“Theologian Trading Cards: A Fun Way to Learn Church History and Theology” by Norman Jeune III

Details:
  • Author: Norman Jeune III
  • Category: Church History
  • Publisher: Zondervan (2012)
  • Format: glossy cards
  • Count: 288 individuals
  • ISBN#: 9780310328582
  • List Price: $26.99
  • Rating: Recommended

Review:
Next month, Zondervan is releasing an interesting twist on studying church history and theology: Theologian Trading Cards: A Fun Way to Learn Church History and Theology developed by Norman Jeune III. These cards are promising as a tool for educators and parents who seek to make the study of church history and theology fun.

Description

The cards have a glossy finish with colorful borders surrounding black and white photographs, or more frequently classic portraits or artists’ depictions of the various characters. The 288 individuals highlighted in this set span all of Christian church history from the early second century down to influential theologians and philosophers today. Just like a typical sports card, the back of each card gives biographical information and details the significance of the “player.” It isn’t stats that are given pride of place, however, instead the series highlights influential works, famous events and the martyrdom of the various “athletes.”

The set of cards is divided into several “teams” or groupings of characters by theme, era or some other distinguishing factor. Some of these teams seem a bit of a stretch when you see who makes up that particular team, and others make you wonder why they were included in a set of “theologian” trading cards. But for the most part, the groupings are understandable. I’ll list them below:

  • Orthodoxy Dodgers (Heretics)
  • St. James Padres (Church Fathers, Apostolic Era)
  • Avingnon Crusaders (Medieval, excluding Mystics and Monks)
  • Constantinople Hesychasts (Orthodox Church)
  • Munich Monks (Hermits, Monks and Mystics)
  • Geneva Sovereigns (Later Reformed Church and Early Reformers)
  • Wittenberg Whistle-Blowers (Early Reformers and Later Lutheran Church)
  • Munster Radicals (Radical Reformation and Anabaptists)
  • Canterbury Monarchs (English Reformers, Anglicans and Puritans)
  • Los Angeles Knights (Fundamentalists and Evangelicals)
  • Berlin Aggiornamentos (Contemporary)
  • Jerusalem Resourcers (Contemporary)
  • St. Pius Cardinals (Roman Catholic, particularly post-Reformation)
  • Serampore Preachers (Missionaries)
  • Athens Metaphysicians (Philosophers)
Minor Criticism

Before I critique these cards, I should stress I saw a pre-published version of them. So some of the criticisms may not apply. I noticed a few inconsistencies, such as not marking Jan Hus or Balthasar Hubmaier as martyrs, yet noting on their cards that each was burned at the stake. And then John Knox is marked out as a martyer but he did not die a martyr’s death. Some of the descriptions too, of the figures included don’t contain some pertinent details, such as Athanasius’ letter which included the first list of the canonical 27 NT books, and no mention of the lasting hymns authored by Bernard of Clairvoux and Ambrose of Milan. The absence of Peter Waldo and Michael Sattler and the scarcity of female figures (one could imagine Lady Jane Grey’s inclusion in the Canterbury Monarchs “team,” for instance) also are notable. And when it comes to the inclusion of the Puritans or later Fundamentalist and Evangelical figures, many will notice the absence of such men as Richard Baxter, John Bunyan, Matthew Henry, J. Frank Norris, J.C. Ryle and Billy Sunday. And the most glaring absence of all, is that of Charles Spurgeon, the prince of preachers.

I hope some of these deficiencies were corrected before publication. I’m at a loss to know what the differentiation is between the Berlin Aggiornamentos and Jerusalem Resourcers which both seem to be a list of influential theologians. I’m sure the descriptions of those groups were beefed up prior to release. Also puzzling is the blank picture with a question mark that adorns the front of some of the cards. Perhaps this indicates there is no picture or artist’s depiction available for the individual.

Recommendation

I don’t want to downplay these cards too much with the above minor criticism. By and large they are informative, interesting and fun. The cards are attractive and will appeal to those of a Reformed or scholastic bent. I can envision them being used in homeschools and Christian schools in the junior high to high school level, or even younger than that. They will spur more research into the various figures, but I’m not so sure they’ll actually be traded. Since you get the set, there’s nothing to trade for. Unless teachers use them as rewards and then, the trading would ensue!

These cards would make a great gift for a young theologian-to-be, and I expect they’ll find their way beneath many a Christmas tree this year. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your children interested in the study of the Christian faith, this set will be a tool you won’t want to ignore.

Author Info:
Norman Jeune III coordinates the provision of pastoral care to children and their families as the Lead Hospital Chaplain at Children’s Hospital in Orange, California. Norman holds a M.A. from Talbot School of Theology, Biloa University and is also the cofounder of the popular theological blog Christians in Context, ChristiansinContext.com.

Where to Buy:
  • Christianbook.com
  • Amazon
  • direct from Zondervan.

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

A Survey of the Reformation, pt. 3: The Protestant Reformation

This Fall, I’m teaching a 10 part Adult Sunday School series called “A Survey of the Reformation: Its History and Doctrine.” This past Sunday’s lesson covered the Protestant Reformation. We only were able to survey background to the Reformation, and the Reformation in Germany and Switzerland. We also covered conflict and development in the Reformation. Next week we will finish the Reformation with the AnaBaptists and the Radical Reformation, as well as the English & Scottish Reformations. We will also move into a discussion on the Puritans and the legacy of the Reformers.

The lesson plan for my series is below, and you can download the audio or view the slides from the lessons as they are completed.

