A Dead Calm Is Our Enemy

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The old truth that Calvin preached, that Augustine preached, that Paul preached, is the truth that I must preach to-day, or else be false to my conscience and my God. I cannot shape the truth; I know of no such thing as paring off the rough edges of a doctrine. John Knox's gospel is my gospel. That which thundered through Scotland must thunder through England again.

A dead calm is our enemy, a storm may prove our helper. Controversy may arouse thought, and through thought may come the Divine change. 

- C.H. Spurgeon, from Revival Year Sermons

Books on Revival

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Here's a list of books I own on revival that I'll be using in one way or another for my current sermon series Revival: Longing for a Surprising Work of God.

I tried to list them in the order of how much I expect to use (or depend on) each one for this series. I'm referencing a number of other things as well (articles, audio, websites) but this list is for books alone.

UPDATE 2.8.11: I added some new books at the bottom, and a few comments in parentheses where I have something to say, so far.

Additions as of 1/20/2011...

Additions as of 2/8/2011...

I'd love to hear your suggestions for other books on revivals or about revival. I also assume as I peruse my personal library I could add a few to this list that I overlooked.

Primer on Reformed Theology

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An Arminian pastor who is doubting his theology asked me what would be a good primer on Reformed Theology. So I asked my Twitter followers for recommendations. Here's what I got...

Anyone read these two? No one mentioned them, but they look promising...

Additions since the post went up...


Music Monday 1.17.11

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The Low Anthem had my #5 album of 2009 called O My God, Charlie Darwin. Their new album, Smart Flesh, comes out on February 22nd. Here they are singing "Ghost Woman Blues" on Letterman. What a great band...

Okkervil River was the indie band that in many ways started my love for indie music. They were the first indie band I saw in concert a few years back because of their The Stage Names album. Their new album, I Am Very Far, is still very far off (May 10th) but it's great to get a listen to what's coming via Fallon (and a little AC Newman)...

Ligonier Ministries $5 Friday | 1.14.11

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$5 Friday deals at Ligonier this week...

Books: Living by God's Promises by Joel Beeke | Five Things Every Christian Needs to Grow by RC Sproul

Teaching Series: Truth (CD) | Classic Collection (download, 10 best known messages) | Oaths & Vows (download)

DVD: War on the Word (2002 Natl Conf)

Audio: Scenes from the Life of Christ by Tom Howard (CD w/ narrations by Begg, Mohler, Piper, Sproul, several others)

Check out all the books & resources at Ligonier.org and the Ligonier Store.

 

Book Review: Generous Justice

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I've been given the opportunity to follow up my review of Dr. Timothy Keller's Counterfeit Gods (buy) with a review of Generous Justice. Thanks to Dutton for the book. It's another great addition to his works: The Reason for God, The Prodigal God, and the long-ago written Ministries of Mercy. Dr. Keller is pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC. If you haven't yet, you should check out my Tim Keller Resources page.

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A lot has been said in recent years of orthodoxy & (or vs) orthopraxy. We have become a people who know the Book but don't "do" what the Book tells us to do. We aren't being changed. We are better on paper than we are in practice.

And we don't take correction well. It takes a distinct voice to speak in a way we can hear, to lift the conversation above misunderstanding and reactionary responses. I believe Tim Keller is one of those voices and has accomplished that goal. He's done it before. For example, in The Reason for God he elevates the conversation with skeptics. I've read and encouraged others to read his Introduction there a number of times because it changes the conversation, it raises it "to the level of disagreement." Brilliant stuff. I think Keller does that again here on a polarizing topic: Justice.

"Scars" from old battles are hard to overcome. Theological conservatives, like me, tend to react against issues beloved by theological liberals, like social justice. And the more justice issues are brought up, the more likely (typically) theological conservatives will be leery of an author. But, and all man-love aside, Tim Keller in Generous Justice has done something I consider remarkable. He has cut through the thicket on justice to show us a clearing. It's a breath of fresh air among stuck arguments and stuffy minds.

Here's how Keller sets up his argument from the introduction... 

Elaine Scarry of Harvard has written a fascinating little book called On Beauty and Being Just. Her thesis is that the experience of beauty makes us less self-centered and more open to justice. I have observed over the decades that when people see the beauty of God's grace in Christ, it leads them powerfully toward justice.

