PRC Seminary Library Acquisitions – 2nd Quarter 2020 (2)

As promised two days ago (see my previous post), here is the second part of the 2020 second quarter list of significant book acquisitions to the PRC Seminary library (April – June). I think you will agree that there are some valuable resources here for our seminary purposes, but also for our members and friends to benefit from. Perhaps a title in the theology section or in the practical theology sections will grab your attention and inspire you to delve into a new subject.

Dogmatics, Biblical Theology, Historical Theology

• Solus Decalogus Est Aeternus: Martin Luther’s Complete Antinomian Theses and Disputations / Martin Luther, 1483-1546; Holger Sonntag. Minneapolis, MN: Lutheran Press, c2008
• Five: The Solas of the Reformation / S. D. Ellison; Michael A. G. Haykin. Lansvale, NSW, Australia: Tulip Publishing, 2020.
• Calvinism and the Making of the European Mind / Gijsbert van den Brink; Harro M. Hopfl, editor. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill, 2014 (Studies In Reformed Theology,) vol. 27
• Propositions and Principles of Divinity: Propounded and Disputed in the University of Geneva, by certain students of Divinity there, under Mr. Theodore Beza and Mr. Anthony Faius, professors of Divinity. …a summary of common places / Theodore de Beza, 1519-1605; Anthony Faius. (1st English, bound photocopy). Edinburgh: Robert Walde-grave, 1592.
• God Has Spoken: A History of Christian Theology / Gerald Lewis. Bray. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2014.
• The History and Theology of Calvinism / Curt Daniel; Joel R. Beeke; John MacArthur. Darlington (England): EP BOOKS, 2019.
• The Theology of the Huguenot Refuge: From the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes to the Edict of Versailles / Martin I. Klauber, editor. Grand Rapids, MI : Reformation Heritage Books, 2020 (Reformed Historical-Theological Studies)
• The Works of William Perkins: Volume 9 – A Declaration of the True Manner of Knowing Christ Crucified [Etc.] / William Perkins, 1558-1602; J. Stephen Yuille; Joel R. Beeke, editor; Derek W.H. Thomas. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2020.
• Divine Simplicity: A Dogmatic Account / Steven J. Duby. New York: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2018, c2016 (T & T Clark Studies In Systematic Theology), vol. 30
• New Studies in Biblical Theology (recently on sale, filled out our holdings in this series), Apollos; InterVarsity Press: Downers Grove, IL; Nottingham:
  • Now My Eyes Have Seen You: Images of Creation and Evil in the Book of Job / Robert S. Fyall. ; Donald A. Carson. 2002. (#12)
  • The Cross from a Distance: Atonement in Mark’s Gospel / Peter Bolt, 1958-. ; Donald A. Carson. 2004 (#18)
  • A Mouth Full of Fire: The Word of God in the Words of Jeremiah / Andrew G. Shead; Donald A. Carson. c2012. (#29)
  • The God Who Became Human: A Biblical Theology of Incarnation / Graham A. (Graham Arthur) Cole, 1949-. ; Donald A. Carson. 2013 (#30)
  • The Feasts of Repentance: From Luke-Acts to Systematic and Pastoral Theology / Michael Ovey, 1958-2017; Donald A. Carson. 2019. (#49)
  • Canon, Covenant and Christology: Rethinking Jesus and the Scriptures of Israel / Matthew Barrett, 1982-; Donald A. Carson. 2020 (#51)
• A Theology of James: Wisdom for God’s People / Christopher W. Morgan, 1971-.; Robert A. Peterson. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Pub., c2010 (Explorations In Biblical Theology)
• A Power of God unto Salvation: Or Grace Not an Offer / Herman Hoeksema, 1886-1965. ; Homer C. Hoeksema, 1923-1989, Transl.; Cornelius Hanko, 1907-2005, Transl. — reprint – syllabus. Grandville, MI: Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary, 1996 (Amazingly – and sadly, this English ed. was not in the library!).
• Herman Hoeksema’s Theological Method / David B. McWilliams. Lampeter: University of Wales, 2000.
• Approaching the Atonement: The Reconciling Work of Christ / Oliver. Crisp. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2020.
• Living for God: A Short Introduction to the Christian Faith / Mark Jones, 1980-. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020.
• The Church: Her Nature, Authority, Purpose, and Worship / Jeffrey D. Johnson. New Albany, MS: Media Gratiae, 2020.
• The Covenant of Grace / John Colquhoun, 1748-1827; Sinclair B. Ferguson. Orlando, FL: The Northampton Press, 2020.
• Backdrop for a Glorious Gospel: The Covenant of Works According to William Strong / Thomas Parr. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2020.
• Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage / Gavin Ortlund; Donald A. Carson. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020.
• When Doctrine Divides the People of God: An Evangelical Approach to Theological Diversity / Rhyne R. Putman; David S. Dockery. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020.
• Grounded in Heaven: Recentering Christian Hope and Life on God / Michael Allen. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018.
• Biblical Eschatology / Jonathan Menn; Robert W. Yarbrough; Stanley Ntagali. (2nd ed.) Eugene OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2018.
• A Continental View: Johannes Cocceius’s Federal Theology of the Sabbath / Casey B. Carmichael; Herman J. Selderhuis. Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2019 (Reformed Historical Theology) vol. 41
• Eschatology / John C. McDowell; Scott A. Kirkland. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018 (Guides To Theology)

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

• Safe and Sound: Standing Firm in Spiritual Battles / David Powlison, 1949-2019. Greensboro, NC: New Growth Press, 2019
• Waging War in an Age of Doubt: A Biblical, Theological, Historical, and Practical Approach to Spiritual Warfare for Today / Robert Davis Smart. Grand Rapids, MI : Reformation Heritage Books, 2020.
• Created to Draw Near: Our Life As God’s Royal Priests / Edward T. Welch, 1953-. Wheaton: Crossway, 2020.
• Our Chief of Days: The Principle, Purpose, and Practice of the Lord’s Day / Jeremy R. Walker. Darlington, Co. Durham, England: Evangelical Press, 2019.
• Between Life and Death: A Gospel-Centered Guide to End-of-Life Medical Care / Kathryn Butler, 1980-. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019.
• I Still Do: Growing Closer and Stronger Through Life’s Defining Moments / David T. (David Thomas) Harvey, 1960-. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2020.
• Marriage and Sexuality in Early Christianity / David G. Hunter, editor. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2018 (Ad Fontes: Early Christian Sources)
• A Covenantal Vision for Global Mission / Paul Ronald Wells, editor; Peter A. Lillback, editor; Henk Stoker, editor. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2020. (*Watch for Rev. D. Holstege’s next missions article in the Standard Bearer, as he interacts with an essay in this book that references H. Hoeksema’s doctrine of the covenant.)
• Recovering from Biblical Manhood & Womanhood: How the Church Needs to Rediscover Her Purpose / Aimee. Byrd. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Reflective, 2020.
• “The Sum and Substance of the Gospel”: The Christ-Centered Piety of Charles Haddon Spurgeon / C. H. (Charles Haddon) Spurgeon, 1834-1892; Nathan A. Finn, editor; Aaron Lumpkin, editor; Joel R. and Michael A.G. Haykin (series eds.). Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2020 (Profiles in Reformed Spirituality)

