Right after Jesus the most precious and important thing to me in my life is my family. There is so much beauty but also mess4.9 Stars - 2024 Top Reads
Right after Jesus the most precious and important thing to me in my life is my family. There is so much beauty but also messiness when it comes to life in the home. In this book, "Habits of the Household," Justine Whitmel Earley captured all the feelings that I have about life in the home. His vision of home life was not only helpful and encouragement, but also just made my heart sing. I cried multiple times reading this book.
The main point of this book is that our habits shape who we are, and parents inevitable end up shaping who their kids are. So the best way to shape our children is to have Christ-shaped habits that form the home. This includes everything from dinner, discipline, sabbath and snack time. Its a wonderful picture of the home as the center of family discipleship in opposition to the idolatrous hustle and bustle of the world.
I highly recommend this book and its for sure going to be at the top of my list as one of my favorites for this year so far. I cannot recommend it more highly!...more
"12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You" by Tony Reinke is a wonderful and challenging book, particularly because I did not know that I needed to4.8 Stars
"12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You" by Tony Reinke is a wonderful and challenging book, particularly because I did not know that I needed to read it. In this book, Reinke does more than offer a theology of technology but offers a spiritual diagnostic of our digital habits. Reinke's book was a wake-up call for me, and should be for every disciple of Jesus, to recognize the ways that our phones are changing us. And if we don't pay attention to the good and ills of our smartphones, we may end up making idols of them.
As the title says Reinke offers 12 ways that our phones are changing us over 12 chapters. His analysis is insightful and driven by Biblical truth. As well Reinke is incredibly balanced; he encourages us neither towards digital monasticism nor wholesale digital acceptance. Rather he encourages Biblical faithfulness, obedience to Jesus, and using technology to honor and worship God.
Overall, this is a wonderful book and extremely convicted book to the modern smart-phone wielding, social-media-savvy Christian. Yet I can't think of a book (besides the Bible of course) that is more needed for Christian discipleship in this digital and secular age than this one. So, take up and read!...more
"God of All Things" by Andrew Wilson is a Christian devotion book that extols God through the "things" He has created. Th4.9 Stars - Top Reads of 2022
"God of All Things" by Andrew Wilson is a Christian devotion book that extols God through the "things" He has created. This is a book about the "things" of this world, and how they ultimately point to God and show us more about Him. Wilson focuses on 15 "things" from the Old Testament, and 15 from the New. Thus, Wilson's book is a gloriously Biblical-based exposition on how God uses “things� to reveal more of Himself.
This book was probably my favorite Christian devotional that I have read this year. The 30 "things" that Wilson exposits such as honey, donkeys, the sun, earthquakes, wine, and bread are easy to digest and read once per day. As well, they are incredibly gospel-centered and Biblically-based. Each thing helped me not only to see how wonderfully God has created this world but how wonderful my God is! I found myself in tears in several chapters just wondering about Christ's humility that he rode on a donkey or that God's beauty is like honey. This was simply a marvelous book.
So, I don't have much more to add that every Christian should read this book. Our hearts are too prone to forget God, and this book reminded me that the beauty of God is everywhere. God has hardwired his glory into creation and if we would listen to His Word, we would more clearly see that glory in all "things." I cannot recommend this book more highly!...more
"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" is a novel written by Mark Twain about the escapades of a young boy named Tom Sawyer. Sawy5.0 Stars - Top Reads of 2022
"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" is a novel written by Mark Twain about the escapades of a young boy named Tom Sawyer. Sawyer is the archetypical picture of youthful boyish-ness; mischievous, cunning, curious, adventurous, and heroic. Twain story takes place in the small town of St. Petersburg just off the Mississippi River and follows Tom through many of his antics and adventures.
