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BOOK HIGHLIGHT – Courage to Stand by Philip Graham Ryken

Posted on by Kim

Courage to Stand: Jeremiah’s Message for Post-Christian Times by Philip Graham Ryken

208 pages | $12.99 | Paperback | Subject: Christian Living

Summary

Is the world turning its back on God? Western civilization is standing at a crossroads—a crossroads where God is beckoning his people to do as the prophet Jeremiah did: Stand up and speak the truth. Follow God, even if it hurts. Weep for people around us who are lost and without hope. Pray and influence our culture for Christ. This is the courage we need. This is the courage the world needs from us.

In Jeremiah’s day, a time much like our own, public life was becoming dominated by pagan ideas and practices. Jeremiah’s courage and passion—even through his sufferings—provide an excellent example of how to live for God even in today’s difficult times. This is the story of his life and ministry. From it you will Find down-to earth help and fresh examples on how to live, think, and feel in a godless culture, along with encouragement to proclaim the truth of God’s Word—regardless of cost.

Your stand may lead to opposition, hostility, and even persecution, as it did for Jeremiah. But God promises that in the end, victory will be yours, as you grow in courage and devotion.

Endorsements

“Dr. Ryken identifies our most urgent need in these times: prophetic courage. Jeremiah was weak, and so are we. But Christ is strong. He can make us prophetic by his Word alone. Courage to Stand speaks to our need today.”

—Ray Ortlund

“No one can read this book without being instructed, encouraged, and possibly even rebuked and redirected by it.”

—James M. Boice

About The Author

Philip Graham Ryken

Philip Graham Ryken is president of Wheaton College. He is Bible teacher for the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, speaking nationally on the radio program Every Last Word. Dr. Ryken was educated at Wheaton College, Westminster Theological Seminary, and the University of Oxford, where he received his doctorate in historical theology. He and his wife, Lisa, have five children.

 

 

 

Author Interview with Scott Christensen

Posted on by Kim

This week’s author interview is with Scott Christensen. He is the author of our upcoming book, What about Free Will?: Reconciling Our Choices with God’s Sovereignty. This book will be released 2/29, but is available for preorder on our website.

Scott Christensen

  • Question #1 – Tell us a little bit about yourself: where you’re from, family, job, personal interests, unique hobbies, what you do in your spare time, etc.

Growing up, I wanted to be an architect more than anything else. I eventually ended up in Aspen, Colorado designing high end homes and winter resort buildings with an award winning architectural firm. Then God called me into ministry. After attending The Master’s Seminary, I have been pastoring a rural church in Southwest Colorado. I have four boys and a wonderful wife who keeps it all together. I love skiing, snowshoeing, mountain biking and backpacking in my spare time. Well… reading and writing too!

 

  • Question #2 – Which writers inspire you?

Piper, Frame, Sproul, Carson, MacArthur, Edwards, Ryle, Lewis, Tolkien, O’Connor, Ambrose, and McCullough to name a few.

 

  • Question #3 – What inspired you to write this book, about this topic?

I wrestled with this topic for nearly 30 years before coming to grips with what I believe the Bible teaches. After preaching a series of sermons on the doctrine of election and trying to deal with the notion of free will, I was compelled to write about it more fully.

 

  • Question #4 – What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Write, rewrite, rinse, repeat, repeat, repeat. Never assume your best writing happens the first time you put pen to paper or fingers to keys.

 

  • Question #5 – How do you deal with writer’s block?

Take a shower. Standing under hot water loosens brain cells and allows wonderful thoughts to emerge. Then quickly dry off and go get those thoughts down!

 

  • Question #6 – Favorite sport to watch? Why? Favorite sport’s team?

A toss-up between basketball and football. The competition, the athleticism, the teamwork, the leadership and all the excitement that emerges when these components all come together makes these sports a pleasure to watch. Of course, my favorite team is the Denver Broncos!

 

  • Question #7 – Favorite food?

Chicken fajitas.

