Talking Shop

John Ashworth

2009-07-09T20:10:00.005+01:00

It was a pleasant surprise to read about John Ashworth in the Banner of Truth magazine for this month. I am referring both to this man from C19th Rochdale himself as well as his autobiography 'Life and Strange Tales'. Alun McNabb had clearly been bowled over by reading about him. In his address to the Leicester Ministers' Conference 2009 he is quoted as going so far as to say 'how this generation of preachers would profit from feeding on such a book'[!] What not many people might know is that the book which Alun had been reading was a Gospel Tidings publication, which in crude terms means us. Yes, us here! Gospel Tidings began as the brainchild of Leslie Rowell (he deserves a biography) in 1965. A magazine was started which finally ceased only last year, but in the late 1960s and early 1970s an absolute rash of books got published, despite financial hardships. I know this for sure because my Dad was part of all that. He did the distribution side of things. This has continued to the present day, now via the Bookshop. Leslie Rowell was himself struck by reading John Ashworth when a pastor of Hope Chapel, Rochdale, and thought it worth bringing back out of obscurity. The original autobiography ran to 4 vols, but he creamed off the best into a single hardback. This was in 1972, and that book itself has now become like snow in the Sahara. So this is why Alun McNabb with Phil Roberts at Tentmaker Publications have got together to reproduce the Gospel Tidings edition (with our full co-operation). Phil tells me that he will very likely do a hardback run, but that to make it easily affordable it will be mainly available in paperback.
Another striking Rochdale character around the same time was another John - John Kershaw. Gospel Tidings also reprinted his autobiography in 1968, and it has sold so well over the years that we still have stock of a re-reprinted edition. It is a hardback (£9.95). Kershaw was staunchly free grace, unlike Ashworth actually. He became a Strict Baptist minister and his congregation built Hope Chapel - yes, the place where Leslie Rowell was to come a century later!
Jeremy

Calvin Anniversary

2009-07-07T21:35:00.006+01:00

This tremendously refreshing book about Calvin is an introduction aimed at youngsters (6-11yrs) and produced with great quality. Simonetta Carr intends this to be the first in a series about famous figures from Church History. She has come up with a winning combination in getting the artwork done by a real artist. There is a lovely original watercolour and many full page black & white drawings often betraying a certain whimsical humour. A map, timeline and some historical titbits give further aid to understanding Calvin's life and thought.

It has already been well reviewed in the GS magazine.

John Calvin, by Simonetta Carr, published by RHB h/b, £10

Jeremy

Mr Pipes and the British Hymn Makers

2009-07-01T21:45:00.009+01:00

There are a few 'Mr Pipes' books around, but this is the first time I have properly looked at one. Mr Pipes is a fictional character, an older Christian who befriends a couple of American children on 'vacation' in Olney, Buckinghamshire. Through a series of daytrips Mr Pipes introduces them to the joys of sailing, horseriding, pipe organs, birdwatching, and many other thoroughly British activities, all the while teaching them about many of the well-known British hymnwriters. The fiction flows well, the biographical sections are fascinating, and the spiritual content of the hymns is not ignored but rather explained and applied. I like the style. Before I started reading I didn't quite expect an American author to write that well about British hymnwriters, but I actually think Douglas Bond has a good grasp of British culture, history and phraseology. The only slip-up I have found so far is that he thinks the Brits have cream in tea (as in cup of tea). Yuk!

Hymnwriters included are: Thomas Ken, Isaac Watts, Charles Wesley, William Williams, John Newton, William Cowper, Augustus Toplady and Thomas Kelly. There are also chapters on Scottish Hymnwriters, Anglican Hymnwriters and Women Hymnwriters. A bonus is that the written music is included for the hymns that are quoted in full.

Mr Pipes and the British Hymn Makers, by Douglas Bond, £9.95. Written for 9-12yr olds. Recommended.

Lorna

Ferdinand

2009-06-26T14:45:00.008+01:00

Recognise this?

