Digging for Treasure in the Dark, Ann Varnum, ISBN 9780983244165. Theocentric Publishing Group, 2011, 217 pages, $13.00
Ann Varnum received this letter from a reader.
"Dear Ann, I have just completed your new book:"Digging For
Treasure In the Dark". It was very well written and causes one who is a
Christian to know that God is always near The stories captures one's
attention and blessed my life......Thanks again for the stories that
captured my heart." In Christ, Votie Hodges.
Taking a Serious God Seriously, James Perry, ISBN9780983244158. Theocentric Publishing Group, 2011. 200 pp. $12.95. Paper back and Kindle Edition available from Amazon.
God prepared James Perry to write this book by giving him academic preparation and practical experience. Perry graduated with a Master of Divinity from Covenant Seminary and served as a pastor in various churches across the United States for fifty years. In his retirement he devotes much of his time writing; a blog, “A Pilgrim’s Perspective”, http://pacafour.blogspot.com. He is also the author of three other books. They are available from www.theocentricpublishing.com.
This book critiques the culture of man by using contemporary events that are relative to every day life. He opens the door of discussion on cultural issues like education. His questions are soul searching. One brief example; “Is there the possibility of an ongoing ‘dumbing-down’ within certain venues of the so-called ‘Christian Church’?” His answers are always biblically sound. He devotes one chapter to the ultimate purpose of life, the doctrine and practice of worship. His analysis of current worship trends finds its remedy in the Word of God. He describes the cultural milieu from a world of experience. The author responds to the naturalistic postmodern culture with the Kingdom culture of the Lord Jesus Christ.
This book is relevant and readable. It will concurrently challenge Christians with its contemporary documentary and at the same time encourage them with the Word of God. Read this book to the grasp its primary theme; God is a serious God.
It is divided into thirteen chapters thus making it an excellent choice for Sunday School or Bible Study Groups that follow the quarter system. Pastors will find it a valuable resource for preaching and teaching.
The Right Course and the Only Right Choice by James Perry, ISBN 9780984570898, 148 pp. $11.95. Review by Terry Delaney at Christian Book Notes. http://christianbooknotes.com/
Murphy, Martin. My Christian Apology – Apologetics: Explained and Applied. Chipley, ISBN 9780984570874, The Theocentric Publishing Group, 2010. 92 pp. $7.95. Purchase at Amazon for less.
Introduction
Martin Murphy has written a number of books which have been reviewed here at Christian Book Notes. His latest to be published, My Christian Apology, is his attempt at calling the believer back to rational discussion of God, meaning, and reality.
Summary
Murphy offers a brief synopsis of Jonathan Edwards’ apologetics as well spending some time offering a smattering of theologians from the Southern Presbyterian Church, specifically, Dr. Francis Beattie. The book begins with a classical definition of the field of apologetics and moves straight into a discussion of Edwards’ use of apologetics in his sermons and writings.
We see how Jonathan would attack and reason from a common ground that we all share. As Murphy moves through Edwards he arrives to the 19th century Southern Presbyterians–the longest chapter of the book.
Perhaps the most important chapter is his chapter entitled Understanding Natural Law for Apologetics. Here, Murphy lays out his…um…apologetic for a classical view of apologetics. After having laid his foundation in Edwards and the 19th century, Murphy’s argument for Natural Law and apologetics is a force to be reckoned with.
Review
At only 92 pages, this is not a long read. Neither is it a difficult read. While Murphy does say that the book is not elementary students, it is definitely and easy read as far as apologetics go. If you have studied apologetics at all, you will find that Murphy offers a compelling argument. If you have never studied apologetics, this is a good place to begin. As I said above, the chapter on Natural Law for Apologetics is worth the price of the book.
Also, I believe this to be Martin’s best book to date. His writing style seems more equipped for this writing approach–laying out a defense for believing and sharing the Christian faith. The book is engaging and the footnotes will point the reader in the right direction as he seeks to better understand a classical apologetic.
Recommendation
I highly recommend Murphy’s My Christian Apology. It is thought provoking and should drive the Christian to want to be able to better defend what he believes when talking with unbelieving acquaintances. It will also help to dispel misunderstandings regarding a classical approach to apologetics.
