Thomas, Gary L. Sacred Marriage. Zondervan: Grand Rapids, 2000. 299 pp. $14.99 Introduction Gary L. Thomas has written numerous books and articles for Christian publications on the subject of family life and Christian living, is a frequent guest on the Focus on the Family and Family Life radio broadcasts, and teaches at Western Seminary in…

Introduction Plantinga has written a useful volume that explores the nature and depths of sin.  This article will explain the major areas of difference between the author’s views as described in his book and my own views where they differ from his.  It is necessary to limit the scope of this article to areas of…

INTRODUCTION This article will review the book Israel and the Nations: The History of Israel from the Exodus to the Fall of the Second Temple, by F. F. Bruce (Revised by David F. Payne). This book is a revision of a work originally published in 1963.[1] The author F. F. Bruce (1910-1991) was Professor of…

SUMMARY Alfred Poirier’s The Peacemaking Pastor: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Church Conflict seeks to “ground peacemaking on a solid biblical and theological foundation.”[1] The book is divided into thirteen chapters with an introduction. In chapter one Poirier somewhat tongue-in-cheek claims to be a heretic who holds to the heresy of Docetism – “the belief…

Summary Part One This book is divided into two sections. Part one, which includes three chapters, deals with “Key Issues in Studying the Life of Christ.” In chapter one, Stein argues that any investigation of the life of Christ is doomed to an outcome which is directly related to the presuppositions held by the investigator…

CHAPTER 1: AN HONORABLE AMBITION Summary In chapter one of this book, the author introduces the notion that the ambition to lead can be either noble or self-serving and that one should guard against the latter (pp. 14-15). Motives in leadership can either limit or enhance the results to be produced in ministry. Ultimately, the…

Primary Thesis of the Book The primary thesis of the book is the defense of the doctrine of salvation through faith alone, solo fide. A secondary thesis is the attack on the false doctrine of salvation through faith and works. The book is presented as something of a commentary on Martin Luther’s Heidelberg Disputation, though…

CHAPTER 1: PREPARING TO THINK AND ACT Summary Chapter one of this book lays a foundation for developing a strategic plan for the life of a church with emphasis on guiding a church through a major change in direction. The first step in developing a strategic plan for a church is assessing whether or not…

INTRODUCTION Saint Augustine, in his book, The Confessions, presents to God the confession of his life of sins, and in so doing, also presents to the reader his profound insights into biblical doctrine, creation, human nature, divine nature and the relationship between man and his Creator.  Though written around A. D. 397, the book is…

INTRODUCTION Stephen R. Holmes in his book, Listening to the Past: The Place of Tradition in Theology, seeks to convince the reader of his proposition that tradition (more or less defined by him as the generally accepted theological declarations, arguments, conclusions, and creeds of earlier Christian intellectuals) should be considered authoritative in some way.  He…