My Summer Reading List

June 9, 2008

Instead of posting summer readings lists like Al Mohler (here and here) and C. J. Mahaney (here) I am simply posting my own personal reading list. Not that I don’t find what is on their lists interesting (except I’m not a sports nut and therefore half of Mahaney’s list does not apply to me) but I thought I would simply share my reading plans. Some are currently in process, others I will begin shortly. I have 3 weeks on the beach in Florida this August and plan to read until my heart’s content! Thankfully I also have a fiance who loves to read!

1. Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War by Nathaniel Philbrick.

I picked this up at O’Hare while i was waiting for a flight. I had heard it was excellent. It is incredibly engaging while seemingly very accurate and fair theologically. If you have an interest in the Pilgrims, the founding of America, and such, you will enjoy this book!

2. Assist me to Proclaim: The Life and Hymns of Charles Wesley by John R. Tyson.

Charles Wesley, the lesser known brother of John Wesley, lived a fascinating and God fearing life. His hymns reflect a really godly evangelical piety and have much to teach us today. When often we are abandoning some real excellent hymns of the faith today we should study the life and hymns of this great saint!

3. For Us and Our Salvation: The Doctrine of Christ in the Early Church by Stephen J. Nichols.

Evangelicals seem deathly afraid of the Church Fathers. Stephen Nichols here, who is amazing at making complex historical and theological issues simple, shows the need to study the Early Church. He focuses on the debates regarding the doctrine of Christ and how important it is for us to study these things out amongst the issues we face today!

4. Water from a Deep Well: Christian Spirituality from Early Martyrs to Modern Missionaries by Gerald L. Sittser.

I have developed a love of the history of Christian spirituality from my friend Michael Hayking. Sittser’s book does an excellent job of engagingly describing the spirituality of the various epochs in church history. We have much to learn from those who went before us!

5. The Emergence of Evangelicalism: Exploring Historical Continuities edited by Michael A. G. Haykin and Kenneth J. Stewart

David Bebbington with his quadrilateral approach to understanding Evangelicalism has clearly had an immense impact on history of Evangelicalism. Haykin and Stewart and other writers interact with Bebbington’s hypothesis about the origin of Evangelicalism and Bebbington replies. Looks to be an excellent volume but sorry folks, only available in the UK right now!

6. Cromwell by Antonia Fraser

Fraser, an excellent biographer, provides for us an in-depth look at the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell. While she is fairly pro-Cromwell she does not cover over his faults nor does she vilify him like others do. She presents a fair assessment of his life and influence. A must read to understand this crucial point in British history and where Protestant’s ruled Britannia!

7. Preach the Word: Essays on Expository Preaching in Honor of R. Kent Hughes edited by Leland Ryken and Todd Wilson

Hughes was an important pulpiteer that is worthy to be honoured for his work for Christ and His church. With essays by Wayne Grudem, John Macarthur, J. I. Packer, Duane Litfin, D. A. Carson, Philip Ryken and others, this is a must have book for preachers this summer!

8. Cornelius Van Til: Reformed Apologist and Churchman by John R. Muether

Van Til, best known as the developer of Presupositional apologetics was a giant amongst men. His understanding of the Word, theology, philosophy was unparalleled. Yet, he was not an ivory tower theologian, but put his theology into practice as a dedicated churchman. If you are unsure of the life or thought of this man, pick up this biography to shed some much needed light!

9. In My Place Condemned He Stood: Celebrating the Glory of the Atonement by J. I. Packer and Mark Dever

Packer and Dever amongst any have a singular understanding of the importance of a correct view of the atonement especially as it is manifested in the penal substitutionary approach. This is mandatory reading for all pastors, church leaders, and laypeople to better appreciate the work of Christ on our behalf!

10. Renewing Minds: Serving Church and Society through Christian Education by David S. Dockery

David Dockery is one of the leading minds in the SBC and as President of Union University he is qualified to write about Christian Education. Anyone who cares about Christian Higher Education should read this book. J. I. Packer says, “This is in every way a landmark book!”

