Two books that have come across my desk this week:
I am enjoying reading Thabiti Anyabwile’s (I know how to pronounce his name, but have no idea how to write it phonetically — sorry!) new book, What is a Healthy Church Member? He offers ten marks of a healthy church member:
- is an expositional listener
- is a Biblical theologian
- is gospel saturated
- is genuinely converted
- is a Biblical evangelist
- is a committed member
- seeks discipline
- is a growing disciple
- is a humble follower
- is a prayer warrior
In the book, he is answering the question that he put to one discontented church member: “what are you going to do about the state of the church? How will you become a better member and contribute to the health of God’s family in this place?”
I’m looking forward to reading all his answers, both so I will be a better member myself and so I can likewise help others become better members.
The second book is not one that is actually on my desk yet, but it is on the way (I’ve pre-ordered it, and it is due to be shipped in a couple weeks). It is John Piper’s new book, Spectacular Sins and Their Global Purpose in the Glory of God. The book is based on a sermon series by the same title that he did last year — one that I found particularly helpful. This week, he read the introduction to the book and offered additional comments as he read. The 18-minute audio helps provide an overview of his intention in writing this book.
In conjunction with this book, a shorter booklet/tract entitled, “History’s Most Spectacular Sin” has already been published, offering a condensation of one of the chapters of Spectacular Sins. He concludes with this statement:
If you embrace the biblical truth (and I pray you will) that God ordains spectacular sins for the global glory of his Son, without God in any way becoming unholy or unrighteous or sinful in that act, then you will not shrink back from the cross of Christ as a work of God. You will not be among the number of those who call the most loving act that ever was divine child abuse.” You will come to the cross and fall on your face. And you will say: This is no mere human conspiracy. This is the work of God and the love of God. You will receive it as his highest gift. And you will be saved. And Christ will be glorified. And I will not have written in vain.
Words of Grace 