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

• Ancient Roots for Reformed Polity: De Synagoga Vetere and the Ecclesiology of the Early Church – An Annotated Compendium / Campegius (1659-1722) Vitringa; Joshua L. Bernard, Transl.; H. David Schuringa. (1st English ed.) North Star Ministry Press, 2020.
• Presbyterianism: Its History, Doctrine, Government, and Worship / Samuel Miller, 1769-1850; Allen. Stanton; Harrison. Perkins. (reprint) Madison, MS: Log College Press, 2020.
• Crucified and Risen: Sermons on the Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ [Matthew 26-28] / John Calvin, 1509-1564. ; Robert White, Transl. Edinburgh; Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 2020.
• Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers / Dane C. Ortlund. Wheaton: Crossway, 2020.
• Does God Care How We Worship? / J. Ligon Duncan; Mark Dever. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2020.
• Aiming to Please: A Guide to Reformed Worship / Wes Bredenhof. Fergus, ON: The Study, 2020.

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

• Origins of Teacher Education at Calvin College, 1900-1930: And Gladly Teach / Peter P. DeBoer. Lewiston: E. Mellen Press, c1991 (Mellen Studies in Education) vol. 18
• “That Old Dutch Disease”: The Roots of Dutch Calvinist Education in Alberta / Peter C. Prinsen. Edmonton, AB: University of Alberta, 2000.
• Models for Christian Higher Education: Strategies for Survival and Success in the Twenty-First Century / Richard T. Hughes, (Richard Thomas); William B. Adrian. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., c1997.
• With Wings as Eagles: A History of the First One Hundred Years of God’s Blessings to Plymouth Christian Schools, 1908-2008 / 100th Anniversary Committee; Kevin. Ash; Ben Engelsma. Grand Rapids, MI: Plymouth Christian Schools, 2008.
• Dutch Households in U.S. Population Censuses, 1850, 1860, 1870: An Alphabetical Listing by Family Heads – Volume One: Aamink to Hoogesteeger; Volume Two: Hoogesteeger to Slaan; Volume Three: Slabbekoorn to Zymen and Addendum / Robert P. Swierenga. Wilmington, DE: Scholarly Resources, 1987.
• The Reformed Christian Day School Movement in North America / Arthur H. DeKruyter. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Theological Seminary, 1952.
• Faith and Culture in the Governance of Calvinistic/Reformed Christian Schools / Leroy A. Hollaar. Edmonton, AB: University of Alberta, 1989 (2 vols.)
• The Spirit of Calvinist Christian Schools from the Netherlands to North America / William. Lodewyk. Chicago: Loyola University Chicago, 2004 (2 vols.)

I wish to thank Gary Vander Schaaf (Credo Books) for all the great Christian school resources, as well as the academic theses and other great books he brings by the seminary for my preview and purchase (and many that he donates). Through his knowledge and expertise we continue to add many valuable resources to the library. Never tire of seeing Gary’s van pull up in the parking lot! 🙂

PRC Seminary Library Acquisitions – 2nd Quarter 2020

At the end of June, I completed the second quarter list of significant book acquisitions to the PRC Seminary library for this year (April – June). I make it a habit to share this list with the TSC (Theological School Committee) as well as with the faculty and students so that they can be informed of what is being added to the library.

But I am also convinced these lists are of value to you readers, which is why I post this one here. As noted before, part of my reason for posting them is not only to show you the kinds of books the seminary adds to its library, but also to stimulate you to find something to read. Yes, there are books here for the “common” church member, as well as for pastors and other officebearers. Some books are deeper in content than others, but there truly is something for most everyone in these lists. And, with Bible study season starting again soon, perhaps those opening sections of commentaries will be of use.

So, with that in mind, we give you this second quarter list – the first few sections of it, at least – with the rest to follow in a post later this week. Keep in mind these are not all the titles purchased, just the more significant ones. Happy browsing! Be on the alert for that book (or those books) that you may wish to read yourself!

Biblical Studies/ Commentaries/ Biblical Theology

• God’s Word for You (Good Book Co., UK – Carl Laferton, ed.)
  • Psalms for You / Christopher Ash (2017)
  • Daniel for You / David R. Helm (2017)
  • 2 Corinthians for You / Gary Millar (2020)
  • Ephesians for You / Richard Coekin (2015).
• Mentor Commentaries (EP Books – UK)
  • Proverbs: A Mentor Commentary / John A. Kitchen (2012)
• New International Greek Testament Commentary (Wm. B. Eerdmans)
  • The Epistles to the Thessalonians: A Commentary on the Greek Text / Charles A. Wanamaker, 1990.
• Welwyn Commentary Series (Evangelical Press)
  • According to Promise: Numbers Simply Explained. Gordon J. Keddie. Welwyn Garden City, UK, c1992, 2017.
  • Heavenly Love: The Song of Songs Simply Explained. Gary Brady, c2006, 2017.
  • The Name High Over All: A Commentary on Hebrews / Richard Brooks, 2016.
    Other Commentaries (Individual)
• Unfolding Covenant History: An Exposition of the Old Testament, From Samuel to Solomon, Vol.6. David J. Engelsma; Mark H. Hoeksema. Jenison, MI: Reformed Free Publishing Association, 2020.
• In the Presence of My Enemies: Psalms 25-37 / Dale Ralph Davis. Fearn, Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus, 2020.
• Ever in Thy Sight: 31 Devotions on the Psalms / Abraham Kuyper, 1837-1920; James A De Jong, translator. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020.
• The Song of Songs / G. I. (Gerald Irvin) Williamson, 1925-. (reprint) Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R Publishing, 2020.
• Revelation and the End of All Things / Craig R. Koester. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, c2001, 2018 (2nd ed.).
• Seven Churches, Four Horsemen, One Lord: Lessons from the Apocalypse / James Montgomery Boice, 1938-2000; Philip Graham Ryken, editor. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2020.

Individual Biblical Studies Titles

• Treatises on Noah and David / Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, -397; Brian Dunkle, translator. Washington, D.C.: The Catholic University of America Press, 2020 (The Fathers of the Church) vol. 140
• Christian Doctrine and the Old Testament: Theology in the Service of Biblical Exegesis / Gary A. Anderson. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2017.
• The Hope of Israel: The Resurrection of Christ in the Acts of the Apostles / Brandon D. Crowe. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2020.

