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Hamilton, James M. Jr. Revelation: The Spirit Speaks to the Churches. Preaching the Word. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2012. 457 pp. $34.99.

The apostle Paul once wrote to young Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). While we may nod our heads in agreement with this verse, many in ministry have abandoned preaching of the book of Revelation to those more inclined to controversy. Just the notion of preaching through the book of Revelation tends to bring to mind the wild-eyed preacher pronouncing judgment and warning his hearers of the danger of the mark of the Beast.

In Revelation: The Spirit Speaks to the Churches, James Hamilton (Associate Professor of Biblical Theology at Southern Seminary) presents a compelling alternative by modeling for the reader an expositional sermon series through the book of Revelation. Rather than striving to identify the Anti-Christ (or the Beast, False Prophet, or Great Harlot) in modern society – a practice that is all too common and equally unhelpful – Hamilton pores through the text, seeking to reveal God’s primary message to the churches to whom it was first penned.

“God wants us to know the glory of his mercy and his justice, and that is what we see in Revelation: history culminates in climactic demonstrations of the glory of God in salvation through judgment” (18).

Revelation, then, is not about the Anti-Christ, the Beast, the False Prophet, or the Great Harlot. Neither is it primarily about the Two Witnesses, the Sealed 144,000, the Seven Seals, Seven Bowls, or Seven Trumpets. The Four Horsemen and the number 666 all play minor, bit-roles in the Apocalypse. Revelation is focused on presenting the mercy and justice of God as He brings to a head all of the wrongs of the world and pours out his righteous judgment upon them all. His enemies shall be judged, and his redeemed shall be vindicated. Revelation is about the glory and majesty of Christ.

Critique

This is a collection of expositional sermons through the book of Revelation. As such, it is not a technical commentary that extensively interacts with the text in its original language. Neither is it a pastoral commentary that provides helps for crafting sermons out of the text. That simply is not the intent of this series. That does not diminish the value of such a series, but those seeking a technical series will be disappointed.

In commentaries written in this manner, one may often find the footnotes (or, in this case, endnotes) to be as helpful as the sermon transcript itself. Many times, the author chooses to interact with the original languages and reveal his studies in this manner. Hamilton, at times, presents the reader with a helpful interaction with commentaries and languages, but at others leaves his readers longing for more – more interaction with the Greek, more discussion on contested doctrinal emphases, more sources to point someone desiring to study further.

This commentary is well-done, and an extremely helpful work in an extremely needed arena. Hamilton has the skill to combine scholarly acumen with pastoral wisdom. For those desirous of an example of preaching through Revelation, this commentary is highly recommended.

James M. Hamilton Jr., Revelation: The Spirit Speaks to the Churches

I received this book free from the publisher through the Crossway book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Beeke, Joel R. Living for God’s Glory. Lake Mary, FL.: Reformation Trust, 2008. xvi + 416 pp. $24.00

In Living for God’s Glory, Joel Beeke (president of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary) presents a compact-yet-comprehensive look at Calvinism. Beeke’s presentation includes biblical and historical support for the five points most often associated with Calvinism – Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistable Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints – but goes on to discuss the origins of Calvinism, as well as its role in sanctification, ecclesiology, and other matters such as marriage and family.

According to Beeke, Calvinism is not predominantly hinged on the doctrine of predestination, but rather, it stresses, “the comprehensive, sovereign, fatherly lordship of God over everything: every area of creation, every creature’s endeavors, and every aspect of the believer’s life” (41). This theocentricity serves as the primary mark of Calvinism. Everything else stems from that central tenet. God’s sovereignty is revealed in salvation, in sanctification, in ecclesiology, in worship, in preaching, in evangelism, in marriage, and in parenting.

That fully-developed worldview is Beeke’s greatest contribution to the Calvinism discussion. So often, debates linger on the extent of the atonement and the false accusation that Calvinism hinders evangelistic zeal, that some find it impossible to wrap their minds around the Biblically-grounded, all-encompassing, joy-inducing, worldview that is Calvinism.

Critique

Beeke’s introduction to Calvinism is well written and clearly the result of many years of studies and research. And, generally speaking, he is a gracious host to those who are perhaps exploring reformed theology for the first time. However, he makes one very specific statement that readers may find troubling.

In discussing the extent of the atonement, he writes:

“Some Christians today are fond of saying, ‘I am a four-point Calvinist.’ They accept all of the TULIP acronym except limited atonement because they think it sounds too restrictive to say that Christ died only for the elect. ‘Christ died for everyone,’ they say, ‘and, with the Spirit’s help, each person must accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord as an act of free will. When that occurs, that person is born again.’
Basically, this is popularized Arminian theology, which the Synod of Dort argued against in the Second Head of the Canons, titled ‘The Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby.’”

In doing so, he eliminates a large number of those who would agree with him on every single point aside from limited (or, as he prefers, definite) atonement. There is a strong argument that Calvin himself would differ with Beeke on this point. Many who might agree with Beeke even on this point, might argue that he draws the circle too small, around too few, and fails to honor those who would differ on this point with strong historical and (even more importantly) biblical support.

Aside from this critique, Beeke has provided an excellent resource that strives to move the discussion beyond five points, and presents a compelling and comprehensive perspective on Calvinism. Detractors will find points of contention, for Beeke does not shrink back from controversy. However, those who come to the book to gain a better grasp of this rich theological heritage will be encouraged and strengthened with a renewed sense of understanding what it means to live for God’s glory.

