Author: Bob Hayton

I am a graduate of a conservative independent fundamental Bapist college who has discovered new life in Reformed Theology. This blog is where I chronicle my journey out of extreme fundamentalism (IFBx) while discussing the shortfalls of fundamentalism and the strengths of Calvinism. I'm under no illusion that I might transform fundamentalism, but I hope to share my struggles and discoveries with others who might benefit from my journey.

CSB He Reads Truth Bible Giveaway

~ Bob Hayton ~ 2 Comments

Just in time for Father’s Day, Holman Bible Publishers released a new Bible geared for fathers and men of all ages. The He Reads Truth Bible uses the Christian Standard Bible translation and promises to be a useful study Bible.

I have an opportunity for one of my readers to win a free copy of this new resource, just in time for Father’s Day. Enter the contest below to win a copy of this new Bible.

To learn more about this Bible, check out HeReadsTruthBible.com or the product page at Amazon.com or Christianbook.com.

You can also read my review of He Reads Truth Bible.

UPDATE: Congratulations Natalie, on winning the free copy. Thanks to everyone who participated.

In the Box: New Titles from Hendrickson & IVP

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“In the Box” posts highlight new books I’ve received in the mail.

I periodically showcase new titles that arrive at my doorstep in posts like this. Today’s post highlights two books that will be of special interest to those interested in Reformed theology. The other book will be appreciated by those who know Koine Greek and Hebrew. So this is a post for armchair theology geeks like me!

The Sacrifice of Praise by Herman Bavinck, translated and edited by Cameron Clausing & Gregory Parker Jr. (Hendrickson)

Bavinck is a Dutch Reformed theologian who died about one hundred years ago. This book is an updated English translation of the Dutch original. I believe it is taken from exhortations given at communion and stresses the importance of a public confession of faith. It comes with recommendations from Kevin DeYoung, Carl Trueman, David F. Wells and others. I’m looking forward to interacting with Bavinck directly thanks to this handy little volume.

To learn more about this book, check out the product page at Hendrickson. This book is currently 50% off at Westminster Bookstore (now through June 4, 2019). You can purchase this book at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Westminster Bookstore, or direct from Hendrickson Publishers.

The Complete Hebrew-Greek Bible (Hendrickson)

I love the idea of the Greek and Hebrew together in one volume and this volume provides this handy feature. The text is somewhat dated however. The Greek text is Brooke Foss Westcott’s and Fenton John Anthony Hort’s ground-breaking work from 1881. The critical study of the Greek text has progressed since their day however. This is reflected in a helpful apparatus that compares Robinson Pierpont and Nestle Aland’s texts with Westcott and Hort’s. The Hebrew text is Biblia Hebraica Leningradensia (BHL) and not the current standard BHS text. But there are helpful appendices that discuss the Hebrew text (the work of professor Aron Dotan). I am eager to dive in and see how helpful the tools are that accompany this text as I plan on reviewing this work in the near future.

To learn more about this volume, check out the book’s product page at Amazon, Christianbook.com, or direct from Hendrickson Publishers.

The Reformation and the Irrepressible Word of God: Interpretation, Theology, and Practice edited by Scott M. Manetsch (IVP Academic)

This book is a collection of essays offered in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Contributions come from such authors as Michael Haykin, Kevin DeYoung, Michael Horton, and Timothy George. The focus is on the Word of God and the essays “consider historical, hermeneutical, theological, and practical issues regarding the Bible” (quote from the publisher’s description). The title of Haykin’s chapter has me especially intrigued: “‘Meat, Not Strawberries’: Hugh Latimer and Biblical Preaching in the English Reformation.” I look forward to delving into this title sometime this summer.

To learn more about this book, check out the product page at IVP Academic. This book is currently 50% off at Westminster Bookstore (now through June 4, 2019). You can purchase this book at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Westminster Bookstore, or direct from IVP Academic.

Disclaimer: My thanks go out to both Hendrickson Publishers and IVP for review copies of these titles.

Quotes to Note 44: John Calvin on the Theme of 1 Peter

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One of my favorite books in the Bible is 1 Peter. Earlier this year I was privileged to fill the pulpit at our church and the text of my sermon was 1 Peter 1:3-12 (you can download that sermon for free here). In studying for that message I came across a gem from John Calvin in his commentary on 1 Peter. I share the quotation here for your benefit.

The design of Peter in this Epistle is to exhort the faithful to a denial of the world and a contempt of it, so that being freed from carnal affections and all earthly hindrances, they might with their whole soul aspire after the celestial kingdom of Christ, that being elevated by hope, supported by patience, and fortified by courage and perseverance, they might overcome all kinds of temptations, and pursue this course and practice throughout life.

Hence at the very beginning he proclaims in express words the grace of God made known to us in Christ; and at the same time he adds, that it is received by faith and possessed by hope, so that the godly might raise up their minds and hearts above the world. Hence he exhorts them to holiness, lest they should render void the price by which they were redeemed, and lest they should suffer the incorruptible seed of the Word, by which they had been regenerated into eternal life, to be destroyed or to die. And as he had said, that they had been born again by God’s Word he makes mention of their spiritual infancy. Moreover, that their faith might not vacillate or stagger, because they saw that Christ was despised and rejected almost by the whole world, he reminds them that this was only the fulfilment of what had been written of him, that he would be the stone of stumbling. But he further teaches them that he would be a firm foundation to those who believe in him. Hence he again refers to the great honour to which God had raised them, that they might be animated by the contemplation of their former state, and by the perception of their present benefits, to devote themselves to a godly life.