Church History, General and Biography

• Introduction to the History of Christianity / John H. Y. Briggs; Tim. Dowley; Robert Dean Linder. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2018 (3rd ed.).
• Luther at Leipzig: Martin Luther, the Leipzig Debate, and the Sixteenth-Century Reformations / Mickey L. Mattox, editor.; Richard J. Serina, Jr., editor; Jonathan Mumme, editor. Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2019 (Studies in Medieval and Reformation Traditions) vol. 218
• Defending Luther’s Reformation: Its Ongoing Significance in the Face of Contemporary Challenges / John A. Maxfield, editor; Timothy P. Dost; Jonathan Mumme. Saint Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2017.
• Huldrych Zwingli’s Private Library / Urs B. Leu; Sandra Weidmann. Leiden; Boston: Brill, 2019 (Studies in Medieval and Reformation Traditions,) vol. 215
• Calvin and the Early Reformation / Brian C. Brewer, editor; David M. Whitford, editor. Leiden; Boston: Brill, 2020 (Studies In Medieval And Reformation Traditions,) vol. 219
• Heretics and Believers: A History of the English Reformation / Peter Marshall. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2018.
• Andrew Fuller: Model Pastor-Theologian / Paul L. (Paul Lee) Brewster; Michael A. G. Haykin. Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2010 (Studies In Baptist Life and Thought)
• On the Side of God: The Life and Labors of Andrew Fuller / Jeremy (Jeremy R.) Walker. Conway, AR: Free Grace Press, 2020.
• Immigration, Settlement, and the Origins of the Christian Reformed Church in the Maritime Provinces of Canada, c. 1950-C. 1965 / Gerrit H. Gerrits. Kentville, Nova Scotia: Vinland Press, 2015.
• The American Puritans / Dustin. Benge; Nate. Pickowicz. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2020.

Justified (Saved) by Grace Alone (2) – H. Hoeksema

But here several questions arise. The first of these is: how is it possible that God can justify the unjust? How can He pronounce a sentence of justification upon him who is guilty and corrupt? Does not Scripture teach everywhere that God is righteous and just, and that He will by no means clear the guilty? How then is it possible to believe in God as the God Who justifies the ungodly?

The answer of the Word of God is: through Jesus Christ our Lord. We are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. The righteousness that is ours through the grace of justification is by faith of Jesus Christ. It is in Christ that God revealed Himself as the God Who justifies the ungodly. Christ is the righteous one. In Him there is a righteousness that is so great and mighty that it blots out all our sins and clothes us with an eternal righteousness, makes us worthy of eternal life. In the judgment of God Christ took our place. He assumed full responsibility for us. All our sins He took upon Himself, and He bore them away for ever. For He not merely suffered the punishment for the sins of His own; but in suffering the wrath of God He was perfectly obedient, even unto the death of the cross. His death was an act. He laid down His life. He sacrificed Himself. Voluntarily, motivated by the love of God, He went down into lowest hell, that there He might bear the wrath of God against sin. And thus He satisfied the justice of God. He made an atonement. He removed the guilt of sin and merited eternal righteousness. And God justified Him and pronounced the verdict of perfect righteousness upon Him, when He raised Him from the dead and gave Him everlasting glory and immortality. In the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead God revealed Himself as the God Who justifies the ungodly. And if we believe on Him, we receive by that faith the sentence of God’s justification in our hearts. For this righteousness of Christ is imputed to all those for whom Christ died and was raised, so that we are as perfectly righteous before God as if we ourselves had performed that act of obedience on the cross which Christ performed for us. And by faith we lay hold upon this verdict of justification, so that we know that even though all things testify against us in this world of sin and death, we are righteous before God and heirs of eternal life.

But another question arises here. How can the righteousness of Christ be reckoned as ours? Or how could, in the justice of God, Christ die for our sins? Do we not rather meet here with a double injustice, namely, that the righteous is punished, and the guilty is acquitted? If in a worldly court one is found guilty of murder, would a judge inflict capital punishment upon another instead of the guilty one, even though that other would voluntarily offer himself to take the murderer’s place? Would that not be considered a double perversion of justice? Moreover, how can the death and obedience of the one be the righteousness of countless sinners?

But here we must remember that Christ is not merely another man, but He is the Son of God come into the flesh. No mere man has a life to substitute for another’s: for his life is not his own, and, besides, he is himself a sinner under sentence of death. But Christ is the Son of God, very God Himself, Who took our flesh and blood upon Himself voluntarily. He became man by an act of His own will. He had power to lay down His life for others, if He so pleased. And before the world was, He had been appointed the Head of all the elect, so that He represented them and was responsible for them. By God’s eternal decree of election they are one body, one legal corporation, represented by Christ Who is their Head. Christ, therefore, can be summoned before the bar of God’s judgment and appear there for all His own, assume responsibility for them, take all their guilt upon Himself, and pay for their sins by an act of perfect obedience on His part. And again, because He is not a mere man, but the Son of God in the flesh, His death is of immeasurable value, infinitely precious, capable of blotting out the sins of all His own and of procuring for them eternal righteousness and everlasting life and glory. This, then, is the marvelous grace of God in justifying the ungodly. He Himself came down to us, assumed our human nature, and in that human nature assumed responsibility for our sins, became obedient unto death, yea unto the death of the cross, thus blotting out the handwriting of our sins that was against us. In Christ He is the God Who justifies the ungodly. By grace are ye saved!

You say, perhaps, that we must believe in order to be justified before God, and that, therefore, it is faith that makes us righteous before God. And it is true enough that we are justified by faith only. He that believeth on Him Who justifies the ungodly is righteous, and he only. And that means that we must believe on God as He revealed Himself in Jesus Christ, crucified and raised from the dead. For this righteousness is imputed to us “if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.” (Romans 4:24) There is no other way than that of faith to become righteous before God. We must try no other way. All our good works are but filthy works. All our own goodness and piety, our very religiousness and the very best of our religious acts must be utterly discarded as a ground of righteousness; and we must come before God as naked sinners, but believing on God Who justifieth the ungodly, if we would obtain righteousness and life. By faith we are justified. But let us beware, lest we make of faith another good work on our part on the ground of which we are justified. Faith is not the ground of our justification. We are not justified because we believe. Nor are we justified by faith because through faith we become holy and capable of doing good works. Christ crucified and raised is the only ground of our righteousness. And faith is only the means whereby we are united with Christ and the spiritual power whereby we lay hold on this righteousness, so that we know and wholly rely on God Who justifieth the ungodly.

