Reformed Readers discussion

Howdy - I'm new to goodreads and this seems like a great subject. Any active members out there?

Kim - that would be fun. What are you reading? I'll grab a copy and get started. =)

I'm good with jumping into something Kim is reading since she has just started a few. Alternately, I picked some random titles off of some recommended reading lists and posted them in a poll. I can't say I know anything about them, but I'm game for an adventure into the unknown. See what you think / vote for any you might want to read...

Looks like the easiest wasy to surf around the poll titles is to display the comments (bottom-right), then links to the books show immediately above the comments and you can check them out before voting.

I'm game for any of the three. Haven't read anything by Parsons, but have enjoyed digging into the Lutzer books I've read. The Piper book - is this 'The Passion of Jesus Christ: 50 Reasons Why He Came to Die'? If so, that might be a timely read with Easter around the corner. Jason - I nominate you cast the deciding vote. =)

This is a very short book - 50 chapters at 2 pages each. I'm thinking best to comment as you read and something intrigues you. Are we posting here or under discussions on the book's page?

Have a great week!

See you on the book page for discussion. =)

My background: I'm the first in my family to believe, although I grew up in a religious household...I thought religion was traditional and legendary. My family had our traditions, Other families had their own and that was fine. I thought Jesus was just part of our heritage-legend. I came to recognize that God actually existed in a state-university organic chemistry course. But, I didn't know what to do with that knowledge. I went back to heavy-duty religion, but it was empty. So I gave that up and chased 'The American Dream' - climbing the corporate ladder. The trouble was, when I got to where I wanted to go...it wasn't soul-satisfying either. So I launched into a search of world-religions, aiming to determine (since God existed) which one religion (if any) was actually true - or whether they were all false. Checked out the eastern religions, went new-age for a while, checked out the near-eastern then finally (at last) circled back around to Christianity...which I generally thought was hokey. Wow...I can't tell you how much I didn't want the freaky Christians to be right. A Christian book led me to the Bible. The evidence of Biblical prophecy proved to me that the Bible is true and a book inspired by God for man. Which meant Jesus is also real. God revealed Himself to me through intellectual investigation, and Christianity proved to be the one world-religion I tested and couldn't knock down...it held the trustworthy evidential mark of the divine. Christ rescued me; once my mind was convinced, my heart followed. The last 7 years have been an adventure(and a bit of a crash course) in the Bible, Christianity, theology, relationships, transformation and life-in-general. He's amazing, isn't He?!?

I can't say that I've been concerned about completely aligning with a denomination, though my understanding of Scripture tends to lean toward the conservative and Baptistic - my home church (which I miss incredibly)is North American Baptist www.mbcfargo.org.

I've spent most of my life in ND, (although I finished college in MN & spent 6mos in Australia for work), but moved to IA a year ago (also for work). I've been looking for a solid church home here, but it's been tougher to find than I anticipated. Never married, no kids, and enjoy single life. Though one of my favorite things to do is play 'flying-unicorn, animal-rescue service' with a four-year-old friend of mine. =)

Looking forward to getting to know you as we chat on goodreads!

Sorry, no time to read a book with you all, but I think the "brief intro" thing is a great idea- most other groups I'm in don't care who you are, and make it far too easy to hide the "person" behind the post in anonyminity (sp?).
My short bio: I grew up on a ranch on the Montana/Wyoming border attending a small church there, and then a slightly larger one in Laramie, WY for college. I moved to Washington, DC to attend grad school a few years ago (at Catholic University) where I attend a great church in downtown DC. I'm currently working on a dissertation in Political Theory on Jonathan Edwards.
I've only in the past few years cared enough about theology (or anything more than nominal Christianity, for that matter) to really start examining it in any depth, but I guess I sort-of straddle the Lutheran/Reformed line. Probably more towards Reformed in theology and exegesis and Lutheran in practice (woo-hoo believer's freedom!).

