“The Trellis and the Vine” by Colin Marshall
Marshall, Colin & Payne, Tony. The Trellis and the Vine: The Ministry Mind-Shift That Changes Everything. NSW, Australia: Matthias Media, 2009. 196 pages. This Australian publication has made an impact across the globe, and rightly so. It is simple in its premise: The church involves both trellis and vine; structure and living organism. We must, therefore, do both trellis work and vine work. Failure to give proper attention to either will damage the other. This simple premise is worked out into practical ministry contexts through simple, direct chapter discussions. As I read the implications of this ministry paradigm and what this has looked like in the ministries of the authors, I was struck by the simplicity of it all. It felt so first century. Reaching people. Building them up for p... Read more
“The Supremacy of God in Preaching” by John Piper
Piper, John. The Supremacy of God in Preaching. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1990. 105 pages. This is one of Piper’s early works. It is concise (at 105 pages) and focused. It’s focus is not on the details of homiletic approach, but the philosophy of homiletics. The goal and means. Piper makes his case that God is the centre of everything and therefore should be the centre of preaching. He then looks at the life and ministry of Jonathan Edwards to illustrate God-centred preaching. Piper’s arguments are brief and simple, profound and sweet. If you preach, I believe you will benefit from this book. Grace to you. Read more
“The Doctrines of Grace” by James Montgomery Boice
Boice, James Montgomery & Ryken, Philip Graham. The Doctrines of Grace: Rediscovering the Evangelical Gospel. Illinois: Crossway Books. 240 pages. This is the first book I’ve ever read on Calvinism. I believe it would be beneficial for the non-Calvinist who wants to understand what Calvinism is according to a Calvinist. I think it would also be beneficial to the person who is connected with a Calvinist church but isn’t clear on exactly what the doctrines of grace are and what it means to be a Calvinist; in other words, you’re not sure you’re a Calvinist. For those who love the doctrines of grace, this book will be a refreshing, devotional reminder of the gospel you cherish. For those who do not, you may find your understanding of the gospel challenged fundamentally. This is all the mor... Read more
FREE! New ebook! Resolution
Resolution: making your resolutions & making them happen is Jason Harris' brand new ebook and it is now available! Even better, you can get it right now right here for free! You get one life. Just one. You live it. You use it up. And then it’s gone. This is the reality that energises Jason's latest project, Resolution, making your resolutions & making them happen. The new year is the ideal time to assess your life to see if you're accomplishing what you're here to do. Jason gives clear step-by-step guidance in developing your resolutions and seeing them through. Resolution is designed for believers who take their obligations seriously and want their lives to count for eternity. Get your free copy of this new ebook now! PDF ebook: Resolution (Jason Harris) Read more
“Spurgeon v. Hyper-Calvinism” by Iain H. Murray
Murray, Iain H.. Spurgeon v. Hyper-Calvinism: The Battle for Gospel Preaching. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2010. 152 pages. For those in gen X and Y, a world in which Calvinism is the dominant thread of Protestant Christianity is unthinkable. Yet in many places, and for much of recent history (think the last five centuries), this has been the reality. It was in this era that the young missionary was met with the stinging words: “Young man, sit down; when God pleases to convert the heathen, he will do it without your aid and mine.” Thankfully, the confirmed Calvinist father of mission, William Carey, pressed forward anyway. It was ten days after his death that another man was born. Charles Spurgeon was destined to be the prince of preachers and another avowed Calvinist. But while some might... Read more
