pilgrim people

One of the toughest things for American evangelicals to do is to distinguish between the city of God and the city of man. There seems to be this natural tendency for many people to think of America as a new type of Israel, as if we were in a national covenant with God similar to geo-political Israel in the Sinaitic covenant. There also seems to be this idea, latent in the American evangelical psyche, that America needs to be Christianized through the law.

If you thought presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee's statement about amending the Constitution "so it's in God's standards" was a good thing, then I highly recommend two books for you:

1. Mike Horton's Beyond Culture Wars

2. David VanDrunen's A Biblical Case for Natural Law

If understanding the two kingdoms is something you are struggling to grasp, then please take the time to read these very helpful books.

For the gospel,
MGB

"It is possible to know Bible stories, yet miss the Bible story." So said the late Edmund Clowney in the introduction to his excellent book, The Unfolding Mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old Testament. I am recommending this book as reading for the first class in 2008 of our Wednesday Night Study in Theology. Like all our classes in the WNST, this one will run for six weeks, from 7.00p-8.30p. This class is titled "On the Road to Emmaus: Seeing Christ in the Old Testament" and begins on Feb 6. This class will focus on:

• The unifying nature and message of Scripture
• How to read and understand the Old Testament as Christian Scripture
• How to see the relationships between the different genres of the Bible (narrative, law, prophecy, wisdom literature, etc.) and the way in which they relate to the Person and Work of Christ in a discernable way.
• How to read an OT Bible story the right way!

While reading Clowney's book is not required for the class, I nevertheless highly recommend it. I am confident that most everyone will find it an easy read. Moreover, it not expensive. Order it from Amazon, or (for probably less $) from the WSC bookstore.

Maintaining the two-natures doctrine is critical in order for us to understand who Jesus is and what he has done for us. Due to our finitude, we cannot fathom the mystery of God and man as one person. Due to our fallen-ness, we cannot avoid making idols out of what we do not understand. Yet, the challenge of maintaining the two-natures doctrine is not for the seminary classroom and ecclesiastical court alone; it must also take place in the catechesis of a local congregation. While our creeds, confessions and catechisms aid us (and unite us) to that end, further instruction on this incomprehensible doctrine is always needed. Pastors and laypeople alike are in want of a clear and biblically faithful explanation of the two-natures of Christ. Danny Hyde’s book, God with Us, provides such an explanation in fewer than 160 pages.

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Rev. Hyde, pastor of Ocenaside URC,  has a new book coming out on the Incarnation of Christ. Here are the endorsements:

“Why the God-Man?” Athanasius’s question frames the entire complex of Christian faith, piety, worship, and practice. With devotional warmth and doctrinal clarity, Pastor Hyde makes an excellent tour guide through the treasures that lie at the heart of history--indeed, at the heart of God himself. Whatever the stage in the Christian pilgrimage, God with Us will lead readers from meditation to doxology.
—Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California

Danny Hyde has provided the church with an outstanding study explaining the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is clear, biblically faithful, and impressively comprehensive given its concise length. This book is guaranteed to provide all sorts of people in and outside the church with a better understanding of the Savior and of why understanding who he is, is so important. I highly recommend it.
—David Van Drunen, Robert B. Strimple Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics, Westminster Seminary California

Called to Serve: Essays for Elders and Deacons (Grandville: Reformed Fellowship, 2007) is a book designed to help train and equip elders and deacons for their task as officers in Christ's church. It is the work of twelve authors, including Michael Horton, W. Robert Godfrey, Kim Riddlebarger, Cornelis Venema, and Danny Hyde. There are chapters on the nature, duties, and spiritual life of elders and deacons; why elders must know, love, and defend sound doctrine; advice to elders on how to deal with potential new members who do not yet understand covenant theology and infant baptism; church discipline; family visitation; diaconal ministry; how an elders' meeting functions; and more. There is also an appendix that lays out a ten-week training course for elders and deaocns, whcih can be used as initial training for potential new officers, or as a refresher course for those already serving in office.

My hope is that this work will bear much fruit for God's kingdom as it is manifested in the local congregation throughout the world. At $15, it is a great deal. And it's out just in time to be a great Christmas gift for that special elder or deacon in your life!

MGB