Joel Beeke and Mark Jones’ amazing book, “A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life” is currently available for only $4.99 (kindle format) at Westminster Bookstore. The hard copy sells for $45 (MSRP is $60), so this is a steal for an incredible wealth of theological insight. Click the image below for more information.
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There is a great deal going on now at Westminster Bookstore… three books for $20! Get D.A. Carson’s “Collected Writings on Scripture,” and the respective festschrifts of Richard Gaffin and John Piper, “Resurrection and Eschatology” and “For the Fame of God’s Name”—all for just $20! Click the links above or image below for more info.
Of course, you could buy them individually for up to 72% off, but why not save around 80% by buying all three?
Westminster Bookstore has an awesome deal on Greg Gilbert’s “What is the Gospel?”—up to 65% OFF (case quantity), or get single copies for 50% OFF! This book is a great for evangelism and outreach, as a gift for new believers, or even for mature Christians who want to bask in the glory of the gospel. Click the image or links for more information.
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“Nothing so clearly discovers a spiritual man as his treatment of an erring brother.” (Augustine)
“Scripture has the power to take the simple-minded and make them skilled for every aspect of life.” (John MacArthur)
Please take some time to browse the other pages on this site (located in the tabs above). You’ll find several articles, FREE e-books, and book recommendations for your edification. Check out the Exegetical Theology page or Pastoral Theology page first. Thanks!
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Get Russell Moore’s “Same-Sex Marriage and the Future” for FREE from the ERLC
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Ed Stetzer with 3 ways to avoid feeling attacked by criticism
J.V. Fesko with a biblical and historical answer to the question, “Is the Pope the Antichrist?”
“Through our wretched apostasy from God, our mind is become the seat and habitation of all vanity, disorder and confusion.” (John Owen)
“If faith wavers, charity itself languishes. And if someone should fall from faith, it follows that he falls also from charity, for a man cannot love that which he does not believe to exist.” (Augustine)
Please visit the other pages on this site (listed above in the tabs) for more information. There are book recommendations and articles on a wide variety of topics across the various disciplines (Exegetical Theology, Pastoral Theology, etc.)—enjoy!
Johnson, Terry L. “Worshipping with Calvin: Recovering the Historic Ministry and Worship of Reformed Protestantism,” Darlington, England: 2014. 460 pp. $23.99
The recent resurgence of Calvinistic soteriology and Reformation theology has sparked many a conversation and produced quite a few popular-level books by the “Young, Restless, and Reformed” crowd. Although we’ve seen many responses to these works, typically addressing the theology and general ideology of the New Calvinism movement, Terry Johnson sets out to provide a scholarly work that focuses on the elements of Reformed worship.
In “Worshipping with Calvin,” Johnson presents extensive biblical and historical arguments for how a local church should conduct its worship services. He begins by looking at the contemporary evangelical landscape and the unfortunate historical and theological anemia that plagues it. After offering a comparison between the early Church and the current state of the western Church, and giving a brief historical survey of the 20th century “worship wars,” he provides strong exegetical, historical, and theological arguments in favor of a decidedly Reformed approach to worship and ministry.
Next, the author emphasizes the strengths of Reformed worship and ministry. He contends that this particular approach to liturgy is God-centered, Bible-filled, Gospel-structured, Church-aware, and Spirit-dependent.
This book was a great encouragement to me. I am in agreement with much of what is said within, but there are several arguments that the author gives that either changed my mind or solidified an existing position. For instance, Johnson has convinced me of the use of lectio continua (consecutive reading) Bible readings and singing Psalms in corporate worship. While previously, I have utilized lectio selecta (selective reading) Scripture readings to “reinforce” the passage preached, the author has convinced me of the wisdom in implementing a continuous reading of both the Old and New Testaments. Furthermore, while I have understood the importance of the Psalms for corporate worship, this book has convinced me of their necessity. Without dogmatically promoting a strict Psalms-only liturgical model, the author insists the inclusion of the Psalter and has convinced me that it is necessary to regularly and consistently involve Psalms in a worship service.