I'd have to say that I have not enjoyed a fiction book like this for a very long time. "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" was a simply remarkable book! And what made the book was Twain's fantastic writing. The book was overflowing with humor and irony - I just couldn't stop laughing! And as well, Tom's youthful mischievousness and Twain's commentary on the matters are simply insightful. Twain in a chapter can make you laugh and at the same time ponder the mysteries of human nature. This book was not only filled with fun and adventures, but so much clear thinking on humanity and society as well.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for anyone to read. It will make you laugh and wonder and generally enjoy life a bit more....more
“Deeper� by Dane Ortlund is a Christian living book on sanctification. Ortlund’s main premise is that Christians can trul4.9 Stars - Top Reads of 2022
“Deeper� by Dane Ortlund is a Christian living book on sanctification. Ortlund’s main premise is that Christians can truly grow in their sanctification when they recognize they are sinners loved by Jesus, and simply need to go “deeper� in their realization of those truths. “Deeper� touches on many of the same themes and topics as Ortlund’s widely popular “Gentle and Lowly,� yet at the same time it stands on its own. This book is an incredibly concise, well-structured and accessible book about Christian growth, and Ortlund skillfully harps on the reality that many of us feel like such failures and sinners in our walk with the Lord. Ortlund reminds us that so much of our Christian walk is believing the truths that God says about us; that we are His beloved children because of the work of Christ and that he has justified us and is making us whole. Being a sinner does not separate from Christ’s love, but makes him even more eager to pour out His love and grace on us. Ortlund’s book was a fresh reminder for me and a much-needed slap in the face of Gods grace. As sinners we are so prone to wallow in our sins thinking we unworthy of Gods love and somehow by our own strength we need to earn Gods favor back. Ortlund’s book demolishes those Satanic lies and enlightens us to the glorious truth of the Gospel that sanctification comes through looking to Christ and not at self. I highly recommend this book as THE book to start with on sanctification and Christian growth....more
“Planet Narnia� by Michael Ward is a book that traces the central theme throughout C.S. Lewis’s Narnia books. Wards argument is that Lewis wa4.4 Stars
“Planet Narnia� by Michael Ward is a book that traces the central theme throughout C.S. Lewis’s Narnia books. Wards argument is that Lewis was influential by medieval cosmology, the seven planets, and that each book centers around the “donegality� or “character trait� of each of the planets. Ward also argues that Lewis believed that the medieval cosmological planets, Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Luna, Sol, Saturn, and Mercury, all reveal certain characteristics of the Divine. So in tracing and emphasizing each of these “donegalities� in each book Lewis was showing us more of the Divine nature, particularly in Christ.
This book was remarkably enlightening and engaging. The greatest gift of this book was being introduced to Lewis’a enchanted view of the world. That Lewis believed that the premodern view of the cosmos was more true than the modern materialistic one. And the through Ward’s book we see more of the beauty and order that Lewis saw in all things. The beauty in all things that displays Gods glory.
Yet, the weakness of this book is that Ward’s argument is extremely difficult to comprehend. The central theme of the seven cosmological entities is difficult to see simply because of our unfamiliarity with them. Ward does a good job describing each one of them but you almost need a whole another book explaining each of the seven cosmological entities before tracing the themes.
