Here’s a podcast interview I did with Heirloom Audio, producers of Audio Adventures, about how to get your kids into reading Scripture.
Exploring the Bible: A Bible Reading Plan for Kids
Reset: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture (for men)
Refresh: Embracing a Grace-Paced Life in a World of Overwhelming Demands (for women)
What’s Wrong with Theistic Evolution?
News of an important new book critiquing theistic evolution: “In Theistic Evolution: A Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Critique, two dozen highly credentialed scientists, philosophers, and theologians from Europe and North America have joined forces to contest this proposal.”
When Part of the Brain Goes Dark
The first brain-imaging research in trauma cases dealt with the way the traumatized brain reacted to memories of trauma.
In each case, the survivor’s right side of the brain kicked into overdrive. The emotional, visual, and spatial areas lit up. In contrast, the left side of the brain, the area responsible for logic and language went dark. This finding explained why the traumatized struggle with putting words on their experiences. Often, it is not that they don’t want to talk about their experiences. But, most times, they physically can’t because their brains are not functioning in that area.
When Your Partner Is Down and Can’t Get Up
“My wife has written, bravely and beautifully, of her struggles with mental health. I’m often asked what has helped me as her husband. I offer these 10 thoughts with her blessing and with the caveat that they may not translate into your situation. But here is what has sustained me.”
Worried? Let God Change Your Mind
Here’s a great example of how God can use CBT to heal and help his people:
My story is one of many success stories demonstrating the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy. According to the National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists, “Cognitive-behavioral therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts cause our feelings and behaviors, not external things. The benefit of this fact is that we can change the way we think to feel/act better even if the situation does not change.” Rather than live at the mercy of outside forces, we have a choice. And the most effective way to change our habitual behaviors and emotional patterns is to let God change the way we think.
The Makings of a Miserable Millennial
And how the Gospel is good tidings of great joy.
What If God Takes It All Away? Trusting Him Through Financial Struggles
“Recently we drove past our old house for the first time since downsizing. Immediately, our four children began rehearsing memories, noting every part of the house that they missed. Once again, they struggled to understand why we had to give it all up. As hard as I tried to respond with confidence that it was the right thing for our family to follow God’s leading — even at the cost of financial comfort and a home we loved — deep down, I wrestled with my own nostalgia and questions.”
The First Days of Jesus: The Story of the Incarnation by Andreas J. Köstenberger and Alexander Stewart $4.99.
Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul David Tripp $3.99.
None Like Him: 10 Ways God Is Different from Us (and Why That’s a Good Thing) by Jen Wilkin $2.99.
Exploring the Bible: A Bible Reading Plan for Kids
Reset: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture (for men)
Refresh: Embracing a Grace-Paced Life in a World of Overwhelming Demands (for women)
As I’m often asked for book recommendations on various subjects, I decided to put together an online list of my top ten books in various categories. Basically, if I was only allowed 10 books in my library on that subject, these are the ten I would choose. You can access all my other Top Ten Lists here.
Today I’m listing my updated top ten books on Christ in the Old Testament—the ones marked with an asterisk are more suitable for pastors and seminary students. If you know any other books that should be on this list, please leave a comment and I’ll add it to the “Reader Suggestions” section.
*For your non-Kindle book buying needs please consider using Reformation Heritage Books in the USA and Reformed Book Services in Canada. Good value prices and shipping*
Also, here’s my catalog of Best Online Articles on Christ in the Old Testament (which will be updated further by tomorrow).
1. Knowing Jesus through the Old Testament by Christopher Wright.
One of the most eye-opening and thought provoking books I’ve ever read. Guaranteed to make you love Jesus more.
2. Preaching Christ from the Old Testament by Sidney Greidanus.*
Classic seminary textbook. Historical survey of the subject followed by most helpful step-by-step guide to preaching Christ from Old Testament texts.
3. Beginning at Moses by Michael Barrett.
Shorter and more readable than Greidanus but covers a wider range of OT genres.
4. Preaching Christ in All of Scripture by Ed Clowney.
The first two chapters will transform the way you read and teach the Bible. Clowney sets forth the principles and practice of finding Christ in Scripture and then putting together a Christ-centered sermon. This is followed by a number of wonderful sermons that demonstrate the “how.”
