You are here: Home › Books

Books Archive

Moody – The Confessions of St. Augustine

By on in

Title: The Confessions of St. Augustine
Series: ,
Published by: Moody Classics
Release Date: October 2007
Contributors: St AugustineRosalie de Rosset
Genre:
Pages: 304
ISBN13: 978-0802456519

Augustine never thought of God without thinking of his sin, nor of his sin without thinking of Christ.

St. Augustine grates hard against "the anatomy of evil" while dealing succinctly and honestly with his own proneness toward sin. From his infatuation with its initial beauty to the discounting of his previously wasted life, Augustine leaves little to the imagination regarding his need to be saved from himself.

Most of Augustine's Confessions are spent in a nearly catastrophe tug of war. From insult and injury to passion, lost love, and the arts--this work leads through and beyond a world where God's timing is absolutely perfect. Nothing has really changed since then. Sin is still sin--and God is still God.

Confessions (Latin: Confessiones) is the name of an autobiographical work, consisting of 13 books, by Saint Augustine of Hippo, written in Latin between 397 and 400 AD. The work outlines Saint Augustine's sinful youth and his conversion to Christianity. Modern English translations of it are sometimes published under the title The Confessions of Saint Augustine in order to distinguish the book from other books with similar titles. Its original title was Confessions in Thirteen Books, and it was composed to be read out loud with each book being a complete unit.

Confessions is generally considered one of Augustine's most important texts. It is widely seen as the first Western Christian autobiography ever written (Ovid had invented the genre at the start of the first century AD with his Tristia), and was an influential model for Christian writers throughout the Middle Ages. Professor Henry Chadwick wrote that Confessions will "always rank among the great masterpieces of western literature."The work is not a complete autobiography, as it was written during Saint Augustine's early 40s and he lived long afterwards, producing another important work, The City of God. Nonetheless, it does provide an unbroken record of his development of thought and is the most complete record of any single person from the 4th and 5th centuries. It is a significant theological work, featuring spiritual meditations and insights.

In the work, Augustine writes about how much he regrets having led a sinful and immoral life. He discusses his regrets for following the Manichaean religion and believing in astrology. He writes about his friend Nebridius's role in helping to persuade him that astrology was not only incorrect but evil, and Saint Ambrose's role in his conversion to Christianity. The first nine books are autobiographical and the last four are commentary and significantly more philosophical. He shows intense sorrow for his sexual sins and writes on the importance of sexual morality. The books were written as prayers to God, thus the title, based on the Psalms of David; and it begins with "For Thou hast made us for Thyself and our hearts are restless till they rest in Thee." The work is thought to be divisible into books which symbolize various aspects of the Trinity and trinitarian belief.

Piper – Providence

By on in

Title: Providence
Series:
Published by: Crossway
Release Date: March 2, 2021
Contributors: John Piper
Genre:
Pages: 752
ISBN13: 978-1433568343

From Genesis to Revelation, the providence of God directs the entire course of redemptive history. Providence is “God’s purposeful sovereignty.” Its extent reaches down to the flight of electrons, up to the movements of galaxies, and into the heart of man. Its nature is wise and just and good. And its goal is the Christ-exalting glorification of God through the gladness of a redeemed people in a new world.

Drawing on a lifetime of theological reflection, biblical study, and practical ministry, pastor and author John Piper leads us on a stunning tour of the sightings of God’s providence―from Genesis to Revelation―to discover the all-encompassing reality of God’s purposeful sovereignty over all of creation and all of history. Piper invites us to experience the profound effects of knowing the God of all-pervasive providence: the intensifying of true worship, the solidifying of wavering conviction, the strengthening of embattled faith, the toughening of joyful courage, and the advance of God’s mission in this world.

John Piper is founder and lead teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. He served for thirty-three years as a pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is the author of more than fifty books, including Desiring God; Don’t Waste Your Life; and Providence.

I Saw the Lord: A Biblical Theology of Vision

By on in

Title: I Saw the Lord: A Biblical Theology of Vision
Series:
Published by: Wipf and Stock
Release Date: November 11, 2013
Contributors: Abner Chou (Author)
Genre:
Pages: 280
ISBN13: 978-1620323014

The visions of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Paul, and John have captivated the people of God. Could it be that we are drawn to these spectacular passages because they are all different angles of the same eschatological event? This study explores the visions of these writers as they relate to their individual theology in light of the possibility that these writers saw different facets of the climax of history when the Son receives all glory.

