My latest book review on Modern Reformation: Biblical Reasoning.
New Review! Biblical Reasoning
New Review: Swain’s “Trinity in the Bible”
Reading Resources for Children
It’s summer and I’m looking for activities for my children, which means I’ve been looking for good books for them to read. Unfortunately, the trips to the library that I enjoyed so much as a child are problematic due to the world’s attempts to normalize sin. What to do? Below are some book lists I’ve discovered in the past few days. I put a number of the books on hold at the library and checked them out. My disclaimer is that the lists are long and I haven’t vetted them all, but you should be able to find many good books for your kids here.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/a-complete-classical-christian-school-reading-list-grades-1-8/
https://reformedreader.wordpress.com/books-for-kids/
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/summer-reading-grade-grade-recommended-reading-list-kids/
Another website I just discovered and haven’t explored more: https://redeemedreader.com/
Going Backwards to Go Forwards
I’m finishing up a book review of James M. Hamilton Jr.’s Typology–Understanding the Bible’s Promise-Shaped Patterns for another publication, but word-count restraints meant that some things have to be left unsaid in that article. I think this is helpful:
Hamilton articulates something that I have also noted in my work on Amos: to see connections to grace and Christ in some Old Testament books, you have to first understand how they look back on God’s past dealings with his people. E.g., Amos looks back at Bethel and Gilgal – you can preach Christ in that Amos text by explaining and exploring what God’s dealings with his people there pointed to in Christ. Hamilton does this with the scarlet cord and Rahab, Josh 6:22-25. Hamilton writes, “If, on the other hand, we do not only go forward from Rahab to Christ, but first go back from Rahab to the exodus, and only then go forward to Christ, we arrive at an interpretation that accords with the intentions of both Moses and Joshua…By pointing back to the exodus, the salvation of Rahab points forward to Christ, who fulfilled the exodus in life and death. …Just as Israel was saved by lamb’s blood on lintel, so Rahab and her household were saved by scarlet cord in window” (269).
I would add that Rahab is also a type of Ruth and other Gentiles included in the people of God.
Hamilton teaches at SBTS, but some of his observations, like this one, make me think he should be at the cusp of affirming the baptism of the children of believers as well as believers!
Corporate Confession of Sin: Ps 119:161-168
King of kings and Lord of lords, you stand above all princes and rulers. Forgive us for ascribing power to others above you. We have been fearful of the persecution of princes when we ought to stand in awe of you and your words. Yet we thank you for giving us your word as an anchor for our souls in a wicked world. Enable us to praise you habitually and engage your word consistently. Grant us great inward peace and keep us from stumbling. We hope in you and love you exceedingly, for you know us and love us, you bless and keep us. Forgive us for the sake of Jesus Christ, amen. (Based on Psalm 119:161-168)
Confessing Sin, using Ps. 119:153-160
Gracious God, we call on you for forgiveness this morning in all humility. We deserve the wages of sin, all the afflictions of this life plus everlasting torment in hell. We have not sought you and obedience to your rules as we ought, so we plead that you would redeem us from sin and affliction. Give us life! “Great is your mercy, O LORD… Give me life according to your steadfast love.” Thank you that we have an advocate before you, Jesus Christ the righteous, who atoned for our sins. We thank you that now even our afflictions are turned for good. We praise you as those set free in your truth and forgiven in your Son. Change us, Holy Spirit, to serve you with our whole hearts. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. (Based on Psalm 119:153-160 and 1 John 1:5-2:2).
Prayer of Confession: Ps 119:145-152
“With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD!” We cry out to you for help this morning as those who are small and despised, who have experienced the misery of sin. Save us from our sin. Hear our voices, according to your steadfast love. We have brought sin near to us, yet we thank you that you are nearer still to us. We thank you that you are stronger than all our sin. Transform our lives to reflect Jesus Christ’s moral perfection and Spirit-enabled fruitfulness. Enable us to keep your statutes and walk before you with joy, we pray in Jesus’ name, amen. (Based on Psalm 119:145-152)
Corporate Confession of Sin – Ps 119:137-144
Righteous LORD, your rules are right and good. You are utterly faithful in your righteousness, consistent and proven. We confess that we have sinned against you, and are unrighteous without your mercy and forgiveness. We should be like you, yet our righteousness is inconsistent. Our love for you is hot and cold, not perfectly faithful. Forgive us for the sake of our Savior, your Son, whose zeal for the church consumed his life. He is the King of Righteousness, who lives forever, and whose resurrection from the dead signaled our justification. Give us life in him, we ask, amen. (Based on Psalm 119:137-144, Tsade)
Corporate Confession from Ps. 119:129-136
Wonderful God, with grief and hatred of our sins we come before you now. You have given us many kind gifts, yet we have belittled them. We have not grasped how great you are, and have praised you far less than you deserve. Forgive us, and help us to experience what the Psalmist says: “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple… Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name… Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me… Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.” Thank you that you sent Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, who kept your law perfectly and in whom you accept us. We rely on him for all things, including this prayer, amen. (Based on Psalm 119:129-136, Pe)
Psalm 119:121-128 Prayer of Confession
Heavenly Father, we come to you this morning asking forgiveness for our many sins. Our world is full of lies and we are threatened by them. Our adversary the devil is the father of lies. The people around us have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worship created things. Forgive us for believing lies. You never lie, and we thank you for the many pledges of your love that you have given to us. We ask that by the Holy Spirit, the pledges of your Word would enable us to withstand oppression. Give us deeper understanding of the truths in your word, that we would treasure them above fine gold. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen. (Based on Psalm 119:121-128, ayin)