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Posted by allenmickle

New Blog – Between the Times

June 6, 2008

Let me make you aware of a new blog hitting cyberspace. Between the Times is a blog that focuses on a number of topics including theology, culture, mission, the SBC, and book reviews. The first post is already up by Bruce Ashford called “Toward a Great Commission Resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention: Part One.”

This blog has as its contributor’s five professors at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Theses are: Dr. Daniel L. Akin, President of SEBTS where he teaches courses in theology, preaching, and hermeneutics, Dr. Bruce R. Ashford, director of the Lewis A. Drummond Center for Great Commission Studies and Associate Professor of Philosophy and Intercultural studies at SEBTS, my good friend Dr. Nathan A. Finn, Assistant Professor of Church History at SEBTS (see his great personal blog here), Dr. Kenneth Keathley, Dean of Graduate Studies and Professor of Theology at SEBTS, and Dr. David P. Nelson, Senior Vice President for Academic Administration and Dean of the Faculty at SEBTS where he teaches courses in systematic theology and worship.

This looks to be an exciting helpful contribution to the blog world. I know one of these men personally, and I have met two of the others, and know one by reputation and am convinced of their love for God, the church, and especially as it is manifested in the SBC. I am sure that this will be an encouraging and challenging addition to discussion, particularly discussion in the SBC context. Check out it regularly! I highly recommend it!

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New Series: Advice from The Doctor

June 6, 2008

As I have made the switch from formal study of Andrew Fuller to that of John Gill (my lover for Fuller though continues to grow!) I should switch from my quotes of Fuller I used to do to that of John Gill. So, now every Friday I will contribute something of Gill’s from my new series called Advice from The Doctor as Gill has been called The Doctor before. As probably the most important theologian of the Particular Baptist community, it is important to continue to learn and to grow from this great saint. Today’s quote comes from a sermon Gill preached on November 2, 1750 at the baptism of several persons in Barbican titled, “The Scriptures: The Only Guide in Matters of Faith.”

“About the way of Salvation; if that is the affair the doubt is concerning, look up to the way-posts, look into the word of God, and read what that says; search the scriptures, for therein is the way of eternal life; life and immortality, or the way to an immortal life, is brought to light by the gospel. The scriptures, under a divine influence, and with a divine blessing, are able to make a man wise unto salvation, and they do point unto men the way of it: it is not the light of nature, nor the law of Moses, but the gospel-part of the scriptures which direct to this; there will shew you, that God saves and calls men with an holy calling, not according to their works, but according to his purpose and grace; that it is not by works of righteousness done by men, but according to the mercy of God, that men are saved; and that it is not by works, but by grace, lest men should boast (2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5: Eph. 2:8,9). That it is a vain thing for men to expect salvation this way; that it is a dangerous one: such who encompass themselves with sparks of their own kindling shall lie down in sorrow: and that it is a very wicked thing; such sacrifice to their own net, and burn incense to their own drag. These will inform you that Christ is the way, the truth, and the life; that he is the only true way to eternal life; that there is salvation in him, and in no other: the language of them is, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved: these words, Salvation alone by Christ, salvation alone by Christ, are written as with a sunbeam on them; just as the way-posts, set up in places where two or more ways met, to direct the manslayer when he was fleeing to one of the cities of refuge from the avenger of blood, had written on them in very legible characters, refuge, refuge.”

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Penal Substition and God’s Love

