Category: Books

all about books

Congratulations: Book Giveaway Results

~ Bob Hayton ~ 1 Comment

whathemustbe1Congratulations goes to Jason DelGado and Nathan McKinney for winning free copies of What He Must Be… If He Wants to Marry My Daughter by Voddie Baucham Jr. Many thanks goes to Michelle and Angie at Crossway for supplying the free books for this giveaway.

If you didn’t win a free copy, you can still order the book through Amazon.com, or support a Christian bookseller by picking it up from Monergism Books or Westminster Bookstore.

I should have those books shipped out by the end of the week to our winners. Thanks for everyone who entered the contest, you had a 1 in 11.5 chance of winning. Pretty good odds!

Quotes to Note 8: How Christians Should Meditate on Christ’s Sufferings

~ Bob Hayton ~ 3 Comments

As preparation for Easter, I’ve been reading Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross: Experiencing the Passion and Power of Easter, edited by Nancy Guthrie (Crossway). The book provides 25 excerpts from past and present leaders in the Church. Each of the excerpts provides a short chapter, from 4 to 8 pages or so. Guthrie masterfully weaves the chapters together into a glorious extended meditation on the Cross of Christ.

The excerpt from the 19th Century Evangelical Anglican J.C. Ryle is entitled “The Sufferings of Christ”. Ryle points out that we must not “be content with a vague general belief that Christ’s sufferings on the cross were vicarious”. He then illustrates how Christians should think on and value Christ’s sufferings. I couldn’t help but share this quote with you and encourage you to pick up the book if you can, it’s quite inexpensive, and it will be a great tool for meditating on Christ’s work as we approach Easter.

…We may follow him all through, from the bar of Pilate to the minute of his death, and see him at every step as our mighty substitute, our representative, our head, our surety, our proxy–the divine friend who undertook to stand in our place and, by the priceless merit of his sufferings, to purchase our redemption. Was he flogged? It was done so that “by his wounds we are healed” (Isa. 53:5). Was he condemned though innocent? It was done so that we might be acquitted, though guilty. Did he wear a crown of thorns? It was done so that we might wear the crown of glory. Was he stripped of his clothes? It was done so that we might be clothed in everlasting righteousness. Was he mocked an dreviled? It was done so that we might be honored and blessed. Was he reckoned a criminal, and counted among those who have done wrong? It was done so that we might be rekoned innocent, and declared free from all sin. Was he declared unable to save himself? It was so that he might be able to save others to the uttermost. Did he die at last, and that the most painful and disgraceful death? It was done so that we might live forevermore, and be exalted to the hightest glory. [Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross, ed. Nancy Guthrie (Crossway, 2009) pg. 58-59]

More on the ESV Study Bible

~ Bob Hayton ~ 9 Comments

I just learned that in honor of the ESV Study Bible being named the 2008 ECPA Book of the Year, Crossway is offering a 35% discount on all editions, now through April 8th. They are also selling access to the online edition as a separate product for $19.95 (this comes free with the purchase of a print copy).

I’m also going to reproduce my thoughts on the ESV Study Bible from the comment section of yesterday’s post for the benefit of my readers.

Reader Question: The ESV is my preferred version, but I’ve held off on the study bible because I don’t know the theological bent of the notes. Do they reflect Reformed understanding? I have the Reformation Study Bible in ESV, which I enjoy, but I’ve had a couple of people recommend the ESV Study Bible. However, they haven’t all been from folks who have what I would consider an informed understanding.

My Answer:

I had the Reformation Study Bible in ESV before the ESV Study Bible, and the ESV Study Bible far outshines it. I’m thoroughly reformed, too.

The contributors to the ESV Study Bible tend to be reformed and the notes tend that direction, but they try to be fair and balanced and give the other view in certain passages (like Revelation, for intstance). But the quality of all the maps and diagrams is quite first class, with color, and more. The fact that its so popular is a good thing, really. The contributors are all conservative, so no egalitarian views on women and ministry, and no playing loosey-goosey with inerrancy.

They include notes by Vern Poythress on a history of salvation overview for each OT book. It includes notes by Leeland Ryken on the literary features of each book. They include a mini systematic theology. Mark Dever gives the plan of salvation, John Piper speaks to prayer and Bible study.

I could go on and on, but I think you’ll find this study Bible superior to anything you’ve ever seen. Personally, I was a little let down with the Reformation Study Bible. The notes were good and all, but I was hoping for more. The ESV Study Bible gives me more. Not that it’s perfect, I would like to see Vern Poythress’ History of Salvation notes (not the book overviews) in the text rather than in the back of the Bible as an appendix. One can’t have everything, I guess.

ECPA Book of the Year: The ESV Study Bible

~ Bob Hayton ~ 8 Comments

ESV Study Bible - This is the edition I own.Congratulations to the ESV Study Bible, and Crossway, who produced it. They won the 2008 Book of the Year award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers’ Association. I am enjoying my copy immensely. (I got the brown trutone version, that you see to your right.)

My pastor, John Piper, also won top honors in the Christian Life category for his Spectacular Sins: And Their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ (also from Crossway).

Justin Taylor, editor of the ESV Study Bible, and blogger at Between Two Worlds, has details on the ECPA awards, given out at the recent Christian Book Expo in Dallas.

UPDATE: Comment #2 under this post, includes a mini review of the ESV Study Bible that I quickly threw together in response to a reader’s comment.

Book Giveaway: “What He Must Be… If He Wants to Marry My Daughter” by Voddie Baucham Jr.

~ Bob Hayton ~ 4 Comments

I have two copies of What He Must Be …If He Wants to Marry My Daughter to giveaway, compliments of Crossway. I am going to limit the contest to fathers of daughters. And you must reside in the US (where I can mail things media rate).

So please use this contact form, and reply with your name, and the names of your daughters (to make sure this is a human dad entering the contest). Also please add “book giveaway” in the subject line if you can remember. The contact form goes straight to me, and is not stored anywhere. I will delete the entries of the contest after I use random.org’s free randomizer to select the two winners.

I’ll pick our winners at the end of the month, so spread the word!