Review
Someone somewhere wrote that a book is good if the reader opens it with expectation and closes it with delight and profit. I Saw the Lord is just such a book. Chou takes us on an exegetical and theological tour of the synoptic visions of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Paul, and John. We witness his persistent examination of the biblical text in the light of innertextual and intertextual elements as he investigates the potential harmonization of these visions. --William D. Barrick, professor of Old Testament, The Master's Seminary, CA
About the Author

Abner Chou is Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at the Master's College and Seminary. He is a contributor to the Lexham Bible Dictionary and the Faithlife Study Bible.

Infinity, Causation, and Paradox

By on in

Title: Infinity, Causation, and Paradox
Published by: Oxford University Press
Release Date: October 16, 2018
Contributors: Alexander R. Pruss (Author)
Genre:
Pages: 224
ISBN13: 978-0198810339

Infinity is paradoxical in many ways. Some paradoxes involve deterministic supertasks, such as Thomson's Lamp, where a switch is toggled an infinite number of times over a finite period of time, or the Grim Reaper, where it seems that infinitely many reapers can produce a result without doing anything. Others involve infinite lotteries. If you get two tickets from an infinite fair lottery where tickets are numbered from 1, no matter what number you saw on the first ticket, it is almost certain that the other ticket has a bigger number on it. And others center on paradoxical results in decision theory, such as the surprising observation that if you perform a sequence of fair coin flips that goes infinitely far back into the past but only finitely into the future, you can leverage information about past coin flips to predict future ones with only finitely many mistakes.

Alexander R. Pruss examines this seemingly large family of paradoxes in Infinity, Causation and Paradox. He establishes that these paradoxes and numerous others all have a common structure: their most natural embodiment involves an infinite number of items causally impinging on a single output. These paradoxes, he argues, can all be resolved by embracing 'causal finitism', the view that it is impossible for a single output to have an infinite causal history. Throughout the book, Pruss exposits such paradoxes, defends causal finitism at length, and considers connections with the philosophy of physics (where causal finitism favors but does not require discretist theories of space and time) and the philosophy of religion (with a cosmological argument for a first cause).

Review
"While dealing with the various paradoxes, the book contributes to our understanding of logic, metaphysics, philosophy of mathematics, physics, and religion ... This book is a model for how to deal with paradoxes and raises the bar for their philosophically sophisticated treatments." -- Mark Zelcer, Metascience

About the Author
Alexander R. Pruss is Professor of Philosophy at Baylor University. His books include The Principle of Sufficient Reason (Cambridge, 2006), Actuality, Possibility and Worlds (Continuum, 2011), One Body (Notre Dame, 2012), and Necessary Existence (with Joshua Rasmussen; Oxford, 2018). He has PhDs in mathematics (British Columbia) and philosophy (Pittsburgh), and his current research focuses on metaphysics, philosophy of religion, formal epistemology and philosophy of mathematics.

New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ

By on in

Title: New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ
Series:
Published by: Baker Academic
Release Date: June 1, 2008
Contributors: Thomas R. Schreiner (Author)
Genre:
Pages: 992
ISBN13: 978-0801026805

In this substantial volume, Thomas Schreiner takes up the study of New Testament theology, looking for the themes that emerge from a detailed reading of the whole rather than considering the individual writings separately.

Two themes in particular emerge. The first concerns redemptive history and the kingdom of God. The New Testament writers adopt the Old Testament vision of God's reign and affirm that it has come in Jesus Christ, although final fulfillment is yet to come. Second, the ultimate goal of the kingdom is God's glory. Schreiner goes on to relate these themes to the life of the believer and the community of faith.

Pastors and students will find this a comprehensive and illuminating survey of the unifying themes found throughout the New Testament.

From the Inside Flap
"Scholars frequently focus so tightly on the details of the New Testament documents that they miss the big picture. On the other hand, all too often attempts to summarize the message of the New Testament ignore the particular expressions and diverse emphases of its twenty-seven books. Without losing the trees for the wood, Schreiner's New Testament Theology offers a superb exposition of the New Testament's central message, the glory of God in Christ. Pastors and students will find it an invaluable resource for answering the question most readers are asking: what is the New Testament about?"--Brian S. Rosner, senior lecturer in New Testament and ethics, Moore Theological College

"Schreiner's New Testament Theology has long been awaited by colleagues, friends, and students. The appendix, which provides a helpful survey of the discipline of New Testament theology, and the discussion of justification, which contains a summary of the modern debate and a defense of a forensic interpretation of the Pauline teaching, are alone worth the price of the book."--Robert H. Stein, senior professor of New Testament interpretation, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

In New Testament Theology, Thomas Schreiner's approach is based on solid exegesis of all the key texts, which leads him to a unified view of core New Testament teaching. He focuses particularly on two overarching themes. The first concerns the unity of redemptive history and the kingdom of God. The New Testament takes up Old Testament imagery and affirms that the kingdom has come (although it remains unfulfilled) in Jesus Christ. The second related theme concerns the goal of the kingdom--the glory of God through the work of Christ and the empowering presence of the Spirit. In the second half of the work, Schreiner takes up the question of what these themes mean for the life of the believer and the ministry of the community of faith.

