Book Review: The Purposes of The Lord’s Supper
The Purposes of the Lord’s Supper by Peter Masters
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book Review: A Theology of Luke and Acts: God’s Promised Program, Realized for All Nations
A Theology of Luke and Acts: God’s Promised Program, Realized for All Nations by Darrell L. Bock
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Book Review: Expository Exultation: Christian Preaching as Worship
Expository Exultation: Christian Preaching as Worship by John Piper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book Review: The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance–Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters
The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance—Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters by Sinclair B. Ferguson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I had heard of the Marrow Controversy, though knew little about it before reading this book. Ferguson acknowledges that an eighteenth century controversy that arose among Scottish Presbyterians in an obscure village in rural Scotland hardly seems to arrest our attention today. He is right about that and he is also right about the fact this controversy should get our attention. He deals with some of the historical issues and persons involved, which was interesting and informative. However, he focus on the issues at stake in the controversy since the issues of legalism, antinomianism, and assurance of salvation are such issues as are common to all men.
Ferguson’s insights into the root of both legalism and antinomianism are keen. Both at root are a separating of Jesus Christ in the fullness of his person from the benefits received by faith in him. The point may seem subtle, but the issues are enormous. Failure to grasp them leads us into one or the other of the two errors mentioned, which ultimately obscure the person of Christ and, at best, hinder the Gospel of God’s free grace. We are often flippant in our thinking of both legalism and antinomianism, and consequently fail to grasp core issues and fail to see how they negatively affect the ministry of the word.
This book needs to be read carefully and thought through. Some of the history may fail to grip and there are also some issues of intramural Presbyterianism and covenant theology debates that weren’t unexpected. I think every Christian should read this book, though I know they won’t. I don’t say this often, but I believe every pastor, preacher, and teacher must read this book and grapple with the issues raised. If you are ministering the Word, then you have already dealt with these issues to some degree. Ferguson will help clarify and get to the root of the issues. I would also recommend reading The Gospel According to Jesus by John MacArthur and God is the Gospel by John Piper. Those two books deal more explicitly with the Gospel issues of separating Christ from his benefits.
Book Review: From Famine to Fullness: The Gospel According to Ruth
Posted by Jeff Short on February 1, 2020 · Leave a Comment
From Famine to Fullness: The Gospel According to Ruth by Dean R. Ulrich
This book looks at major redemptive themes in the book of Ruth. The layout follows the book of Ruth and in that respect is a little more like a commentary. He does address many details in the book, but doesn’t get deeply entangled in them. He focuses on aspects of Gospel truth in the book and connects major themes with other biblical books. It is a helpful study.My rating: 4 of 5 stars
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Filed under Reviews, Short Booklog · Tagged with Commentary, Gospel, Old Testament, Reviews, Ruth