Heritage Booktalk

“When Anselm was about fourteen years old, he decided to become a monk. Monks live together in places called monasteries, or abbeys, and devote all their time to prayer, learning about God, and helping others. In Anselm’s time, people thought that to become a monk or nun (for women) was the best thing a Christian could do.

For Anselm, however, there was a problem. To become a monk, he had to have his father’s permission. But Anselm’s father, Gundulf, had different ideas for his son’s future. He wanted him to have a good career and make money. Anselm insisted. He even prayed that God would make him sick, hoping that the abbot in charge of the abbey in Aosta would feel sorry for him and take him in, even if his father disagreed. When he finally got sick he called the abbot, begging him again, but the answer was still no.” – Extract from Anselm of Canterbury

Arthur Hildersham Lecture and UK Book Launch – 1st May 2013

It was encouraging to see a large number of people attending the lecture in St Helen’s Church, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, formerly Hildersham’s church. Some had travelled from as far afield as Rochdale, London and Cambridge to be present, but most of the people came from the Midlands, with a good number from Ashby itself. The current vicar of Ashby, Brian Robertson, introduced the evening by reading Hildersham’s prayer of 1625, which he prayed before his lectures in 1625, and by reading Psalm 51:1-7, on which Hildersham had delivered 152 lectures. Lesley Rowe then spoke, describing Hildersham’s life and ministry in Ashby and explaining why he was so loved and revered in the town. Afterwards she took questions and signed copies of the book. Many people expressed their appreciation, and also said they had not realised what an important figure Hildersham was.

Journible The 17:18 Series: Acts

Hardcover, 328 pages

Retail Price: $15.00

Our Price: $11.00

Why the 17:18 series?

In Deuteronomy 17, Moses is leaving final instructions concerning the future of Israel. As a prophet of God, Moses foretells of when Israel will place a king over the nation (v. 14). In verse 18, the king is commanded to not simply acquire a copy of the law (the entire book of Deuteronomy) from the “scroll publishing house,” but to hand write his own copy of the law. Thirty-four hundred years later, educators are “discovering” that students that physically write out their notes by hand have a much greater retention rate than simply hearing or visually reading the information. Apparently, God knew this to be true of the kings of Israel also. From such understanding came the conception of this series of books.

How to Use These Books

Each book is organized so that you can write out your very own copy of Scripture. You will be writing the Bible text only on the right hand page of the book. This should make for easier writing and also allows ample space on the left page to write your own notes and comments. From time to time a question or word will be lightly printed on the left page; these questions are to aid in further study, but should not interfere with your own notes and comments.

Endorsements “Rob Wynalda’s The 17:18 Series encapsulates the biblical mandate to write Scripture on the tables of our hearts. By writing out Scripture ourselves and buttressing that with answering questions and taking notes about the texts, we will grow immensely in hiding the Word in our hearts and exemplifying it in our lives. This series of books is suitable for children and adults, for lay people and ministers, for Bible study classes and private devotions. Try a volume yourself. By the Spirit’s grace, your soul will prosper, and you will want to write out the whole of Scripture.” -Joel Beeke

This week the Cross Focused Reviewers are participating in a book review blog tour for Contentment, Prosperity, & God’s Glory by Jeremiah Burroughs (Reformation Heritage Books, 2013).

See more reviews here –>

“A short yet vital book for our day and age, Contentment, Prosperity, and God’s Glory is a theologically sound and valuable handbook for how to deal with whatever time in life God has brought you so that you may live your life, whether that be a time of prosperity or adversity, to the glory of God.”
Reviewer: Michael Boling (intelmin.org)
Rating: 5 Stars

“This book is a worthwhile read to take an introspective looks at one’s views and actions concerning material fullness.”
Reviewer: Karen Chevalier (buildingherhouse.blogspot.com)
Rating: 5 Stars

“This book convicted me. It convicted me on needing to be more thankful when God provides the big needs and the little extras I don’t necessarily need. It reminded me that riches are a blessing, but yet if they aren’t used in the right way they can be a curse. I don’t want money and possessions to cloud my faith and Christian walk. If you dare to be convicted I recommend this little book. It’s a rich steak that’s flavor lingers in your mouth long after the last bite.”
Reviewer: Heather Dannewitz (brokenathisfeet.wordpress.com)
Rating: 4 Stars

“This book explains the idea of being full to the Glory of God. I think Rev. Burroughs would have been an amazing preacher to hear, and I am so glad that his books have been reissued for this generation. ”
Reviewer: Faith Farrell (foundachristianbyhisgrace.blogspot.com)
Rating: 5 Stars

“This book will help Christians to gain a biblical view of God which will in turn help them to understand the nature of contentment in good and bad times. If ever there was a book that spoke to a our times, it is this one, which is why I pray that every Christian will pick up Contentment, Prosperity and God’s Glory and learn from the godly Burroughs.”
Reviewer: Dave Jenkins (servantsofgrace.org)
Rating: 5 Stars

“This work was originally published as the appendix of Jeremiah’s most famous book, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment. Reformation Heritage Books has graciously published this work with updated language making it more accessible to modern readers. It is an excellent read, cutting to the heart of the matter. I can’t emphasize enough how powerful and important this message is. One I needed to hear myself.”
Reviewer: Brandon Lehr (my-livinghope.blogspot.com)
Rating: 4 Stars

“I highly recommend this book for those readers of ours who have much – money, possessions, status, and stuff.  This book will pry open your white-knuckled grip on the things of the world.  And it might hurt.  But it will show you the greatest treasure, Christ himself. He is far more valuable than all the things of this world which pass away.”
Reviewer: Shane Lems (reformedreader.wordpress.com)
Rating: 5 Stars

