Book Review: Create in Me a Clean Heart by Matt Boswell

We all know the narrative when David committed adultery with Bathsheba and having her husband Urriah killed in order to cover it up. Later, we see Nathan the prophet confronting David about his sin to which David admitted his sin and asked God for forgiveness. David inspired by the Holy Spirit will later make a song of confession which is now known as Psalm 51.

Psalm 51 has been preached probably more than any other Psalm with the exception of the 23rd Psalm. Matt Boswell is one who has preached Psalm 51 and has written a new book based on those sermons. The book is titled Create in Me a Clean Heart: Experiencing God's Abundant Mercy in Psalm 51.

This book is divided in four parts based on the Psalm with three chapters written for each of them. Boswell begins with the circumstances as to why this Psalm was written which for most Psalms, we are not sure of the context. Boswell addresses God's heart towards the sinner and how we respond to sin along with what is true repentance. 

One thing that Boswell mentions in the book which hardly anyone thinks about is what David asks God to create in him a clean heart in verse 10. Most Christians are not aware that the same word for create is also used back in Genesis 1 when God said created the heavens and the earth. In this context is it not a brand-new physical heart, but one that is clean before God and one that is not desperately sick (Jeremiah 17:9) yet one that we must guard for it is the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23). 

This book is an excellent collection of writings on the 51st Psalm that will indeed edify the body of Christ. Suitable for small group or private study. It can also be beneficial for sermon preparation.

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.

My Time Away

If you have not notice by now, I have not been posting blogs for some time although I have been keeping up with social media. I know there have been a lot of things that have happened over the past few months. My life has been a little hectic. 

There have been more demands of my time in a lot of areas which has prevented me from posting. I am not planning to step away from blogging but will not post as often as I have been. I hope to write more original posts while still sharing videos of messages and podcasts to edify the body of Christ. I am not trying to create a platform. Just want God to be honored and His Word be proclaimed. 

One thing I have coming up, for those not aware, my daughter is getting married. She is marrying a man who loves God and is very family driven. He asked for her hand in marriage over the summer. They were engaged a month later. The wedding is coming up in the next couple of months (Lord willing) and we could not be more excited for her and my future son-in-law. Please be in prayer for us during this time and that all the plans going into this wedding will be God-honoring. 

God Bless. 

Book Review: The Finished Work of Christ by Francis A. Schaeffer

 

Francis Schaeffer was one of the best theological thinkers of the 20th century. His books have read by many and have greatly benefitted from them. His influence continues to grow even after he passed away in 1984. There are times when you read Schaeffer, you will notice a lot of things he says seems like he is writing about the 21st century church.

Schaeffer is more known for his writings then he is for the sermons he has preached or some his other theological works. In this book, The Finished Work of Christ, Schaeffer dives into the God-breathed words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 1-8. 

One thing about reviewing this book is that it is a commentary which commentaries tend to be scholarly, which can cause people to turn away from a work such as this. However, this commentary is not like most commentary. Yes, Schaeffer does dive into the text of Romans 1-8, but as you read it, you will see it as a Bible study versus a commentary. 

Schaeffer writes in a way for his readers to understand what he is communicating without going to academically. You could say this was like reading some of his expository work on Romans 1-8 so the body of Christ can benefit from. Sadly, Schaeffer did not write on Romans 9-16, which I think would have been just as good as this book.

Whether you are studying Romans for yourself, writing a sermon, or teaching in a small group, this book will be beneficial in assisting in your endeavors. 

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review. 

4 New Songs from Emu Music

Emu Music is one of my favorite worship bands that has produced really good worship anthems over the years. For the past couple of months, they have released some new songs which have been a delight to listen to which they have produced a video for each of those songs. Give these songs a listen and worship our Savior.

Jon Benzinger: Finding Comfort in Jesus Himself

Phil Johnson: A Biblical Assessment of Christian Nationalism

God's Word Still Carries On

I am sure many of you have heard the recent downfall of G3 Ministries which is something I have supported over the years. Like many I am disappointed in what has transpired over the last couple of weeks. The situation with Josh Buice was heartbreaking enough, but the latest scandal is just devastating. 

Not only those who supported this ministry were affected but, one person mentioned, two churches. One in particular, Prays Mill Baptist Church where all four elders were leaders of G3 resigned. This church already dealt with the public sin of their former pastor, now with all four elders who they trusted. 

