Good Book Review here. 

(Posted by Jessica Heikoop)

Review of Taking Root – Conversion Stories for Children by Diana Kleyn

Taking Root is volume one of The Lord’s Garden series by Diana Kleyn – a series that I have already come to appreciate greatly! Too often today the reading material for children is watered-down or simply doesn’t cover some of the most important issues of the Christian faith. I admit I was intrigued to read the second half of this title – Conversion Stories for Children – as I’d never seen a book about this topic written for children. But this book is exactly what the title describes, focusing on “stories about how God gives people new spiritual life by rooting their hearts in the grace of His Son Jesus Christ.”

Taking Root is made up of 45 chapters of stories. Most are about 3 pages in length, but there are a few that can span up to 11 pages (ie: “What Shall It Profit?,” “The Gift,” and “Rebecca’s Refuge”). Each chapter begins with a Scripture verse, and then tells a story that relates to the verse noted, and focuses on the topic of conversion. Each story is based on true happenings, most taken from books of the 19^th century and updated to contemporary language and made understandable for children. The stories range greatly when it comes to describing how conversion takes place in people’s lives. They are typically about children grasping what it means to be convicted of sin, but each story shows the different ways the Holy Spirit convicts, showing conviction and conversion of the characters through a variety of means including the Word, parents, teachers, preachers, strangers, slaves, the words of a hymn, prayers of others, tragedy, revival meetings, and even a bird!

Each chapter teaches children about what conversion means – how it affects and changes people and the seriousness and importance of it – and often ends on a personal note with questions to consider about their own lives.

This book is fantastic for teaching children the idea of conversion. Some of the wording can be a bit more mature and therefore young children may need extra explanations (ie: in “A Search for Atoning Blood” a child might not understand what “Atoning Blood” means). But overall this is a great book for children – no matter their age. In fact, I believe adults will enjoy these stories just as much as children will! 

RHB’s deal of the day.

Retail: $45.00 
Special Today only: $22.00

Daily Devotional Stories for Children. Also availible by individual volumes:How God… 1)…Used a Thunderstorm, 2)…Stopped the Pirates, 3)…Used a Snowdrift, 4)…Used a Drought and an Umbrella, 5)…Sent a Dog to Save a Family. Each story contains recommended scripture reading, prayer points and questions for reflection and application.

With every order over $25.00 (while supplies last) you will receive a free CD of, Puritan Audio Devotionals: Comfort and Strength for the Weary Pilgrims! This MP3-CD contains over 13 hours of choice devotional recordings, valued at $30.00. Some of the many authors included are: Thomas Brooks, Thomas Watson, Charles Spurgeon, J. C. Ryle and Octavius Winslow. In Bonus, a powerful recording of Jonathan Edwards, Sinners in the Hands of and Angry God. We only have a limited number of these CD’s, and are offering them on a “first come-first serve basis.

Interview with Steve Weaver on Devoted to the Service of the Temple: Piety, Persecution, and Ministry in the Writings of Hercules Collins. For the next two days, this title will be offered for only $5.00 until Friday, 5pm. 

Q: For those who may not know you, can you give a bit of information about yourself – family, kids, schooling, and what you do?

I have been married to my wife, Gretta, for just over 13 years and we have been blessed with five children (ranging in ages from 2-9).  I graduated from Southern Seminary with an M.Div. in 2005 and am in the process of completing a Th.M. from Toronto Baptist Seminary on Hercules Collins and his work, The Temple Repair’d (1702).  I also began the Ph.D. program in Baptist History at Southern Seminary this Fall.  I am currently serving as the Senior Pastor of Farmdale Baptist Church in Frankfort, KY and I’m working as Dr. Haykin’s Research and Administrative Assistant in the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies on the campus of Southern.

Q: What was it like working with Dr. Haykin on this project?

One of the great joys of my life has been the privilege of knowing and working with Dr. Haykin.  He possesses the sometimes rare combination of scholarship and piety.  This is obvious to all who know him.  When working with him professionally these characteristics are demonstrated by his holding of high standards for accuracy while at the same time maintaining a graciousness of spirit.

Q: How much did you already know about Hercules Collins before you started this project?

Very little.  Dr. Haykin had actually suggested Hercules along with a handful of other individuals as possible topics for research in an early email exchange between us.  I did not suspect then that one day I would be working alongside him.   The name Hercules stood out for obvious reasons.  I did a little preliminary research into the names he had given me and what I found out about Collins fascinated me.  He was a pastor who wrote theologically.  He was also one who had suffered, being imprisoned with two significant works written from prison.    He was also one who wrote about preaching and pastoral ministry in The Temple Repair’d.  All these subjects were and are near to my own heart.  

Q: What influenced you the most throughout your study of Hercules Collins?

Well, one obvious area is his piety evidenced in his prison writings.    But the most impact for me has been from his treatment of preaching, both its preparation and delivery.  One statement comes to my mind weekly, if not daily, “We may say in this case, as we use to speak about salvation, that we ought to live so holily as if we were to be saved by our living, and yet when we have done all, to rely upon Christ and his righteousness. So we should labor in study, as if we should have no immediate assistance in the pulpit, and yet when we have done all, to go about our work depending upon God for further assistance.”  This, it seems to me, is very good advice.  We all have the tendency to err on one side or the other, but I believe Hercules strikes the right balance between hard work in preparation and dependence upon the Holy Spirit in preaching.

Q: Why do you think it is that today most Baptists in America are unaware of Hercules Collins?

Like most 17^th Century British Baptists, none of his works have been reprinted in the subsequent centuries (exceptions are Benjamin Keach and John Bunyan).   Collins is virtually ignored in most Baptist histories (an exception to this is Leon McBeth’s tome). 

