Comforts from Romans

Celebrating the Gospel One Day at a Time by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick

Endorsements

“There is nothing soft or sentimental about the comfort offered in this book. Instead, it opens our eyes to see the miseries of our self-absorption and self-effort salvation and then applies the substantive, solid comfort of abundant grace, imputed righteousness, purchased peace, blessed wretchedness, no condemnation, no separation.”

– Nancy Guthrie, Bible Teacher; author, Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament Bible study series

“Elyse’s gratitude for God’s grace spills out onto every page of this book as she opens the pages of her life and comforts us with the comfort she has received from God’s Word. Her theological precision and her joy in God’s extravagant love instructed my mind and thrilled my heart.”

– Susan Hunt, Women’s Ministry Consultant, Christian Education and Publications, Presbyterian Church in America; author, Spiritual Mothering

“Martin Luther called Paul’s letter to the Romans ‘the most important piece in the New Testament…It is purest Gospel.’ My dear friend Elyse captures the purity and power of Romans here. In bite-size, digestible chunks she devotionally and practically unpacks the ‘now-power’ of the Gospel, showing that the gospel doesn’t simply free us from the past and free us for the future. It also frees us in the present from being enslaved to things like fear, insecurity, anger, self-reliance, bitterness, entitlement, and insignificance. Being both a seasoned counselor and a top-notch theologian, I can’t think of anyone better to comfort sinners through Romans than Elyse!”

-Tullian Tchividjian, Pastor, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church; author, Jesus + Nothing = Everything

Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart

How to Know for Sure You Are Saved by J. D. Greear

Endorsements

“This book will be a help for those who wrestle with their position before God and a wake-up call for those with false confidence. I recommend it highly.”

– Matt Chandler

“Pick up a copy of my friend J. D. Greear’s book and learn the marks of a person saved by Jesus Christ. I commend it to you.”

– James MacDonald, Senior Pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel

“This book throws the spotlight on Jesus as a welcoming, merciful Savior who joyously receives all who come to Him. This book could help free you, or someone you love, from the nagging fear that Jesus is trying to keep you out of His kingdom.”

– Russell Moore

“Outstanding! This is a truly useful book. It’s readable, engaging and packed with scriptural insight. It not only gives hope to Christians struggling with assurance of salvation, it will equip any Christian to better share the gospel and guide others toward genuine repentance and faith in Jesus.”

– Joshua Harris

“Warmly personal. Immensely helpful Wonderfully practical. Thoroughly biblical.”

– David Platt, Senior Pastor, The church at Brook Hills

Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die

by John Piper

Endorsements

The most important questions anyone can ask are: Why was Jesus Christ crucified? Why did he suffer so much? What has this to do with me? Finally, who sent him to his death? The answer to the last question is that God did. Jesus was God’s Son. The suffering was unsurpassed, but the whole message of the Bible leads to this answer.

The central issue of Jesus’ death is not the cause, but the meaning. That is what this book is about. John Piper has gathered from the New Testament fifty reasons in answer to the most important question that each of us must face: What did God achieve for sinners like us in sending his Son to die?

Dialogue with Popular Culture

Why is there a disengagement with culture?

“One reason is a “thin” or legalistic view of sin, where sin is seen as a series of discrete acts of noncompliance with God’s regulations. You pursue Christian growth largely by seeking environments where you are less likely to do these sinful actions or to encounter others who have done them. Sin can essentially be removed from your life through separation and discipline. This view of sin comports with a lack of understanding of the thoroughness and richness of Christ’s gracious work for us. For without an understanding of grace we will believe we must (and can) earn our salvation. But to accomplish that we will need a view of sin that is easier to conquer through conscious effort.

If we have a thin view of sin, we will feel safe if we remove from our view anything that could tempt us to commit actions of overt sexual immorality, profanity,….

Another cause of disengagement is a thin, or intellectualistic, view of common grace….”

Timothy Keller, Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work. 192-3.

