Book Review: John Calvin

Click on image to buy this book at Monergism BooksA Heart for Devotion, Doctrine & Doxology, edited by Burk Parsons.

Reading this book and reviewing it here is my way of celebrating the 500th anniversary of John Calvin’s birth. Yes, Calvin was born on July 10, 1509, so his birthday falls one week from now. I’m not sure he’d like all the attention he’s getting, but if celebrating his 500th birthday means the publication of a few good books about this historical theologian and pastor, I’m for it.

John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine & Doxology examines Calvin’s life, ministry, and teachings in nineteen chapters, each written by a different well-known pastor, teacher, or theologian. Besides Burk Parsons’ preface and first chapter and Iain Murray’s foreward, there are chapters written by Jerry Bridges, Sinclair Ferguson, Joel Beeke, John MacArthur, Thabiti Anyabwile—authors whose books I’ve read and reviewed here previously; Phil Johnson, who contributes to the popular Pyromaniacs blog; and many more notable Reformedish Christian leaders.

The first eight chapters are primarily about Calvin the man. There is a chapter which contains a brief biographical sketch and chapters on the various mantles Calvin wore in his service to God: Reformer, churchman, preacher, counselor, and writer. Taken together, the picture we see is of a man of many gifts, all used in service to God. 

Click to read more ...

My Desktop Photo 64: Fireweed

Photo by Andrew Stark
(click for larger view)

I have some fireweed in the yard that is starting to bloom so I’m putting a photo of fireweed on my desktop. I like how it works even though the photo is the wrong shape. You can find out more about this wildflower in an old post called Hot Pink.

All of the of Yukon wildflower posts are linked right under my photo in the sidebar on the far right.

Round the Sphere Again

Book News
There is free shipping the whole month of July from Monergism Books.

Here’s how you can blog for free books from Reformation Trust.

Lessons from a Little Life
Joel is eleven months old. (Doulogos) 

Thinking about the Church
Church discipline done right can lead to restoration (Provocations & Pantings). Update, July 3: Tom Ascol tells the same story in three parts, giving us more details: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck in The Washington Post on why we should love the church:

We love the church because Christ loved the church. She is his bride—a harlot at times, but his bride nonetheless, being washed clean by the word of God (Eph. 5:25-26). If you are into Jesus, don’t rail on his bride. Jesus died for the church, so don’t be bothered by a little dying to self for the church’s sake.

He Called Her Woman
Why did Jesus address his mother that way at the wedding in Cana?

[I]t is an unusual term for a son to use of his mother. It is not a Hebrew or a Greek expression.

Read the answer given by Bill Mounce at Koinonia.

They Did the Math
Three tricky math problems that were finally solved, and two that remain unresolved. (mental_floss Blog)