Joel R. Beeke, Living for God’s Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism

I received this book free from the publisher through the Reformation Trust book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Duguid, Iain M. Numbers: God’s Presence in the Wilderness. Preaching the Word. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2006. 399 pp. $34.99.

The Old Testament book of Numbers chronicles the wandering of the Jewish people in the wilderness. While Genesis, “begins in the Garden of Eden and ends with a coffin in Egypt,” Numbers “starts out in the wilderness and ends up in the wilderness” (17). This lack of movement has frustrated many attempts at reading through the Bible and caused great trepidation among pastors who would preach such a book.

Iain Duguid’s contribution to the Preaching the Word Commentary series stands in the gap left by many, and provides a tremendous example of preaching that takes God’s Word – even the book of Numbers – as “breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

“The story of the book of Numbers is written to a people whose lives are lived between the accomplishing of their redemption and its consummation, between the exodus and the Promised Land” (19).

Throughout the commentary, Duguid (professor of Old Testament at Grove City College and pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Grove City, Penn.) reveals the similarity of the plight of the Jewish people and believers today. Just as the Jewish people had been rescued from slavery, but had not yet received the inheritance of which they had been promised, believers today have experienced a liberation from the shackles of sin, but are still awaiting their promised inheritance. And like Israel, Christians often find themselves failing to follow God’s ways, and being enticed by distractions that lure them from the worship of their God. It turns out that the wilderness traveled by the Jewish people is common ground that all of God’s people have tread, and still do.

Duguid’s commitment to a Christ-centered interpretation is evident from the onset of the commentary. He writes in the Preface, “I believe that a Christ-centered approach to preaching, which seeks to explore the way in which Old Testament passages prepare for and foreshadow the gospel, makes its truths accessible again to God’s people. This approach feeds the hearts and souls of believers, as well as challenging unbelievers, with the result that even less familiar passages can speak powerfully to our congregations” (13). Duguid’s example serves as a helpful guide for pastors desiring to provide such a gift to their congregation.

And it must be noted that this is a sermonic commentary. This is a collection of expositional sermons through the book of Numbers. As such, it is not a technical commentary that extensively interacts with the text in its original language. Neither is it a pastoral commentary that provides helps for crafting sermons out of the text. That simply is not the intent of this series. That does not diminish the value of such a series, (in fact, I would like to view other volumes also) but those seeking a technical series will be disappointed.

In commentaries written in this manner, one may often find the footnotes (or, in this case, endnotes) to be as helpful as the sermon transcript itself. Many times, the author chooses to interact with the original languages and reveal his studies in this manner. While Duguid followed this method, the discerning reader is left longing for more – more interaction with the Hebrew, more discussion on contested doctrinal emphases, more sources to point someone desiring to study further.

Thus, while this volume provides a strong example to pastors who wrestle to understand what a sermon series through Numbers would (or could) look like, it presents little more than just that. It offers a jumping off point, but neglects to deepen the waters. For that, other resources will be necessary.

Iain M. Duguid, Numbers: God’s Presence in the Wilderness

I received this book free from the publisher through the Crossway book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Lawson, Steven J. The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards. Lake Mary, FL.: Reformation Trust, 2008. xvi + 168 pp. $16.00

The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards is the second in Lawson’s “A Long Line of Godly Men Profile,” series. In this edition, Lawson follows what is clearly one of the most influential theologians of the Reformation (John Calvin) with Jonathan Edwards, who “is still widely regarded as the most distinguished minister ever to grace the American church” (1). And while students of history may recognize him as the hellfire and damnation prophet they read about in history books as they study “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” Lawson presents another, broader portrait of Edwards.

Though Jonathan Edwards “was intellectually brilliant and theologically commanding, his true greatness lay in his indefatigable zeal for the glory of God” (4). Thus, in this volume Lawson leads the reader to a better understanding of the Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards, using Edwards’ own diaries and Miscellanies as helps along the way. These resolutions would show themselves to be Edwards’ “spiritual compass,” throughout his life, and the earnestness with which he sought to fulfill them is laid before the reader as a wonderful example to emulate.

The amazing aspect of these Resolutions is that they were written at a very young age. They were written, likely, during the end of his master’s degree studies at Yale, throughout his term as an interim pastor in New York City, and, “then during a brief stay at home prior to receiving his master’s degree in September 1723” (29). During Edwards’ transition between boy and man – during a time that many opt to exhaust all remaining desires for boyhood – Edwards laid the course for his pursuit of holiness for the entirety of his life. This in and of itself is fascinating.

Lawson then guides the reader to understanding the nature of these Resolutions, by helping display the relations between each various point and encouraging the reader to take upon themselves the practice of such a pursuit. The bulk of the book a sort of commentary on the Resolutions, and reveals aspects of Edwards that may be less than obvious to the student who merely reads his seminal sermon and moves on dismissively.

While those who read of Edwards Resolutions may find themselves unable to relate to a figure so fully enveloped in his devotion to God, Edwards diaries reveal the humanity of “America’s Theologian.” His diaries show his struggle with doubts of his salvation, his struggle to be peaceable and patient, and his struggle with the discipline that so characterized his life. Lawson masterfully weaves the diaries and Resolutions together to form a more developed picture of Edwards, rather than the flat, two-dimensional puritanical prophet.

This is a fantastic introduction to Jonathan Edwards and his Resolutions.

Steven J. Lawson, The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards

I received this book free from the publisher through the Reformation Trust book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.