Category: Books

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Reformation Gems 5: Wolfgang Musculus on Questioning God

~ Bob Hayton ~ 2 Comments

Reformation Gems are excerpts from selections contained in the Reformation Commentary on Scripture, a new commentary series from IVP which gathers the best Reformation-era comments on the text together all in one set. The volumes in this commentary series resurrect long-forgotten voices from the Reformation age and in so doing they recover the piety and vivacity of that era. I hope that by sharing some excerpts from this series, I will edify my readers and promote this important commentary series.
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Today’s selection comes from the Reformation Commentary on Scripture: Volume X (Galatians, Ephesians). Wolfgang Musculus, whom I’ve quoted before, made some observations about questioning God’s wisdom and God’s plan. Believers in every era grapple with questions about God’s fairness when it comes to the fate of those who never hear the gospel. People in today’s skeptical age are all the more eager, it seems, to question God’s actions and judgments or even doubt his very existence. Musculus displays a confident trust in the goodness of God and I think his comments are worth repeating for people in every age.

Here is the excerpt from Musculus’s work originally published in 1561 (with key sentences bolded for emphasis):

God Chose to Save People by the Preaching of the Gospel.

Wolfgang Musculus: Some people ask whether God could not call his elect by a secret and hidden breath of his Spirit, without uttering a word. My answer is that nobody doubts that he can. So in that case, why did he choose to use preaching? Because that is what he wanted to do. Because the world in its wisdom did not know God, he wanted to save believers by the foolishness of preaching. If you ask why he chose to give the law of the letter to his people at Mount Sinai, inscribed on tablets of stone, rather than put the law of the Spirit in their hearts, what better answer could be given to you than to say that that is what he wanted to do? If you want to call the will of God into question and think that he ought to explain it to you, ask the devil to be your judge, because he will side with you against God and you will appear to be wise and righteous with him while God is condemned for being stupid and unjust. This is my answer to those who ask what becomes of people who have not heard or who lived before the preaching of the gospel was spread throughout the world and think that it should not have been deliberately delayed until the last days. A godly and faithful person adores what God has said and done and does not get upset or call him into question. He gives glory to God’s wisdom and righteousness even when he does not understand why God has done things one way and not another…. (pg. 259-260)

About the Reformation-era author: Wolfgang Musculus (1497-1563). Viennese pastor, reformer and theologian. Musculus was an advocate and writer for the cause of reform, producing translations, biblical commentaries and an influential theological text, Loci communes sacrae theologiae (Commonplaces of Sacred Theology), outlining a Zwinglian theology. Musculus began to study theology while at a Benedictine monastery; he departed in 1527 and became secretary to Martin Bucer in Strausbourg. He was later installed as a pastor in Augsburg, eventually performing the first evangelical liturgy in the city’s cathedral. Though Musculus was active in the pursuit of the reform agenda, he was also concerned for ecumenism, participating in both the Wittenburg Concord (1536) and discussions between Lutherans and Catholics. (pg. 429-430)

Learn more about this commentary series at the Reformation Commentary page at IVPress.com, or check out this sampler (PDF). You can pick up a copy of Reformation Commentary on Scripture: Volume X (Galatians, Ephesians) at any of the following online retailers: Christianbook.com, Amazon, or direct from IVP. You may want to consider becoming a member with IVP and getting the entire series on a subscription discount of more than 40% per volume.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by IVP. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

Book Briefs: “The Glory of Grace: The Story of the Canons of Dort” by William Boekestein

~ Bob Hayton ~ 3 Comments

The Glory of Grace: the Story of the Canons of Dort by William Boekestein Once again William Boekestein has given us a fantastic book for children. The Glory of Grace: the Story of the Canons of Dort is his third book in a series from Reformation Heritage Books. Each book is illustrated by Evan Hughes and looks at the historical background to one of the confessional statements that make up the “all three titles. You won’t be disappointed.

Pick up a copy of this book at any of the following online retailers: Westminster Bookstore, Christianbook.com, Amazon, or direct from Reformation Heritage Books.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by Reformation Heritage Books. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable 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.

Bob’s Best Books of 2012

~ Bob Hayton ~ 1 Comment

I’m quite late this year in compiling my list of the top books I read or reviewed this past year. Better late than never! There were many great books that came across my desk, and I couldn’t begin to read all of them, although I wanted to. The following titles represent the very best of the books I did read or review in 2012, and I’m happy to recommend each of them for your consideration.

Bob’s 10 Best:

A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New by G.K. BealeBest “Theology” book — A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New by G.K. Beale (Baker). This book technically doesn’t qualify for my list. I’m only 2/3 of the way done with its 1,000 pages! But it has been so rewarding that I just couldn’t fail to include Beale’s masterpiece in my list. The last couple years I’ve been grabbing everything I can find by Beale, having finished his Temple and the Church’s Mission. This book is the fruit of his years of careful study and reflection on the biblical text. It is biblical theology par excellence. For more on this book, see this book excerpt or listen to Mark Dever’s interview with him. My review is forthcoming available here.

Christ-Centered Biblical Theology: Hermeneutical Foundations and Principles by Graeme GoldsworthyHonorable Mention — Christ-Centered Biblical Theology: Hermeneutical Foundations and Principles by Graeme Goldsworthy (IVP). Another biblical theology gem is this work by Graeme Goldsworthy. This book focuses on the method Goldsworthy developed and used over the last several decades. It is the reflection on a lifetime of work by a faithful Bible teacher. Everyone won’t agree with all of Goldsworthy’s particular emphases, but his recovery of the Old Testament for Christian preaching is his greatest gift to the church. This book fleshes out where his inspiration comes from and makes for a great read. Read my review for more on this book.

