A book on how and why to read a book? Yes, that is exactly what Tony Reinke’s Lit! A Christian Guide to Reading Books is all about. Reinke’s purpose in writing this book is to study reading from a Christian perspective (26). He does this by breaking his book into two categories, which I will explain and dissect below.

A Theology of Books and Reading

The first section is a theology of books and reading. In this section Reinke lays out the beginnings of literature with God writing with his fingertip the 10 commandements. He also interacts in-depth with the necessity of a biblical worldview and how that relates to what and how you read. He also covers the topic of images and imagery relative to the printed word. It is in this chapter he answers the question, “what do we loose if we loose printed books?” The conclusion of this chapter was perhaps the most convicting to me personally:

In a world so easily satisfied with images, Continue Reading →

Today The Gospel Coalition has released their newest update to Themelios, their online and downloadable journal. This one includes my first review for them and a few other gems as well. I would encourage you to check out:

1. My Review of The Deity of Christ, edited by Christopher Morgan and Robert Peterson.
2. Rodney Decker’s “An Evaluation of the 2011 Edition of the New International Version“

 Lawson, Steven J. Foundations of Grace. Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2006. 577 pages | $28.00

Some months ago I reviewed a book called Pillars of Grace by Steven Lawson. That book was the second book in a series called “A Long Line of Godly Men” and this one I present today is the first. I actually read the second book before the first and in this series that is totally appropriate. The books have common themes, however, they don’t build off one another allowing the reader to read them out of order.

Foundations of Grace is all about a “great divide.” Lawson says:

Geography is not the only place we find a great divide. There is a high ground that runs through church history as well—a Continental Divide of theology. This great divide of doctrine separates two distinctly different streams of thought that flow in opposite directions. To be specific, this determinative high ground is one’s theology of God, man, and salvation. This is the highest of all thought, and it divides all doctrine into two schools. Historically, these two ways of thinking about God and His saving grace have been called by various names. Some have identified them as Augustinianism and Pelagianism. Others have named them Calvinism and Arminianism. Still others have defined them as Reformed and Catholic, while others have used the terms predestination and free will. But by whatever name, these streams are determined by the Continental Divide of theology. (21)

Lawson very capably takes these two contrary ideas of theology and looks at each book of the Bible and the long line of godly men represented within. Lawson is wonderful to read and his understanding of church history bleeds through the pages as he explains the sovereignty of God in peoples lives.

Because the scope of this volume covers the entire Bible this volume is quite large (580 pages). However, each chapter stands alone as a very helpful unit and addition to the conversation. Where many people might be intimidated by large books, this one is helpful because of the clearly defined chapters and objectives of each chapter. I heartily recommend this work to anyone with an interest in church history and those who want to see how the Bible does in fact teach the difference between Calvinism and Arminianism.

FTC Rhetoric: I do not receive payment for my book reviews. I do sometimes receive free review and giveaway copies from authors, publishers, and publicists. My first responsibility is to my readers, therefore, I am committed to honest reviews.