5. The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses by Vern Poythress.*
Especially helpful on typology, not just laying the foundational principles but also explaining numerous examples. Also wonderful insights on the Christ-centered nature of Old Testament law.
6. The Christ of the Covenants by O P Robertson.*
It was the second or third time reading this book before the covenants all fell into place for me. Transformed the Bible and my ministry.
7. Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture by Graeme Goldsworthy.
First part provides the lenses with which to read the Old Testament, followed by many examples of how to preach Christian sermons from different genres of biblical literature. More thematic than exegetical.
8. The Unfolding Mystery by Ed Clowney.
More sample sermons demonstrating how #4 Preaching Christ in All of Scripture is put into practice.
9. Him We Proclaim: Preaching Christ from All the Scriptures by Dennis E. Johnson.
Good on theory and good on practice.
10. Jesus On Every Page by David Murray.
Couldn’t bring myself to make this # 1.
Honorable mentions
If I’d had a Top Twenty the following books would also have been included.
Close Encounters with the Son of God by Jonathan Stephen. If this was still easily available it would have been near the top of the Top Ten List. It deals with the Old Testament Christophanies.
Christ in the Old Testament by Robert Gordon. Again, this four-volume set of sermons would have easily made the Top Ten if it was easier to get.
According to Plan by Graeme Goldsworthy. A simplified version of Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture.
Seeing Christ in All of Scripture by Peter A. Lillback and others
Christ-centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon by Bryan Chappell. Not specifically about preaching Christ from the Old Testament but much of the material will help with that.
A History of the Work of Redemption by Jonathan Edwards. Covers more than the Old Testament but the Old Testament section, especially the early part, is pure gold.
The Ancient Love Song by Charles Drew. One of the most accessible and readable of books on Christ in the Old Testament.
Messiah in the Old Testament by Walter Kaiser.
Preaching Christ from Genesis by Sidney Greidanus.
Preaching Christ from Daniel by Sydney Greidanus.
Preaching Christ from Ecclesiastes by Sidney Greidanus.
Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament Hardcover by Greg Beale and Don Carson.
How Jesus Transforms The Ten Commandments by Edmund P. Clowney
The Christ of Wisdom: A Redemptive-Historical Exploration of the Wisdom Books of the Old Testament by O. Palmer Robertson.
The Christ of the Prophets by O. Palmer Robertson.
Is Jesus in the Old Testament? by Iain M. Duguid.
How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens: A Guide to Christ-Focused Reading of Scripture by Michael Williams.
Singing the Songs of Jesus by Michael Lefebvre.
The Prophets Speak of Him: Encountering Jesus in the Minor Prophets by Anthony T. Selvaggio.
The Promised One: Seeing Jesus in Genesis by Nancy Guthrie. Excellent Bible study series with a good mix of teaching, questions, and discussion starters. See also follow-up Bible studies on various other parts of the Old Testament. See also follow-up Bible studies on various other parts of the Old Testament: The Lamb of God, The Wisdom of God, The Son of David, and The Word of the Lord.
Reader Suggestions
101 Portraits of Jesus on the Old Testament by Bob Beasley.
The Scriptures Testify about Me: Jesus and the Gospel in the Old Testament by Don Carson, Tim Keller, and others.
Look To The Rock by Alec Motyer.
The Messianic Hope by Michael Rydelnik.
Messianic Revelation in the Old Testament by Gerard Van Gronigen.
On The Trinity by Hilary of Poitiers.
Clavis Cantici by James Durham.
The Prophets Speak of Him by Anthony Salvaggio.
The Message of the Old Testament: Promises Made by Mark Dever.
Bible Gateway recently interviewed me on helping kids to read the Bible for themselves. Here are the questions they asked me. Click through for the answers.
Is it correct to assume that parents don’t read the Bible to their children as often as they should?
Why is it important for parents to read the Bible to their kids and to model the reading of the Bible for their kids?
How can parents establish a routine of Bible reading?
What should parents do when their children ask them questions about the Bible that may be difficult to answer?
