It may be true that "the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body (Ecclesiastes 12:12)." However, it’s also true that for "every thing there is a season (Ecclesiastes 3:1) and that we should delight to do God’s will and His "law should be within our hearts (Psalm 40:8)."
For that reason, quality writing is, for the Christian, as important as any tool of the mason, physician, or scientist. The Rev. Ken Cook has long been lending some of his broad knowledge of Christian literature to St. John’s in his Baker Book Briefs. We now extend that usefulness to the internet his "Cook’s Book Pages."
Greetings in Christ, risen from the dead! As I write this, we are still celebrating our Lord’s resurrection. Indeed, the resurrection of Jesus is of eternal significance and is to be celebrated throughout the year as the source of Christian faith, hope and love. Our right standing with holy God is a matter of Jesus having been "delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification" (Romans 4:25).
With this in mind, two new books have been added to our library by means of a kind gift. They are Jesus and the Eyewitnesses: The Gospels as Eyewitness Testimony by Richard Bauckham and The Resurrection of the Son of God by N. T. Wright. Both Bauckham and Wright are Anglican Christians. Bauckham teaches New Testament at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, while Wright, who has taught New Testament at McGill, Cambridge and Oxford, is bishop of Durham. Both authors have published many books; Wright, in particular, has written so many books at such a rapid pace since the mid-90s that it is difficult to keep track of his efforts. His works have included everything from light to heavy-weight studies of Christian essentials. Worthy of special notice is his ongoing Christian Origins and the Question of God project, now halfway through at three large volumes, of which The Resurrection of the Son of God is the most recent addition (2003). Wright’s intent in this series is to take on and refute any and all serious challenges to the historical and saving nature of the details, events and message proclaimed in the New Testament. Ambitious? Yes. [Perfect? Probably not. Consider Proverbs 10: 19 "When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent." Some aspects of Wright’s doctrine of justification have been judged to be erroneous; however, no charges have been brought against any of his many studies on Christ’s resurrection] And it should be said that both of these new books are not easy to read. The persevering person who needs to know will be rewarded by seeing the historical nature of the Gospels and the Resurrection fully considered and ably defended.
Bauckham’s book is probably the most detailed consideration of every person named, and unnamed, who could have been an eyewitness to the saving life and actions of Jesus in the Gospels. As well, Bauckham considers the traditional sources from beyond the New Testament who offer us information about the apostles and other Gospel personalities and the authorship of the Gospels (Papias, Polycrates and Irenaeus, circa 90-175 AD). Careful reflection focuses on where, how and why the Gospels refer to, and utilize, the presence of eyewitnesses and the implications of this usage for believing and nonbelieving readers. The ongoing role of these witnesses after the Gospels had been written and were in circulation is also considered. Other major topics which Bauckham regards are the varieties of oral tradition, eyewitness testimony and eyewitness memory (versus "anonymous community traditions"). Throughout, he seeks by evidence and reason to overturn the attacks upon the Gospels and the Gospel made by a Swedish scholar, Samuel Byrskog in 2002. The result is a study of the New Testament’s eyewitnesses that has been waiting two millennia to be written.
In similar fashion, Wright’s 800-page tome on the resurrection of Jesus leaves no stone (lying or thrown) unturned. His starting point is resurrection, history and Christian theology. Then he surveys life beyond death in ancient paganism and finds the Old Testament’s hope for life beyond death to be unique. Most of the rest of the book is a most painstaking consideration of every New Testament passage that mentions life after death and the resurrection of Jesus. Also included in the investigation is the teaching of the earliest extra-biblical Christian writings. Hope emerges in the person of Jesus as Israel’s Messiah and the world’s Lord.
In the intervening months since the last Baker Library Book Brief much has happened. Given the construction which occurred in August, your library itself has been moved from its former location. It is now directly across the hall from our new church office space. Additional shelving was provided as we relocated the library. Also, we have finally accomplished the major goal of providing a commentary on each book of the Bible. As well, we have received a sizable gift of books from a former parishioner. Many of these volumes are quite valuable and will be added to our collection. Our librarians, Dennis and Carol McKnight and Susan Tolbert - and numerous others - are to be thanked.
Among the many books that have been added to our library recently, two demand special attention. Yes, you might want to sign them out of the library and read them. However, you might want to take notice that they would make excellent Christmas gifts for any adult reader on your list. I am thinking of Never Silent: How Third World Missionaries Are Now Bringing the Gospel to the US by our bishop, Thad Barnum and The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith by Timothy Keller.
Bishop Thad has written several previous books. This appears to be the best yet. Numerous copies of Never Silent have already been purchased by parishioners since early September; more are now available.
Tim Keller is the senior pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. His The Reason for God appeared this past February. Now, likewise, The Prodigal God is found on national bestsellers lists. This small, inexpensive hardback clearly sets forth and applies the Gospel of Christ. You may purchase copies of this volume as well at St. John the Evangelist.
Bishop Barnum has placed us all (and many more) in his debt by writing Never Silent. His book carefully details the numerous monumental developments, events and movements within Anglican Christianity during the last 20 years. Many of us are aware of having lived through this tumultuous epoch, but the precise details have begun to become hazy in our recollection. Thankfully, Bishop Thad, an early American acquaintance of an African priest who became a bishop and who continues to play a crucial role in international Anglicanism (John Rucyahana), takes his readers through the whole era. Given the announcement of an orthodox North American province which is meant to replace the Episcopal Church and the Church of Canada on December 3, 2008, our author provides the background and a great deal of the needed documentation so that we might know how it all came to this in our own times. It is all here: Kuala Lumpur, First Promise, the Koinonia Statement, St. Andrew’s (Little Rock, AR), Lambeth ’98, Episcopal General Conventions, Kampala, Anglican Mission in America, Singapore, Gene Robinson and much more. Surprisingly, even St. John’s Episcopal Church/St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church is to be found in these pages. Throughout, Bishop Thad serves his readers by calling them as he sees them. This comes as no surprise. Never Silent is eminently readable. The story is, by turns, sorrowful and inspiring. Our Triune God persistently cares for the faithful, the nations, the world and our neighbors who are without Jesus. Although there is a focus upon developments within Anglican Christianity, Never Silent has been acknowledged to be a wake-up call for Christians in the other decaying Northern and Western churches.
The Prodigal God is an extended meditation on the familiar parable of Christ that almost everyone calls “the parable of the prodigal son”. (It might be worthwhile to check the section titles provided in your Bible/or Bibles at Luke 15:11-32). But it is the story of two difficult sons and their father. I have often found myself having to identify with the older brother, even though it seemed that there was little righteousness in that. However, most sermons focus on the younger brother. Keller does not do that. The result of our author’s balance is that everyone is given the opportunity to become uncomfortable with their dissimilarity to Jesus Christ, “the only Son of the Father” and their need for the extravagant love of their Heavenly Father. Apart from any repetition, there is the clear suggestion throughout this slender volume that the Church, all families and the individuals who compose these communities are called to repent of rebellious elder-brotherism. Keller notes that both the younger and the older brother are addicted to this instinct, which drives so much of our resentment, envy and inability to forgive. I highly recommend this book. If you fail to read it, you are disappointing me, other more responsible people and, perhaps, yourself! Regardless, remember that God is willing to forgive and embrace sinners like you and me because of Jesus, his life, his sacrifice and his resurrection from death.
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.