The Rock of our Salvation

William S. Plumer (1759-1850) was an American, Baptist, lawyer, and statesman (NH Senator and later NH Governor).  His book The Rock of our Salvation is an excellent and concise survey of the person, character, sufferings, offices, and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Some of Plumer’s interpretation of Scripture reflects a reformed view (ex. chapter 19 – Christ on the Judgment-Seat portrays a mixture of both the saints rewarded and sinners condemned).  A reformed view of Scripture is wrong because it convolutes the truth by interpreting the Bible allegorically.  Nevertheless, Plumer’s work stands as a magnificent survey of Christology.

Table of Contents:

1                     Christ All in All

2                     The Divinity of Christ

3                     The Sonship of Christ

4                     The Incarnation of Jesus

5                     The Messiahship of Jesus

6                     Christ the Mediator

7                     Christ a Prophet

8                     The Priesthood of Christ

9                     Christ a King

10                 Christ’s Humiliation

11                 General Views of the Christ’s Work

12                 Redemption by Christ

13                 The Atonement

14                 The Folly of Objecting to the Atonement

15                 Christ’s Resurrection

16                 Christ’s Ascension and Session at God’s Right Hand

17                 Christ in Heaven

18                 Christ’s Personal Absence from this World

19                 Christ on the Judgment-Seat

20                 Christ a Physician

21                 The Gentleness of Christ

22                 Christ Shall Yet Have a Glorious Reward

23                 The Gospel of Christ is Hid from Some

24                 The Sin and Danger of Not Believing in Christ

25                 The Reproach of Christ

26                 Conclusion

The edition that I read was a 2012 Kindle edition.  The Rock of our Salvation was first published in 1867.  This book is also available in hardcover.  Thus, for this review it is 414 KB of good reading. :-)

Biblical Strategies for Witness

"Biblical Strategies for Witness" by Dr. Peter Masters is a must read if you are interested in learning how to be effective in the vital area of being a personal witness for the Lord Jesus Christ.  Essentially, this book takes a closer look at how the Lord Jesus dealt with a variety of needs and types of people that need the Gospel.  The ideas presented in the book are simple but profound.  I do not want to give to much of a description about the book as to spoil the potential reader.  I have greatly benefited from this in ways like being challenged concerning becoming a personal witness, I have been reminded that the Word of God is still the best (really the only) remedy for the needs of people, I like how Dr. Masters takes a simple verse and opens up the spiritual and pastoral potential of that verse and how it directly relates to a clear Gospel presentation.  This book is both a challenging and enriching read.

Table of Contents:
1. Inspiring and Maintaining Personal Witness
2. God Really Does Use Instruments
3. Touching the Raw Nerve
4. Strategies for Different Kinds of Unbeliever
5. The Ignorant and Indifferent Person
6. The Self-Righteous Person
7. The Self-Interested Person
8. The Convinced Atheist
9. Prepared for Questions

ISBN: 1-870855-18-3
Publisher: Wakeman Trust, London (You can order this book through Christian Book Distributors here in the US)
(C) 1994, Paperback, 154 pages of provocative reading.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

"The Work of the Holy Spirit" by Octavius Winslow.  This book is an extremely well written and well thought out book on the person and work of the Holy Spirit.  It is somewhat of a tedious read, but there are blessings of Scriptures and poignant thoughts all through the book which in turn transforms this book into a rewarding read.

Contents:
The Godhead and Personality of the Holy Spirit
The Spirit A Quickner
The Spirit A Quickner
The Indwelling of the Spirit
The Sanctification of the Spirit
The Sealing of the Spirit
The Witness of the Spirit
The Spirit the Author of Prayer
The Spirit A Comforter

ISBN: 085151152X
Publisher:  Banner of Truth
(C) 2003, Paperback, 223 pages of blessed reading. 

The Trinity

"The Trinity: A Classic Study of Biblical Trinitarianism" by Edward H. Bickersteth.  This was a tough but absolutely rewarding read.  I have never come across a book that outlined in great detail the glorious truths about the essence, unity, distinctions and relationships between the Godhead.  Bickersteth wrote not only with depth of knowledge but with a spirit of evangelistic zeal.  His concern for his reader's soul is throughout his work.  Somewhere back in the late 1800s and in the church of England there still remained a witness for Bible truth with a soul-winning fire and Bickersteth's work is a case in point.

