book review

Book Review: “Mere Fundamentalism” by Douglas Wilson

by Ben Zornes · Nov 22, 2019

Mere Fundamentalism: The Apostles’ Creed and the Romance of Orthodoxy by Douglas Wilson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had the privilege of reading this book for CanonPress’ audiobook version, and then read it again with the elders of my church. Both times through I was thoroughly blessed, edified, and enlightened as to how to rightly hold fast to the apostolic faith. In Pastor Wilson’s own words, “Held the right way, narrow truths create the broadest of hearts.”

Wilson aims to show how fidelity to the Apostles’ teaching, provides the basis for true Christian fellowship across denominational lines. In essence, we need fundamentals of the faith to distinguish between Christian and non-Christian; but these fundamental doctrines are intended to unite Christians and provide them a basis by which to work through more tangential doctrinal issues. He does a wonderful job highlighting why creatio ex nihilo is such a vital doctrine to inform our understanding the death and resurrection story which God is telling. He covers mankind’s fall, and why and how God set about to redeem us.

The final chapter is a simple and short commentary on the Apostles’ Creed. Mere Fundamentalism is quite a useful book for even the simplest of theologians. It fortifies the faith, and points us to see that Scriptural foundations are vital for the furtherance of the Kingdom of god.

Book Review: “The Lord’s Service” by Jeffrey Meyers

by Ben Zornes · Jul 31, 2018

The Lord’s Service: The Grace of Covenant Renewal Worship by Jeffrey J. Meyers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Meyers’ work here is a really helpful primer on how to biblically order our corporate worship services. He exegetes scripture to show how certain Old Testament precedents should be carried on in our New Testament worship, as well as showing how our worshipâ€“â€“now in Christâ€“â€“should be patterned after the sacrifices of the Mosaic law (cf. Rom. 12:1-2). Meyers also provides insight into historic context for why the Church has continually observed certain practices time and time again.

The shallowness of much of our modern worship services is largely due to lackadaisical thoughtlessness. We rarely ask how God’s Word describes and proscribes how our congregational worship should be ordered. Some may bristle at the notion of ordering or establishing a set liturgy, thinking this “boxes out” the Spirit. However, even in the most spontaneous Pentecostal church, there will inevitably emerge a routine and pattern for our regular meetings. We can either be deliberate and purposeful, or mindless and willy-nilly.Â

Meyers argues for “covenant renewal” worship. This orders the way in which worship in accordance with the Word, and centers upon the shared meal of the Lord’s Supper. In this way, we are frequently reminded of the covenant of Grace which the Gospel proclaims to us. Overall, this book was a wonderful defense of such an approach to Lord’s Day worship. There are a few points where I would depart from Meyers’ suggested practices, but on the whole, a really worthwhile read.
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Book Review: “The Defense of the Faith” by Cornelius Van Til

by Ben Zornes · Jun 6, 2018

Defense of the Faith by Cornelius Van Til
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What Van Til does here is remarkable. He pioneers important territory here as it relates to Christian apologetics. He points out that often our preaching and apologetics don’t match up, and we should strive to be, above all, submissive to Scriptural authority when it comes to defending the faith.

In essence, Roman Catholocism (building on Aquinas) and Arminianism seek to find a point of contact with fallen man and convince him to believe in a god. What Van Til points out is that this makes the mind and will of man ultimate, assuming that man’s reason can actually interpret the facts of the universe correctly.

Van Til starts from the fact that the Creator-creature divide must be forefront in our preaching and apologetic efforts. The Scriptures are the authority which should govern our efforts to persuade. Van Til insists that we remember that ALL men know God, but sinful man suppresses this knowledge.

Van Til slices things really thin at certain points. He takes folks in his own Calvinist camp to task for various compromises with erroneous thinking. At times he is tedious, perhaps unnecessarily, and the text at times is dense reading (could’ve used some editorial sandpaper).

On the whole, this was a remarkably helpful book. It kicked my rear end at times, and had me up and cheering at other points. I think this will prove to be a seminal work for generations to come.

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Book Review: “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis

by Ben Zornes · May 17, 2018

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have a confession to make. I’m not proud of it, but it is true. I’m 30 years old. I’ve been reading lots of books on a regular basis since I was 9 or 10. It is only a few weeks ago that I finally got around to reading Mere Christianity. All that to say, I’ve known about this masterpiece from Lewis for a good while now, even quoted portions of it. Now, I can say, it was worth the wait, and yet I wish I’d read it sooner.

Lewis is as skillful as ever at explaining in laymen’s terms deep theological truths. Keep in mind, Lewis repeatedly reminds us that he is not a theologian. So don’t expect to get your systematics from him. That said, he shows us a great example of how to take deep theological truths and state them so almost anyoneâ€“â€“of even average intelligenceâ€“â€“”gets it.” He certainly has his moments where those who like their theology as punctiliar as a swiss watch will wince, but he would likely wince in return at their inability to state such precise theological notions in such a way as to make them understandable.

