« CVBBS: Expert Book Advice
02/26/2010
(I am looking for materials on...) how to give biblical values to small children of 6-12 and what are the teaching materials?
Albert,
Thank you for your question. If you look back at my answer to a very similar question on February 5th, I believe you will find the answer for your question.
If that is not enough, please let me know.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 10:24:00 PM :: permalink
02/16/2010
What books would you recommend for a church ladies book club? We would like a variety.
Lisa,
Thank you for your question. Here a good list to start with.
Elizabeth Prentiss, STEPPING HEAVENWARD; Solid Ground Christian
Books
Nancy Leigh DeMoss, LIES WOMEN BELIEVE (And the Truth That Sets
Them Free); Moody Press
Nancy Leigh DeMoss, LIES YOUNG WOMEN BELIEVE (And the Truth That
Set Them Free); Moody Press
Jerry Bridges, TRUSTING GOD (Even When Life Hurts); NavPress
Jerry Bridges, THE BOOKENDS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE; NavPress
Sinclair Ferguson, DISCOVERING GOD'S WILL; Banner of Truth
Sinclair Ferguson, A HEART FOR GOD; Banner of Truth
Sinclair Ferguson, FAITHFUL GOD: AN EXPOSITION OF RUTH; Brynterion
Press
Paul Tripp, WAR OF WORDS; P & R
Peter Jeffrey, BITE-SIZED THEOLOGY; Evangelical Press
Peter Jeffrey, ALL THINGS NEW; Solid Ground Christian Books
Peter Jeffrey, WALK WORTHY; Solid Ground Christian Books
Peter Jeffrey, STAND FIRM; Solid Ground Christian Books
Peter Jeffrey, FROM RELIGION TO CHRIST; Calvary Press
John Blanchard, WHERE IS GOD WHEN THINGS GO WRONG ?:
Evangelical Press
John Blanchard, ULTIMATE QUESTIONS; Evangelical Press
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, WHAT IS AN EVANGELICAL ?; Banner of Truth
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, GREAT DOCTRINES OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE;
Crossway
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, SPIRITUAL DEPRESSION; Eerdmans
Cesar Malan, THE CROSS: WHERE ALL ROADS MEET; Evangelical Press
Douglas Kelly, IF GOD ALREADY KNOWS, WHY PRAY ?; P & R
Tedd Tripp, SHEPHERDING A CHILD'S HEART; Shepherd Press
Paul David Tripp, AGE OF OPPORTUNITY (Teenagers); P & R
R. C. Sproul, THE HOLINESS OF GOD; Tyndale
R. C. Sproul, SURPRISED BY SUFFERING; Reformation Trust
R. C. Sproul, THE INTIMATE MARRIAGE; Tyndale
Wayne Mack, STRENGTHENING YOUR MARRIAGE; P & R
Martha Peace, THE EXCELLENT WIFE; Focus Christian Publishing
Mark Chanski, WOMANLY DOMINION; Calvary Press
S. M. Houghton, SKETCHES FROM CHURCH HISTORY; Banner of Truth
James Packer, KNOWING GOD; IVP
John Bunyan, PILGRIM'S PROGRESS; Banner of Truth
Sharon James, MY HEART IN HIS HANDS; Evangelical Press
Charles Spurgeon, ALL OF GRACE; various edtions
Charles Spurgeon, MORNING AND EVENING (edited by Alistair Begg);
Crossway
Charles Spurgeon, FAITH'S CHECKBOOK; Christian Focus
A. M. Stibbs, SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES; IVP
Peter Jeffrey, CHRISTIAN HANDBOOK; Brynterion Press
BOOKLETS:
Sinclair Ferguson, READ ANY GOOD BOOKS?; Banner of Truth
Sinclair Ferguson, HEALTHY CHRISTIAN GROWTH; Banner of Truth
John J. Murray, BEHIND A FROWNING PROVIDENCE; Banner of Truth
Graham Miller, CHRISTIANS GRIEVE TOO; Banner of Truth
Andrew Swanson, WHO SHOULD I MARRY?; Banner of Truth
Rob Spinney, LOOKING FOR GOD IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES; Tulip
Rob Spinney, DRESSED TO KILL?; Tulip Books
Rob Spinney, SURVIVING YOUR PASTOR'S SERMONS; Tulip Books
This should get you started.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 04:55:00 PM :: permalink
Pastor Steve, Is there a Bible cross reference tool that gives all the places where that text is quoted? The reverse of the usual foot note linking the quote to its source. Thanks, Rebecca
Rebecca,
Thank you for your good question. I recommend THE TREASURY OF SCRIPTURE KNOWLEDGE. Originally the product of Thomas Scott (whose commentary on the whole Bible is # 2 in church history behind Matthew Henry's Commentary on the whole Bible). Later John Brown, the Scottish commentator added his own references. All told, this reference tool has some 500,000 BIble references and cross references whereas a typical Study Bible might have 50,000 cross references.
