Deus Misereatur

  Richard Phillips, a pastor in the Presbyterian Church in America (Second Presbyterian, Greenville, SC), has given a handy, straightforward, readable 220-page softback on biblical masculinity. It won't resonate with those who are happy touting their victimhood and their need to victimize women in manosphere world. But for those who really desire to grow in godly, biblical manhood, this is a fine work.  The summary statement by Jerry Bridges in the Foreword, gives the overall them and direction of the book, where "the humble man, toiling faithfully at his job, nurturing and shepherding his wife, and seeking to bring up his children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, conforms to God's picture of a real man" (xii). That covers the subjects in the book in a nutshell. Though I have a few quibbles with some smaller details, in the end this is a book worth reading and even reading with other men. As Phillips notes, "If we do not seek truth in this matter fr...

  Joel Beeke goes straight to his point. In this 80-page softback, he speaks to Christian husbands and fathers about reflecting Christ as prophets, priests, and kings in their family. It's not a book supporting male bravado and machismo. Instead, how does a man, as leader in his family, lead well and rightly? Beeke is very practical. For example, he is clear how godly husbands relate to their wives. "Give her your thoughts, your time, your talk, your tenderness, and your touch, but make sure you touch her heart before you touch her body" (32). Wow! He also addresses the important task of raising children to be adults. He includes the importance of discipline (even spanking). Beeke even emphasizes how fathers should understand their children and be understanding, but not our children's buddies. This is a great little book. Churches should buy it in bulk and distribute it freely to their men and families. This could easily be used in pre-marriage classes and marriage ...

  While strolling around in the exhibit hall during our denomination's General Assembly, I happily came across the booth for Covenant College. They were freely handing out copies of Kelly M. Kapic's new 176-page hardback, " You Were Never Meant to Do It All ". Forty days worth of readings that "pay attention to the most neglected aspect of our good  creaturely existence - our appropriate limits" (3). Each day includes 850 words or less, and then ends with reflective questions to aid readers and reading groups to find ways to be shaped by the material that day. The driving theme brings us to recognize our God-created, creaturely limits, and ask ourselves daily: are we required to overcome those "perceived shortcomings" (7)? Since God, from the very beginning, made us to be a dependent people, who because of our creatureliness are vulnerable (140-142), we have limits. And God even went so far as to say it was all very good! Therefore, we are not expe...

Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated. The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good. He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil . Our hearts, O God, grieve for those who have never repented of their sins, believed in Christ, and avowed him as Lord (…). Save them. Breach the walls of their resistance and draw them into your family. But we also pray for those whose words are trouble and deceit, who plot trouble on their beds, who set themselves in a way that is not good and don’t reject evil. Vanquish their odium and bring order and honor to fill the void. Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you...