Although this substantial and comprehensive volume will be of great interest to scholars, Schreiner's first concern is to provide an accessible guide for students and pastors. He has succeeded admirably, and readers will find here a lucid exposition of the theology of the New Testament.

From the Back Cover
While none of the New Testament documents claims to provide a "theology" on its own, Thomas Schreiner suggests that certain recurring themes emerge from the study of the whole. In this volume, he traces key themes as they appear throughout the New Testament canon, exploring the emphases that emerge from a detailed reading of the texts.

"Lucid, incisive, and above all devoted to listening to the text of the New Testament, Tom Schreiner's volume is like a cool drink in a postmodern desert. Schreiner unfolds the richness of New Testament theology through the lens of salvation history, showing how fruitful the promise-fulfillment, already-not yet paradigm is for understanding the New Testament. If you want a New Testament theology that is informed, exegetically grounded, canonically based, Trinitarian, and written from the standpoint of a sturdy faith, then this is the book for you!"
--Donald A. Hagner, George Eldon Ladd Professor Emeritus of New Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary

"A magnificent achievement! Schreiner has combined the breadth and depth of his knowledge of the New Testament with extensive discussion of the scholarly literature. Best of all, it follows the New Testament in testifying to the majesty and glory of God."-
-Simon J. Gathercole, lecturer in New Testament studies, University of Cambridge

"Tom Schreiner's New Testament Theology is a valuable addition to the field, providing to students the kind of overview that only a seasoned scholar can produce. The volume is particularly significant for taking a more thematic approach than have most other New Testament theologies. Schreiner therefore comes closer than most others to giving us a genuine New Testament 'theology' (rather than New Testament 'theologies')."
--Douglas J. Moo, Blanchard Professor of New Testament, Wheaton College

"Thomas Schreiner is known for being a skillful and careful New Testament scholar. In his New Testament Theology his abilities and his clear, concise style are on full display as he gives us a synthetic account of this complex subject, an account that reflects his high view of Scripture. This is probably the best New Testament theology written in the last several decades from a decidedly Reformed and evangelical point of view. While I disagree with the analysis at various points, it is still a fine piece of work, and I am happy to commend it."
--Ben Witherington III, professor of New Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary
About the Author

Thomas R. Schreiner (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and professor of biblical theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He has taught at SBTS for twenty-five years. Schreiner is the author or editor of numerous books, including Romans in the BECNT series, Handbook on Acts and Paul's Letters, The King in His Beauty, New Testament Theology, Magnifying God in Christ, Interpreting the Pauline Epistles, and Paul, Apostle of God's Glory in Christ.

Systematic Theology

By on in

Title: Systematic Theology
Published by: Eerdmanns Publishing Co.
Release Date: 1932
Contributors: Louis Berkhof
Genre:
Pages: 784
ISBN13: 978-0802838209

This landmark edition combines Berkhof's standard, systematic treatment of the doctrines of the Reformed faith -- his magnum opus -- with his Introduction to Systematic Theology. Written in a scholarly yet simple style, and completely outlined and indexed, the work includes a thorough bibliography, and questions for further study follow each section. A new preface by Richard A. Muller explains the relation and importance of Berkhof's prolegomena to the rest of his systematic theology.

This complete edition of Louis Berkhof’s magnum opus includes both his Introductory Volume to Systematic Theology and his classic Systematic Theology. In his monumental treatment of the doctrines of the Reformed faith, Berkhof covers the full range of theology in traditional systematic fashion, examining the doctrines of God, anthropology, Christology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and eschatology. The result is a comprehensive work written in a scholarly yet simple style.

The foreword by Richard A. Muller explains the relation and importance of Berkhof’s prolegomena to the rest of his systematic theology, while complete indexes, thorough bibliographies, and questions for further study make this edition ideal for students. Since its original publication in 1939, Berkhof’s Systematic Theology has remained the most influential twentieth-century compendium of Reformed theology.