Over the years we have had quite a few customers ringing asking about Ferdinand. This little story about a train called Ferdinand who struggles with doing what he is told and staying on the rails, aims to teach young children the great truths of sin and salvation. It was written episode by episode as the author Ann Benton taught her own children around the breakfast table. A song was also devised to impress these truths upon these young minds. Our customers usually remember having this on in the car as children and now they are looking for it so that they can use it with their own children. Look no further! Christian Focus Publications have recently reprinted the storybook with the full text of the story (and new illustrations) and the song (including written music). They were unable however, to reproduce the CD because of copyright issues. But knowing that the music really makes the book we have obtained copies of the CD directly from the author so that we can still offer the book and CD as a set.

The new book costs £4.99 and the CD individually would be £2.50, but if purchased together the set costs £6.50.

Lorna

Worldliness

2009-06-23T21:17:00.004+01:00

This is one book I have actually read thoroughly lately - in addition to the 'blokish' one featured by Lorna in the last post! It is generally a lot better than I first expected. The danger is that you dip into one part of it and reject it right away, especially if you are prone to look at the back first (strange how one does that automatically isn't it?) and hit the appendices. Perhaps I need to accept it's 'the American way', but checklists smack of an 'under the law' mentality to me. This actually contrasts with parts of the book which are firmly Christ focussed, and take on issues from a gospel perspective.

The fact is C J Mahaney, an American New Calvinist, has edited a book to which there are 5 contributors, all from within his Sovereign Grace Ministries network. It is on an important subject - one which all true Christians must recognise as having caused great corrosion in churches everywhere. Worldliness. Subtitle: 'Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World'. Maybe many rightly diagnose this problem, but much that is written/preached presents the wrong solution. The tendency is to 'get stricter', to insist on the application of the Law of God. Now this is good if dealing with unbelievers, but the children of God are not to be saddled with that unbearable yoke again after being brought into soul liberty through Christ. So I welcome the chapter 'God, my heart and media' being dealt with by expounding and applying Ephesians 5:1-14 and other passages from the epistles. The one on music is on similar lines and pretty good, as is 'stuff' and material covetousness.

In fact Mahaney himself is about the nearest to poor in that he boldly opens up 1 John 2:15 in the first chapter, but is rather hamfisted with 1 Timothy 2:9 on 'Clothes'. There are some good pastorally inspired points appealing for Christian women to be less naive about the way in which they can make themselves sources of temptation for men by their dress (or lack of it!). However, men themselves do not seem to be dealt with so evenhandedly in this section. It gives a good twist that the final chapter is 'How to love the World'.

The real problem about a book like this is that the people who probably really need to read it won't, and those that (relatively) don't, will. How do you get over that hurdle?

Worldliness, ed. C J Mahaney. Published by Crossway at £8.99. Good value for a nice hardback.

Jeremy

Sport

2009-06-20T22:04:00.004+01:00

Anyone know Dan Walker? Anyone who's into Sport should do. He's a sports presenter for the BBC (Radio & TV). He's also a Christian and has just written his 'story' for DayOne which has been published in a large format magazine style booklet. Throughout his career Dan has remained strong in his belief that the Lord's Day is a day to be set apart for worship, and he has therefore always made it clear to his employers that he will not work on Sundays. This has not always made life easy for him, but he has been able to see the Lord over-ruling many difficult situations. I liked his practical outworking of his principles, and found the booklet an easy but still thought-provoking read. I imagine it will be popular amongst a certain male sporty set.

Sport and Sundays, by Dan Walker, published by Day One, £2

Lorna

Sorry!

2009-06-13T21:29:00.003+01:00

Books are being read very slowly at the moment - hence the lack of posts. I'm afraid there's just too much to do when you're staying on a farm in Wiltshire and the sun is shining...

Bear this in Mind

2009-05-29T21:46:00.004+01:00

We're always encouraging you to read more, but this is the main point, as I was reminded in a greetings card today:-
"In the case of good books, the point is not how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you."
Does anyone know the author of this quotation?
Please let me know your favourites on the subject of reading.
Jeremy

Great God of Wonders

2009-05-19T22:12:00.003+01:00

A recent 'chance' remark by a friend caused me to pick up this book Great God of Wonders by Maurice Roberts. I haven't read Roberts before and have quickly discovered that he doesn't beat about the bush. The first paragraph of the book quoted below should illustrate the point...