We have seen many preachers who have fallen over the years and it hurts. It hurts emotionally and to some spiritually. Some may ask, is there anyone we can truly trust in the church these days whether corporately or globally? 

One thing is for certain, in spite of the failures of those in these ministries and churches, Gods Word will still carry on. We are called to obey Christ and share His gospel to everyone. Yes, there will be many in the church that will appear to embarrass us, but God does move in spite of all of that. There are still faithful preachers who many do not know that will carry on the work of the gospel. There are many faithful ministries that will continue to equip the body even if they do not have a national conference. 

Preachers come and go. The same with parachurch ministries, but God's Word will stay around. 

Ken Ham on the Curse of Ham

Brian Borgman with a Warning for Preaching "Law Gospel"

Book Review: Biblical Doctrine by John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue

It has been over a year since John MacArthur has stepped into glory and see Jesus face to face. MacArthur has authored many books over the years including some commentaries. Back in 2017, MacArthur along with Richard Mayhue have put together a Systematic Theology based on MacArthur's teaching and preaching. This book is simply titled, Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth.

Over 1,000 pages of the theology of John MacArthur summarized into one volume which was probably not an easy task, but it was accomplished. The book basically goes over the doctrine of the Bible, the doctrine of the Trinity which each member into their own individual chapters, and the doctrine of salvation. 

MacArthur goes on with the doctrine of man, angels, the church, and the future, which is Dispensationalism. For those who have followed MacArthur for years, you know this is no surprise. 

If you have read Systematic Theology books in the past, you know that the theology is the Bible interpreted by the author of that particular volume. A lot of works is similar with a few differences. In reading MacArthur, you will find agreement with other works of Systematic Theology along with disagreements. 

As I mentioned earlier, it has been over a year since MacArthur has passed away yet his legacy and influence lives on. I am thankful this book was put together. This is one for any serious theology student to have on their bookshelf. 

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: A Qualified Man by Jacob Tanner

There was an old commercial on TV years ago when I man came upon someone who was injured. The gentleman asked everyone to stand back as he attended to the injured. A woman asked him, if he was a doctor. The man, comically, answered, "No, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night." 

In today's culture, many think they are experts because they meet certain qualifications. Doctors have medical school, lawyers have law school, and mechanics have some form of training. In the church, we have seminary which has been debated if that applies today because of the debt they might accumulate. While seminary training may not appear in the Bible, there are qualifications for a man, yes, I said man, to be an elder/pastor in the church. 

In his latest book, A Qualified Man: Cultivating the Quality of a Godly Leader, Jacob Tanner looks what Titus 1:5-9 says about the Biblical qualifications for church leadership. The passage reads as follows from the English Standard Version (ESV), which is what Tanner used in the book:

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. 

Based on this passage, Tanner addresses the purpose of elders along with they must be men who love their wives and children. Based on the ESV translation of Titus 1:6, Tanner believes that an elder must have children who are believers, which I will address later on. 

Elders must be men who are above reproach, not perfect men, but men who are known to be holy. Elders must be men who are trusted with the Word of God and must be able to teach others as well as able to defend the Bible. 

Going back to Titus 1:6 about children being believers, this is where I have a big issue. I think the translation and interpretation of that passage is misleading. The Legacy Standard Bible (LSB) has Titus 1:6 saying that an elder's children must have "faithful children, who are not accused of dissipation, or rebellious." To have faithful children does not imply that they are believers, but an elder's children are respectful and obedient to him in his house. To imply that an elder must have children who believe means that when a child is born in his home, he or she is not a believer right away and therefore the man cannot be an elder. Not all children come to faith at a young. Some come to faith as a teenager or even a young adult. This implies when a new child is born, the elder must step down so he can convert his child. The same with adopting a child who may not be a believer. 

This is a book much needed today in the church. The body of Christ needs to be reminded what God's Word says about the qualifications of elders. Despite my disagreement with the interpretation of Titus 1:6, I recommend this book for all leaders and future leaders. 

I received this book from G3 Press in exchange for an honest review.

Sovereign Grace Music's Latest: Your Alone

Obedience and Rest

He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him"...Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me (John 14:21, 23-24).