I'm new to the group and figured this was pro'ly the best place to get started interacting with you all!

I grew up in a Christian home; accepted Christ at a young age; moved around the States a lot; finally settled in southern California (for the time being - it's ridiculously expensive out here). I was raised charismatic...although by a father who had a solid southern baptist background, so if it's possible to say I was conservative charismatic that would be rather accurate. I became reformed summer before my senior of college when my (non-reformed) pastor challenged us to an intense summer reading schedule of the New Testament. I had in the back of my head questions about predestination and God's sovereignty in salvation due to a conversation between 2 of my friends. By the time I got through Ephesians 1 I realized it was just something I was going to have to accept, and ever since then I've been learning and growing in my understanding of God's grace in much deeper ways than I had before that time. (=

Hey all, Meaghan invited me to this group so i thought i'd check it out, even though i'm not really active on Goodreads.

I was raised in the church until i was about 12, when my mom decided all Christians are hypocrites and we stopped going to church. I always had (wrongly) considered myself a Christian because i "accepted Jesus into my heart" when i was 4. A coworker invited me to Bible studies and church and i went, because i still considered it me. I automatically felt out of place, esp since they were reformed. I started reading my Bible again and theology and lighter Christian books. It was actually John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life and Desiring God that really changed me. Somewhere along the line i became reformed and got saved (i think reformed actually came first, but at an intellectual level, i don't know). Besides reformed books i also love reformed hip-hop by artists such as Flame and Shai Linne.

I have the currently reading book because it was on sale (at a non-denom church bookstore) but i never actually read it. Maybe i will, considering how small it is.

Oh, i gave background but here's a quick current about me: i'm a socali girl, payroll manager atan accounting firm (did taxes too...phew glad that's over), happily married (Meaghan was my bridesmaid), and love coffee, the tv show 24, and being frugal.

How far are you guys into Piper's book? Do you have any ballpark of when you'd start the next book? Since I'm in the middle of several books already, I think I'd rather wait and begin a new book with you guys once you're finished, especially since I don't already have the book.

Hello, all - and welcome Rebecca and Meaghan! I did finish the Piper book, but ended up traveling for work for about the last 3 weeks and haven't gotten to participate in the discussion...was hoping to touch base with the discussion page this weekend. But I am looking for a new suggestion.

What's up next for reading?

Meaghan wrote: "By the time I got through Ephesians 1 I realized it was just something I was going to have to accept, and ever since then I've been learning and growing in my understanding of God's grace in much deeper ways than I had before that time.

Ephesians 1 can be a life-changer can't it? Me too - only more around theology of baptism than predestination in my case. Anyone else?

Hello my brothers and sisters of the reformation, my name is Greg and I am a friend of Meaghan & Rebecca. I was raised in a evan-jellyfish home where love was not present so I ended up finding my acceptance with the local gangsters and thugs of my day. Joined the Navy @ 18 & was in SEAL training by 19 & was discharged by age 20. I had a son at 22 and left his mother 2 years after he was born, became a drug addict a drunk & other unmentionables.
God in his wonderful grace & mercy has been with me the whole time convicting me of my sin but I refused to repent, well I couldn’t. A wonderful reformer named “Dr. Bob” befriended me & taught me the doctrines of Grace for the last 4 to 5 years.

Presently I am enjoying J.I. Packers book on knowing God & John Owens book on overcoming sin and temptation.

My son is 12 now and loves God!

What about something by A. W. Pink? Or John Bunyan's Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners? haha...the list of suggestions could go on forever! But those two are sticking out to me on my bookshelf right now.

Hi all. I'm Phil and I live in Marietta, Ohio. I have three sons currently in college and am a semi-retired pastor/writer/businessman. We also home schooled for 12 years.

My folks were quite liberal, and I went to a liberal seminary, but was converted in the pulpit -- first to Christianity, then to Reformed Christianity. It's been quite a ride. I've pastored churches from California to Pennsylvania and from 1800 members to a handful -- in that order!

