Tom F > Recent Status Updates

The preceding chapters have been a great introduction to the sermon and the themes found in it. I'm looking forward to the commentary.

Both sides present their beliefs well, I learned from both, and both present gospel comfort and hope. Would recommend this book.

The chapter on baptism was excellent, would highly recommend the book even just for that.

Haven't updated on here much lately. But, I am enjoying this book. The Christology chapter is as clear as the subject can be, I believe. I appreciate how it is presented. Also, the Reformed view is better, of course. 😁

A fair handling of what many likely see as tough passages, where God has immediately judged and executed sinners, and a good explanation that we all deserve that justice and wrath.

Wow. Dr. Sproul is at his best when he is focusing on God's holiness, using the Law to convict, and the Gospel to salve the wounds. He takes what we all should know and can explain and expresses it in such a way to glorify God in our hearing.

The chapters on Luther and Isaiah have been exceptional.

I'll probably read this more like people read a devotional, an essay or a few at a time. I've taken a couple pictures and typed up one so far, so you know I'm enjoying it.

Two chapters in. I'm enjoying it so far and I like Sproul's approach. We really should focus on God's holiness more.

Honestly surprised at how easy this one is to read. Great arguments against Pelagianism. I also like that infant baptism is assumed. His views don't seem far from Reformed views.

Anyway, just getting started, but so far it's been good.

Page number not accurate.

The chapter on hymns: I feel like it was lacking and without much of a conclusion, other than that they water down worship, especially with the constantly changing hymnals and over abundance of hymns. I was hoping to see a case for or against EP. The history was interesting, but I found many of the essentially lists to be cumbersome.

These two short chapters on revivalism and liturgy were good
The revivalism one is especially hard hitting and reveals how an altar call or similar has replaced the Lord's supper.

Similarly, the liturgy chapter talks about a means of grace focused liturgy is replaced with "home room" and the service is really just to promote programs and "ministries." Really fits my past evangelical and mainline experience.

Another chapter worthy of a book in and of itself. This chapter, or essay, on The Irony of Reformed Worship is hard hitting and beneficial. Hart shows how modern worship in many Reformed churches is far more revivalist, Wesleyan, and charismatic rather than Reformed. Their worship is based on the "anxious bench" whereas proper Reformed worship is liturgical is embodied in the Catechism.

The chapter on what we can learn from Lutherans was excellent. I love his comparison between Luther and Calvin's theology of the cross and two kingdoms versus the theology of glory, transforming culture, and Kuyperianism. And before that when he pointed out how much of a marginal group the Reformed are and how they don't seem to be transforming culture despite lofty goals of doing such. Focus on the cross, not glory.

I'm in agreement with Hart on the stuff regarding ECT. Including this chapter is fitting for the section, but I don't know if this essay was necessary in this context, though it is helpful on its own.

The essay chapter ten was adapted from:
"J. Gresham Machen, Confessional Presbyterianism, and the History of Twentieth Century Protestantism, 1900 to the present" in "Re-Forming the Center: American Protestantism, 1900 to the Present" ed. Douglas Jacobsen & William Vance Trollinger, Jr. p129-149.

This may well be the best chapter in the book, so far. Hart's history lesson and mini biography of Dr. Machen along with how he, and old school Presbyterians, are neither fundamentalist or mainline is worth the price of the book.

These two chapters on worship have been excellent. He makes great points in comparing evangelicalism to Liberalism in methodology as well as in their aims while making good cases for a regulative worship.

That "Church Growth" chapter. 😁 Love that it wasn't for it at all, rather for sacraments and covenant children. Don't worry about numbers, that's God's job, concern yourself with faithfulness to Word and sacrament.

The Planet P battle makes you feel almost like you are there, and is much better than the movie. The ending was great too.

That civics lesson, the responsibility talk, and the form of government. This is great. And then the end of the chapter, well, that was unexpected.

This has been a great book that I would highly recommend, and I can see myself giving copies to others. Trueman makes a great case for the needs and benefits of a creedal and confessional Christianity, and provides a good polemic to give to those who don't understand or are against such.

The chapter on society not disciplining children, how it led to the downfall of the West, and how it works properly when understood as a scientific morality is interesting for sure. Very apt and quotable.

An evening service preaching through the Heidelberg every week would be great. Also, lots of other good stuff on use of creeds and catechism in worship.

The chapter on the confessions gives a good brief history of each, and covers some of the contents, the developments, the similarities, and even the weaknesses. Also, more of a reminder of the need to read Heidelberg.

The chapter on the early Church, councils, and the creeds was excellent. Between this and the preceding chapters I think it would be a good and complete book. But, only halfway there. Highly recommend this book.

Trueman does just as well with the biblical case for creeds and confessions, and the authority of elders as he does with the need for and meaning of words, and how God speaks.

The section on God speaking and the Temple curtain, it may be worth the price of the book.

The first chapter and the introduction are off to a great start. I appreciate the explanation of why culture leads many to ignorantly opposing confessionalism, and especially appreciate the bit on evangelicalism and parachurch ministries.