The Holiness of God - Quotes

 

I'm currently rereading one of the best books I have studied in-depth. WOW! No wonder The Holiness of God by R. C. Sproul is considered a modern classic!

Read it! Buy it! Share it! You won't regret it!

Quotes:

“Sin is cosmic treason. Sin is treason against a perfectly pure Sovereign. It is an act of supreme ingratitude toward the One to whom we owe everything, to the One who has given us life itself. Have you ever considered the deeper implications of the slightest sin, of the most minute peccadillo? What are we saying to our Creator when we disobey Him at the slightest point? We are saying no to the righteousness of God. We are saying, “God, Your law is not good. My judgement is better than Yours. Your authority does not apply to me. I am above and beyond Your jurisdiction. I have the right to do what I want to do, not what You command me to do.”

“When we understand the character of God, when we grasp something of His holiness, then we begin to understand the radical character of our sin and hopelessness. Helpless sinners can survive only by grace. Our strength is futile in itself; we are spiritually impotent without the assistance of a merciful God. We may dislike giving our attention to God's wrath and justice, but until we incline ourselves to these aspects of God's nature, we will never appreciate what has been wrought for us by grace. Even Edwards's sermon on sinners in God's hands was not designed to stress the flames of hell. The resounding accent falls not on the fiery pit but on the hands of the God who holds us and rescues us from it. The hands of God are gracious hands. They alone have the power to rescue us from certain destruction.”

“It is one thing to fall victim to the flood or to fall prey to cancer; it is another thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

“If we are unconverted, one thing is absolutely certain: We hate God.”

“Don't ever ask God for justice-you might get it.”

“Do you not know that God dwells in light inaccessible? We weak and ignorant creatures want to probe and understand the incomprehensible majesty of the unfathomable light of the wonder of God. We approach; we prepare ourselves to approach. What wonder then that his majesty overpowers us and shatters!"'

Comment if you have read the book and profited from it!

A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life

By Joel Beeke and Mark Jones 

 

Out of all your books in your personal library, which one is your most prized possession?

I hope, as fellow Christians, your answer is the Holy Bible. But your second? Mine, the treasure of my bookcase, is the massive systematic theology tome, A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life by Reformed theologians Joel Beeke and Mark Jones.

But a question may nag you as you read the previous statement: why would a adventure-loving, historical-fiction-devouring young man (such as yours truly), prize a 1000+ page book of 400 year old theology?

But let me tell you: this 1000+ page tome is no ordinary systematic theology. This is a rich compendium of history, biography, book reviews, theology, and even a few discussions of practical Christian living.

The book is divided into 60 chapters grouped in 8 sections, each categorized by the established systematic loci, or topic.

The first few sections discuss the all-important topics of Prolegomena, Theology Proper, Anthropology, and (gulp) Covenant Theology. A few of the chapters focus on the teachings of one particular well-known Puritan.  The book features William Ames, John Owen, Stephen Charnock, John Owen, William Perkins, John Owen, Thomas Goodwin, John Owen, Anthony Burgress, John Owen, Richard Sibbes, John Owen, John Bunyan, John Owen, Thomas Manton, John Owen, Chistopher Love, John Owen, and Matthew Henry. (Did I mention John Owen?).

The rest of the books sections are titled: Christology, Soteirology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology. (If you are not a scholar and are reading this, no worries. These studies are rather simple when explained.) Some of my favorite chapters were: The Puritans on Providence, The Blood of Christ in Puritan Theology, Puritan Preparatory Grace, The Puritans on Adoption, and Puritan Preaching (1 and 2).

The literacy style is a little academic in places, but if you persevere, you will come across rich nuggets of Scriptural truth which, with prayer, can open your eyes and change the way you view the Christian Life.

Even if you do not agree with every Biblical interpretations the Puritans arrived at, (I skipped the parts on Covenant Theology and Paedobaptism), or even the conclusions the authors state in their historical interpretations, there is still so much here not to walk away with not having learn something about what the Bible says about God, man, and the Bible in quaint, memorable words.

After gaining knowledge from the great Christian thinker-pastors of the 17th century in every loci of theology, you will be greatly blessed and encouraged by the last ten chapters, Theology in Practice. For the sake of brevity, I will not go into detail, except to suggest that you read these last chapters first and then the rest on theology. The perspective it gives you is too precious to miss. Tolle ledge, pick up and read!

Soli Deo Gloria,
The Book Adventurer

The Mortification of Sin

By John Owen

 

Who was the greatest theological thinker and writer Britain ever produced? What was his most distinguished practical work?