As a Reformed Baptist, I am in disagreement with the author’s views with regard to Covenant Theology and the sacrament of baptism (it is unfortunate that his treatment of credobaptism in chapter 6 only addresses the 16th century Anabaptists and not the 17th century Particular Baptists—though I acknowledge the book’s emphasis on John Calvin and the potential for anachronism), and while I have reservations with Johnson’s observations about ethnicity, his research is top-notch. Regardless of any covenantal differences I may have with Johnson, I strongly agree with the over-arching theme of this book—that our worship should be prescribed by Scripture and rooted in the historicity of the Church (and particularly that of the Reformation period). The cultural trends and encroachment of worldliness in contemporary American Christianity have spurned a new downgrade in the liturgical life of the Church, and my hope is that books like this will precipitate a doxological reformation in local evangelical churches.
Although this is a book primarily aimed at Presbyterians, I would recommend this book to any one who claims to be a Protestant Christian—particularly Pastors and Elders. Johnson offers a cogent exhortation for modern Christians to compare their liturgy with Scripture and Church history. He provides an abundance of Scriptural references, and quotes a multitude of well-known Pastors, theologians, and church historians (around 37% of the book is comprised of a bibliography and notes) to support his position. Terry Johnson’s “Worshipping with Calvin” is a helpful resource for Christians who want to glorify God in worship according to His Word.
For more on this subject, please visit the Historical Theology page.
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W. Robert Godfrey on the Bible and faithful theological education
Jared Oliphint and Jonathan Brack review and critique “Kingdom Through Covenant”
Ed Stetzer gives 3 reasons why people do not get involved in church
An interesting look at the piety, failures, and contradictions of A.W. Tozer
5 simple steps for men to lead family worship
“Christ is the head, and his people are the members. If suffering could have been avoided, surely our glorious Head ought to have escaped; but inasmuch as he shows us his wounds, it is to tell us that we shall have wounds too.” (Charles Spurgeon)
Please take some time to browse the other pages on this site (located in the tabs above). You’ll find FREE e-books, articles, and book recommendations to help you in your walk. Check out the Biblical Theology page or Apologetics page first… and don’t forget to check out the Northwest Ohio Reformation Society. Thanks!
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Last day to enter to win an autographed copy of Brian Hedges’ “Active Spirituality”
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10 things you should know about church elders
A family study of the work-life balance of homeschool mothers
Countercultural parenting when your child doesn’t like church
Thom Rainer presents 7 ways one can hurt their Pastor
“Theology is an act of holy reason. It involves faith seeking understanding by thoughtfully reflecting on God’s self-revelation in Holy Scripture.” (Guy Davies)
Please take some time to explore the rest of this site (you’ll find the pages located up in the tabs). There are articles, FREE e-books, and book recommendations throughout. Check out the Pastoral Theology page or Exegetical Theology page first… thanks!
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Ligonier Connect is offering FREE web courses on Worldview, Apologetics, and Philosophy
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Check out Ligonier Ministries’ $5 Friday featuring Douglas Bond’s “The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts”
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Heath Lambert on the priority and capacity of balancing family and ministry
David Prince gives a helpful corrective to Andy Stanley’s claim that we should not pray for revival
Bobby Jamieson with 10 things you should know about sound doctrine
N.T. Wright on the homosexual agenda and the redefinition of words
Thank you for visiting ACTIVE/didactic. Please take some time to browse the rest of the site (pages are located in the tabs above). Start with the Pastoral Theology page or Systematic Theology page first. Soli Deo Gloria!
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Get Peter Barnes’ “Galatians” (EP Study Commentary) for 45% OFF at Westminster Bookstore
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Ligonier Connect is offering FREE web courses on Worldview, Apologetics, and Philosophy
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Ronnie Floyd elected as new President of the Southern Baptist Convention
Dan Phillips on the hateful practice of redefining sin
Mark Jones on ministry “professionalism” and Pastors leaving their flocks
Mez McConnell with some astute observations on contemporary American evangelical worship services
“If any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him; for you are worse than he thinks you to be.” (Charles Spurgeon)
Please take some time to browse some of the pages on this site (located in the tabs above). You’ll find some encouraging articles, book reviews and recommendations, and even some FREE e-books! Check out the Exegetical Theology page or Apologetics page first. Thanks!
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