Best Bible Commentaries Interview on My First Corinthians Commentary

I was recently interviewed by Daniel Christensen, who owns and operates the website Best Bible Commentaries, regarding my First Corinthians Commentary in the Lectio Continua Series of expositional commentaries, now published by Reformation Heritage Books.

Here's the link to the interview:  Best Commentaries -- Interview with Kim Riddlebarger

Best Commentaries is an invaluable resource with reviews and publisher information for pretty much every commentary in print. 

Bookmark this one and check it out if you are looking for a commentary on any book of the Bible:  Best Bible Commentaries

What Should I Read to Learn More About the Reformed Confessions? Part One -- The Westminster Confession of Faith

People who are new to Reformed theology, find that the writings of our doctors, "divines," and professors, are very wonderful and valuable statements, expositions, and defenses of Reformed doctrine--rich in biblical breadth, and theological wisdom.  These writings are the usual points of contact, and provide the names and resources with which most people are familiar.

But Reformed and Presbyterian pastors and elders (and in some cases, church members) do not subscribe to any of the writings of our well-known theologians (i.e., John Calvin).  Instead, church officers must subscribe to that system of doctrine contained in the Westminster Standards (Presbyterian) or found in the Three Forms of Unity (Reformed).

It is vital for anyone interested in Reformed theology to read and become familiar with these documents, because they constitute our "official" doctrine as confessed by the churches.

The place to start is with Carl Trueman's defense of Creeds and Confessions.  Trueman -- Creedal Imperative

This is an important book for anyone coming from the "Bible church" tradition, and who may not understand, nor appreciate, why creeds and confessions (doctrinal standards) are so vital to the life and health of Christ's church.

Rather than confessing a bare-bones (and usually poorly written) statement of basic doctrines, often hidden away deep in the church's website, the Reformed believe and confess an entire system of doctrine. 

Is this practice biblical?  And why should churches embrace and defend a "creedal" theology.

The Westminster Confession of Faith

 The best edition of The Westminster Confession and Catechisms is this one.

 This is a wonderful introduction to the Westminster Confession of Faith.  Highly recommended.  Van Dixhoorn -- Guide to WCF

Dr. Van Dixhoorn's wife has also prepared a companion study guide.

John Fesko's The Theology of the Westminster Standards

Provides a good summation of background and historical material, as well as a systematic treatment of the confession's theology, doctrine by doctrine.

Previous Posts in this Series:

What Should I Read to Learn More About the Lord's Supper?

What Should I Read to Learn More About Infant Baptism?

What Should I Read to Learn More About Covenant Theology?

What Should I Read to Learn More About the Lord's Supper?

At Christ Reformed Church, we celebrate the Lord's Supper each Lord's Day. 

Reformed people often ask me, "how come so frequently?"

Visiting Evangelicals will ask, "what is a sacrament?  Isn't that a Roman Catholic notion?"

I am also asked, "why do you fence the table?"  Some visitors see this practice as judgmental, and are offended when told they need the permission of our elders to join us at the table.

So, when people have questions about the Lord's Supper that go deeper than a quick explanation, I recommend the following resources (note:  there is a real need for a basic introductory book on the subject -- I hear several are in the works).

Keith Mathison's book lays out the biblical basis for understanding the Lord's Supper as the "real presence" of Christ, whose body and blood are truly received through faith (a "spiritual eating" -- to use Calvin's term).

Mathison covers the historical development of the Reformed view of the elements (bread and wine) as "sign and thing signified."  Mathison also discusses the Roman, Lutheran, Zwinglian views of the Supper, in dialogue with Calvin's notion of "real presence." 

Practical matters (i.e., frequency of the Supper) are also discussed.

This is the best single book on the Supper to date.

Given for You: Reclaiming Calvin's Doctrine of the Lord's Supper

Calvin's view of the Lord's Supper is well worth taking the time to read and digest. 

This volume (an anthology) contains two of Calvin's most important treatises on the Supper ("A Short Treatise on the Lord's Supper" and "The Clear Explanation of Sound Doctrine Concerning the True Partaking of the Flesh and Blood of Christ in the Holy Supper"), along with a number of other important works (the Genevan Catechism, Calvin's "Reply" to Cardinal Sadolet, The Necessity of Reforming the Church).