Overall, this was a spectacular book and grew my love and appreciation for Lewis. It made me long to embrace Lewis’s enchanted view of the world and appreciate God’s beauty in all things. I would highly recommend this book....more
Read just the text in 2021, will read the introduction and commentary in the future. I just focused on reading the original text for a semina4.0 Stars
Read just the text in 2021, will read the introduction and commentary in the future. I just focused on reading the original text for a seminary class. An incredibly intriguing text that gives us a window into the practices and beliefs of the early church. It is mesmerizing how sacramental and sacerdotal the early church practices were and how much the modern church has changed since then, both for good and for ill. At the same time, there is so much that is similar (i.e., prayer and devotions, pastoral office, exposition, and teaching) and thus we should rejoice at God's sovereign providence that has sustained the apostolic teaching from Christ to the present. ...more
A modern masterpiece of a novel. "Stoner" by John Williams captures the essence of the frustrations of this earthly life:4.9 Stars - Top Reads of 2022
A modern masterpiece of a novel. "Stoner" by John Williams captures the essence of the frustrations of this earthly life: what it means to truly love something or someone and to not have it return the favor: to strive and toil and reap none of the rewards. It is a modern ecclesiastical parable of the meaninglessness of things, but as well as the beauty of things. It's a tragedy with glimmers of hope. Thus, I think it's a great read and I highly recommend "Stoner."...more
Carl Trueman’s "The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self" is a phenomenal work of cultural, philosophical and historical an5.0 Stars - Top Read of 2021
Carl Trueman’s "The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self" is a phenomenal work of cultural, philosophical and historical analysis. It is probably the best work of Christian cultural analysis that I have ever read so far (though� I still have plenty more to read). Trueman’s book is essentially an explanation of how modern society has come to a place where a man can say, “I am a woman trapped in a man’s body.� Trueman focuses primarily on expounding the works of Philip Rieff, Charles Taylor, and Alasdair MacIntyre and their understanding of the rise of the “psychological man� and “expression individualism.� Trueman then traces the ideas of these three intellectuals through Western history, showing how the ideas of Rousseau, the Romantics, Marx, Freud, Reich, and Marcuse have psychologized our ideas of self, how our psychologized selves have become sexualized, and then how our sexualized selves have become politicalized.
I cannot stress how great work this is. As Christians we are all swimming in the modern morass of the psychological and sexualized self � this is the water we are all swimming in. Yet, as Christians, we are often shocked when the secularized society around us charges head-long into greater sexual immorality. Yet Trueman masterfully shows us that there are intellectual developments within Western culture that have laid the groundwork for such sexualized ideas of self. And these notions go far further back than the sexual revolution of the 1960s, but back to Enlightenment thinkers like Rousseau, and to the Romantics like Percy Blythe Shelly and William Wordsworth. And like a master builder, Trueman walks us through history showing us how the building of modernity has been constructed, and how the furniture of the sexualize self-have been put into place.
I cannot commend this book any more highly. The only critique that I have is that many of the philosophical and historical ideas and terms can be difficult to the casual reader. But I think this book is worth the challenge. It is worth the work of thinking through these ideas because it will better equip you as a Christian to identify where these notions of the sexualized self are coming from. Even though it is brief, Trueman ends his book by stating that the historic age that this modern one is most like is the 2nd century, where Christians were a minority in a prevalently pagan world. Thus, Trueman in this book is equipping us to be the exilic church, a Christian witness that understands the times and looks forward to the hope of heaven!...more
A superb and thrilling story! It's absolutely horrific in the classic sense. Shelley's book is a classic and a masterpiece for a reason. Ther4.8 Stars
A superb and thrilling story! It's absolutely horrific in the classic sense. Shelley's book is a classic and a masterpiece for a reason. There are so many layers within this story; the dangers of ambition, the creature and creator dynamic, the joy of tranquility, revenge, guilt and death. I could go on how engaging of a read this book is, I could not recommend it any more highly....more
“Words of Life� by Timothy Ward is a short book on the doctrine of Scripture that has blown me away! This is a remarkable4.9 Stars - Top Reads of 2022
“Words of Life� by Timothy Ward is a short book on the doctrine of Scripture that has blown me away! This is a remarkable book, and I am astonished that so few have read it.
In this book, Ward presents to us the doctrine of Scripture. Ward argues that many present formulations of the doctrine of Scripture are lacking because they are often divorced from a doctrine of God. Thus, Ward's central thesis is that whenever we encounter the words of Scripture, we are encountering God Himself. God's Words are the primary means by which He presents Himself to us. And His Words are the primary means that he establishes His covenant relationship with us. Ward then explains how the traditional attributes of Scripture (Sufficiency, Clarity, Authority, Necessity) relate to this truth - that the Bible's reliability, clarity, authority, inerrancy, etc. are all derived from God’s character since it is how he communicates himself. Ward ends his book applying this doctrine to Christian tradition, preaching, and personal Bible reading.