 

  • Question #8 – Favorite flavor of ice cream?

Chocolate chip cookie dough.

 

  • Question #9 – The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia? Why?

The epic scale, iconic images, exotic locales, memorable characters and the threading of redemptive themes at multiple levels makes LOTR one of the greatest works of literature.

 

How can readers discover more about you and your work?

 

The Faithful Learning series

Posted on by Kim

The Faithful Learning series invites Christian students to dive deeper into a modern academic discipline. The authors, scholars in their fields, believe that academic disciplines are good gifts from God that, when understood rightly, will give students the potential to cultivate a deeper love for God and neighbor.

We have 3 new booklets coming out in this series in May of this year: Political Science by Cale Horne, Music by Timothy H. Steele, and Chemistry by Daniel R. Zuidema. Below are the 4 booklets in this series that were released in 2014.

1. An Invitation to Academic Studies by Jay D. Green

Why study academic disciplines like history, literature, biology, philosophy, chemistry, and computer science? Why even study secular subjects in the first place—especially since we have the Bible to learn from? God has made us to be nonstop learners—and what we learn can actually strengthen our faith! What will you learn, and why?

Jay Green invites you to explore the world of academic study, where you will discover vital opportunities to understand and expand God’s kingdom. Learn how the church and the academy intersect, and find out how you can cultivate your mind for the glory of God.

2. Literature by Clifford W. Foreman

Do you like to read? If you find books irresistible, feel the allure of losing yourself in another world, or have a taste for mystery, romance, or adventure, you might sometimes wonder if you’re wrong to get lost in books other than the Bible. But a Christian student can read—and even study—The Screwtape Letters, The Great Gatsby, and other novels, poems, and short stories with confidence!

Clifford Foreman provides a sneak peek into the joy of studying literature, giving you every reason to further refine your appetite for great prose and poetry. Find out how literary forms communicate ideas, artfully use language, and draw us to the greatest Storyteller of all.

3. Philosophy by James S. Spiegel

Socrates, Plato, Aristotle . . . great philosophers have a lasting impact. For them, words and ideas are power. They can turn a phrase inside out and flip an argument on its head. They can put a spin on the world. But this power may be used wrongly—and the best response is not to avoid it, but to learn how to use it rightly! In the words of the apostle Paul, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy.” Are you ready to match wits?

James Spiegel insists that studying philosophy is not only intriguing and mind-opening, but also crucial to following Paul’s counsel. Find out how you can navigate ideas as a philosopher and distinguish between human wisdom and the wisdom of God.

4. Sociology by Matthew S. Vos

Does human behavior intrigue you? Are you interested in what’s going on in the world and society? Do you like to sit and watch a busy street? If so, you have the potential to see the world and even yourself like no one else can. God designed us to understand ourselves in the context of relationships, so as a “people watcher,” you may have the marks of a rising sociologist. Interested in finding out?

Matthew Vos introduces you to the field of sociology, where people, problems, and politics find their way under the microscope. Find out how you can bring new depth to your understanding of your relationship with God and the world through people studying people.

Upcoming February Releases

Posted on by Kim

Here are our 3 upcoming February releases.

What about Free Will?: Reconciling Our Choices with God’s Sovereignty by Scott Christensen

304 pages | List Price: $17.99 | Paperback

Summary

Christensen explains two views that acknowledge God’s sovereignty and its relation to human responsibility: compatibilism and libertarianism. Providing cogent, biblical answers, Christensen argues for compatibilism and shows how it makes sense of evil, suffering, prayer, evangelism, and sanctification. You will gain a deeper understanding of both arguments, as well as a greater appreciation for the significant role that choices play in God’s work.

About the Author

Scott ChristensenScott Christensen (MDiv, The Master’s Seminary) worked for six years at the award-winning CCY Architects in Aspen, Colorado: several of his home designs were featured in Architectural Digest magazine. Called out of this work to the ministry, he graduated with honors from seminary and now pastors Summit Lake Community Church in Mancos, Colorado.

