For the past few months of working at the Amazon Warehouse, I have encountered numerous of books. I created a list and a wish list of the books that I want add into my library. When I see a book that seems interesting to me, I would write it down and go back home to review it and consider purchasing it.
With a lot of books on my shelf, desk, bed, and also in the tablet, I want to briefly share what I've been reading (if you are ever at all interested) and give a short description of the content.
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Antinomianism: Reformed Theology's Unwelcome Guest? by Mark Jones
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Mark Jones is a pastor, theologian and elder of Faith Presbyterian Church. He is a theologian that is trained in Christology, a discussion about the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ. He has written a few books, one of which is called Puritan Theology with Joel Beeke. He is an expert on the Puritans where he would often quote dead guys on top of his head. I am privileged to be under his teachings at a Willingdon School of the Bible.
In his book, he traces back to a historical debate in 16 century in the Reformed theological tradition, which is called Antinomianism, that has crept up in the 21st century. We are living in an era where legalism was a big problem, but nowadays Antinomianism is becoming a more detrimental problem within the church. Antinomianism in of itself preaches absolute contrast between the law and the gospel. (i.e. "No Work" or "No Law" and "God Loves Me Unconditionally No Matter What I Do" or "Jesus Already Finished The Work For Us") Mark Jones, with his scholarly work on church history and scriptural argument, carefully reconciles the Law and the Gospel together with Christology.
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Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments by Geerhardus Vos
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Do not ever underestimate fine old books. This piece is truly a modern classic. Vos is considered to be a modern puritan and has been called the father of Reformed Biblical Theology. He lived from 1862 to 1949.
Sara Shim gave me this book. When she gave it to me, knowing that I will enter into pastoral ministry, encouraged me to read through it. My first impression was indifferent because the font and the book cover look old. I also had no clue what this book was about besides Biblical Theology. Mark Jones altered my thoughts when he mentioned that book during the class on Biblical Theology and highly recommends it. Majority of well-known Biblical Theologians also recommend this treat for those who want to dig deeper in understanding Biblical Theology. This year, this book resonates to me because I have a special interest in specializing in Biblical Theology and a bit of Christology when I do Th.M (Lord willing).
Biblical Theology is a not for those who wants to seek a basic understanding about that subject. It is an advanced material that is comparable to the works of John Owen and Jonathan Edwards. This is truly a book that would cure insomnia. The way that Vos chooses his vocabulary and structures his sentences helps me to carefully ponder at his points. Essentially, Vos is providing an account and theological themes of how God's revelation unfolds, not simply the big idea of the entire Bible. He structures his book in three parts: The Mosaic Epoch of Revelation, The Prophetic Epoch of Revelation, and The New Testament.
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What is Reformed Theology?: Understanding the Basics and What is the Church by R.C. Sproul
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Sproul is one of the well-known evangelicals/theologians that Christians look up to. He has a ministry called Ligonier Ministries. This ministry is dedicated "to help Christians know what they believe, why they believe it, how to live it, and how to share it."
Yesterday, I decided to immerse myself in the realm of Reformed Theology. Sproul is gifted not only in theology, but also in teaching theology in basic terms that even a Christian layperson could understand. Sproul makes a fine argument that Reformed Theology, or the Reformed Tradition, is not simply about the five points of calvinism although it is part of the treatment of theology. First of all, Sproul carefully distinguishes difference between the study of religion and the study of theology. Later on, Sproul explains the historic reformed tradition that was brought about during the time of the Reformation in the 16th century. For the first half of the book, he lays out "The Five Foundation Stones" in Reformed Theology:
(1) Centered On God
(2) Based On God's Word Alone
(3) Committed To Faith Alone
(4) Devoted To Jesus Christ
(5) Structured by three covenants.
The 2nd half of the book speaks about the five points of Calvinism/Reformed Theology or the Doctrine of Grace.
"What is the Church" is a short book that explains that question. Sproul again carefully expounds a biblical understanding of unity within the local and universal church. Unity is not a simple word, as Sproul explains it in his book. With the rise of Christian liberalism, can liberal churches and conservative churches be united? Doctrines do divide churches, therefore, should we hold peace and unity over doctrine? Sproul answers those questions in his book. For your information, Ligonier is giving away all of Sproul's "Crucial Questions Series" for free on kindle or ebook.
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Conclusion
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And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
(Colossians 1:9-10)
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