Misunderstood Attributes of God: Omnipotence | Tabletalk, May 2022

The May 2022 issue of Tabletalk, Ligonier’s monthly devotional magazine, is devoted to the subject of “Misunderstood Attributes of God.”

In his article for “Coram Deo,” editor Burk Parsons drives home the need to treat the attributes of God and for all Christians to read about them and study them:

“This is one reason that we read books, write books, and publish magazines such as Tabletalk—that we might know, love, glorify, and enjoy God more and more in all that we think, say, and do. Therefore, while the subject of this issue of Tabletalk might seem a little academic for some, it is nevertheless necessary for Christians to study. Due to poor teaching and theological misunderstanding, even churches that hold fast to Scripture as God’s inerrant Word are unwittingly raising a generation of people who unknowingly profess heresy more than the theology of the Bible. The desperate need of our generation is not only for the world to know God but, as Dr. R.C. Sproul emphasized, for the church to know God. To know God means to know our theology, and to know our theology means to know God’s revelation about Himself to the end that we might be led back to God, by the grace of God, through the power of God the Holy Spirit, to worship God so that God alone might get the glory. Simply put, sound theology leads to doxology.”

One of the featured articles treats the divine attribute of omnipotence, considering especially two matters: the scope of God’s power (how far does it extend?, and can God’s omnipotence come in conflict with other of His attributes?) and the question of God’s power over evil. About the latter – a perennial question among believers and non-believers, author R. Charlton Wynne has this to say:

“This brings us to the second question: Is God’s power reconcilable with the reality of evil? If God by His omnipotence can manifest only His holy and good character, how can there be evil in the world? Sometimes the very personal and heart-wrenching cries of believers and nonbelievers alike (“How could God allow this to happen?” “Where was God when this took place?”) lead to doubts about or even denials of God’s omnipotence. This presents one version of the so-called problem of evil: If God is all-good, and evil exists, then God cannot be all-powerful.

“Again, though, a hidden assumption drives this challenge to divine omnipotence. The argument assumes that a good and omnipotent God would always act immediately to preclude all evil. But Scripture teaches both that God has ordained what is evil (though man, not God, remains responsible for it; Eccl. 7:29) and that He has done so, in part, that He might reveal His power over evil, even to accomplish His good purposes through it (e.g., Gen. 50:20). This is no pious platitude. It is the solemn trust and great solace of every humble Christian in the face of the adversities, disappointments, and tragedies of this life. God is omnipotent and altogether good. Trusting that both are true grounds hope and encouragement for every believing heart.”

Following which, he appropriately closes with these words under the heading “Omnipotence and the Gospel”:

“The central and most stunning revelation of God’s utterly holy character through His omnipotence over evil is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Jesus healed the lame, stopped the wind, opened the eyes of the blind, and rose victorious over death, He showed Himself to be “the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24). He continues His almighty work in resurrecting the hearts of those whom the Father irresistibly draws to Himself, and He will complete that saving work in them on the day He raises His people to imperishable glory (John 6:44). And when He judges the world, re-creates the cosmos, and brings heaven to earth, the gathered chorus of saints will sing of His power: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns” (Rev. 19:6).”

Source: Omnipotence | Tabletalk

Inhaling the Oxygen of God’s Word

“…The Bible reeducates us. The Bible makes sages out of fools. It corrects us.

“But we need to press deeper. The Bible not only corrects us; it also oxygenates us. We need a Bible not only because we are wrong in our minds but also because we are empty in our souls.

“This is why I like the metaphor of breathing. Taking a big breath into our lungs fills us with fresh air, gives us oxygen, calms us down, provides focus, and brings mental clarity. What inhaling does for us physically, Bible reading does for us spiritually.