Besides, let us not forget that faith itself is a gift of God. No man can or will of himself accept Christ and believe on God Who raised Him from the dead. God through Christ by His Spirit works within our hearts the justifying faith. And so it is all of grace. By grace God came down to us in our sin and death, and in the Person of His only begotten Son assumed our flesh and blood. By grace Christ died for our sins on the accursed tree and was raised on the third day for our justification. By grace God chose us and ordained us to eternal righteousness and life in Christ before the foundation of the world. And by grace He gives to us the power of faith, thus uniting us with Christ and causing us to believe on Him Who justifieth the ungodly. By grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God!

Taken from chapter 8, “Justified by Grace,” in The Wonder of Grace by Herman Hoeksema (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1944), pp.70-71. This work has now been republished by the Reformed Free Publishing Association.

For the first installment on this gospel truth, see this post.

Remembering J. I. Packer (1926–2020) | Crossway Articles

As many of you may know, a week ago today influential Anglican theologian, teacher, and author J. (James) I. Packer died. Perhaps best known for his wonderful book Knowing God, Packer was known for his staunch adherence to orthodox Christianity (the sovereignty of God, the authority of His Word, and the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ especially), his love for the Puritans (some even referred to him as “the last Puritan”). and his humble, gracious spirit.

I recall reading his classic Knowing God for the first time and growing deeply in my knowledge of and nearness to the Lord. Packer didn’t just show you who God in all His glory was; he took you into His majestic presence (If you have not yet read this work, you need to do so.). It was also through Packer that I was introduced to and learned to appreciate the Puritans (A Quest for Godliness), especially their powerful wedding together of Christian doctrine and practice.

A number of tributes have been posted online, including ones from Leland Ryken, Mark Noll, D. A. Carson, and Carl Trueman. I love the story Trueman relates at the end of his tribute, for it reveals the convictions and character of the man:

I close with one anecdote a friend told me yesterday. He was in a line after hearing Dr. Packer preach to thank him for his sermon. The woman in front of him offered Dr. Packer her Bible and asked him to sign it. ‘I’m afraid I can’t,’ he replied, ‘You see, I didn’t write it.’ That is a very English response, and one that tells us much about how Dr. Packer thought of himself and his ministry in relation to the God who saved him.

The most varied and complete tribute to Packer may be found on Crossway’s website, including a nice documentary video, a listing of significant articles and books he authored, and links to other tributes.

Packer was not without his weaknesses, including his involvement with and signing of the ECT document (“Evangelicals and Catholics Together”), but that is true of every “clay pot” God uses in His church. For the good that Packer accomplished through His work and writings as a devoted churchman, we may thank the Lord of sovereign grace. Now would be a good time to learn how God used him in His kingdom.

*Nota bene: I forgot to add this list of 40 good quotes from Matt Smethurst at The Gospel Coalition. Here are a few gems – read the rest at the link provided:

“Were I asked to focus the New Testament message in three words, my proposal would be adoption through propitiation, and I do not expect ever to meet a richer or more pregnant summary of the gospel than that.”

“To know that nothing happens in God’s world apart from God’s will may frighten the godless, but it stabilizes the saints.”

“People treat God’s sovereignty as a matter of controversy, but in Scripture it is a matter of worship.”

“The Christian’s motto should not be ‘Let go and let God’ but ‘Trust God and get going.’”

“I need not torment myself with the fear that my faith may fail; as grace led me to faith in the first place, so grace will keep me believing to the end. Faith, both in its origin and continuance, is a gift of grace.”

“Doctrinal preaching certainly bores the hypocrites; but it is only doctrinal preaching that will save Christ’s sheep.”

“The Puritan ethic of marriage was first to look not for a partner whom you do love passionately at this moment but rather for one whom you can love steadily as your best friend for life, then to proceed with God’s help to do just that.”

“God uses chronic pain and weakness, along with other afflictions, as his chisel for sculpting our lives. Felt weakness deepens dependence on Christ for strength each day. The weaker we feel, the harder we lean. And the harder we lean, the stronger we grow spiritually, even while our bodies waste away. To live with your ‘thorn’ uncomplainingly—that is, sweet, patient, and free in heart to love and help others, even though every day you feel weak—is true sanctification. It is true healing for the spirit. It is a supreme victory of grace.”

Source: Remembering J. I. Packer (1926–2020) | Crossway Articles

A Reformed Commentary on the 2020 Pandemic (Part 2) – July 2020 “Standard Bearer”

The July 2020 issue of the Standard Bearer (produced only once per month in June, July, and August) is now out (in print and digital forms). This is our annual “PRC Synod” post-view issue, complete with a wrap-up of Synod 2020’s decisions and some photos of the delegates at work and in fellowship.

But the issue also contains a regular editorial and a number of other scheduled rubric articles, including Prof. D. Kuiper’s next installment on the ecumenical councils of the early church (Constantinople 381), Rev. J. Laning’s article on “God’s Sure Promise,” a powerful mission article with testimonies from the Philippines’ field, Rev. R. Barnhill’s second article on “Entitlement” (especially for the young people), a book review by Prof. R. Cammenga on Mrs. S. Casemier’s new historical novel on Katie Luther, and the latest church news.

The editorial by Prof. B. Gritters is another timely commentary on the pandemic (part 2) that continues to sweep the world and affect our lives in every aspect. He argues that Reformed theology presents the best commentary on what we are seeing and experiencing, looking this time at the last two parts of Reformed doctrine – Eschatology and Christology. Here is part of what he has to say:

We live in a very difficult time, when our Father’s hand brings disease and gives the world over to the lawlessness it so fervently seeks.

Reformed theology has the best, really the only, way to interpret for the people of God these otherwise strange and fearful happenings in the world. Reformed theology, we are convinced, is simply the doctrine of the Bible, and the Bible is the lens through which the believer must look in order to bring order out of the disorder. That is, Reformed theology is faith’s seeing what unbelief and false teaching cannot see. Reformed theology is faith’s understanding of what unbelief and heresy finds utterly confounding.

Last time I gave a sampling of doctrines from four of the six chapters (loci) of Reformed theology that help clarify what otherwise might be fuzzy to men, that shed light on what otherwise might be dim or even dark. That editorial treated theology and God’s sovereign providence and just judgments; anthropology and man’s fall into sin and death; soteriology and the graces of sanctification and hope that God works through affliction; ecclesiology and the importance of public worship and the relationship between church and state. Here, I follow up with the last two chapters, eschatology and Christology.

Eschatology (The Doctrine of the End Times): Heaven on Earth?

If it’s true that Christians wrongly react to the pandemic, and churches wrongly explain troubles in the world on account of bad theology, anthropology, soteriology, and ecclesiology, it is even more so on account of false teachings in eschatology. Eschatology teaches the people of God what to expect in the end times, what is the goal of God with the church’s labors in the world, to what believers ought to aim, and unto what they press their efforts. Eschatology deals with the future—the near future and the distant future, the future of the church and the future of this world, the future of the devil and his hosts and the future of King Jesus and His relationship to all created things.

