Life Together

Apparently it is a trendy thing to read Bonhoeffer - honestly I didn't know that.  I read this little classic under duress about ten years ago when I was doing some post grad study.  At that stage I was reluctant as a liberal university prof was recommending it to me.  I don't remember getting much out of it the first time through back then - I guess the filter level was too high.
It is not a long book but each paragraph needs pondered slowly to mine the nuggets just beneath the surface.  For me the massive nugget was the article in a previous post.  But here are a few more:

“We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts.” 

“Nothing can be more cruel than the leniency which abandons others to their sin. Nothing can be more compassionate than the severe reprimand which calls another Christian in one’s community back from the path of sin.” 

“Christian community is like the Christian's sanctification. It is a gift of God which we cannot claim. Only God knows the real state of our fellowship, of our sanctification. What may appear weak and trifling to us may be great and glorious to God. Just as the Christian should not be constantly feeling his spiritual pulse, so, too, the Christian community has not been given to us by God for us to be constantly taking its temperature. The more thankfully we daily receive what is given to us, the more surely and steadily will fellowship increase and grow from day to day as God pleases.” 

 "The root of all sin is pride, superbia. I want to be my own law, I have a right to my self, my hatred and my desires, my life and my death. The mind and flesh of man are set on fire by pride; for it is precisely in his wickedness that man wants to be as God. Confession in the presence of a brother is the profoundest kind of humiliation. It hurts, it cuts a man down, it is a dreadful blow to pride..."

“A Christian fellowship lives and exists by the intercession of its members for one another, or it collapses. I can no longer condemn or hate a brother for whom I pray, no matter how much trouble he causes me. His face, that hitherto may have been strange and intolerable to me, is transformed in intercession into the countenance of a brother for whom Christ died, the face of a forgiven sinner.” 

“A pastor should never complain about his congregation, certainly never to other people, but also not to God. A congregation has not been entrusted to him in order that he should become its accuser before God and men.” 

“The brother is a burden to the Christian, precisely because he is a Christian. For the pagan the other person never becomes a burden at all. He simply sidesteps every burden that others may impose upon him.” 

Life Together

Reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Life Together at the moment.  What about this for some thinking. Read and ponder.
"Innumerable times a whole Christian community has broken down because it had sprung from a wish dream. The serious Christian, set down for the first time in a Christian community, is likely to bring with him a very definite idea of what Christian life together should be and to try to realize it. But God’s grace speedily shatters such dreams. Just as surely as God desires to lead us to a knowledge of genuine Christian fellowship, so surely must we be overwhelmed by a great disillusionment with others, with Christians in general, and, if we are fortunate, with ourselves.

By sheer grace, God will not permit us to live even for a brief period in a dream world. He does not abandon us to those rapturous experiences and lofty moods that come over us like a dream. God is not a God of the emotions but the God of truth. Only that fellowship which faces such disillusionment, with all its unhappy and ugly aspects, begins to be what it should be in God’s sight, begins to grasp in faith the promise that is given to it. The sooner this shock of disillusionment comes to an individual and to a community the better for both.

A community which cannot bear and cannot survive such a crisis, which insists upon keeping its illusion when it should be shattered, permanently loses in that moment the promise of Christian community. Sooner or later it will collapse. Every human wish dream that is injected into the Christian community is a hindrance to genuine community and must be banished if genuine community is to survive. He who loves this dream of a community more than the Christian community itself becomes a destroyer of the latter, even though his personal intentions may be ever so honest and earnest and sacrificial.

God hates visionary dreaming; it makes the dreamer proud and pretentious. The man who fashions a visionary ideal of community demands that it be realized by God, by others, and by himself. He enters the community of Christians which his demands, sets up his own law, and judges the brethren and God Himself accordingly. He stands adamant, a living reproach to all others in the circle of brethren. He acts as if he is the creator of the Christian community, as if his dream binds men together.

When things do not go his way, he calls the effort a failure. When his ideal picture is destroyed, he sees the community going to smash. So he becomes, first the accuser of his brethren, then an accuser of God, and finally the despairing accuser of himself."