“In this shifty, uncertain world, God has given us actual words. Concrete, unmoving, fixed words. We can go to the rock of Scripture amid the shifting sands of this life. Your Bible is going to have the same words tomorrow that it does today. Friends can’t provide that – they will move in and out of your life, loyal today but absent tomorrow. Parents and their counsel will die. Your pastor will not always be available to take your call. The counselor who has given you such sage instruction will one day retire, or maybe you’ll move out of state. But you can roll out of bed tomorrow morning and, whatever stressors slide uncomfortably across your mental horizon as you groan with the anxieties of the day, your friend the Bible is unfailingly steady. It lies there, awaiting opening, eager to steady you amid all the unanswered questions before you that day. It will give you what you need and not evade you. Our truest wisdom and only safety is to build our lives on its words (Matt.7:24-27).

“If fact, we should not be saying ‘it,’ but ‘he.’ Through Scripture God himself addresses us. The reason the Bible does not shift and move is that God does not shift and move. Your Bible is not just the best book there is among all the books out there. The Bible is a different kind of book. It’s of another class. It is similar to other books in that it is bound between two covers and is filled with small black letters comprising words throughout. But the Bible is different from other books in the way rainfall is different from your garden hose – it comes from above and provides a kind of nourishment far beyond that our own resources can provide.

“Why? Because the Bible’s author is God, and God knows exactly what will nourish us.”

Taken from Deeper: Real Change for Real Sinners by Dane C. Ortlund (Crossway, 2021), pp146-47. This book is a kind of sequel to Ortlund’s other fine book, Gentle and Lowly, which I have also called attention to here.

Sabbath Night – J. H. Bocock

“On the Lord’s Day, or Christian Sabbath, it is good to contemplate the comforts that are given to us by our blessed Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. After the day’s devotions, which are a taste of heaven, with cognizance of our failures to keep the day holy as we ought, we may nevertheless take refuge in Him who gives rest and peace, not as the world gives, but from above. Consider a poem by John Holmes Bocock (1813-1872) as found in Selections From the Religious and Literary Writings of John H. Bocock, D.D. (1891), pp. 546-547, which highlights such an appreciation of Sabbath blessings and comforts.”

Sabbath Night Rest, weary spirit, rest, From toil and trouble free; Lean on the Saviour’s breast Who giveth rest to thee! Lie there, ye cares and fears, I cast you at his feet; From all my fears and cares I take this sure retreat. Beneath his wings I crowd, Close to his side I press: None such was e’er allowed To perish without grace. O sprinkle me with blood! My heart would feel the stream From out thy side that flowed, Us, sinners, to redeem! Yet closer still I come! Reveal thyself to me: O let me feel that home Is at thy feet to be. I calmly seek repose; Pardon my Sabbath sin, And to my dreams disclose That heaven thou dwellest in.

Perhaps the “Dead Presbyterian Society” does not sound so thrilling, but the Log College Press produces some worthwhile Presbyterian/Reformed writings from the past, including a large free pdf library. This is one of them.

Worship in the Light of Jesus’ Coming

“The author of Hebrews adds one more incentive for gathered assemblies of God’s people: ‘all the more as you see the Day drawing near’ (Heb.10:25).

“Why should gathering for worship on Sundays bring to mind the second coming? It may not be intuitive, but the reason lies in something the writer of Hebrews has mentioned earlier in his letter. Warning of the possibility of apostasy in chapter 6, he adds that the covenant community experiences ‘the powers of the age to come’ (Heb.6:5). When we worship together, we join our worship with angels and archangels and the church ‘on the other side.’ Jesus sings alongside us in worship.

“Think of it like this: there is another dimension where the saints triumphant are alive and reigning with Christ. Something of ‘the end’ has broken through into the ‘now.’

Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. (1 Cor.10:11; cf. Heb.9:26)

“As Christians we sit ‘in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus’ (Eph.2:6). The world to come has broken through into our world. And as we worship, we do so in anticipation of what is to come. Here and now, we see only dimly; but there we shall see Jesus ‘face to face’ (1 Cor.13:12).

“Earlier in the letter, the author quotes from Psalm 22:

For he who sanctifies, and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” (Heb.2:11-12)

“It is as though he is saying to us that every time we worship together, Jesus is singing along with us, as if He were standing next to us, sharing a hymnbook! Imagine how that image might radically alter the way we approach worship.