Scott Christensen

Endorsements

“A clear, intelligent, immensely helpful overview of one of the most confusing conundrums in all of theology. . . . Scott Christensen doesn’t sidestep the hard questions. The answers he gives are thoughtful, biblical, satisfying, and refresh- ingly coherent. Lay readers and seasoned theologians alike will treasure this work.”

—John F. MacArthur, Grace Community Church

“Careful in description and argument . . . eminently readable. . . . Most important of all, this book breathes a spirit of wonder and gratitude before the face of a God who is not only all-powerful but good.”

—Michael Horton, Westminster Seminary California

“Many think that free will is the silver-bullet answer to some of theology’s most difficult questions. But do we have a free will? Short answer: it depends on what you mean by ‘free.’ Long answer: read this book.”

—Andrew Naselli, Bethlehem College and Seminary

Christian Theistic Evidences, Second Edition by Cornelius Van Til edited by K. Scott Oliphint

288 pages | List Price: $19.99 | Paperback

Summary

When defending Christianity, we often play by man’s rules, letting secular science and philosophy determine the cards we’re allowed to bring to the table. But can we effectively defend the primary authority of Scripture if we start with other sources of authority that relegate it to minor status from the outset?

K. Scott Oliphint provides a foreword and explanatory notes in this retypeset syllabus, originally from Cornelius Van Til’s famous Christian Evidences class at Westminster Seminary. Van Til argues for the defense of a pure, full-fledged Christianity, unadulterated by a scientific methodology founded on non-Christian assumptions. He offers us instead a Christian philosophy and methodology for defending the faith that presupposes the absolute authority of the triune God of Scripture.

About the Author and Editor

Cornelius Van Til (1895–1987) was born in Grootegast, the Netherlands, and immigrated with his family to America in 1905. He attended Calvin College and Calvin Seminary before completing his studies at Princeton Theological Seminary and Princeton University with the ThM and PhD degrees. Drawn to the pastorate, Van Til spent one year in the ministry before taking a leave of absence to teach apologetics at Princeton Seminary. When the seminary reorganized, he was persuaded to join the faculty of the newly founded Westminster Theological Seminary. He remained there as professor of apologetics until his retirement in 1975. Van Til wrote more than twenty books, in addition to more than thirty syllabi. Among his best-known titles are The Defense of the Faith, A Christian Theory of Knowledge, and An Introduction to Systematic Theology.

K. Scott Oliphint (MAR, ThM, PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is professor of apologetics and systematic theology at Westminster Seminary, Philadelphia. He has written numerous journal articles in the field of apologetics, is author of The Battle Belongs to the Lord: The Power of Scripture for Defending Our Faith, and is coeditor of Revelation and Reason: New Essays in Reformed Apologetics.

Endorsements

“Critics of Van Til often complained that in Van Til’s presuppositionalist apologetics there was no room for the use of evidences to verify the Christian faith. But Van Til often said that evidences were an important part of apologetics. . . . Christian Theistic Evidences is Van Til’s philosophy of fact, his philosophy of science, and as such it should interest everyone who seeks to understand Van Til’s work.”

—John M. Frame, Author, A History of Western Philosophy and Theology

“Christian Theistic Evidences represents Cornelius Van Til’s first, revolutionary statement of presuppositional (or covenantal) apologetics. It contains all his major statements against the pretended neutrality of fact, of reason, and of foundations. Dr. Oliphint’s masterful annotations clarify and enhance the beauty of the text. His introduction is pure gold. This is must reading for anyone who wishes apologetic method to be consistent with sound theology.”

—William Edgar
, Professor of Apologetics, Westminster Theological Seminary

Church Revitalization from the Inside Out by Robert D. Stuart

264 pages | List Price: $15.99 | Paperback

Summary

Is your church suffering, and you’re not sure why? Church planter and professional interim pastor R. D. Stuart encourages church leaders to examine the different ways that they themselves may be exacerbating the problem.