The Philokalia Volume 1

By on in

Title: The Philokalia Volume 1
Series:
Published by: Farrar, Straus and Giroux;
Release Date: January 1, 1984 U.S. Edition
Contributors: St. Nikodimos (Author), St. Makarios (Author), G.E.H. Palmer (Translator), G. E.H. Palmer (Translator), Philip Sherrard (Translator), Kallistos Ware (Translator)
Genre:
Pages: 384
ISBN13: 978-0571130139

The Philokalia is a collection of texts written between the fourth and the fifteenth centuries by spiritual masters of the Orthodox Christian tradition. First published in Greek in 1782, then translated into Slavonic and later into Russian, The Philokalia has exercised an influence in the recent history of the Orthodox Church far greater than that of any book apart from the Bible. It is concerned with themes of universal importance: how man may develop his inner powers and awake from illusion; how he may overcome fragmentation and achieve spiritual wholeness; how he may attain the life of contemplative stillness and union with God.

"This excellent English translation, which takes into account the latest scholarly research into the original works, represents a major 'gift' from the wise men of the East. The fluency of the literary style of this translation and the practical understanding that these writings reveal of the spiritual predicaments facing each Christian in every generation brings the book well within the range of the ordinary reader who seeks spiritual counsel. The complete Philokalia covers the period from the fourth to the fifteenth century. Volume One . . . takes us up to the eighth century and is thus the common heritage of Orthodox and Catholics." - Chrysostom

Review
“The Philokalia is a collection of texts written in Greek between the fourth and fifteenth centuries by spiritual masters of the Orthodox tradition. Compiled in the 18th century and first published in Venice in 1782, it has had a profound influence on the spiritual life of the Eastern churches.” ―Theology Digest

“A treasure of insight, wisdom, and counsel. The translation is clear and readable.” ―Library Journal

From the Back Cover
The Philokalia is a collection of texts written between the fourth and fifteenth centuries by a spiritual master of the Orthodox Christian tradition. First published in Greek in 1782, translated into Salvonic and later into Russian, The Philokalia has exercised an influence far greater than that of any book other than the Bible in the recent history of the Orthodox Church.

About the Author
G. E. H. Palmer served as a translator for Philokalia: The Complete Text.

C.S. Lewis – Mere Christianity

By on in

Title: Mere Christianity
Series:
Published by: HarperCollins
Release Date: March 17th, 2009
Contributors: C.S. Lewis
Genre:
Pages: 227
ISBN13: 978-0060652883

In the classic Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis, the most important writer of the 20th century, explores the common ground upon which all of those of Christian faith stand together. Bringing together Lewis’ legendary broadcast talks during World War Two from his three previous books The Case for Christianity, Christian Behavior, and Beyond Personality, Mere Christianity provides an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear this powerful apologetic for the Christian faith.

From the Back Cover
One of the most popular and beloved introductions to the concept of faith ever written, Mere Christianity has sold millions of copies worldwide.

The book brings together C. S. Lewis's legendary radio broadcasts during the war years, in which he set out simply to "explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times."

Rejecting the boundaries that divide Christianity's many denominations, Mere Christianity provides an unequalled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to absorb a powerful, rational case for the Christian faith.

Apostolic – Early Christian Writings: The Apostolic Fathers

By on in

Title: Early Christian Writings: The Apostolic Fathers
Series:
Published by: Penguin Classics
Release Date: September 1, 1987
Contributors: Andrew Louth (Editor), Maxwell Staniforth (Translator)
Genre:
Pages: 208
ISBN13: 978-0140444759

The writings in this volume cast a glimmer of light upon the emerging traditions and organization of the infant church, during an otherwise little-known period of its development. A selection of letters and small-scale theological treatises from a group known as the Apostolic Fathers, several of whom were probably disciples of the Apostles, they provide a first-hand account of the early Church and outline a form of early Christianity still drawing on the theology and traditions of its parent religion, Judaism. Included here are the first Epistle of Bishop Clement of Rome, an impassioned plea for harmony; The Epistle of Polycarp; The Epistle of Barnabas; The Didache; and the Seven Epistles written by Ignatius of Antioch—among them his moving appeal to the Romans that they grant him a martyr's death.

Andrew Louth, born in Lincolnshire and brought up in the north of England, studied Theology at the universities of Cambridge and Edinburgh. From 1970 to 1985 he was Fellow and Chaplain of Worcester College, Oxford, and University Lecturer in Theology, teaching prinipally Patristics. In 1985 he became Reader in History at Goldsmith's College, London. He is the author of The Origins of the Christian Mystical Tradition (1981), Discerning the Mystery: An Essay on the Nature of Theology (1983) and Denys the Areopagite (1989). He has also edited Early Christian Writings for the Penguin Classics.