The Meaning of Marriage, Tim Keller

The Christian book scene is awash with books on marriage.  Some are better left on the shelf as they are filled with self help DIY philosophy, you can do it ideology.  This book on marriage is very different and is a must read not just for everyone who is either married or planning to be married but for single people also.  The subtitle of the book summarises the content well - "Facing the complexities of commitment with the wisdom of God."  It is filled with solid Biblical exegesis and warm clear application of the Biblical principles that are well unpacked.  What this book does that so many books on marriage don't do - is to get you to the cross.
 It is made up of eight readable and thought provoking chapters:
1. The secret of marriage
2. The power for marriage
3. The essence of marriage
4. The mission of marriage
5. Loving the stranger
6. Embracing the other
7. Singleness and marriage
8. Sex and marriage
Every now and then I come across a book that I think - if I had a spare £200 I would buy twenty copies and give this to all my married friends.
I will take the cheaper option and say - if you are reading this and are married - then love your spouse by buying this read it and live it in the grace of God.

JC Ryle Mark

Just finished going through Ryle's Expository Thoughts on Mark in my daily devotions.   Like the other volumes the text of the gospel is broken down into short portions and a two page warm and devotional comment made.  This is exceptional reading for daily devotions or family worship.  Not sure if the Banner of Truth publisher's offer is still in place for ministers.  I got the whole seven hardback volume set for £15 (minister's rate).  No Christian home should be without a set of Ryle.   In this volume Ryle starts to add just a few footnotes which are well worth the read.

Embracing Obscurity, Anonymous

The subtitle is, Becoming nothing in the light of God's everything.
In a day and age when self and promoting self is of the essence of life this is a needed book to call us back to Christ like humility.  It is a book to remind us to be content with who we are in Christ. Ten short snappy chapters to help you untangle yourself from yourself.  Be ready to be hurt and challenged.
This is a must read for every young Christian and a few older ones too who haven't stopped looking in the mirror.
Perhaps I should wipe this blog?

Right in their own Eyes, George M. Schwab

This 240 plus page commentary is part of a series edited by Tremper Longman III.  The book is an absolute must read if you are preaching through Judges.  It divides up into three main sections.  The opening section comprises three chapters to give the reader the tools to read the book with proper understanding.  The second section goes through the twelve cycles of the judges and the concluding section has two chapters on the conclusion of Judges.
This book has the balance of depth and application.

Judges Resources

Just finished preaching through Judges in 16 sermons and thought I would recommend a few commentaries and resources that I found helpful.
The New American Commentary, Judges, Ruth, Daniel Block, B&H Publishing ****
The NIV Application Commentary, Lawson Younger Jr., Zondervan ***
The Preacher's Commentary, David Jackmann, Thomas Nelson ***
Such Great Salvation, D.R. Davis, Baker *****
Right in their own eyes, George M. Schwab, P&R Publishing *****
Online Sermons
Michael LeFebrve http://www.sermonaudio.com/
Carl Truman http://www.cornerstoneopc.com/audio.php

Spirit Empowered Preaching, Arturo Azurdia

I usually avoid an author who states their name as "someone the III".  But I am glad that I didn't give this volume on preaching a by ball. It is in fact essential reading for anyone who preaches.
The book has three main threads:
Spirit empowered preaching is the principle means of advancing the kingdom of God
Spirit empowered preaching will be evangelical in emphasis
Spirit empowered preaching is the responsibility of the church
Azurdia argues that too much preaching going on today is void of the power of God.  In around 180 pages of packed reasoning the writer sets before the reader the need for the work of the Holy Spirit at every stage of preaching.
Azurdia has Biblical balance in his whole approach to preaching.  It is not pray more to prepare less - but prepare and preach in the power of the Spirit.
Highly recommended

