Deepening Faith Through Reflection and Reading

 

Summary

In the past two years, marked by the challenges of cancer and COVID-19 restrictions, there has been a significant shift towards spending more time indoors. This period has provided an opportunity for deep reflection and extensive reading. Tim, a voracious reader, has curated a selection of books that have been particularly impactful, spanning various categories such as biblical and theological studies, cultural critique, apologetics, and more. These books are not just for personal edification but are recommended for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of faith and culture.

In the realm of biblical and theological studies, Michael Horton's "Justification" stands out as a crucial work, addressing the Protestant doctrine of justification amidst contemporary critiques. Similarly, Herman Bavinck's "The Wonderful Works of God" offers a synthesis of his extensive theological writings, making complex ideas accessible to educated laypeople.

Cultural critique is another area of focus, with Christopher Watkin's analysis of Michel Foucault providing a Christian perspective on influential secular thought. David Koyzis' "Political Visions and Illusions" examines various political ideologies through a biblical lens, highlighting their inherent idolatries and the common grace present in each.

In apologetics, Peter J. Williams' "Can We Trust the Gospels?" offers a concise and up-to-date defense of the historical reliability of the New Testament. Christian Smith's "Atheist Overreach" challenges the moral foundations of atheism, while "Science and the Good" by James Hunter and Paul Nedelsky critiques the limitations of science in providing moral guidance.

The discussion also touches on the importance of a Christian worldview, as articulated in Herman Bavinck's works, and the value of devotional reading through the letters of John Newton and the writings of John Owen. These readings encourage a distinctively Christian approach to life, emphasizing humility and service for the common good.

Finally, the conversation explores the dynamics of modern evangelicalism and the challenges facing urban ministry, with insights from books like "The Democratization of American Christianity" and "The Survival of the City."

Key Takeaways:

- The Importance of Justification: Michael Horton's "Justification" is highlighted as a pivotal work that defends the Protestant doctrine of justification against modern critiques. It provides a comprehensive historical and biblical survey, affirming the doctrine's validity while addressing contemporary challenges. [01:46]

- Understanding Cultural Influences: Christopher Watkin's critique of Michel Foucault offers a Christian perspective on secular thought, emphasizing the need to understand influential ideas to effectively engage with culture. This understanding helps Christians discern and navigate cultural influences within the church and society. [04:17]

- The Role of Political Ideologies: David Koyzis' "Political Visions and Illusions" examines various political systems through a biblical lens, revealing their idolatries and the presence of common grace. This insight encourages Christians to critically engage with political ideologies, recognizing both their strengths and limitations. [05:43]

- Defending the Gospels' Reliability: Peter J. Williams' "Can We Trust the Gospels?" provides a concise defense of the historical reliability of the New Testament, focusing on the authenticity of Jesus' words and actions. This work is essential for those seeking to understand the foundation of Christian faith. [07:22]

- The Limitations of Science in Moral Guidance: "Science and the Good" by James Hunter and Paul Nedelsky critiques the ability of science to provide moral and ethical guidance, emphasizing that science can inform what is possible but not what is right. This distinction is crucial for Christians navigating the intersection of faith and science. [08:24]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Reading Journey
- [00:47] - Categories of Books
- [01:25] - Biblical and Theological Studies
- [03:15] - Cultural Critique
- [06:20] - Understanding Racism and the Church
- [06:55] - Apologetics
- [09:03] - Christian Worldview
- [10:10] - Devotional Reading
- [12:24] - Evangelical Church Today
- [13:51] - Urban Ministry and City Life
- [15:04] - Reading Habits and Tips
- [17:11] - Maximizing Reading Time
- [17:59] - Conclusion and Resources

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 3:21-26 (Justification by faith)
- 1 Peter 3:15 (Defense of the faith)
- Colossians 2:8 (Cultural critique and philosophy)

Observation Questions:
1. What are the key themes discussed in Michael Horton's book "Justification," and why is it considered significant in the context of Protestant doctrine? [01:46]
2. How does Christopher Watkin's analysis of Michel Foucault provide a Christian perspective on secular thought? [04:17]
3. What are the main political ideologies examined in David Koyzis' "Political Visions and Illusions," and how are they critiqued from a biblical perspective? [05:43]
4. What arguments does Peter J. Williams present in "Can We Trust the Gospels?" to defend the historical reliability of the New Testament? [07:22]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the doctrine of justification, as discussed in the sermon, impact a believer's understanding of salvation and grace? [01:46]
2. In what ways can understanding secular philosophies, like those of Foucault, help Christians engage more effectively with contemporary culture? [04:17]
3. How might a biblical critique of political ideologies influence a Christian's approach to political engagement and social justice? [05:43]
4. Why is it important for Christians to have confidence in the historical reliability of the Gospels, and how does this affect their faith and witness? [07:22]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your understanding of justification by faith. How does this doctrine shape your daily walk with God and your interactions with others? [01:46]
2. Consider the cultural influences in your life. How can you discern and navigate these influences to maintain a Christian worldview? [04:17]
3. Identify a political ideology you resonate with. How can you critically engage with it, recognizing both its strengths and limitations from a biblical perspective? [05:43]
4. Think about a conversation you might have with someone skeptical about the Gospels. How can you use the insights from Peter J. Williams' book to address their concerns? [07:22]
5. Science often informs what is possible, but not what is right. How can you balance scientific understanding with moral and ethical guidance from your faith? [08:24]
6. How can you incorporate devotional reading, like the letters of John Newton, into your routine to deepen your spiritual life and understanding of humility and service? [10:10]
7. Reflect on the challenges facing urban ministry today. How can you contribute to addressing these challenges in your community or church? [13:51]

