Matthew Barrett on Canon, Covenant and Christology

Matthew Barrett was featured on the Credo Magazine podcast to discuss his recent book, Canon, Covenant and Christology: Rethinking Jesus and the Scriptures of Israel. This discussion is in two parts:

Canon, Covenant and Christology (Part 1)

Canon, Covenant and Christology (Part 2)

Book Review: None Greater by Matthew Barrett

Christians have tried to bring God down to our level. What they get is a god made in their own image which is an idol. Many have only looked at certain attributes of God such as His love while overlooking His other ones such as His holiness. From sermons to songs to books, God has been domesticated in certain circles. When we read the Bible, we see that our view of God is much bigger than what others have imagined Him to be. When we study theology, we see the greatness of our God and how small we are.

In his book, None Greater, Matthew Barrett takes a theological look at God and His attributes to help his reader discover that God is indeed greater than what we make Him out to be. We see that God is incomprehensible where limited human knowledge cannot simply grasp who He is. Barrett says the one place we see the true knowledge about God is the Bible. The Bible shows us who God is and what His attributes are. Barrett goes on to say that though God is incomprehensible, we can still know God. Knowing God is the greatest privilege a believer has because of the finished work of Christ on the cross.

Barrett quotes A.W. Tozer, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." Can we think about God? Yes, we can, but we must think of Him in what He revealed in the Bible. Any thoughts about God outside the Bible is simply crafting God into another image which He had not given us. Barrett points out that God is sufficient and He does not need us. We are dependent on Him, not the other way around.

Barrett continues that God is limitless. He has no comprehension of time as we do. He does not change to relate to the times people live in. We also see his is all powerful, everywhere, and all knowing. He is jealous for us because He made us. We are His creatures and we were created to glorify Him and no one else.

I basically gave you a brief synapses of Barrett's book, which has many wonderful truths from the Word of God on God Himself that it would take me all day to write about. Barrett does a wonderful job in communicating who God is and helps us get a bigger picture of who He is. I am delighted to recommend this book to anyone who wants to know God.

Thanks Baker Books for letting me review this book.

Book Review: Sola: How the Five Solas Are Still Reforming the Church

For over 500 years, Christians have celebrated the Protestant Reformation which was the beginning of a movement to breakaway from the Catholic Church's teaching on justification to embrace the gospel as proclaimed in the Bible. Throughout the years there have been five Latin phrases that have summed up the Reformation that has been taught in the church, which are known as the Five Solas:

Sola scriptura-Scripture alone

Sola fide-Faith alone

Sola gratia-grace alone

Solus Christus-Christ alone

Soli Dei Gloria-To the glory of God alone

Jason Allen says these phrases are "theological declarations, by they come with massive personal and congregational implications...they are the essence of the gospel." This quote comes to the introduction of a book, which Allen has put together along with four other authors, to address the Five Solas and how they apply today. The book is titled, Sola: How the Five Solas Are Still Reforming the Church.

Allen is joined by Jared C Wilson, Jason G Duesing, Matthew Barrett, and Owen Strachan. The authors deal with each Sola and their theological distinctives. Allen begins with Sola Scriptura in defining what it is, the history behind it, and its application to the church today.

Wilson writes on Sola Gratia and how we see God's grace throughout the Bible. Duesing deals with Sola Fide and gives us the theological background into why we are saved by faith alone. Barrett tackles Solus Christus and how Christ is the only One who can save us. Finally, Strachan addresses Soli Dei Gloria where our salvation is for the glory of God alone and not ourselves.

At first, I thought this book was going to be a huge theological book that might take a while to read. This is not the case. Sola is a easy to read book designed to give the reader an introduction to the Reformation and Reformed Theology. This is also a good read when it comes time to reflect on the Reformation later this year.

Thanks Moody Publishers for letting me review this book.

Matthew Barrett on Mortification

Recommended Reading:

The Mortification of Sin by John Owen

Licensed to Kill: A Field Manual for Mortifying Sin by Brian G Hedges

Tap: Defeating The Sins That Defeat You by Yancey Arrington