~ Calvin’s Commentaries, vol. 22 [Baker], Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles, p. 21-22

Calvin captures the heart of Peter’s theme in 1 Peter. He goes on to walk through the epistle in broad sweeping strokes. Reading this stirs my soul and reminds me that the “classics” really are classic, and Calvin’s genius really should be appreciated (and made use of for my own spiritual growth).

Calvin’s Commentaries are available for purchase at Amazon, or you can access them online for free here.

Book Briefs: “This Changes Everything: How the Gospel Transforms the Teen Years” by Jaquelle Crowe

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It’s not often that you stumble across a book written by a teenager for teenagers — and the book is really well done. This Changes Everything: How the Gospel Transforms the Teen Years by Jaquelle Crowe is just such a rare book.

Crowe tells her own story as she prods her fellow teenage readers to follow Christ faithfully. She hits on the importance of finding value in Christ and seeing yourself as part of God’s story. She stresses the importance of belonging to a church and of striving for holiness and growth. She adds a multitude of personal anecdotes and illustrations that flesh out the nuts-and-bolts of how to live a Gospel-transformed life. The book includes graphics and charts and looks inviting. Discussion questions are included at the end of each of the chapters as well.

The Gospel does change everything, and if teenagers can grapple with that reality while they are still young — the results can be life-impacting. This book can be used with small groups and Sunday School classes, or picked up by a Christian teen who is looking for some substance to add to their faith.

I was impressed by the books Crowe quotes or mentions — all quality titles. And her reflections on Scripture and grasp of doctrine are praiseworthy. She guides the reader rightly and points the way for further study. She also demonstrates an appropriate admiration for her parents and the role they play in her faith, yet she is aware that not every reader shares her faith-filled upbringing. This is both a strength and a shortcoming, I believe. She moves in a home-school world full of Christian influence and for those in a similar world she will speak as an insider. Her message may be harder to apply to those attending public schools without a strong Christian network, unfortunately. But it is still the right message for all to hear.

I highly recommend this brief volume. I’m encouraging my own teenagers to read and interact with this book.

Disclaimer: this book was provided by the publisher for review. The reviewer was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

This book is available for purchase at the following sites: Westminster Bookstore, Christianbook.com, Amazon.com, or direct from Crossway.

About Book Briefs: Book Briefs are book notes, or short-form book reviews. They are my informed evaluation of a book, but stop short of being a full-length book review.

Book Briefs: “Assurance: Resting in God’s Salvation” by William P. Smith

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The latest addition to P & R Publishing’s “31 Day Devotionals for Life” series has just been released. Assurance: Resting in God’s Salvation by William P. Smith is an encouraging look at the important doctrine of assurance. But this book is more than just an academic treatment of a biblical subject: it is a devotional celebration of the richness of the Gospel of grace.

With each of the thirty-one readings, Pastor Smith invites the reader to a warm and personal one-on-one chat. He unpacks God’s role in our salvation and repeatedly stresses our part is to receive. Our love falters, but God first loved us. We didn’t conceive ourselves, being God’s children is His plan not ours. Our failures and missteps were known ahead of time: and just as Jesus foresaw Peter’s denial yet prayed for and loved him anyway, so to will Jesus be faithful despite our frailties. Each reading includes a section for reflection or action, and the book includes recommended resources for further study.

A few quotes can capture the spirit of this little gem of a book:

Does your love for him seem weak and feeble at times? Try looking at it from a different perspective: Do you have any love at all? Since you used to have none, the presence of some tells you that right now, he loves you. (58)

God is not surprised that your life doesn’t perfectly reflect his glory. But he does intend it to. Jesus did not die for the mere possibility that you might end up a little bit better than you used to be. He died to guarantee that one day you would be pure and perfect, just like him. (76)

If God can transform Jacob, he can transform you too. (82)

You have much greater confidence in your ability to ruin your life than in God’s ability to rescue you from yourself and to redeem you. (84)

Smith deals with several of the passages that doubters often worry most about — the unpardonable sin and the warnings for those who deny Christ, among them. His treatment takes to heart Jude’s admonition (Jude 22) to “have mercy on those who doubt.” He explains, “Mercy to the doubting must characterize God’s people, because it characterizes God” (85). That said, I do think a word about true apostates could be in order, since today many of us have close friends or family who have walked away from the faith: leaving us to grapple with our own faith as well as their departure. People can shipwreck their faith – so what does that look like when we talk about assurance?

My own quibbles aside, this is a helpful and hope-building book that deserves a wide audience. Many are weak in the faith and beset by doubts. This book can fortify their faith. I highly recommend it.

Pick up a copy of this book at any of the following online retailers:
Westminster Bookstore, Amazon, ChristianBook.com, or direct from P & R.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a positive review.

About Book Briefs: Book Briefs are book notes, or short-form book reviews. They are my informed evaluation of a book, but stop short of being a full-length book review.