Work Matters

One of the most common pastoral issues that pastors face is seeking to counsel people who are struggling with their work.  Many who are in work suffer the Sunday evening blues and those out of paid work wishing they had the Sunday evening blues.  Many have a sense of dissatisfaction and frustration in work and have a disjointed view of work.  This 2011 publication from Crossway publishers from the pen of Tom Nelson will both equip the pastor to counsel and counsel those who need counselled.  The basic premise of this book is that we need to be able to reconnect what is happening in our lives on the Lord's day and what we do the other six. As you would expect this Christian book on work starts at the start ie Genesis showing why we work and why it is so frustrating. Each of the ten chapters are well thought through and applied.  There is much here that will encourage any believer in their work place.  My only criticism is that although the writer roots our work in the character of God a fuller covenantal view of work is rather lacking.  That said this is a very useful book.  It would be a great book for group discussion.  Much here too for the pastor wanting to do some teaching on work.  The big challenge that I found was teaching people that what they do in their work is valuable and important and not to speak in a way that gives the impression that the only work that is important is the life of the church.  Nelson is basically saying that our daily work is to be an extension of all that we are as the people of God.

What do you think of me?

This volume by Ed Welch has the sub title, Why do I care? As the title and sub title suggest this is a book designed for the young. But this "not so young" minister found it challenging because let's face it we can care too much what others think no matter what our age. Like much of the material published by CCEF staff it is published by New Growth Press. After two introductory chapters identifying the problem and then a further six on getting to the reason why peoples lives are lived looking for approval Welch then plots a path out of the maze by studying who God is, who we are and who everyone else is.  This is a superb book that will help counselling those struggling with peer pressure, low self esteem, co dependency etc. it is designed to be an interactive study though to be honest a briefer accompanying study booklet might be more beneficial.  This book has all the thorough Biblical exegesis and careful pastoral direction that we have come to expect from Ed Welch. A super read and well worth it's place on your counselling shelf.

No dummies in the pulpit please

Jesus cried out is not about the agonising cry of the Lord from the cross but how He preached.  John gives a summary of His preaching in John 12v44-50 and he begins that summary with this profound statement.  His preaching was filled with passion, with emotion, with heart as well as head.  He wasn't simply delivering a message from God but did so in a manner that was in keeping with solemn, serious, eternally weighted message that He was proclaiming.
In the course of preparing to preach I listen to a multitude of preachers and am increasingly surprised at how many can have all the content but appear to be missing any emotion.  I have preached 1000s of times now myself and I have to say with Baxter of old, "I marvel how I can preach slightly and coldly, how I can let men alone in their sins."
Bruce Milne in his commentary on John writes with wisdom and great balance on this matter, "Preachers with cold hearts will never warm and awaken the consciences of their hearers....False emotionalism and unrealistic dramatization of the message do not honour God and tend only to alienate non Christians further.  But there is a true engagement of the heart in preaching... which is stamped with sincerity and which is an authentic reflection of the heart of the God whose gospel we proclaim.  God is looking today for preachers who, like His Son, will cry out."

James Martin, Pioneer Medical Missionary in Antioch

This short and well written missionary biography recounts the life and work of Rev. James Martin a minister and missionary of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Ireland.  His life spanned the 19th and 20th centuries.  While I was reading this book I was preparing to preach on John 12v24 "unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies it remains alone, but if it dies it bears much fruit."  James Martin was a 12 24 man. His life was a burning example of what it means to be a radical follower of the great Radical Jesus Christ.
This little bio is well written, concise, clear and full of the life of a man whose heart was devoted to serving his Lord and Master.  The book recounts the witness of a man sent by a small Irish denomination to reach the lost and needy of Syria and Lebanon.  It is a fascinating, challenging and encouraging read.  One question was constantly in my mind - where are the men of this calibre today? Where are the men who will preach to the unreached, plant churches, set up schools and set up dispensaries displaying the mercy of the Lord?  James Martin could have been an exceptional pastor in the home church or a leading medic - but his heart was in tune with God's plan for the world - to reach those who had not been reached.  O that the Lord would put the same mindset into the hearts of 21st century pastors to go where His great name has not been heard or little known.
Any theological students reading this blog - you simply must read this.  Any young person reading this blog - you must take up and read and pray that the Lord of the ends of the earth might raise up more men with such a love for the Lord Jesus.  Read and fall into the earth yourself and die so that there might be some fruit from your short life.