My son, Adam (http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/19...) introduced me to GoodReads.

Hi Phil! Welcome to our group! We're glad to have you join us!

Kim, biblebb.com is also very helpful for commentaries on things. It's all John MacArthur's stuff, and it's organized both by chapter/verse and by subject. Some things are more detailed than others, but it's at least a great quick reference spot!

Are you all reading the same books and discussing them?

Kim,

Not to butt in on your conversation, but www.monergism.com is pretty good for Bible-study resources.
Also, Matthew Henry is almost always good on the Old Testament, and can be found either at the Monergism website or at www.ccel.org.
One last one, the pastor at our church did a sermon on the Isaiah passage you're looking at early last year: http://www.capitolhillbaptist.org/aud...

Hi all! My name is Heath and I hope to be active here.

My name is Al, and I'm new to Goodreads. I'm plans officer in the Army. I was first exposed to Reformed Chirstianity by a book by Tom Nettles, "By His Grace and For His Glory" in 2000. After some more reading and prayer, I became a Reformed Baptist. I went to grad school at Western Michigan and took some classes from Puritan Reformed Seminary, in Grand Rapids. One even from Joel Beeke!

I work in a corps level plans cell with four other plans officers and we develop contingency plans for all different types of scenarios, as well as for current operations in Afghanistan. We look at current and future threats and try to develop plans to counter those threats.

I left Kalamazoo in 2003, and my last class at PRTS was in the spring of 2001. I lived in Portage, off Westnedge Rd, in a apartment complex called Pines West. Moorsbridge Rd was on the back side.

Jason wrote: "Hi Al,
I live in Kalamazoo and have some reformed Baptist friends in Holland. Our church is with out a pastor but we get a lot of preachers from Puritan Reformed Seminary. Consequently I have made ..."

Hello everyone. Could you recommend a book that explains the history of The Reformation? I am looking for something that is not too long, because my husband would like to read it and he is not an avid reader. It should be historically accurate and explain the attitudes and general practices of Christians prior to, during and after the Reformation.

Thanks!

You could try http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28...

which is a decent general history that mixes in political, cultural, and intellectual history.

Oooh, yeah. That me be more like what I need. I'll look more carefully. THANKS!

Reading "When Helping Hurts." Excellent book on the topic of serving the poor. Also reading "Gospel Living" by Tim Keller.

Have also heard that The Reformation For Armchair Theologians is one of the better adds to the armchair series. (Thanks, Coyle - still on my to-read list,,,)

Cathy wrote: "Hello everyone. Could you recommend a book that explains the history of The Reformation? I am looking for something that is not too long, because my husband would like to read it and he is not an a..."

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/81...

Hi Everyone,
Sorry that I did not respond in such a while. I have been currently serving at a local camp on a voluntary basis and I made an early return back from the Camp. For those who have not already noticed, I have joined here back in May 2011, when my first book 'The Resurrection' has been recently published. You can check out more information on my blog http://theresurrectionseries.wordpress.c...

I hope you all can enjoy it!

Parker

Ptfreesia wrote: "Hi! I'm new to this group. What are you reading in August?"

During the summer we're each doing our own thing. We posted some suggestions at this link here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...

I'm thinking about opening a running (no timetable) discussion for R.C. Sproul's
The Holiness of God because my copy conveniently has discussion questions provided (and I thoroughly enjoyed the book).

We're also working on organizing a group read for fall. Stay tuned.

Welcome!

Hi all,

I live and work in East Africa. We're PCA, though they tend to be a bit thin on the ground in Kenya, so we're international church-ing it for now.

Berkhof is my homeboy, my fourth son is named Calvin, and we were previously MTW missionaries for about 4 years.

Incidentally, I've published a science fiction novel with strongly Reformed undercurrents - Knox's Irregulars.

hi!
I'm doing the same thing church-wise, although there are a couple reformed folks floating around here and there. :) always looking for good sci-fi - is it available electronically?