Foreword by Walter Wilson
Preface
1.  What Study the Trinity?
2.  Our Confidence in God the Creator
3.  Our Confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ
4.  Deity of Jesus Christ Coequal with the Father
5.  The Saviour's Condescension to Exalt Us
6.  Coequal Godhead:  Holy Spirit, Father and Son
7.  Assurance of the Trinity
Scripture Index

ISBN: 0825423945
Publisher: Kregel Publications
(C) 2000, Paperback, 182 pages of thick reading.
Roman numerals are supplied in the back to assist us who have a hard time remembering what "L" is in that numeric system.  (WOW! am I so glad for the Hindu-Arabic numbering system).

The Trials of Christ

"The Trials of Christ" by John Gilmore is a profoundly interesting and insightful read.  The subtitle is: The moral failures of those who judged Jesus (speaking about - Annas, Caiaphas, Pilate, and Herod Antipas).  This book is interesting because the subject is quite heavy and tedious but Dr. Gilmore boils it down for the average man.  He champions the Gospel of John and the rest of the Gospels for that matter, as faithful eyewitnesses about the two types of courts that Christ had to endure (Jewish and Roman).  Insightful background information about the trials, and the leaders, the times, etc.  If you are not interested in cumbersome reading, then this is certainly a book you will want to read.  I like it when an author takes away the burden of heavy reading.  I also really like the evangelical overtures that conclude each chapter.  It makes for good preaching seed-thoughts.
Contents:
Preface
Introduction
Christ before Annas
Christ before Joseph Caiaphas
Christ before Pontius Pilate
Christ before Herod Antipas
Christ before Pontius Pilate
Appendix 1:  Legal Questions
Appendix 2:  One or Two Temple Cleansings?
Appendix 3:  Academic Smoke and Mirrors?
Appendix 4:  So-Called Anti-Jewishness in the Gospels.
Notes (meaning End Notes).

ISBN:  1857926471
Publisher:  Christian Focus (Great Britain)
(C) 2001 - cover design by Owen Daily
Paperback, 175 pages of good reading.

The Law of the Offerings

"The Law of the Offerings" by Andrew Jukes.  Sub heading: The Five Tabernacle Offerings and their Spiritual Significance.  This is an amazing book because Jukes aptly parallels the Levitical offerings with the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.  And along with that, our wonderful participation in spiritual blessings because we are "in Christ."  This isn't an easy read because of the typological details, but a worthy read for sure.
There are various editions of this classic work online, I own a copy which was published by Kregel, therefore I will use that for the outline and informational portion of this recommendation.
Table of Contents:
Preface
The Types in General
The Burnt-Offering
The Meat-Offering
The Peace-Offering
The Sin-Offering
The Trespass-Offering
The Offering as a whole
Appendix

ISBN: 0-8254-2957-9
Publisher:  Kregel Publications
(C) 1966 First printing.
Paperback, 219 pages of intricate reading.

The Reformers and Their Stepchildren

"The Reformers and Their Stepchildren" by Leonard Verduin is a historical background on European Anabaptists.  They were basically maligned and ridiculed by both Roman Catholics and Protestants (the book focuses on the latter half's mistreatment), however these Christians stood with great conviction upon what they conscientiously believe to be God's principles for everyday life.  In fact the pejorative appellations forms the outline for Verduin's work.

Contents:
Preface
List of Abbreviations

Introduction
1.  Dontisten (Anti-sacralist society)
2.  Stabler (or "staff-carriers" - Anti-sword coercing or conversions)
3.  Catharer (from Cathar meaning "cleansed" - Anti-"liberty-ism")
4.  Sacramentschwarmer (they were Anti-sacramental salvation)
5.  Winckler (the idea of illicit or unauthorized; they worshiped in a corner)
6.  Wiedertaufer (Anabaptists or re-baptizers)
7.  Kommunisten (from "community of  goods;"  Anti-avarice with the clergy)
8.  Rottengeister (meaning "faction-makers;" Anti-oath takers)

I am not saying that the Anabaptists were perfect and lacked nothing in doctrine or in practice, nor that they didn't have within themselves heretical factions, but as a whole they were strong, and held to their beliefs with an unwavering attitude.  Eventually, we would owe much of our religious freedom and tolerance to them, and we have the medieval protest movements' scholar Dr. Verduin to thank for.

