes this book with parallels from what was written by Spurgeon and others in "The sword and the trowel" in 1888, and remarks on the similarities between that time and ours.

There has been critique of Chapter 8 where MacArthur explains God's sovereignty in Salvation as a gratuitous (my word) expose of Calvinism. Sure authors have been guilty of such a play, but to suggest it here in this instance is to miss the trajectory of the book. MacArthur is attempting to highlight that without a biblical understanding of sovereignty one is gradually led on the "down-grade" similar to what Spurgeon saw in the church of his age. Ergo, God's sovereignty is ultimate in salvation and therefore anything but the exposition of God's Word in preaching is redundant.

Overall, I thought the book was intelligent and worth the read. I admit there are sections that are laborious to read but retrospectively seem required to fully understand MacArthur's view.

No Index.
3776138
People of my age grew up only knowing one pope - John Paul II. He was without question a great pope. However, I converted to Catholicism in 2003, which was the tail end of his papacy. Therefore, the pope of my spiritual childhood, the one I most related to and identified with was Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Benedict is widely considered the greatest theologian of this day and age. Even though he didn't write as many works (encyclicals and whatnot) while he was pope, the amount of works he penned as Joseph Ratzinger could fill a library. In his recent book, Father Benedict, author James Day takes the teachings of our former pope and explains them to us and how they can help the modern world.

The book begins by speaking of his resignation, how he never wanted to be pope, and the transition from Benedict to Francis. The second chapter shifts to the time immediately before and after Pope John Paul II's death. In this time, we see Cardinal Ratzinger already fighting against relativism. We then see in Ratzinger's writing his warning against personal sin, believing it to be "the source of man's pervading unhappiness and alienation from others and from God." My favorite chapter was the fifth one. In this section, the author focused on Pope Benedict's trilogy Jesus of Nazareth. "He saw it as his final literary mission to present the public a comprehensive study of Jesus that is intellectually rigorous and does not talk down to the audience." He absolutely succeeded in this regard and that series has a special place on my shelf. Other chapters break open his encyclicals, views on art, and Catholic education as well.

Father Benedict is a fine introduction to the life and writings of Pope Benedict XVI. If you are unfamiliar with him or his works, then this book is a good start for you. If you have already read a great deal of his works, then this book might be a nice refresher, but would probably present you with nothing you didn't already know. I think an appendix that listed all of his works would have been extremely helpful, but you can look that up online if you would like. The best thing about this book is that it is going to get people reading more of Pope Benedict's writings, so in that regard it is a great success.

This book was provided to me for free by Sophia Institute Press.
2829747
I gave this five stars because it is among the best-researched theodicies available. The author draws from a huge breath of classical sources, including Aristotle, Aquinas, Augustine, Marcion, Kierkegaard, Descartes, and Dostoevsky, as well as a wide array of highly-respected contemporary philosophers, church scholars and theologians. If you're looking for a serious and unique apologetic from an author steeped in the classics, youll be hard-pressed to find anything better than this book.
1166291
This is a God-honoring book and certainly worth considering, but know that, technically, Spurgeon didn't write it, didn't personally oversee its construction, nor (therefore) can he be held accountable for its not being a full and complete Bible commentary. It was Spurgeon's custom, prior to delivering a sermon, to begin by reading a Scripture passage to which he usually added a few words of explanation or application. In transcribing Spurgeon's sermons for publication, the transcriber included Spurgeon's comments on those particular Bible verses. They have retroactively been assembled apart from the sermons to which they were originally attached, placed in canonical order, and the result is this book.

Thus, "Spurgeon's Commentary on the Bible" did not deliberately begin as a comprehensive commentary on every verse of every book of the Bible, and it most certainly is not; rather, it is highly selective, offering Spurgeon's pithy and insightful thoughts on many (but by no means all) verses specifically chosen by him from throughout the whole Bible. In fact, this publisher's ebook title was originally "Spurgeon's Commentary on the Whole Bible" to distinguish it from their smaller, separate OT and NT versions of it. The word "Whole" has since been removed as possibly being misleading given the book's content selectivity.

