Those who are inclined to view Christian salvation as “fire insurance,” vital in eternity but irrelevant in this world, fail to understand the pervasiveness of Christian thought. Does ‘the mind of Christ’ extend beyond religion to what one may think of non-religious realms? Does taking ‘every thought captive’ include our thoughts about gender, sexual relations, marriage, family, children, and child-rearing? Indeed it does. Scripture addresses all these issues.

In this third book of the Texts that Transform series, Terry Johnson recounts his matured understanding of the place of family relationships in God’s plan – a plan which not only transforms the domestic sphere but highlights the essential role of marriage and family in the Kingdom of God.

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The Larger Catechism was designed by its authors to supplement the Shorter Catechism. It presents a full, balanced, and edifying summary of the Christian faith, suitable for those who have attained some level of spiritual maturity. It expands and clarifies the teaching found in the Shorter Catechism and Confession of Faith and focuses on the outworking of that teaching within the Christian community. This compact edition is ideal for individual or group study.

‘Today, churches face a greater educational task than they have done for several centuries. Pastors are often looking for useful, effective study materials. In response to this need the church must reclaim its great educational resources from the past. The Larger Catechism is a neglected tool the church needs today to help believers develop vital and balanced Christian faith and life.’ — W. ROBERT GODFREY

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Why should one have a high view of the visible church and its ministry? The short answer is, Because this is what the Bible requires. Jesus said ‘I will build my church.’ He charged the disciples to baptize their converts into the church and in the process teach them all of his commandments (Matt. 16:18; 28:18–20).

Bible texts not only transform one’s personal life, but also shape one’s outlook on the church–its ministry and mission. In Texts that Transform: Church and Ministry, Terry Johnson shows how the Bible determines our understanding of such things as a Christian’s calling in general, the specific role of the minister, the shape of public worship, the content of the church’s public services, and the character of the day on which those services are conducted. Why do we do what we do in life and ministry? Because these are the things that the Bible–the word of God–directs us to do.

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Book Description

In 1786, at the age of twenty-two, Alexander Stewart became parish minister of Moulin, near Pitlochry, Scotland. He was as yet unconverted. Sermons from those early years he would later denounce as ‘youthful trifles, produced in the season of ignorance and darkness, possessing nothing of the savour of the gospel, abounding in errors, fit only to be pitied, fit only to be destroyed.’ When the change came it deeply impacted not only his preaching but his congregation. At the time of his settlement in Moulin most were as ignorant of the gospel as he was. As he puts it himself, ‘The opinion of their own works recommending them to the favour of God, and procuring a reward from his bounty, was almost universal.’ Now they began to think as differently about such things as their minister did. Indeed, it was not long before Moulin was in the grip of a revival that resulted in many conversions.

James Sievewright’s biography, long out of print, is an invaluable account of the steps by which Stewart was led from darkness to light, of the revival that followed, and of Stewart’s subsequent ministries in Dingwall and in Edinburgh. It introduces us to David Black, the young evangelical minister who played a major role in Stewart’s conversion, and is enriched by a selection of the letters that passed between them. It shows us, too, what a remarkable and far-reaching ministry an unconverted minister may one day exercise if God should be pleased to save him.

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The Pilgrim’s Progress has been entertaining and illuminating readers for over three centuries, and there can have been few readers more expert about both the book and its meaning than C.H. Spurgeon. Here we have the greatest of nineteenth-century preachers setting forth timeless truths from Bunyan, with infectious enthusiasm about his favourite author. ‘The reason for his liking is not far to seek,’ writes Spurgeon’s son and successor in his Introduction. ‘They both loved “the Book of books.”’ Just so, today’s reader will come away from these chapters with a renewed appreciation not only of Bunyan and Spurgeon, but of the truth and wisdom of the Scriptures.

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This new book is a rare combination of devotional, memoir, and Bible study that brings the reader into a sense of relationship with the author and renewed connection to God’s word. Travelling through Terry Johnson’s conversion, call, and growth in Christian understanding and character, one reflects on the passages that have influenced his spiritual life. The non-Christian reader will find a winsome companion and instructor in foundational theological truths; the Christian will be challenged to consider what verses have guided his or her own path.

The truth of the gospel, the dangers of hypocrisy and legalism, freedom from anxiety, the urgency of evangelism – these are all helpful topics. But it becomes clear that Terry’s real passion is the beauty, the humanity and the holiness of the Lord Jesus Christ, and this is the heart of this warm and pastoral book.

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Even though Scripture is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, there is much confusion on the doctrine of Scripture. This has led to its inspiration and authority becoming an area of debate. Here, in this new and comprehensive study, Dr. Weeks brings his multi-disciplinary learning to bear on the question of the sufficiency of Scripture.

The author believes that the debate about the Bible has shifted its centre of gravity in recent years. The older distinctions between fundamentalist and modernist, evangelical and liberal, have become obsolete as more subtle distinctions have emerged. In view of this, The Sufficiency of Scripture deals with such diverse issues as revelation, translation, creation, prophecy, and the role of women in the church. Dr. Weeks provides careful analysis of the biblical teaching in these areas, giving ‘depth criticism’ of much of the superficial and false thinking expressed in some contemporary discussions of these questions.

The Sufficiency of Scripture combines unusually wide learning with radical criticism. Thorough in its approach, instructive in its handling of material, it is deeply provocative and provides a unique contribution to the modern debate on the Bible. Noel Weeks’ contentions cannot be ignored by Christians who take seriously their commitment to the Bible as the Word of God.

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