“Assembling together as a church body is a reminder that this world is not our home. Jesus is coming again, and when He does, He will usher in the new heavens and new earth. But the author sounds a fearful alarm. With the dawning of ‘the Day’ comes the reality of a day of judgment: ‘For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries’ (Heb.10:26-27).

“Great restaurants may offer a range of culinary experiences: ‘A Taste of Mexico,’ ‘A Taste of Italy,’ ‘A Taste of America.’ Sunday worship should advertise a similar experience: ‘A Taste of Heaven.'”

Taken from the new book by Derek W.H. Thomas, Let Us Worship: Why We Worship the Way We Do (Ligonier Ministries, 2021), pp.19-20.

I received this as a review copy. If any reader would be interested in reading this and writing a short review for the Standard Bearer, send me a note.

The Magic of Reading Books: “A moveable feast.”

“…what made me a reader were the experiences I got from the books themselves. An obvious assertion, but a true one. It is easy enough in retrospect to see a book as a screen, a shield, an escape, but at the time there was just the magic – the startling and renewable discovery that a page covered with black markings could, with a slight mental exertion, be converted into an environment, an inward depth populated with characters and animated by diverse excitements. A world inside the world, secre ta nd concealable. A world that I could carry about as a private resonance, a daydream, even when I was not reading. A moveable feast.

“From the time of earliest childhood, I was enthralled by books. First just by their material mysteries. I studied pages of print and illustrations, started myself into the wells of fantasy that are the hallmark of the awakening inner life. Mostly there was pleasure, but not always. I remember a paralytic terror brought on by the cartoon dalmatians pictured on the endpapers of my Golden Books. For a time I refused to be alone in the room with the books, even when the covers were safely closed. Ascribing power to likeness, I thought the dog would slip free of their confinement and come baying after me.

“But that was the exception. Dreamy sensuousness generally prevailed. A page was a field studded with tantalizing signs and a book was a vast play structure riddled with openings and crevices I could get inside. This notion of hiding, secreting myself in a text was important to me – it underlies to this day my sense of a book as a refuge. That I could not yet translate the letters into words and meanings only added to the grave mysteriousness of the artifact. On the far side of that plane of scrambled markings was a complete other world. And then one day the path came clear. I was in the first grade. I went over and around and suddenly through the enormous letter shapes of Kipling’s Jungle Book. The first sentence, that is. I read! And from that moment on, the look of a word became a window onto its meaningful depths.

“Once I got underway, I was an interested, eager, but not terribly precocious reader…. I was a dreamer and books were my tools for dreaming. I read the ones that were more or less suited to my age and did so devotedly. Books about Indian chiefs, explorers, and dogs; biographies of inventors and athletes; the pasteurized versions of London and Poe that came via the Scholastic Book Club. I had the first real thrill of ownership in second or third grade, when the teacher broke open the first shipment and handed each of us in the class the books we had ordered. Later it was the Hardy Boys, with their illustrated covers and crisp blue spines; the James Bond, the slim pocketbooks reeking of …high-class gadgetry. Not until I was in junior high did I begin to make contact with some of the so-called ‘better’ books – by Salinger, Wolfe, Steinbeck and others. But even then I had no idea of bettering myself. I was simply looking for novels with characters whose lives could absorb mine for a few hours.”

Sven Birkerts in the second chapter (“The Paper Chase,” on why he became a writer – because of his love of reading!) of his book The Gutenberg Elegies: The Fate of Reading in an Electronic Age (Faber and Faber, 1994; pp.35-36), a book I recently began to read. I am enjoying and benefiting from the author’s description of the wonder of the reading experience, of how the printed page has the power to transport you to worlds unknown and pleasures unseen and to give you a place of peace and happiness in a world of trouble and misery.

Coming to the Rest-giver

Come unto Me!

Blessed summons, when by the gracious call of His Spirit, He makes it resound in our soul!

And blessed soul that obeys that summons and comes!