"Whatever the pressures are to the contrary, the serious Christian MUST keep a careful watch over the inner state and attitude of his own soul. Just as there are temptations for the careless and the idle Christian, so too are there snares for the Christian who becomes too busy. We are too busy whenever we cannot safeguard our times of private prayer, meditation and devotional Bible reading. What happens when outward duties become excessive and over-demanding is that inner, secret duties are performed in a merely routine way. It is all too possible to conduct our private and family worship with our minds half taken up with other things. We persuade ourselves that we have been worshipping God, but on such occasions we have been no better than those to whom God said, 'This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me' (Matthew 15:8)"

The book consists of articles which originally appeared as editorials in the Banner of Truth magazine (which Maurice Roberts edited between 1988 and 2003). From a quick scan of the book I suspect that it will continue in the same challenging vein, with chapter headings such as 'The Strife of Tongues', 'Dealing with our Differences' and 'Why Christians must be readers' (which I suspect I should be quoting in full !).

Great God of Wonders by Maurice Roberts, published by Banner of Truth, £6

Lorna

CBC or Tryfan?

2009-05-14T20:31:00.007+01:00

Now that the company that own the Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) have bought up the Christian Booksellers Convention (CBC) the ideal time of year and format have changed for the worse. At least for 2009, and for those 'in the trade' in my opinion. I don't think I'm alone, but I keep aloof from the uproar. So this year Lorna and I packed the bags and headed to sunny North Wales rather than gloomy Sandown Park. Instead of incurring the costs of travel & accommodation in London, we thought we'd spend the time & money somewhere better. CBC or Tryfan? No competition! Just check out the pictures...

If you don't like mountains, at least admire God's handiwork. If you do but don't know Tryfan, then get your maps out now. The most sublime ridge scrambling in England and Wales is to be had here, right to the 3000+ ft summit. We were humbled with gratitude for the glorious weather window afforded us. Gusty side winds reminded us of how rusty our balance has become through lack of use. But aside from that there wasn't a cloud in the sky! The batteries are now fully recharged, and it's great to see the children again (excellently looked after by Lorna's parents.) Here's to the next CBC!

Jeremy

It's May!

2009-05-06T22:14:00.003+01:00

So, we're in a new month, Spring is really here, it's time to brush off the cobwebs and try something new ... how about a new book! Our May bulletin highlights a few books that are a little different, perhaps not what you would normally go for, but all under £9 it won't break the bank to give them a go.

Lorna

btw we're also offering Holiness by Ryle for only £3.50 (normally £9.95), see the May Bulletin for details

Last 24hrs!

2009-04-29T12:11:00.003+01:00

You need to get in quick! This time tomorrow I will be packing away the 3 for 2 books and they will be back to full price. Make the most of the offer while you can... you'll be wishing you had next time you have a spare evening and you are dreaming of relaxing with a good book! Bunyan, Doddridge, Goodwin, Hawker, Piper, Sproul, Venning, Whyte and many more... Check the full list here...
Lorna

My head hurts :-(

2009-04-25T20:15:00.003+01:00

css .dap .asp .sql vbs cgi ... mean anything to you? No, it doesn't mean much to me either, but this is what I have been filling my head with this afternoon and am now suffering the consequences! Basically, our website needs dragging into the 21st Century and it is these sorts of abbreviations I am having to wrestle with to try and get it there. When we launched our website back in 2002 it seemed very 'cutting edge' (we liked to think so anyway!), but the internet has moved on by leaps and bounds in the 7 years since, and we... well, we haven't.
So, I am interested in knowing what our customers like to see in a website. Many customers tell us that our website is easy to navigate and gives them the information they need. People also comment on the fact that they like to read the reviews or this blog to gain more subjective information about particular titles. We don't want to change this. And as a small family business, we like having direct and personal contact with each of our customers. So, we do not intend to upgrade to a flashy, impersonal website. However, we are always trying to improve the service that we give. Over to YOU... tell us what you like and don't like, do you want 'one-click' buying (like the infamous Amazon), or do you like the more personal touch, do pictures of book covers help or are you more interested in book descriptions... tell me more
Lorna
By the way, if anyone reading this happens to be an expert in web design, especially database led sites... we would love to hear from you!

