Bible and Bible Reference Survey 2007...Continued from page 11

John Piper’s The Future of Justification (Crossway) is thoroughgoing analysis of the doctrine of justification and a critique of N. T. Wright’s position on the topic.  It is a weighty and important contribution to this important doctrinal conversation with significant pastoral implications. This will be one of the more significant books this year.

On the topic of justification, Reformation Heritage Books has republished John Owen’s The Doctrine of Justification by Faith (pb., 448 pp.) with Owen’s Latin and Greek quotations translated.  The volume also contains a significant introductory essay by Carl Trueman. 

Ben Quash and Michael Ward have edited a series of sermons entitled Heresies and How to Avoid Them: Why It Matters What Christians Believe (Hendrickson; pb., 148 pp.).  The contributors, all from Britain, include Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans and one Quaker all affirming basic orthodoxy as found in the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed and the Chalcedonian Definition.  It is encouraging to see theological sermons intended to affirm orthodoxy and willing to name errors.  These sermons can be helpful in encouraging doctrinal preaching.

Charts for a Theology of Evangelism by Thomas Johnston (B&H; pb., 160 pp.) is a unique book which compiles a lot of data and is helpful in comparing differing approaches (by era as well as theological orientation).

Donald Bloesch’s Spirituality Old & New (IVP; pb., 192 pp), is a helpful treatment of this hot topic stressing that true biblical spirituality grows out of correct theology and warning against careless borrowing of other forms of spirituality.  The second and third books of Eugene Peterson’s trilogy on spiritual theology have appeared: Eat This Book (hb., 186 pp.) and The Jesus Way (hb., 289 pp.) both from Eerdmans.  Peterson is always very stimulating.

Lastly, it may seem odd to include a book on counseling here, but Eric Johnson’s tome Foundations for Soul Care: A Christian Psychology Proposal (IVP; hb., 716 pp.) deserves mention if only because his serious engagement with the Scriptures makes it a Bible reference!  There are differing opinions on psychology and Christianity, but this is a major contribution to the discussion.  We need to return to thinking of our pastoral labors as “soul care.”

Ray Van Neste is Associate Professor of Christian Studies and Director of the R.C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies at Union University in Jackson, TN.