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.

Is Rome the True Church? A Consideration of the Roman Catholic Claim

Dr. Norman Geisler is one of my favorite writers because he writes with great clarity. I was expecting a little more than what was presented in this book, but this book is informative and concise nonetheless.

Allow me to say, that I do not think that Geisler and Betancourt are seperated enough on this issue of Roman Catholicism and Evangelicalism, and I would warn you not to think that the differences between the two religious system to be merely preferential, or superficial. Indeed there is a great gulf fixed between the two, that is the differences are doctrinal. Also I reject Geisler's idea of the body of Christ being the universal church (which is inevitably the ecclisiology of Protestants) thus creating a church within the church.

The strengths of this book lies in the historical and doctrinal refutation of a few albeit major claims of the Roman Catholic church: Papal Infallibility and Peter's primacy. Very interesting read.

Introduction

Chapter 1: The Roman Claim to Be the True Church

Chapter 2: The Historical Development of the Roman Primacy Structure

Chapter 3: The Roman Argument for the Primacy of Peter: Stated and Evaluated

Chapter 4: The Roman Argument for the Infallibility of Peter: Stated

Chapter 5: The Roman Argument for the Infallibility of Peter: Evaluated

Chapter 6: The Roman Argument for Apostolic Succession

Chapter 7: Is Rome the True Church?

Chapter 8: Why Some Protestants Convert to Rome

Appendix 1: Irenaeus on the Alleged Authority of the Church

Appendix 2: A Chronological List of Popes and Antipopes

Appendix 3: The Relation of Tradition to Scripture

Appendix 4: Sola Scriptura

Appendix 5: Iranaeus on Scripture and Tradition

Scripture Index

Published by: Crossway Books (C) 2008; 235 pages soft cover; ISBN-10: 1-4335-0231-3

UPDATE: My 2008 Christmas book wish list

Ahh, yes. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I now have two of the books that I wished for...The Effective Executive and Criswell's Guidebook. Once again, thank you!

My 2008 Christmas book wish list

My wife keeps asking me what do I want for Christmas. I would say, get me a book. And of course I would get the annual response: "c'mon, that's not really fun." I understand where she and all my friends and family alike are coming from. At the outset, it may seem dull, and a hackneyed response to say I want a book. BUT that is what I really want. In fact, I don't want just one, I want lots. So here is my "2008 Christmas book(s) wish list:" So if, Santa Clause is out there....please read this, and send it to my home in Red Lion.

“Dictionary of Latin & Greek Theological Terms” by Richard A. Muller (Baker Books) [$20.00]

“Baptist Confessions of Faith” by William Lumpkin (Judson Press) [$15.00]*

“The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done”
by Peter F. Drucker (Collins) [$12.00]

“Criswell’s Guidebook for Pastors” by W.A. Criswell (Baptist Sunday School Board) [used- $10.00]

“The Pastor: His Life and Work” by Charles U. Wagner (RBP) [used - $11.00]

“How Long O Lord?: Reflections on Suffering and Evil” by D.A. Carson (Baker) [$15.00]

“Preaching Words: 144 Key Terms in Homiletics” by John S. McClure (Westminster Knox Press) [$20.00]

(*) Indicates which one I really, really, really would like to have.

This is a small and easy read, but a valuable book on a topic that is not readily addressed.

Crescendos and Diminuendos - Meditations for Musicians and Music Lovers

I saw this book while I was browsing a Christian bookstore. They had a shelf dedicated to Church Music. This was tucked away in the back since the store double shelved the books to save space.

Anyway, this book is authored by Jack Coleman (1920-1985) who taught music on all levels, and served as music supervisor for the Santa Ana Unified School District, and a coordinator of music for Orange County Superintendent of Schools in Southern California. He worked as an educational director for Walt Disney Music Company.

This book takes those Italian accent markings and succinctly defines them and then he makes some really neat spiritual applications to the Christian life. He also includes relevant Bible passages. Just as a note he uses other translations than the KJV.

