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Mohler: Top 10 Books Every Preacher Should Read in 2008

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:01:40 GMT

Each year in Preaching Magazine Al Mohler lists his "top 10 books every preacher should read." Here's the new list for 2008:

1. Preach the Word: Essays on Expository Preaching: In Honor of R. Kent Hughes, edited by Leland Ryken and Todd Wilson

2. Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics: Foundations and Principles of Evangelical Biblical
Interpretation, by Graeme Goldsworthy (IVP Academic)

3. Truth War: Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception, by John MacArthur (Thomas Nelson)

4. A City Upon a Hill: How Sermons Changed the Course of American History, by Larry Witham (HarperOne)

5. Pierced for Our Transgressions: Rediscovering the Glory of Penal Substitution, by Steve Jeffery, Michael Ovey, and Andrew Sach (Crossway)

6. Renewing Minds: Serving Church and Society Through Christian Higher Education,
by David S. Dockery (B&H Academic)

7. After the Baby Boomers: How Twenty- and Thirty-Somethings Are Shaping the Future of
American Religion, by Robert Wuthnow (Princeton)

8. God’s Ambassadors: A History of the Christian Clergy in America, by E. Brooks Holifield (Eerdmans)

9. Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, edited by D. A. Carson and
G. K. Beale (Baker Academic)

10. Dictionary of Major Biblical Interpreters, edited by Donald K. McKim (IVP Academic)

A Warning for Young Readers

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 10:42:20 GMT

Even a brief perusal of the Fall 2007 Eerdmans Books for Young Readers shows how far the publisher's mission has moved, not to say strayed, from its Reformed and evangelical heritage.

To be sure, there are promising titles in the catalog. But others are evidently intended to advance a world religions approach to the life of faith. There are books on Rosh Hoshanah, the lives of Roman Catholic saints, paranormal experiences, a re-telling of the Gilgamesh Epic, the Hail Mary, creation stories from Native American legends, and so on. There is, in short, a promotion of religious pluralism, which inevitably diminishes the clarity of the gospel and turns Christianity into just another religion.

Summer Biography

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 06:15:21 GMT

Rev 12:11 "And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death"

In the Christian life, testimony presents a wonderful means of being stirred toward godliness. This is why I love biographies. Biographies free us from self-occupation in order to look beyond ourselves to faithful witnesses of Christ who inspire us to pour out our lives for the gospel.

This summer, I encourage you to pick up at least one biography and dive into the life of a Christian saint. Here are a few to choose from:

Augustine of Hippo by Peter Brown
Here I Stand: The Life of Martin Luther by Roland Bainton
John Calvin: His Life & Influence by Robert Reymond
Grace Abounding: John Bunyan, His Life & Books by David Calhoun
John Owen: Prince of Puritans by Andrew Thomson
Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography by Ian Murphy
But Now I See: Life of John Newton by Josiah Bull
Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce by John Piper
John Paton: Missionary to the New Hebrides by John Paton
Charles Spurgeon: The Early Years by Charles Spurgeon
Charles Spurgeon: The Full Harvest by Charles Spurgeon
B.B. Warfield by Gary Johnson
J. Gresham Machen: A Biographical Memoir by Ned B. Stonehouse
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: The First 40 Years by Ian Murphy
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: The Fight of Faith by Ian Murphy
John Stott: The Making of a Leader by Timothy Dudley-Smith

"The Swans are Not Silent" is an excellent series from John Piper:

Contending for Our All
The Legacy of Sovereign Joy
Roots of Endurance
The Hidden Smile of God

Books for the Backpack -- Recommended Summer Reading

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:15:53 GMT

Summer is supposed to be a season of rest and relaxation -- at least in theory. As one wit remarked, "A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken."

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Essential Van Til Books

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 01:25:05 GMT

The following is a brief list of books on apologetics in the tradition of Van Til. These are the books I have found to be most helpful in developing a presuppositional apologetic. These books aren’t necessarily an easy read, but for those seeking understanding in the subject, these are the writings I have found most helpful.

Bahnsen, Greg L. Van Til’s Apologetic (Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1998).
This book is indispensable. I would recommend reading this book before all the other books (provided one if fairly familiar with presuppositionalism). Bahnsen provides tremendously useful footnotes that explain Van Til’s writing. Diving right into Van Til’s writings directly can be a bit overwhelming. Bahnsen provides an alternative that lets you get into the depths of Van Til while he still holds your hand so you don’t drown. The book is laid out in a way that lends itself to referencing - so you’ll be able to turn to appropriate sections easily when you’re looking for a particular topic.