It is a coming which is the result of Father’s drawing. For no one can come unto Him except the Father which sent Him draw him. The drawing is first, and the coming second. The drawing is the cause, and the coming is the result. It is the drawing of that love which is always first, and the coming of faith which relies on that love.

It is a coming which begins when we cast away all our own righteousness and every basis of confidence in self. For we cannot come unto Him with aught of self. Empty and poor and naked, weary and exhausted, as the drowning man who struggled with the tempestuous sea till his strength was gone, thus we must come to Him Who is our all.

It is a coming that continues when we see Jesus as we never see Him with out natural eye, full of grace and glory and life and rest and peace, the fullness of our wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and complete redemption, and when our soul, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, desires to possess Him above all the treasures and pleasures of the world.

It is a coming by which we draw nearer, when we hear Him address us, as with the natural ear we could never hear, so clearly and distinctly as if He were calling us by name: “Weary toiler, heavily burdened one, cease from toiling at your impossible task. I have finished. Come unto Me and rest!”

It is a coming whereby we know and trust that when He bore the burden of His people’s sin, our transgressions and our iniquities were also upon Him, so that we believe His promise and trust for life and death with all our soul in that promise: I will give you rest!

And that promise He fulfills.

He fulfills it when He sheds forth the love of God into our hearts, that love in which there is no fear, and when He gives us the faith by which we shout in joy and redemption: “We, therefore, being justified by faith, have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” He fulfills it when, if we would return to the old burdens and the slavery of sin and death, He draws us back unto Himself and assures us, “Your sins are forgiven.” He fulfills it, when amid the battle and strife of this present life in the midst of the world, He makes us partakers of the peace that passes all understanding.

And He will fulfill it to the last.

For the final rest is not yet.

There still remains a sabbath for the people of God.

The eternal sabbath.

And the Rest-giver will surely bring that final rest. When all of life is over and all the weary night is past, and the last one of His toiling people shall have been brought into the rest He accomplished, then He shall come again and lead His people into the perfect rest. Then the toiling and groaning creation shall be delivered from the yoke of vanity and corruption and partake of the rest of God’s children.

God, through Christ, shall have completed His work.

And into that completed work we shall enter.

God’s tabernacle over all!

The rest of eternal joy!

Taken from the last part of a meditation Herman Hoeksema first wrote for the July 1925 issue of the Standard Bearer, and which was later reprinted in the March 15, 1987 issue of the SB. I have quoted from an earlier portion of this meditation before. Today, at the request of a friend, I post another portion of it.

On this Lord’s day of rest – a glimpse of our everlasting rest – it is good for our souls to meditate on how we experience and enjoy the saving rest our Savior Jesus Christ has given us through His perfect work. By a true and living faith may we come and enjoy His rest today.

20 Classic Poems Every Man Should Read | The Art of Manliness

April is National Poetry month and we began this month with several Christian ones relating to the death of Jesus Christ. And, for an archive post this month, we featured a poem with PRC congregational clues.

Earlier this week the Art of Manliness had a fine post asserting “20 Classic Poems Every Man Should Read.” Today, as we stand at the end of the month, we consider it worth referring to that post here.

AOM introduces it by pointing out how poetry has fallen on hard times, perhaps especially among men. But they also inspire us to read and become familiar with some classics. I include their introduction here and then encourage you to visit the website for the links to the 20 poems they recommend. Keep in mind that this is a diverse collection and that some of them reflect the worldview of unbelievers. Nevertheless, as Christians we must also know and be able to evaluate biblically the poetry of the world.

“The Victorian poet Matthew Arnold once claimed that “The crown of literature is poetry,” and if our neglect of poetry is any indication, the crown is rusting. While book sales fluctuate from year to year, fewer and fewer publishing houses are printing volumes of poetry. The demand for poets and their poems has ebbed.

“However, we do ourselves a great disservice when we neglect the reading of poetry. John Adams, one of the founding fathers of the United States, commended poetry to his son John Quincy. Both Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt committed their favorite poems to memory. Ancient kings were expected to produce poetry while also being versed in warfare and statecraft. That poetry has fallen out of favor among men in the 21st century is a recent trend rather than the norm.

