The Godly Home

by Richard Baxter

“For many years, I have hoped that someone would reissue a fresh edition of this valued compendium of the callings and opportunities of family living. In a day when many Christians are confused about the callings of Christian living in the home, Baxter gives clear job descriptions for husbands, wives, and even children. It is my prayer that Baxter’s robust biblical vision for the family will inspire and encourage many, just as it did in the seventeenth century.”

- Tedd Tripp, pastor, author, international conference speaker

“Baxter’s The Godly Home is a treasure of godly information and advice desperately needed in today’s world. Few areas are more in need of reformation than the home and family, and this updating of Baxter’s prose is very welcome indeed. For too long, this excellent piece has been buried in the massive Directory, and its resurrection under the skillful hand of Randall Pederson is both timely and welcome. Let us hope that a new reformation begins in the home and that this publication will aid to that end.”

- Derek Thomas, John E. Richards Professor of Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary; Minister of Teaching, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi

“The Puritans elevated the concept that our homes and families should be like little churches and godly enclaves more than anyone else in church history. They preached scores of sermons and wrote numerous books on how to live as Christian husbands, wives, and children. One of the most important among these books was written by Richard Baxter and has long been buried in miniscule print in his A Christian Directory. In The Godly Home, Randall Pederson has masterfully edited Baxter’s tour de force on the duties of husbands, wives, children, and teenagers in building God-glorifying homes. Though a few items in this book may seem outdated, the vast majority of it provides solid, convicting, and instructive biblical advice. If every Christian family, by the Spirit’s grace, conscientiously practiced the godly piety Baxter commends in this book, homes, churches, and nations would be truly transformed for good and we would see better days ahead.”

- Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

“Richard Baxter’s Christian Directory was one of the most compendious books of spiritual advice to be published in the seventeenth century. Its massive size, however, has hindered its usefulness in engaging a wide, evangelical audience. In The Godly Home, Randall J. Pederson has sought to remedy this by producing a volume that, with fresh urgency, presents Baxter’s wisdom on family life and worship. Pederson’s sensitive editorial care is to be commended. This is a work to be read and reread. I hope it reaches a wide audience and serves to awaken Christians to the need of an enduring godly legacy.”

- Crawford Gribben, Long Room Hub Senior Lecturer in Early Modern Print Culture, Trinity College, Dublin; author of God’s Irishmen: Theological Debates in Cromwellian Ireland

One on One with Dr. Horton

Over dinner last Saturday, I challenged my son, Daniel, to interview Dr. Michael Horton because of his work in college. He is currently pursuing a degree in journalism, for that matter, it was appropriate for him to have a talk with a known speaker and theologian.

I am highlighting some of the things that came out of the interview.

Daniel: If you were living in the 16th Century during the time of Martin Luther, will you nail the 95 theses and what would you add to what he did not put in his 95 theses?

Dr. Horton: Yes, I would like to think that I would. I don’t think everything in our days is exactly the same as before. When Luther wrote the 95 theses, it was more on a debate against indulgences. Let’s see, I would like to add maybe the nature of worship, Calvin once said that worship was as important as justification and God takes His worship seriously.

Daniel: Who is your favorite reformer and who would you bring back from the dead in order to ask a question from him?

John Calvin theologically for me and Martin Luther is fun for me. In addition, Calvin is sickly, poor guy. I have a lot of questions to ask and to narrow it to one, I would want to ask Erasmus this question: Why he didn’t think the Gospel was impossible to get right?

Daniel: How did the word Reformation enter into your life as a doctrine?

I think reading reformed books recommended to me by a chiropractor in our town. My dad started reading reformed books. My older brother just became  reformed, he began feeding me James Boice’s, and that’s how I became reformed. My dad became an active Christian after reading reformed books.

Daniel: Who or what were the source of inspiration for the books you have written?

The people I envision in my life, and I picture the struggling Christians looking for answers to their questions.

Read more at Daniel’s blog.

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

You will agree that this title sounds like a terrific novel. But be not deceived, it is an exposition of one of the greatest story of redemption in the Bible: the book of Ruth. This book, authored by a good friend, Robinson Chu, will help you to see God’s redemptive plan as he unfolds it in the lives of ordinary people.

A superb book like this can be owned for only Php200. That alone is more than your money’s worth.

