Tag: devotions

The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible

~ Bob Hayton ~ Leave a comment

A few years back Reformation Heritage Books released The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible. Its general editor is Joel R. Beeke, with Michael P.V. Barrett and Gerald M. Bilkes as OT and NT editors, respectively. This study Bible brings together study notes in the Reformed tradition with the text of the most lasting translation from the era of the Reformation, the King James Bible.

Reformation Heritage has a special right now on all copies of this Bible (as much as 50% off) – including large print and leather versions. Click for details.

This study Bible includes introductions to each book of the Bible and each main division of books. Study notes typically take up around 1/4 of the page, and include a notable feature: “thoughts for personal/family worship” from each chapter. Also included are doctrinal articles and essays on practical Christian living from a Reformed perspective, along with the text of several influential early church creeds and Reformation-era confessions and catechisms. The list of such documents includes the Nicene Creed, the Belgic Confession, the Canons of Dort, and the Westminster Confession of Faith among others. Instead of the King James Translators’ Preface, this study Bible includes a look at the King James Version’s tradition, text and translation. This is essentially a defense of the superiority of the King James Bible while stopping short of declaring it as the only acceptable Bible. The editors admit, “Others who believe in inspiration and preservation as dogmatically as we have a different opinion as to how and where God preserved His Word.”

This study Bible is nicely formatted and easy to read, and I have no doubt that the devotional and study helps included are excellent in the whole. The one draw back in my view, is that it does not preserve the footnotes from the 1611 King James version – but in that respect, it follows the majority of King James Bibles published today. Unfortunately, this leads modern readers to assume that the King James text is more settled than that of the modern versions since the KJV does not resort to footnotes to record the literal Greek or Hebrew meaning, offer an alternate translation or mention that some manuscripts have a different reading. Unfortunately, that is a wrong assumption since the King James translators do all of those things in the dozens of footnotes included in their original 1611 translation. Reading the translators themselves on the topic of Bible translation (by reading their preface) is quite instructive and highlights the challenge facing all Bible translators, and once more I lament that the preface was not included in this KJV study Bible.

That said, this is a helpful tool and worthy of inclusion on your study shelf. The King James Version is still used today in large part because it was such a good translation and it merits careful study, even today.

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

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.

Book Briefs: “Listen Up: 10-Minute Family Devotions on the Parables” by Marty Machowski

~ Bob Hayton ~ Leave a comment

As a parent of eight, I’m always on the lookout for Christian resources we can use in our family devotions. We’ve made use of some of the books from Marty Machowski before (The Gospel Story Bible and others), so I was eager to look at his latest book Listen Up: 10-Minute Family Devotions on the Parables (New Growth Press, 2017). I was not disappointed! Listen Up is a fantastic resource for families and guides readers through a thirteen-week series of lessons focused on the Parables.

Each week starts with an overview of what will be covered, and some prep-work that can be done for an object lesson/illustration introducing the theme for the week. Then 5 lessons follow and include discussion questions and prayer pointers, as well as a deeper dive for older kids or adults. From time to time, the book includes fun facts and points out other resources for further study. The result is an incredibly helpful resource that opens up the Gospels for young readers. Even as an adult and Bible student myself, there were new tidbits to learn — such as what flower is meant by the phrase “lilies of the field.”

The lessons are Gospel-centered and presented from a Reformed-perspective, yet the book is not an overt, over-bearing embrace of the Westminster Confession or anything like that. Conservative Evangelicals of all stripes will appreciate the teaching and themes emphasized in this small book’s pages.

This book goes hand-in-hand with a full-fledged Sunday School curriculum from New Growth Press as well. And the style followed appears to line up with a similar lesson series on Proverbs. Machowski also has Old and New Testament curricula available. Check out New Growth Press for these resources and more.

Parents, get this book! It will help you appreciate the Gospel more and open up the Four Gospels to the young hearts of your children.

Blurbs:
“Marty is a parent’s best friend when it comes to figuring out how to creatively and competently do what we really want to do, which is talk with our kids about what matters most — the word of God.”
—Nancy Guthrie, Author of Dinner Table Devotions and Discussion Starters

“Biblically faithful. Gospel rich. Theologically insightful. Practical. Creative. Engaging. These are some of the words that came to mind as I read through Marty Machowski’s Listen UP! I learned things I didn’t know about the parables, and repeatedly found myself thinking, ‘Parents and their kids are going to benefit so much from this book!’ Marty has obviously done his homework and excels at using the whole Bible to help us understand what Jesus is saying in the parables. Best of all, he consistently points us not only to the words of Jesus, but to Jesus himself as the only Savior of the world.”
—Bob Kauflin, Director of Sovereign Grace Music

“If I ever had to return to my child-rearing years, I’d certainly want to take Listen Up with me. This book of family devotions, written in a lively, vivid style, presents an accurate account of Jesus’s parables and applies them well to the lives of every participant. Machowski includes excellent suggestions for object lessons, group activities, prayer, and ‘going deeper,’ while keeping the actual meetings under ten minutes! I can’t imagine that anyone would follow the book’s directions without becoming a better disciple of Jesus.”
—John Frame, Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, FL

Where to Buy:
Pick up a copy of this book at any of the following online retailers: Westminster Bookstore, Amazon, ChristianBook.com, or direct from New Growth Press.

Disclaimer:
This book was provided by the publisher. I 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.

Calvin on Christ’s Death and Resurrection

~ Bob Hayton ~ 2 Comments

Christ is Risen! Happy Easter everyone. I encourage us all to spend some time contemplating Christ’s death and resurrection today.