It is softcover, 117 pages of good stuff, published by Baker Books. ISBN 10: 0-8010-6836-3

Things I Have Learned: Chapel Talks

This book is a collection of sayings and lessons taught and preached by the late and great Dr. Bob Jones Sr. This book is loaded with Dr. Jones' philosophy of life and various other lessons that he used to teach Bible students back in the days at the university. If you like to highlight books as you read them, you'll end up highlighting many of this book's pages. Paperback, with 224 pages of good stuff.

Dr. John R. Rice

Dr. Rice was an itinerant evangelist and founder of the Sword of the Lord, a Christian newspaper, and publishing company, among many other things. I do not endorse everything Dr. Rice taught, but so much of what he taught really captivates my heart and stirs me up to be a better Christian. From the time I first read his books I always knew that Dr. Rice was a special man. These are some of his books and booklets that I would recommend to you. Read on!



This book is a classic on prayer. It is called "Prayer, Asking and Receiving." It is somewhat redundant, but you will not be board with it. Replete with Bible verses that teaches on the importance of prayer and the sin of prayerlessness, etc. I have loaned this book out to one of our new converts, so when I get it back, I will list out the outlines and chapters of this book.



This is a great little booklet on the subject of Baptism. Dr. Rice explains with great simplicity the meaning and importance of baptism and refutes the idea of pardon through baptism or what theologians call "Baptismal Regeneration."







This is a soft cover pamphlet on the topic of Hell. Many people are denying the most basic Bible truth of eternal retribution. This is a classic by Dr. Rice.




This booklet has some amazing observations. Lots of things about the Millennial reign of Christ, which I don't read a lot about, but absolutely intriguing.

Christian Workers' Commentary on the Whole Bible

"Christian Workers' Commentary on the Whole Bible" by Dr. James M. Gray. I bought a copy from a used book sale. I picked it up for $1.00 and it is absolutely worth more than that. I have used it thus far in studying the Bible, and I can say that it has really been a blessing to have such a succinct book like this to refer to. The edition I have is published by "Spire Books" (c)1971. I checked out Amazon and they are selling a nicer version of what I have. Nicer cover, I am sure nicer binding because it is brand new (of course you do know they also have used edition of Dr. Gray's work). 592 pages and soft cover.

Charen's dynamic duo...

"Useful Idiots" subtitle: "How Liberals Got It Wrong in the Cold War and Still Blame America First." This book is an eye opener. Somewhat made me upset at the way some people take for granted the freedoms others fought for, and bashing our country. Mona Charen pulls from a lot of sources to put together this book, what a tremendous book. I like the way she writes, and the vocabulary words are scattered around so it does not necessarily make her work 'esoteric' but highly challenging and engaging. Anyone who reads this book is going to get an education and a half about the truth concerning America and Western Civilization's victory of Communism and why none dare call it victory.

The second book is similar although it is on the domestic side of things. "Do-Gooders" "How Liberals Hurt Those They Claim to Help." Talk about an eye-opener, every page of this book sheds tremendous light on why the liberal agenda is really self-defeating. No excuse zone - just plain facts. She, again, pulls from many sources, and stats to prove her point. And what can I say, you can't argue against the facts and expect to win. (P.S. - I am currently reading this book, and I really like the way Mrs. Charen writes, what an accomplished writer!)