The author divides the book in the following chapters:

1. God’s Sovereign Providence

2. God’s Gracious Providence

3. The Immanent Character of the Providence of God

4. The Loving Kindness of the Providence of God

5. God Provides Hope and Rest

6. The Kinsman Redeemer

7. God’s Provision and Human Responsibility

8. God Provides Freedom

9. God Provides a Redeemer

10. The Story of Redemption

Holy Subversion

Allegiance to Christ in an Age of Rivals by Wax, Trevin

Endorsements

“Trevin Wax faithfully sounds the call for world-changing, Christ-exalting Christian practice. By unmasking contemporary ‘Caesars,’ he reveals real dangers and points to pitfalls of which many believers are completely unaware. This book serves as a helpful reminder and competent guide to draw out the implications of true allegiance to Jesus Christ.”

- R. Albert Mohler Jr., President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“How should God’s American people put the lordship of Jesus Christ on display in their lives? Wax’s searching answer is biblical, basic, businesslike, and blunt.”

- J. I. Packer, Professor of Theology, Regent College

“Trevin Wax passionately tackles some of the most dangerous idols in our culture, and, unfortunately, in our own lives. Especially relevant now is his reminder to us of the way money can capture us and force us into submission. Not only in days of economic stress, but also in those of economic prosperity, we must be aware of money’s alluring trap and learn how to turn this resource into something that may be used for the kingdom. With judicious insights and clear writing on a number of issues, Wax challenges us to live subversively against the powers of this world.”

- Johnny Hunt, President, The Southern Baptist Convention

“Christianity is all about paradox. We lose our lives to gain them. We find life in crucifixion. We serve in order to reign. In his book, Holy Subversion, Trevin Wax takes up the question of how to be both a rebel—against the false authorities of this time—while simultaneously being submissive—to the divine authority of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. This book is a helpful warning against both nihilism and cynicism.”

- Russell D. Moore, Dean, School of Theology; Senior Vice President for Academic Administration; Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Simple yet succinct, Holy Subversion exposes the idols of modernity and provides the biblical arsenal needed for their complete destruction. Trevin Wax provides medicine for the heart in this short, powerful study. Read it and be blessed.”

- Daniel L. Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Trevin Wax provides good advice on how to turn away from the idols of success, money, leisure, sex, and power.”

- Marvin Olasky, Editor-in-chief, World; Provost, The King’s College, New York City

“Using a definition of subversion as ‘pushing something back down into its proper place,’ Trevin Wax seeks to subvert the idols of our society—self, success, money, leisure, sex, and power—in a theologically responsible and challengingly practical way. These false gods must be thrust back into their proper place, and that subversion is precisely what the gospel of Jesus Christ—the message about the crucified and resurrected God-man who is Lord over all bogus lords—equips us to do. Wax wonders, ‘What would it look like today if we reclaimed the subversive nature of Christian discipleship?’ Read this fine book if you wish to live as the true Savior and Lord Jesus Christ would have you live.”

- Gregg R. Allison, Associate Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“The Apostle John warns us to ‘keep ourselves from idols.’ Trevin Wax, in this incisive, convicting, and elegantly written book, considers the false gods that insidiously corrupt our lives. I was reminded afresh what it means to confess that Jesus is Lord and that glorifying God expresses itself in the concrete realities of daily life. What a joy to read a book that is theologically faithful and practically compelling.”

- Thomas R. Schreiner, Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“In Holy Subversion, Trevin Wax issues a wide-ranging invitation for believers to rethink what it means to be a Christ-follower in a culture that offers rival ways of thinking and living at every turn. Those who wrestle with this timely and biblically-based challenge will be called to nothing less than whole-hearted faithfulness in all areas of life.”

- David S. Dockery, President, Union University

“In the midst of much debate and uncertainly about the kingdom of God in the world today, Wax makes it clear that Jesus’ kingdom challenges our allegiances. Wax looks at issues of idolatry and strongholds that, one by one, show us how the gospel of the kingdom requires a new loyalty. Holy Subversion is a helpful and challenging book.”

- Ed Stetzer, Director of LifeWay Research

“With Francis Schaeffer-like instincts and insight, Trevin Wax aptly identifies the idols of our time and compellingly calls Christians to live against the world, for the world. He blazes a trustworthy trail for those who yearn to make a long-lasting difference in the world by showing that Christians make a difference by being different; they don’t make a difference by being the same.”

- Tullian Tchividjian, Pastor, New City Church; Author, Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different

“There is the sense that something is wrong in the church, very wrong, and most prognosticators have been telling us what we need to do get back on track. Trevin Wax takes a different approach, a more radical approach—he calls us to come face to face with the ‘Caesars’ in our life. Only once we have understood the dire effect of these allegiances, as Wax shows, can we then hope to subvert the kingdoms vying for our localities. Holy Subversion makes clear the contours of the sacred revolution which is ours to undertake.”