It is always good to read Calvin!  But he is especially helpful on the Lord's Supper.  John Calvin: Theological Treaties

This is perhaps my favorite book from Mike (his recent two volume set on justification is also a contender).  Mike discusses the "means of grace" (word and sacrament) in dialogue with a number of contemporary competitors (i.e., Rome and Orthodoxy). 

Mike develops and defends of idea of a "word and sacrament" church--the foundation of all that we do on the Lord's Day.

This is must reading!  (note:  it is not as technical as earlier volumes in this series)

Mike Horton -- People and Place

I wrote an essay defending the frequent celebration of the Lord's Supper in Always Reformed (a festschrift for Dr. Godfrey)

Reforming the Lord's Supper

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Previous Posts in this Series:

What Should I Read to Learn More About Infant Baptism?

What Should I Read to Learn More About Covenant Theology?

What Should I Read to Learn More About Infant Baptism?

One of the most common requests I get concerns resources regarding infant baptism.

What is the biblical basis for the practice?  

What about those questions which inevitably arise when folks consider attending a Reformed or Presbyterian church and witness an infant presented for baptism by the parents?  On what basis do you baptize an infant when they have not yet professed faith in Christ?

Below are some basic resources (aimed primarily to parents and those who might visit a Reformed or Presbyterian Church), which make the biblical case for the baptism of infants, and which address the questions people ask about the practice.

This is the place to start if the subject is new to you, and you have small children.  Why should our children be baptized?  Why is this doctrine so important to Reformed and Presbyterian Christians?  Infant Baptism --- What Christian Parents Should Know

This is a new and very highly recommended book.  It is written for those who have moved beyond the initial questions regarding infant baptism to truly considering whether or not to join a Reformed or Presbyterian Church and who want more information than Satelle's pamphlet (above) can provide. 

This is the best book to give to any friends or family who have questions about infant baptism.  But read it before you give it away!

Baptism--Answers to Common Questions

This is another thoughtful book written for those considering joining a Reformed or Presbyterian Church, and who want a simple and biblical explanation as to why we baptize the children of believers.  If Jesus welcomed them, because for such is the kingdom (Luke 18:16), then so should we!  Jesus Loves the Little Children

John Fesko's volume is a comprehensive theology of baptism.  Fesko covers the history of infant baptism, the doctrine of baptism in light of new creation, the covenant, and eschatology.  He then deals with baptism as a means of grace, a sacrament, its recipients, and its importance to the church.  This is a great resource for anyone who wants to tackle the doctrine of baptism in the broadest possible context.

Water, Word, Spirit

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Previous Posts in this Series:  What Should I Read to Learn More About Covenant Theology?

What Should I Read to Learn More About "Covenant Theology"?

People often ask me, "what should I read to learn more about . . . ?"

So, throughout the coming summer, I'd like to suggest books (and on occasion other resources) on those topics about which folks frequently seek resources.

The books I will suggest throughout this series are primarily intended for lay people and others who are new to Reformed theology, or who would simply like to know more about various aspects of key Reformed distinctives.

If you have wondered about "covenant theology," and want an introduction to how the Reformed understand the course of redemptive history (the plan of redemption), then this is the place to begin.  This is a very important book to read for anyone who is interested in Reformed theology and who comes from a dispensational background.

You can find it at Mongerism.com (Monergism.com Books) or at Amazon (Sacred Bond)

Mike Horton's God of Promise is another important introduction to covenant theology.  Not a primer, God of Promise makes a substantial contribution to the Reformed understanding of the way in which covenants provide the internal biblical architecture for reading and understanding the whole of Scripture.  How does one determine whether a covenant is a "covenant of works" or a "covenant of grace"?  How do ancient Near-Eastern treaties help us understand the Bible?  Covenant or Testament?  This is a good follow-up to Sacred Bond.

 

This is the classic statement of the Reformed doctrine of the covenant or works and the covenant of grace.  Not an easy read, but a very important book, and well-worth tackling.  Witsius -- The Economy of the Covenants

Also highly recommended is Geerhardus Vos' essay, "The Doctrine of the Covenant in Reformed Theology" (The Doctrine of the Covenant in Reformed Theology)

Bible and Reformed Confessions Reading Plans for 2019

Christ Reformed folk and readers of this blog often ask me about annual Bible reading plans--especially at the New Year when people endeavor (dare I say it, make a resolution) to be more faithful about Bible reading.