June 5, 2008

“Furthermore, if the true measure of love is how low it stoops to help, and how much in its humility it is ready to do and bear, then it may fairly be claimed that the penal substitutionary model of atonement embodies a richer witness to divine love than any other model of atonement, for it sees the Son at his Father’s will going lower than any other view ventures to suggest. That death on the cross was a criminal’s death, physically as painful as, if not more painful than, any mode of judicial execution that the world has seen; and that Jesus endured it in full consciousness of being innocent before God and man, and ye of being despised and rejected, whether in malicious conceit or in sheer fecklessness, by persons he had loved and tried to save–this is ground common to all views and tells us already that the love of Jesus, which took him to the cross, brought him appallingly low. But the penal substitution model adds to all this a further dimension of truly unimaginable distress, compared with which everything mentioned so far pales into insignificance. This is the dimension indicated by Denney–‘that in that dark house He had to realise to the full the divine reaction against sin in the race.’ Owen stated this formally, abstractly, and non-psychologically. Christ, he said , satisfied God’s justice ‘for all the sins of those for whom he made satisfaction, by undergoing that same punishment which, by reason of the obligation that was upon them, they were bound to undergo. When I say the same I mean essentially the same in weight and pressure, though not in all accidents of duration and the like.’ Jonathan Edwards expressed the thought with tender and noble empathy:

God dealt with him as if he had been exceedingly angry with him, and as though he ad been the object of his dreadful wrath. This made all the sufferings of Christ the more terrible to him, because they were from the hand of his Father, who he infinitely loved, and whose infinite love he had had eternal experience of. Besides, it was an effect of God’s wrath that he forsook Christ. This caused Christ to cry out… ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ This was infinitely terrible to Christ, Christ’s knowledge of the glory of the Father, and his love to the Father, and the sense and experience he had had of the worth of his Father’s love to him, made the withholding the pleasant ideas and manifestations of his Father’s love as terrible to him, as the sense and knowledge of God’s excellency, no love to him, nor any experience of the infinite sweetness of his love.

And the legendary ‘Rabbi’ Duncan concentrated it all into a single unforgettable sentence, in a famous outburst to one of his classes: ‘D’ye know what Calvary was? what? what? what?’ Then, with tears on his face–‘It was damnation; and he took it lovingly.’ It is precisely this love that, in the last analysis, penal substitution is all about, and that explains its power in the lives of those who acknowledge it.”

J. I. Packer, “What Did the Cross Achieve? The Logic of Penal Substitution” in J. I. Packer and Mark Dever, In My Place Condemned He Stood: Celebrating the Glory of the Atonement (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2007), pp. 94-96.

2 Comments | God's Love, J. I. Packer, Penal Substitution, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by allenmickle

Immanuel’s Child

May 28, 2008

How would you like to not only brighten the face of a child at Christmas but also put into their hands the life changing message of the Gospel? You can with Immanuel’s Child, a ministry of Slavic Gospel Association. No other program geared for children at Christmas puts everything into the hands of the local church. Who better knows who needs this gift and what the gift should be then the local churches in the CIS.

Every $30 given towards our Immanuel’s Child outreach will provide substantial Christmas gifts These gifts will help establish a loving link between you and Russian children as well as their families. Your gift will provide:

* A personal message of love from your family. Sign a Star of Bethlehem ornament, which has a printed message of encouragement in Russian which will be given to a precious child.

* An opportunity for evangelism. Many children and their families will learn of Christ’s love for the first time this Christmas.

* A special Christmas gift. Purchased locally and lovingly wrapped, this gift will be presented by local church members.

* A children’s Bible. They will treasure it and read it!

* Candy and nutritious fruit. These are rare treats during a Russian winter.

* Other items such as warm clothes and toiletries.

* Materials for discipleship. Russian-language discipleship materials will be given to the local church – vital for the follow-up ministry that will take place throughout the year.

If your church would like more information on this exciting ministry you can obtain more information by visiting the website here. You can also contact myself in Canada at:

519-621-3553 or allenm@sga.org.

If in the United States contact SGA at 800-BIBLE-50 or info@sga.org.

4 Comments | Children, Christmas, Missions, Slavic Gospel Association | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
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Peter Deyneka, SGA, and Missions

May 26, 2008

With my new position as Coordinator of Training and Equipping with Slavic Gospel Association I thought it fitting to learn more about the founder of SGA, Peter Deyneka Sr. (1898-1987). In the book, Peter Dynamite-Twice Born Russian: The Captivating Story of Peter Deyneka Sr. (by Norman Rohrer and Peter Deyneka Jr. from SGA, 2005), the picture is presented of a godly man of prayer who worked tirelessly to see his own people saved and discipled into the church of Jesus Christ. At one point in the book it speaks of Deyneka’s call to ministry and presents an incredible challenge for us.