Invitation to Biblical Interpretation: Exploring the Hermeneutical Triad of History, Literature, and Theology by Andreas Kostenberger and Richard PattersonBest “Commentary & Reference” book — Invitation to Biblical Interpretation: Exploring the Hermeneutical Triad of History, Literature, and Theology by Andreas Kostenberger and Richard Patterson (Kregel). I still joke about the beginning of this volume. 13 pages of endorsements – 39 in all. I think the publishers got carried away a bit in their excitement about the title. But just picking up this volume and leafing through it is all it takes to agree with them. It is the most useful work on hermeneutics I’ve ever seen, arranged beautifully, indexed and then full of applications and practical exercises. I’m sure it will soon find a wide use in college and seminary classrooms and a warm welcome in Bible institutes and Sunday Schools everywhere. Read my review for more on this book.

Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian by John PiperBest “General Christian Interest” book — Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian by John Piper (Crossway). John Piper shares his own experiences with racism in the deep south, in this moving book. He challenges the conservative church to wake up to its nascent racism and do some serious soul searching. Particularly intriguing is Piper’s explanation of the five points of Calvinism and how they should make us more loving and accepting of minorities, rather than proud and condemnatory. His characteristic passion bleeds through every page of this well named title. Read my review for more on this book.

Accidental Pharisees: Avoiding Pride, Exclusivity, and the Other Dangers of Overzealous Faith by Larry OsborneBest “Christian Living” book — Accidental Pharisees: Avoiding Pride, Exclusivity, and the Other Dangers of Overzealous Faith by Larry Osborne (Zondervan). It takes a certain personality and special gift to be able to tell people that they are really a self-righteous Pharisee at heart, and do so with a smile on one’s face. Larry Osborne disarms the reader even as he performs delicate heart surgery. So many of us have a tendency toward exclusivity, legalism and better-than-thou-ism. Osborne helps us to see what lies at the root of this tendency and simultaneously encourages and challenges us to pursue the radical freedom that Christ extends to us. Read my review for more on this book.

The Astonishing Adventures of Missionary Max by Andrew ComingsBest “Missions & Church Life” book — The Astonishing Adventures of Missionary Max by Andrew Comings (Engage Faith Press). This title would have won my fiction category, but I needed a missions or church title. This is the best book that most of my readers haven’t heard about. It’s a first novel, and published in a serial format. It does have a certain comic book character, but the writing is top-notch. Edge of your seat stuff, seriously, with a real Christian message. I think I described the story as Indiana Jones meets David Livingstone, and that about sums up this exciting title. Read my review for more on this book.

Matthew Henry: His Life and Influence by Allan HarmanBest “Church History & Biography — Matthew Henry: His Life and Influence by Allan Harman (Christian Focus). For a true story of a godly man, this book is hard to beat. Almost everyone has heard of Matthew Henry, or at least used his commentary, which is easily the most widely printed and accessible Bible Commentary ever. But few of us know much about Matthew Henry the man. This book is a very readable account of Henry that will educate and inspire the reader. Read my review for more on this book.

 

The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Tim KellerBest “Childrens & Family” book — The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Tim Keller (Dutton). I listened to the Audible.com audio version of this book, and I enjoyed it so much I bought the hardback copy too. Anything by Keller is worth reading but his thoughts on marriage are priceless. He brings a unique blend of Biblical wisdom and realistic reflection sprinkled with insights from popular culture and research. I’ve read scores of books on marriage but this stands alone. It’s counter-cultural for both the world and its secularism, and the Church and its baptized romanticism. For more on this book, see this book excerpt. My review is forthcoming.

Lady Jane Grey by Simonetta CarrHonorable Mention — Lady Jane Grey by Simonetta Carr (Reformation Heritage). This is a beautifully produced book on a true Christian heroine. I don’t remember hearing the story of Lady Jane Grey before, or at least realizing that she viewed her suffering as a persecution for her faith. This book includes a touching letter written by Jane to her sister exhorting her to continue in the faith despite what trials may await her. This is a truly inspirational title that I’m thrilled to be able to have my girls read. Read my review for more on this book.

The Last Temple by Hank Hanegraaf and Sigmund BrouwerBest “Fiction” book — The Last Temple by Hank Hanegraaf and Sigmund Brouwer (Tyndale House). With this title, I had to go back and read the first two books in the series first. I wasn’t sure what to expect with Hanegraaf’s series and was pleased to find it wasn’t a polemic against other end times positions so much as it was a very well conceived story in its own right that does follow a partial preterist interpretation of the Book of Revelation. The attention to detail bring the years before A.D. 70 to life as we follow the characters around the Roman world, from Rome to Alexandria, on sea and over land, to dungeons, arenas, and even to the cross itself on a hillside in Judea. We are inside and outside Jerusalem in the years leading up to its devastation, and the story is believable yet mysterious and keeps you guessing until the end. It’s a rewarding tale in its own right and also serves to show how the Book of Revelation may have been understood in its own day. For more on this book, view the book trailer. My review is forthcoming available here.

All the Rest:

In 2012, I reviewed 24 books — bringing the total of my book and media reviews to 139 from more than 35 different publishers. I slowed down my pace of reviews this year, probably due to the pace of life speeding up (we had our sixth child last year). You can see all my reviews listed here. I did read 47 books, and you can see that list at Goodreads.

For my previous “Bob’s Best Books” lists, see below.

Additionally, if you are an avid reader, you may want to follow my reviews or friend me on Goodreads or LibraryThing.