Baker Library Book Brief
Greetings in Jesus Christ, risen from the dead!
The last month has proven to be a time of significant developments for our parish library. Just prior to Christmas, word came to the staff that the interim rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church, (the Rev.) Dr. Barbara Abbott, intended to return our former library to St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church. By a few days after Epiphany, this transaction was complete. For this we give thanks to Dr. Abbott and the people of St. John’s Episcopal Church. As well, we give praise and thanks to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit! Bill Kenney and I were able to take “the cream of the crop” of our old (now new) library. As well, Mark and I were able to move the card catalog and all of its card files to our present site. Pray for Carol and Dennis McKnight (and their assistants) as they have embraced the formidable task of ordering our expanding resources. Perhaps you can help them. Why don’t you ask?
In the meantime, let me briefly draw your attention to three new volumes. Last year’s preaching series on Deuteronomy may have drawn your attention to many themes which you might want to consider at a greater depth. The matter of idolatry may be pursued by a perusal of Gregory K. Beale’s We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry. Dr. Beale is a professor of New Testament at Wheaton College Graduate School in suburban Chicago. His numerous weighty publications in recent years have developed themes that run throughout the Bible. This new work demands careful and thoughtful reading, but is very thorough. Idolatry and its disastrous effects are considered throughout the Old Testament. Then follows a study of every New Testament passage relating to idolatry in the Gospels, Acts, Paul’s Epistles and the Revelation. Every reader will find that they have much for which to repent. Let us remember that we are called to worship God alone!
Also look for The Lord’s Supper, Five Views: Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed, Baptist, Pentecostal. As the title suggests, this volume will raise plenty of questions, including “what happened to the Anglican teaching on Holy Communion?” One way or the other, this work (edited by Gordon T. Smith, formerly of Regent College, Vancouver) offers a great deal of helpful insight into eucharistic – and sacramental – theology and practice. Essays are provided by representative authors of each of the positions considered within the book. Each essay is followed by a brief evaluation by the other four authors. Within the framework of this slender volume, Anglican doctrine is considered to be most similar to the Lutheran position. While that supposition could be debated, there is much to learn here. No doubt, most readers will find themselves disabused of some misconceptions regarding the positions of other ecclesiastical traditions, while being able to learn some things about our beliefs and worship.
One final recent addition also supports sacramental reflection. I was recently able to find a copy of The Biblical Doctrine of Infant Baptism by Pierre Marcel. It is worth noting that this book from 1952 found its way into English translation by Philip E. Hughes, long-time Associate rector of this congregation. Here is a full study of the biblical doctrine of the covenant and an equally complete consideration of the family, circumcision and baptism in that context. If you have questions about infant baptism, this book will be of help to you.