This Biblically sound book is worth reading (as is anything emanating from Spurgeon), but this edition and its Kindle Store blurb fail to FULLY explain the cobbled nature of this word-product, what it is, and what it really isn't. In many places its hit-or-miss content and once-over-lightly treatment will leave readers wanting more, and inevitably, some will be disappointed by it. At the low price of only $1.99 (up from its original price of $1.47), however, it is still a desirable purchase, especially to those (like me) who especially delight in Spurgeon's perceptive spiritual insights and eagerly seek them wherever and however we can get them. Nevertheless, this is not up to his usual standards of depth and thoroughness.

FYI: Another ebook edition with identical Spurgeon content but bearing the title, "Spurgeon's Bible Expositions," also appears in the Kindle Store, and its blurb truthfully explains the book's origin. Priced at $2.49, you may wish to compare the two before deciding on one (if either) of them to purchase.
4461529
There are few people who have written with the breadth and depth than the puritan, John Owen (1616-1683). Owen is probably most noted for his work,&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Death-of-Death-in-the-Death-of-Christ/dp/0851513824/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Death of Death in the Death of Christ</a>&nbsp;and for his&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Mortification-of-Sin-A-Puritan-Guide/dp/1449919987/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Mortification of Sin (A Puritan Guide)</a>&nbsp;. Over Owen's lifetime he amassed a huge collection of writing on the book of Hebrews (around 3000 pages). It is from his study in Hebrews The Priesthood of Christ was born.

Reading Owen is typically not easy because of the Old English language, but Christian Focus has done well to help smooth the language out in The Priesthood of Christ. There are still aspects of the book that make it a little harder to read, such as the use of Hebrew and Greek, but in most cases there is a translation that accompanies it. Owen typically writes in long sentences causing need to really focus on what Owen is writing. It is encouraging though to see that Sinclair Ferguson says, "This book is worth the time it takes to read it with humility, care, and reflection. At the end you will be grateful to Owen that you are stronger spiritually and theologically than you were at the beginning."

At the heart of what Owen means by priesthood is Christ's penal substitutionary death as being central to the gospel. Owen writes that the priesthood of Christ is necessary for multiple reasons; (1) sin requires a punishment, (2) God hates sin, (3) God cannot allow His glory to be impeached, and (4) Christ's death is otherwise useless without His priesthood.

I commend this book to anyone wanting to dig deeper into the penal substitution of Christ. It is not a book that is easily devoured in large chunks, rather a few pages at a time. In fact, this would be a great book to spend a couple of fifteen minute blocks of time reading each day. If you do this and persevere through it I know you will be echoing the same words as those pointed out earlier by Sinclair Ferguson.
2682407
This is the second of a 10 book series of Tozer's best-loved works, the first being what I understand to be his most loved work: The Pursuit of God, which if you haven't read, do so, and repeatedly.

I love Tozer's heart for God. He makes so much sense about a right relationship with our Maker. This small book (143 pages in my version) is a series of 46 two to three page essays, covering a variety of topics including: "The Great God Entertainment", "The Cross is a Radical Thing", and my two particular favourites: "The Whole Life must Pray" and "We must Die if we would Live."

Each essay is to the point, usually quotes Scripture, and challenges the reader to spend more time with God and less time on themselves. As the back cover of my particular edition states:

"Progress in the Christian Life is exactly equal to the growing knowledge we gain of the Triune God in personal experience. And such experience requires a whole life devoted to it and plenty of time spent at the holy task of cultivating God. God can be known satisfactorily only as we devote time to Him."

In our too busy lives, we can give God fleeting moments, when He desires to walk with us all day every day. This series of essays challenges us to seek Him more and more so that we can enjoy the wonderful fruits of an intimate relationship.

Another beauty from Tozer. Now to the third instalment.
1684259
Having read the first half of his autobiography (The Early Years) and mid-way through the Full Harvest, it is a delight to read that the book continues the theme of the previous and is not so much about himself but his FATHER in Heaven.  Rich in spiritual blessings and excellent guidance for pastors in compassion and management of the masses.
Ms. Spurgeon's input and that of Brother Spurgeon's friends are excellent.
3927274
This great little read features one of my favorite subjects (Spurgeon) by one of my favorite writers (Reeves) and was a pleasure to read. As always Reeves makes his subject matter approachable and compelling, and creates a book youd be happy to pass along to a believer at any stage. Balancing academic depth with language that normal human beings speak, hes hit another home run with this book.

As the series indicates, the books within briefly track biographical information with theological insight, and insight in particular on the daily walk of the believer.