Getting eschatology wrong has been disastrous for most nominal Christians these days because their hope is earthly. Their expectations are for improvements here and now, soon. They believe God’s goal with the church’s labor is a Christianized world. So they press their efforts to fulfill the ‘cultural mandate.’ They labor hard to create an earthly kingdom. Rather than to carry out the Great Commission to bring to the nations the gospel of forgiveness in Jesus Christ, they want to redeem society from its chaos. Their desire is to bring the nations the ‘good news’ of social equality, food for the poor, clean water, justice for women and other oppressed people, and probably a vaccine for COVID-19. They are convinced that these are what God wants for the world and that the church is the instrument to bring them about. But note well, it is not the church as institute that carries out this work, through her offices, but the church as organism.

In addition to being bad ecclesiology, it’s also false teaching regarding eschatology. Instead of quickening hope in the coming of Christ, the false teaching leads to despondency, because the depressing happenings in the world do not bode well for a Christianized world. And as for the nominal Christian church—her drift towards Roman Catholicism and her ecumenical adulteries have rendered her impotent for gospel good.

Someone once said that when a man expects to be “hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.” Wrong eschatology dulls one’s thinking, lulls the church to sleep. She now imagines a future of ease and prosperity. Her mind is not ‘concentrated’ at all, but clouded and then confused. If the future is to be so bright, how can such evils increase in the world? And what can be done to turn the world into a peaceful place, to make the crooked straight and the rough places plain, when men and nations are so vile? Their hopes are shaken. Worse, they expose themselves to the allurements of the Antichrist who, Scripture teaches, will someday solve the world’s problems.

This is the major error of neo-Calvinism today, in which the false teaching of ‘common grace’ predominates special, redeeming grace. Common grace prided itself in being a ‘two-track’ theology—special saving grace on one track, common grace on the other. God’s ‘common grace’ will remedy the world’s violence, poverty, injustice. Special grace saves souls and prepares them for heaven. But the two-track theology has become a monorail of common grace. Neo-Calvinists focus on the common grace that will save bodies and give a good life on earth. Neo-Calvinism is completely exposed to N.T. Wright’s “heaven is on earth” mantra.

The bracing realism of Reformed orthodoxy ‘concentrates our minds wonderfully.’ Reformed theology focuses our minds on, and directs our efforts to, preaching the gospel of God’s gracious salvation and establishing churches. Reformed ecclesiology teaches that the true church is the “Israel of God,” the new ‘nation’ for which He cares, and that the church institute is the messenger of that gospel. And Reformed eschatology is a-millennial.

Biblical doctrine of the end times promises victory to the church by faith in Jesus Christ. But it teaches that the victory comes through tribulation, suffering, persecution (John 16:33, Acts 14:22). It teaches that Christ’s coming is preceded by wars and rumors of war, pestilence and other troubles in this life, and apostasy in the church (II Thess. 2). It teaches that the days right before the coming of Christ will be like the days of Noah (Matt. 24:37-39), terrible days of apostasy and unbelief when the true church will be small and preachers of God’s righteousness ridiculed.

So Reformed eschatology helps believers to see clearly and to keep balanced in troubling times like today.

To read further in this issue, visit this link. To subscribe to the magazine, go here.

Appropriating the Means of Grace | June 2020 Tabletalk

Now that it is the end of June I remember that I never did a post on this month’s issue of Tabletalk, Ligonier Ministries’ monthly devotional magazine. “The Ordinary Means of Grace” is the theme this month, and once again the issue is filled with edifying articles centered on that subject.

Burk Parsons says this in part in his introduction to the issue:

When it comes to our worship of God, too many Christians think that it doesn’t really matter what we do or how we do it because our sovereign God can use any means to accomplish His ultimate purposes. That, however, does not justify our using means that God has not given us. Nevertheless, many Christians and many churches believe that we may use whatever cleverly devised means we invent to bring about our desired ends.

If we actually believe God is sovereign, we must trust His sovereignly appointed means to bring about His desired ends. The means that God has appointed for our spiritual nourishment and growth in grace are what we call the ordinary means of grace—namely, the Word, prayer, the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and, necessarily joined to these, the church’s discipline and care of souls. These means are appointed by God, are empowered by the Holy Spirit, and point us to Christ, and they sustain us and nourish us in our union with Christ as we rest in the sovereign ends of our triune God.

One of the featured articles is by Dr. Ryan McGraw, professor of systematic theology at Greenville Seminary. In “Appropriating the Means of Grace” he treats the necessity of our using God’s appointed means for our preservation in faith and growth in grace. At the outset he ties this use of God’s means to the church:

The means of grace highlight the necessity of the church in the Christian life. The Lord has not designed us to live the Christian life alone. It has been remarked that believers are like hot coals. Alone they go out, but together they fan into a flame. Public worship is the place where we enter into the special presence of the omnipresent God (Pss. 113:4; 139:7). When the Father gathers His family together, Christ speaks to them through the preaching of the Word (Rom. 10:11–17; Eph. 2:17) as we offer our prayers by the Spirit and enjoy God’s presence in the sacraments. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves (Heb. 10:25) means more than simply being with other Christians. The public assemblies of the church under its officers are where we receive means to sustain us in salvation. We must appropriate and use the means of grace by faith, preparing ourselves to receive them and studying their nature and use from Scripture.

And at the end of the article he shows what great things God accomplishes in our lives when we regularly use His appointed means:

…Just as we perish without food and water, we perish without receiving Christ as our spiritual food and drink (John 6:53). Though the means of grace are simple and at times seemingly unremarkable, God does great things through them. In our sanctification, we should expect slow and steady progress (most of the time). There are rarely quick fixes for sin, and giant leaps in sanctification are unusual. God delivers some people instantly from sins that are deeply set in their lives, but most of the time we need to fight to put to death the deeds of the flesh by the Spirit (Rom. 8:13). The triune God uses the means of grace to kill sin in us and to lead us in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake (Ps. 23:3). Skipping church is like skipping meals. Each meal may not be spectacular, but all of them together keep us alive. We often do not learn how much we grow by the means of grace until we neglect or lose them.

The Lord uses the means of grace to nourish spiritual life in Christ. We should expect the Spirit to bless the Father’s chosen means by faith. We should prepare to receive the means of grace by study and meditation. We should trust in God to use means to bring us to the Savior rather than trusting in the means instead of the Savior. Let us look for the Lord in the means of grace to foster the work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope (1 Thess. 1:3) as we confidently endure to the end of our race (Heb. 12:1). Jesus is the pioneer and end of our faith, and He will place our feet in wide places (Ps. 31:8) as we use the means that He has appointed to walk with Him.

