The Mighty Weakness of John Knox
By: Douglas Bond
The Pastor’s Monthly Book Selection – December, 2016
While not an in-depth biography of this Scottish reformer, The Mighty Weakness of John Know offers a compelling glimpse into the motivation and spiritual strength of this man of God. Though he was short in stature and often weak in body, Knox was instrumental in bringing the Reformation to Scotland. Fearing God rather than man or monarch, Knox was divinely enabled to withstand persecution, imprisonment and exile while preaching, writing, and praying in order to call Scotland to Christ.
This short work is a testimony to a man whose main desire was to see God glorified and worship in all of life. I highly recommend Douglas Bond’s enjoyable read to those who wish to see how God can use our weaknesses to bring about His mighty purposes.
It is so easy to picture the men and women of Scripture as larger than life characters with whom we have very little in common. When doing that, we often rob ourselves of understanding how God works with ordinary believers to accomplish His redemptive purposes in the world. In Ordinary Men Called By God, Dr. James Boice uses the lives of Abraham, Moses and David to demonstrates how God’s effectual call on an individual equips the person to serve Him even through failures and weakness. The author points out that contrary to how the world views success, those who are humble before the Lord find spiritual victory through the grace of God. This is a practical book for practical Christians.
R.C. Sproul has written this helpful book on the atonement of Jesus Christ that is both informative and inspiring. Each chapter explains a different aspect of the atonement while showing the cross as the centerpiece of our salvation. Although there have been numerous great works written on this topic, many of them are either very lengthy or were penned in a style that is outdated to today’s reader. In 167 pages, this short book is an easy read that can be used for a devotional or to give to another Christian, wishing to have a better understanding of the significance of the cross of Christ. The final chapter includes numerous helpful questions and answers that are frequently asked in any discussion on the atonement. I recommend this fresh look at a timeless and important doctrine of the Faith
Using as his foundational text Rom.8:28,“All things work together for good to them that love God…”, the Puritan pastor Thomas Watson published this short work with the intent of making “the godly joyful.” Knowing that Christians can face discouragement when their lives are interrupted with troubles, the author hoped to lift the reader’s spirits by describing how “their crosses shall be turned into blessings” and that their “afflictions water the root of grace to make it flourish”. Watson actually wrote this book to be read “now and then” or in bits and pieces as medicine for our souls. I highly recommend this insightful little work for those wanting to capture the joy of knowing that, in the Lord’s grace, all things do work together for good to them that love God.
The Pastor’s Monthly Book Selection – August, 2016
After quoting from Charles Colson’s memoir, Born Again in a sermon and shortly thereafter hearing a colleague quote from the same book, I thought it might be a good idea to recommend this for reading.
What to read on summer vacation? … George Marsden is considered to be possibly the foremost living authority on Jonathan Edwards. His recent work, A Short Life Of Jonathan Edwards, is a nice introduction to the life and times of this important figure from colonial America. By weaving the life of Edwards together with insights about contemporary figures, such as Benjamin Franklin and George Whitefield, the author presents a fascinating picture of the religious, social, and political landscape that lead up to the American Revolution and laid the groundwork for an evangelical tradition that continues to this day. In 145 pages Marsden offers a quick and enjoyable read about the man that many believe was the greatest theologian in American history. I highly recommend this as a book that may inspire as well as challenge the reader’s presuppositions about Christianity in America.
Originally released under the title Deceived By God?: A Journey Through Suffering, author and theologian John Feinberg updated and re-released this account of the struggle faced by him and his wife upon her diagnosis of Huntington Chorea. Although Feinberg wrestles with the hard questions that arise when tragedy strikes, he also relates the continuing faithfulness of God in all circumstances. The author includes observations of ministry that are useful for people who wish to encourage and walk with those facing troubling ordeals. I recommend this book for people trying to make sense of God’s will as well as those seeking greater insight on how to minister to the hurting.