Q: When reading Devoted to the Service of the Temple I noticed Collins’ tremendous focus on being gospel-centered. Would you agree? What seemed to bring about his passion of keeping the gospel the center of his writings and work in the ministry?

Yes, you are right in recognizing the gospel centeredness of Hercules Collins.  One of the most surprising things to those who first study the 17^th century Particular Baptists is their emphasis on the gospel and their evangelistic passion.  When you read the funeral sermon of Hercules Collins preached by John Piggott (found as an Appendix to Devoted to the Service of the Temple), you will note how Piggott speaks of Collins evangelistic fervor.  As Piggott preached to Collins’ congregation he could confidently say, “Are there not here many that must call him father, whom he hath begotten through the gospel? May it not be said of this man and that woman, they were born here?”  What a powerful testimony to leave behind!           

Q: What can (and should) 21^st century Baptists in America learn from Hercules Collins?

21^st century American pastors should learn from Hercules Collins the importance of serious study of God’s Word and absolute dependence upon the Holy Spirit in their preaching.  Likewise, we can all learn from Collins’ example of trust in God while suffering for convictions.  Persecution is something that I believe that faithful American Christians will have to encounter (as our brothers and sisters around the world are currently experiencing) before this 21^st century is over.   Collins’ and the other 17^th century British Baptists provide a model of how one should endure persecution.  Again, I believe this will become increasingly valuable over the next hundred years.

Q: As a pastor today, what did you learn and take from the life and works of Hercules Collins in application to your own ministry? 

As I have already indicated, Hercules Collins’ commitment to careful study accompanied by constant dependence upon the Holy Spirit has been a strong takeaway from Collins’ writings, in particular The Temple Repair’d.  Ever since I finished Devoted to the Service of the Temple I have been working on editing and providing a historical introduction to The Temple Repair’d for publication in the near future.  I believe the message of this small book still needs to be heard today.  The content continues to influence me and I pray that it will have the opportunity to impact many others over the next several years.

Q: What is it about this book that makes it one you would specifically recommend to a believer?

One of the great things about Devoted to the Service of the Temple is that it can be read devotionally.  In this volume, not only do you have a great biographical study of Hercules Collins written by Dr. Michael Haykin, you also have thirty-five short selections from Collins’ writings carefully edited and updated into modern English which can serve as something of a devotional.  The content is encouraging, the format is accessible, and the cost is reasonable.  How is that for a sales pitch?

Take the time to look over the new Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary website. 

A Sketch of the Christian’s Catechism

by William Ames, Translated by Todd M. Rester, Introduction by Joel R. Beeke and Todd M. Rester
December, 2008

Retail: $40.00 RHB: $30.00

Ames’s method in this book is not an analysis of the Catechism itself. Rather, he chooses a particular text of Scripture that supports the main thoughts for a given Lord’s Day. While the exposition is directly from the Bible, Ames’s doctrinal conclusions and interact with the corresponding Questions and Answers of the Heidelberg Catechism.

Joel R. Beeke and Todd M. Rester’s introduction provides valuable background on Ames and his work. Rester’s fresh translation from the Latin opens several avenues of interest for modern day English readers. Historians of 16th and 17th century thought will value the critical English translation of a much neglected text, and the fact that it demonstrates the interaction between English Puritanism and the Dutch Further Reformation. Reformed pastors will also take interest in this, as it provides yet another resource on a classic doctrinal standard.

#1 Ecclesiastes, by Charles Bridges

Charles Bridges shows that this neglected book of Scripture is relevant for today. Our land needs to be awakened to the futility of seeking happiness without God. The message of the book is designed to bring men to complete consecration to God.

#2 A Life Worth Living and A Lord Worth Loving, by Stuart Olyott

Has life really any meaning? Our time in this world is comparatively short. The earthly stage remains, but different actors are constantly passing across it. Generations come and go, but nothing is ultimately different. This is how many people see life, and Solomon identifies with them. But is life really pointless? If not, what is its true meaning? The message of Ecclesiasters is that life is not worth living unless we live it for God. The Song of Solomon teaches us that living for the Lord means loving him.

#3 The Book of Ecclesiastes: Its Meaning and Its Lessons, by Robert Buchanan

“Dr. Buchanan has endeavored in every instance to give the true meaning of the text. His explanations were composed for the pulpit and delivered there. The work is most important, but strikes us as lacking in liveliness of style.” - C. H. Spurgeon

#4 A Commentary on Ecclesiastes, by E. W. Hengstenberg

#5 An Exposition with Practical Observations upon the book of Ecclesiastes, by Alexander Nisbet

“An Exposition, with Practical Observations. 4to. Edinb., 1694. 4/6 to 10/6. One of those solid works which learned Scotch divines of the seven teenth century have left us in considerable numbers. In our judgment it is as heavy as it is weighty.” - C. H. Spurgeon

#6 Lectures on Ecclesiastes, by Ralph Wardlaw

“Wardlaw is always goad, though not very brilliant. He may be relied upon, when not critical, and he generally excites thought.” - C. H. Spurgeon

#7 The Pundit’s Folly: Chronicles of an Empty Life, by Sinclair Ferguson

Written specifically to help non-Christians, The Pundit’s Folly is a tool for evangelism; but its biblical content and explanation of the Christian gospel will provide encouragement to those who are already Christians to witness to Christ and to live unreservedly for him.

RHB this week is attending the 2008 Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation Conference. This years conference is title “The Addict in All of Us.” Below is a list of areas that might interest you, if you would like to know more about the conference. 

Who are the Speakers?

There may be some blog updates on and about the conference at Feeding on Christ. 

Twitter updates

CCEF Bookstore