- Nicholas Perrin, Franklin S. Dyrness Chair of Biblical Studies Associate Professor of New Testament, Wheaton College; author, Lost in Transmission? What We Can Know about the Words of Jesus

“Today we live in a land of self-made men who love to worship the creators of their success. Sadly, this very same attitude has crept into the church. Quite rightly then, Trevin Wax challenges us to see what it means to confess Jesus Christ as Lord: to embrace and rejoice in the sovereignty of Jesus Christ over all things. But this book is not about the doctrine of Jesus’ lordship; it is about how you live out Jesus’ lordship in every sphere of your life. In an age where there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords’ biding for our allegiance, Trevin Wax calls the church to throw down these idols and to order their lives according to the story, symbols, and values of the Lord Jesus Christ. He encourages us to get our knees dirty by bowing to Christ and to get our hands dirty by serving him. This is a book that every serious follower of Jesus should read and heed.”

- Michael F. Bird, Highland Theological College/UHI Millennium Institute

“Trevin Wax deftly uses Scripture and his cross-cultural experience in Romania to convict North American Christians of the subtle ways that we conform to our culture’s idols. His tough love inspires us to surrender to Jesus’ ownership of the world, and his bold plan for change shows us how. This book forces each of us to reconsider the most important question of our lives: whether Caesar or Jesus is Lord.”

- Mike Wittmer, Professor of Systematic Theology, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary; Author of Heaven Is a Place on Earth and Don’t Stop Believing

“In Holy Subversion, Trevin Wax engages both the church and the world with clarity and conviction. With great insight into the heart of the apostolic gospel, Wax highlights the profound impact of early Christians’ complete allegiance to Jesus of Nazareth as Savior and Lord over all aspects of personal life and society. True Christianity, contends the author, dethrones the Caesar of our day and enthrones Jesus Christ as the only Savior and Lord over all life. This is a timely and prophetic book for our generation. I highly recommend it to pastors, evangelists, missionaries, Sunday-school teachers, and all believers in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, according to the inspired and infallible Word of God, represents the foundation for the author’s call to contemporary Christians to the ‘Ephesians Road,’ that is, to live and labor with undivided loyalty for the glory of the one and only Master of time and eternity, Jesus Christ.”

- Paul Negrut, President, Emanuel University of Oradea, Romania

“In this book, Trevin Wax returns us to a God-centeredness displayed in the Scriptures. He reminds us that faithfulness is more important than success, humility more desirous than fame, and that Christian unity can be achieved even in the face of great diversity. I highly recommend this for anyone seeking an authentic relationship with the God who transforms our lives, our passions, and our world.”

- Christian George, author, Sex, Sushi, and Salvation: Thoughts on Intimacy, Community, and Eternity

“Trevin Wax delivers a sober challenge for the church to live up to her lofty calling. By God’s grace, may Christians heed his warning and follow the narrow path prepared by Jesus. Perhaps we will then see the fruit of the Spirit’s transforming power in our midst.”

- Collin Hansen

Explorations in Biblical Theology

Anointed with the Spirit and Power: The Holy Spirit’s Empowering Presence by Harvey, John D.

Endorsements

Neither superficial nor highly technical, this new series of volumes on important Christian doctrines is projected to teach Reformed theology as it is most helpfully taught, with clear grounding in Scripture, mature understanding of theology, gracious interaction with others who disagree, and useful application to life. I expect that these volumes will strengthen the faith and biblical maturity of all who read them, and I am happy to recommend them highly.

- Wayne Grudem, Phoenix Seminary, author of Systematic Theology

There are many misconceptions today about systematic, biblical, and applicatory theology. One sometimes gets the impression that these are opposed to one another, and that the first two, at least, are so obscure that ordinary people should avoid them like the plague. The series Explorations in Biblical Theology seeks to correct these misunderstandings, to bring these disciplines together in a winsome, clear unity, edifying to non-specialists. The authors are first-rate, and they write to build up our faith by pointing us to Christ. That’s what biblical and systematic theology at their best have always done, and the best application of Scripture has always shown us in practical ways how to draw on the rich blessings of Jesus’ salvation. I hope that many will read these books and take them to heart.

- John Frame, Reformed Theological Seminary

Election and Free Will: God’s Gracious choice and Our Responsibility by Peterson, Robert A.

The message of a God who loved us before he formed the earth, called us his own before we could respond to him, died for us while we were dead in our transgressions and sins, made us alive when we were incapable of serving him, unites us to himself so that we can be forever holy, and now loves us more than we love ourselves sparked a Reformation of hope and joy that transformed the world of faith. Re-declaring that hope and reclaiming that joy is the ambition and delight of this series. Able and godly scholars trace the golden thread of grace that unites all Scripture to make the wonders of our God’s redeeming love shine and win hearts anew. The writing is warm, winsome, and respectful of those who differ. The motives are clearly to reveal truth and expose error by glorifying the message and manner of the Savior.