The two questions seemed opposed to each other. The greatest Britain theologian and his best book for laymen? How can a thinker write for workers? It is possible and the answer is: John Owen and his book, The Mortification of Sin.

John Owen was a prolific Congregational Puritan theologian, whose 16 volume set of works are very popular among Pastors and scholars. But here is a book collected from some of his sermons designed for laypeople who are struggling with indwelling sin.
This is the classic work on this topic. Owen expounds his text, Romans 8:13, "...if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." In 14 chapters, he set out a guide for killing remaining sin in believers.

This is a pertinent book for our day. Owen says in his preface that too often believer are at peace with the world. Time has not changed that issue. We must fight within ourselves, for this is the other side of sanctification. What did Paul write, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" Using the scalpel of truth, the Word of God, Owen holds open the cut, and shows the remedy for our remaining sin.

In the preface, Owen opens with the reasons he wrote the book. First, the difficulty and lethargy professing Christians have with mortifying their sin. The second reason is the "dangerous mistakes concerning mortification." He warns of attempting our mortification by ourselves, "through lack of acquaintance with the mystery of the gospel and the efficacy of the death of Christ." Owens continues why he is qualified to treat on this subject. He then continues with the introduction.

In the introduction, Owen briefly explains the text, in classic Puritan style, dividing the verse up in five parts: who is it directed to, the condition, the means of accomplishment, a duty, and a promise. He concisely expounds on each detail.

Owen's next chapter make clear why the flesh must be mortified. The chapter was enlightening to our state as humans and why we need the Spirit in our mortification, which Owen describes in chapter 3, entitled The Work of the Spirit in Mortification.

Chapter four points out how our spiritual strength, comfort, power, and peace, describing how evil sin really is. (For a more detailed exposure of sin, I encourage you to read The Sinfulness of Sin by Ralph Venning.)

Owen continues in the next two chapter to explain what Mortification is, and what it is not. These chapters were detailed, and very helpful.

In expounds what mortification is, Owen lays down two rules that are necessary for mortification. One, only believers can mortify sin. Two, we must be obedient to God in everything,

Then Owen describes nine directions to prepare for the work of mortification, each direction usually taking up one chapter. The principles are these:
1. Consider the dangerous symptoms of sin,
2. See sin for what it is,
3. Develop a tender conscience,
4. Constantly long for deliverance,
5. Relate our present trouble with our nature,
6. Watch carefully during those times that sin has taken advantage of in the past,
7. Rise up at the first sign of sin
8. Exercise humility and self-abasement
9. Wait until God declares peace in your heart


The last chapter briefly (too briefly in my view) the two directions for the work itself; the work of Christ and the power of the Spirit. This is the crux of the book, and I thought Owen disappointingly, hurried over these two points. However, there are other books on this topic which go in greater detail.

Before I end though I would mention two things. One, get the abridged edition. Owen is excessively wordy, even for a Puritan, and my edition is made easy to read by Banner of Truth. Two, the publisher suggests reading this in conjunction with Owen's two other books, Temptation and Indwelling Sin in Believers. I suggest it too.  

Personally, I found the book simulating, eye-opening, well-written, and encouraging. Recommended for all believers who wish to grow in grace.

Soli Deo Gloria,

The Book Adventurer

But the Book on Amazon:
The Mortification of Sin (Puritan Paperbacks) by John Owen

Apostate:

The Men who Destroyed the Christian West

 

Hello Readers,

I'm back after taking a short break from posting, partly because I've been working hard on a novel I hope to finish soon. I'll give more information about it on this blog shortly. But for now, I will give you all my review of one of the most interesting books on Christian History I have read yet, Apostate: The Men who Destroyed the Christian West. 

It is interesting because of (1) the author, (2) the topic, (3) the style, and (4) the message.

The Author

 

Kevin Swanson, speaker, radio host, pastor, and writer, he is the most persuasive, dynamic, and  most requested homeschooling advocate I know.  Host of the online talk show, Generations, he is an outspoken proponent of the Family-Integrated Churches (FIC), defender of Theonomy (in the person of R.J. Rushdoony), and recently, an opponent of patriarchy. Now he writes in the role of a Christian historian.

The Topic 

 

The men who destroyed the Christian West, who are they? Swanson's answer is a list of quite a number of authors, theologians, and philosophers. Aquinas, Descartes, Locke, Darwin, Bentham, Dewey, Shakespeare, Hawthorne, Twain, Hemingway, and Lennon are but a few of the men Swanson exposes.

He shows how all these men, in their traitorous departure of the God of their fathers, have lead to the state of America it is today, and all the rampart evils the world contains. It is curious to read what this well-beloved men, really said and did.

