Repent and Believe by Thomas Brooks

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Repent and Believe
Thomas Brooks
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Reviewer: 
Joseph J. Adrian

This "Pocket Puritan" book, first published in 2008, is taken from Thomas Brooks' larger work "Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices." Precious Remedies is not only one of the great Puritan works on spiritual warfare but is also on a very short list of the greatest books published on that subject. The method Brooks employs is to give the device that Satan uses to deceive people; he then gives various ways to combat that deception. Concerning repentance, the Prince of Darkness wants to convince us, ". . .

The Danger Of Falling Into The Hands Of The Living God by Matthew Mead

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The Danger Of Falling Into The Hands Of The Living God
Matthew Mead
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Reviewer: 
Joseph J. Adrian

I have been reading the works of the Puritans since the late 1980s. My initial introduction to their writings was from quotes by C.H. Surgeon and A.W. Pink. My only familiarity with Matthew Mead was when Soli Deo Gloria reprinted "The Almost Christian Discovered" in the early 1990's. Since then, Soli Deo Gloria and Puritan Publications have brought back into print several other works by Matthew Mead. I guess one could say that as in most things, there are levels of impact. In my judgment, Matthew Mead is in the front rank of Puritan Experimental Preachers.

The Christian's Desire To See God Face To Face by Richard Sibbes

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The Christian's Desire To See God Face To Face
Richard Sibbes
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Reviewer: 
Joseph J. Adrian

Many books can be read once and that is sufficient considering the value of the book. C. Matthew McMahon, in his introduction to this work, recommends that it ". . . should not be read once, it is one to study, reread and continue to soak in." I wholeheartedly agree with him and, in fact I have been doing just that. What we desire especially, this our chief desire reveals much about us. Sibbes in looking at Psalm 27:4 expounds the Psalmist's great desire "To live in the Church of God, to enjoy the ordinances of God . . ." to this end, "I shall have nearer communion with God here . .

What is Faith? by R.C. Sproul

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What is Faith?
R.C. Sproul
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Reviewer: 
Joseph J. Adrian

What is the nature of faith? Enoch walked with God. Noah was a just man. They both had faith and the nature of that faith was that ". . . they desired to please God." Why was Enoch taken and did not see death? "Enoch was translated [by passing physical death] . . . because . . . he pleased God." Hebrews 11:6 declares that ". . . without faith it is impossible to please him." Those who have faith strive to live——in every aspect of their lives——in a way that pleases God. What was the evidence of Noah's faith?

Stop Loving the World by William Greenhill

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Stop Loving the World
William Greenhill
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Reviewer: 
Joseph J. Adrian

1 John 2:15 gives a prohibition to those who love God not to love the World. Are Christians often tempted to an inordinate love to the World? Absolutely! The three great adversaries of believers are the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. Fallen man has a natural disposition to love this world. The remnants of this abide with believers, throughout this life, but the grace of God enables "Lover's of God" to overcome this enemy of their souls. Why is this prohibition given? Is it possible for believers to love God and the world? It is not!

The Thought of God by Maurice Roberts

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The Thought Of God
Maurice Roberts
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Reviewer: 
Joseph J. Adrian

I've had the privilege of sitting under the preaching of Maurice Roberts on several occasions in the early to mid-1990s. He is one of the most gifted preachers I've ever heard in person. He was the Editor of The Banner Of Truth magazine from the late 1980s through the early 2000s. His lead articles in those years are especially helpful in discerning some of the weaknesses of Christianity in our generation.

How Can I Be Right With God by R.C. Sproul

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How Can I Be Right With God
R.C. Sproul
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Reviewer: 
Joseph J. Adrian

The Christian Faith has some teachings that are indispensable for one to be considered "A Christian Biblically." One of the most important questions that anyone can wrestle with is, "How can I, a sinful unholy creature, be reconciled to my Maker, who is a Thrice Holy God?" A correct understanding (that is to say, an accurate Biblical comprehension) of Justification by Faith Alone is (as Sproul puts it), "no mere academic issue". It is a matter of life and death, a matter of eternal life and eternal death.

The Holiness Of God by R.C. Sproul

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The Holiness Of God
R.C. Sproul
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Reviewer: 
Joseph J. Adrian

An area in which R.C. Sproul was uniquely gifted can be seen in the first book he wrote (it should be considered a classic in Christian literature)—The Holiness of God. His ability to seamlessly integrate Theology, Philosophy, and Church History is on display throughout the book. In thinking about Creation, he begins to expose the utter folly of an Atheistic view of Creation-"There are modern theorists who believe that the world was created by nothing." If there is no God, then there is no Creator, then how did the world come into being? The Christian believes in the miraculous.

The Life Of Faith by A.W. Pink

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The Life Of Faith
A.W. Pink
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Reviewer: 
Joseph J. Adrian

The first chapter, "The Design of the Atonement," which originally appeared in "Studies in the Scriptures" and later as a book (Pink's extraordinary work on the atoning work of Christ—"The Satisfaction of Christ"), I don't believe was titled by Pink himself, as it was first published in book form in 1955, three years after Pink's death.

An Alarm to the Unconverted

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An Alarm to the Unconverted
Joseph Alleine
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Reviewer: 
Joseph J. Adrian

There is a great change that takes place when anyone is converted. Before conversion, a conscious awareness of God is not present in their mindset, but the new creature in Christ Jesus alters "The bias of the will"——"Now the man has new ends and designs. He now intends God above all, and desires and designs . . . that Christ may be magnified, in him." What brings happiness to an individual? Before being reconciled to his Maker, a man's all in all is to please himself.

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