I hope this helps.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 07:37:00 AM :: permalink
02/10/2010
We are looking for some good materials to use in teaching the Childrens Catechism (to 3-5 year olds) and the Baptist Version of the Shorter Catechism (to 6-12 year olds) in our Sunday School classes. We have Big Truths for Little Kids by Susan Hunt. Anything else you would suggest? Thanks! Megan
Megan,
Thank you for your question. Let me research it more and try to answer it in more depth over the next few days.
All that I have been able to find is the following:
CHILDREN'S CATECHISM MATERIAL--none
SHORTER CATECHISM (BAPTIST VERSION)
Sinclair Ferguson, BIG BOOK OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS;
Christian Focus (Presbyterian)
Sorry, that is all I know about.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 02:43:00 PM :: permalink
02/05/2010
Hi! I am looking for a book/books that I can use to teach my 7 & 8 year old boys (and possibly friends-girls too) about character/social skills biblical based. I liked "A Child's Book of Character Building, Book 1" By: Ron Coriell, Rebekah Coriell-but I can't get book 2. What about the Faithbuilder series for kids? I want them to learn some values and morals that I can correlate with the bible and they can read on their own as well as we read together. I have parenting books, but I want books I can get on their level. Thanks so much!
Cindy,
Thank you for your good question. Books for children can be good or bad, shallow or deep, clear or foggy. The following books are good, appropriate and biblically faithful.
Sinclair Ferguson, JESUS TEACHES ME TO BE GOOD; Christian Focus
, JESUS TEACHES ME TO BE HAPPY, Christian Focus
, JESUS TEACHES ME TO BE WISE; Christian Focus
, JESUS TEACHE ME TO PRAY; Christian Focus
Sinclair Feruson, THE BIG BOOK OF BIBLE TRUTHS, Part 2; Christian
Focus (including how we behave as Christians)
James Beeke, BIBLE DOCTRINE FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN, Part 1;
Reformation Heritage
James Beeke, BIBLE DOCTRINE FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN, Part 2;
Reformation Heritage
(These books include what we are to believe and how we are to
behave)
Carinne McKensie, MY FIRST BOOK OF CHRISTIAN VALUES; Christian
Focus--perhaps the best place to start.
A WORD OF REMINDER FOR PARENTS READING THIS QUESTION:
In the Bible, Christian behavior comes out of Christians. One must be a true Christian before one can expect the fruit of the Spirit to be shown.
For Christian parents, there is consistently a danger in expecting our children to act like Christians when they are not yet Christians. We subtly begin to engage in behavior modification rather than foster and teach heart religion and growth in grace. Teaching the Ten Commandments to our children shows them God's inviolable standards that are an extension of His holy character. When our children try to do them and fail and complain: "I can't be that way!", that becomes our cue to give them the gospel--"Reginald, that's why you need Jesus to be your Savior. He gives you a new heart (to replace your bad heart) and He gives you a new, clean record in place of the filthy record of your failures to obey". We thus apply the Law and the Gospel with our children just as a faithful pastor or evangelist applies the Law and the Gospel to their hearers. As a pastor I would never tell a crowd: "Many of you are not believers and so can't and don't do that things God commands. But God will accept a lowered standard of behavior modification because of your yet unconverted state. You don't have to love your neighbor as yourself or love your enemy; just don't kill them or say ugly things to them." Certainly, I would not be a faithful preacher to say those things. I must tell my unconverted hearers: "God commands that you obey Him and His Word 100%. And try as you might, your temporary self-reformation will not cut it. You need a clean record in place of your life record of law-breaking; you need a new heart that genuinely wants to obey God and His Word. [2nd Corinthians 5:21; Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 3:1-10, etc.] Turn from your sins and turn to Jesus now and He will give you a clean record and He will give you a new heart."
To read more on applying the Law and Gospel to our children's hearts, Tedd Tripp's book, SHEPHERDING A CHILD'S HEART is very good at explaining this to parents and applying it to our children. It is a best
seller.
Thank you for letting me digress a bit. The Lord bless your efforts.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 11:40:00 AM :: permalink
02/03/2010
Does CVBBS plan to carry the new series on Jonathan Edwards published by Moody?
Rob,
Yes they do. I suggest you call their 800 number and order it by phone. If it should be temporarily out of stock, they could order it for you and have it in days.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 10:31:00 AM :: permalink
01/29/2010
Can you shed some insight on the different versions of The Christian in Complete Armor by Wm. Gurnall that CVBBS carries? Are the paperbacks edited or revised in any way? Do you have a preferred version? Thanks for any help you can give.
