North-West University Professor J. M. Vorster’s The Gift of Life: Toward an ethic of human personhood (2021) represents a crowning of his career as a Reformed Pastor, theologian, and ethicist in the South African context.1 I review this volume as a fellow . . . Continue reading →
Books
Introducing Me and God: A 21-Day Country Music Devotional by Iain Duguid
Country Music is a unique genre in terms of its Christian connections and interest in telling compelling stories. As a result, it faces up to the deep questions in life more often than other genres of music: it goes beyond mere love . . . Continue reading →
Chris Gordon’s Reformed Catechism On Sexuality
As Christians grapple with living in a world where sexual identity has become a fluid concept for many people, how can believers develop a solid understanding regarding what the Bible actually says about our sexuality? Thankfully, pastor and Abounding Grace Radio host . . . Continue reading →
A Sacrifice for Sin Made by God to God: A Review of Benjamin Wheaton’s Suffering not Power
In his book Suffering Not Power: Atonement in the Middle Ages, Benjamin Wheaton, a PhD graduate from the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto, challenges the conventional narrative popularized by Gustav Aulén that Christus Victor was the prevailing view . . . Continue reading →
Review: Gospel-Shaped Marriage: Grace for Sinners to Love Like Saints by Chad and Emily Van Dixhoorn
As a wise mentor once wryly commented, the problem with marriage books in the nineties was their overwhelmingly negative bent. In so many marriage books of yesterday, the thesis was essentially: “You horrible idiot! Why would you even consider thinking about getting . . . Continue reading →
Review: Ben Franklin: Cultural Protestant by D. G. Hart
From the author of The Lost Soul of American Protestantism and From Billy Graham to Sarah Palin: Evangelicals and the Betrayal American Conservatism, comes Benjamin Franklin: Cultural Protestant. Part of Oxford’s “Spiritual Lives” series, the host of the Paleo Protestant Pudcast (podcast) . . . Continue reading →
Review: Ryan M. Kelly, Calls to Worship, Invocations, and Benedictions
The first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, “What is man’s chief end?” The answer, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.” I know, you know the answer already. You have heard it innumerable times. But . . . Continue reading →
Review: Christ of the Consummation: The Testimony of the Gospels By O. Palmer Robertson
During my time as an undergraduate, I was required to take a number of Biblical studies courses. Many of the professors with whom I interacted, had little interest in seeing the Scriptures as a unified whole. Many of them openly mocked the . . . Continue reading →
Review: Todd Hains, Martin Luther and the Rule of Faith: Reading God’s Word for God’s People
Not long ago, Reformed circles found it fashionable to criticize those on the other side of our intramural debates as being too Lutheran. If being too Lutheran means thinking anything like Todd Hains and reading Scripture with the care and purpose for . . . Continue reading →
Review of Brian Brock’s Wondrously Wounded: Theology, Disability, and the Body of Christ
Churches in the modern world must increasingly realize that we have to reckon with difficult issues involving mental wellbeing, disability, and related concerns. As a pastor in London, one of the world’s largest urban centers where there were fewer ways even just . . . Continue reading →
Review: Geerhardus Vos: Reformed Biblical Theologian, Confessional Presbyterian
Geerhardus Vos: Reformed biblical theologian, academic, churchman, son, husband, father, professor, colleague, poet, Christian. Danny Olinger’s biography Geerhardus Vos: Reformed Biblical Theologian, Confessional Presbyterian is a recommended read for pastors, students, and lay people. For pastors, particularly of the Reformed persuasion, this . . . Continue reading →
Review: C. S. Lewis’ Till We Have Faces, 1956 (Part 2)
Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will . . . Continue reading →
Review: The Biggest Story Bible Storybook by DeYoung
The Biggest Story Bible Storybook written by Kevin DeYoung and illustrated by Don Clark, is a lighthearted, playful, yet faithful summary of the most important story ever told. It is one in a series of illustrated story Bibles by the duo. The . . . Continue reading →
Review: C. S. Lewis’ Till We Have Faces, 1956 (Part 1)
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12) Overly ambitious, I recently read C. S. Lewis’ Till . . . Continue reading →
Incorrect Item Delivered: A Review of Paul’s “Works of the Law” in the Perspective of Second-Century Reception by Matthew J. Thomas
When I was a student at Westminster Seminary California, I once ordered a used volume of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers series online. When the package arrived, I was surprised to discover that in its place I had been shipped a commentary . . . Continue reading →
Review: R. C. Sproul’s Luther and the Reformation
With his characteristic clarity and story-telling ability, R. C. Sproul’s Luther and the Reformation: How a Monk Discovered the Gospel reveals the lines of connection between the personal crises of Martin Luther’s life and the development of his theological thought. As the . . . Continue reading →
Review: Kevin DeYoung’s Men and Women in the Church
In our historic moment, the categories of male and female are no longer assumed. What is a man? What is a woman? Neither is there consensus in the church on gender roles and relations. But to know yourself and glorify God you . . . Continue reading →
Review: Sproul’s Saved From What?
R. C. Sproul’s Saved From What was originally published in 2002 but was recently republished in 2021 after Dr. Sproul’s death in 2017. In this succinct work, Sproul answers the question prevalent in 20th century American evangelical circles: “Are you saved?” He . . . Continue reading →
Review of the Reformation Study Bible Student Edition, English Standard Version
Study Bibles have a special place in my heart. As a church-going but unbelieving teenager, I did not understand the Bible and had no interest in reading it. But when I became a believer at the end of college, I really wanted . . . Continue reading →
Twits, Scholars, And Thoughts On Theological Discussion: Thanks To Adonis Vidu
When I finished reading Adonis Vidu’s excellent new book on the divine missions to review it for the Heidelblog, I set a goal to interact with what I found most useful in the book. Rather that using the generic review tactic of . . . Continue reading →