Ward’s approach to the doctrine of Scripture is illuminating. His connection of the doctrine of Scripture to the doctrine of God adds incredible clarity to a teaching that is often confusing but central to the Christian faith. Ward’s book is academically, philosophically, and biblically rigorous but at the same time extremely approachable because of its brevity. It’s hard to find weaknesses in this book that is written so well, so succinct, so pastorally helpful, and so Biblically sound.
Thus, I would say this is my go-to book for the doctrine of Scripture. I haven’t read a single systematic theology volume or individual book that does it as well as this one. And that so few have read this book saddens me, because it’s such a wonderful book that displays the beauty of God’s Word and has compelled me to love it more! I cannot more highly recommend this book!...more
Augustine’s “On Christian Teaching� is a short treatise for students of the Bible on how to interpret and teach the Bible.5.0 Stars - Top Read of 2021
Augustine’s “On Christian Teachingâ€� is a short treatise for students of the Bible on how to interpret and teach the Bible. Augustine’s book is profound, it contains some of the cultural oddities of his time but is full of the wonder of the grace that is found in Jesus. Augustine's book is broken into four parts; the first three parts deal with the interpretation of Scripture, while the last deals with how to teach Scripture eloquently. In part one Augustine argues that one cannot interpret Scripture rightly unless one interprets through the rule of faith, which is to love God and love neighbor. In part two Augustine addresses sign theory and the use of pagan learning and education in interpreting Biblical signs. Here Augustine emphasizes the importance of repeated readings of the entire canon, knowing original languages, and approaching the text in humility. In part three Augustine explains how to deal with ambiguities in the Scriptures. Which is by the rule of faith and discerning between literal and metaphorical signs. In part four Augustine explains how to teach the Scriptures, defending the eloquence of the Scriptures and the use of rhetoric when teaching/preaching the Bible. Ìý Now, part of me feels like it’s sacrilegious to review Augustine. Augustine is probably one of the most influential Christian writers of all church history, and it would seem foolish to critique the work of such a spiritual giant. I have profound respect for Augustine so there are just a few things I want to note about this book. Ìý (1) Augustine is incredibly relevant and pastoral. Although this book was written 1,600 years ago many of his principles are agreed upon and taught in classrooms today concerning Biblical interpretation. (2) Augustine's insights on the rule of faith in Biblical interpretation are incredibly illuminating. Not because it's nature as esoteric or profound knowledge, but simply because Augustine knows what is central to all of life. There is nothing more central, more life-giving, more beautiful than loving God and loving one's neighbor. And Augustine rightly founds all right Biblical interpretation on this reality. (3) I greatly appreciated Augustine's defense of using rhetoric and elegance in teaching and preaching. Augustine rightly acknowledges that words are useless unless they teach truth, he also recognizes that words are useful in communicating truths more effectively. Ìý "On Christian Teaching" is a wonderful book, and a short one at that. Those not familiar with the ancient writings or Augustine himself might have a hard time reading this book. But I can think of no reason to not read Augustine... He serves us with a beauty that is ever ancient and ever knew. He introduces us to the Rock of Ages that not only bestows glorious truth to us today but has throughout all of history. Augustine's writings remind us of the never-changing nature of our God. So, if you want to learn more about Biblical interpretation and teaching, take up and read - you will struggle a bit, but you will be blessed!...more
After 8 months, I've finally finished! The profound and enduring Biblical insights and practical wisdom I received from th5.0 Stars - Top Read of 2021
After 8 months, I've finally finished! The profound and enduring Biblical insights and practical wisdom I received from this book would take another 8 months to recount, Calvin's Institutes is THE great theological tome. I will attempt to write a full review, eventually......more
Nick Needham's "2,000 Years of Christ's Power, Part One" is the first volume in a five-volume series on church history. Needham's first volum4.6 Stars
Nick Needham's "2,000 Years of Christ's Power, Part One" is the first volume in a five-volume series on church history. Needham's first volume in the series covers the periods from the birth of the church (first century) to the Third Council of Constantinople (sixth century). Needham's goal is to present a thorough overview of church history while still being accessible to laymen. He succeeds at this goal, producing a phenomenal work of church history that is compelling, engaging, highly informative, and encouraging.