“To help remedy this, we have compiled a list of 20 classic poems that every man should read. Spanning the past two thousand years, the poems on this list represent some of the best works of poetry ever composed. But don’t worry — they were selected for both their brevity and ease of application. Some are about striving to overcome, others about romantic love, and still others about patriotism. Whether you’ve been reading poetry for years or haven’t read a single line since high school, these poems are sure to inspire and delight you.”

But, now, allow me to give you a “teaser” – a classic from the Bard, William Shakespeare.

4. Sonnet 29 by William Shakespeare

No list of poems is complete without the Bard himself. Known primarily for his plays, universally accepted as some of the best works in world literature, Shakespeare was also a poet, composing over 150 sonnets in his lifetime. Sonnet 29 is a lamentation on the loss of fame and fortune but ends with a meditation on the love that he has for his beloved. Works such as It’s a Wonderful Life echo the themes in Shakespeare’s Sonnet, showing us that the company of loved ones far outweighs all the riches that the world offers.

Source: 20 Classic Poems Every Man Should Read | The Art of Manliness

Spring 2022 in Photos – Update on PRC Seminary

With the arrival of Spring, it’s time to pass along a little update on life at seminary by way of pictures. The above photo was taken on March 20, when the 4th graders from Hope PR Christian School in Walker made a visit. They are privileged each year to be introduced to the place and work of the seminary in the PRC, to receive a tour of the building, and then participate in devotions before enjoying fellowship over snacks with the faculty and students. Always a blessing for us, and we trust for them too. And maybe a seed sown in the heart of a boy to consider the ministry. We so pray.

Spring has come slowly to West Michigan, which is in general better for plants and flowers and crops. We’ve had a roller coaster March and April, typified by the passage of a front captured in this next photo – days of dark clouds and rain followed by brilliant sunshine.

And Spring also means clean-up time, including dead trees around seminary that Prof. Gritters likes to cut down, cut up, and haul away for his wood-fire stove at home. (Can you spot him in the trees and brush?)

That also means it’s time for a fresh coat of bark around the landscape, which happened this week. And after that first mow, things look grand in green and dark bark!

It becomes so peaceful in the afternoon out back sometimes that the deer just settle down for their naps and rest. Unlike the professors and students, of course! (Can you spot the deer on the edge of the grass and woods?)

No, the faculty and students stay busy with their teaching, research, and studies. The photo above shows freshman Aaron Van Dyke delivering his first seminary sermon. This is always done for Prof. B. Gritters’ Homiletics course (sermon making), a careful process involving learning the art homily method – taking the main theme of a text and developing it logically into its sub-parts, along with biblically based applications.

Sometimes the students work together on assignments or projects. The above picture shows Isaac Peters (back) and Matt Koerner (front-l) and Marcus Wee (front-r) preparing for a Student Club meeting this past Thursday night.

Usually they work solo, whether in their study carrels or a classroom or on the larger tables in the library, where they can spread things out (That’s Arend Haveman with Prof. R. Cammenga in the background).

But, of course, we also continue our tradition of grilled lunches on Friday – usually brats (Tim Bleyenberg’s Sheldon Meat brats – the best around!) but sometimes burgers, and sometimes specially delivered lunches as we had from Sheri Pastoor this past Wednesday – delicious lasagna with fresh fruit and rolls! Thank you for your kindness! And when guests join us on Friday, that just adds to the blessing of these relaxing times.

And then there’s my library helper, Kevin Rau, who just received a new bike upgrade. It’s a beauty, and he claims he can get from Walker to Wyoming faster now. I don’t know, I think maybe he stopped at a donut shop along the way with the time he saved. I’m grateful for the good work – and humor – that Kevin brings to the seminary. Keep rolling, my friend!

Hope your Spring is bright and beautiful with God’s daily gifts. Treasure the glory of this special season.

