Devotional Reading
Book Reviews by
Fred G. Zaspel
For daily devotionals, it will be difficult to beat Spurgeon's Morning and Evening – a long standing favorite for thousands of Christians. This is available from Hendrikson Publishers in both the traditional version and the newer version which updates the older language of Spurgeon and uses the NIV. Always a good book to read and to give away.
For the Love of God: A Daily Companion for Discovering the Riches of God's Word volumes 1 & 2 by D. A. Carson (Crossway Books)
This is surely one of Carson's best ideas yet. Many of you are familiar with Robert Murray M'Cheyne's famous calendar for daily Bible reading -- a program which directs the reader through the entire Bible once in a year and twice through the New Testament and Psalms. Carson has selected and written a brief (one page) devotional commentary on one of each of these daily Bible passages. The comments are solid and not the "fluff" that is all too common in many devotional books. Carson has aimed at strengthening the reader with a firmer grasp of the Scripture in its own context and story line. A most valuable piece of work and a very welcome addition to Christian devotional literature.
I was introduced to A. W. Tozer when I was 19, and he made a deep impression on me. The first two Tozer books which I read were The Pursuit of God and The Root of the Righteous. Later I also read his The Knowledge of the Holy, and now some others also. Tozer was almost a mystic with prophetic insights, and his evident passion for God, as well as his high view of God (Tozer is the most Calvinistic Arminian you'll ever read!), make these books always worthwhile reading for anyone. I wish every Christian would read these books. Devotional value of a rare kind. Highly recommended.
Morning Exercises by William Jay (1769-1853) from Calvary Press
We've all read Spurgeon's Morning & Evening, as well we should. But this is the daily devotional which Spurgeon himself recommended. Perhaps a bit "meatier" than Spurgeon, and often a bit more lengthy (up to two pages, as compared to Spurgeon's consistent one page each). Would that all devotional books offered what this book offers! Very good reading.
The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts from Soli Deo Gloria
What a great debt we owe Isaac Watts! His many hymns have been the instrument of much theological learning and spiritual edification for about 300 years. What most of us do not realize is that there are many, many more hymns from Watts than what we have seen in traditional hymnals. Here is a complete collection of Watts's more than 200 hymns plus all of his Psalms (the Psalms set to meter for singing). The meter of each Psalm and hymn is noted, so you can quickly match the words to a familiar hymn tune. Wonderful devotional reading and great new singing from and old, trusted source.
Heart Aflame by John Calvin (Presbyterian & Reformed)
This books was a very good idea -- excellent readings from John Calvin on the Psalms. This would be a great introduction to Calvin for anyone. This is the best from Calvin's famous Commentary on the Psalms. Highly recommended.
How to Pray in the Spirit by John Bunyan, edited by L. G. Parkhurst (Kregel)
Bunyan's famous discourse, "On Praying in the Spirit," has not been readily available to Christians of our day, except in the collected Works of Bunyan. And sometimes even Bunyan, like other Puritan writers, can seem daunting to some. In this volume Parkhurst has provided an edited version of this work of Bunyan's in smaller sections and in more modern English. It is a thorough revision of Bunyan's original text, but one that remains faithful to it. It is set in "Thirty-One Devotional Readings on Personal Prayer" and provides a very nice introduction to Bunyan and his most helpful instruction on this most needed theme. The "fluff" that marks so much of today's teaching on this subject is not to be found -- only the solidly Biblical Bunyan in simpler language. Good devotional reading.
Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices by Thomas Brooks (Banner of Truth)
The church has never produced "physicians of the soul" to compare with the Puritans. This work of Brooks illustrates the point well -- he carefully diagnosis many of the Satanic "ills" that afflict us and then prescribes just the remedy. How we are drawn to sin, drawn away and distracted from Christian duty, kept sad and doubting -- all these and more are analyzed in detail and given specific remedies to keep us faithful and joyful and productive in the Christian life. Work like this just has not been provided since the Puritans.
A Promise is a Promise by Roger Ellsworth (Evangelical Press)
For some reason we don't hear many series of sermons or read many series of studies like this, but we would be better served if we did. Ellsworth focuses in turn on about 30 different promises in Scripture beginning with the first promise of the gospel and finishing with promises about heaven. Promises for life, promises for death, promises for forgivenss for the Christian who confesses sin, promises for perseverance, promises for rest, peace, help, strengh, and so on. A most encouraging study of the kinds of things Christians need to be more aware of. Biblically accurate, theologically informed, practically aimed, and plainly written.
Smooth Stones taken from Ancient Brooksedited by Charles H. Spurgeon (Soli Deo Gloria)
The title reflects Spurgeon's wit and his love for the Puritans. The subtitle -- "Collected sayings of Thomas Brooks." A collection of sentences, illustrations, and quaint sayings from Brooks, whom Spurgeon admired. Good devotional reading and for general enjoyment.
A Golden Treasury of Puritan Devotion, compiled and edited by Mariano Di Gangi (P&R)
Wonderful selections from thirteen of the best -- and some of the lesser -- known Puritans. A wonderful introduction to the theology and warmth of Puritan preaching and writing.
How to Pray in the Spirit by John Bunyan, edited by L. G. Parkhurst (Kregel)
Bunyan's famous discourse, "On Praying in the Spirit," has not been readily available to Christians of our day, except in the collected Works of Bunyan. And sometimes even Bunyan, like other Puritan writers, can seem daunting to some. In this volume Parkhurst has provided an edited version of this work of Bunyan's in smaller sections and in more modern English. It is a thorough revision of Bunyan's original text, but one that remains faithful to it. It is set in "Thirty-One Devotional Readings on Personal Prayer" and provides a very nice introduction to Bunyan and his most helpful instruction on this most needed theme. The "fluff" that marks so much of today's teaching on this subject is not to be found -- only the solidly Biblical Bunyan in simpler language. Good devotional reading that provides good instruction on a theme important to every Christian.
Forerunner of the Great Awakening: Sermons by Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen (1691-1747) edited by Joel Beeke (Eerdmans)
Until receiving this book I knew virtually nothing about Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen, and for me the historical introduction by Joel Beeke was worth the price all by itself. To see how God used this bold, controversial servant as a channel of grace to many and to see how he became in providence the forerunner of the Great Awakening was both historically enlightening and spiritually stimulating. His discontentment with dead orthodoxy serves as a challenge to believers of every age, and his commitment to truth and his passion for the souls of men and women serve as a model and an inspiration for preachers today. His sermons are direct and searching and carefully faithful to the text of Scripture. We have much we can learn from Frelinghuysen. Very good reading.
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