Needham's greatest strength displayed in this book is his knowledge of church history. To write a short volume on six centuries of history one must know your history well; what parts are important, and what to leave out. Needham can skillfully and briefly hit on the main points of a wide variety of issues in the early church. The simple breadth of history that Needham can communicate in short sections that are compact and understandable is astounding. I was amazed at how Needham was able to take a complicated indecent like the Monophysite controversies of the sixth century and dispel them simply and understandably.
I highly recommend this book; I have almost no critiques for this book since Needham is such a good writer and he has done such an excellent job with this book. If you are looking for a shorter introduction to church history, I would not start here but with Bruce Shelley's "Church History in Plain Language." But if you want to take another step up and understand more of church history I would start with Needham's series. I am excited to start working on the next volume in the series!...more
Russell Kirk's The Conservative Mind is an intellectual history of conservative ideas in American and Britain. Although Ki4.8 Stars - Top Read of 2021
Russell Kirk's The Conservative Mind is an intellectual history of conservative ideas in American and Britain. Although Kirk's book focuses primarily on tracing conservative ideas it accomplishes something far greater than that. By offering an alternative narrative to the post-war liberal mindset, Kirk has written a book that is a rallying call for all conservative thinkers. His book primarily succeeds because it shows that conservative ideas have a tradition that extends far back to the likes of Burke, Adams, Calhoun, Tocqueville, Disraeli, Chesterton, Santayana, and Eliot.
Kirk's definition of conservatism is remarkable, far different than what we would think of political conservatism is today. Conservatism recognizes the reality of revelation or "natural law", believes human existence is mysterious, that there is a natural aristocracy within society, that freedom and property are inseparably linked, and that all reform must be linked to some sort of custom or tradition.
The great maxim of conservatism is "the individual is foolish, but the species is wise." Tradition holds truth so we should be slow to "renovate" or "remake" society, for that is often the very means to destroy society and give power to dictators and despots. Conservatism is skeptical of ideologies that centralize all society under one idea, one government, or one personality. For government is built upon society, and not the other way around.
Much can be said about the conservative ideas and thinking of the men that Kirk covers. The bulk of Kirk's book covers the contributions to conservative thinking from Burke to Santayana. The number of thinkers that Kirk surveys are voluminous, and it offers the reader a rich treasure trove to pull conservative ideas from. Kirk's strongest point of his book is how well he surveys and summarizes the views of so many men and offers a coherent narrative, in America and Britain, of their ideas.
For Christian readers, this book is extremely valuable. Kirk's writing shows that government and society are rooted in transcendent truths. We cannot remake society in our image, we can only live as creatures dependent upon the structures that God has designed for us to take part in. As well this book will challenge Christians in their views on politics. With Christian conservativism often associated with leaders like Fallwell, Robertson, and Trump, it is illuminating to see that there is a better way. Politics is not about power, society is a gift from God, and we find joy in rightly taking part in the society that God has ordained. Centralizing authority and power in one position can only bring about the death of liberty. So, I cannot recommend this book more highly, read it, and be challenged to think more deeply about the world that God has created and how the government is designed to be built upon the gift of society....more
"Political Church" by Jonathan Leeman is a masterpiece theological tome arguing for a Christian political theory based on Biblical theology. 4.8 Stars
"Political Church" by Jonathan Leeman is a masterpiece theological tome arguing for a Christian political theory based on Biblical theology. Leeman's central argument is that "the local church is a political assembly that acts as an embassy of Christ's kingdom." The church holds the keys to the kingdom therefore its role is to display God's just political rule amongst a just people amid an unjust world. The foundation of Leeman's argument is a change in our understanding of what "politics" and "institutions" actually are, and then tracing that understanding through the Biblical covenants. What Leeman ends up with is a phenomenal book that presents a political theology that is Biblically robust, focused on Christ, and empowering for the church.
