PREPARED BY GRACE, FOR GRACE: The Puritans on God's Ordinary Way of Leading Sinners to Christ by Joel R. Beeke and Paul M. Smalley

ABOUT THE BOOK

Few teachings of the Puritans have provoked such strong reactions and conflicting interpretations as their views on preparing for saving faith. Many twentieth-century scholars dismissed preparation as a prime example of regression from the Reformed doctrine of grace for a man-centered legalism. In Prepared by Grace, for Grace, Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley make careful analysis of the Puritan understanding of preparatory grace, demonstrate its fundamental continuity with the Reformed tradition, and identify matters where even the Puritans disagreed among themselves. Clearing away the many misconceptions and associated accusations of preparationism, this study is sure to be the standard work on how the Puritans understood the ordinary way God leads sinners to Christ.

Authors  Joel R. Beeke is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, and a pastor of the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Paul M. Smalley is a teacher’s assistant for Dr. Beeke.

MY REVIEW

Prepared by Grace, for Grace is a book that is to be taken in small bites in order to be appreciated. Though I am still reading this book, I am encouraged in the Puritan view of how God leads sinners to Christ Jesus. 

One of the reasons I chose to review this book was because the authors, Beeke and Smalley, include one of my favorite ministers, Jonathan Edwards, in their work. Through he technically wasn't of the Puritan era, his theology closely reflected the Puritans. Having read many of his sermons, today he is still a breath of fresh air in this time of confusion in the church at large. 

In spite of some the differences the various Puritans had, they still maintained that true conversion, those professing of faith in Christ, had evidences of being broken to repentance. That is still how God works today. 

I will write another review when I have finished this book, but in the meantime, I encourage all who want a better understanding of how the Puritans thought and believed about God's grace for the sinners, to get a copy of this book and start reading.

This review was made possible by Cross Focused Media, Cross Focused Reviews, by providing me with a free review copy.

 

SEEDS OF TURMOIL by Bryant Wright

 Seeds of Turmoil: The Biblical Roots of the Inevitable Crisis in the Middle East by Bryant Wright.....

That is a mouthful for a title, but the book is definitely well- worth reading.

If you have ever wondered why there is so much unrest in the Middle East, then this is the book to read. Mr. Wright does a superb job in explaining why the Middle East is the way it is, from a Biblical viewpoint. And, it makes absolute sense!

Here is a little bit about Bryant Wright:

He is the founding pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in suburban Atlanta, Georgia. He also shares his passion for the truth of God's Word through the Right from the Heart ministry which is broad-casted in four languages and heard in six countries. He has a love for history and of the land of Israel, which he has visited many times. He and his wife have three grown sons. His website is: www.rightfromtheheart.org.

Seeds of Turmoil is a very insightful book on the continued warring and unrest of the Middle East. Bryant takes the reader back to Genesis of the Bible and guides the reader from the time of Abraham's call to leave Ur through-out his life-time and the life-time of his descendants. 

He shows how through one decision by one man can cause repercussions that affect a people, a nation, a land for generations to come. 

This book is not only insightful of the Middle East but I believe it will also cause a person to look at their own lives and see how a particular decision has caused things to be the way they are now. I know it did for me. As my pastor says, if you don't listen for the voice of God and and wait for God's timing and do things your way, you will create an Ismael. I have several in my life. 

Reading this book has helped me to understand better why the situation(s) in the Middle East are they way they are. And if you are interested in understanding it yourself, then this is a great book to read.

The book is laced with humor in spite of the subject. Let's face it, we humans are pretty humorous at times. But Mr. Wright is also very straight-forward on this subject. His knowledge of the land and people and Biblical understanding come through in a very distinct manner.

I believe that you will read this book over and again. It will also make a great gift to the history buff in your family. So be sure to add this one to your Christmas list! 

This book was provided to me by BookSneeze free for the purpose of writing a review. I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Everything I write is of my own opinion.

The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews

The Heart Mender: A Story of Second Chances by Andy Andrews is a story about a young woman who lives in America during WWII. It's a story about a young man in the German navy. This is a story about intrigue, suspense, hope and possibly love. Helen Mason and Lt. Josef Landermann lives will never be the same.


This is a great read. I enjoyed meeting Helen Mason and learning why she is a bitter young woman. And Lt. Josef Landermann is a young man that would have made any German momma proud. The author, Andy Andrews did a wonderful job in creating an intriguing story that was different from most historical stories. Helen and Josef dealt with broken heart issues that needed to be healed.


There was enough twists in the plot to keep me reading. I wanted to know what happened next. The overall story is intriguing, inspiring and definitely makes me want to delve deeper in my own faith. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in historical stories, books of intrigue, something hopeful, well, just everyone!


I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I am not required to write a positive review. These are my own opinions that I have expressed here. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Ok, here is a real twist... I have an extra copy of The Heart Mender and I would like to give it away. So, I am going to have a drawing! Hmmmmm..... What kind of drawing? I know, everyone who leaves me a comment saying they are following me on Twitter and Google Friends or Networked Blogs will be entered in the drawing. I will then throw your names in a "hat" and pick one, with my eyes closed. 


Be sure to add your email address in the comment box so I can email you to let you know you won and request your snail mail address at the same time. When you do leave your email address put it in a format that will be hard for spammers to read, such as email(at)address(dot)com..... well, you know what I mean. 


The drawing will begin today May 5, 2010 and will end June 13,2010. That way anyone who would like the chance to enter the drawing will have an opportunity to do so.


This would make a great gift for a graduate or even a father. Men would enjoy this book, as it's not too "girly."