Good thoughts for us as we ponder our way in these spiritually dangerous times. Now as never before we need to be diligent in using God’s means of grace. For only by grace will we stand and persevere and thus enter our everlasting reward.

Source: Appropriating the Means of Grace | Tabletalk

Practicing Theological Humility – G. Ortlund

Some Christians are eager to defend sound doctrine. Well and good. But is the unity of the body of Christ one of those doctrines we jealously guard? The unity of the church is one the objects of Christ’s death (Eph. 2:14). This, as much as anything, is what the New Testament calls us to cherish and uphold. Therefore, our zeal for theology must never exceed our zeal for our actual brothers and sisters in Christ. We must be marked by love. We must, as my dad always puts it, pursue both gospel doctrine and gospel culture.¹

In the New Testament, humility is the pathway to unity. For instance, Paul’s exhortation to the Philippians about “being of the same mind” (Phil. 2:2) is followed by his appeal to “in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Phil. 2:3), in imitation of Christ’s action toward them in the gospel (Phil. 2:5–11).

Or consider Paul’s appeal to unity in Romans 14. The presenting issue in this chapter is a conflict over Jewish food laws, but the principles Paul invokes could apply to many other issues as well. His overriding concern in this chapter is that the different convictions held by Roman Christians not be a source of division among them. Thus, the “strong” and the “weak” are called to mutual acceptance. Specifically, amid their differences of conscience, Paul calls them to be welcoming (Rom. 14:1), not to quarrel (Rom. 14:1), not to despise each other (Rom. 14:3), and not to pass judgment one another (Rom. 14:3, 13). Paul even calls the Romans to let go of their rights and adjust their practice in order not to violate the conscience of a brother: “If your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died” (Rom. 14:15).

Today, as well, there are plenty of issues over which Christians will be tempted to quarrel, despise each other, and pass judgment on each other. Instead, we must resolve “never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother” (Rom. 14:13). Like Paul, we must even be willing to make sacrificial adjustments for the sake of our unity with others in the body of Christ. If maintaining the unity of the body of Christ is not costing you anything—if it doesn’t hurt—then you probably are not adjusting enough.

Paul grounds his appeal in Romans 14 in the fact that each person will stand before the judgment seat of Christ: “Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God” (Rom. 14:10). This is healthy to remember: we will give an account of our theological speech and conduct, no less than any other area of our life. When we are standing before the throne on judgment day, what battles will we look back on and be proud we fought? I suspect most of our Twitter debates will not be among them.

Friends, the unity of the church was so valuable to Jesus that he died for it. If we care about sound theology, let us care about unity as well.

Profitable counsel to consider and apply as found in the article “4 Ways to Practice Theological Humility” by Galvin Ortlund, which in turn is adapted from his new book Finding the Right Hills to Die On (Crossway, 2020).

Source: 4 Ways to Practice Theological Humility | Crossway Articles

A Reformed Commentary on the Pandemic of 2020 – June “Standard Bearer”

The June issue of the Standard Bearer (produced only once per month in June, July, and August) is now out (in print and digital forms) and the editorial by Prof. B. Gritters is a timely commentary on the pandemic that continues to sweep the world and affect our lives in every aspect. Not one of us has been exempt from the effects of COVID-19, and the consequences of the dreaded virus are vast, touching our lives in ways we never could have imagined.

As Christians we view all of life – our trials too – through the lens of God’s Word, and because the Reformed faith is the clearest expression of the truths of the Christian gospel revealed in the Word, it is Reformed theology that presents the best commentary on what we are seeing and experiencing. This Prof. Gritters demonstrates in his article titled “Reformed theology’s commentary on the pandemic of 2020.” He states this in his opening comments:

What is written about the pandemic in the secular press these days is a mix of helpful comment and some very noxious propaganda. What is written in the Christian press is sometimes more helpful and is what this editorial wishes to be. Here, I propose that Reformed believers can look at the present crisis in the light of Reformed theology and take lessons from all six ‘chapters’ of Reformed doctrine. Let the breadth of our Reformed faith form our thinking about, and govern our reaction to, the present distresses.

And so he looks at the “present distresses” caused by the coronavirus under the headings of Theology (the doctrine of God), Anthropology (the doctrine of man), Christology (the doctrine of Christ), Soteriology (the doctrine of salvation), Ecclesiology (the doctrine of the church), and Eschatology (the doctrine of the last things – saved for the next editorial).

In this post, let’s take excerpts from two section – theology and soteriology – and listen and learn from the glorious truths of our Reformed faith as they shed light on the pandemic.

It is grievous to hear Christians deny the sovereign control of God over the pandemic. As one young writer recently pointed out on our Young Calvinists blog (https://youngcalvinists.org), world-renown theologian, N.T. Wright, mocks the confession that Reformed believers make of the sovereign God who does His pleasure (Isa. 46:10) in the pandemic. Wright belittles “some Christians” who “like to think of God as above all that… in charge of everything…. That’s not the picture we get in the Bible.” Rev. Wright does not believe the Scriptures, for “our God is in the heavens, he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.” Wright cannot subscribe to our Belgic Confession that “nothing happens in this world without his [God’s] appointment” (Art. 12). Guilty as he is of the “damnable error of the Epicureans, who say that God regards nothing, but leaves all things to chance,” Wright does not have the “unspeakable consolation” that we Reformed Christians have. We confess that this sovereign God watches over us “with a paternal care.” So are we patient in today’s adversity? If we, Reformed believers, confess that in adversity the doctrine of providence makes us patient (Lord’s Day 10), are we being patient these days? Are we praying for patience? Are we “letting patience having her perfect work” (James 1:4)?

………………………………..

So the Reformed faith confesses in Lord’s Day 9, that God “will make whatever evils he sends upon me, in this valley of tears turn out to my advantage; for he is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.” At every baptism, Reformed believers confess in the Form for Baptism that our Father “averts all evil or turns it to our profit.”

One great profit is God’s sanctification of us. More and more we loosen our grip on earthly things and cling to God and heavenly things, think less of this life and more of the life to come, hate the sins that plague church and world and love truth and right. Less and less we have aspirations for this side of the grave; more and more we hope for heaven. In the body we groan, waiting for our final adoption, the redemption of our bodies. “We believe… the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting!”

Are you living in that hope? Have I expressed that hope to others, to help them?

“Merciful God, quicken our Christian hope and purify through these troubles!”

If you want another peek inside this issue, visit this blog post of the RFPA.

PRC Seminary Spring Journal Now Available!

The Spring 2020 issue of the Protestant Reformed Theological Journal is now available in digital forms (pdf and epub), with the print version soon to follow (our publisher says a few weeks yet).

