best reading -- part 3

Since the snow is still coming down outside, I'll continue the reviews of the 12 best books I read (or am still reading) in 2018.

Not a Chance: God, Science, and the Revolt against Reason, by R. C. Sproul and Keith Matheson (Baker Books, 2014). Excellent interaction with
issues related to chance, design, and causality, especially as put forward by proponents of the new physics. Many years ago in seminary I had an
interest in this field and so did graduate research under Norman Geisler on "Reason, Rationality, and the New Physics." I muddled through that
research and so, it's a great joy to find R. C.'s acumen put to this topic. His classical training (and influence from John Gerstner, I would suppose) is so helpful in making sense of the quantum world. Or rather, making sense of those who are making nonsense of the quantum world. Excellent apologetic work on the value of logic, causality, and the scientific method.

Solar Queen (1956) and Time Traders (1958) series, by Andre (Alice) Norton. When I get tired of reading, I don't stop reading, I just read another genre. This year I read some of the early science-fiction writings of Alice Norton (pen name: Andre). Wonderful escapist reading. She wrote gripping stories of imaginative worlds and real human nature.

The Greatest Fight in the World: Spurgeon's Final Manifesto, Charles H. Spurgeon (1891; republished by Banner of Truth Trust, 2018). Charles Haddon (C. H.) Spurgeon (1834-1892) was an influential Baptist preacher in England. He's been called "the Prince of Preachers." In 1891, shortly before his death, he gave the annual address to the students at the Pastor's College. He calls for commitment to the Word of God, the local church, and dependence upon the Holy Spirit in the advance of the gospel. Jonathan Stephen of Wales Evangelical School of theology says this is "...perhaps the most rousing call to gospel arms you will ever encounter." I would agree. This book is very timely.

The Wages of Spin: Critical Writings on Historical and Contemporary Evangelicalism, Carl R. Trueman (Christian Focus, 2004). Carl Trueman is a church historian with a discerning eye for evaluating present-day evangelicalism. His topics are wide-ranging in this book, from the role of experience and testimonies ("the gospel is a message with content and not simply a case of one person communicating an experience to a group of others") to Warfield's view of Scripture, to the place of creeds, and the proper use of biblical theology in preaching. A snippet: "Has the gospel of our own personal ambition not upstaged the gospel of sacrificial service? It is faithfulness, not happiness or worldly reputation, which is the criterion of Christian success." He can be a bit acerbic, but I like his books and read as many as I can.

There you go. Twelve (or so) good books in my opinion. Happy reading in 2019!

Here's Part 1

Here's Part 2

Howard Hendricks on OT books chronology

When I was in seminary, Howard Hendricks (aka "Prof") gave us a little card with the books of the OT chronologically arranged. The scanned copy I have was a bit blurry and I wanted to make something like this available for our church class in OT theology ("Story of Redemption"). A few minor edits and here it is...

clement quotes hebrews

Clement of Rome wrote to the church in Corinth around AD 90. This is perhaps the same Clement, companion of Paul, mentioned in Philippians 4:3. Many hold him to be the first bishop / pope in Rome, aka St. Clement I. Clement quotes from the letter to the Hebrews. Origin suggested that Clement was in fact the writer (as transcriber or amanuensis) of Hebrews. Perhaps this letter began as a "word of exhortation" given by Paul at the synagogue (Heb 13:22; cf Acts 13:15) which then became a circular letter for the churches. Other possible authors of Hebrews include Luke, Barnabas, or Apollos. The theology is Pauline, but the transcriber is obviously second-generation (Heb. 2:3-4). At any rate, this early church leader in Rome, is already quoting Hebrews in his letter in AD 90: CHAPTER 36 ALL BLESSINGS ARE GIVEN TO US THROUGH CHRIST This is the way, beloved, in which we find our Savior, even Jesus Christ, the High Priest of all our offerings, the defender and he

one-liners

Here are 25 of my favorite one-liners from comedian Steven Wright: 1) I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize. 2) Borrow money from pessimists -- they don't expect it back. 3) Half the people you know are below average. 4) 82.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot. 5) A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory. 6) All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my hand. 7) The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. 8) OK, so what's the speed of dark? 9) How do you tell when you're out of invisible ink? 10) If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something. 11) Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm. 12) When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane. 13) Hard work pays off in the future; laziness pays off now. 14) I intend to live forever ... So far, so good. 15) If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends? 16) Eagles may soar, but weasels don'

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