Rob,
Thank you for your discerning question. The Banner of Truth hardback edition of Gurnall's classic on spiritual warfare is the complete edition. It is in 17th century English which is daunting for some (e.g. King James version of the Bible English). The 3 volume paperback edition was commissioned by Last Days Ministries (made famous by the Christian singer/song writer Keith Green and his wife Melody). A couple of members of Last Days Ministries worked on the editing, updating the language, shortening sentences, paragraphs, etc. It is much easier for the average reader to read. Finally, Moody Press has a CHRISTIAN IN COMPLETE ARMOR DEVOTIONAL book which has readings for every day of the year from the book.
I recommend that you buy the 3 volume paperback edition.
I hope that helps you in making a decision.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 09:52:00 AM :: permalink
01/26/2010
Dear Pastor Martin, Thank you for for helpful recommendations in the past. Sometimes it is quite perplexing to know where to turn for the proper book, your recommendation have always help narrow the possibilities down. I was wondering if there was any book that expounds the "upper room' discourse, (John 13 to 17) other than a commentary on John? Thanks Dan
Dan,
Thank you for your kind encouragement. There are very good helps on John's "Upper Room Discourse". I recommend the following:
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION (John 17);
Crossway--highly recommended though Lloyd-Jones only covers
chapter 17.
Charles Ross, THE INNER SANCTUARY (John 13-17); Banner of Truth--
a classic treatment of all five chapters by a godly pastor/teacher.
Marcus Rainsford, OUR LORD PRAYS FOR HIS OWN; Kregel--long
considered a classic though only on chapter 17.
These should be all you need. I hope you enjoy them and your study.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 05:25:00 PM :: permalink
01/25/2010
Dear Steve, Which commentaries and books would you recommend for the book of Acts, especially for someone who one day hopes to preach through it? Among these, would you recommend J.A. Alexander's commentary published by Banner of Truth? Your friend, Jerry
Jerry,
Thank you for your good question. There is rich fare on the Book of Acts. I recommend the following:
F. F. Bruce, COMMENTARY ON ACTS (New International Commentary);
Eerdmans--a great commentary on the history and doings in the book.
Dennis Johnson, THE MESSAGE OF ACTS (in the History of Redemption);
P & R--just what the subtitle says.
J. A. Alexander, ACTS; Banner of Truth--fine combination of scholarship
and piety.
John Stott, THE SPIRIT, THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD; InterVarsity
Press--a fine commentary with Stott's usual thoroughness, sensitivity
to the text, and the life of the churches.
Thomas Walker; ACTS OF THE APOSTLES; Kregel--Cambridge educated
missionary to India in the 19th century, Walker's commentary
breathes the missionary spirit.
These should give you most of what you need. Should you inherit some money, let me recommend the six volume exposition by Martyn Lloyd-Jones from Crossway. Show us how we might preach Acts in the Spirit displayed in Acts.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 08:49:00 AM :: permalink
01/15/2010
What is the best interlinear New Testament regardless of translation (okay, so maybe among the KJV, NKJV, ESV, NIV, or NASB)? What do you think of Thomas Nelson's NKJV interlinear? I noticed Zane Hodges is an editor (that is a little scary).
Adam,
Thanks for your good question. My favorites are as follows:
Hodges and Farstad, THE NKJV MAJORITY TEXT INTERLINEAR; Thomas
Nelson--the one I use the most.
Mounce, GREEK INTERLINEAR FOR THE REST OF US; Zondervan--shows
the text of the NIV and then below it what Greek word they were
translating.
Mounce and Mounce, GREEK AND ENGLISH INTERLINEAR NEW
TESTAMENT (NASB/NIV); Zondervan--straight-forward interlinear
ESV REVERSE INTERLINEAR; Crossway--like the one by Mounce from
Zondervan but this one is based on the ESV. I used this some too.
Depending upon what version you read and study from and hear from the pulpit, I would use the NKJV and the ESV.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 03:27:00 PM :: permalink
01/13/2010
I am looking for a men's study, something like John Murray's Principles but not as "heavy",. Not all members are of reformed faith and mostly in late 20's recently married age group. Need to unapologetically speak the gospel. anything by sinclair ferguson, RC sproul, James Boice, Ryken, others, I dont know? Any help would be great. Thanks
Nathan,
Thank you for your question. I heartily recommend the following:
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT; Eerdmans--greatest
exposition of Christ the King's explanation of how His Kingdom is
different than the kingdoms of this world. Inspiring & convicting.
Philip Ryken, WRITTEN IN STONE (The Ten Commandments And
Today's Moral Crisis); Crossway--great explanation of the Ten
Commandments, what they mean, how to apply them today.
LOVE RULES; Banner of Truth--various authors explain how Christ and
Ten Commandments interrelate. A heartwarming and convicting
study.
