Dutch Reformer, Institution Founder & Michigan Entrepreneur
Who was Albertus Christiaan Van Raalte (born in 1811 in the Netherlands?). Van Raalte was a pillar in the Afscheiding, sat under Groen van Prinsterer, was always running from the law, wrote letters to Abraham Kuyper to not over-work (which council Kuyper failed to apply), led the emigrations to Michigan, helped start Hope College and Western Seminary, and loved him so church polity. To talk about Van Raalte we are joined by the living-legend Robert Swierenga, author of “A. C. Van Raalte: Pastor by Vocation, Entrepreneur by Necessity.”
The Piety of a Normal Job & the Process to Arrive There
“How can I pick the right job?” Actually, you don't need to choose a job that's "perfect for you." But you do need to be productive in ways that honor God in your work life. Here's a better question: As a believer, how can I determine what I am supposed to do, and then do it well? The doctrine of calling, or vocation, will lead you to the answer. All this, and more, as we sit down with William Boekestein and discuss his new book “Finding My Vocation: A Guide for Young People Seeking a Calling.”
Boys and Girls Portrayed Right
Most children’s book and entertainment are woefully lame (and, of course, most adult books and entertainment are lame as well [(did you guys see that there is an Amazon show for clowns that has a black, gay, handicap King of England?]). In attempts to counteract that (often with good intentions) authors who seek to position the male lead in his rightful masculine place often, perhaps unknowing to them (perhaps in their knee-jerk reaction resulting in overcorrection), will often relegate the female role to a truncated picture of optimal biblical femininity. However, in Forrest Dickison’s new children’s book “Crispin’s Rainy Day” we don’t get that sort of sloppy work.
Comments on the Trinitarian Nature of the Family
Our particular interest in this essay is to open up Bavinck’s approach to the biblical teaching about humanity created in the image of God, with specific implications for, and application to, the Christian family.
A Review of "T&T Clark Handbook of Neo-Calvinism"
This handbook joins the growing corpus of English-language reflection on the origin, essence, and relevance of neo-Calvinism, drawn from recently translated sources and professional level studies. Perhaps this review can be most clearly organized by briefly stating the book’s constitutive sections (with brief commentary consisting of “thoughts arising as I was reading”), offering a brief statement of the book’s lasting value, and concluding with some personal reflections on the book’s blank spots and on its unresolved challenge facing neo-Calvinism...
A Review of "T&T Clark Handbook of Neo-Calvinism"
This handbook joins the growing corpus of English-language reflection on the origin, essence, and relevance of neo-Calvinism, drawn from recently translated sources and professional level studies. Perhaps this review can be most clearly organized by briefly stating the book’s constitutive sections (with brief commentary consisting of “thoughts arising as I...
A survey of living right in the "Wrong Side of History"
For years, when folks were taking stock of our cultural moment in regard to faith and such, it was a given that people would reference Charles Taylor. As of late, however, I've started noticing every book, article, and podcast I've digested is referencing Aaron Renn and his observations and analysis...
The Forest and the Trees
Unveiling the often-overlooked significance of Cornelius Van Til in the realm of Reformed ethics, this work draws light upon his unique moral philosophy. Grounded in the covenantal epistemology and metaphysics typically employed for apologetics, Van Til masterfully harmonized his insights with those of Geerhardus Vos’ biblical theology. In contrast to...
Reviewed by Charles Ivey
Donald Macleod may well be the preeminent expert on Scottish theology. In his latest work, From the Marrow Men to the Moderates, he explores the major events in18th Century Scottish church history. The book deals with eternally relevant questions surrounding justification, repentance, legalism, and antinomianism...
The Image-Bearing Piety of Being a Cog in the Wheel
If you read one book this year let it be David Bahnsen’s “Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life.” Why? Well, you know there are three persons in one God, and you know that you are saved by grace alone through faith alone, you know you would do well to...
The Sword, the Bible & the Tongue
Today we are joined by Stephen Brett Eccher to discuss the firebrand of fidelity that is Ulrich Zwingli in connection with Eccher’s new book “Zwingli the Pastor: A Life in Conflict” from Lexham Press.
Reviewed by John Dekker
Biblical Theology is a reference book covering every book in the Bible, but it can also be read devotionally, as I did – in fact, it took me nine months to read. As C. S. Lewis says in his wonderful introduction to Athanasius' On The Incarnation, doctrinal books are often “more helpful...
This Earthly Life Matters
Was Jesus merely an “emergency measure”? Did Kuyper take the creation and culture far enough? Is the goal of life to “get saved” or is it to get saved unto the end that God intended all along? Do we overemphasize Jesus at the expense of the Trinity? All this, and...
Reviewed by Jacob Aitken
This is a very good book but not necessarily for the reasons given by the editors. Welcome indeed are the deeper theological books from Neo-Calvinists. Whether or not culture has been reclaimed, it is important to remember that there is more to theology, more to the Christian worldview, than simply...