The Style

 

Despite the solemn and sober topic, I admit I enjoyed Swanson's literacy style. Crisp, clear, and straightforward, there are no rabbit trails in this book. You can very well read it in one sitting. (However, I will point out that Swanson quotes Wikipedia frequently. That is taboo for any writer who wishes to be taken seriously.

The Message

Now here is where the rubber hits the road. Permeated throughout the whole work, and set forth at the end, Swanson presents a  postmillennial-based Reconstructionism. If you may be wondering what is that. Encyclopædia Britannica succinctly defines it as "fundamentalists in the United States," who advocate "the creation of a state and society based on strict conformity to biblical law." I will critique it extensively later under the Cons heading.

Pros 

•  Well-researched and clear
• A concern to expose the causes of the sins of today's society.
• A candid exploration of the classical literacy giants.
• Swanson's biblical and Reformed views (except his Reconstructionism and other beliefs).
• A hard view against compromise.

 Cons

This will be somewhat lengthier:

• Wrong view of History. Swanson shockingly declares the 'Christian West' of 800-1200 to be the ideal world in history. Shocking, because the Early Medieval was perhaps one of the worsts periods in 'civilization'. One, the corruption and tyranny of leaders was destroying society until the Reformation. Two, the evil Romish church which dominated that period was far from biblical. Why did the Puritans call the Pope the Antichrist? Thirdly, the rejection of the Bible which brought wicked ignorance in all classes. The Reformation was a blessing from God.

• Wrong view of Society.  The reason for the 'more rampant' sin of today is not surprising, but is to be expected. 1 Peter that "seducers will wax worse and worse'. I take the Bible to be infallible truth, not Swanson.

• Wrong Culprit. Was it is that corrupts men? Not outside forces, but the inside. Today's worst enemy is sin, the wicked flesh of the natural man. Thank God for grace. 

• Wrong Diagnosis. Swanson wishes a revival in the 'Christian West' (what about the Christian East. Christ is not restricted to one side of the globe.). He evens prays for a 'Christian nation', like he claims America once was. We need Christ, not a Christian nation. And to change society, we need to homeschool, and instituting the Law of God? I should say not. Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and him crucified, can change men's hearts. Swanson never once says that, to his great shame. I would recommend my pastor's sermon on Ephesians 1:1-3, related to this topic, which can be heard here: castlerockbaptist.com/sermons

I would strongly urge all readers of this book to more closely examine Swanson's claims, and turn to the Word of God for truth.

Soli Deo Gloria,

The Book Adventurer

P.S. I am deeply indebted to R. S. Jameson to pointing out some of the deficiencies in Swanson's book.
Read his review here: www.amazon.com/reviews

Buy the book on Amazon:
www.amazon.com/Apostate-The-Destroyed-Christian-West
  

Meet the Puritans

With A Guide to Modern Reprints

This is the Christian guide to building a excellent library. Period.

This is another collection of biography, this time of the 17th century Reformed Theologians. But not just their lives, but also their books. The authors, Dr Joel Beeke and Randall Pederson, have written out the definitive encyclopedia of the biographical and bibliographical information of the English, Scottish, American, and Dutch Puritans. This compendium details the Puritans' devotional, practical, and academic works, and that's all under one cover!

But some may say, what's so special about the Puritans? That's a question that will take more than a short book review to answer, but I will try to answer in a few sentences. The Puritan aligned themselves with the historic doctrines of the Reformation in the Calvinist tradition. The Puritans defined these doctrines in a few quaint outlines.

One was the Fives Solas; Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola Fide (Faith alone), Sola Gratia (Grace alone), Sola Christus (Christ alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (To the Glory of God alone). The Puritans saturated their teachings with these five doctrines (not to forget the Five Points of Calvinism, too).

The Puritans' love of the Scriptures, and their ultimate aim,being to glorify God, and abase man, commend their books to me, and I will continue to stock my bookcases with their volumes.

The Puritans were not perfect, as the authors of Meet the Puritans explains. Their teaching wasn't always orthodox, nor their lives always guileless. As a Baptist, I disagree strongly will some of their most beloved teaching, yet this does not persuade me to chuck their tomes away. Instead, it will may me strive to define my beliefs, and share it with others.

Now to finish my actual review on the book. I would recommend it to every Christian who wishes to find good books, and learn of the lives of stalwart men of the faith. History, theology, biographies, literature, portraits, quotes, and much more are all collected in over 800 pages in this marvelous feat of Christian writing.

Soli Deo Gloria,

The Book Adventurer

Buy the book from Amazon
Meet the Puritans: With a Guide to Modern Reprints by Joel R. Beeke and Randall J. Pederson