I think Lewis actually did something quite remarkable in Mere Christianity, which will be of immense profit to the church for ages to come. He may not be right on every point, but he gets to the heart of the fundamentals of what it means to be Christian. He contrasts it with various other religious and agnostic notions, and shows that Christianity is the best explanation for the world, and is most reasonable. He also drives home important devotional points for what it means to live like a Christian, and not only believe like a Christian.

Don’t be like me and live over half your life before getting around to reading Mere Christianity! If you haven’t read it yet, put it as the very next book you read.

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Book Review: “Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling” by James MacDonald

by Ben Zornes · May 14, 2018

Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling: Changing Lives with God’s Changeless Truth by James MacDonald
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a collection of essays on counseling, and as with any collection some selections are home runs, others are more akin to a batter standing in the box with glazed eyes watching three, dead-center fastballs zoom by. In other words, some are real strike-outs. At points it seemed as if, in some brainstorming meeting, the folks planning this book imagined what they’d be in hot water for if they left out a chapter on “xyz.” It seems as if they then proceeded to make sure they didn’t leave those chapters out, leaving some essays feeling “forced.”

On the whole, however, there are good insights and encouragement as to how a church should think about its counseling work and ministry. As the title indicates, the editors and authors really did strive to make it a Christ-centered approach to counseling, and therefore returned again and again to the sufficiency of Scripture. I certainly have no complaints there. This isn’t the best book on counseling, nor the worst. At points it is really good, and again, at others, not so good.

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Book Review: “In Praise of Folly” by Erasmus

by Ben Zornes · May 11, 2018

Praise of Folly by Erasmus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Erasmus is a really intriguing figure of the 16th century. In many ways, he paved the way for the Protestant Reformation, while firmly insisting on taking no alliance with it. His book,Â In Praise of Folly, is a wonderful instance of his rhetorical powers of wit. The “hook” of this work is the Lady Folly writing to Erasmus’ friend Thomas More. The irony of it all is that we learn great wisdom from the mouth of folly. A really enjoyable read, from a colossal intellect.

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Some Quotes:

Do but observe our grim philosophers that are perpetually beating their brains on knotty subjects, and for the most part youâ€™ll find them grown old before they are scarcely young.

What man is that would submit his neck to the noose of wedlock, if, as wise men should, he did but first truly weigh the inconvenience of the thing? Or what woman is there would ever go to it did she seriously consider either the peril of child-bearing or the trouble of bringing them up?

What greater thing do [women] wish in their whole lives than that they may please the men? For to what other purpose are all those dresses, washes, baths, curlings, slops, perfumes, and those several little tricks of setting their faces, painting their eyebrows, and smoothing their skins?

If there can be any great entertainment without a woman at it, let others look to it.

Wisdom is a great obstacle to the true management of business

Few there are that rightly understand of what great advantage it is to blush at nothing and attempt everything.

For truth carries with it a certain peculiar power of pleasing, if no accident fall in to give occasion of offense; which faculty the gods have given only to fools.

I scarce know anyone in all mankind that is wise at all hours.

Nay, further, whereas the Church of Christ was founded in blood, confirmed by blood, and augmented by blood, now, as if Christ, who after his wonted manner defends his people, were lost, they govern all by the sword.

Fortune loves those that have least wit and most confidence.

Wisdom makes men bashful, which is the reason that those wise men have so little to do, unless it be with poverty, hunger, and chimney corners; that they live such neglected, unknown, and hated lives: whereas fools abound in money, have the chief commands in the commonwealth, and in a word, flourish every way.

Book Review: “Happily Ever After” by Desiring God

by Ben Zornes · Feb 13, 2018

Happily Ever After: Finding Grace in the Messes of Marriage by John Piper
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Being a collection of short devotionals for couples, with various authors, giving a review is a mixed bag. Occasionally you reach in and grab your favorite candy bar. Next time, you reach in and find a Werthers Original from 1993 that’s spent the last several decades under the back seat of Uncle Lester’s car. In other words, some of these are really helpful insightful and useful for helping couples think biblically about marriage (i.e. husbands loving their wives sacrificially, wives submitting to their husbands, etc.). I’m biased towards John Piper’s and Douglas Wilson’s contributions. Other entries were just not a nice flavor, sort of like the aforementioned half-melted caramel. In other words, either not enough depth to make it worth the while, or some advice that leans a little bit too much in the direction of our egalitarian culture at large.

However, for a mature Christian couple the good chapters provide some helpful fodder for conversation and marital “weeding”. The “less good” chapters gave us something to enjoy mutual disgust, sort of like when you both have to choke down an unpleasant meal while at a dinner party…not fun in the moment, fun to reminisce about later. Fortunately, most of the devotionals are well-written, helpful, wise, and just the right length for a busy couple.

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