The Unquenchable Flame, Discovering The Heart Of The Reformation, Michael Reeves

EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK.

   The Unquenchable Flame is a thrilling 198-page account of one of the most pivotal events in the history of man, the Protestant Reformation. Author and theologian Michael Reeves is a master storyteller. Even if you are not very familiar with the specifics of the Reformation or the key people involved, you will be able to follow Reeves as he unfolds one amazing event after another. Who needs a novel when history is this exciting!

   In this account, Reeves has intentionally made the material accessible to the popular audience. You will learn about Martin Luther, the medieval, German, Roman Catholic monk who through studying the Bible came to believe that a person is justified before God by faith alone in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. You will learn about how this discovery set in motion a movement of God the world had not witnessed since the early church. You will also learn how important these truths are for today. 

   Not only does this short book give the fascinating tale of days gone by, but it also carries a critical message for today. Dare we boast about the state of churches today? It would not be wise. Much understanding about how to restore churches to faithfulness to God's Word can be found in how these men lead the churches of their day. Of these men Reeves writes, "...The Reformers were not after progress but regress: they were never mesmerized by novelty as we are, nor impatient of what was old, just because it was old; instead, their intent was to unearth original, old Christianity, a Christianity that had not been buried under centuries of human tradition." 

   Churches should purchase this book by the case! Churches should draw strength from those faithful to the Word in days long past. These men met the challenges to the gospel in their day with a thoroughly biblical response. From their example and teaching churches might well do the same. Currently, B&H Academic is giving a free copy of this book to everyone who signs up to receive their blog! Take advantage of this generous offer. You may also purchase the paperback from their site as well at the link provided above. 

Post tenebras lux, 

Scott

Culture Counts, Faith, and Feeling in a World Besieged, Roger Scruton

    "Roger Scruton has written an aggressive, provocative, and persuasive counterattack against the nihilism of modern intellectuals who would repudiate the high culture of America and the West," writes Robert H. Bork.

    What is culture? There is abundant discussion these days about "respecting the culture of others." This mantra is especially used in Western nations today thanks to the multicultural movement. This is often quoted as if the West does not already have a brilliant and vibrant culture. Sadly, a large portion of this discussion is quite shallow and politically motivated. Scruton brings simplicity and clarity to understanding the nature and role of culture and why Western Culture, specifically, is worth every effort to learn and treasure. 

    Roger Scruton has written some forty books challenging the corrosive philosophy of Liberalism. Scruton in winsome and simple ways demonstrates the richness and value of learning and transmitting the essential components of Western Culture. In chapter one he answers the difficult question of what exactly is culture. Scruton writes, "...It is very hard to set spatial or temporal boundaries on Western civilization. It grew from the fusion of Christianity with the law and government of Rome, became conscious of itself in the high Middle Ages, passed through a period of skepticism and Enlightenment, and was simultaneously spread around the globe by trading and colonial interests of its more adventurous members. And throughout its most flourishing periods, Western civilization has produced a culture that happily absorbs and adapts the cultures of other places, other faiths, and other times. Its basic fund of stories, its moral precepts, and religious imagery come from the Hebrew Bible and the Greek New Testament. On those Judeo-Christian roots, however, has been grafted a tree of many branches, bearing many kinds of fruit."

   Scruton's excellent discussion of the role of Leisure, Cult, and Culture in chapter two is nothing short of brilliant. It is both simple and transformational. Honestly, many a church, denomination and preacher might be encouraged and helped by this lucid discussion of a topic we tend to either get wrong or ignore. Each little chapter is filled with a banquet of thought. Topics such as "Knowledge and Feeling," "The Uses of Criticism," "Teaching Culture," "Culture Wars," and "Rays of Hope" are surprisingly thorough and reachable by all. Culture Counts is a small book that will hopefully be accessible to a wide audience. It is my hope that Roger Scruton's writings and speeches will find their way into your diet of excellent literature. 