Through dealing with several Old & New Testament passages, including word studies made simple (not just a scholarly work), Keller writes deep enough for the scholar and simple enough for the layperson. He shows himself well-read in both historic Christianity and modern cultural scholarship. Several times I found myself finding the endnotes for more info on an author or book I've never heard of and want to check out.

Some of my favorite sections are on biblical passages I'm very familiar with but Keller explains in a fresh way, such as his explanations of gleaning, tithing and Jubilee in chapter 2. Keller argues with these concepts that, "God's concern for the poor is so strong that he gave Israel a host of laws that, if practiced, would have virtually eliminated any permanent underclass" (p 27). I have not encountered a discussion on business and profit like this before (p 30). I believe it will shake the rich up and, Lord-willing, lead them toward justice. Keller reveals how profoundly American (and worldly) we are, yet he uses thoughtful, biblical argument to open our eyes. 

Then Keller discusses Jesus and "your neighbor" in chapters 3 and 4. His explanation of The Good Samaritan in chapter 4 is rich. Just as he makes Luke 15 and "The Prodigal Son" come alive in The Prodigal God, he continues to surprise us at our own dullness as he reveals the *sparkle* of familiar stories. In this instance he does it both through exposition of biblical texts as well as the liberal use of the writings of Jonathan Edwards. Keller works through the objections he's received to teaching love for neighbor and the answers he's seen from Edwards. His use of Edwards is compelling. Then Keller does what too many fail to do with The Good Samaritan, which is bring Jesus directly to bear. Instead of teaching the parable merely as the great example of how to love neighbor, he goes one step further.

Jesus is the Great Samaritan to whom the Good Samaritan points. 

Before you can give this neighbor-love, you need to receive it. Only if you see that you have been saved graciously boy someone who owes you the opposite will you go out into the world looking to help absolutely anyone in need. (p 77)

Keller then discusses the motivation for doing justice, treasuring human beings because they are creations of the Almighty. It's how we show God respect, by seeing His image in people. He mentions our redemption as motivation. Keller says, "If you look down at the poor and stay aloof from their suffering, you have not really understood or experienced God's grace" (p 96). "If you are not just, you've not truly been justified by faith" (p 99). How can someone who has experienced justification not respond by doing justice? When you understand the gospel, you see the poor and realize you are looking into a mirror. There can be no superiority or indifference when you get God's grace toward you.

Biblical background and motivations in mind, Keller gets practical in chapter 6. He says it should be our constant thought, to look for ways to do justice. We should ponder it. We should have "sustained reflection" on issues and places of justice. He considers big justice needs and areas. He discusses education and social capital, the need for business owners to be neighbors, racial reconciliation, and more. But then he does zero in on what everyday, neighborhood Christians can do. He mentions the mission of London City Mission as "the same person, going to the same people, regularly, to become their friend for Jesus's sake" (p 143). I love that. Keller does well to bring all our efforts, individually and organizationally, to bear on a community needing justice. "While the institutional church should do relief inside and around its community, the 'organic' church should be doing development and social reform" (p 146).

Keller also considers justice in the world of ideas, the public square. Keller's proposal: "Christians' work for justice should be characterized by both humble cooperation and respectful provocation" (p 158). I'm particularly encouraged by Keller's understanding of being distinctly Christian even when working in cooperation with others...

Christians should identify themselves as believer as they seek justice, welcoming and treating all who work beside them as equals. Believers should let their co-workers know of how the gospel is motivating them, yet also...they should appeal to common values as much as possible. (p 161)

Keller avoids pitfalls on both liberal and conservative sides by encouraging bold Christian work for justice while embracing a cooperation with others for the good of the oppressed. Yet he says Christians should "at the same time be respectfully provocative with them, arguing that their models of justice are reductionistic and incomplete" (p 164).

I love the way Keller ends Generous Justice. A chapter on "Peace, Beauty, and Justice." He ends where he started, remember the quote from Elaine Scarry above. Here Keller focuses on "shalom" or "harmonious peace." He refers to the "interwovenness" of rightly related human beings into community. He describes shalom as "flourishing in every dimension -- physical, emotional, social, and spiritual" (p174). Keller considers shalom and justice...