Bahnsen is perhaps the author closest to Van Til’s position. John Frame strays just a little bit in a few areas (Bahnsen addresses these in the book). For those seeking a thorough explanation of presuppositional apologetics - this is the book.
Frame, John. Cornelius Van Til: An Analysis of His Thought (Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1995).
This is another great overview of Van Til’s apologetic. Though the title may indicate otherwise, it is a sympathetic work. I found the discussion of the problem of the one-and-many to be very helpful.
Notaro, Thom. Van Til and the Use of Evidence (Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1980).
This small volume covers the much debated topic of presuppositional apologetics and evidences. It’s a useful book and provides a good overview of how the presuppositionalist [should] understand the role of evidences.
Van Til, Cornelius and William Edgar, ed. Christian Apologetics (Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed, 2003).
This book is perhaps the closest thing to an introduction to apologetics Van Til wrote. Bill Edgar annotates some of the more difficult sections. It’s a wonderful book, however it’s not necessary if you have read Bahnsen’s volume.
Van Til, Cornelius. The Defense of the Faith (Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1955).
This is the classic Van Til volume. If you only have one Van Til book on the shelf, this should be it. However, much of this book is contained in Bahnsen’s book. If you’ve read Bahnsen you’ll have already read the big points and heard the famous illustrations.
Pratt, Richard L. Every Thought Captive. (Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1979).
This short book is an introduction to presuppositional apologetics aimed at high school students. It’s a great book and provides a Biblical foundation for apologetics. It is an introduction, so if you’re familiar with the subject, it is non-essential. This book is a great resource to point others toward.

There are many other great books, but these few will give you a solid foundation in presuppositional thought. Perhaps we could get Presbyterian and Reformed Publishers to package these together and offer them at a discount.

Top Ten Books on Piety, Sanctification, Spiritual Growth

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 16:35:02 GMT

Recently I posted an excerpt from William Gurnal's classic work, The Christian in Complete Armour and mentioned that this was on our top ten list of books of all time on piety, sanctification, spiritual growth. A visitor asked what the other books were on this list. The following list is in no particular order but consisitute our top ten. No doubt many of you will have different books on your list so feel free to post those that have had an impact on you.

10. The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification: Growing in Holiness by Living in Union with Christ
by Walter Marshall - Hands Down, the best non-inspired book on sanctification ever produced.

09. The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
If you lack assurance, are hurting, weak and suffering under the burden of sin, read this book, and by reading you will be amazed how helpful this is to yourself and your ministry to others.

08. The Mortification of Sin by John Owen
Truly an amazing book that packs a punch. John Owen never dissapoints.

07. Crook in the Lot (Hardback) by Thomas Boston
One of my favorite books of all time. While this book is about providence and the sovereignty of God, the depth of Boston's biblical insight will help you better get a bird's eye view of reality resulting in a life of genuine piety.

06. The Fear of God by John Bunyan
This is a great book to give anyone new to the faith and a blessing to those who have already been Christians for a while.

05. Words to Winners of Souls, Horatius Bonar
Ideal for those in the ministry, it was the most helpful and uplifting books on evangelism ever.

04. The Pleasantness of a Religious Life, Matthew Henry (Pub. 1741)
This book has some characteristics of John Piper's books only we think it may be even better.

03. Holiness by J.C. Ryle
Truly a rich little gem that is to be read and reread. Classic!.

02. The Christian in Complete Armour by William Gurnall (Pub. 1662-1665)
This is, no doubt, the most comprehensive work ever written on the subject of spiritual warfare. It’s a massive tome, but there are few books in existence that I would recommend more highly.

01. The Life of God in the Soul of Man by Henry Scougal
Critical work! Scougal challenges old and false notions of what it means to be a Christian by showing we are Christian not simply because we have the correct doctrine, or the right behavior, but because the human soul has been united to Christ and participates in the divine nature. That is, a person is a Christian because Christ has done for us what we could not do for ourselves, and continues to intercede for us. It is his work in us that is our hope of salvation, not our own merits. This books is a expose against conservatives and liberals alike.

The Lists:
30 Essential Books for Students and Autodidacts

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 04:45:08 GMT

For a segment on Hugh Hewitt's radio show, John Mark Reynolds compiled a list of thirty books that every college student should read. Since John Mark is the founder of the Torrey Honors Institute at Biola University its not surprising...