Roman – The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Vol. 1

By on in

Title: The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Vol. 1
Published by: Penguin Classics
Release Date: August 1, 1996
Contributors: Edward Gibbon (Author), David P. Womersley (Introduction)
Genre:
Pages: 1232
ISBN13: 978-0140433937

Edward Gibbon's six-volume History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1776-88) is among the most magnificent and ambitious narratives in European literature. Its subject is the fate of one of the world's greatest civilizations over thirteen centuries - its rulers, wars and society, and the events that led to its disastrous collapse. Here, in volumes one and two, Gibbon charts the vast extent and constitution of the Empire from the reign of Augustus to 395 ad. And in a controversial critique, he examines the early Church, with fascinating accounts of the first Christian and last pagan emperors, Constantine and Julian.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Edward Gibbon (1737-1794), English historian. It was on a visit to Rome that he conceived the idea of his magnificent and panoramic history The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (6 vol., 1776-88) which won immediate acclaim, despite some harsh criticism. Gibbon himself was assured of the greatness of his work, which is, indeed, one of the most-read historical works of modern times.

TAN – The Dialogue of St. Catherine Of Siena

By on in

Title: The Dialogue of St. Catherine Of Siena: A Conversation With God On Living Your Spiritual Life To The Fullest
Series:
Published by: Tan Classics
Release Date: September 1, 1991
Contributors: St. Catherine Of Siena (Author)
Genre:
Pages: 240
ISBN13: 978-0895551498

From the Back Cover
Saint Catherine of Siena's Dialogue describes the entire spiritual life through a series of conversations between God and the soul, represented by Catherine herself. Readers of The Dialogue will find Catherine's revelations from God as informative and formative as those who recognized her sanctity during her life. The universally applicable yet intimately personal messages she received from God are as much for us as they were for Catherine. We can read God's communications to his beloved daughter with detached awe or we can receive His messages to us through her writings.

Do you long for certainty that Divine Providence exists in the midst of our chaotic world? Does your prayer seem too dry, or too routine? Have you sought guidance for the challenges of your life from unhelpful people or things? Or has your pride kept you from humble obedience to the Church? If so, The Dialogue will provide consolation, encouragement, and hope.

About the Author
St. Catherine of Siena was born to Giacomo and Lapa Benincasa at Siena, Italy, in 1347, the second youngest of a very large family. She began to experience God mystically before she turned seven. Frequent visions of Christ, Mary, angels and saints inspired her holy, austere lifestyle and prompted her to take the habit of the Dominican Tertiaries at age 16, despite her parents' wish for her to marry and the untimely death of two of her sisters.

Enabled by a miracle to read and write, the formerly illiterate St. Catherine authored The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena and hundreds of letters asking for peace with the Papal States and the return of the Pope from Avignon to Rome. Her passionate yet humble pleas persuaded the Pope to return to Rome, where she herself died at the age of 33. She was canonized by Pope Pius II in 1461, and her feast is celebrated on April 29.

Moody – Born Crucified

By on in

Title: Born Crucified
Series:
Published by: Moody Classics
Release Date: June 1, 2010
Contributors: L. E. Maxwell (Author), Henry Blackaby (Foreword), Tom Blackaby (Foreword)
Genre:
Pages: 224
ISBN13: 978-0802454560

Back Cover
For L.E. Maxwell. the cross was everything. He wrote Born Crucified to "attempt in a small way to set forth, not as an exposition or theological statement, but in simple sermon and exhortation, the role of the Cross in the life of the believer." In doing so, Maxwell made clear the way to victory over sin and empowered service to God.

Maxwell's words come as strange comfort to our souls: "God's way of victory over sin is not through the suppression of sinful desires, nor through the eradication of the old nature, nor yet through the cleansing of inbred sin. God's way of victory is through crucifixion---deliverance is only through death."

_______________

L. E. Maxwell writes, “The cross is the key to all situations as well as to all Scripture.”

By relating the cross as essential to the life of the believer, Professor L.E. Maxwell simply and practically shows how an understanding of our identification with Christ in his death and resurrection can lead to life as it was meant to be lived. It is by living with a cross-centered perspective that we can have both victory over sin and power to serve God well.

Maxwell's heart and vision for training up young people with the truth of God's Word and the necessity of evangelism shines forth in this little book. Readers know authenticity when they read it--and Maxwell exudes it.

L.E. MAXWELL founded Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada, in 1922. In his fifty-seven years of service with the school, he held many titles, including professor, principal, and president. A prolific author, he wrote many including Women in Ministry, Born Crucified, and Crowded to Christ. He is now at home with his Lord.