Unfortunately, flawed leadership is a big cause of ailing churches today. The good news is that God gives us the humility and ability to change. With forthright prose and practicalexamples from his own experiences, Stuart diagnoses different leadership failures and prescribes treatment for them. Along the way, he tackles making tough decisions; striving for unity; taming gossip; cultivating humility; and loving even the hard-to-love sheep. Ultimately, Church Revitalization from the Inside Out will help ministry leaders to strengthen their churches as they grow in faithfulness.

About the Author

Robert D. Stuart (MDiv, Princeton Theological Seminary; DMin, Reformed Theological Seminary) is pastor of Christ Covenant Church (PCA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He also serves as professor of counseling at Knox Theological Seminary in Colorado Springs.

Endorsements

“As someone who has led a company, pastored a church, and trained future pastors, I have read a number of books on leadership. Not one of those books, however, has been as practical and as full of real-life examples as Bob Stuart’s.”

—Michael W. Honeycutt, Senior Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church

“Bob Stuart . . . diagnoses the sickness in the church, exposes the practice of poor church leadership, and prescribes the cure. Leaders, pastors, and church planters are encouraged to read this book, which will help them become the leaders they were called to be.”

—David V. Edling, Author, Redeeming Church Conflicts

 

Excerpt from Forty Days on the Mountain by Stephen Smallman

Posted on by Kim

Here is an excerpt taken from our new release – Forty Days on the Mountain: Meditations on Knowing God by Stephen Smallman.

DAY 1

The Overview

Exodus 32:30–35; 33:1–23; 34:1–10, 27–35

Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. . . . And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct,

I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” (Ex. 33:11, 14–17)

The purpose of today’s reading is to get focused on the basic facts of the story that we will be studying in detail. Did you get a sense of the intensity of Moses’ prayers and the determined and almost reckless way he approached God? He was a man with whom the Lord spoke “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (33:11). He wanted to know God and find favor in his sight (33:13). But that was not enough. Moses would not stop praying until he secured the continued presence of God, not only for himself, but also for the people he was leading (33:15). And even that was not enough—Moses went on to make the extraordinary request, “Please show me your glory” (33:18).

As we approach this remarkable passage, focusing in on these few verses gives us more than enough to think about. However, no teaching in Scripture can be taken in isolation. Almost as though retracting a zoom lens, we need to move our perspective back to see how this meeting with God is set into a larger picture. For example, Israel’s sin of dancing around the golden calf (Ex. 32) is basic to understanding the passage. The grace to be revealed shines all the brighter in contrast to the shocking evil in the hearts of the people. But the golden calf incident also needs to be put in context. We need to consider the whole book of Exodus to appreciate what is going on between God and Moses.

Exodus is nothing less than the story of salvation by grace alone. That doctrine is stated in the New Testament, but in Exodus it is presented in exciting narrative with dramatic pictures that have been with us from childhood. God Almighty heard the cries of the helpless children of Israel and did battle with the most powerful nation on earth to set them free. God carried them “on eagles’ wings” and brought them to himself at the mountain of Sinai with the intention of making them into his “treasured possession” (19:4–5). There, from the mountain, he spoke to them and gave them ten basic “words” by which they could enjoy the liberty that he had purchased for them. He then not only obligated himself to them by way of a covenant, but he also promised his presence to a degree unknown by any nation of people on the face of the earth. All these thoughts need to be looked into to make Moses’ meeting with God all the more meaningful.

The final aspect of context that must be appreciated, if our passage is to have its full meaning, is the perspective of the New Testament. Even the exquisite glimpse of the glory of God given to Moses was only prologue to the coming of Jesus Christ and the privileges that are given to those who are in Christ. But it is important to begin our reflection with the basic facts of the passage as well as an awareness of the larger context. Then pray with anticipation that God will be pleased to teach you experimentally (as the Puritans would say) the realities behind the facts.

Excerpt taken from Forty Days on the Mountain: Meditations on Knowing God by Stephen Smallman, copyright by P&R Publishing, 2016, pages 23-25.