The Gospel’s Power and Message

by Paul Washer

Endorsements

“In these days of insipid, man-centered, ear-tickling preaching, we need Sons of Thunder who fear God and faithfully preach His word without fear of consequences. My friend, Paul Washer, is one such man. May God use this book to reach the lost and to glorify His name.”

– Ray Comfort, author, Hell’s Best Kept Secret and The Way of the Master

“Style-conscious evangelicals have done a lot of tinkering in recent decades to try to make the gospel seem more appealing or more palatable. All the sharp corners have been carefully sanded off and the message made as small as possible. It has then been wrapped in thick layers of foam so that no one can ever be hurt or offended by it. In The Gospel’s Power and Message, Paul Washer unwraps the gospel and displays its various facets in all their vivid glory. This book is a thoughtful, poignant reminder that the message Christ commissioned us to proclaim is neither spongy nor trivial. Nor can it be improved by human revision. The gospel may be a stumbling block to some and seem like foolishness to others—but to those who are called, it is the power and the wisdom of God.”

– Phil Johnson, Executive Director, Grace to You

“I am profoundly thankful for the courageous clarity of The Gospel’s Power and Message by Paul Washer. Christians today seem to have the false impression that the gospel is all about us—a wonderful plan for our lives; a means of finding peace, joy, or personal fulfillment; the way to get to heaven. Those blessings (and many more) are aspects of every true gospel-believer’s birthright, of course. But they are not the point or the main objective of the message. The gospel is about God and His eternal glory. That is where it starts, and that is where it takes us in the end. Preached rightly, the gospel convicts and humbles every human heart. It underscores the exceeding sinfulness of our sin. It rebukes even our most laudable works of righteousness. The gospel is simple enough for a child to grasp, but its truths are inexhaustible. “In short, the gospel is the best of all good news and the most important message anyone has ever proclaimed. Paul Washer strikes all the right notes in this powerful, biblical study.”

– John MacArthur, Pastor-teacher, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, CA; author, The Gospel According to Jesus

“The word gospel is on the lips of many these days, but few truly understand its essential content, depth and nature. In this outstanding volume Paul Washer masterfully opens up from the Bible the heart of the gospel, giving us an invaluable resource for our lives. This book is a wonderful gift to the church and like no other that I have seen on this subject. It should be read by every Christian but especially those who labor in the ministry, for it will greatly assist them in being faithful proclaimers of God’s good news message to a lost and fallen world.”

– Rob Ventura, Pastor, Grace Community Baptist Church, North Providence, RI; co-author, A Portrait of Paul

Pilgrim Theology

Core Doctrines for Christian Disciples by Michael S. Horton

Endorsements:

“Serving as a well trained guide, Michael Horton offers a stunningly accessible tour of the classic Reformed landscape. Using the markers of drama, doctrine, doxology and discipleship, Pilgrim Theology provides a compass to lead the thoughtful reader on a journey to better understand their faith, history, and why it all matters. A wonderful and much-needed resource that will serve us all for years to come.”

– Kelly M. Kapic, Professor of Theological Studies, Covenant College

“Here is classic, deep, orthodox Reformed theology, written in a way that is thoughtful and engaged…For those who think one must make a choice between guarding the faith and being thoughtfully relevant, think again: this book both teaches theology and is an example of how theology should be done. The reader who is undaunted by the number of pages will be richly rewarded; and the pastor, elder, discussion leader, and church member who wants to know more, will not be disappointed.”

– Carl Trueman, Paul Wooley Professor of Church History, Westminster Theological Seminary

Keller Books

Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City (August 2012)

Endorsements:

“In this important book, Tim Keller unpacks the gospel and gently but firmly reminds us that it is nonnegotiable. At the same time, he enables us to think through how we can responsibly interact with the culture, how we can—indeed, must—appreciate good things within it, and how we can firmly and faithfully apply the gospel to it. But this is not a mechanical how-to book; rather, it is a reflective meditation on some hugely important themes in Scripture written by someone who has exercised faithful pastoral ministry in a major city for two decades.”
– D. A. Carson, research professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“No one has listened more closely to the harmonies of city, culture, church, and Scripture than Tim Keller. In Center Church, he not only describes the different strains of music but also tells us how he has orchestrated the results for the sake of ministry outreach and renewal. Now it’s our turn to listen, as Tim practically yet powerfully prepares us to participate in this great symphony of the gospel.”
– Bryan Chapell, chancellor, Covenant Theological Seminary