ISBN: 0-8010-9284-1
Published by:  The Christian Hymnary Publishers.
(C) 1964; reprint in 2004.
Paperback, 292 pages of good, and informational stuff.

Disciplines for New Believers

"Disciplines for New Believers" is an eight week devotional booklet with a special emphasis on Baptist Distinctives (beliefs that are exclusive to Baptists).  It also features a recommended reading resources page for further study and a Basic Bible study references page for the beginning student of the Bible.

Currently, I only have an electronic version of this booklet.  Hopefully, in the near future, I will be able to get this in an actual print format.


Table of Contents:

Week 1     More about God’s Word                           

Week 2     More about God                                        

Week 3     More about Salvation                                

Week 4     More about the Church                              

Week 5     More about Baptism and Communion      

Week 6     More about Prayer                                     

Week 7     More about Spiritual Warfare                    

Week 8     More about Serving the Lord                    

BTW, I hate formatting books for e-publishing.  I have tried several different platforms (Word, pdf, mobi, epub, txt, etc.) and softwares (Mobipocket Creator, and Calibre) but when I upload the document, it just gets messed up somewhere or there.  I drives me batty, and I will not spend any more time with this.

The Pastor in Prayer

"The Pastor in Prayer" by C.H. Spurgeon

Yes, another Spurgeon book!  I can't help it.  I really like reading Spurgeon.  This one is quite unique because it is a compilation of 26 "Pastoral Prayers."  The Pastor's prayer was a prelude to the sermon.  It was lengthy.  I am not sure who exactly wasn't engaged in prayer while transcribing the prayer, but I am glad to get an insight into the Preacher's prayer-life.  If you think his sermons are worth reading, then you must read his prayers.  They are insightful as they are convicting (if I may say so).  I will try to highlight excerpts that rung a bell with me on my Twitter page (assuming I can keep it to 140 characters), and if not, I shall share the longer ones on my main blog.  At any rate, this book is a worthy read.

Published by: Ambassador (Ambassador Classics) - My edition happens to be an older one.  However, a 2nd edition is published by Banner of Truth (in Hardback - as seen in the picture above).  No Kindle edition, to my knowledge, how unfortunate.
ISBN: 1898787891
Paperback, 164 pages of good stuff.

Quoting Shedd

"The distinguishing characteristic of Christianity is not the teaching of sound ethics, but the offer of mercy through a divine mediator and a radical change of human character." (Wm. Shedd, Dogmatic Theology, (c) 2003 P&R, page 88).

C. H. Spurgeon's Sermon's Beyond Volume 63

Publisher's blurb:  "Here are forty-five sermons which were awaiting publication in the Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit when it came to an abrupt end in 1917...and it was only on account of the shortage of paper and metal caused by the First World War that publication ceased...This volume brings to light the sermons which probably would have appeared in the remained of Volume 63 and at the start of Volume 64 of the Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, sermons which originally appeared only in magazine format from 1877 to 1881."

Published by Day One Publications (c) 2009
ISBN: 978-1846251450
Hardcover, 640 pages of good stuff.

A must have for every Spurgeon fan.

The Minister's Self-watch by C.H. Spurgeon

[Quoting M'Cheyne] "...In great measure, according to the purity and perfection of the instrument, will be the success.  It is not great talents God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus.  A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God." (Lectures, Chapter 1, page 8)

The Minister's Self-watch by C.H. Spurgeon

"We are, in a certain sense, our own tools, and therefore must keep ourselves in order." (Lectures, Chapter 1, page 7)

The Minister's Self-watch by C.H. Spurgeon

"...that we shall be likely to accomplish most when we are in good order, and we shall do worst when they are most out of trim.  This is a practical truth for our guidance.  When the Lord makes exceptions, they do but prove the rule." (Lectures to My Students, Chapter 1, page 7)

Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome

"Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome" by R. Kent and Barbara Hughes.

What the world calls success is not necessarily what God calls success.  How then do we evaluate and know what success in the ministry looks like?  I believe this book presents a succinct view of Biblical success.  Obviously, the writers (R. Kent Hughes, and his wife Barbara) are not independent fundamental Baptists, but the content of their writing is Biblical, and therein lies the strength and power of this book.  It is a compilation of what they have learned through their personal experience and study of the Scriptures.  We would do well in ministry to consider what they have learned about true Biblical success as it relates to ministry work.

