The Book Nook
Reading good books is one of the best ways for a Christian to grow in knowledge and be challenged spiritually. In our day and in the place we live, we have access to many good books that can help strengthen our relationship with the Lord! Unfortunately, there are perhaps many more not-so-good books that are somewhat questionable in doctrine. The Calvary Book Table (located in the sanctuary) exists to provide our members with access to the best Christian books, pre-screened for theology, at a low cost.
Here, we will highlight some new books at the table, as well as draw your attention to books that have either been recently recommended by our leadership, or perhaps have been recently read and reviewed by one of our members. If you have recently read a great book (even if it is not yet available at the table) that you would like to share with the congregation, please let us know!
The Life of God in the Soul of Man
by Henry Scougal(submitted by Gabe Zepeda 3/18/2008 )
Originally written as a letter to a dear friend, the Life of God in the Soul of Man was used mightily by God to convert many lost souls unto Jesus Christ. Among these was George Whitfield, the great evangelist during the time of the Great Awakening. He said of Scougal's letter, "I never knew what true religion was till God sent me this excellent treatise."
Indeed the essence of "true religion" is at the heart of this work. As implied in the book's title, this work dismantles all misinformed portrayals of what religion is, and instead shows religion to be "a union of the soul with God, a real participation of the divine nature, the very image of God drawn upon the soul. Or, in the apostle's phrase, 'it is Christ formed within us.'" Referring to true religion as "the divine life," Scougal wonderfully and lucidly invites you to explore its beautiful excellencies by placing Christ Jesus in all His glory and love right at the center.
This letter has helped to imprint the very image of God upon many souls. May God be pleased to do so in your soul as well when you take up this old letter of beauty. Indeed, this is a meat market for your soul!
On Knowing Christ
by Jonathan Edwards(submitted by Gabe Zepeda 3/18/2008 )
This wonderful selection of 10 of Edwards' sermons captures the Godward vision that had so infected the 18th century with a Christ-exalting, spirit-enabling reformation and revivial in colonial America. God installed this vision into Jonathan Edwards in very large portions, and used him not only to revive the church with good theology, but to revive her with fiery theology. A sound picture of God in His sovereignty, omnipotence, and grace is to be found in every chapter and on every page of this book. The exalted mediatorial office of Jesus Christ is on full display in its pages. The powerful unctions of the Holy Spirit are seen and savored from the beginning to the end. Herein, Edwards displays the magnificent glory of the gospel that is available for all, from the greatest of sinners to the least.
Edwards was a man who consistently ascribed to God His sovereignty, and was well-known throughout his life, works and ministry for his magnificent and exalted view of Jesus Christ. God was pleased to use Edwards in the spiritual awakenings of the early American era. May God be pleased through this book to revive your heart as well. This is a must read for every serious Christian!
Preaching the Cross
by Mark Dever, J. Ligon Duncan, Albert Mohler, Jr., C. J. Mahaney, John MacArthur, John Piper, R. C. Sproul(submitted by Gabe Zepeda 1/30/2008 )
If the Church is to show its gratefulness to 7 men of the faith at the commencement of the 21st century, these men would be: Mark Dever, J. Ligon Duncan III, R. Albert Mohler Jr., C.J. Mahaney, John MacArthur, John Piper, and R.C. Sproul. In Preaching the Cross, one singular passion has permeated the lives and ministries of these brothers--namely, the recovery and centrality of the glory of the gospel. From history to the present; from ministry to real life; from the Bible to sound doctrine, the gospel is sounded forth from chapter to chapter in excitement for the proclamation of it and the preservation of it! Get this book for your gospel joy!
The Bruised Reed
by Richard Sibbes(submitted by Gabe Zepeda 1/30/2008 )
The work is a delightful and noteworthy exposition of Isaiah 42:1-3 that peers deeply and thoughfully into Christ's offices as prophet, priest, and king, and that in His offices, Christ deals gently and tenderly with us in all mercy in the darkest hours of tribulation, trials, and temptations. Nicknamed "the Heavenly Doctor Sibbes", Sibbes has provided here in this work, truly a healing balm of grace to the soul, bringing encouragement, comfort, cheer, and increased faith to Christ on every page. Fresh with grace, this book is hard to put down.