Center Church is an immensely helpful resource for the next generation of church leaders. It is theologically profound, thought-provoking, and energizing, and it will make you uncomfortable in measure. Once again, Tim Keller has hit the bull’s-eye!”
– Alistair Begg, senior pastor, Parkside Church, Cleveland, Ohio

“We don’t need another “do ministry like my church does ministry” book. Nor do we need another book that critiques other church models. We need a book that helps us think critically and biblically as we structure our churches. Center Church is packed with Tim Keller’s experience, humility, and wisdom. This book will help you if you are serious about seeing your city transformed by the gospel of grace.”
– Darrin Patrick, lead pastor, The Journey, St. Louis, Missouri

“As our culture continues to move toward a post-Christian secularism, it is more vital than ever that Christians know the gospel well and know how to communicate it effectively. In Center Church, Tim Keller masterfully explains what the gospel is and how to relate it successfully wherever we serve. This is more than an academic analysis; it is pastoral coaching of the best sort, based on three decades of successful practice. Thanks, Tim.”
– Sandy Wilson, senior minister, Second Presbyterian Church, Memphis, Tennessee

“Most of us observe and see the obvious. Tim observes and sees that which is unseen by others – especially when it comes to the truth of God’s Word and the culture of the day. Once again, he has given us deeper insights – this time regrading the church and how she can experience her healthiest potential. How foolish to know of this book and not read it!”
– Randy Pope, pastor, Perimeter Church, Atlanta, Georgia

“This outstanding book, like the Manhattan ministry out of which it has come, shows how Reformed theological acumen and wise pastoral intelligence may combine to achieve spiritual fruitfulness in urban contexts everywhere. Every page illuminates. Keller is a huge gift to today’s church.”
– J. I. Packer, professor emeritus, Regent College

The Regulative Principle

“False worship in Israel always began with compromising the form of worship (violating the second commandment) and culminated in idolatry (violating the first commandment).

It may be easier for us to detect such novelties in other traditions, but Protestants have developed this “itchy for novelty” in their own way. Did God prescribe altar calls, sinner’s prayers…that often replace the public reading and preaching of Scripture, public prayers, the sacraments, and congregational singing of the Word?….

So nothing can be done in public worship that is not commanded in Scripture, either directly or by good and necessary inference drawn from Scripture. It is a solemn assembly of the Lord, gathered in joy but also “in reverence and awe.” It is not our gathering. It is  not a meeting of friends, relatives, coworkers, or any other natural associations. It is convened by the Father, in the Son, by the Spirit, as the site where he promises to bless his people and to add to the church.”

Horton, Michael. For Calvinism (Zondervan, 2011), 138-40.

Explorations in Biblical Theology

About this Series: The Explorations in Biblical Theology series addresses the need for quality literature that attracts believing readers to good theology and builds them up in their faith. Each title in the series combines solid content with accessibility and readability—a valuable addition to the library of any college student, thoughtful lay reader, seminarian, or pastor.

Endorsement

“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, Wheaton College

More Gospel

The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler with Jared Wilson, April 2012.

We can never get enough of the Gospel. This book is a great contribution to the notion of gospel-driven life, gospel-centered hermeneutics, gospel-centered biblical theology. We really the the message of the Gospel as well we need to proclaim it.

An excerpt from Wilson:

The Gospel in the Air

In the beginning, we start with God’s proclamation. God is more interested in declaring than in explaining. In the matter of the creation of the world, the Bible is historical and revelational–it is more interested in telling us what happened and why than it is how. God’s Word is as clear as God wants it to be about where the world came from (the imagination of God) and why it came to be (to reflect his glory), and its addressing of how the world came to be amounts to this: God speaks. (p. 101)