Radical Together, David Platt

Having read the rave reviews I had to buy and decide for myself.  Even the subtitle gets you going in the direction of the slim volume, "unleashing the people of God for the purpose of God."  While written  primarily for a North American audience the point of the book transfers well this side of the pond.  This is obviously a follow on from Platt's best seller, "Radical."  In the book Platt sets out six key ideas to spur the Christian on to live a radical life together in the church.  These are all good and helpful in themselves and well summarised in the titles and subtitles of the chapters:
1. Tyranny of the good - One of the worst enemies of Christians can be good things in the church.
2. The gospel misunderstood - The gospel that saves us from work saves us to work.
3. God is saying something - The word does the work.
4. The genius of wrong - Building the right church depends on using all the wrong people.
5. Our unmistakable task - We are living and longing for the end of the world.
6. The God who exalts God - We are selfless followers of the self centred God.
The book has a helpful study guide at the end which would assist the reader not only for personal study but in discussing with others.
While I enjoyed the book and found it challenging I had that sense that something was missing - God's covenant with God's covenant people binding us to Himself and each other - that is the key truth that makes us radical together.

The Gospel and Sexual Orientation

Well what could you get packed into 67 pages on such a subject?  Basically everything you need to know on the matter of sexual orientation and the Bible.  At least that is what Michael Lefebvre the editor of this masterly volume has managed.  The booklet is the work of the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America as they attempted to give guidance to the congregations they served.  "Compassionate scholarship" is the style of this booklet that should be in every Christian home in the western world.  The booklet comprises six main chapters.  The first chapter helpfully sets out the terminology stating clearly where all the words come from. In chapter two the writers set out clearly what the Bible says about the doctrine of man.  The third chapter deals sensitively and sensibly with present day pattern of speaking of gender patterns. The matter of principles for handling the Bible texts is addressed in chapter four before the main chapter five where the various passages are clearly and accurately expounded.  The book ends with a sixth chapter offering pastoral counsel and an extended bibliography.
For too long too many Reformed Christians have been in the dark on this matter.  That need no longer be the case.  Buy in bulk and give to your congregation.

Preaching the Psalms, McCann & Howell

Over the years I have noticed this book mentioned in various footnotes of other books on the psalms so thought that it might be worth a read. The book comprises three sections: Preaching the psalms - why? Preaching the psalms - how? Preaching the psalms - what?  While there were a few interesting comments here and there throughout the book over all it was a bit of a let down.  For me it was a "broadening my horizons read" as many of the people quoted would not be my usual favourite writers.  The main failing of the book in my opinion is missing the fundamental point that these songs of Zion are Christ's songs - His Spirit breathed them out, they are full of His person and work and He sang them.
Out of ten - I am afraid a humble 3.

JC Ryle Matthew

I just couldn't resist the £15 ministers set of JC Ryle's Expository thoughts on the Gospels.  And now I have finished volume 1 - Matthew.  Just the next section each morning as part of the daily devotions.  Better than any daily Bible reading note.  Ryle had that knack of feeding the people of God winsomely and wooingly.  This was a man who loved Jesus Christ and it just flowed from him.
Can't wait to get started on the next volume.
It is not too late to get the set for someone for Christmas.  Not sure if the minister's discount is still in operation  so you can but it for your minister but you can get the set for £55 at any decent bookshop.  This is just a must as far as Christian reading goes.