Joy in Worship, 9780984570843, James Vickery, Reviewed by Terry Delaney
Introduction
James Vickery has served as a pastor for the majority of his adult life. His heart is that others would see the glory of God in life through the lens of Scripture. Joy in Worship is his first book and seeks to bring the church back to a right understanding of true worship.
Summary
The first five chapters lay a foundation, more like an apologetic, for the need to return to the principles set forth in the Scriptures regarding how we are to worship God. Vickery argues in chapter three that ever since the fall of man in Gen. 3, our worship has moved from a theocentric (i.e., God-centered) to an anthropocentric (i.e., man-centered) style. He argues that we must always be seeking to reform our worship from the inside out. In other words, worship comes from the heart and if we are seeking to worship anything aside from God, whether it be the building, the pastor, the music, etc., then we are in need of reformation.
The second major section of the book is based on Psalms 120-134. While not necessarily an exposition, Vickery uses these Psalms of Ascent to direct our attention to the glorious truths underlying our worship. It is in these fifteen chapters that we find, based on Scripture, the true joy in worship.
The book concludes with a few chapters of exhortation. The first of these offers Pastor Vickery’s understanding of how we are to offer perfect worship. I appreciated his quote on p. 169—“The church on earth is not perfect, however, perfect worship is not only possible, it is necessary.” This at once shows two things: first, you can know how to worship God and second, it is of the utmost importance that you learn this.
Review
Many will recognize this as the age-old discussion of the Regulative Principle of worship—that the Bible alone should inform the way in which we seek to worship God. This is a book that is more about the heart of worship rather than the type of instruments and songs used in worship. What I most appreciated is that Pastor Vickery rarely refers to this explosive hand grenade and instead allows the Word of God to do the speaking. In effect, he lets your argument be with the Lord and not with him. Furthermore, you will not be able to read this book without a Bible. While it would be nice to have the passages, specifically, the various Psalms used at the beginning of each chapter, right there within the pages of the book, it is nice to have to crack open your Bible. After all, his argument is that our theology and practice of worship ought to be informed by Holy Writ. Finally, when Pastor Vickery “lays the smackdown” on current trends in worship, he does so based upon the authority of the Bible. He never crosses the boundary of going further than what Scripture says. You will find that your arguments are not against Pastor Vickery’s interpretation, rather, you must argue against the clear teaching of the Bible.
Recommendation
Read this book and be challenged. Purchase this book for your pastor and offer it to him. Do so, however, in a loving manner. The modern church has allowed for much of the world to inform what she does and many pastors and church leaders have not really discussed or critically thought about what they are doing each Lord’s Day. Joy in Worship will be a catalyst to open up those all-important lines of communication and, Lord willing, bring about a revival in worship on Sunday mornings.
Consider These Things With Me, 9780984570867, James Perry, Reviewed by Terry Delaney
Introduction
James Perry has served as a pastor for more than forty-six years all over the United States. This is his first work that has been published. You can read more about James Perry’s thoughts at his blog, Peripheral, where he publishes his thoughts about the world from a biblical perspective.
In Consider These Things With Me, Pastor Perry offers insight from the Scriptures on current events happening in and to our government, educational system, businesses and the home.
Summary/Review
James Perry has written some 28 articles looking at current cultural issues. He offers what the world says through news headlines and quotes from various sources and then offers a biblical understanding of how we, as believers, should respond. In some cases we are called to action while in others, we are called to a reaction. In all cases, we are challenged to think biblically about what is going on in the world.
I really enjoyed Perry’s writing style and it caused me to think about issues that I have not spent much time thinking about in the past. That in and of itself makes the book worth reading. I do, however, have two concerns with the book. First, because of the nature of the book, it will be quickly out-dated as it deals primarily with current issues. Nonetheless, the example of how to understand and respond to the world with a biblical perspective. This is what philosophers and theologians call a worldview. Sadly, many in the church today do not understand this. Second, my concern is that nothing is cited. While I remember many of the articles being referenced, it would have served the reader and author well to cite them.