Contents:

Introduction

Part 1 "A Dark Night of the Soul"
1.  Disappointed Dreams
2.  "Hang On to My Faith"

Part 2 "Definitions"
3.  Success is Faithfulness
4.  Success is Serving
5.  Success is Loving
6.  Success is Believing
7.  Success is Prayer
8.  Success is Holiness
9.  Success is Attitude
10.  Sweet Success!

Part 3 "Encouragements"
11.  Encouragement from God
12.  Encouragement from the Call
13.  Encouragement from the Ordinary
14.  Encouragement from Fellow Workers
15.  Encouragement from Reward

Part 4 "Helps"
16.  How the Pastor's Wife Can Help
17.  How the Congregation Can Help

Conclusion
Notes

Also, this book has lots of really good and enchanting illustrations and mini-stories.  204 pages of good reading here.

Published by Crossway Books, Wheaton, IL.
ISBN-13: 978-1-58134-974-0
ISBN-10: 1-58134-974-2
Here is a link to Amazon.com which has a limited "look inside" this book.

The Duties of Parents

"The Duties of Parents" by J.C. Ryle

Here is a relatively short book (38 pages) but loaded with wonderful insights about the ever more important topic of parenting.  I came across this book since I downloaded it free through my cell phone's e-reader (I am using an Android phone, and the app e-reader is called Aldiko, and this book came free).  Kindle users can download it for about $2.50.  I haven't checked out Google books to see if one can access this book without having to spend money.  This book is excellent and practical.  Very easy to read (at least I think for a Ryle book), you will not be disappointed.

Basic information for those interested in obtaining a hard copy of the book:

Publisher:	Triangle Press
Pub. Date:	Dec 1, 1993
Binding:	Paperback
Pages:	38
ISBN:	1583391703
ISBN-13:	9781583391709

Liberty and Tyranny

"Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto" by Mark R. Levin

Mark Levin writes a series of essays highlighting the conservative thought over against the "statist" (as he calls the liberals) agenda for our times. He calls his readers back to the Constitution, and principles of liberty that shaped our great nation. This is a must read for every freedom loving American regardless of their political party.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments

Chapter 1: On Liberty and Tyranny
Chapter 2: On Prudence and Progress
Chapter 3: On Faith and Founding
Chapter 4: On the Constitution
Chapter 5: On Federalism
Chapter 6: On the Free Market
Chapter 7: On the Welfare State
Chapter 8: On Enviro-Statism
Chapter 9: On Immigration
Chapter 10: On Self-Preservation

Epilogue: A Conservative Manifesto

Notes

245 pages of good stuff, hardcover, (C) 2009.
Published by: Threshold Editions
ISBN 10: 1-4165-6285-0

Thou Shalt Keep Them

"Thou Shalt Keep Them: A Biblical Theology of the Perfect Preservation of Scripture" Edited by Pastor Kent Brandenburg, and published by Pillar and Ground Publishing, 4905 Appian Way, El Sobrante, California.

This book is a Biblical theology of the doctrine of the Preservation of Scripture. The issue of the English Bible controversy is usually discussed with a mere handful of Bible verses and a lot more "scholastic" input from men. This book soundly delineates Scriptural reasons for holding to the Masoretic (O.T.) and Received (N.T.) text representing the King James Version from a perspective of faith. It is a true gem of a book because each writer exposits actual Bible verses that bear upon the God's promise to preserve His words. Another strength is that this book is essentially the work of a group of pastors or men who have served or is serving as pastoral staff. While many in the world today look to scholars (especially Bible critics) for answers, God's man is neglected or religated to the Sunday service as a mere homiletical cheerleader. But these men are not so, they truly are powerful theological heralds of the gospel. They love the Lord, His word and His people. They challenge "would be fundamentalists," established Bible critics, conservative Evangelicals, and even neo-Orthodox teachers to examine what the Bible actually says about it's own inspiration, preservation, and canonization. This book is one of the finest books in defense of the KJV/TR/MT position, while avoiding the errors of Ruckman and Riplinger.