What should the goal be for parents who want their children to establish themselves in the Bible?
How does your book help 6-12-year-olds get into the Bible?
What is a favorite Bible passage of yours and why?
At the end of the interview I was asked “Is there anything else you’d like to say?” here’s my answer
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the famous London preacher, once advised Sunday school teachers that whatever else they taught their students, they had to communicate joy and excitement in their lessons. He said that the children may not remember all the details of what they taught, but if they consistently conveyed their own delight in and enthusiasm for the Bible, the children would be “infected” by that and pursue Bible study themselves.
As we read the Bible with our kids and encourage them to read it themselves, let’s make sure that whatever else they remember, they remember our joy. Bible reading is not a “should-do” but a “get-to-do.” We get to hear God’s voice speaking into our lives for our good and the good of others.
Exploring the Bible: A Bible Reading Plan for Kids
Reset: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture (for men)
Refresh: Embracing a Grace-Paced Life in a World of Overwhelming Demands (for women)
28 Non-Numerical Signs Of A Healthy Church
“Numbers are not the only way to determine church health. In many situations, they’re not even the best way.”
A Historian’s 5 Tips on Writing
“At his Twitter account, @KevinMKruse, Professor Kruse did a series of tweets on writing advice. With his permission, they are reprinted here in a more permanent format.”
A Revival Of The Public Reading of Scripture
I’ve noticed Scripture readings are getting shorter and shorter.
Study says screen time may increase teen depression, thoughts of suicide
Along similar lines, here’s the New York Times’ on How Evil Is Tech? which highlights three main critiques of big tech. The first is that it is destroying the young. And another: The number of teens who are depressed is soaring. In that article, Jean Twenge says that the problem is “not necessarily the screen time but the time that’s lost to smartphones that could be spent on more meaningful activities, like face-to-face interaction.”
Download the ‘Westminster Shorter Catechism’ by Sinclair Ferguson
You said you would listen to him reading the telephone directory. Here’s something even better.
Why You Should Live in the Psalms
Scott Slayton: “The Psalms provide a welcome antidote to our craving for shallowness. The Psalms, which seem so easy to understand on the surface, invite us to deep study and contemplation. They show the blessing of cultivating a deep and abiding trust in the Lord and beckon us to leave behind our life of distraction so we can know and love God more deeply.”
Autism Speaks: Q&A
Super-helpful Q&A with two autistic young adults.
Some great deals on Kindle devices today.
Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World by Josh McDowell $3.99.
Impossible People: Christian Courage and the Struggle for the Soul of Civilization by Os Guinness $4.99.
Renaissance: The Power of the Gospel However Dark the Times by Os Guinness $3.99.
Why Christ Came: 31 Meditations on the Incarnation by Joel R. Beeke and William Boekestein $2.99.
Beginning at Moses: A Guide to Finding Christ in the Old Testament by Michael P. V. Barrett $0.99
Exploring the Bible: A Bible Reading Plan for Kids
Reset: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture (for men)
Refresh: Embracing a Grace-Paced Life in a World of Overwhelming Demands (for women)
Studies have shown that gratitude is a powerful force for creating positive changes in individuals, families, and organizations. According to Sonja Lyubomirsky, a research professor of psychology, “The expression of gratitude is a kind of metastrategy for achieving happiness.” Here are some of the research findings, published in books such as The Happiness Advantage, Flourish, and Optimal Functioning.
Thanksgiving is much more than saying “Thank you” for a present or benefit we’ve received. The world’s most prominent researcher and writer about gratitude, Robert Emmons, said it is “a felt sense of wonder, thankfulness, and appreciation for life.”
We can boost gratitude in our lives by intensifying the feeling of it for each positive event, by increasing the frequency of it throughout the day, by expanding the number of things we’re grateful for, and by expressing gratitude to more people. But the most effective multiplier of gratitude, said Emmons, is humility: “At the cornerstone of gratitude is the notion of undeserved merit. The grateful person recognizes that he or she did nothing to deserve the gift or benefit; it was freely bestowed.”
Again, don’t we Christians start with such an advantage here, given that our whole faith is based on grace, the sense of a completely undeserved salvation that has been freely given us by a gracious God?