Recommendation
Consider These Things is a great book to read and then pass along to a friend. Given the “dated” material, it will serve better as a “pass along” book than one that sits on your shelf. The principles learned from reading it through once will serve the reader long after closing the book. We all should strive to view the world through the lens of the Bible even when it comes to something as minor as hyphenating a name.
Joy In Worship, ISBN: 9780984570843, James Vickery, Reviewed By Dominique Sessons
No matter what we’ve been through in life, there are certain victories for which we’re all most thankful; however, the means through which we celebrate those victories – particularly by praising and worshipping God for them – vary from person to person. Despite the individualized nature of exhibiting it, though, worship is a central key to the practice of all faiths, one that requires a considerable amount of study and reflection if we’re to understand just why it plays such a significant role in our daily lives.
Such is the central premise of Joy In Worship. In his enlightening new offering, author and pastor James Vickery expounds on the importance of understanding the fundamental roots and basic principles of worship. Bolstered by insightful biblical scripture and pointed historical references, Vickery’s cogent analysis serves as a powerfully eye-opening treatise on the limitless benefits that stem from the wholehearted embrace of worship in action. Thoroughly informative, Joy In Worship is a comprehensive guide to understanding the unchecked fullness of living a praiseworthy life. Highly recommended.
The Essence of Christian Doctrine, ISBN 978098457081, By Martin Murphy
Review by Pastor Phil Morgan, First Assembly Church, Brookfield, Connecticut
I became acquainted with Martin Murphy recently through a couple of online exchanges, including comments he left right here on this blog. Martin has more than 20 years experience as a pastor and teacher, and holds degrees in Bible and Divinity from Columbia and Reformed Theological Seminary. He and his wife live in South Alabama.
Not every competent pastor or seminary graduate can write. Martin can!
I bought a copy of his new book “The Essence of Christian Doctrine” and as I started to leaf through it I was immediately struck by its style. It does not pretend to be a magnum opus on systematic theology. (We probably have enough of those.) It is clearly written for a more popular audience, bringing a good summary of sound Christian doctrine in a thoroughly engaging and readable style.
This book would be a great introduction to theological reading for any young person, and it would make an excellent small group Bible Study curriculum. The seasoned pastor will find immensely helpful material here in preparing to preach doctrine in terms that a whole congregation can grasp quickly.
Approximately the first half of the book (13 chapters) is devoted to expounding the Apostles’ Creed which (in my opinion) ought to be the very first thing we teach new converts, in that it is thoroughly Biblical, easily memorized, and broadly instructional. It’s a marvelous doctrinal foundation for anyone.
The remaining 11 chapters cover such things as the authority of the Bible, the providence of God, the doctrines of salvation by grace, the Church, God’s law and Biblical evangelism. (This last topic has become especially close to my own heart, and I have been quietly preparing material on it myself.)
I love this book! It’s at the same time both a systematic approach, but also faithfully Biblical; it is appropriately dogmatic, but also pastoral. Martin has not avoided the topics that have historically sparked theological controversy, but he does not engage in the combative arguments that often serve to create more heat than light. He simply and positively lays out the plain teaching of Scripture.
Review by Kurt Michaelson, Seminary Student, Nyack New York
Well, this is my very first book review and I'm grateful for the opportunity to provide a brief review of this book.
When the author, Martin Murphy, contacted me via Twitter, he asked me to review the book from a seminary perspective.
One of the courses any seminarian will take will be a course on Systematic Theology, which is an excellent subject to learn more about all of the doctrines found in Scripture.
This past year in seminary, I read Millard Erickson's book, Christian Theology and it was good, a long and thick book and one that I'll use as a reference in the future.
This book, The Essence of Christian Doctrine, A brief study of the apostles' creed and basic Christian doctrine is an excellent read and one that should accompany any other book a seminarian has in their library.
The contents of the book are not exclusively for the benefit of seminary students either, but an excellent opportunity, for anyone to be refreshed in understanding Christian doctrine through the Apostle's Creed.
