Tag: Moody

“Paul vs. James: What We’ve Been Missing in the Faith and Works Debate” by Chris Bruno

~ Bob Hayton ~ Leave a comment

Paul vs. JamesThere are not many theology books that could be recommended equally to lay people in a church Sunday School class or students in a theological seminary. Nor would such widely varying audiences often come away with meaningful takeaways from such a book. Paul vs. James: What We’ve Been Missing in the Faith and Works Debate is just such a rare book. Chris Bruno and Moody Publishers are to be commended for such an attractive and useful book on such an important theological topic.

The attention of the reader is grabbed from the outset of this little book. The cover is catchy with its icon-like ancient paintings of James and Paul and the large font used for the title. The subtitle is explained helpfully by the equally arresting back cover. There, beneath their respective portraits, are Paul’s words on justification by faith apart from works, and James’ words that one is justified by works and not by faith alone. The back cover goes on to introduce the “problem” that is sure to intrigue the casual churchgoer and appeal to those who have already spotted such seeming contradictions in their own study.

In the foreword, Douglas Moo applauds Chris Bruno (the author) for his “readable and thoroughly biblical exploration of this issue” (p. 10). I second Moo’s motion, and agree that the book reads very smoothly and his point is driven home. Both James and Paul agree that the biblical faith that justifies, is a faith that inevitably manifests itself in and through good works. The charts and tables used throughout the book, as well as the large section headers, help ensure that readers of all levels don’t miss the argument.

Bruno begins with a mini-biography of sorts on both Paul and James. Students will catch his position on a wide variety of interpretative questions, and average readers will appreciate a review of just who James and Paul are. Then he goes back further to Abraham, who features prominently in both Paul’s (Galatians, Romans) and James’ (James) statements on justification. Bruno emphasizes that:

…James is standing in Genesis 22, looking back at Abraham’s faith in God’s covenant promises that was confirmed by his ongoing obedience. However, Paul is focused on Abraham’s initial belief in Genesis 12 and 15, looking forward to Abraham’s works of faith. (p. 74)

Paul’s context led him to stress that Abraham’s faith alone was what justified him, whereas James’ situation required him to emphasize that a mere faith without works was not what Abraham had – his faith was ultimately justifying faith because of his works (and his continuing in the faith). Bruno clarifies (concerning James’ assertion that “a person is justified by works” 2:24): “the way that good works serve to justify is by confirming, both during our lives on earth but especially in the last judgment, that we have durable, persevering, good-works-producing faith” (p. 85).

After driving this point home — and my only complaint is that at times Bruno can be overly repetitive — the book concludes with two practical ways of applying the doctrine of justification by faith. Now, up to this point, evangelical Christians will largely agree with his points (Roman Catholics will have a problem however). So this is where Bruno gets risky — he takes on both same-sex marriage and racism. These are polarizing topics in society, but fairly straightforward when it comes to Scripture. The book does not unpack each issue in depth, but illustrates how understanding James and Paul correctly informs how we approach these questions. With respect to same-sex marriage, the necessity of good works leads us to reject same-sex marriage as antithetical to the Gospel and potentially soul-damning. And when it comes to racism, any demands for cultural conformity in our churches can be seen as adding to the faith alone that justifies and are also a threat to the Gospel.

I encourage you to consider Paul vs. James for use in a small group or Sunday school (or even your seminary class). I highly recommend it.

Learn more about this book by looking at the preview available at Amazon or Westminster Bookstore.

Blurbs:
“Many pit the Old Testament against the New, the Gospels against Paul, James against Paul. Bruno argues that the two apostles, in reality, reinforce each other. The brilliance of this book lies in its accessibility and wholistic understanding of Paul and James. This project will serve the church well in its informed theology, responsible handling of biblical texts, and application for today. Well done.”
—Benjamin J. Gladd, Associate Professor of New Testament in Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, MS

“Bruno demonstrates that faith and works in both Paul and James are not enemies but friends, but at the same time he carefully explains what Paul and James mean by the key terms faith, works, and justification. I am confident that many will come to a clear understanding of how Paul and James fit together by reading this work.”
—Thomas R. Schreiner, Professor of NT Interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY

Where to Buy:
This book is available for purchase from the following online retailers: Amazon.com, Westminster Bookstore, Christianbook.com, or direct from Moody Publishers..

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

In the Box: New Titles from Kregel & Moody

~ Bob Hayton ~ 1 Comment

“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 theology books. The first one is directed at a more popular level, while the second one has the academic reader in mind.