Leeman's book is separated into six long chapters. In the first, Leeman offers a new understanding of what politics is, which is the institutional activity of governance of an entire population backed by coercion by an authority deemed legitimate. Here Leeman emphasizes that there can be no such thing as a "secular" government because all governments are governed by some worldview, which is ultimately religious. Second, Leeman argues that institutions are behavior-shaping entities that tell us who we are and how to act, thus political institutions also function in that capacity. Third, Leeman begins explaining a Biblical view of politics starting in Creation. He states that all politics begins with the truth that the Triune God is Lord and Creator of all and that all authority is derived from his character. Fourth, Leeman delves into the politics of the fall showing that God delegates authority to humans to act as kings over creation, but after the fall in the Noahic covenant men are permitted to establish earthly governments to enact God's justice on earth. In the last two chapters Leeman establishes that while earthly governments have their authority to govern issues concerning justice, the church is meant to be God's redemptive institution where true just political life is lived. The church holds the keys of the kingdom by declaring who is part of this community through baptism, the Lord's Supper, and church discipline, and patiently awaits King Jesus' return to establish his fully realized kingdom at the end of time: the only perfect politic system we can ever enjoy.
In brief, the main strength of this book is Leeman's argumentation. Biblically, he is incredibly sound in his arguments and faithful to the covenants which are the bedrock of revelation and doctrine. As well presents a vision of political engagement that is glorious yet simple - simply being a part of the church and loving one another we fulfill God's design for political life. The weakness of Leeman's book is its length and academic level. This book is not for all, but for those who wish to learn and grow this book is a treasure. So in sum, I highly recommend this book and this will change the way I think about politics for the rest of my life!...more
Dane Ortlund's Gentle & Lowly is a much-needed book addressing a little-discussed topic, the heart of Christ. And Ortlund's book is beautiful4.8 Stars
Dane Ortlund's Gentle & Lowly is a much-needed book addressing a little-discussed topic, the heart of Christ. And Ortlund's book is beautiful. Not because of its erudite arguments, or earth-shattering theological topics. But because plain and simple Ortlund book reminds us of the gospel truth that every Christian so quickly forgets; that Christ's heart is for sinners and sufferers.
Ortlund's book surveys the teachings of the Scriptures and Puritan's on the topic of Christ's heart for sinners and sufferers. Ortlund's chapters are gloriously repetitive - for in this book Ortlund is displaying the beautiful picture of Christ's heart to us, and in every chapter, he is taking just a little time to focus on just a small part of the picture.
The great grace in this book is that Ortlund reminds us that Christ is not like who we tend to think he is. Tepid in mercy and resistant to share in His grace. But that Christ loves to pour out his mercy and blessings on sinners and sufferers. His very desire, what He is eager to do, is to love those who are needy and broken.
Thus, the beauty of this book is that it effectively displays the beauty of Christ's heart. It is one of the best books that I have read this year so far. It has crushed my pride and reminded me of the gentleness and lowliness of the Savior who loves me and gave himself for me. For any Christian who struggles with doubts about God's generous love in Christ (which I believe is all of us) I highly recommend diving into the depths of this wondrous book....more
Wilfred M. McClay's "Land of Hope" is a masterpiece of American history that is accessible, sprawling, objective, and hop4.8 Stars - Top Reads of 2022
Wilfred M. McClay's "Land of Hope" is a masterpiece of American history that is accessible, sprawling, objective, and hope-filled. McClay's purpose in this book was to write a non-academic and accessible survey of American history that was objective, and he greatly succeeds at this task. McClay shows that American history is full of glorious good but also dark spots of evil. But particularly that America is a nation of hope, and even though Americans throughout history have imperfectly followed the ideals of liberal democracy, those ideals are what make America an incredible place to live in.