“Do not be intimidated by the fact that this was written many centuries ago, it is fresh and relevant as if it were written today. I enthusiastically recommend this book, regardless of where you are in your spiritual journey.”
Reviewer: Ryan Rickard (declinationblog.wordpress.com)
Rating: 5 Stars

“Burroughs argues that contentment is hardest found during times of prosperity rather than times of trial. He points his reader to Christ as our foundational joy, to Christ who can sustain us through prosperity and poverty.”
Reviewer: Matthew Sims (graceforsinners.com)
Rating: 5 Stars

Faith Worth Teaching

Jon D. Payne and Sebastian Heck

Electronic Format, 297 pages

Our Price: $9.99

“This is a wonderful collection of articles, both practical and scholarly. There is much here to help us understand the history, the theology, and the continuing relevance of the Heidelberg Catechism. As we preach through the Heidelberg in our church I will certainly consult this book often. It prompted me to think again and again ‘Isn’t the Catechism remarkable!’ and, more importantly, ‘Isn’tthe gospel amazing!’” — Kevin DeYoung, senior pastor at University Reformed Church, Lansing, Michigan, and author of The Good News We Almost Forgot: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16^th Century Catechism

Milk and Honey

Joel R. Beeke

Electronic Format, 397 pages

Our Price: $9.99

“The next best thing to being wise onself,’ someone once said, ‘is to surround yourself with those who are.’ To begin or end each day with these judicious devotional sound bites will accomplish just that–they will teach you the way of wisdom. Issuing as it does from a trusted source, “Milk and Honey is, as they say, a sure thing. Insightful and experiential, these daily readings provide an ideal accompaniment to personal or family devotions.” – Derek W.H. Thomas

The Christian’s Reasonable Service

Wilhelmus à Brakel

Electronic Format, 2536 pages

Our Price: $59.99

First published in 1700, The Christian’s Reasonable Service (De Redelijke Godsdienst) ran through twenty Dutch editions in the eighteenth century alone! The title is derived from Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” It expresses what God requires from man, and particularly from the Christian, that he serve Him in Spirit and in truth—intelligently, rationally, and in harmony with and response to God’s revelation of Himself, His Word. With a decidedly Puritan flavor and representing  Reformed experiential religion at its best, Wilhelmus à Brakel systematically moves through the major doctrines of the Bible in hopes of seeing the minds of God’s people renewed for the purpose of promoting godliness. Throughout his work, but particularly in the practical application of each doctrine, à Brakel strives unceasingly to exalt the name of Jesus as the name that the Father has given above every other name—there being no other name given under heaven among men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life

Joel R. Beeke and Mark Jones

Electronic Format, 1060 pages

Our Price: $29.99

“Joel Beeke’s and Mark Jones’s work marks a major milestone in the study of Puritan and early modern Reformed theology, setting forth in modern scholarly essays an examination of a full body of seventeenth-century divinity. The work evidences a significant understanding of the primary texts and an excellent grasp of the secondary literature, both providing a sound introduction to Puritan theology and setting aside the myths of a rigid, rationalistic, monolithic system of thought divorced from Christian life. Perhaps the most consistent and unifying theme in the book is the profound connection between faith and practice that, for the Puritans and other early modern Reformed, grounded the exposition of all doctrine. A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life will provide a starting point for further study of Puritan thought for years to come.” – Richard A. Muller, P. J. Zondervan Professor of Historical Theology, Calvin Theological Seminary

View Complete Ebook Listing here –>

The Best Method of Preaching

Petrus van Mastricht

Paperback, 82 pages

Retail Price: $10.00

Our Price: $7.50

Sample Chapter

In this appendix to his Theoretical and Practical Theology, Petrus van Mastricht presents pastors with the best method of preaching available. Dividing the task of preaching into four basic aspects (planning, arrangement, parts of a sermon, and delivery), he gives analysis to show how each is meant to work, gives rules for working through each one, and discusses how each part is to aim at and interact with the affections of the hearers. Throughout the piece, he uses Colossians 3:1 as an example to show his student how to progress through this method of preaching. Van Mastricht’s work on preaching demonstrates the concern of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Reformed theologians that even the most precise and technical theology is meant to aid preachers in addressing the church with God’s Word. It also provides preachers today with encouragement to treat the biblical text faithfully and in a way that most benefits those listening to their sermons.

Author  Petrus van Mastricht (1630–1706) was a Dutch theologian who studied at Utrecht under Gisbertus Voetius. He pastored churches in the Netherlands and taught at the universities of Franeker and Utrecht. His Theoretical and Practical Theology was praised by many as one of the great works of systematic theology and is noted for treating Christian doctrine comprehensively from its exegetical foundations to its practical use for one’s soul.

Endorsements  “The present book on preaching by Mastricht is a teaser volume to whet your appetite for his Reformed dogmatics. In sixty pages, Mastricht succinctly shows how to use theology to preach more effectively to Christ’s bride. He covers the basics of sermon arrangement, sermon introductions, exegeting and explaining the text, preaching doctrinally, preaching to comfort believers, preaching against sin, preaching for self-examination, exhorting unto good works, cautions in preaching, how to handle lengthy texts, and sermon delivery. Every preacher should read this short book, together with the translator’s helpful introduction which provides biographical details of Mastricht’s life, influences writings, and emphases so as to appreciate more fully this little gem on preaching.” – Joel R. Beeke, president of Puritan Reformed Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan

“Petrus van Mastricht’s brief summary of the essential points of good preaching is sure to become a standard reference alongside William Perkins’s The Art of Prophesying. Clear and concise, this book should be essential reading for young and seasoned preachers. A gem.” – Derek W.H. Thomas, minister of preaching and teaching, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina