Chris

Faithfulness to Christ.

Revisado: 12-18-24

Really appreciated Nichols’ ability to weave together Bonhoeffer’s life and theological emphases. He leaves no doubt that Bonhoeffer loved Christ, his Church, his Word, and was willing to lay down his life for Christ during the failure of national socialism and one of history’s worst genocides. Bonhoeffer serves as a beautiful example of “living” biblical Christianity. The only challenge was the narrators monotone telling which lacked inflection and emotional depth. Tolle lege.

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The Roots of our (Particularly USA) Progressive & Conservative Liberalism

Revisado: 09-25-24

Really enjoyed the book and had to listen to the conclusion twice to appreciate Levin’s read on our currently strained politics. I had heard of Paine and Burke, but (perhaps still) did not know much about them or their views and how their legacy shaped Western political evolution. Having recently listened to some great podcasts on the French Revolution (‘Rest is History’) and the founding of the USA (‘Empire’)—both tragic instances of the violence (hallelujah not only that) that is our common human legacy amidst the interadvental permixtum—and finding myself to a large extent politically homeless in recent years—it was good to hear Levin’s outstanding—and very fair— treatment of these two giants. While I am now reminded of the importance of remaining conservative and praying for wisdom to navigate “gradually,” I am also appreciative that Paine—notwithstanding his radical and utterly untethered views—contributed something good to our legacy (concern for the poor might be it). I am however increasingly cautious about attaching “isms” to our political “identities”. Overall great book. Tolle lege.

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Outstanding.

Revisado: 06-29-24

With a wonderful foreword by Marsden, Ortland does an outstanding job over twelve succinct but impressive chapters reviewing Edwards’ historically located contributions to Christian (‘late puritan’) orthodoxy. Winsome, thorough, and beautifully correct in his analysis of Edwards as America’s premier theologian of beauty. And love. The book is appropriately capped off with four carefully, graciously and correctly argued criticisms of Edwards work. Outstanding. Tolle lege!

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Outstanding.

Revisado: 06-19-24

A dear pastor lead a group of us through Calvin’s Institutes many years ago when I was a very young Christian and it was a genuine blessing. Years later I went back through and read them again on my own for my devotional time and was once again reminded of Calvin’s great significance (Christ through him) in Church history. A dear pastor friend recently asked me my favorite one volume systematic theology and unhesitatingly I replied “Calvin’s Institutes” (Robert Reymond following close behind :)). Really loved this biography and hope you will as well. Thank you Dr. Horton.

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Complicated

Revisado: 02-29-24

May require a second read. Probably fair to say that unless you have graduate studies in this concentration (or have otherwise read broadly in this area) you will (like me) come away humbled at how little you know. Even if you have such credentials you may (perhaps ought) to be reminded of the messiness of human history. Our now tragically (and too customary) polarized interpretations of history require modification, and first pass effect suggests the author is at least on to something in his analysis.

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Excellent.

Revisado: 01-14-24

Like almost anyone familiar with Edwards, several years ago I read his most famous sermon. But I had also read ‘Heaven, a World of Love’ as well as portions of ‘Charity and its Fruits’ and Religious Affections. Then I read his biography by Ian Murray, and loved it. It is hard not to love him, as he makes Christ and the corresponding desire for beauty, and (as Marsden so rightly interprets it) Augustinian ‘rightly ordered loves’ so attractive. But like many in our era, reading and really profiting from Edwards can be painfully tedious (right up there with the equally lovely John Owen). I was attracted by the title, and although surprised by Marsden’s approach in this book, I was nevertheless delighted to see him mine Edwards’ incredible relevance for our postmodern malaise. Marsden digs deep and with remarkable finesse and grace demonstrates his intimate familiarity with Locke and other Enlightenment thinkers, then compares and contrasts Edwards with his contemporaries Franklin, Jefferson, Whitefield and others, finally brings him forward to interact with Lewis, Charles Taylor, Timothy Keller (and with them) and others to rightly assess our disordered loves, and reignite a passion for faithful Christian living and witness in the 21st century. Tolle lege.

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Gratitude

Revisado: 01-02-24

I am always blessed by reading (or listening) to Jamie Smith. Grateful here for these extended meditations on the book of Ecclesiastes and how we (need to) inhabit the social/political and intensely (inter-) personal nature of time. While there is so much (Augustianism) to praise in this volume which probably deserves a second listen, others have rightly noted his (in many ways appreciated, but) uncritical Hegelianism (see Tom Holsteen’s TGC review). He’s right that much of our modern Christianity is tainted by ‘no-whenism.’ His call to keep in step with the Spirit is timely and beautiful. Slowing down, breathing, listening, honoring the sabbath (and where needed taking a sabbatical) and prayerfully learning to inhabit a life of gratitude for the simple (profound) liturgies of family, friends, food and corporate worship is not easy but is necessary if we are going to to slow the frenetic pace of ‘late modern Capitalism.’ Tole lege.

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Great Introduction to Advent

Revisado: 12-22-23

Although I’ve been a Christian in the protestant and reformed tradition for 30 years, this was the first year that I started to give much thought to the rich Christian heritage bound up with our Lord’s three Advents. A dear brother in our church invited us to four consecutive Sunday evening Advent lessons that combined also combined hymn singing, food and fellowship around God’s word. It has been beautiful, rewarding, while also inspiring me to dig a little deeper. The book has been a great introduction to a gap in my Christian walk that perhaps like so many needs filling. Tolle lege. Hallelujah, come quickly Lord Jesus.

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Excellent.

Revisado: 12-20-23

Tim Keller’s influence for me dates back to 2015 when I read—and so much needed to read!— his beautifully written “Walking with God through Pain and Suffering.” His work on prayer, apologetics, justice, and cultural critique in the Christian life have by God’s grace all had an immense influence in shaping my perspective first on my own heart, but also on what it means to be a redeemed image bearer alive in the contemporary West. Collin Hansen does an outstanding job introducing us to the shaping influences, Christ centered global impact, and (now) beautiful legacy of one of the most important Christian thinkers in recent times. As Hansen alludes to in the epilogue, may it serve as an important foundation for subsequent and perhaps more academic (but hopefully no less Christ centered) biographies. Thank you Collin for this labor of love.

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Outstanding.

Revisado: 10-18-23

A thorough and classic (add classical) treatment of the biblical view of Christ’s life and work culminating on the cross, and it’s implications for humanity primarily in terms of a full and complete atonement. Stott spends considerable time (with winsome graciousness) reviewing heterodox, and heretical views of the atonement that have arisen throughout church history, and in light of the biblical evidence demonstrates our Lord’s death on Calvary was tragic, historically culpable, and as the outworking of divine love necessary in order to accomplish our redemption and reconciliation. Further implications (hallelujah) involve, through the work of the Holy Spirit, Christian sanctification and because of God’s love and the infinitely costly gift of his Son human motivation for local and global justice including initial arguments for what might be termed ‘Christian Social Teaching’ on issues of ecology (creation care) and sensitivity to concerns involving a ‘preferential option for the poor.’ Overall the best treatment I’ve ever read on the atonement. Tolle lege!

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