As the year 2023 draws to a close, I realize that there are quite a few books that I have read and not written reviews for and quite a few more over in the farthest pastures that I have not yet started or did not finish reading. The fault is all mine, or it is all those petty tyrannies that while away my time and keep me from reading, reviewing, and writing.
The contributions of Dutch theologians and preachers to theology is immense. No other country can boast of so many great thinkers in the field of Reformed theology and its applications to all areas of life. As is usually the case, once one gets past the point of learning the names of men like Kuyper, Bavinck, Vos, Berkof, Van Til, Schilder, Ridderbos, Hoeksema, Dooyeweerd, Rookmaaker, and others, you realize that not all of these men were in lock step on every doctrinal position or on application to church, life, and society.
The internal intramural battles all have or had their place. One can assume that there were vital principles at stake, and one can rest assured (even if it doesn’t seem reassuring) that good and godly men disagree. The key is to wade past whatever may have been a hot button issue of decades past and glean the riches of the Dutch Reformation which happened during the era of the overall Protestant Reformation and then kept on happening again and again and again.
And it is vital to understand that much of what grew out of the Dutch world and life view was transplanted in the New World. So, many of the greatest of Dutch theologians were born in North America or came here in their early youth. Fluent in both Dutch and English, they translated the faith to many congregations, mostly in the more Dutch-centered areas of the mid-west, like Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan, but they wrote books that have even reached such remote and backward areas as the fundamentalist, Bible-belt American South.
Herman Hoeksema was one of the giants of the Dutch preacher-theologian-authors. His main works include his three volume Triple Knowledge and Reformed Dogmatics. Like many preachers, he had realms of materials that he had preached in the pulpit, or in the case of I Believe–on the radio.
Marco Barone did the groundwork to bring a series of such messages into print. The result is this volume on the Apostles’ Creed.
I Believe is a collection of 38 messages that Hoeksema preached on the historic creed detail by detail. For many of us, we grew up reciting the Creed. Little did we know that we were having our minds ingrained with the heart of the Christian faith. Year after year, reciting the Creed can bring one into a knowledge of Christian salvation (outwardly, with always there being the necessity of a work of God’s Spirit in the heart). Although the Creed takes a minute or less to recite, each phrase is heavy laden with Scriptural teachings. Thirty-eight messages with two additional appendices are still a light, or we might say, accessible, entryway into Christian theology and life.
This book is a useful tool for anyone wanting to get better grounded at theology. All too many systematic theologies are also heavy lifting, but this book is set at a good cardio level of a bit over 300 pages. Pastors, consider teaching through the Creed. (And if your church doesn’t regularly recite the Creed, repent and start this Sunday.) Teachers and study group leaders: Consider taking this book and leading your group through it. If 38 session is too many, double up. Christian reader who is bored with devotional fluff: Dig in.
And to all who have yet to experience the embarrassment of riches found and rooted in the life and faith that prospered in the Netherlands (much more in the past than the present), begin here.
Okay, I owed this book and my friend at Reformed Free Publishing Association more than a line or two, I wrote a good bit, but the remaining reviews will be confined to a line or two.
Books from Lexham Press:
Bulwarks of Unbelief: Atheism and Divine Absence in a Secular Age by Joseph Minich
I read Minich’s previous book on the topic. This is a vital issue in apologetics. I have great confidence in the author, who is a friend via social media and a brother in Christ. To Be Read.
Tolkien Dogmatics: Theology through Mythology with the Maker of Middle-Earth by Austin M. Freeman
Thankfully, we are seeing Tolkien getting lots of attention in both the fields of theology and literature. This book is a combination of two of my loves.
Books from Intervarsity Press:
A Study of the Old Testament:
Creator: A Theological Interpretation of Genesis 1 by Peter Leithart.
Leithart is a brilliant theologian, and the reader will find occasions to be blown away by what he says, baffled by what he says, or in disagreement with what he says. It may all happen on the same page. I am currently reading this book. This is no easy slide through Genesis 1. So far, it has been tough climbing, but the view is magnificent.
The Prophets and the Apostolic Witness: Reading Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel as Christian Scripture, edited by Andrew T. Abernathy, William R. Osborne, and Paul Wegner.
I always need help and instruction in how to read and use the Major Prophets. Andy Abernathy is an author/theologian with whom I am familiar from recently reading his book Savoring Scripture, which is also an IVP publication and a book previously reviewed.
This collection of essays are on the To Be Read list. I will be trying to read the Major Prophets along with the essays.
The Monor Prophets: A Theological Introduction by Craig G. Bartholomew and Heath A. Thomas
After I have worked through the major prophets, I hope to delve into this study of the guys who wrote shorter selections.
History Studies from Intervarsity Press:
Theologies of the American Revivalists From Whitefield to Finney by Robert W. Caldwell III
I think I reviewed this book earlier this year. It is an outstanding study of American history and the revival movement. One of the best books of the year. Suited me as a history teacher who also has done church work.
Worship by Faith Alone: Thomas Cranmer, The Book of Common Prayer, And The Reformation of Liturgy by Zac Hicks
Another fine study that satisfied the historian teacher in me along with the student of theology. Cranmer often gets pushed aside by a few of the bigger names in the Reformation Era. Weighty, but inspiring reading.
Martin Luther and the Rule of Faith: Reading God’s Word for God’s People by Todd R. Hains
If I had not just finished a lengthy read on the Reformation, I would be delving into this right away. Nevertheless, I can hardly resist a book that has the name of Martin Luther in the title. To Be Read.
Other Intervarsity Press Titles
Traveling Light: Galatians and the Free Life in Christ by Eugene Peterson
Peterson was a great stylist and communicator. You don’t have to remind me of his theological misdemeanors and possible felonies, for I am aware of his foibles. Take him for what he was and read him with discernment (as is the case with every writer) and glean the good.
I have been greatly blessed by many of his books. This book was less satisfying because I did not connect with what he was conveying in his emphasis on freedom. Perhaps, I was wanting more of an exegetical book.
The Second Testament: A New Translation by Scot McKnight
I plan on reading this book for my Bible reading just as soon as I get through some of the prophets, major and minor.
God’s Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible by Vaughn Roberts.
Recommended to me by my pastor Jared Gibson and my longtime friend and former colleague Ryan Brown. It is a brief look at the Bible as a whole.
And I am several years overdue in getting into The Story Retold: A Biblical Theological Introduction to the New Testament by G. K. Beale and Benjamin L. Gladd
I have no excuses. I need to at least read a couple of hundred pages into this study.
Holiness: Biblical, Historical, and Systematic Theology by Matt Ayars, Christopher T. Bounds, and Caleb T. Friedman
I was a bit taken aback when I realized that the perspective of the authors is Wesleyan. But, I realize that I need to be constantly both drilling deeper into my own Reformed perspective while exploring some other viewpoints that have things to tell me. And I do need to grow in holiness.
Time to halt this portion of the round-up and try to tell you about some more books later.
Hope the year ends well for you. God’s blessings for the New Year.
The Heavy Laden Bookshelf 