- Bryan Chapell, Covenant Theological Seminary

Explorations in Biblical Theology is a valuable new series of books on doctrinal themes that run through Scripture. The contributors are competent scholars who love to serve the church and have special expertise in the Bible and its theology. Following a thematic approach, each volume explores a distinctive doctrine as it is taught in Scripture, or else introduces the various doctrines taught in a particular book of the Bible. The result is a fresh and unique contribution to our understanding of the Bible’s own theology.

- Philip Ryken, Tenth Presbyterian Church

Our Secure Salvation: Perservation and Apostasy by Peterson, Robert

Explorations in Biblical Theology is a gift to God’s people. Biblical theology was never meant to be reserved for academics. When the verities of the Reformed faith are taken from the -ivy halls- of academia and placed in the hearts and minds of the covenant people of God, reformation and revival are the inevitable result. I believe God will use this series as a mighty tool for the Kingdom.

- Steve Brown, Reformed Theological Seminary

The Nearness of God: His Presence with His People by Burns, J. Lanier

Anointed with the Spirit and Power: The Holy Spirit’s Empowering PresenceAnointed with the Spirit and Power: The Holy Spirit’s Empowering Presence

A Sweet and Bitter Providence

Sex, Race, and the Sovereignty of God by John Piper

Endorsements

“Like so many, I love Dr. Piper because he helps me to love the God of the Bible. And, in A Sweet and Bitter Providence, he has done it yet again.”

- Mark Driscoll, Founding Pastor, Mars Hill Church

“This book surprised me at how it both comforted and convicted me. And in the midst of a difficult circumstance it inspired me to look for God’s hand of providence. I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t benefit from its call to purity, faith, and Christ-centered hope. John Piper’s God-given gifts as a teacher and pastor are on full display in these pages. Reading this book will serve your soul.”

- Joshua Harris, Pastor and Author of Dug Down Deep

“With his usual clarity, candor, and insight, John Piper masterfully guides us through the short but powerful book of Ruth. More than a ‘little romance,’ Piper unpacks the book’s teaching on sovereignty, providence, grace, and glory. As we follow the account of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, our own lives are enriched and transformed. I recommend this book to all who desire to know God better through his Word.”

- Tremper Longman, Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College

“We live in a relativistic culture, where people are more concerned with being liked than being truthful. In A Sweet and Bitter Providence, John Piper does an outstanding job of biblically defending key tuths that the church often ignores. He gives us an example of how to take a bold and educated stand on issues of race, purity, and God’s sovereignty.”

- Francis Chan, Pastor of Cornerstone Church and author of Crazy Love

The Elder

Today’s Ministry Rooted in All of Scripture by Van Dam, Cornelis

Endorsements

“Rooted in the deep soil of Reformed faith and practice, The Elder is also a treasure at a time when much gets lost these days in translation from theory to practice. I heartily recommend this book for current elders, elders-in-training, aspiring elders, and those who seek to be blessed by their labors.”

- Michael Horton

“Cornelis Van Dam provides a full and intelligent discussion of the biblical texts that inform our understanding of the office of the elder in the church today. This book is a must for those who are elders or who think they might be called to that office.”

- Tremper Longman III

Joy, Joy

Just on time for our ecclesiology and eschatology class–the books I ordered just arrived. And I am raring to read this (massive) volume on biblical eschatology:

From Age to Age: The Unfolding of Biblical Eschatology by Keith A. Mathison. According toDerek Thomas, this book is “a tour de force unlike any otheron this hugely significant topic.”

Added to that is the well-endorsed book by Kevin DeYoung andTed Kluck, Why We Love the Church.

A Thought for 2010

Allow me to take a quote by Arthur Bennet from Tullian Tchividjian’s book Unfashionable (p. 20):

Let me learn by paradox

that the way down is the way up,

that to be low is to be high

that the broken heart is the healed heart,

that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,

that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,

that to have nothing is to possess all,

that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,

that to give is to receive,

that the valley is the place of vision.

A Blessed New Year to all!

Things to Do on New Year’s Eve

I am thinking of ten things to do on New Year’s Eve:

1. Watch a movie.

2. Stay awake until there is silence after all the fireworks and firecrackers have exploded.

3. Barbecue.

4. Read a book: Keller’s Counterfeit Gods.

5. Play Dutch Blitz.

6. Cook something.

7. Do some cleaning.

8. Some folks say jump to gain height but what to do to gain weight?

9. Surf.

10. Tweet.