New Focus Conference 2009

2009-04-20T21:05:00.005+01:00

Congratulations to Peter and Jill Meney for very successfully hosting another conference in Teesdale this year. We were delighted to be invited to take a bookstall to the event last Saturday. Our feelings were more mixed when Peter badgered us into accepting 2 x 10 minute slots for stand up book reviews! Not exactly our cup of tea being the world's worst marketing managers. But we were among friends (albeit around 60 of them) and it went off OK. Lorna particularly did a great plug for sound children's literature, singling out the 'History Lives' series for special praise. This was light relief after a Dr Ella paper on John Brine. Sorry George, but she's got a prettier face! Maybe I'm biased...
It was good to meet some longstanding mail order customers for the first time - one from the Isle of North Uist! And it felt great to be selling really good books to really appreciative people. Don Fortner was once again over from Danville, Kentucky and spoke well. I just hope that he hasn't packed too much into his UK itinerary after his health setback last year. I remain amazed that Evangelical Press appeared to snub him again, despite being (presumably) happy to have published around half a dozen of his books. There's nowt so queer as folk to use a good Yorkshire expression. Ken Cotty completed the line up and complemented it very well with a most gracious meditation of the Mount of Transfiguration.
Jeremy

Don't pass up the chance to get a free book!

2009-04-16T22:03:00.013+01:00

I'm disappointed that we have had so little response to our 3 for 2 offer, so I've taken it up myself! Here's my choices...
My first one was definitely a 'female' choice! Beyond the Edge by Hazel Rolston is about the author's journey through post-natal depression and anxiety. I ended up reading this in one sitting, I just couldn't put it down (it was a late night that night!). Hazel's story is written very honestly and the reader is taken into the depths with her. She graphically describes her struggles with Despair (with a capital D) and suicidal thoughts, her battles with medication and the side-effects, her disappointment with the lack of support from the Church community and finally her gradual ascent from the depths of the pit. As she finds footholds out of the abyss she is able to see more clearly that her pleadings with the Lord were not in vain and He had not deserted her even when she was sure that He had. It is certainly an emotional story and perhaps because of it's honesty I'm not sure I would recommend it to anyone I knew had suffered post-natal depression - just a little too close to the bone maybe? I think it will be most useful to those who have not suffered post-natal depression - it gives a real insight into the depths that post-natal depression can take someone to and surely can only increase our understanding of the condition and show us how to deal kindly and sympathetically with sufferers of it.

My second book was rather different. Islam in our Backyard by Tony Payne is subtitled A Novel Argument and on first sight I wasn't entirely sure. But, I have finished the book a fan! Payne uses a fictional setting of two neighbours -one Christian the other 'non-religious' - to discuss Islam. The Christian wants to write a simple factual book on Islam and discusses the manuscripts with his neighbour who believes that religion is 'a personal thing and should be kept private'. There are short fictional sections describing the conversations and discussions between the two neighbours and there are longer factual sections (the manuscript) examining the beliefs and teachings of Islam. Payne also touches on bigger issues of tolerance and truth in a multicultural society. I think this unusual format works. It is a clear and concise analysis of Islam beginning with its historical roots through to its position in the world today and I would recommend it as an easy read .

What remains now is to choose my FREE book...
Lorna

See our 3 for 2 flyer (pdf) for a full list of the books included in the offer

Listening to Sermons

2009-04-11T21:16:00.004+01:00

This little paperback caught my eye when it came in a few weeks back and I have finally managed to have a better look at it. The full title is 'The Family at Church. Listening to Sermons and attending Prayer Meetings'. The first part on listening to sermons is excellent (I haven't fully read the second part on Prayer Meetings yet, so I wouldn't like to wholeheartedly endorse it!). As it is a Saturday evening and many of us are looking forward to the Lord's Day tomorrow, I thought I would share some excerpts from the second chapter entitled 'Preparing for the Preached Word' ...

" 1. Before coming to God's house to hear His Word, prepare yourself and your family with prayer. The Puritans said we should dress our bodies for worship and our souls with prayer...

2. Come with a hearty appetite for the Word. A good appetite promotes good digestion and growth. Peter encouraged a spiritual appetite, saying, " As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2)...