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

In these passages, we see two things. First, we see that Jesus told His disciples those who obey Him are the ones who love Him. Second, Jesus invites us to come and rest in Him. 

Many Christians know obedience is essential in the Christian life not as the means for us to get saved. That would be salvation by works. Our obedience is the evidence of our salvation. As James 2:26 says, "faith without works is dead." 

There are some Christians that try to downplay obedience because they do not want others to base their salvation on their obedience to Christ but rather come and rest in Christ knowing He has secured our salvation. While there is nothing wrong with resting in Christ because He has secured our salvation for us, it does not mean obedience goes out the window.

The Bible, especially in the New Testament, is full of commands to obey. Will we obey them perfectly? Absolutely not. Although we have washed by the blood of the lamb, we are still wrestling with sin in this body of flesh. We will still face temptation and there might even be time where our motivation to be obedience may not be from a pure intent. 

Yet, as Christians we can rejoice knowing that Christ is sufficient where we can rest in Him as we obey Him. Our obedience is a response to what God has done in our lives through Jesus Christ. Our obedience will never be perfect which is why on the days we fall short we can rest in Him knowing that "no one will snatch (us) out of (His) hand" (John 10:28). 

As we live the Christian life, let us honor God while resting in the finish work of Christ. 

Book Review: Mediator by Vern S. Poythress

The question that Vern Poythress presents before us in his latest book, Mediator: A Biblical Theology, is how immoral people approach a holy God? How can people who are morally corrupt come up to a God who is beyond corruption? As Christians, we know we cannot come to God on our own because we are sinners that deserve the wrath of God.

God provided a mediator for us in the Person of Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5, LSB). Christ is the reason those who put their faith and trust in Him can approach a holy God. 

We know Christ is our absolute mediator, but the way Poythress was communicating in his book, there were other mediators especially in the Old Testament. Now those mediators did not take away sin like Christ does, but they were means of approaching God. 

Some of the examples of the Old Testament Poythress showed was the Tree of Life, the Covenant, and even the Prophets. To be honest, I understand where he was coming from, but I thought they were a bit of a stretch and going beyond what was written in that aspect. Not accusing Poythress of being a false teacher, but I think he was executing bad exegesis.

When it came to the New Testament, the book took a needed 180 because Poythress showed the entire ministry of Jesus pointed to Him as our Mediator.  He is fulfilled the law of God which is why He is our absolute mediator. 

To be honest, I was expecting more for Poythress on this subject. Granted, when it came to teaching about Christ being our mediator, it was pretty solid. The first half of the book felt like they were just page fillers. It was a good attempt on this topic, but I think it was poorly executed.

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: One: Twenty-Five Selected Sermons on Unity

Over the years, there have been many sermons from Charles Spurgeon that been printed in books for all in the church to read. There are also podcasts that read Spurgeon's sermons as well. Recently, the G3 Conference took place on the subject of unity, which is the topic of these collections of sermons from Spurgeon printed by G3 Press, titled, One: Twenty-Five Selected Sermons on Unity.

Each sermon in the book contains Biblical teaching on what unity should be in the church. This also contains how and what Christians should do to maintain that unity. There are also sermons to serve as warning to what can disrupt the unity of the church. As an added bonus, there is a written exposition from Spurgeon on Psalm 133 which says:

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

For brothers to dwell together in unity!

It is like the good oil upon the head,

Coming down upon the beard,

Aaron’s beard,

Coming down upon the edge of his robes.

It is like the dew of Hermon

Coming down upon the mountains of Zion;

For there, Yahweh commanded the blessing—life forever (Psalm 133:1-3, LSB).

This is another excellent collection of sermons from the Prince of Preachers for any Pastor and/or theologian to add to his library especially on the much-needed subject of unity,

I received this book from G3 Press in exchange for an honest review.

A Discussion on Christians Expressing Patriotism

There has been debate over whether or not Christians can express patriotism especially here in the United States. This video from the Straight Truth Podcast addresses that very topic.

Nate Pickowicz: Are Christians Still Under the Law?

This video, courtesy of Exposit The Word, is audio only.

Jeremiah Dennis Preaching on Battling Lust

Costi Hinn: Your Mind is a Warzone

Phil Johnson: Why Do People Abandon the Faith