Devotional

Day 1: The Enduring Relevance of Justification
The doctrine of justification remains a cornerstone of Protestant theology, offering believers assurance of their standing before God. Michael Horton's "Justification" provides a comprehensive exploration of this doctrine, addressing both historical and contemporary critiques. By affirming the biblical basis for justification, Horton helps believers understand its significance in the face of modern challenges. This work encourages Christians to delve deeper into their faith, recognizing the transformative power of being justified by grace through faith. [01:46]

Romans 3:23-24 (ESV): "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: In what ways does understanding justification by faith impact your daily relationship with God and others?


Day 2: Engaging with Cultural Influences
Understanding cultural influences is crucial for Christians seeking to navigate the complexities of modern society. Christopher Watkin's analysis of Michel Foucault offers a Christian perspective on secular thought, highlighting the importance of discerning influential ideas. By engaging with these cultural critiques, Christians can better understand the world around them and effectively communicate their faith. This approach encourages believers to be thoughtful and intentional in their interactions with culture, ensuring that their faith remains relevant and impactful. [04:17]

Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

Reflection: What cultural influences in your life need to be examined through a biblical lens, and how can you begin this process today?


Day 3: The Intersection of Faith and Politics
David Koyzis' "Political Visions and Illusions" challenges Christians to critically engage with political ideologies through a biblical lens. By examining the idolatries and common grace present in various political systems, believers can better understand the strengths and limitations of these ideologies. This insight encourages Christians to thoughtfully participate in political discourse, recognizing the importance of balancing their faith with their civic responsibilities. Engaging with politics in this way allows believers to contribute positively to society while remaining grounded in their faith. [05:43]

Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV): "But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."

Reflection: How can you actively engage in political discussions while maintaining a Christ-centered perspective?


Day 4: Trusting the Historical Reliability of the Gospels
Peter J. Williams' "Can We Trust the Gospels?" offers a robust defense of the New Testament's historical reliability. By focusing on the authenticity of Jesus' words and actions, this work provides a foundation for understanding the core of Christian faith. For believers, trusting the Gospels is essential for deepening their relationship with Christ and confidently sharing their faith with others. This exploration of the Gospels' reliability encourages Christians to study the Scriptures with renewed vigor and trust in their divine inspiration. [07:22]

2 Peter 1:16 (ESV): "For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty."

Reflection: How does trusting the historical reliability of the Gospels strengthen your faith and witness to others?


Day 5: The Role of Science in Moral Guidance
"Science and the Good" by James Hunter and Paul Nedelsky critiques the limitations of science in providing moral and ethical guidance. While science can inform what is possible, it cannot determine what is right. This distinction is crucial for Christians navigating the intersection of faith and science. By recognizing the limitations of science, believers can better appreciate the moral and ethical guidance provided by their faith. This understanding encourages Christians to thoughtfully engage with scientific advancements while remaining grounded in their spiritual convictions. [08:24]

Proverbs 2:6-9 (ESV): "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints."

Reflection: In what ways can you seek God's wisdom in areas where science and faith intersect in your life?

Quotes


In fact this whole series called new studies and dogmatics is important i would go so far as to say this is the most important book written in a hundred years on justification and only the reason is not that not that you know it does i don't mean that you shouldn't read luther and calvin and and all the classics but what michael does is as some of you know the uh the protestant doctrine of justification has been under a great deal of fire uh in the last generation and michael works on all that he gives you the history of the doctrine up to the present time he gives you a biblical survey of where the base of the doctrine and he answers all the critics and in the end comes down saying yeah the the protestant doctrine is right but he he gets you there by dealing with all of the various issues and aspects and criticisms and it's just great [00:01:41]

foucault along with karl marx is probably one of the most important thinkers affecting progressive secular ways of thinking today in america and uh christopher watkin wrote this it's a remarkable because watkin is a strong christian and he gives you a very strong biblical critique of foucault but he also summarizes his views in a way that's extraordinarily helpful and i just don't think there's anything quite like this [00:03:29]

