FAIR SUNSHINE

New additions to the puritan collection: Keil and Delitzsch on Isaiah, and Calvin on the Psalms. I am not keeping books for the purpose of collecting them. I read them and use them. There are some books in my library I am reading simultaneously from cover to cover for research, and there are some that I use mainly when I prepare a message. K&D is a huge collection, and so is Calvin's commentary. But the LORD gives to me only according to the necessity at hand. Right now these find their new home on my shelf.

I have been graciously enabled to finish 3 books this last month, and have begun anew with John Owen's volume 6. Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics Volume 3 is a slow read and I am currently at page 346 of its 595 pages. I am still getting accustomed to its deep takes on some subjects that I previously thought to be simple. I am here sharing some of the notes I gleaned from one of the more helpful titles I have in my library. The Christian Pastor's Manual: on the chapter The Qualifications Necessary: Spiritual instructors need wisdom for rightly man aging their public discourses. They should adapt the choice of their subjects to the particular circumstances and necessities of their hearers as wise householders, giving to everyone his portion of meat in due season; they should compose their sermons so that the lowest may understand and the most judicious have no cause to despise them, and so as neither unnecessarily to offend the weak nor give advantage to the maliciously criticiz...

Last year, I was told indirectly by a pastor, "I am an ordained elder. You are not." Thereafter the poor congregation was threatened unnecessarily with carefully chosen excerpts from Calvin's Institutes to refrain from corresponding with me from that day forward, and if I were to take just one, I would be a wolf.  This is the kind of darkened pride that would rather watch sheep drown, than praise God for leading them to greener pastures. Father has always led me through the narrow path right from the very beginning, and He is not about to let go of me now.   Contrary to what most believe, that numbers and success dictates the health of a church, I have absolutely no desire to add another soul to my accountability on judgement day. I am terrified and joyful at the same time, for the small sheep entrusted to me. Small in number yes, but in awe of God's majesty and gracious election. I would rather be Smyrna, than Ephesus. It was by God's good graces that I responded...

Today marks the 9th month this set has been asked of from Father. And now He has graciously provided. John Owen is now a guest in our home. I will enjoy learning from him. The Works of John Owen Doctrinal (volumes 1-5). Of particular value in this section are: On the Person and Glory of Christ (vol. 1); Communion with God (vol. 2); Discourse on the Holy Spirit (vol. 3): Justification by Faith (vol. 5). To master such works as these, Spurgeon wrote, is to be a profound theologian."  Practical (volumes 6-9). Especially worthy here are Mortification of Sin, Temptation, Exposition of Psalm 130 (vol. 6): and Spiritual Mindedness (vol. 7). Volumes 8 and 9 are comprised of sermons. These volumes are suited for the average layperson and have immense practical benefit.  Controversial (volumes 10-16). Noteworthy are The Death of Death in the Death of Christ and Divine justice (vol. 10); The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance (vol. 11); True Nature of a Gospel Church and The...

The Preeminent Christ by Paul Washer Much of the precious saints struggle daily in the realities of this life. But that is only because they looking at nothing else at the moment but their problems. Looking unto Jesus as the immovable rock shifts our gaze from the unstable to the stable. From despair to hope. From turmoil to comfort and rest. From wishes to the reality of Christ in God. "This short but substantial read of 98 pages declares the unmatched significance of the good news of Jesus Christ. Compelled by a desire for men to know God’s love, Washer draws from the church’s greatest theologians to herald Christ’s centrality in revelation, salvation, sanctification, study, proclamation, and glory. The Preeminent Christ will stimulate readers to forsake their tendency to view worldly “needs” as central by zealously seeking this Christ in the gospel." Barnes and Noble Contents: Prolegomenon An Apology The Essential Content of the Gospel The Same Gosp...

The Doctrine of the Covenant and Testament of God by Johannes Cocceius Johannes Cocceius (1603-1669) was prominent Bible scholar who taught at the universities of Bremen, Franeker, and Leiden. As a gifted linguist, he produced a Hebrew lexicon, commentary related to every book of the Bible, and several theological treatises. Cocceius's contributions to covenant theology simultaneously sparked theological controversies and further fruitful dialogue for understanding the progressive nature of salvation history. The Doctrine of the Covenant and Testament of God describes the entire biblical history as a series of events by which an original covenant of works is gradually annulled, bringing new phases in the history of the covenant of grace. He shows that God's standard way of relating to mankind is through covenant, which, at its heart, is friendship with God. Casey Carmichael's translation of Cocceius's book is monumental, providing the first English edition of...