J. I. Packer, KEEPING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS; Crossway--clear study
by a master teacher of the Bible and Christian theology.
These should get you started. You might also check out Sinclair Ferguson on THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT; Banner of Truth.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 07:42:00 PM :: permalink
01/12/2010
Dear Steve, Twenty years ago I took two years of New Testament Greek, but I have unfortunately lost much of what I learned then. I am interested in taking a self-taught refresher course in the coming year, but would like your advice on which resources would be the best. I am considering using the 30 lesson workbook, "A New Testament Greek Primer, Second Edition" by S.M. Baugh, followed by the sequel "A First John Reader". But I am wondering if William Mounce's New Testament Greek Grammer and accompanying workbook would be a better choice, or something else altogether? Any recommendations you can make would be most helpful. In Christ, Jerry
Jerry,
Thank you for your important question. My recommendation would be to start with Baugh's A NEW TESTAMENT GREEK PRIMER and then move on to his FIRST JOHN READER.
May the Lord reward your careful study of His holy and inerrant Word.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 09:18:00 AM :: permalink
01/03/2010
Dear Pastor Martin, Is there a book you might recommend for a young 21 year old on the topic of setting limits in ministry. He says he feels compelled to serve if asked, then afterward feels frustrated because he thinks others will think less of him if he says no. I think afraid of displeasing people. Thanks for your help. Dan
Dan,
Thank you for your important question. I can recommend the following:
Charles Hummel, TYRANNY OF THE URGENT; IVP (booklet)--shows
concisely that our Lord not do what His family or friends, or crowds
or enemies wanted Him to do but what His Father wanted Him to do,
therefore He was not harried and harassed by other people's
expectations.
Charles Hummel, FREEDOM FROM THE TYRANNY OF THE URGENT; IVP
A longer treatment which seeks to build on the basic premises of the
booklet and work them into one's life.
Charles Hummel, PRIORITIES: THE TYRANNY OF THE URGENT; IVP--a
6 sessions study on the subject.
Kent and Barbara Hughes, LIBERATING MINISTRY FROM THE SUCCESS
SYNDROME; Crossway--a pastor's struggles to gain perspective on
ministry. Is bigger always better? Is doing more always doing well?
A necessary building block for anyone in ministry.
Ed Welch, WHEN PEOPLE ARE BIG AND GOD IS SMALL; P & R--gets at
the root of the problem that we care more about what people think
of us than what Almighty God thinks of us.
These should be plenty of help.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 08:19:00 PM :: permalink
12/22/2009
Sir, Would you please recommend a good study of Romans, in single or multiple volumes, similar to the Let's Study series? Respectfully, Al Bump
Al,
Thank you for your question. Romans has several good commentaries of the kind you are looking for. Let me recommend the following:
Stuart Olyott, THE GOSPEL AS IT REALLY IS (Romans); Evangelical Press
(the best place to start)
R. C. Sproul, ROMANS (The Gospel of God); Christian Focus--good primer.
Geoffrey Wilson, ROMANS (found along with other books in his great two
volume commentary on the N.T.); Banner of Truth--worth the price
as he gleans from all the best commentaries of the past.
Steele and Thomas, INTERPRETIVE OUTLINE OF ROMANS; P & R--helpful
outline and overview.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 02:41:00 PM :: permalink
Greetings, What works would you recommend for a male teenager who struggles with depression leading to thoughts of self harm? A biblical and practical emphasis on girding up the loins of one's mind and learning to think biblically is essential. Prefer something mordern and easy for him to read. Thanks in Advance, Greg
Greg,
Thank you for your important question. Without knowing most of the details of this young man's life, I can still recommend the following:
Jerry Bridges, THE BOOKENDS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE (The
Imputed Righteousness of Christ and the Power of the Holy Spirit);
NavPress--confronts two important missing elements in most
believers' lives. Many have despair because they know they don't
measure up (but Christ did) or self-righteousness because they think
they do.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, SPIRITUAL DEPRESSION (Its Causes and Cures);
Eerdmans--excellent messages "given" to Lloyd-Jones one night
while he was also preaching through Ephesians. Hits many of the
reasons people because "spiritually depressed".
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, THE NEW MAN (Sermons on Romans 6); Banner of
Truth--mind and life altering exposition of the new man that Christ
has made us into (as opposed to the "old man" as we were in Adam)
Ed Welch, DEPRESSION: A STUBBORN DARKNESS; CCEF--a great
resource for those depressed and those who seek to minister to them.
Jim Winter, DEPRESSION: A RESCUE PLAN; Day One Publications--
another excellent resource I use; written by a biblical pastor who is
also a professional counselor. Great chapter on the use of the Lord's
Day.
Your Book Servant,
Pastor Steve Martin
Posted: 10:52:00 AM :: permalink