Sermons of Robert Murray M'Cheyne
by Robert Murray M'Cheyne(submitted by Gabe Zepeda 1/30/2008 )
If there is any man who was greatly used in the gospel ministry in a short period of time aside from our Lord Jesus, it would be Robert Murray M'Cheyne, Scottish preacher of St. Peter’s Church in Dundee. In Sermons of Robert Murray M‘Cheyne, the powerful preaching of the gospel and the tenderhearted compassion for lost souls is unmistakably seen in this young lad. Compiled of 25 sermons, the doctrines of grace are savored for your edification and his passionate heart for the unconverted is demonstrated in his extemporaneous ways of pleading with sinners to repent and believe the gospel. This is indeed a meat-market for your soul!
When Sinners Say I Do
by Dave Harvey(submitted by Yiyin Ho 12/23/2007 )
In this Christian culture filled with books on marriage, this book strikes directly at the heart of what will truly help Christians: the power of the gospel of Christ. Dave Harvey truly gets at the source of the many types of problems we face in our marital relationships, all of which are rooted in the sinful condition of the human heart. However, instead of leaving us in despair, he prescribes for us the biblical cure: the truth of God’s Word. This book challenged me to examine more closely the issues that we deal with in my own relationship, and to directly address the underlying sins instead of merely treating the external symptoms. I highly recommend this book for any married couple or anyone preparing for marriage: it is convicting, encouraging, and filled with the string exhortations from God’s powerful and heart-changing Word.
The Legacy of Sovereign Joy
by John Piper(submitted by Yiyin Ho 11/10/2007)
This book is the first in a series that Piper has written named The Swans are Not Silent. Each of the books contains three biographical lectures that Piper gave at the annual Bethlehem Conference on the fathers of the Christian church. This Book One talks about the lives of Augustine, Martin Luther, and John Calvin and how they built the theme of their lives and ministries on God’s sovereign and triumphant grace. In Augustine, this meant the pursuit of “sovereign joy” and the supremacy of grace practically in holiness. For Luther, it was an emphasis on “total dependence on the freedom of God’s omnipotent grace to rescue powerless man.” And Calvin concentrated on demonstrating the “majesty of God in the Word of Scriptures.” I found that reading about each of these men really humbled me by their continual pursuit of Christ and the discipline they had in their lives to battle and fight heresy and erroneous schools of thought that existed during the period of time they lived. Their writings and teachings have had such an influence on strengthening the foundations of the Church. And yet, they were flawed men that God used mightily for His glory and kingdom. I am exhorted to humble myself and let the grace of God work in me so that He can use me for His kingdom.
Polishing God's Monuments
by Jim Andrews(submitted by Yiyin Ho 11/10/2007 )
This book is a great blend of theology and narrative written to encourage believers to strengthen their faith and be prepared for times of hardship and trial. The story is an account over the years of the author’s daughter Julie and son-in-law Paul as they go through a series of trials and afflictions caused by bizarre syndromes called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities. This compelling story of faith through the midst of suffering is accompanied by Jim’s biblical, down-to-earth, and conversational perspective on suffering and how we as Christians can prepare for it and arm ourselves in advance with Biblical theology and doctrine. One can’t help but be touched and convicted by the faith of Julie and Andrew through their lives. I came away after reading this book with a renewed sense of God’s sovereignty, sufficiency, and faithfulness and how I must continually meditate on them to prepare myself for the trials and suffering that is to come in this life.
Nine Marks of a Healthy Church
by Mark Dever(submitted by Greg Ho 11/09/2007)
This excellent book debunks many myths about what a church should and should not be. Why is expository preaching important in a church? What is church membership, and why is it important? What is church discipline, and why don't we see more of it in churches today? This is not a complete book on church polity; instead, it is a book aimed at addressing the most common dysfunctions in churches today. An enjoyable read, and well worth your time. (Note: This is the book have previously studied in Adult Sunday School.)