The LORD continues to provide resources to the ministry.Thank you Pastor Ryan Denton for recommending these - and the 16 volume Owen set that will come this March, Lord willing. These books may be expensive, but ignorance costs more. I have always wanted a library but have never imagined it would be of this subject and substance. Puritanism. As Dr ML Jones puts it, the Puritans are the guarding soldiers of God's garrison on earth. Reformed Dogmatics by Herman Bavinck Herman Bavinck's four-volume Reformed Dogmatics is one of the most important theological works of the twentieth century. The recently completed English translation has received wide acclaim. Now John Bolt, one of the world's leading experts on Bavinck and editor of Bavinck's four-volume set, has abridged the work in one volume, offering students, pastors, and lay readers an accessible summary of Bavinck's masterwork. This volume presents the core of Bavinck's thought and offers explanatory m...

As we establish our stand as a covenant church we therefore stand upon each point of the Westminster Confession of Faith , and deem the Presbyterian form of church government to be what is biblical, correct, and proper for us.  One of the areas wherein we have been graciously set aright is the inclusion of the Heidelberg Catechism every Lord's day, and the solemn breaking of bread . The catechism has 129 questions and answers divided into 52 sections: one for each week of the year. This grounds us firmly in the application of the truths of God's word. Our gathering is also in the process of compiling our very own handbook, comprised of the English/Tagalog version of the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechism , so that each member is adequately aware and fully conscious of his or her accountability in the Lord, something that is severely absent in the previous congregations we have been with. The book graciously provided below is a gr...

It is a good thing I am able to say, I have not read Calvin ever since, but our theology is aligned. And now this book is added to the already growing list of books I am to ingest. God amazes me in the evolution of my doctrine from personal opinion, to humanistic influence, to reformed study, and finally to covenantal thought; God providentially guiding what once was man-centered to become theocentric, and now experiential and experimental , very much aligned with puritan thought as I pleasantly learned years later. But the huge pivotal revelation was that of the intra-Trinitarian covenant.  I bless my LORD that He has carefully directed this wretch every step towards the treasure room of His divine truths, fitting each piece in place till the whole picture is formed. From eternity past to eternity to come God is working His sovereign plan in a linear and consistent fashion to fulfill that covenant, as opposed to what I thought I knew: a concept of Christianity that was put togethe...

Since I cannot remember the last time I won something (my memory fails me), I am indescribably grateful to the LORD for the program of Paulo's Library for considering the work here in Bocaue, Bulacan worthy of consideration in awarding us this most precious set on The Whole Counsel of God by Richard Gamble. My books are mostly of authors of the Puritan era, all provided for by Father Himself, save for some contemporary but none the less valuable titles, so this set is a most welcome addition to the programs and lessons already in line for the sheepfold's spiritual consumption. God has graciously magnified in us the excitement of learning and sharing, of feeding the Lord's flock, as He provides us the means to come to know Him more intimately, so that we may live for Him experientially. God has blessed and enabled His people with a kind heart to sponsor such programs that aim to assist remote shepherds who possess little to no means for much needed theological resource - n...

"Are you all about book reading now? What about your ministry?" The Christian walk is not about ministry: it is all about the covenantal God, highlighted in the finished work of Christ, manifesting in the Holy Spirit's power to bring a people to Himself through a covenant. Ministry is merely the earthly dot-sized fruit of that truth. "I have come that they may know you," says the Lord, "and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." And in another part, scripture saith, "To do justice and judgement is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice." To mirror the attributes of God as Christ lives in our lives is of more worth than our labors before the eyes of men. The commendation of God, not the applause of the world.  We tend to elevate what we are able to do for God - ministry - more than what God wills and does in us - sanctifying grace unto holiness. There is a misplaced understanding, stemming from ignorance of the root and progression of the co...

A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life  This book offers a groundbreaking treatment of the Puritans’ teaching on most major Reformed doctrines, particularly those doctrines in which the Puritans made significant contributions. Since the late 1950s, nearly 150 Puritan authors and 700 Puritan titles have been reprinted and catalogued by Joel Beeke and Randall Pederson in their 2006 collection of mini-biographies and book reviews, titled, Meet the Puritans. However, no work until now has gathered together the threads of their teaching into a unified tapestry of systematic theology.  A Puritan Theology, by Joel Beeke and Mark Jones, attempts to do that. The book addresses Puritan teachings on all six loci of theology, covering fifty areas of doctrine. The book explores Puritan teachings on biblical interpretation, God, predestination, providence, angels, sin, the covenants, the gospel, Christ, preparation for conversion, r...

Waiting on Father accomplishes two things for me: my dependency on His faithfulness grows, and I get to see His hand move, which magnifies His glory.  An answer to prayer for mature brethren shone through this morning by way of an invitation to a prayer meeting with brethren from a church in Texas, and a church plant in New Mexico.  I got to introduce myself, and present a small picture of the LORD's work here in Bulacan. What's even more precious is I got to hear them pray. Praying with brethren is how I identify character and gauge maturity. It warmed my soul to know that the purpose of the meeting was to pray with and for each other, not merely to talk; and I praise God that I heard petitions seeking His glory and kingdom, both personally and generally. It was like listening to the sound of rain. I was refreshed.  I am not expecting and imposing anything for myself  hereon, and will simply let the LORD lead where He wills. For now, any answer is a huge encourageme...