3. Meditate on the importance of the preached Word as you enter God's house... Since the Gospel is the Word of God, not the word of man, come to church looking for God. Though you should deeply appreciate your minister's efforts to faithfully bring you the Word of God, pray that you see "no man, save Jesus only" (Matthew 17:8)...

4. Remember as you enter the house of God that you are entering a battleground. Many enemies will oppose your listening... Satan opposes your listening to God's Word with might and main, knowing that if you truly hear it, he will lose you. So Satan tries to disturb you before the sermon begins, distracts you during the sermon, and dismisses the sermon from your mind as soon as it is finished... Pray repeatedly for strength to overcome all your enemies by listening well.

5. Finally, come with a loving, expectant faith (Psalm 62:1,5). Be swift to hear, slow to speak, and determined, like Mary, to ponder God's Word in your heart..."

The Family at Church, by Joel R Beeke, published by Reformation Heritage, £5.95

Lorna

Our April 3 for 2 Offer

2009-04-08T10:29:00.007+01:00

We are doing the widely publicised IVP 3 for 2 offer, which finishes at the end of this month. But we have added some others to the list of books available on the offer. See our pdf file on our website at http://www.christianbookshopossett.co.uk/April09.pdf There's some great money saving bundles you can make up for yourselves here.

One book within this offer I have just read and would recommend is the one pictured here. I always knew the subject of this biography as John Wycliffe, but it seems Wicliffe is the spelling preferred by some experts. It is only a shortish 100 page booklet. However, although famous as the C14th English Bible translator, there is very little in print about him so far as I know. This is reprinted with illustrations from a C19th work by David Deane (anyone know of him?) It makes the most of the scanty personal information surviving from such an early period. It also very helpfully sets out the general historical scene of the time, as well as the state of things in the Church. I think this would be an ideal present for young people aged (roughly) 11 years upwards, and a good Sunday School prize. But this is not to pigeonhole it or detract from its general profit for all readers. We live in times when the state church is in little better state than the one he fearlessly opposed for its corrupt doctrine and practices. Once again the Bible is set aside and visual media exalted in its place 'to make the gospel more accessible' (!) The wandering friars of Wycliffe's day entertained the gullible people with idle stories in order to fill their purses. Does this sound rather familiar? 'The Morning Star of the Reformation' carries a pressing message for today - "Preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2). We must do battle with it.

'John Wicliffe. The Morning Star of the Reformation' ISBN 9781880960431 is published by SMF International from St Louis in the USA and costs £3.95 from us.

Jeremy

John Gill on Justification

2009-04-07T21:58:00.008+01:00

A few years back the Gospel Standard Trust published an extract from John Gill's Body of Divinity. The aim was to make John Gill's rather complex writings more accessible to the layman. Gill's words and punctuation have not been changed but his extensive references to the original languages have mostly been omitted and the text has been broken up with sub-headings. To those who love the truths that John Gill stood for, but have never actually tried to read his writings, this little paperback is a real help. To those who slate John Gill's writings, but have never actually tried to read them, I suggest this as a good place to start.
This quote is taken from 'The effects of Justification'...

"Acceptance with God through Christ follows upon justification by his righteousness; there can be no acceptance with God upon the foot of a man's own righteousness, which cannot render him acceptable to God; but through the righteousness of Christ there is an acceptance both of persons and services; first of persons and then of services; as God had respect to Abel, and so to his offering, and accepted it; so he has respect to the persons of his justified ones, as considered in Christ; he has respect to him, and is well pleased with him, and with all that are in him; they are accepted of God in the beloved, being clothed with the robe of his righteousness, and the garments of his salvation; and their services being done in the strength of Christ, and through faith in him, and to the glory of God by him, and their spiritual sacrifices being offered up by him their great high-priest, they become acceptable to God through him."

At only £3.25, I don't think anyone could find an excuse not to read it.
Justification, Sinners Righteous in Christ by John Gill, published by Gospel Standard Trust Publications, £3.25
Lorna

Good quote...

2009-04-03T15:39:00.001+01:00

"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them."