Here are a couple of suggestions:

Ligonier has a great list of plans:  Ligonier Bible Reading Plans

ESV.org has a good list as well:  ESV Bible Reading Plans  

If you read Koine Greek and want to keep your skills sharp, I recommend Lee Irons' plan to read through the Greek text in one year:  Annual Greek NT Reading Plan

If you want to read the Reformed Confessions on a daily basis (and even have a reading from them delivered to you in a daily email) you can go here:  Daily Confession

If you want to do the same with the Westminster Confession, try this:  Daily Westminster

Mike Horton's New Book on Justification (Two Volumes)

Mike Horton's two volume work on justification is soon to be released.

Here's the publisher's blurb and endorsements:

The doctrine of justification stands at the center of our systematic reflection on the meaning of salvation as well as our piety, mission, and life together. In his two-volume work on the doctrine of justification, Michael Horton seeks not simply to repeat noble doctrinal formulas and traditional proof texts, but to encounter the remarkable biblical justification texts in conversation with the provocative proposals that, despite a wide range of differences, have reignited the contemporary debates around justification.

Volume 1 engages in a descriptive task - an exercise in historical theology exploring the doctrine of justification from the patristic era to the Reformation. Broadening the scope, Horton explores patristic discussions of justification under the rubric of the "great exchange." He provides a map for contemporary discussions of justification, identifying and engaging his principal interlocutors: Origen, Chrysostom, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, John Duns Scotus, William of Ockham, Gabriel Biel, and the magisterial reformers. Observing the assimilation of justification to the doctrine of penance in medieval theology, especially via Peter Lombard, the work studies the transformations of the doctrine through Aquinas, Scotus and the nominalists leading up to the era of the Reformation and the Council of Trent. He concludes his first study by examining the hermeneutical and theological significance of the Reformers’ understanding of the law and the gospel and the resultant covenantal scheme that became formative in Reformed theology. This then opens the door to the constructive task of volume 2 - to investigate the biblical doctrine of justification in light of contemporary exegesis.

“This thorough, systematic, and far-ranging work advances a reading both distinctive and yet more traditional than many of today’s dominant paradigms.”—CRAIG KEENER, Asbury Theological Seminary

“Protestant and Catholic readers . . . will profit by wrestling with this learned historical study.”—GERALD R. MCDERMOTT, Beeson Divinity School

“This is a volume bristling with theological insight and intellectual energy.”—SIMON GATHERCOLE, University of Cambridge

“Very impressive and a major contribution to the clarification of the significant issues.”—ROBERT KOLB, Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis

“A superb and engaging book, marked by a careful and generous listening to other theological traditions. It will not only reenergize the reader with a passion for understanding this long-running doctrinal conversation, but also challenge one to engage critically.”—EDUARDO J. ECHEVERRIA, Sacred Heart Major Seminary

You can order both volumes here:  Horton on Justification

Recent Warfield Discussion

Several recent articles have appeared on-line discussing various and important aspects of B. B. Warfield's theology.

The first is an essay by Fred Zaspel, the author of a very fine systematic summary of Warfield's Theology.

Zaspel's essay deals with Warfield's condemnation of racism and the segregation of his day.  Warfield's argument is grounded in the equal standing of all believers in Jesus Christ.   Warfield on Race and Racism.

A second essay comes from Scott Swain, who is president and professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando.

Dr. Swain addresses Warfield's discussion of how the names "Father," "Son," and "Holy Spirit" signify likeness between the persons in the Godhead. Warfield on the Trinity.

16 Free eBooks by B. B. Warfield

John Hendryx at Monergism.com has posted a link to 16 free ebooks by B. B. Warfield.

These include his Plan of Salvation and his magisterial, The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible.

16 Free eBooks by B. B. Warfield

Mike Horton's Book "Calvin on the Christian Life" Free Ebook

Crossway is making Mike Horton's outstanding book, Calvin on the Christian Life available as a free eBook download.  This was posted yesterday and Crossway will keep these specials up for a very limited time.

If you want it, get it quick!

Here's the link:  Calvin on the Christian Life