The following excerpt is from Coffee with Calvin by Donald K. McKim (Westminster John Knox Press, 2013), a book of devotional thoughts excerpted from Calvin’s Institutes.

Christ’s Death and Resurrection

Therefore, we divide the substance of our salvation between Christ’s death and resurrection as follows: through the death, sin was wiped out and death extinguished; through his resurrection righteousness was restored and life raised up, so that — thanks to his resurrection — his death manifested its power and efficacy in us. (Institutes 2.16.13)

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ go together. Jesus’ resurrection follows his death in the Gospels. Jesus’ death is the necessary prelude to his resurrection. Theologically, each is important for salvation to occur.

Calvin indicates ways the death and resurrection of Christ are key for believers. Through Jesus’ death, sin is obliterated and the power of death is broken. Somehow, through the death of Jesus, God forgives our sin and wipes away its power to hold us in its clutches. The ultimate result of sin — death — is snuffed out by the death of Christ. Jesus underwent death and through his death the power of death over us is taken away. This is why the cross is so central in Christianity. In the cross of Christ we find that sin’s power is wiped out and death’s power is extinguished.

The death of Christ has these effects because of Christ’s resurrection. God raised Jesus from the dead so that Christ’s death can have its sin-forgiving, death-defeating power. The resurrection established God’s power in Christ over the powers of sin and evil, restoring righteousness for the world and raising Christ to new life so that from now on, new life for believers can be real. This is the celebration of Easter and all days when the resurrection of Christ is remembered. “Thanks to his resurrection,” says Calvin, Christ’s death works its power in us. Sin is forgiven; death is conquered. This is the glad news of salvaion. (Kindle loc. 684-693)

You can pick up a copy of Coffee with Calvin at the following online retailers: Christianbook.com and Amazon.com.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the Westminster John Knox Press. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

Tyndale Bible App Sale

~ Bob Hayton

There are a variety of digital Bible reading apps to stimulate Bible reading. And the New Year is a great time to begin again with a fresh resolve to make your way through the Bible. Tyndale’s One Year Bible is one of the best selling Bibles designed in such a way as to encourage reading the Bible in a year.

For a limited time (through Jan. 8th), Tyndale is offering the One Year Bible app for only $1.99. They also are offering the Life Application Bible App for only $14.99 (a 50% discount). Both apps appear to be for Apple devices only. More details on the sale are available here.

This year, I was happy to find a discounted copy of The Orthodox Study Bible, and am now making my way through the Bible at a slower pace, reading the study notes along the way. I hope you have some plan to make the Most Important Book a key part of your reading in 2013!

Special Sale on “The Gospel Story Bible”

~ Bob Hayton ~ 1 Comment

Westminster Bookstore is offering 65% off on an exciting new title from New Growth Press: The Gospel Story Bible: Finding Jesus in the Old and New Testament by Marty Machowski. This could be the perfect Christmas gift for families with young children. And it’s only $9.99 now through Wednesday.

You can preview the entire book for free here. Included below are some of the many endorsements for this new book.

“For over five years Marty Machowski’s products have been a mainstay in our children’s ministry, which serves approximately 600 kids per week. We have seen great spiritual fruit from its use in a wide variety of age groups (preschool to fifth grade) and class sizes (10 kids to 200). We love how every product points children back to the most important message of the Bible — God’s plan of salvation through the atoning life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.” – Joshua Harris, Senior Pastor, Covenant Life Church author of Dug Down Deep

“Marty Machowski gets the gospel and knows how to transfer it to kids in a way that delights the soul and engages the mind. The Gospel Story Bible is a treasure for parents of young children. But it’s not just for children, Marty traces the gospel through the Bible with crystal clarity and traction for all ages. Few pastors I know are this skilled in making the glories of Scripture so accessible in narrative form. It’s a must buy.” – Dave Harvey, Sovereign Grace Ministries; author of When Sinners Say “I Do” and Rescuing Ambition

“More good news for parents (and grandparents)! Marty Machowski has once again delivered an excellent resource to help us lead children spiritually. The Gospel Story Bible explains the storyline of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation in 156 chapters, with vivid illustrations and thoughtful discussion questions for each reading. I fully anticipate that as you read this to your children (or grandchildren), you will be amazed together at the grace of God revealed in Scripture.” – C.J. Mahaney, President, Sovereign Grace Ministries; author of The Cross Centered Life

“If you want your children to grow up loving the Bible, then introduce them to The Gospel Story Bible. Here you have a simple, readable, understandable, and engaging account of 156 of the most powerful stories in the Bible. Every story is of manageable size, and even the most energetic child will be able to remain attentive for an entire story. In fact, you may be pleasantly surprised that your children will want to hear more than one story. The most important feature of the book is that Pastor Machowski sees the gospel in every story! Listen to how his book opens: ‘God’s gospel story starts at the very beginning’! I assure you that it doesn’t end there. The gospel permeates every chapter of this book. I highly recommend it.” – Nancy E. Ganz, Author of Herein is Love: A Commentary Series for Children on Genesis – Numbers

“I could speak at length about how much I recommend Marty Machowski’s books to churches – and indeed I do, along with books from a long list of other authors. But Marty’s resources for families and children also appear on a far shorter list that places them in a more significant category for me: they are books that I actually use in my home. Again Marty has provided us with a God-centered, Scripture-grounded, gospel-driven resource that orients the minds of children toward the wondrous works of God.” – Timothy Paul Jones, Associate Professor of Family Ministry, Southern Seminary; editor of The Journal of Family Ministry.

~cross-posted from my team book blog, CrossFocusedReviews.com