- Mark Twain

God's Light on Dark Clouds

2009-03-27T13:17:00.005Z

This book has been flying off the shelf ever since it received a very positive review in the Gospel Standard Magazine this month. Many of our customers have bought a copy, and after reading it have come back to buy more copies for their friends.
Originally published in 1882, the author Theodore Cuyler had just lost a 21 yr old daughter. Fourteen years previously he had lost 2 of his children in infancy. Although he wrote as a bereaved parent his aim was to fulfil 2 Corinthians 1:4 'to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we are comforted of God'. This means that his writings have proved a comfort not only to the bereaved, but also to others who are walking a path of suffering and difficulty.
I have only 'dipped' into this book but each time I have opened to a page I have found food for thought. It is small and easily read, but deserves slow and careful reading. It directs the heart to Christ for comfort.
I have been torn in choosing a taster, but here is one, taken from the tenth chapter 'The Everlasting Arms':

"One great purpose in all affliction is to bring us down to the everlasting arms. What new strength and peace it gives us to feel them underneath us! We know that, far as we may have sunk, we cannot go any farther. Those mighty arms can not only hold us, they can lift us up. They can carry us along. Faith, in its essence, is simply a resting on the everlasting arms. It is trusting them, and not our own weakness. The sublime act of Jesus as our Redeemer was to descend to the lowest depths of human depravity and guilt, and to bring up his redeemed ones from that horrible pit in his loving arms. Faith is just the clinging to those arms, and nothing more."

God's Light on Dark Clouds by Theodore L Cuyler, published by Banner of Truth, £5

Lorna

Your Caption Please!

2009-03-25T21:21:00.005Z

Storeroom or children's indoor gym? The answer is both! For a while at least, before we sent this 19 box consignment out to America. It was a little cramped in there to say the least, awkward for us, but an excellent opportunity for early honing of climbing skills for Euan and Alex. I only wished I was their size...I wouldn't have to dream of a trip to the Black Cuillin of Skye...

Back to reality. The books have now been shipped and last heard of en route in Chicago. We have dusted ourselves down and started back on regular duties (like blogging!)

This week we are hosting two evenings of special spring sales. A 3 for 2 promotion is at the core of this, which will also extend through to the end of April. If you don't receive one of our email notifications soon, then put 'subscribe' in the subject line of an email and send it to lorna@christianbookshopossett.co.uk

She will be happy to send you the details of titles on the 3 for 2 deal. Unfortunately you won't be able to have 3 for 2 on the massive array of cakes which have been made this week unless you turn up at 7pm'ish on Thursday 26th. They just don't retain their quality after being handled by Royal Mail.

Jeremy

John Piper on John Calvin

2009-03-09T16:43:00.007Z

It doesn't read very clearly on the cover, but the full title of this slim paperback is 'John Calvin and his Passion for the Majesty of God'. It is an extract from an earlier book by the renowned pastor John Piper - 'The Legacy of Sovereign joy: God's Triumphant Grace in the Lives of Augustine, Luther and Calvin'. Piper doesn't claim to be a historian, and leans heavily on others for this short biography issued by IVP in this 500th anniversary year since the great Reformer was born. But what Piper does is marshall the facts to show what Calvin's life's aim was. Contrary to much of today's 'self saturated evangelicalism' what Calvin discovered for himself was the importance and supremacy of the self authenticating word of God. Once found he laboured indefagitably to set the majesty of God set forth in it before others.

Calvin's conversion is dealt with instructively by Piper, and especially the solid conclusion that two things are needed for a saving knowledge of Christ - 'Scripture and "the inward persuasion of the Holy Spirit." Neither alone suffices to save.' This instructive approach for today's Christians distinguishes the book from many others on Calvin. Piper's aim is a noble, and in this book, successful one. It is remarkably priced at just £4.99. I think IVP are on to a winner here. It will sell well, and deserves to.