Post tenebras lux,
Scott

How Many Isaiahs Were There & What Does It Matter, Prophetic Inspiration in Recent Evangelical Scholarship, Richard L. Schultz

   Did Isaiah the prophet write the book that bears his name? Were there two, three, or four "Isaiahs?" Did Isaiah the prophet even exist? Is the book of Isaiah simply a compilation of writings from other scribes? A troubling trend is afoot in Evangelical scholarship. As evangelicals gain acceptance in the academy there has with this acceptance comes the temptation to yield and to use, the higher- critical methods that have plagued liberalism from its inception. Respect can be a powerful draw that leads to a perversion of the historic and traditionally accepted doctrine of the inspiration of the Scriptures. And lest we minimize the danger, we must remember that to forsake the biblical doctrine of inspiration or to pervert it is to lose the Scriptures themselves. Schultz's concern is that "One of the primary threats today to a traditional understanding of biblical inspiration and inerrancy is the unrestricted employment of historical-critical tools by evangelical biblical scholars."
    How Many Isaiahs... is actually an excerpt from the larger book, Evangelicals & Scripture: Tradition, Authority, and Hermeneutics; a book that will henceforth be on the Sorry, I'm Booked "must-read" list. This is good for the reader. Making How Many Isaiahs...a stand-alone book makes it small enough for the average person. Since this is a subject that the typical Christian might shy away from reading, IVP Academic has performed a great service to the church by publishing it. The issues of this book, especially to the book of Isaiah, are of vital importance. "Contemporary evangelical approaches to the book of Isaiah illustrate vividly how historical-critical approaches to the book entail a changing doctrine of Scripture," Schultz writes. Church members mustn't ignore this book because, as the saying goes, what begins in the classroom ends on the street. Pastors go to seminaries to learn the Word and the skills of ministry and godliness but if what they learn is wrong then they will be as well. How can a local church pastor preach Isaiah with conviction when he is not confident that Isaiah is a trustworthy book or if his belief in the traditional understanding of inspiration and inerrancy has been shaken? Issues such as these are not simply scholastic past-times but have profound implications for the growth and vitality of the local churches. 

Post tenebras lux,
Scott 

Reflections on the French Revolution in France, Edmund Burke

  Though apparently, he upset much of his contemporaries with his Reflections, Burke was compelled to stand against the anarchy that threatens to cross from France to England. The Introduction to this edition written by L.G. Mitchell is quite critical of Burke. Doubtless, Mitchell is simply trying to set the political and historical context in which Burke's Reflections were published.       Revolution was in the air and it was quite unpopular to advocate conservative political and governmental philosophy. Burke apparently was up to the task, though he suffered for his forthrightness. By and large, his assessment of what was happening in France was correct and history has leaned its support to Burke's concern for his native land, England. There is much in this book to help us today. DO NOT make the mistake of allowing the title to suggest to you that this is an archaic topic. Most of the issues that Burke exposes are currently a problem in the United States. Burke's breadth of knowledge and lucid thinking are astonishing. His understanding of political and governmental philosophy is breathtaking. If you are studying this topic Reflection on the Revolution in France is an absolute must! If you claim to master political and governmental philosophy and haven't read Burke you are not complete. His work here is seminal, broad, thorough and approaches genius. After you've read this book you'll understand why you see quotes from Edmund Burke everywhere! All I can say to the people of this day is ... read this book ... please! It explains so much and so well about what is happening in our Western Civilization. 

Post tenebras lux, 

Scott 

Albert, Jules Stewart

Though my schedule has been extreme of late, I couldn't hold back my interest in this man and his accomplishments. I just started reading Albert this week but the signs of a good book are present - I can't wait to pick it up between readings. Check back soon for my take on this book about a man who is all but forgotten!

Okay, here goes... If you are looking for a glimpse into the life of a man who made a huge impact upon civilization then you've found the right book. This is a small volume so you may read about Prince Albert, Consort to Queen Victoria quite easily. I'm sure you'll be delighted to discover, as I was, that Prince Albert's influence may be seen around the world.

Ladies, the rest of this is for us guys :). One of my passions is discovering - digging through history to find men who serve their fellow men by modeling admirable qualities. Albert is definitely one such man! He was at home with pen or gun in hand. He worked to better the plight of the poor and the middle class. He was a devout Lutheran. Guys, you will enjoy gleaning from this great man. You will be inspired to serve God and your fellow man. These days when evil people are determined to destroy Western Civilization we should rediscover those courageous individuals who helped build and maintain it.

post tenebras lux, Scott