Contents:
Acknowledgments
Contents
Definitions and Abbreviations
Hebrew/Greek Transliteration Key
Preface
Introduction

SECTION ONE: Passages on Divine Preservation
Chapter 1 - The Permanent Preservation of God's Words, Ps. 12:6,7 (Dr. Tom Strouse)
Chapter 2 - Every Word, Matthew 4:4 (Strouse)
Chapter 3 - Not One Jot or One Tittle, Matt. 5:17,18 (Pastor Gary Webb)
Chapter 4 - The Lord Jesus Christ and the Received Bible, Jn. 17:8 (Strouse)
Chapter 5 - My Words Shall Not Pass Away, Matt. 24:35 (Pastor Kent Brandenburg)
Chapter 6 - Inspiration Implies Preservation (Pastor Charles Nichols)
Chapter 7 - God's Promise of Preservation as Seen in 1 Peter 1:23-25 (Dr. Gary La More)
Chapter 8 - The Perfect Passive: "It is Written" (Pastor David Sutton)

SECTION TWO: Passages on Availability
Chapter 9 - It Is Not Hidden, Neither Is It Afar Off, Deut. 30:11-14 (Brandenburg)
Chapter 10 - Be Mindful of the Words, 2 Peter 3:2 and Jude 17 (La More)

SECTION THREE: God's Method of Preservation
Chapter 11 - Israel, the Means of Preservation in the Old Testament: Natsar and Shamar (Brandenburg)
Chapter 12 - Ekklasia: The Congregation of the Lord in the New Testament Tareo (Strouse)
Chapter 13 - The Church's Part in Biblical Preservation, 1 Tim. 3:15 (Nichols)
Chapter 14 - Stewards of the Mysteries of God, 1 Cor. 4:1,2 (La More)

SECTION FOUR: Passages on the Reality of Textual Attack
Chapter 15 - First Century Textual Attack, 2 Pet. 3:15-17 and 2 Thess. 2:2 (Brandenburg)

SECTION FIVE: The Standard of Perfection: Several Passages as Examples of Doctrines Changed and/or Perverted by Textual Alterations
Chapter 16 - Pure Words of God: Passages Which Manifest the Standard of Perfect Purity for the Bible (Dr. Tom Corkish)
Chapter 17 - Old Testament Passages as Examples of Doctrines Changed by Textual Alterations (Corkish)
Chapter 18 - New Testament Passages as Examples of Doctrines Changed by Textual Alterations (Webb and Sutton)

SECTION SIX: Other Pertinent Exegesis for Every Word Preservation
Chapter 19 - Test of Canonicity as Applied to Words (Brandenburg)

SECTION SEVEN: The Doctrine of Preservation As It Relates to the Doctrine of Separation
Chapter 20 - Separation over the Veritable Words of God: 1 and 2 Tim. with special attention given to 2 Tim. 2:11-26 (Corkish)
Chapter 21 - Who is a Heretic over the Preservation of Scripture? (Brandenburg)

ADDENDA
Addendum A - God's Providential Preservation of Scriptures (La More)
Addendum B - The Translation Model Predicted by Scripture (Strouse)
Addendum C - The Superiority of the Fideistic Approach to Preservation of Scripture (Brandenburg)

SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
Critical Text
Books
Articles
Majority Text
Books
Articles
Textus Receptus
Books
Articles
Commentaries, Grammars, and Other Resources

Scripture and Topical Index (sweet!)
Biography of Authors

315 pages of good stuff, soft cover, (c) 2003.

You may contact Pillar and Ground Publishing (510) 223-8721 or http://www.pillarandground.org/ or you can click on this link to place an order: http://kentbrandenburg.blogspot.com/2008/04/you.html

Explore The Book

J. Sidlow Baxter provides an amazing survey of the entire Bible in this magnificent volume. I don't agree with his assessment regarding the Revised Standard Version, and Bible text position, but there is just so much more to this book than text criticism. This book is a bird's eye view to the Bible that will challenge you to think devotionally. This is a must have for every student of the Word of God.

1750 pages of good stuff, hardback cover, published by Zondervan.

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible and Christianity

This is one rare book - not because of its scarcity, since anyone can secure their own copy, but rather in kind. Dr. Cloud has done numerous research (25 years worth of research) and diligent studies to put together a compendium of topics coming from an independent fundamentalist Baptist perspective. The picture is the 4th edition (green), and now Dr. Cloud has a 5th edition (brown) that is worth its cost. Over 6,000 entries and 7,000 Bible references. I would heartily recommend Cloud's work. This is 648 pages of good stuff. Hardcover (8.5 x 11). You can order or read more about his encyclopedia here.