In general, to 'do justice' means to live in a way that generates a strong community where human beings can flourish. Specifically, however, to 'do justice' means to go to places where the fabric of shalom has broken down, where the weaker members of societies are falling through the fabric, and to repair it. This happens when we concentrate on and meet the needs of the poor.

How can we do that? The only way to reweave and strengthen the fabric is by weaving yourself into it. (p 177)

But Keller doesn't paint us as the hero. We do justice "because serving the poor honors and pleases God, and honoring and pleasing God is a delight to you in and of itself" (p 183). Loving and seeking justice means hard work. It's painful and people are difficult to love. But Keller says, "Don't shrink, says the Lord, from spending yourself on the broken, the hurting, and the needy. I'm good for it" (p 185).

Keller has written the best sort of book. He deals with something that has and can divide us, and does it winsomely. He does it biblically and theologically. He does it convincingly and compellingly. I finished Generous Justice desiring to see the hurting and oppressed with new eyes, a new generosity, and a new desire for shalom. 

This book is suited to many audiences. It can be read and understood by the average Christian and the more learned. I think it will be quite helpful for Christians involved in the leadership of business or government. Those responsible for much will be challenged to do it different, do it justly. And yet those with the simplest of lives and in the smallest of places will see in this book the profound, eternal purpose of God as they seek justice where they live. What a great gift a book like this is! 

I highly recommend Generous Justice, though I'm sure I haven't done the book justice (pun intended). There are a few books I know will be a constant reference for the remainder of my life, and this is one of them. Go get it.

Purchase Generous Justice | Christianity Today interview with Tim Keller | Other reviews: Chuck Huckaby | 9 Marks | Brian Hedges

 

Why Think About Revival?

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Lectures of Revivals Following Tim Keller's posts on revival which I mentioned a few days ago, Ray Ortlund adds some thoughts. Ortlund lists the four reasons why we need to think about revival from Lectures on Revivals by WB Sprague (the book Keller also mentioned, which I'm using as a part of my sermon prep on a series on revival I started on Sunday)...

  1. The subject of revival is relevant to the times
  2. Revival matters for the future
  3. However we understand revival carries impact
  4. Every church member is needed in revival

Go read Ray Ortlund's full post for more. I can't help but wonder if the talk about revival among some important leaders might be pointing us to a work that God might do among us. Come, Lord!

Black Dub

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Black Dub's self-titled debut album is only $3.99 and the sale could end at any time. Get it! PopMatters says...

Black Dub’s self-titled album is one of the most delightful and eclectic mixes of sleek and seductive music produced in quite some time. A perfect combination of rock, blues, jazz, funk, dub, reggae, gospel and soul, the band demonstrates unique musicianship in each song while never losing the listener in transition from track to track, constructing a seamless sequential flow. This album exemplifies Black Dub’s diverse talent while giving the listener what they crave: lyrical poetry and beautiful melodies. Infested with artistry and emotion, each song illustrates the epitome of passion.

Music Monday 1.10.11

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Revival: Ways & Means -- Tim Keller

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Tim_keller_image Tim Keller posted "Revival: Ways and Means" today at Redeemer City to City. He said, "I think we can carefully talk about some factors that, when present, often become associated with revival by God's blessing." Here are his 5 ways and means...

  1. Extraordinary prayer
  2. Recovery of the grace-gospel
  3. Renewed individuals
  4. Use of the gospel on the heart in counseling
  5. Creativity

Read the entire post, "Revival: Ways and Means", for more. Also check out his previous post, "Revival (Even) on Broadway." Great stuff! It's cool when someone who has been such a blessing to me is writing on the same topic God has been stirring up in me.

$5 Friday - Ligonier Deals

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6a00d83451e0d569e200e54f9e17928834-800wiFor 24 hours there are a number of $5 Friday deals at Ligonier...

Books: The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards by Steven J. Lawson | Believing God by RC Sproul

RC Sproul Teaching Series: The Holiness of God | Building a Christian Conscience | Pleasing God | The Intimate Marriage

Music: Songs from the Prayer Closet by Larry Hall (gentle piano music worthy of times of prayer, study & meditation)

Go get em!