Note: for this week’s session, there was an audio problem and the audio is not available, unfortunately. The slides are available however.

    HISTORY

  1. Introduction & An Overview of Church History – Download the Audio, View the Slides.
  2. Forerunners of the Reformation – Download the Audio, View the Slides.
  3. The Protestant Reformation – Audio not available, View the Slides.
  4. Puritanism & The Legacy of the Reformers
  5. DOCTRINE

  6. Reformation Doctrine: The Big Picture
  7. Total Depravity & Irresistable Grace
  8. Unconditional Election & Particular Redemption
  9. Perseverance of the Saints & Answering Objections
  10. The Other “Points” of Calvinism
  11. Why the Reformation Matters Today

If you’re in the Minneapolis area, you can also see the schedule for these lessons at the SS page from our church website for this information as well.

A Survey of the Reformation, pt. 2: Forerunners of the Reformation

This Fall, I’m teaching a 10 part Adult Sunday School series called “A Survey of the Reformation: Its History and Doctrine.” This past Sunday’s lesson covered the forerunners of the Reformation. It also sketched out Western church history from around A.D. 1100 through A.D. 1500. Next week we get into the history of the Protestant Reformation itself.

The lesson plan for my series is below, and you can download the audio or view the slides from the first two lessons.

    HISTORY

  1. Introduction & An Overview of Church History – Download the Audio, View the Slides.
  2. Forerunners of the Reformation – Download the Audio, View the Slides.
  3. The Protestant Reformation
  4. Puritanism & The Legacy of the Reformers
  5. DOCTRINE

  6. Reformation Doctrine: The Big Picture
  7. Total Depravity & Irresistable Grace
  8. Unconditional Election & Particular Redemption
  9. Perseverance of the Saints & Answering Objections
  10. The Other “Points” of Calvinism
  11. Why the Reformation Matters Today

If you’re in the Minneapolis area, you can also see the schedule for these lessons at the SS page from our church website for this information as well.

Introducing: “A Survey of the Reformation”

At my church this week, I started a 10 part Adult Sunday School series called “A Survey of the Reformation: Its History and Doctrine.” Here is the schedule of the lessons, and the slides and audio from lesson 1. You can also view the SS page at our church website for this information as well.

    HISTORY

  1. Introduction & An Overview of Church History – Download the Audio, View the Slides.
  2. Forerunners of the Reformation
  3. The Protestant Reformation
  4. Puritanism & The Legacy of the Reformers
  5. DOCTRINE

  6. Reformation Doctrine: The Big Picture
  7. Total Depravity & Irresistable Grace
  8. Unconditional Election & Particular Redemption
  9. Perseverance of the Saints & Answering Objections
  10. The Other “Points” of Calvinism
  11. Why the Reformation Matters Today

Book Deals of Note: “Body Broken” and “The Creedal Imperative”

I want to highlight two special deals on important books. The books come from different publishers and cover different topics, but both are worth getting and are on a special sale right now.

Body Broken: Can Republicans and Democrats Sit in the Same Pew? by Charles D. Drew (New Growth Press)

Description: I wish I had time to give my full review on this book. I think it is especially important to consider given how we close we are to November. Charles Drew makes us think and challenges us to consider how American our Christianity has become. Do we share more affinity with Republican talk show hosts than with Christians who think differently than us about politics? Is our church different than the sharply divided nation we live in? Drew spells out biblical considerations for doing politics and explains how political theory gets messy in the real world, sometimes.

The publisher’s description might say it better:

Drew helps Christians develop practical biblical convictions about critical social and political issues. Distinguishing between moral principle and political strategy, Body Broken equips believers to maintain the unity of the church while building their political activism upon a thoughtful and biblical foundation. Drew helps Christians of all political persuasions understand how to practice servanthood, cooperation, and integrity in today’s public square.

Book Deal: New Growth Press is offering this book at 40% off through their website, through 5pm Eastern time, Friday 9/28. (I know, I’m a little slow in posting this, hopefully you can take advantage of the deal in time). That’s a discounted price of only $9.59. If you miss that deal, Westminster Bookstore has it at 11% off, and Amazon for 10% off (although they have some used copies just over $9).

The Creedal Imperative by Carl Trueman (Crossway)

Description: This is a new book who has been making waves. Justin Taylor has an excellent write up on it. And like anything from Carl Trueman, this book promises to be an engrossing read.

Trueman makes the point that “no creed but the Bible” is an inaccurate statement. Even those who shun creeds and confessions the most, still operate by an unstated creed. A few years ago I highlighted an article where Trueman made this very point, and Justin Taylor shared some fuller quotes from the book of Trueman on this very point.

Here’s the publisher’s description:

Recent years have seen a number of high profile scholars converting to Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy while a trend in the laity expresses an eclectic hunger for tradition. The status and role of confessions stands at the center of the debate within evangelicalism today as many resonate with the call to return to Christianity’s ancient roots. Carl Trueman offers an analysis of why creeds and confessions are necessary, how they have developed over time, and how they can function in the church of today and tomorrow. He writes primarily for evangelicals who are not particularly confessional in their thinking yet who belong to confessional churches – Baptists, independents, etc. – so that they will see more clearly the usefulness of the church’s tradition.

This sure seems like a must-read book. Learn more by watching this video clip of Carl Trueman talking about his new book.

Book Deal: Westminster Bookstore has the book at 41% off, for only $10.00, now through 10/2. And if you buy multiple copies, you can get it for as low as 53% off. Details on the discount are available here. Meanwhile, Amazon has single copies for 43% off, for only $9.60 (but no word on how long that price will last).