Andy Naselli

Thoughts on Theology

Greek for Life: Strategies for Learning, Retaining, and Using New Testament Greek in Ministry

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This book releases today:

Robert L. Plummer and Benjamin L. Merkle. Greek for Life: Strategies for Learning, Retaining, and Using New Testament Greek in Ministry. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2017.

Here’s what I say about it in How to Understand and Apply the New Testament:

[It is a] motivating and practical help if you are learning Greek for the first time or relearning it decades later.

Some excerpts: [Read more…] about Greek for Life: Strategies for Learning, Retaining, and Using New Testament Greek in Ministry

Special Discount on the Books “How to Understand and Apply the Old/New Testament”

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P&R Publishing recently released these two books:

P&R Publishing has partnered with Bethlehem College & Seminary to offer a special discount: for a limited time (until August 4), my school’s bookstore is selling these books at 30% off for one or 40% off for both, and all orders contribute proceeds to my school ($11.20 when buying one book and $19.20 when buying both). Details here.

Complete in Him: A Guide to Understanding and Enjoying the Gospel (2nd ed.)

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The second edition of this book recently released:

Michael P. V. Barrett. Complete in Him: A Guide to Understanding and Enjoying the Gospel. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage, 2017.

My endorsement:

Barrett correlates what the whole Bible teaches about the gospel in a way that is organized, clear, faithful, and edifying. As he says over and over, right thinking about the gospel produces right living in the gospel. The better you understand the gospel, the better you can enjoy it.

The Vanishing American Adult

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I enjoyed reading this new book last week by my favorite United States Senator:

Ben Sasse. The Vanishing American Adult: Our Coming-of-Age Crisis—and How to Rebuild a Culture of Self-Reliance. New York: St. Martin’s, 2017.

It’s unusual for a U.S. Senator to write a book like this. It’s not politically partisan. It’s more like a philosophical and practical book on parenting.

Sasse convincingly argues that kids should read great books and work hard and that parents should strategically introduce their children to different world cultures so that they better understand their own.

To get a better idea of what his book is about, check out these resources:

1. Collin Hansen, TGC review

See also Ben Sasse’s talk at TGC’s 2017 national conference—“What Does Washington Have to Do with Jerusalem?”—followed by Collin Hansen’s interview. [Read more…] about The Vanishing American Adult

40 Questions about Church Membership and Church Discipline

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This book releases this week:

Jeremy M. Kimble. 40 Questions about Church Membership and Church Discipline. 40 Questions. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2017.

My endorsement:

This handbook concisely explains the why and how of church membership and church discipline. Jeremy Kimble, who serves as a pastor and who wrote his PhD dissertation on church discipline, is a faithful guide.

I read this book twice—first last summer as a prepublication draft and then last month as the final version. I mostly agree with how Jeremy answers the 40 questions, and on a few minor issues where I might differ a bit (e.g., age of baptism), I appreciate his calm, generous tone.

The book’s most impressive endorsement comes from Jonathan Leeman, editorial director of 9Marks and an expert on ecclesiology:

Every pastor needs this resource, which is sound exegetically, theologically, and pastorally. The 40-question format makes it so readable and easy to use. I’ve written a few things on church membership and discipline, yet still found myself learning throughout. An excellent work.

Doug Wilson’s New Novel: Flags Out Front

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This book released last week:

Douglas Wilson. Flags Out Front: A Contrarian’s Daydream. Moscow, ID: Canon, 2016.

Why does reading Doug Wilson sometimes feels like a guilty pleasure? Well, I read his new novel last Saturday, and it was a jolly read.

I enjoyed it more than his last one—which I enjoyed. (See my review of Evangellyfish.)

I don’t want to give away the plot. Let’s just say it’s a clever story about religion and politics.

Here are twenty lines that made me smile: [Read more…] about Doug Wilson’s New Novel: Flags Out Front