Chapter by chapter, we find in Spurgeon a preacher who centralizes the message of the Cross. This beating heart vitalizes nearly all of his theology including,

Bibliology
So, cling you to Scripture. Scripture is not Christ, but it is the silken clue which will lead you to him.

Christology
If you cannot say, Jesus is precious to me, I do not care to what church you belong, or what creed you are ready to die for, you do not know the truth of God unless the person of Christ is dear to you.

Preaching
Our precious Christ can never be made too much

Sin
If you would preach sinners to Christ you must preach Christ to sinners, for nothing so attracts the hearts of men as Jesus himself. The best argument to bring sinners to believe in Jesus is Jesus.

The Cross
The atoning work of Jesus is the great gun of our battery. The cross is the mighty battering-ram wherewith to break in pieces the brazen gates of human prejudices and the iron bars of obstinacy.

Sanctification
I do not know, beloved, when I am more perfectly happy than when I am weeping for sin at the foot of the cross.

In sum, a great book on a great man, by a great writer, both of whom love a Great God.
607409
I was intrigued when I got a copy of Living Genly in a Violent World. I had heard of Jean Vanier's work in founding the L'Arche communities, in which individuals with mental disabilities live together in community with those who don't have such challenges. Stanley Hauerwas, meanwhile, has long been a literary and theological conversation partner for me, and while there are many areas about which I would disagree with him, he is reliable in his ability to challenge the way I think. This book, part of the Resources for Reconciliation series put out by InterVarsity Press and Duke Divinity School's Center for Reconciliation, was an intriguing read.

The book is formatted as a set of four essays, two by Jean Vanier and two by Stanley Hauerwas. In some ways, it almost feels like two books with a shared theme: Vanier spends his chapters reflecting upon life among the mentally disabled and how it should shape us, while Hauerwas uses the example of L'Arche as a launching pad for a larger argument about rest, servant-leadership, gentleness and peace theology.

The essays are all relatively short, with the book weighing in at around 100 pages. Those looking for a systematic argument for the views it espouses will be disappointed. Indeed, there were many times when I found both authors making side comments and following rabbit trails which seemed to have little bearing on the overall discussion. Add to this the fact that I'm sure many (including myself) will find ample cause for theological disagreement with some of the authors' underlying ideas, and many would probably dismiss the work as rubbish.

However, I cannot do so because of one simple fact: agree or disagree, almost every page of this little book is beautifully and thrillingly provocative. I found this especially true while reading Vanier. His theology leaves plenty to be desired, but his rich experience spending his life among those who are truly the "least of these" in a society which idolizes knowledge and productivity leave him with deep insights that are rare in many more theologically rigorous authors. His wisdom about rest, into what Christian love really looks like, and about how to really learn to celebrate life all set me back on my heels. Hauerwas as well supplies some challenging thoughts, especially when he discusses our modern understanding of time and how it is antithetical to true biblical rest.

The fundamental question which these authors are wrestling with this: is there room in our Westernized Christian understanding of holiness and life for those who are mentally broken in ways the rest of us often discount? If there isn't, perhaps it's time to rethink just what it means to be a follower of Jesus in the first place. When the gospel is not for the least of these, it's probably just something we've concocted for our own comfort.
2241121
Once again Dr. Paul Louis Metzger amazes the literary and theological world.  This time, through Metzger's tantalizing style and theological prowess, we are exposed to the "Word of life," the very "self-expression of God," Jesus Christ, who is the fullness of God's love that comes to town.  Metzger's latest book, The Gospel of John: When Love Comes to Town is a must read for all who follow Jesus and all who wonder what all the hype about Jesus really is.  The importance of this book is due to its ability to transcend the halls of the academy, penetrate the doors of the Church, and break down the walls of societal misunderstanding.  When Love Comes to Town is a book worthy of the classroom for instruction, the church for devotion, and for anyone who has ever wondered what it means to be a player in this drama called life.