PRC History – Poem of Congregational Clues

Yesterday while sorting through some donated magazines, including some Beacon Lights issues, I came across this poem written by Thelma Westra (former member of First PRC-GR and Faith PRC) for the January 1996 BL issue. It is titled “I Am a P.R. Congregation,” and in rhyme form it contains clues for the PRC congregations that were in existence at that time. Hint: Two of these have since disbanded.

I post it here today because it’s a clever way to review some PRC history while also having fun guessing the congregations. Have fun!

P.S. No, I’m not going to post the answer page. Yet, anyway. It’s good to struggle a bit first. 🙂 Now, don’t you go look it up without trying first!

Significant New Books, 1st Quarter 2022 (2) – PRC Seminary Library

Earlier this month (see my April 9 post), we began to feature some of the new items that have been added to the PRC Seminary library in the first quarter of this year. In this post we complete the list of significant additions.

As I mentioned then, this list I have drawn up is not exhaustive but representative of the resources (books) purchased for – and donated to – the seminary library. It was a good quarter, as a new budget gave me fresh funds to purchase books and many excellent new and used titles became available.

In this post we will feature the dogmatic and practical theology titles as well as miscellaneous titles (apologetics, culture, music, etc.) added in January to March of 2022. Enjoy the list, and perhaps you will not only find something worthwhile to read but also to purchase for your own library – church, family, or individual. As you know by now, that certainly is part of my purpose in posting these lists. 🙂