“In the early days of his Christian life, Peter attended all the missionary conferences at Moody Memorial Church. In one service, Peter was unusaly attentive because Pastor Rader continually made reference to the need for workers in the ‘corn’ field. Was it actually so? Did the Lord need workers in the ‘corn’ field?

Peter listened closely. He was hoping to hear of a need for workers among his own Slavic people, but the speaker did not mention Russia. He kept calling workers in the ‘corn’ field instead.

At the close of the meeting Peter responded to the invitation. His heart was so moved that he wanted to eagerly serve the Lord wherever the need was greatest, even if it meant the ‘corn’ field. Only after the service ended did he discover that Pastor Rader was appealing for workers in the ‘foreign’ field!

Many Christians since have clearly understood the need for workers in foreign fields and have done nothing. Peter misunderstood the call and was uncertain of the conditions, but he obeyed first and learned the conditions later” (pp. 24-25).

Are you being called to full-time Christian service? I would challenge you to read this brief but challenging biography of one of God’s choice servants! Contact the SGA US office if in the United States or the SGA Canada office if in Canada to obtain a copy.

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Posted by allenmickle

$200 Shopping Spree at Monergism Books!

May 21, 2008

Enter here to be the big winner in the $200 Shopping Spree at Monergism Books.

May Giveaway

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Posted by allenmickle

The Kissing Diet

May 20, 2008

I decided I have the next big plan for a fad diet. The Kissing Diet. Everytime you feel hungry, go kiss your spouse. You’ll loose the pounds because you won’t be eating all the time, and your marriage will be even better as you shower love and affection on your spouse.

Well I think it’s a good idea. :)

2 Comments | Dieting, Weight Loss | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by allenmickle

John Gill (1697-1771) on Prayer

May 13, 2008

It is good for the saints to draw near to God; it is not only good because it is their duty, but because it yields their souls a spiritual pleasure; and it is also of great profit and advantage to them: It is often an ordinance of God, and which he owns for the quickening the graces of his spirit, for the restraining and subduing the corruptions of our hearts, and for the bringing of our souls into nearer communion and fellowship with himself. Satan has often felt the force and power of this piece of our spiritual armour; and it is, indeed, the last which the believer is directed to make use of. Praying souls are profitable in families, neighbourhoods, churches, and common-wealths, when prayerless ones are in a great measure useless. The believer has the utmost encouragement to this work he can desire; he may come to God, not as on a seat of justice, but as on a throne of grace. Christ is the Mediator between God and him, his way of access to God, and his Advocate with the Father; the Spirit is his Guide, Director, and Assister; he has many exceeding great and precious promises to plead with God; nor need he doubt of a kind reception, a gracious audience, and a proper answer, though never so mean and unworthy in himself; since the Lord will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise his prayer.

2 Comments | John Gill, Prayer | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by allenmickle

Centre for Mentorship and Theological Reflection

May 11, 2008

CENTRE FOR MENTORSHIP AND THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION

“The Cross is Our Theology” – Martin Luther

Learning from John Calvin

about Ministry Today

Date: Thursday, June 05, 2008

Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm

Venue: Van Norman Centre, Tyndale University College & Seminary – 25 Ballyconnor Court, Toronto, ON

Dr.Timothy George, Executive Editor of Christianity Today and Dean of Beeson Divinity School

“Learning from Calvin about Ministry Today”

Dr. Victor Shepherd,

Winner of the Centre’s Best Preacher Award

“My ministry is dearer to me than life”

Dr. Dennis Ngien, Founder, Centre for Mentorship and Theological Reflection

Founder’s charge

No registration needed, except pay $3.00 parking fee.

For further information, please contact Dr. Dennis Ngien at: dngien_center@yahoo.com.

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Posted by allenmickle

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