Hello, is this group still active?

Hi,
I think people are still around, though I don't believe there are any current group reads (anybody, correct me if I'm wrong) at present. There was general talk about reading through Calvin's Institutes this year though.

Mike,
You could throw something together. I am always up for anything. Though I am reading a ton of stuff for classes.

Nathan,
Is there anything that you're reading that would go along w/the group? Maybe we could start from there.

Trice,
Yeah, I go to RTS Orlando so I could just list out a bunch of the books I am reading. For History of Christian 2 I had to pick a theologian to dive into and then write about. I picked John Owen and I am reading The Glory of Christ. But honestly you do not have to read around me. If anyone has something they have been wanting to read, I am game.

Well I'm just about to go through a book called Worship Matters with my worship leader. Not sure if this falls under the "Reformed Reading" but I am just about to start a new class. I could too post some of the books we will be reading and see if we can get some people that are intrested. Let me know your thoughts on my suggestion for Worship Matters, and I'll post soon my list for my next class. I believe it starts in about 3 weeks, so I'll do it soon so that if you need to buy the book you have time to find a good deal :)

In Christ,
Mike

Hi everyone,

I've joined the group recently and I'm looking forward to sharing with you. I'm currently reading Richard Baxter's "The Saint's Everlasting Rest." He's one of my favourite authors and I'm running a page on Facebook dedicated to his writings. You're most welcome to "like" it and add your comments and ideas: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Richard...

God bless,

Nenad

I really loved Richard Baxter's "The Reformed Pastor". Once I started reading it I could not put it down.

I know, there is a real beauty to his command of language. I've found his style and his way of explaining things very comforting and persuasive.

I am new to good reads and would be interested in reading and discussions of books read. This group does not appear to be very active though.

Donna wrote: "I am new to good reads and would be interested in reading and discussions of books read. This group does not appear to be very active though."

I am going through Knowing God by J.I. Packer with the teens at my church. We just started and are through the first couple of chapters if you are interested.

Hi, my name is Ryan. I am from South Bend, IN and did my undergrad in St. Louis. I am currently going to Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, planning to do post-grad afterwords. I plan on being active, right now I am reading Jesus and the Victory of God, so it will take a minute or so to read through that one. Add me if you'd like, I just joined this group and am new to "Goodreads."

Welcome, Ryan! I'm looking forward to reading your reviews.

Hi everyone, my name is Frances, and I'm a student at Kennesaw State University studying Spanish and History. I've grown up in the PCA, which my grandfather helped found, and I've always loved to read.
Right now I'm reading Augustine's Confessions and Peter Brown's biography of Augustine (Augustine of Hippo: A Biography). I've been in the group for a while but haven't been very active until lately. Looking forward to a wonderful summer of reading!

Hello everyone. I think I should write something here to. My name is Andreas and I'm a theologystudent in Kampen, The Netherlands, I was curious what a reformed bookshelve contains at the otherside of the ocean. Especially when I read in reformed magazines here in the Netherlands, that Dutch neocalvinism and 'new calvinism' is the best invention since sliced bread.

Just discovered via this group Christianity and Liberalism - J. Gresham Machen as a welcome addition to the primarily Dutch theologians I'm reading.

Andreas wrote: "Hello everyone. I think I should write something here to. My name is Andreas and I'm a theologystudent in Kampen, The Netherlands, I was curious what a reformed bookshelve contains at the otherside..."

Have you heard of John Feame? Or Vern Poythress. If not, those are welcome additions.

Another wonderful systematic theology is Michael Horton's The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way. It was published last year, I believe, and is really solidly biblical and reformed.

Andreas I would very interested what someone from America should put in their library from authors from the Netherlands, besides Kuyper.

Not big on Horton...he is part of the whole Escondido theology, though not as bad. Still, Frame is a better thinker and writer than Horton. His systematic set is really solid. The only other person I know than Kuyper is Bavinck.