This new issue is filled with thought-provoking articles and stimulating book reviews, of interest to and beneficial for pastors and officebearers as well as church members. The editor, Prof. R. Cammenga, provides a summary of this issue in his “notes” at the beginning, from which we quote in this post.

To download and read this new issue, visit the Journal page. And while there, perhaps the past issues will also be of interest to you (all 53 volumes!).

To be added to our mailing list for the print version, or the digital editions (pdf and ePub), send us a note at seminarysecretary@prca.org.

And now, Prof. Cammenga’s “editor’s notes”:

You hold in your hands the April 2020 issue of the Protestant Reformed Theological Journal. This issue completes the fifty-third year of uninterrupted publication of the Journal of the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary. We thank the Lord for His abundant grace and our readers for their support.

You will find in this issue an article by Dr. C. N. “Nick” Willborn entitled “Nineteenth-Century Southern Presbyterians and Their Theological Contributions.” Dr. Willborn is the senior pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and adjunct professor of historical theology at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. (Can anyone recall the important role that Oak Ridge had in bringing WWII to an end?) This is the first of two articles that began as presentations that Dr. Willborn gave at the seminary last fall on the theology of the Southern Presbyterians. His lectures focused on the stalwarts of Southern Presbyterianism: Thornwell, Girardeau, Dabney, Palmer, Peck, and others. The lectures were well received by our students and faculty. And we thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship of Dr. Willborn and his wife, Carol. We are grateful for his willingness to have his lectures published in our Journal.

The most recent addition to the faculty of PRTS is Prof. Brian Huizinga. This is his first contribution since accepting the appointment and being installed as Professor of Reformed Dogmatics and Old Testament Studies. Prof. Huizinga is presently working on his advanced degree. All will profit from his article entitled “John Calvin and the Reward of Grace.”

The undersigned contributes “A Plea on Behalf of the Biblical Languages.” The article addresses the trend that diminishes the importance of learning and retaining the biblical languages for the work of the ministry. It intends to underscore the importance that Reformed churches have placed on the biblical languages since their recovery at the time of the Reformation. And it makes a plea that mastery of Hebrew and Greek continue to be required of seminary students preparing for the ministry of the gospel. This issue includes two review articles. Review articles are extended critical book reviews. The first is Prof. Douglas J. Kuiper’s review article of A Christian and a Democrat: A Religious Biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt. All will profit from this careful analysis of one of the greatest presidents in the history of the United States of America, known especially for leading the nation through most of WWII.

The second review article is by the Rev. Martyn McGeown, who for several years has labored in Ireland and who recently accepted the call from Providence Protestant Reformed Church in Hudsonville, MI. Pastor McGeown favors us with an insightful review of The Crux of the Free Offer: A Biblical, Confessional, and Theological Explanation and Defense of the Well-Meant Offer of the Gospel, by Sam Waldron.

The review first appeared recently in the British Reformed Journal, of which the Rev. McGeown is editor. Seldom do we print two reviews of the same book. The last issue of PRTJ included a review article of this same book by Prof. David Engelsma. But considering the importance of the book and the interaction of its author with the position of the Protestant Reformed Churches on the well-meant offer of the gospel, it was thought worthwhile to print a second review of the book. Our readers will profit from this second review article.

New Additions to the PRC Seminary Library – 1st Quarter 2020

At the end of March, I completed the first quarter list of significant book acquisitions to the PRC Seminary library for this year. I make it a habit to share this list with the TSC (Theological School Committee) as well as with the faculty and students so that they can keep abreast of new titles in the library.

But, to my mind, the list is of value to you too. As noted before, part of my reason for posting this list here is not only to show you the kinds of books the seminary adds to its library, but also to stimulate you to find something to read. Yes, there are books here for the layman and laywoman, for the young adults and for teenagers – even children (at times we purchase Bible story books that assist pastors, teachers, and parents). Browse this list and perhaps you will find something of interest to you.

This time we will give you the entire list in one post. Keep in mind these are not all the titles purchased, just the more significant ones.

Happy browsing! Be on the alert for that book (or those books) that you may wish to read yourself! But you don’t have to worry about the Dutch ones. 🙂

Biblical studies/ Commentaries/ Biblical Theology
Series:

• Dordtrecht Bible Commentary (6 volumes, OT & NT): Dordrecht Bible Commentary, The – Ordered by the Synod of Dort, 1618-1619 According to the Th. Haak Translation 1657, Commissioned by the Westminster Assembly / Theodore Haak, 1605-1690, Transl.; Henry D. Schuringa. (new reprint pb) Allegan, MI: North Star Ministry Press, 2019
• The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Wm. B. Eerdmans): The Letter to the Romans / Douglas J. Moo; Joel B. Green. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018.
• Pillar NT Commentary (Eerdmans): The Gospel According to Luke / James R. Edwards; Donald A. Carson, 2015.

Other Commentaries (Individual)

• Job and Ecclesiastes Expounded by Theodore Beza: Partly in manner of a commentary, partly in manner of a paraphrase, faithfully translated out of Latin into English / Theodore de Beza, 1519-1605. London: John Legatt, 1589.
• The Song of Songs / G. I. (Gerald Irvin) Williamson (reprint) Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R Publishing, 2020.
• Be Resolute: An Old Testament Study – Daniel / Warren W. Wiersbe. Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, c2000.
• The Whole Armor of God: How Christ’s Victory Strengthens Us for Spiritual Warfare [Eph.6:10-20], Iain M. Duguid. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019.
• Early Latin Commentaries on the Apocalypse / Francis X. Gumerlock, editor. Kalamazoo: Western Michigan University, 2016.

Individual Biblical Studies Titles

• God’s Relational Presence: The Cohesive Center of Biblical Theology / J. Scott. Duvall; J. Daniel Hays. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2019.
• Last Things First: Unlocking Genesis 1-3 with the Christ of Eschatology / J. V. Fesko. Fearn, Ross-shire, Great Britain: Mentor, c2007.
• Sermon on the Mount: Restoring Christ’s Message to the Modern Church / Charles L. Quarles. ; E. Ray Clendenen. Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, c2011. (NAC Studies In Bible & Theology) vol. 11
• Scriptural Authority and Biblical Criticism in the Dutch Golden Age: God’s Word Questioned / Dirk van Miert, editor; Henk J. M. Nellen, editor. ; Piet Steenbakkers, editor. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2017.
• Word of Life: Introducing Lutheran Hermeneutics / Timothy J. Wengert. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2019.
• Matthew, Disciple and Scribe: The First Gospel and Its Portrait of Jesus / Patrick. Schreiner. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2019.
• The Story Retold: A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament / G. K. (Gregory K.) Beale; Benjamin L. Gladd. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2020.

Language Tools

• The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament / Ludwig Kohler, 1880-1956. ; Walter Baumgartner, 1887-1970. ; M. E. J. Richardson. Study ed. Leiden ; Boston: Brill, 2001. (2 vols.)