I attended a Catholic school as a child and I remember reciting the Apostle's Creed, even memorizing it in 8th grade for a assignment. The Apostle's Creed was also something I heard recited often on a Sunday morning too when my family attend Mass, but we never knew the deeper meaning of the creed, nor were taught its significance regarding its biblical foundation either. I don't suppose much has changed since then in the Catholic church where parishioners simply repeat the creed in robotic form rather than knowing the foundation upon which it has been given to the church. This book helped to discover that and I am grateful for the time and effort Martin Murphy has devoted to this work, to provide such a simple theological understanding of the Apostle's Creed.
When I read chapter 9, Holy Catholic Church, Martin Murphy provides an excellent explanation what a Holy Catholic Church means and what it is supposed to represent.
Many catholics do not know that the word catholic refers to a Greek word, katholikos, which means universal and that is what the church is to be, a known universal Christian entity where the teaching is based on the inspired word of God.
Murphy says that the catholic church, "The true church has no boundaries thus it is not parochial, but rather it is evangelical." (p. 69) So true!
The latter part of the book provides a basic theological understanding of the doctrine of sin, salvation and sanctification, which provide for the reader a simple understanding of these doctrines and the significance of these doctrines regarding the life and ministry of the church and the Christian believer.
He also covers some additional topics too, which I was not disappointed by either, because they added so much more value to what I had read.
Chapter 21, Living by God's Law was very good, probably my favorite chapter of the book to read because of the Ten Commandments.
The author says, "Sermons dealing with the full nature, extent and interpretations of the law of God have been absent from pulpits in this country for over a century" (p. 160) and he's absolutely right.
Many pastors in modern Christianity no longer exposit the Ten Commandments because they have adapted to avoiding an understanding of the commandments, in favor of being more relevant with people and providing sermons that are more applicable to their lives. They'd rather delight you in their eloquence so as not to offend someone, rather than devote themselves to teaching doctrine and winning their souls to Christ.
Quite honestly, there is no other way, in my opinion, to learn how to apply the Scripture to our lives, than for the pastor to preach the sermon in an expository manner. (John MacArthur provides a brief audio explanation regarding what is meant by "expository" preaching here.)
Martin provides a brief, yet solid explanation of the Ten Commandments in this chapter and any reader would have a much better understanding of the commandments, as they relate to God and living by His law because of the atoning sacrifice of Christ, after reading this chapter.
This is an excellent book and one that I would recommend people to read. Whether someone is in seminary or not, a new believer or a seasoned one, or someone who is seeking to understand more about what they may have heard as a child when they attended a catholic mass, this book will add to your life an understanding of this creed, more than you realize.
Return to the Lord: A Brief Commentary and Exposition of Hosea. ISBN 9780984570805 by Martin Murphy
Review by Terry Delaney, Christian Book Notes
Introduction
Martin Murphy is no stranger to the readers of Christian Book Notes. He has been reviewed and interviewed here a few times. You can read those reviews here. He is also one of the co-founders of The Theocentric Publishing Group.
Summary/Review
Just as the subtitle alludes to, this book is a commentary and exposition of Hosea. This is not like your typical commentary, however. What you will find is a guided tour of not just the main highlights of Hosea, but a gentle push to delve deeper into the Word of God.
As with any commentary, Martin’s “perspective” is inevitably obvious at some points though he leaves the door wide open for the reader’s interpretation. His use of pronoun’s like “I” is the main reason for this comment, but overall, he does an excellent job of remaining objective…a trait that is difficult when writing any commentary or expositional thoughts on a book of the Bible.
I appreciated most his questions sprinkled throughout the book. Those questions, while not loaded, will direct the reader to some profound thoughts on what it means to be in covenant with God. (As believers in Christ Jesus, we are in a covenant with Him!)
Recommendation
Return to the Lord can be used for personal edification or for preparing a lesson. What is more, this resource can be used for sermon preparation. It will not give you “Martin Murphy’s thoughts on Hosea” as many commentaries offer. Rather, it will lead, guide, and direct you as you seek to understand the central message of this Old Testament Prophet. In the end, you will be asking yourself, “Have we returned to the Lord?”