Metzger's exegetical brilliance is made soft for the palate through his creative and enticing literary style and theological insight.  When Love Comes to Town is not only digestible, but more importantly, it stretches the contours of our mind's eye so to realize the profound reality of what has happened to life because divine love continues to knock on each one of our doors.  Metzger writes that "in Jesus, we find meaning and hope and purpose and identity" (122).  While we may not all be formally trained as theologians, we are all nonetheless engaged in "theology" to the extent that faith for each of us forms an integral part of the drama of life.  At some level, all upon the world's stage engage with God (the `Other') and with their neighbor (the `other'), and such engagement is the core, the root of who we are as players on God's stage.  Thus, as Metzger tells us, "The Word, Jesus, exists in eternal communion with God, and we only enter into communion with God through faith in God and Jesus, whom God has sent" (36).  To understand who we are, and who we are becoming, one would do themselves a tremendous service in reading The Gospel of John: When Loves Comes to Town, for in doing so you are not only exposed to the theological truths illumined through John's gospel, as explained by Metzger, but more importantly, you are awakened to the fact that Jesus is the "Word of life," who is the "ultimate expression of life," He is the "infinite Word made flesh and blood, poured out for you and me in holy love" (265, 268).  Because Love has come to town, you and I are free to paint the town, so to speak, with the very love of God that does not simply come to town, but seeks to reside in each one of us!
2823352
I was honored to know the late Dr. Kenneth Effner Jones a bit during his latter years after his retirement from Mid-America Bible College (now Mid-America Christian University, my alma mater). My senior year I took a Daniel/Revelation video class that was taped from Gulf-Coast Bible College years before. He penned such works as The Commitment to Holiness, Divorce and Remarriage, The Word of God and his extremely helpful article in a Gedenkschrift (tribute) to Dr. Boyce Watson Blackwelder titled, "Babylon and the New Jerusalem: Interpreting the Book of Revelation." Dr. Jones provided the interpretative notes to Ephesians and Colossians in the now discontinued The Wesley Bible by Thomas Nelson, a study Bible from the Wesleyan theological viewpoint. (We expressed our displeasure to each other that the translation used was the New King James Version. Both of us were Alexandrian Text people, not Textus Receptus folks.) I own a few books written by him in which he autographed and wrote some nice remarks. Theology of Holiness and Love, his systematic theology, is the culmination of many years thinking about the Savior and is his magnum opus.

Most people in the Church of God (Anderson) may be familiar with him (though perhaps without realizing it) by his editorial work; Jones condensed Frederick George Smith's What the Bible Teaches to a more readable level. The old paperbacks are probably still sitting in the basements of a gajillion church Sunday School rooms across the nation.

Jones never tried to "sound" like a scholar in his writings. He wrote for the average person on the street and could bridge the gap between lofty theologians on the one hand and the homespun folksy prose of holiness preacher, Uncle Bud Robinson, on the other. In this regard he is similar to the late Scottish scholar, William Barclay, though far more conservative. He had the knack of being an academic without sounding like an academic. Let me stress: you don't have to be highly educated and brilliant to understand his books. Don't let a fear that you aren't professionally trained in theology deter you from this book!

Admittedly Theology of Holiness and Love never will rank as one of the most important Wesleyan theologies. Even at 359 pages it is too brief and cannot be compared to a William Burt Pope, a John Miley or a Thomas C. Oden. However, it is intensely readable and reliably helpful. I compare it favorably against three other Church of God volumes: It is far easier to understand than Russell Raymond Byrum's Christian Theology. It is more in-depth than both Albert Frederick Gray's Christian Theology and the more recent Theology For Disciples by Gilbert Wayne Stafford.

Along with past Gospel Trumpet editor, Charles Ewing Brown, Dr. Jones' stressed that humansbecause of Adam's fall in the gardenare born deprived and not depraved. That is, because of Adam every human enters the world deprived of a relationship with God, without the Spirit of God and, because of that, quickly becomes depraved as a result.

Jones helps us by making theological terms personal: holiness is being turned to God in love and wickedness is being turned away. Sin isn't a thing, not an "it," not a thing to be removed. It's a relational term, not an abstract concept. For these clarifications I owe a great debt to him.

Just mentally digesting this single book probably would give the "regular guy in the pew" a comprehension of theology he never knew he could have. Don't cheat yourself. Study this book in Sunday School classes or small groups, at least in part. It could raise the theological IQ of a congregation. No, I don't think I'm over-selling it.

I thank God for Kenneth E. Jones and his commitment to holiness.
1966544
Spurgeon is always great. Too bad we don't have anyone today that can preach like he did. Reading his sermons will have you on the edge of your seat with excitement and anticipation.