BR > Crossway

Exploring the Bible: A Guide to the Old and New Testaments, 1581348649

Tony Reinke Book announcement, BR > Crossway, Old Testament

Book Announcement
Exploring the Bible: A Guide to the Old and New Testaments
by R. Laird Harris, Samuel J. Schultz
Gary V. Smith and Walter M. Dunnett

I confess I have a weakness for books that provide broad sweeping overviews of the biblical storyline because I never get tired of reading authors who tie the various biblical threads together into one comprehensive picture of God’s redemptive plan. (This explains why one of my favorite books of 2006 was Mark Dever’s, Promises Made.) So I was especially excited to receive my copy of Exploring the Bible: A Guide to the Old and New Testaments (Crossway).

This new book extends far beyond a general overview of the biblical storyline because Exploring the Bible is really three books in one. The first of three books is “Exploring the Basics of the Bible” (pp. 9-114) which includes a helpful introduction to the Bible. Among other things this section includes an overview of inspiration, OT and NT authorship, how the bible was preserved, a primer on higher criticism, difficult bible questions, how to use commentaries, lexicons and the best methods of bible study.

The second book, “Exploring the Old Testament” (pp. 115-336), traces the OT narrative chronologically and later addresses the wisdom literature and prophets. The final book, “Exploring the New Testament” (pp. 337-440), progresses through the NT books generally in the order they appear in Scripture, pointing out broad topical themes.

Throughout this volume, the authors incorporate helpful charts and graphs to help the reader grasp the big picture. Discussion questions are printed at the end of each chapter to facilitate group discussion. Exploring the Bible will prove to be very valuable if you want bible study help, an intro to Scripture and overviews of the OT/NT storyline and themes.

Title: Exploring the Bible: A Guide to the Old and New Testaments
Authors: by R. Laird Harris, Samuel J. Schultz, Gary V. Smith and Walter M. Dunnett
Reading level: 2.4/5.0 > moderately easy
Boards: paperback
Pages: 448
Volumes: 1
Dust jacket: no
Binding: glue
Paper: normal
Topical index: no
Scriptural index: no
Text: perfect type
Publisher: Crossway (see excerpts here)
Year: 2001, 2002; printed together 2007
Price USD: $19.99 / $14.99 at CBD
ISBNs: 1581348649, 9781581348644

The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World

Tony Reinke BR > Crossway, Doctrines of Grace, Gospel, Gospel in Culture, Reformation

Book announcement
The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World
by Stephen J. Nichols

To be Cross-centered Christians we need to be historically aware Christians. When it comes to the gospel, it’s hard to overstate the importance of the Protestant Reformation. Stephen J. Nichols new book from Crossway is an entertaining and easy-to-read survey of the important events and people of the 200-year span of the Reformation.

The book is filled with photos, charts, sidebars and humor. It will educate you as you laugh, blush and shake your head. But most importantly The Reformation will tighten your grip on the gospel.

“The things that matter most to us all center on the gospel. The church simply cannot afford to forget the lesson of the Reformation about the utter supremacy of the gospel in everything the church does … In studying the Reformation, we remember what the church is all about, and we remember how easy it is for the church to lose its grip on the gospel … And in this age of religious pluralism, theological laxity, and biblical illiteracy, perhaps the Reformation is needed more than ever before.”

– Stephen J. Nichols, The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World (Crossway: 2007) pp. 17, 21.

If you are looking for an accessible introduction to the events of the Reformation within the context of why the Reformation is important today, Nichols will prove very useful.

Title: The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World
Author: Stephen J. Nichols
Reading level: 1.75/5.0 > easy/popular
Boards: paperback
Pages: 159
Volumes: 1
Dust jacket: no
Binding: glue
Paper: normal
Topical index: no (this would have been very helpful)
Scriptural index: no
Text: perfect text
Publisher: Crossway
Year: 2007
Price USD: $12.99 / $9.99 at CBD
ISBNs: 9781581348293, 1581348290

Book announcement > Growing in Christ by J.I. Packer

Tony Reinke Book announcement, BR > Crossway, J.I. Packer

Book announcement
Growing in Christ
by J.I. Packer

Now with a new cover, J.I. Packer’s excellent book Growing in Christ looks better than ever (it was originally published in 1994 as I Want to Be a Christian). Packer offers a popular level overview of Christianity divided into four sections (doctrine as outlined by the Apostle’s Creed; baptism and conversion; prayer; the Ten Commandments). The 64 very short chapters include biblical references for further study and questions useful for personal devotion times or group facilitation (as it was intended).

Overall, I think this quote provides an excellent overview of Packer’s purpose,

“Being a Christian is a blend of doctrine, experience, and practice. Head, heart, and legs are all involved. Doctrine and experience without practice would turn me into a knowledgeable spiritual paralytic; experience and practice without doctrine would leave me a restless sleepwalker. If Christ is to be formed in me, doctrine, experience, and practice must all be there together” (p. 127).

Packer accomplishes this balance well in Growing in Christ.


Title: Growing in Christ (formerly I Want to Be a Christian)
Author: J.I. Packer
Reading level: 1.0/5.0 > very easy
Boards: paperback
Pages: 288
Volumes: 1
Dust jacket: no
Binding: glue
Paper: normal
Topical index: yes
Scriptural index: no
Text: second generation perfect text
Publisher: Crossway
Year: 1994, 2007
Price USD: $16.99 / $12.99 at CBD
ISBNs: 1581348525, 9781581348521

Book announcement > Jesus’ Blood and Righteousness by Brian Vickers

Tony Reinke Book announcement, BR > Crossway, Cross of Christ, Doctrine, Gospel, Imputation, N.T. Wright

Book announcement
Jesus’ Blood and Righteousness: Paul’s Theology of Imputation
 by Brian Vickers

Few topics are more central to a right relationship with a holy God than the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ for undeserving sinners. But few issues are more hotly contested in recent years. As Ligon Duncan writes, “The historic reformational doctrine of imputation is under serious duress in our day. Interestingly, it is often evangelical, Protestant, biblical studies scholars who have the doctrine in their sights.”

