NOT FOR DADS ONLY: A LITTLE LIST OF BOOKS FOR FATHERS

Stephan R. Van Eck

Geoffrey Thomas suggests a list of twenty–five books “aimed at a student contemplating the vocation of the ministry of the gospel, who wants some guidance as to the theological books he should be reading.”¹

This little list of books for fathers comes as an idea spawned by Thomas’ article and seen as an extremely important matter for fathers to consider in their role as father and teacher in the home.

As fathers we should be familiar with the Bible and encourage its teaching in our homes. Our own church articles of faith ought to be familiar companions as well. However, when it comes to theology it seems that many think that it is irrelevant, outdated, or not understandable except by ministers and theologians. But. theology is alive and powerfully expresses biblical truth and helps to sharpen our understanding of the Bible as we, indeed, derive our theology from the Scripture and do not seek to conform the Scripture to our theological system.

The following list of theological works for fathers has been selected on the basis of fidelity to the Scriptures and their readability, that is, the theology they express is understandable. While scholarly, none of the volumes are aimed at the theologian but at the man in the pew who should not consider any of them burdensome.

Some of the headings and even many of the titles also appear in Thomas’ list. His list will give further description of some of the books and further recommended bibliographies can be found in places like The Grace of God in the Gospel (John Cheeseman, et.al. London: Banner of Truth Trust, Reprint 1976) and in R.C. Sproul-Knowing Scripture, (see below). Most pastors should be ready and willing to suggest quality books to meet the needs of inquirers. In short, there is ample material available of both quality and understandability. We fathers simply need to digest them and incorporate them into our teaching as aids to lead our families to the truths of Scripture.

I. BIBLE:

R.C. Sproul. Knowing Scripture, I.V.P.—A.W. Pink , Profiting from the Word, Banner of Truth Trust.

Why study the Bible? This is not altogether an unnecessary question for evangelical Christians. R.C. Sproul underscores the Biblical warrant for the personal study of Scripture. As he puts it, “We live as human beings under an obligation by divine mandate to study diligently God’s Word. He is our Sovereign, it is His Word. and He commands that we study it” (p .31). Read this volume and profit from the excellent discussion on the interpretation of the Scriptures and rules for their application to our lives.

A .W . Pink ‘s little Profiting from the Word is an unacclaimed classic. l have used it profitably with Jr. Hi and Sr. Hi students in a discipleship context to encourage a deepening dependence upon God’s Word in the various areas of the Christian life which the author discusses. The chapter on “The Scriptures and Obedience” gives an excellent distinction between true obedience and the lip-service so commonly expressed today. 2. THE ATTRIBUTES AND BEING OF GOD: W. Pink. The Attributes of God, Baker Book House. A .W . Pink, The Sovereignty of God, Banner of Truth Trust. J .I. Packer. Knowing God, I.V.P.

A.W. Pink was a communicator of great spiritual truth in a limited space which makes his devotional material thoroughly absorbing and full of compelling spiritual impact. Pink‘s Attributes of God is a masterful blend of cogency and clear expression of profound Scriptural truth. In the Preface the author writes, “Something more than a theoretical knowledge of God is needed by us.” Reading his Attributes will convince you that A.W. Pink truly knew his God and has successfully accomplished what he intended as he further remarked in the preface, “An effort has been made to set forth some of the principal perfections of the Divine character.”

Pink‘s sovereignty of God should be read and assimilated by all. I would encourage the Banner of Truth edition over the Baker reprint for the reasons listed by lain Murray in his life of A. W. Pink. (Banner of Truth Trust).

Knowing God is as Thomas states, “a devotional classic.” It should be read by all and all who read it will acclaim it a classic as well. Packer encourages us to know God, not just know things about God. Learn and experience the difference; read the book!

3. THE DOCTRINE CONCERNING MAN

James M. Boice, ed., Our Savior God; Studies on Man, Christ and the Atonement, Baker Book House.

Boice’s Our Savior God is a superb collection of addresses given at the 1977–1979 Philadelphia conference on Reformed Theology and covers the top of what we know as The Five Points of Calvinism. The anicles on the Doctrine of Man are included here for their simplicity and clarity, as well as depth in covering a topic which does not generally seem to be otherwise addressed except on a scholarly level. All the articles are worthwhile reading and give a splendid introduction to the great truths formulated at the Synod of Dordt.

4. THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST

John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied. Banner of Truth Trust. R.B. Kuiper. For Whom Did Christ Die? A Study of rile Divine Design of the Atonement, Baker Book House. Robert A. Morey. The Saving Work of Christ Studies in the Atonement, Grace Abounding Ministries. Inc .

John Murray was a scholar of great learning and insight. This has unfortunately led many to avoid his writings of which Redemption Accomplished and Applied was especially described as “compelling reading for Christians with no academic background.”² One is reminded of the fact that many great articles have appeared in the pages of “The Outlook” and “The Presbyterian Guardian” which subsequently became collected into book form (for example, R.B. Kuiper’s The Glorious Body of Christ). These publications exist for the church, not simply to promote the construction of more theological tomes.

Particular redemption seems to be greatly neglected in our day and increasingly misunderstood. Having whetted your appetite by reading the article on Particular Redemption in Our Savior God. you ought to relish the compact yet comprehensive treatment given to the question raised in the title of Kuiper‘s For Whom Did Christ Die? Then you will want to indulge yourself in the pastoral approach in Morey’s The Saving Work of Christ. He is scholarly and at once personal and practical with one of the most precious doctrines of Scripture.

5. THE REDEMPTION OF MAN

Sinclair B. Ferguson, Know Your Christian Life. I.V.P.; John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied, Banner of Truth Trust.

Geoffrey Thomas lists these titles under The Redemption ofMan as books that “deal with the fulness of man’s salvation. How is the work of Christ applied to us today?” (p.29) Murray’s Redemption is thrilling reading covering the experiences of God’s grace in the life of the redeemed sinner. Ferguson’s Know Your Christian Life is an excellent theological introduction to the truths of the Christian life and is written with great ability to communicate those truths simply.

6. THE HOLY SPIRIT

John R.W. Stott, The Baptism and Fullness of the Holy Spirit, I.V .P. Stott’s Baptism addresses the question of the experience of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life. In a short space (60 pp.) Stolt reemphasizes the biblical warrant for being filled with the Spirit and distinguishes that from misconceptions some have concerning the work of the Spirit.

1. p.27, June 1983, The Banner of Truth, No. 237.

2. Iain Murray, ‘“The life of John Murray” in Collected Writings of John Murray. (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1982) Vol. 3. p. 135.

Stephan R. VanEck is the pastor of the Bible Fellowship Church of Denville, New Jersey.