Written In Stone: The Ten Commandments and Today’s Moral Crisis
By: Philip Graham Ryken
The Pastor’s Monthly Book Selection – July, 2017
In this well written work on the Ten Commandments, Phil Ryken expounds on the Reformed view of the three uses of the Old Testament law – Ceremonial, Civil, and Moral. Noting that the moral law is binding on all people everywhere, the author examines the Ten Commandments in a manner that is relevant to our 21st Century culture. Ryken’s remarks on law vs grace, as well as on interpreting God’s law laid a good foundation for the subsequent chapters where he worked through each of the individual 10 Commandments. Each chapter ended with follow up questions that can be used for personal devotion or group discussion questions. I recommend this book as a helpful tool for any study on this valuable yet neglected topic.
Hoping to suggest a book that would be an easy but interesting read for the vacation season, I decided upon this biography of the famous basketball star, Pete Maravich. Here is the story of one of the greatest basketball players of all time. His college scoring average of 44.2 points per game might never be broken. Although his professional career began promising, Maravich never played on an NBA championship team. Nevertheless, his style of play changed the game and made him one of the most exciting players of his era. Through it all the man who was known as The Pistol, felt unfulfilled, frustrated, and often alone. By the end of his career self doubts and bitterness caused Maravich to withdraw into his own world. It was at this low point that Jesus Christ reached into his life and changed him into a man dedicated to the Lord. Although his conversion is described in terms that may seem somewhat out of the ordinary to Reformed ears, the power of God to change a life was rather evident in the remaining years of Maravich’s short life. This is a book well worth reading for sports fans and for those who wish to be encouraged by the work of Christ to transform a life.
Banner of Truth Publishers has provided another classic work from the Puritan theologian, John Owen. Edited and abridged by Richard Rushing, The Mortification of Sin, describes the ongoing battle against sin that every Christian is called to fight. Although powerless to win on our own, we are nevertheless given the hope and assurance that victory is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ. I highly recommend this timeless and masterful treatment of a topic that is relevant to all Christians wishing to grow in holiness before the Lord.