McClay begins his history in the European imagination of the 15th century. He sheds incredible light on America as a place of hope by showing us how America grew out of the faults, revolutions and new ideas of Europe. America was seen as a place where new ideas could flourish, where freedom could be found from oppression, and where new economic wealth could be found. From there McClay shows how the nation grew from the Revolution to Western Expansion, to the Civil War, to the Industrial Revolution, to Two World Wars and its status as a modern super-power. Throughout its history, McClay skillfully shows how American leaders, poets, businessmen and soldiers wrestled with the ideals of American democracy, and how the ideals surrounding "what it means to be an American" changed.
The strengths of this books are many. First, McClay writes in an incredibly accessible and understandable style. He is able to communicate complex historical events in clear and concise sections. Second, McClay has offered one of the most objective and sober-minded American history surveys in quite some time. Much of the current scene in American history is deconstructionist, post-colonialist, and tribalist - and McClay is able to transcend all the controversy around American history and offer balanced view of all the good and bad of America. Last, I greatly appreciated McClay's closing application concerning Patriotism. It is good and right to love one's country and this do not necessary exclude one from criticizing one's country; because loving something means you want it to be better. But at the same time, we cannot forge a better tomorrow for America if we do not have a shared history of experiences. The current postmodern society is seeking to tear apart American history, but without those shared experiences we can no longer function as a nation, united. Thus, McClay's book is a compelling defense of American history and it's power to unite a divided nation through shared experiences and values.
Overall, I loved this book and highly recommend it for anyone looking for a helpful survey of American history! Read it and you may find that you love being an American again....more
Charles Spurgeon’s “Lectures to My Students� are a series of addresses on pastoral ministry and preaching by the prince of preachers himself.4.6 Stars
Charles Spurgeon’s “Lectures to My Students� are a series of addresses on pastoral ministry and preaching by the prince of preachers himself. Spurgeon’s lectures were originally addressed to the students at his pastoral college every week. Thus, this book is dripping with pastoral care and practical insight for every pastor and aspiring pastor.
This book is solid gold. It is overflowing with pastoral wisdom and sprinkled with Spurgeon’s typical wit and metaphorical language. Like all other Spurgeon books, he is easy and delightful to read. Spurgeon simply has this mastery in displaying the glories of Christ with illustrious imagery and generous witticisms. Some of Spurgeon’s most valuable chapters in the book are “The Ministers Self-Watch�, “The Call to the Ministry,� “The Preacher’s Private Prayer,� “The Minister’s Fainting Fits,� and “On Conversion as our Aim.� These chapters greatly emphasize the importance of the spiritual life of the pastor and as well his goal to see souls believing in Christ. But Spurgeon’s book has even more practical wisdom concerning topics such as the preacher’s voice, his posture, on open-air preaching, and on using illustrations. Many of his practical insights pertain to his time (such as preachers needing broad chests) but still contain especially helpful principles.
The only caution that I had with Spurgeon’s lectures was his view on selecting a text. Spurgeon was an expert expositor who did not (and even advises against) working through Biblical books verse by verse. This worked for Spurgeon, but most pastors do not have the creative capacity to be like Spurgeon � for us normal pastors� verse-by-verse exposition is perhaps the best option.
Other than that, what gripped me the most from his lectures was Spurgeon’s passion for soul winning. Pastoral ministry can very quickly be consumed by daily administrative tasks and one can forget what the purpose of it all is for. Even a pastor who is focused on expounded the glories of Christ in the Scriptures can lose focus on the end goal. Seeing souls saved for the glory of God is the goal of pastoral ministry, and we should weep and call out to God whenever we do not see souls being saved in our ministry.
Overall, I believe that this is a must-read for pastors. There are many chapters one can skim over, but most of these lectures are full of invaluable pastoral wisdom and insight. And the fact that Spurgeon is enjoyable to read should persuade you toward reading this book....more
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