Dogmatics, Biblical Theology, Historical Theology

• Celebrating the Legacy of the Reformation. Kevin L. King, editor; Edward E. Hindson, editor; Benjamin K. Forrest, editor. Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, 2019.
• Three Reformation Catechisms: Catholic, Anabaptist, Lutheran. Denis Janz; Dietrich Coelde, c.1435-1515; Balthasar Hubmaier, -1528. New York: E. Mellen Press, 1982 (Texts and Studies in Religion) v. 13
• The Reformation and the Irrepressible Word of God: Interpretation, Theology, and Practice. Scott M. Manetsch, editor. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2019.
• From Wittenberg to the World: Essays on the Reformation and Its Legacy in Honor of Robert Kolb. Charles P. Arand, editor; Erik H. Herrmann, editor; Daniel L. Mattson, editor; Herman J. Selderhuis (series ed.). Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2018 (Refo500 Academic Studies) Vol.50.
• Works of Martin Luther: With Introductions and Notes. Martin Luther, 1483-1546; Henry Eyster Jacobs; Adolph Spaeth. (Philadelphia ed., Muhlenberg Press, 1930-43 (6 vols. with all the classic works of the Reformer).
• Calvin and the Body: An Inquiry into His Anthropology. Alida Leni Sewell. Amsterdam: VU University Press, 2011.
• Poverty in the Theology of John Calvin. Bonnie L. Pattison; Kenneth C. Hanson. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, c2006 (Princeton Theological Monograph Series), vol. 69.
• Uncovering Calvin’s God: John Calvin on Predestination and the Love of God. Forrest H. Buckner; Oliver D. Crisp. Lanham, MD: Fortress Academic, 2020.
• The Ecclesiology of Theodore Beza: The Reform of the True Church. Tadataka Maruyama. Geneva: Droz, 1978 (Travaux D’humanisme Et Renaissance) vol. 166
• Peter Ramus: Precursor to Descartes Against the Confessional Reformed Faith. Jean-Marc Berthoud. Monticello, FL: Psalm 78 Ministries, 2020.
• Theoretical-Practical Theology: The Works of God and the Fall of Man (Vol.3) Peter van Mastricht, 1630-1706; Todd M. Rester, Transl.; Joel R. Beeke, ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2021.
• Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Wayne A. Grudem (2nd ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020.
• Augustine and Tradition: Influences, Contexts, Legacy; Essays in Honor of J. Patout Burns. David G. Hunter, editor; Jonathan Yates, editor. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2021.
• Embracing Doctrine and Life: Simon Oomius in the Context of  Further Reformation Orthodoxy. Gregory D. Schuringa; Richard A. Muller. Allegan, MI: North Star Ministry Press, 2021.
• Reading Karl Barth: New Directions for North American Theology. Kurt A. Richardson. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2004.
• The Case for Freewill Theism: A Philosophical Assessment. David Basinger. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, c1996.
• God to Us: Covenant Theology in Scripture. Stephen G. Myers. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2021.
• The Abuse of God’s Grace: Discovered in the Kinds, Causes, Punishments, Symptoms, Cures, Differences, and Cautions, with Practical Application, Proposed as a Seasonable Check to the Wanton Libertinism of the Present Age. Nicholas Claget, 1610?-1662; John MacArthur; Don. Kistler. (reprint) Orlando, FL: The Northhampton Press, 2021.
• Christology Ancient & Modern: Explorations in Constructive Theology. Oliver Crisp, ed.; Fred Sanders, ed.; Katherine Sonderegger. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013.
• Why Did Jesus Live a Perfect Life?: The Necessity of Christ’s Obedience for Our Salvation. Brandon D. Crowe. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2021.
• God With Us: Knowing the Mystery of Who Jesus Is. Daniel R. Hyde. (2nd ed.) Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2021.
• For Us and Our Salvation: Incarnation and Atonement in the Reformed Tradition. Bruce L. McCormack. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Theological Seminary, c1993 (Studies in Reformed Theology and History) v. 1.2
• The New Man: An Orthodox and Reformed Dialogue. John Meyendorff, ed.; Joseph C. McLelland, ed.; James I. McCord. New Brunswick, NJ: Agora Books, 1973.
• Richard Baxter’s Understanding of Infant Baptism. Hans Boersma. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Theological Seminary, c2002 (Studies In Reformed Theology and History) v.7
• God’s Messiah in the Old Testament: Expectations of a Coming King. Andrew T. Abernethy; Greg. Goswell. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2020.
• The Biblical Doctrine of Election. Harold Henry Rowley. London: Lutterworth Press, 1950.
• Trinity Without Hierarchy: Reclaiming Nicene Orthodoxy in Evangelical Theology. Michael F. Bird, editor; Scott D. Harrower, editor; Peter J. Leithart. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2019.
• Knowing Sin: Seeing a Neglected Doctrine Through the Eyes of the Puritans. Mark Jones. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2021.
• The Royal Priesthood and the Glory of God. David S. Schrock; Dane C. Ortlund, editor; Miles V. Van Pelt, editor. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2022 (Short Studies in Biblical Theology)
• Salvation by Faith: Faith, Covenant and the Order of Salvation in Thomas Goodwin (1600-1680). Hyo-nam Kim; Herman J. Selderhuis (series). Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2019 (Reformed Historical Theology), vol. 57
• John Calvin on the Diaconate and Liturgical Almsgiving. Elsie Anne. McKee. Geneva: Libr. Droz, 1984 (Travaux D’humanisme Et Renaissance) vol. 197.
• Primary Mission of the Church: Engaging or Transforming the World? Bryan D. Estelle; J. V. Fesko and Matthew Barrett. Fearn, Ross-shire, GB: Christian Focus Publications, 2022 (Reformed Exegetical Doctrinal Studies Series (R.E.D.S.)
• The Church in the Bible and the World: An International Study. D. A. Carson; Edmund P. Clowney; P. T. O’Brien. Exeter, UK: Paternoster Press; Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, c1987.