Paul vs. James

 
Paul vs. James: What We’ve Been Missing in the Faith and Works Debate by Chris Bruno (Moody Publishers)

Now this book has the best cover I’ve seen in a while. And the title is catching: Paul vs. James: What We’ve Been Missing in the Faith and Works Debate. On the back cover the book sets in juxtaposition these two statements: “One is justified by faith apart from works of the law” – Paul; “A person is justified by works and not by faith alone” – James. Christians at all stages of their spiritual growth have grappled with this apparent contradiction. I’m looking forward to reading how Chris Bruno clears up the matter. I am also drawn to this work since Chris Bruno has some fundamentalist roots (having taught at Northland and Cedarville) and now teaches at Bethlehem College and Seminary (founded by my former pastor John Piper). Look for my review of this title in the next month or two.

To learn more about this book, check out the product pages at the links below. You can purchase this book at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Westminster Bookstore, or direct from Moody Publishers.

Trinity without Hierarchy

 
Trinity without Hierarchy: Reclaiming Nicene Orthodoxy in Evangelical Theology edited by Michael F. Bird and Scott Harrower (Kregel Academic)

This book intrigues me because I have benefited from some of the authors who are critiqued in this work. Complementarian authors like Wayne Grudem and Bruce Ware have used the relationships between the persons of the Trinity (specifically the headship of the Father and subordination of the Son) in defense of their positions. (Complementarians defend the traditional view that husbands are the chief authority figure in marriage, fathers in the home, and only men should be elders or pastors in the church.) New to me is the term “eternal functional subordination (EFS)” which Grudem and others argue for. This book brings together both complementarian and egalitarian Evangelical scholars who together present a case from the Bible, historical theology and systematic theology to defend the historic orthodox view of the Trinity. The editors do not claim that Grudem and Ware are heretics, they go out of their way to appreciate “Wayne Grudem’s [clear and persuasive] description of the deity of Christ” and “Bruce Ware’s [effective and forceful] refutation of Open Theism” (p. 12). But they deny that Grudem, Ware and others are “at liberty to dispense with eternal generation, nor to substitute roles of authority for Nicene terms for articulating the relationships between the divine persons” (p. 13). I am merely an observer of the debate at this point and look forward to digging in and learning more. Expect my review in a few months.

To learn more about this book or to pick up your own copy, check out the book’s product page at the following sites: Amazon, Christianbook.com, or direct from Kregel Academic.

Disclaimer: My thanks go out to both Moody Publishers and Kregel Academic for review copies of these titles.

Book Briefs: “He Is Not Silent: Preaching in a Postmodern World” by R. Albert Mohler Jr.

~ Bob Hayton ~ Leave a comment

Preaching in today’s postmodern world is a tall order. A new book from R. Albert Mohler Jr. aims to encourage and help pastors in this task: He is Not Silent: Preaching in a Postmodern World. Mohler is president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (in Louisville, KY) and well-known as a preacher himself. He takes very seriously his responsibility of grooming the next generation of preachers. Mohler is also a student of culture — a voracious reader with an enormous personal library, he hosts a podcast called “The Briefing” which is “a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.” Mohler is thus uniquely positioned to help preachers reach today’s world.

Many might imagine this book would advise a change of method to reach today’s visually-based culture; but they would be disappointed indeed! Mohler stands in the tradition of the Reformation in exalting the role of the preacher and the place of preaching. He advocates for expositional preaching that gives the Word of God and its message to the hearers: “…our preaching had better be nothing less — and nothing other — than the exposition of the Bible. Nothing else will do” (p. 63).

The book is a simple explanation of preaching with helpful quotes and historical background thrown in. Each chapter is a sermon itself — with an analysis of a biblical text standing behind the shape of the material. He emphasizes unpacking the big story of Scripture, and also declares that expository preaching is “the only form of authentic Christian preaching” (p. 49). I get the sense that he is talking about preaching through books (verse-by-verse) – but he doesn’t define expositional preaching exactly. His burden is to prevent preaching from devolving into “a series of disconnected talks on disconnected texts” (p. 19).

Mohler also sees a need for pastors to be theologians: “Today’s pastors must recover and reclaim the pastoral calling as inherently and cheerfully theological” (p. 109). His emphasis of this point and assessment of postmodernism were highlights for me. Equally helpful was his cry against “wee little” sermons and encouragement to let the big story of Scripture shape our preaching.

Mohler is eminently quotable, which makes reading the book easy. He packs several one-liners and poignant observations into each chapter. You can almost hear him speaking to preacher boys in a class room as you read these chapters. I highly recommend this helpful little book on preaching. If you are looking for something to encourage or guide you in the preaching task, look no further than He is Not Silent.

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

You can pick up a copy of this new book by Mohler from Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, or direct from Moody Publishers.

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.