Book Reviews – Page 2

A Little Exercise for Young Theologians

June 17, 2016 by Peter Dubbelman 2 Comments

Thielicke writes: “How all important it is that a vigorous spiritual life, in close association with the Holy Scriptures and in the midst of the Christian community, be maintained as a background to theological work, and that the unformed shadows of thought always derive their life blood from that source.” Read More »

Enjoy Your Prayer Life

December 29, 2015 by Peter Dubbelman 2 Comments

You won’t find a better, shorter book on prayer; it’s refreshingly unique and potentially helpful for every Christian. Well written, insightful, inspirational, and devotional, it contains both theological depth and practical suggestions. Michael’s overall thoughts are launched from within the walls of Reformed theology and his main point is adapted from a quote from Calvin: “Prayer is the true exercise of faith.” For Reeves, prayer is not a burdensome task that someone has to do but a delightful privilege, communion with God, the antithesis of self-dependence, and hopefully a joyful, life-giving part of our lives. “It’s exercising belief that the Almighty is my willing and kind Father Read More »

The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath

December 27, 2015 by Peter Dubbelman 2 Comments

Paul’s words in Romans 14:5-8 and Col 2:16-23 still ring true today: “Don’t let anyone judge you with respect to the Sabbath; some may practice it, others may not; let each person do so by faith and as unto the Lord.” For me, the act of leaving the daily work grind and resting before the Lord one day out of seven is a priceless and necessary gift from God that I ignore at my own peril. I’ve read several book’s about the Christian Sabbath, each with a unique thought to contribute to my understanding on this teaching. This one can be easily understood by most believers, and it’s the most comprehensive one that I’ve read on this subject – it’s written by a pastor and professor… Read More »

Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith

December 26, 2015 by Peter Dubbelman Leave a Comment

I don’t know Michael Reeves, but I picture him as outgoing, personable, and winsome – a gift of grace to us. He wants this book to be “about growing in our enjoyment of God and seeing how God’s triune being makes all his ways beautiful. [Reading it] is a chance to taste and see that the Lord is good, to have your heart won and yourself refreshed” (9), which, of course, are great goals. Towards this end, he writes with a wider audience in mind than theologians like Barth or Volf, but Reeves’s gifts are properly suited to his task at hand, and he’s able to make the thoughts of these major theologians digestible to the common person. Read More »

Who Is Christ for Us?

December 25, 2015 by Peter Dubbelman 1 Comment

Dietrich Bonhoeffer thought deeply and lived bravely. As every major theologian must, he wrestled long and hard over the question, “Who is Christ for Us?” His answer informed his thoughts and formed his life. In short, for Bonhoeffer, “Christ is the center” – “a rediscovered center” and “the center of existence, history, and nature.” For Bonhoeffer, Christ is “the man for others” and his church “is only church when it is there for others.” These central truths affected all that he believed and how he lived. Unless it does both, our life is either like straw in the wind or a clanging cymbol … Read More »