Practical Theology (1) – Christian Living, Family, Marriage, Missions, Prayer

• After Emmaus: How the Church Fulfills the Mission of Christ. Brian J. Tabb. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021.
• Classics of Christian Missions. Francis M. DuBose. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1979.
• No Shortcut to Success: A Manifesto for Modern Missions. Matt Rhodes. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2022 (9Marks).
• Is It Unspiritual to Be Depressed?: Loved by God in the Midst of Pain. Paul Ritchie.; David Blevins.Fearn, Ross-shire, GB: Christian Focus Publications, 2022.
• God, Technology, and the Christian Life. Tony Reinke. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2022.
• When Home Hurts: A Guide for Responding Wisely to Domestic Abuse in Your Church. Jeremy Pierre; Greg Wilson. Fearne, Ross-shire, GB: Christian Focus Publications, 2021.
• No More Hurting: Life Beyond Sexual Abuse. Gwen Purdie; Leanne Payne. Fearn, Ross-shire, GB: Christian Focus Publications, 2005
• The Heart of Domestic Abuse: Gospel Solutions for Men Who Use Control and Violence in the Home. Chris Moles. Bemidji, MN: Focus Publishing, 2015.
• Suffering and the Heart of God: How Trauma Destroys and Christ Restores. Diane Langberg. Greensboro, NC: New Growth Press, 2015.
• Counseling Survivors of Sexual Abuse. Diane Langberg. Maitland, FL: Xulon Press, 2003.
• Treasure in the Ashes: Our Journey Home from the Ruins of Sexual Abuse. Sue Nicewander; Maria Brookins. Wapwallopen, PA: Shepherd Press, 2018.
• Growing in Holiness: Understanding God’s Role and Yours. Robert C. Sproul. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2020.
• Iron Sharpens Iron: Friendship and the Grace of God. Michael A. G. Haykin; Michael Reeves. Bridgend, UK: Union Publishing, 2022.

Practical Theology (2) – Church Government/Leadership, Counseling, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Sermons, Worship

• Classical Pastoral Care, T. Oden Baker, 1994, Vols.2-4 (library had vol.1)
  • Ministry Through Word and Sacrament, v.2
  • Pastoral Counsel, v.3
  • Crisis Ministries, v.4
• Discussions in Church Polity. Charles Hodge, 1797-1878; Alan D. Strange; Archibald A. Hodge; William Durant, comp. (reprint) New York: Westminster Publishing House, 2001.
• I Will Build My Church: Selected Writings on Church Polity, Baptism, and the Sabbath. Thomas Witherow, 1824-1890; Sinclair B. Ferguson; Jonathan Gibson, editor. Glenside, PA: Westminster Seminary Press, 2021.
• The Evangelism Mandate: Recovering the Centrality of Gospel Preaching. David L. Larsen. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, c1992.
• Preaching the Heart of God: The Place of Pathos in Preaching. Mike Mellor. Leominster, England: Day One Publications, 2021.
• Called to Preach: Fulfilling the High Calling of Expository Preaching. Steven J. Lawson. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2022.
• The Pastor with a Thorn in His Side: Stories of Ministering with Depression and What the Church Can Do to Help. Stephen Kneale; Dave Williams; Alistair Chalmers. UK: Grace Publications, 2021.
• The Heart of the Cross. James M. Boice; Philip G. Ryken. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2022.
• Friendship: The Heart of Being Human. Victor Lee Austin.  Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2020 (Pastoring for Life: Theological Wisdom for Ministering Well)
• The Loveliest Place: The Beauty and Glory of the Church. Dustin W. Benge; Michael Reeves. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2022.
• Theology for Ministry: How Doctrine Affects Pastoral Life and Practice. William R. Edwards, ed.; John C. A. Ferguson, ed.; Chad B. Van Dixhoorn, ed. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2022.
• The Study of Liturgy. Cheslyn Jones; Geoffrey Wainwright; Edward Yarnold (revised ed.). New York: Oxford University Press, 1992.

Misc. (Apologetics, Culture, History, Education, Music, Politics, Science, Work, World Religions, etc.)

• The Faithful Apologist: Rethinking the Role of Persuasion in Apologetics. K. Scott Oliphint. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Academic, 2022.
• The Hope of the Gospel: Theological Education and the Next Generation. Mark Young.  Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2022 (Theological Education Between the Times)
• Redeeming Our Thinking About History: A God-Centered Approach. Vern S. Poythress. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2022.
• Recovering Our Sanity: How the Fear of God Conquers the Fears That Divide Us. Michael S. Horton; Russell Moore. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2022.
• Choral Music of the Church. Elwyn A. Wienandt. New York: Free Press, 1965.