Church History, General and Biography

• The Rise of Western Christendom: Triumph and Diversity, A.D. 200-1000 / Peter Brown; Jacques Le Goff (10th anniv. rev. ed.). Chichester, West Sussex; Malden, MA: WileyBlackwell, 2013.
• De Afscheiding van 1834 in Friesland: Deel I: De Classis Wanswerd (Dokkum) van de Afgescheiden Kerken / J. Wesseling. Groningen: De Vuurbaak, 1980 (3 vols.)
• De Afscheiding van 1834 in Overijssel, 1834-’69, Deel I: De Classis Zwolle / J. Wesseling. Groningen: De Vuurbaak, 1984 (2 vols.).
• Dr. A. Kuyper, 1837-1937: Gedenkboek uitgegeven bij gelegenheid van de herdenking op 29 October 1937 van het feit, dat Dr A. Kuyper honderd jaar geleden te maassluis geboren werd / L.W.G. Scholten. ; C. Smeenk. ; J. Waterink. Kampen: J. H. Kok, 1937.

Creeds, Confessions, History of

• Catechizing upon the Heidelberg Catechism of the Reformed Christian Religion: Published after Precedent Inspection and Approbation of the Rev. Classis of Hoors …, and Now after the Sixtienth Impression translated for the English Reformed Congregation in Amsterdam / Petrus De Witte, 1622-1669. Amsterdam: Gillis Joostens Saeghman, 1664 (retypeset copy, 2 parts)
• An Exposition or Commentary upon the Catechism of Christian Religion: which is taught in the schools and churches both of the Low Countries and of the …Palatinate / Jeremias Bastingius, 1551-1595. London: John Legatt, 1614.
• To the Praise of His Glory: Outlines on the Canons of Dort / J. Faber; H. J. Meijerink; C. Trimp. Launceston, Tasmania: Publication Organisation of the Free Reformed Churches of Australia, 1971.

Dogmatics, Biblical Theology, Historical Theology

• The Thiselton Companion to Christian Theology / Anthony C. Thiselton. Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans, 2015.
• The Culture of Theology / John Webster, 1955-2016; Ivor J. Davidson, editor; Alden C. McCray, editor. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2019.
• Faithful Theology: An Introduction / Graham A. Cole, 1949-. ; Graham A. Cole and Oren R. Martin (series). Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020 (Short Studies in Systematic Theology).
• Common Places of Christian Religion: Gathered by Wolfgangus Musculus, For the Use of Such As Desire the Knowledge of Godly Truth. Wolfgang Musculus, 1497-1563; John Man, 1512-1569 (1st English ed.) London, 1563.
• A Brief Declaration of the Table of Predestination / Theodore de Beza, 1519-1605. ; William Whittingham, Transl. London: Tho: Man, 1613. [retypeset ed.]
• The Abridgment of Christian Divinity: So exactly and methodically compiled… / Johannes Wollebius, 1586-1629; Alexander Ross. London: T. Mabb, 1660.
• The Works of William Perkins: Volume 8 – Discourse on Conscience [Etc.] / William Perkins, 1558-1602. ; J. Stephen Yuille; Joel R. Beeke, editor; Joel R. Beeke and Derek W.H. Thomas. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2019.
• 50 Core Truths of the Christian Faith: A Guide to Understanding and Teaching Theology / Gregg R. Allison. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2018.
• James Ussher and a Reformed Episcopal Church: Sermons and Treatises on Ecclesiology / James Ussher, 1581-1656. ; Richard. Snoddy. Moscow ID: Davenant Institute, 2018.
• Enjoying God: Finding Hope in the Attributes of God / R. C. (Robert Charles) Sproul, 1939-2017 (repackaged ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2017.
• The Forgotten Trinity: Recovering the Heart of Christian Belief / James R. (James Robert) White (revised, updated) Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 2019.
• Divine Action and Providence / Oliver Crisp, editor; Fred Sanders, editor; William J. Abraham. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2018 (Explorations In Constructive Dogmatics)
• The Christian Doctrine of Humanity / Oliver Crisp, editor; Fred Sanders, editor; Marc Cortez. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2018 (Explorations In Constructive Dogmatics)
• Against God and Nature: The Doctrine of Sin / Thomas H. McCall; John S. Feinberg. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019 (Foundations of Evangelical Theology Series)
• David’s Son and David’s Lord: Christology for Christ’s People / Ian Hamilton. ; Joel R. Beeke. ; Gregory K. Beale; Ryan M. and L. Michael Morales McGraw. Darlington, UK: EP BOOKS, 2019.
• Engaging the World with Abraham Kuyper / Michael R. Wagenman. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2019.

Philosophy, Logic, Ethics

• Christian Philosophy: A Systematic and Narrative Introduction / Craig G. Bartholomew; Michael W. Goheen. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013.

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

• Piercing Heaven: Prayers of the Puritans / Robert Elmer, editor. Bellingham: Lexham Press, 2019.

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

• The Form of Prayers and Ministration of the Sacraments used in the English Congregation at Geneva, and approved by that famous and godly learned man, John Calvin — photocopy pd. — Geneva: John Crespin, 1556.
• “Can We Close the Back Door?”: A Project to Facilitate the Assimilation of New (Non-Dutch) Members into a Traditional, Middle Class Large to Medium Size Christian Reformed Congregation / Arthur J. Schoonveld. Deerfield, IL: Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1990.
• The Challenge of Church Union: Speeches and Discussions on Reformed Identity and Ecumenicity / Cornelis Van Dam; J. De Jong; Cornelis Pronk; Cornelis Van Dam. Winnipeg: Premier Pub., 1993 (Publication of the Burlington Reformed Study Centre) vol. 1
• Biblical Pastoral Oversight / James A. Hufstetler. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformed Baptist Church, 1989.
• Pastor Paul: Nurturing a Culture of Christoformity in the Church / Scot McKnight; Andy Johnson. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2019.
• Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability / Stephanie O. Hubach; Joni Eareckson. Tada. (revised, expanded ed.) Phillipsburg, N.J. : P&R Pub., 2020.

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

• Down an Indian Trail in 1849: The Story of Roseland / Marie K. Rowlands. Palos Heights, IL: Dutch Heritage Center, Trinity Christian College, c1949, 1987.
• Calvin and the Foundations of Modern Politics / Ralph C. Hancock. Ithaca, N.Y. : Cornell University Press, 1989.
• The Adam Quest: Eleven Scientists Who Held on to a Strong Faith While Wrestling with the Mystery of Human Origins / Tim Stafford. Nashville : Nelson Books, 2013.

Periodicals (Old & New)

• The Southern Reformed Theological Journal (Southern Reformed Theological Seminary, Houston, TX), 2017-2020