A God-Sized Vision - Revival Stories

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I'm reading A God-Sized Vision: Revival Stories That Stretch and Stir (Kindle edition) by Collin Hansen and John Woodbridge on my Kindle right now. Loving it. Need it. The church needs it. Tim Keller digs it...

The importance of spiritual revival and the necessity of conversion is being questioned in many evangelical and Reformed circles. I'm so glad that this book is appearing now, as a witness both to how God has worked in the church in the past and what he can do in the future. --Tim Keller, Pastor, Redeemer Presbyterian Church 

Keller recently wrote on revival at Redeemer City to City blog, and Jared Wilson pointed to it and talked about it today. I think it needs more attention. I've amassed my "revival" books for reading and review this year. Maybe I'll put up some posts on the issue soon.

Let me also say, as folks are asking, I'm REALLY enjoying my wi-fi Kindle (also check Kindle 3G). My wife and kids are enjoying it so much they are asking or their own.

Music Monday 1.2.2011

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Check out the True Grit score. It's mostly variations on "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" and a couple other protestant hymns. Just beautiful. I particularly love the closing credits version of "Leaning..." by the wonderful country-folk singer, Iris Dement...

I'm discovering a bunch of new stuff because of "Best Albums of 2010" lists. Three I'm loving are Best Coast: Crazy For You ($5), Swans: My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The Sky ($5), & Buke and Gass: Riposte ($5). I liked it so much I had to watch the Buke and Gass video for "Page Break" twice...

Reclaiming Adoption - My Endorsement

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I had the privilege of reading & endorsing Reclaiming Adoption ($5.99 on Kindle!) by Dan Cruver (also contributions by John Piper, Richard D. Phillips, Scotty Smith, and Jason Kovacs). My endorsement...

I’m excited to share this book with those interested in or involved with earthly adoption. But Reclaiming Adoption deserves a much wider audience. This is a book about the Gospel, about our heavenly Father’s love for us and our adoption by Him. It’s a book about responding to our adoption by joining God’s mission to spread His love. Read it. It just may change the way you think of earthly adoption. It just may change the way you think of God’s love.

Heartily recommend it. Read more about Reclaiming Adoption.

Running With The Witnesses - Piper

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In 2008 I wrote "How I Hit REFRESH." This is a great time of year to do that, and one of my favorite ways is by listening to "Running with the Witnesses" by John Piper, a sermon on Hebrews 11:39-12:2. I encourage you to listen to it leading up to New Year's Day. I'm preaching this passage on Sunday as well.

Music Monday 12.27.10

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Check Out Joe Day's album, Grace. Free, or leave a tip. Or pick it up at Amazon. Really enjoying it. Here's "Passover"...

This All Songs Considered discussion on The Year In Music, 2010 is fun and informative. I'm listening to it again.

Brent Thomas points us to a documentary | David Eugene Edwards: The Preacher

Jenny & Johnny showed up on Conan to sing "Big Wave." Check out their solid album, I'm Having Fun Now.

$5 Albums for January

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Blind music $5 albums for January are already up, and there are a thousand! First, the $5 albums on my Best Albums of 2010 list, then the Reformissionary Recommendations from the other January albums.

Here are $5 albums from my Best Albums of 2010 list...

Honorable Mention: Beach House
34. Justin Townes Earle
32. Avi Buffalo
31. Joe Pug
25. The Social Network Soundtrack
23. Caribou
19. Lost In The Trees
16. The Tallest Man On Earth
15. Menomena
13. Broken Bells
11. Besnard Lakes
7. Mumford & Sons
1. Four Tet

Great albums (some from this year & some from previous years)...

Classical - several albums here including classical composers (Chopin | Liszt | Haydn | Mozart & many more) | albums based on instruments (violin | piano) | albums for mood preferences (relaxing | for your mind | romantic). Worth filing through all of them if you are a lover of classical music.

Check out all the Amazon January $5 deals by category: Amazons best of 2010 | Indie & Alt/Rock | Folk | Dance & Electronic | Pop | Rock | Country | Greatest Hits | Classic Rock | Soundtrack | Children's Albums