Jeremy

Young, Restless, Reformed

2009-02-27T19:24:00.005Z

No it's not my CV, just the pacy title of a book new in from the US which I've just finished reading. Written by Collin Hansen, an editor of Christianity Today, it is absolutely fascinating. One feels to be looking in on something a world away from where we are, not just across the Atlantic. The thesis is that a movement, if not a revival, is taking place in America, and the doctrines of grace or Reformed theology or Calvinism (terms used synonymously by Hansen) have come to prominence again. This is particularly noticeable amongst the younger generation, fed up with 'seeker sensitive' evangelicalism. It becomes evident that Hansen can identify with this personally, and this fires his sympathetic treatment of the issue. In true journalistic style he embarks on a geographical and religious tour of research. It turns out to be a very thought provoking journey, well described, well written and never dry. He goes to the epicentres of the new Calvinism and interviews most of the main figureheads. You get a real feel for the characters who are just names over here. I certainly feel that this is essential reading for anyone involved in book buying decisions in the christian book trade (not that that counts many folk in!) In any case it enables you to orient yourself with regard to the contemporary American scene. He goes to Minneapolis to see John Piper's set up, Louisville KY to Al Mohler jnr's Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Seattle to Mark Driscoll's colourful Mars Hill church, Washington DC to Mark Dever's more sober one. R C Sproul, John MacArthur, C J Mahaney, J I Packer, Tom Ascol, Steve Lawson, Sam Storms...the list goes on! Some are interviewed more fully, but MacArthur refused. But Hansen digs deeper and chats to 'ordinary' people, and this is where some very remarkable stories are unlocked. Of real hunger for the scriptures, re-discovery of the puritans and Jonathan Edwards, bold ministry and great numerical success. I sincerely hope there is a real work of God in the new Calvinist network. I'm by no means persuaded by everything Hansen uncovers, but he finds enough to hold up such a hope. Take the refreshing attitude and maturity about the following excerpt from a conversation with Joel Brooks, who is ministering to students on campus in Birmingham AL, reflecting on the folly of some doctrinal controversialists:
"...they go full steam into arguments with others over the sovereignty of God because they think God's glory is at stake," Joel said. "But arguing over this actually defeats the very belief that God is the one who sovereignly changes hearts and the will. By arguing, you prove that you don't really believe the things you clam to believe.
"Humility," Joel said, "acknowledges that we all need sovereign grace in our lives, and this glorifies our God."
Young, Restless, Reformed' is published by Crossway for £9.99.
Jeremy

History Lives

2009-02-25T21:52:00.006Z

The blurb on the back of this book reads... 'Let history come to life - just the way it should do', and I think it certainly fulfills that. Intended for 9-14 yr olds, I have been reading this to my 5 yr old and he has been enthralled. 'Peril and Peace - Chronicles of the Ancient Church' is fictionalised Church History. It begins right back at the Apostle Paul and his shipwreck on the island of Malta. Although some readers may be slightly uncomfortable with fictionalisation of a Bible passage, it moves quickly on to Polycarp, Augustine and many other 'greats' in the history of the ancient Church. The biographical chapters are interspersed with shorter chapters outlining other issues pertinent to those times. With timelines, maps and bibliography this is a great resource for children and should certainly drum up some enthusiasm for a subject that is often seen as dry and 'boring'.
'Peril and Peace' is just the first book in the History Lives series. The fifth has recently been published and brings us right up to the present time.
Peril and Peace - Chronicles of the Ancient Church
Monks and Mystics - Chronicles of the Medieval Church
Courage and Conviction - Chronicles of the Reformation Church
Hearts and Hands - Chronicles of the Awakening Church
Rescue and Redeem - Chronicles of the Modern Church 1860 AD - Tomorrow.
Each by Mindy and Brandon Withrow, £5.99
Highly Recommended!
Lorna

Gospel Standard DVD

2009-02-11T21:44:00.010Z

This is a valuable resource. The Gospel Standard (GS) is one of the oldest 'living' monthly magazines in existence, and on this DVD is every one going back to the beginning in 1835, so there is much here for the historian. The development of a Strict Baptist denomination is discernable in the tone and style of the editorials. This DVD also gives the capability to enable the theological student to pursue doctrinal themes of interest, and to examine primary sources rather than relying on hearsay. It is particularly good to see some of the older, rarer magazines reproduced in a searchable pdf format. When the GS magazine first appeared it was also entitled 'The Feeble Christian's Support'. That experiential (or experimental) aspect has always been a hallmark, so much timeless material can still be read and appreciated by those who simply want to feed on the doctrines of sovereign grace today.

Its appearance is one of the best things the GS Trust could have undertaken to do. It fills a big gap, but costs £35, although this is very comparable to AGES software productions for example.

Jeremy