Not quite Mr. Obama

What was that you said Mr. President?  As the president gave an emotional address following the recent  atrocity in an American school he left the nation with the misquoting of Psalm 147. No doubt many were moved as he called the nation to their duty of giving help and comfort to those who mourn.  But then in an attempt to quote the Bible he omitted the most important word in the text. He said, in the words of Scripture - heal the broken hearted.  But the psalmist says that this is only what God can do - HE heals the broken hearted.  No president no nation, not even the mighty US can bind up the broken hearts of the grieving parents of twenty brutally murdered children.  The only one who can bring the comfort that such a trauma brings is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Yes He uses means and the comfort that we have received from God is to be an encouragement to others - but the rock bottom is that only Him who is God can give grace for such gaping wounds.  Only the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ who knows what it is like to have a son brutally murdered at the hands of the wicked can help. And because of that horrific death God can welcome all who call on Jesus in repentance and faith.
Just in case Mr. Obama reads this blog (Not!) here is the psalm in full for you to read sir. Bow and worship, love and adore.

iPraise the Lord!

For it is good to sing praises to our God;

for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.

2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;

he gathers the outcasts of Israel.

3 He heals the brokenhearted

and binds up their wounds.

4 He determines the number of the stars;

he gives to all of them their names.

5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;

his understanding is beyond measure.

6 The Lord lifts up the humble;

he casts the wicked to the ground.

7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;

make melody to our God on xthe lyre!

8 He covers the heavens with clouds;

he prepares rain for the earth;

he makes grass grow on the hills.

9 He gives to the beasts their food,

and to the young ravens that cry.

10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse,

nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,

11 but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,

in those who hope in his steadfast love.

12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!

Praise your God, O Zion!

13 For he strengthens the bars of your gates;

he blesses your children within you.

14 He makes peace in your borders;

he fills you with the ifinest of the wheat.

15 He sends out his command to the earth;

his word runs swiftly.

16 He gives snow like wool;

he scatters lfrost like ashes.

17 He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs;

who can stand before his cold?

18 He sends out his word, and melts them;

he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.

19 He declares his word to Jacob,

his pstatutes and rules to Israel.

20 He qhas not dealt thus with any other nation;

they do not know his rules.

rPraise the Lord!

Planting for the Gospel

This small book written by Graham Beynon and published by Christian Focus is a little primer to church planting.  It comprises 120 pages divided into six chapters:
1. Reasons for planting a church
2. Different models for planting a church
3. Deciding on a model
4. Different methods for church planting
5. Key issues in church planting
6. The early days of planting
I can't say that I benefitted greatly from this book as what he covers is stated elsewhere. Like most church planting books it lacks Scriptural rooting throughout.  The final chapter recounts brief historical sketches of a host of different types of plants.  These are quite interesting.  Though one point did irk me - that someone had a "prophetic word" about the growth of City Church in Dundee. Seems to me that Jesus made all the prophecy about church planting that we need - I will build My church.
In conclusion save your £4.00 for something better and more Biblically rooted.
When will someone write something useful on planting - like Church planting in Acts - that would be worth buying.

The Last Enemy

Michael Wittmer's book subtitled "Preparing to win the fight of your life," is to help the believer die well.  Since every single person reading this post is dying you should read this.  The book comprises twenty three short chapters filled with Scripture and pastoral insights.  It is winsomely written, clearly connecting with the big issues around the theme. It is candid and compassionate, clear and concise and above all Christ centred.  All of these things make is so very suitable for the believer who has been sent and arrow from heaven to say that they will soon be required in the Master's house.
This is the book that you can give to that Christian friend who has just been diagnosed with a terminal illness.  But more than that read it yourself and live in the light of it.
I can't recommend this little volume too highly.  A master lesson in pastoral theology.

Dangerous Calling

This the the latest book from the pen of Paul Tripp.  The subtitle reveals what the dangerous calling is about - confronting the unique challenges of pastoral ministry. The book comprises three main sections: examining pastoral culture; the danger of forgetting who God is; and the danger of forgetting who you are.  The book is obviously written in Tripp's unique conversational preaching style.  In each chapter it is as if you are in his counselling room as he downloads a lifetime of pastoral experience and expertise. In this book the writer is shockingly open about the dangerous life of the ministry and the sins that so easily beset us.
If you are a minister and want to finish the course you simply must read this.  If you are training for the ministry you must take this deep into your heart and life or you will so easily become one of the ministerial casualties that sadly pepper every denomination.
This should be compulsory reading at every seminary.