The solution is a historical, theological and exegetical look at imputation and a fairly new book from Crossway, Jesus’ Blood and Righteousness: Paul’s Theology of Imputation by Brian Vickers does this. Vickers tackles the confusing teachings of N.T. Wright, E.P. Sanders, James D.G. Dunn and affirms,

“A synthesis of Paul’s teaching leads to the conclusion that Christ’s righteousness is, after all, imputed to believers. A variety of themes merge in such a way as to establish that the righteousness that counts before God and is by faith can be nothing other than Christ’s righteousness. From various texts is it evident that when discussing justification Paul speaks of, among other things, God’s actions through Christ on behalf of sinners, who though undeserving are forgiven and declared righteous as a free gift from God on the basis of Christ’s substitutionary death. Christ as the second Adam, the covenant head of his people, and the first fruits of the harvest, obeys the will and command of God, and his obedience results in a right standing before God for those identified in union with him. This righteousness is appropriated by faith, which, as the instrumental means of justification, effects their union with Christ” (p. 232).


Title: Jesus’ Blood and Righteousness: Paul’s Theology of Imputation
Author: Brian Vickers
Reading level: 4.0/5.0 > advanced > some Gk./Heb.
Boards: paperback
Pages: 254
Volumes: 1
Dust jacket: no
Binding: glue
Paper: normal
Topical index: no (person index)
Scriptural index: no
Text: perfect type
Publisher: Crossway
Year: 2006
Price USD: $14.99 / $11.99 at CBD
ISBNs: 1581347545, 9781581347548

Book review > Chosen for Life by Sam Storms (1581348436, 9781581348439)

Tony Reinke Book reviews, Books, BR > Crossway, Calvinism, Humble Calvinism, Sam Storms

Book review
Chosen for Life
by Sam Storms

One of the best defenses of the sovereign election of God in salvation comes from the pen of Sam Storms in his classic book, Chosen for Life: The Case for Divine Election. Crossway just released the revised and expanded version, 20 years after it was first published by Baker.

Chosen for Life is a humble and deeply biblical look at the controversial subject of God’s sovereign election of sinners. Storms excels at incorporating illustrations that make the concepts easy to comprehend for those who are new to the discussion.

While there are many books on the doctrine of election, (to my knowledge) no others emphasize God’s unmerited delight in His chosen! That’s right, God delights in the elect. Building off Ephesians 1:11-18, Storms writes,

“God didn’t predestine us unwillingly, grudgingly, or reluctantly. He wanted to do it. He delighted to do it. God has an emotional life. There is immense and unfathomable complexity in his feelings: He delights in some things, and despises others. He loves and hates. He rejoices and judges. Choosing hell-deserving sinners to spend an eternity with him as his beloved children is uniquely joyful and pleasing and delightful and exciting and satisfying to the heart of God! … God not only delights in the act of election, he also delights in the objects of election: us! … God wants us to fully understand and grasp and experience what we are to him! But note well: the glory and honor of being elect is not why we are elect. Rather, there is glory and honor because we are elect. Election bestows glory and honor, but is not based upon it” (p. 188, 191-192).

What Humble Calvinists we would become if we truly grasped this concept. God rejoices over us and exults over us with loud singing (Zeph. 3:17)! He delights in His elect. If you were elected by God, His heart rejoices, delights, is excited and satisfied over you.

But we are totally depraved sinners deserving only of God’s wrath?!? Yes, but God delights. Never does God delight in us because we are delightful. He delights in us because He has freely chosen us. We are the depraved prodigal son, God is our father who lavishes unmerited righteousness, joy and delight over us (Luke 15:11-32).

Few truths will better encourage us, help us to battle the sin of condemnation in our hearts, focus our corporate worship upon God’s grace or truly bring humility to our hearts. God sings over me. Amazing truth!

If you are opposed to Calvinism or if you’ve been a Calvinist for 50 years, this book will be a great challenge and encouragement. Even better it will stir your affections because Chosen for Life is really a wonderful book about the motives and character of our great electing God!

Title: Chosen for Life: The Case for Divine Election
Author: Sam Storms
Boards: paperback
Pages: 237
Volumes: 1
Dust jacket: no
Binding: glue
Paper: normal
Topical index: yes
Scriptural index: yes
Text: perfect type
Publisher: Crossway
Year: 2007 (expanded from 1987 Baker ed.)
Price USD: $17.99 / $12.99 at CBD
ISBNs: 1581348436, 9781581348439

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Click here to access previous posts in the Humble Calvinism index.

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TSS book photo archive

Tony Reinke Book reviews, Books, BP > Reformation Heritage Books, BR > Baker Books, BR > Banner of Truth, BR > Christian Focus, BR > Crossway, BR > P&R, BR > Reformation Heritage Books, BR > Soli Deo Gloria Pub., BR > Tentmaker Publications, Great Quotes, Photographs

Hello everyone. Over the past few months I have been photographing books for this blog. There are a number of pictures I have used, some I have not, but all of them I want to put to work. So, if you have a use for them, please feel free to copy them and use them. If you don’t have use for the pictures, you may (at the least) pick up some great Christmas book ideas.

Enter The Shepherd’s Scrapbook book photo archive here.