yes because you're mostly mostly foucault and marx are just vilified without understanding really what they taught and if you don't understand what they taught you can just you can condemn them that's terrible but you really don't understand how it's influencing culture so you don't even really know what to look for it's very important some of the irony is people are condemning things that they have actually absorbed into the church and into their own lives without realizing where it came from yes that's why you really have to be thoughtful i it's these critiques are important because you're not going to get polluted by them you know don't say i don't want to have anything to do with them well you really no they're not on the other hand they are explaining quite well explaining what they actually taught [00:04:51]

this is a book called political visions and illusions by david coyzes i recommend this everywhere he basically takes a look at absolutely liberalism conservativism socialism capitalism every kind of economic and political system and shows that from the biblical point of view all of them have problems because they all make idols out of something it's so they he appreciates these various political views but he criticizes every one of them and doesn't really think any one of them is when you say appreciate you mean he finds what what's going on what common grace god has put into and what's bad them and yet what where they fail and he i don't believe he says everyone is equally good and equally bad on the other hand he does say that they're all good and bad [00:05:34]

probably the um uh here's a fast one can we trust the gospels by peter j williams a probably the best short little book you can read now most up-to-date book on why trust that the gospels are historically reliable that's enough said the inerrancy of it it will no it doesn't go into that it goes into how do we know whether or not the uh what the the new testament gospels say is historically reliable did jesus really say these things that he arrives in the dead so it's not getting into the doctrine scripture accuracy right how historically reliable is the text right [00:07:11]

this book called atheist overreach by christian smith is again it's short i think it's to die for he basically says very respectfully to atheists is that individually as atheists you can be wonderfully good people but if you think atheism gives you any basis for moral values it doesn't it fails it cannot if you're an atheist you have moral values great he says i want that but you're smuggling them in from other ways of thinking about things because your own he calls it overreach you actually cannot do a lot of the things you think you can do as an atheist very respectful but at the same time pretty devastating [00:07:48]

science cannot tell you how to live science basically let me boil it down but i still think you should read it even though i'm giving you that science can tell you what you can do but never whether you ought to do it and so the idea that science can tell you how to be happy or how to get purpose in life and a lot of scientific positive psychology suppose happiness psychology is supposed to do that they show how that can they can't science can never do that [00:08:28]

put it this way i believe that when you hear the term world view today christian world view you instead of saying oh yeah i know about that stuff there are a lot of different approaches to it i think there's a way to do christian worldview that's pretty triumphalistic i have the worldview and you don't i'm going to take over and do everything according to the world view and there's a pro there's an approach that says from my christian worldview i'm going to do my work in the world for the common good and testify that what i'm doing is coming from christ it's uh world view means that you should be distinctively christian in every area of your life but your attitude matters [00:09:03]

john newton uh if you're gonna get john newton's letters are are gold and they are great devotional reading but i just suggest and i've had a number of people ask me about this i suggest starting with this little book which you can still get it's a banner truth book called the letters of john newton it's my favorite because it's uh it's a selection from all the various volumes of his sermons the one that kathy lives by is the utterance of the heart you need to know that's only volume one they published that volume of utterance of the heart in two volumes if you can find anywhere on used book sites the 1979 baker book house version has a sort of strange yellow and orange cover that's my favorite that's the one i use and it has all of his letters uh but doesn't have all his letters actually right behind us the collected works of john newton that has all of his letters but the the baker bookhouse version any version is fine john john newton is right he's amazing he's amazing [00:10:10]

you can either read abridged versions of john owen like here's the glory of christ this is he wrote in english but then somebody translated him into english and that's what that is he's a 17th century writer and therefore words you can read john newton who's 18th century and pretty much get it when you get to the 17th and 16th century those readers those writers usually the english is far enough away that you really need abridgements or modernization but here's the communion with god with john owen glory of christ with john owen his material is i i it is great [00:11:04]

this is a classic book that talks about how why actually evangelicalism today is pretty anti-intellectual frankly but at the same time very successful in many ways of reaching reaching a lot of people it's a good you know it's it's definitely a uh bright side and dark side to evangelicalism but you i don't think you can understand modern evangelicalism without reading this book and then secondly a completely different book a book by bradford merlin who got his phd under this guy christian smith professor of sociology at notre dame and what he does there is he talks about uh he actually gets into why some churches flourish and why some churches do not in a secular culture and i'll leave it at that but he actually talks about how how can a church even though it's out of favor with the culture still grow you know still have religious strength he calls it [00:12:24]

and finally um we're city people and we love talking about the city and two complete here's an old and a new book this is uh jane jacobs the death and life of the great american cities now i admit i just reread this but i'd read it many many years ago and it was like reading it again it's a classic it's you can't understand american cities anyway without reading this that's all i say also ed glazer at harvard uh wrote a book about 10 years ago on triumph of the city when cities in america were really flourishing now after the pandemic he's written a new book called the survival of the city which shows that cities have been really beaten up by the pandemic and yet he's ultimately showing how it's it's you know cities are going to continue to grow and move forward but it's a really good book for those of you who are living or ministering in cities or both and about what some of the challenges we're going to be facing in the future [00:13:51]

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