Rebecca Stark is the author of The Good Portion: Godthe second title in The Good Portion series.

The Good Portion: God explores what Scripture teaches about God in hopes that readers will see his perfection, worth, magnificence, and beauty as they study his triune nature, infinite attributes, and wondrous works. 

                     

Wednesday
May282008

What are the sins forbidden in the third commandment?

The sins forbidden in the third commandment are, the not using of God’s name as is required;[1] and the abuse of it in an ignorant,[2] vain,[3] irreverent, profane,[4] superstitious,[5] or wicked mentioning, or otherwise using his titles, attributes,[6] ordinances,[7] or works,[8] by blasphemy,[9] perjury;[10] all sinful cursings,[11] oaths,[12] vows,[13] and lots;[14] violating of our oaths and vows, if lawful;[15] and fulfilling them, if of things unlawful;[16] murmuring and quarreling at,[17] curious prying into,[18] and misapplying of God’s decrees [19] and providences;[20] misinterpreting,[21] misapplying,[22] or any way perverting the word, or any part of it,[23] to profane jests,[24] curious or unprofitable questions, vain janglings, or the maintaining of false doctrines;[25] abusing it, the creatures, or anything contained under the name of God, to charms,[26] or sinful lusts and practices;[27] the maligning,[28] scorning,[29] reviling,[30] or any wise opposing of God’s truth, grace, and ways;[31] making profession of religion in hypocrisy, or for sinister ends;[32] being ashamed of it,[33] or a shame to it, by unconformable,[34] unwise,[35] unfruitful,[36] and offensive walking,[37] or backsliding from it.[38]

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Wednesday
May282008

May Giveaway at Challies.com

May Giveaway

It’s time for yet another giveaway at Challies.com, and just when you think the prizes couldn’t get any better, they do. How’s this for great stuff?

  • First prize: $200 gift certificate for Monergism Books and a Five Solas t-shirt.
  • Second prize: $75 gift certificate for Monergism Books and a Five Solas t-shirt.
  • Third Prize: $35 gift certificate for Monergism Books and a Five Solas t-shirt.

This month’s sponsor is Monergism Books, an online bookstore I use and have been very pleased with. And yes, fellow Canadians, they will ship to you.

Click on the banner above to enter the giveaway and give me a referral at the same time. 

Tuesday
May272008

Introductory Books on the Cross of Christ

in%20my%20place%20condemned%20he%20stoodThe book In My Place Condemned He Stood: Celebrating the Glory of the Atonement by J.I. Packer and Mark Dever, which I shall review shortly, contains a bibliography of books on the cross of Christ done by Ligon Duncan. Here is his list of books that are “a good launching point into the vast ocean of sound teaching available on the doctrine of the atonement.”

  1. The Great Exchange by Jerry Bridges and Bob Bevington. (I’ve reviewed this book here, where I said I planned “to add it to my short list of theology books for the lay person.”)
  2. The Atonement: It’s Meaning and Significance by Leon Morris. (I found this book in the used book section of the Salvation Army Thrift Store several years ago. I’d never heard of it, but realized a few pages in what a gem I’d found. I’m very, very happy to see it getting some of the attention it deserves. I’ve reviewed this book here.)
  3. Fifty Reasons Jesus Came to Die by John Piper. (I haven’t read this one, but I have a copy coming any day now, so expect a review of this one soon.)
  4. The Divine Substitute: The Atonement in the Bible and History by Ian J. Shaw and Brian H. Edwards. Ligon Duncan calls this one “a sound biblical and historical introduction to the doctrine of the atonement.”
  5. A Price for a People: The Meaning of Christ’s Death by Tom Wells, a book which says Duncan, “focuses on the biblical material.”
There are several other lists of reading material on the cross of Christ, but this is the one of “short, popular introductions.”