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Showing posts from April 18, 2021

"Puritan Piety: Writings in Honor of Joel R. Beeke" ed. by Haykin and Smalley. A Review

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  It's not only an interesting subject, but one worthy of focused attention: the piety of the Puritans, those 16th and 17th Century believers who wanted the purity of the church to be advanced. Was that piety superficial, self-righteous, sincere, substantive? What fueled their devotion, and gave them direction? Those are good questions to be asked and answered. So, very fittingly, this volume is dedicated to Joel R. Beeke, President and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, pastor of the Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, editor of Puritan Reformed Journal and Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, president of Inheritance Publishers, and vice-president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society. "Puritan Piety: Writings in Honor of Joel R. Beeke" is a 304-page softback that delves into samples of Puritan reverence and zeal. It's a full-blooded histori

"The Christian Life" by Sinclair Ferguson. A Quick Review

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  I first read this volume in 1997 while in Seminary. Recently, my wife and I read it together as part of our family devotions and found it beneficial. Sinclair Ferguson, Chancellor's Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, and an assistant minister at St. Peter's Free Church of Scotland, Dundee, penned this manuscript in 1981 and it has gone the distance, outrunning many more popularly written pieces. "The Christian Life" truly is a 228-page doctrinal introduction, written in a style that is straightforward and spry. The author covers foundational biblical doctrines in a tidy and tender manner. Young believers and and seasoned disciples will gain immensely from the subjects addressed, and the way each is graciously handled. Ferguson doesn't simply proof-text his subjects, but often spends time developing a full biblical passage, showing how a particular doctrine flows beautifully from a text in its context. Readers will be aided, inspir

"My Soul Thirsts for You" - 18 April 2021

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  O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. Father, all that we are about – in our family worship, personal devotions, Sunday School classes, Worship assemblies, men’s and women’s Groups, involvement in works of mercy, mission trips, VBS, and so forth – yes, all that we are about flows from our craving to know you and be nearer to you, from our enraptured amazement at your gracious goodness to us. Draw us to you – this whole congregation, along with your Church worldwide and Christ the King Church, The Christian Center, 2 nd St. Church of Christ and Church of the Bride. Slake our thirst for you; refresh us that we may rise from our faintness; reform us that