Useful Idiots (c) 2003-2004 Perennial (Harper-Collins) - The Hardback edition is published by Regnery Publishing (c) 2003

Introduction: None Dare Call It Victory

Chapter 1: The Brief Interlude of Unanimity on Communism

Chapter 2: The Consensus Unravels

Chapter 3: The Bloodbath

Chapter 4: The Mother of All Communists: American Liberals and Soviet Russia

Chapter 5: Fear and Trembling

Chapter 6: Each New Communist is Different

Chapter 7: Post-Communist Blues

Epilouge
Notes

Acknowledgments

Index

"Do-Gooders" (c) 2004 Published by SENTINEL Penguin Group

Acknowledgments

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1: Judge Not - How Liberalism Created the Crime Wave

Chapter 2: Stoking Fear and Hatred In the Name of Racial Sensitivity

Chapter 3: The Promise of Compassion; The Reality of Degredation through Welfare

Chapter 4: Rewarding the Worst Families and Discouraging the Best

Chapter 5: The "Grate" Society - How Liberalism Created Homelessness

Chapter 6: The Liberal War on Rigor and Patriotism in America's Classrooms

Notes

Partial Bibliography

Index

Mona Charen has a weekly column that is worth reading at Townhall.com

Sound Music or Sounding Brass

"Sound Music or Sounding Brass" subtitle: "The Issue of Biblically Godly Music" by Pastor Kent Brandenburg. This is an excellent book on the topic of music that I believe would be a blessing and a help for students of the Word to consider reading to get a good dose of Bible teaching on music. Certainly one of the finest books on music available in the ever so small world of Independent Baptist books.

Preface
Introduction

Chapter 1 - Why Biblically Godly music is so controversial?
Chapter 2 - The Direction of Biblically Godly music - excellent point! a great reminder.
Chapter 3 - The Content of Biblically Godly music
Chapter 4 - The Purpose of Biblically Godly music - a very important chapter.
Chapter 5 - The Acts of Worshipping
Chapter 6 - Principles for Discerning Godly music
Chapter 7 - The Singers and Players of Biblically Godly music
Chapter 8 - Dealing with the Arguments Against Biblicalle Godly music
Chapter 9 - The Philosophical Basis For Not Having or Using Biblically Godly music
Chapter 10 - The Relationship Between Popular Culture and Biblically Godly music
Chapter 11 - Some Dangers with not Using, Singing, or Playing Biblically Godly music
Chapter 12 - The Benefits of Using, Singing, or Playing Biblically Godly music
Chapter 13 - Applications for Biblically Godly music
Chapter 14 - Separation and Biblically Godly music
Chapter 15 - Dress or Appearance as it Relates to Biblically Godly music
Chapter 16 - Warnings Concerning Biblically Godly music
Chapter 17 - Standards in the Church for Biblically Godly music
Chapter 18 - A Succint Summary of Biblically Godly music

Scriptural and Topical Index
Bibliography

The Dr. did a great job compiling and expounding on many Scriptures as well as providing to his readers many princinples derived from the Bible and not to mention the book also provides sections of practical ideas for musicians and pastors. 253 pages of good reading. ISBN:0-7388-5254-6; Published by Xlibris Corporation (2001). I do hope there will be other editions in the near future.

Thank you Pastor B, a book of this magnitude must have taken great time to get it into our hands.

I Will Build My Church

"I Will Build My Church" by Dr. Thomas Strouse subtitled: "The Doctrine and History of Baptists" is an excellent summary of the various doctrinal distinctions the Baptists have held to since the start of the New Testament church. Dr. Strouse has written other books, however this one seems to me an easier read in comparison to his other works. Not only did he do a great job summarizing doctrinal 'essentials' that have been abandoned in the name of "Fundamentalism", but he also summarizes movements that are characteristically Baptists and therefore provides his readers with the historical heritage of Christ's churches. 201 pages, softcover, and loaded with great bibliographical information for further study. Dr. Strouse has certainly demonstrated in this book the truth of Christ's words regarding His church: "and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Table of Contents:

Introductory Essay

I. My Church in Matthew
II. My Church in Acts and the Epistles
III. My Church in the Ante-Nicene Era
IV. My Church in the Medieval Era
V. My Church in the Reformation Era
VI. My Church in the Modern Era

Appendices

I. The 19th Century Baptists, Bible Translations and Bible Societies
II. The Soma Christou
III. The Life and Teaching of Micheal Sattler

Bibliography

Index