Torrey Gazette is the combined work of everyday Christians blogging on books, family, art, and theology. So pull up a seat and join us. Family Table rules apply. Shouting is totally acceptable.
All in Art
Editors Note: I asked my friend Aaron to do some poetry on the book of Genesis. He and I share an old earth view of creation. A daunting burden in a conservative world bent on ridiculing us. He did an excellent job with this and I put it before you on his behalf.
For individuals who are already in confessional Presbyterian churches, Horton’s words will be preaching to the choir. Worship centered around the means of grace, catechismal instruction, and family worship have long been staples of the Reformed faith.
The NIV Integrated Study Bible is both the best chronological Bible available and the best-suited single volume for studying parallel passages. The simplicity and ease with which this can be accomplished is an added benefit. Laymen and teachers alike will benefit greatly from the efforts put forth in this study Bible.
Karl Barth once said, “theology is ethics.” If Barth was correct, this symmetry would explain why a general understanding of ethics requires a thorough understanding of theology.
I did not want to like this Bible. I remain convinced that my reservation for study Bibles and devotional Bibles is valid. But the Duck Commander Faith and Family Bible is worth the price of admission. For individuals looking for more than a simple NKJV text, I find myself surprised to say I can recommend this Bible in its entirety.
Individuals seeking to purchase a NIV from Zondervan would be better served buying their NIV Skinii Bible which is both affordable and physical/visually attractive.
What Christian authors and film makers need to understand is that the Christian faith is not an idea. Christianity is incarnate, creational, embodied. If Christians continue to use physical means (art) to simply say that art is not important (only ideas are) then our contributions will continue to lag behind.
The Authors of the Deuteronomistic History is a surprisingly accessible volume that is brimming with scholastic insight. Even laymen will be capable of understanding Peterson’s arguments and enjoy his insights into the history of Israel.
Encouraging an adjustment to our focus, Leighton Ford dives deeply, uncovering gems. All who walk the path of Christianity would find benefit engaging The Attentive Life.
What makes Rainbow's work unique from other volumes on Johannine theology is that it considers all of the Biblical works that are traditionally ascribed to John (the Gospel, the Epistles, and the Apocalypse). Other contemporary works that have attempted to address the breadth of John's theology have tended to do so while not addressing one of those just mentioned.
Finishing this book, for me, was like waking from a long and nerve-wracking but undeniably momentous dream; and in
Niehaus’s Biblical Theology is a joy to read. It is pleasing to the mind (theology) as well as the soul (poetry).
Sports, the movies, the mall, the news cycle, etc. all serve in a liturgical manner; they all shape us and form us in certain ways simply by our exposure to them. When Smith speaks of “liturgies” he’s talking about cultural rituals that tend to shape us in ways that we aren’t necessarily aware of. In other words, liturgies don’t ask for permission to shape the way we think and feel about certain things, they just do it.
The disordered desires of a people result not only in individual sins but ultimately take shape in the world we inhabit. Too often we limit the scope of our sin to our personal relationship with God or (a little better) to the ways our sins affect our closest relationships. Now, while sin certain does have a (powerful) affect on those things, Smith points out the cultural and cosmic effects of sin as well.
Unwrapping the Greatest Gift seems an excellent addition to Advent centered households with children.
Crossway’s ESV Reader’s Bible is both stylish and reasonably practical. Neither of these things can be undervalued. The Scripture flows wonderfully with absolutely no extra material. Tack on the common book order and the ESV Reader’s Bible is the most accessible Bible for the average reader.
Despite my growing affinity for hardbacks this edition does seem as if it would be better served for personal use (with respect to style) in a softcover form. However, this edition seems excellent for those seeking a hardcover for personal use or churches seeking a high standard pew Bible.
Alby’s Amazing Book has been a happy read in our household. The children have enjoyed the illustrations and our explanation of the Biblical scenes depicted.
The Christmas Promise is a fun (just wait till you see the angels “celebrating” as they announce the birth of Christ to the shepherds) and extremely well illustrated attempt to communicate the main theme of Mathew’s gospel (while retaining elements of Luke’s gospel).
