God’s Name in Vain, by Stephen L. Carter

“Stephen Carter has once again joined scholarship and personal conviction to produce a lively engagement with questions of culture, law and public policy that clamor for answers.  Those who disagree with his answers will be challenged to come up with arguments as persuasive in substance and honest in presentation.”
~ Richard John Neuhaus

“A lively book on God and Caesar by a prophet who knows them both. Stephen Carter deconstructs the liberal dogmatism that says to religious people: ‘Don’t you dare impose your morality on America. Impose mine.’”
~ Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.

Rare Books at NOBTS

I breathed a deep sigh of relief when I learned that their was only minimal Hurricane Katriana damage to the library and books at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. They have some jewels in their collection that would be impossible to replace. The following article describes some of their special items.

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Rare Books At NOBTS Get Attention
By Gary D. Myers

NEW ORLEANS–The strong but pleasant smell of old leather and parchment fills the rare books room in New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s John T. Christian Library. Shelf after shelf of ancient books and documents line the walls of this long narrow room.

Stepping into the room is a step back in time -– into the world of Reformers and the dawn of the printing press. It’s also a step back to the earlier days of the seminary when the library’s namesake, John T. Christian, donated the collection shortly before his death. Because they are so delicate, the books have rarely been seen, much less used.

Though closed to the general public, the room has been the site of intense research since February. Last spring Ellen Middlebrook Herron, a Chicago-based scholar specializing in medieval history and rare books, spent four months carefully assessing and cataloging the collection.

For years, library workers suspected that the collection was special, if not remarkable. Herron’s research has confirmed its uniqueness and importance.

“It’s a really nice collection and now that it’s getting organized, it’s a great opportunity to get students fired up,” Herron said. “I’m excited to have a small part in helping these books that have been quiet for 80 years or so live again.”

The books and documents include an illuminated manuscript from the 12th century, a leaf from the Gutenberg Bible, a Geneva Bible and works by the Reformers such as Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli. Several books are inscribed with handwritten notes by Charles H. Spurgeon.

In total, the seminary owns 600 rare and unique books and documents.

Herron first became acquainted with the collection in early 2005. At the time, she was serving as the curator of the traveling Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit, for which NOBTS was an institutional sponsor for the exhibit’s stop in Mobile, Ala. In connection with the display of the scrolls, Herron put together an exhibit on the history of Bible translation. She chose several volumes from the NOBTS collection to help illustrate how the Bible has been preserved and passed down through the centuries.

After the Dead Sea Scroll exhibit, Jeff Griffin, director of libraries at NOBTS, invited Herron to assess the NOBTS collection on a contract basis. She planned to come on Aug. 30, 2005, and begin the work of cataloging the collection. When Hurricane Katrina hit on Aug. 29, her trip was postponed.

But the books were safe. Before evacuating, Griffin and his staff packed the rare books in plastic boxes and placed them in an interior room on the second floor of the library.

After the seminary’s initial hurricane recovery stage, Griffin decided to get the rare book project got back on track. In November 2006, he offered Herron a short-term contract to work with the books. For her, it was an easy decision.

“I developed a great affection for the seminary when I was working on the Dead Sea Scrolls [exhibit] and a great affection for the city,” she said. “I wanted to come down and do some things to help.”

Herron said that many universities and seminaries have similar collections that are not cataloged or utilized. She emphasized the importance of organizing, cataloging and registering the existence of these rare books. The cataloging process often leads to surprises.

“You never know what you will find,” she said.

It didn’t take long for Herron to make an exciting discovery at the NOBTS library.

Shortly after arriving in February, she discovered a book she had not seen before -– a collection of sermons by an Italian preacher printed in 1479. She called the volume “one of the treasures” in the John T. Christian Collection. Only two other known copies of this pre-Reformation book exist.

Printed just 24 years after Johannes Gutenberg produced the first press-printed Bible, the volume belongs to a rare class of books called incunabules. Herron said the term means “from the cradle of printing” and refers to books printed before 1500.

“I think this is a particularly great find and needs to have some research done on it,” Herron said. “This is one of my favorite things in the collection.”

Besides the sermons, the book reflects the story of how printing and binding developed, Herron said. “It is a really great example of early printing,” she said. “It looks a lot like a manuscript. It’s a really nice example of book history.”

Early printers carried over the practice of hand-lettering highly decorative initials from manuscript production. The wear of the book also offers a look at early book construction. The missing inside of the cover reveals that the pages were bound together by thick leather straps. The straps also attach the pages to wooden end boards, forming a sturdy cover. The end boards were then covered with fine leather.

The faded shelf mark on the book attests to how books were stored. Unlike current shelving procedure which stores books vertically with the spine out, in that period books were stored flat with titles written across the page edges.

“This is in remarkable condition for a book that’s 550 years old,” Herron said.

Another book that caught Herron’s attention is a volume that profiles the leaders of the Reformation. Written by Theodore Beza in 1581, the book gives descriptions of important Reformers and the work they did. The book also includes engravings of each of the Reformers.

While engravings of John Calvin and Martin Luther are common, Herron said woodcuts of other Reformers are extremely rare.

“I think this is a really neat find. I’ve never seen anything like it,” she said. “To be able to see the faces of the early Reformers, I think, is pretty amazing. The engravings are just beautiful.”

Other collection rarities include a theological work by Zwingli written in 1523 and the Gutenberg Bible leaf from the Book of Isaiah. The collection also features a Mennonite confession from 1620, of which only three other copies of this Dutch text exist.

“This is history,” Herron said about the Gutenberg page. “It’s the first book ever printed. It’s amazing.”

The introduction of metal-alloy moveable type by Gutenberg revolutionized book production. Before Gutenberg developed his technique, books were copied by hand. The press paved the way to increased literacy and the availability and affordability of Scriptures for common people.

Though not as rare as some of the other volumes, the collection includes a copy of the Geneva Bible, an important English Bible printed in 1562. This Bible, sometimes called the “Breeches Bible” due to the somewhat humorous translation of Genesis 3:7, was the first English Bible to include chapter divisions. The Puritans would have had a copy of this Bible with them on the Mayflower, Herron noted.

The quality, quantity and rarity of the collection raises the question, “How did the seminary acquire the books?” Griffin recounted that John T. Christian collected most of the books in Europe in the early 20th century. While pastoring churches in Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky, Christian made frequent summer trips to London. The trained church historian frequented the shops and stalls looking for important and unique books.

One of the seminary’s founding fathers, Christian served on the committee that recommended the establishment of the seminary in 1917. In 1919, trustees elected Christian to the faculty. From 1919 until his death in 1925, he taught church history and served as the seminary’s librarian. Now, 82 years after his death, the full impact of Christian’s diligent work of collection is finally coming into focus.

Griffin said there are no plans to begin showing the books in the current library. However, the board of trustees approved the planning process for a new, state-of-the-art library. When the new library is built, space will be available for display of these important works.

This does not diminish the importance of Herron’s work in cataloging and organizing the collection. Through her efforts, the academic community now knows the existence of additional copies of several rare volumes.

Phantastes, by George MacDonald

“It must have been more than thirty years ago that I bought…Phantastes.  A few hours later I knew I had crossed a great frontier. . . . What it actually did to me was to convert, even to baptise, my imaginations.”
~ C.S. Lewis

Lord Acton’s List of 100 Best Books

Lord Acton’s list of 100 Best Books contains many titles that should be of interest to the Christian scholar.

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“In their correspondence, Lord Acton and Mary Gladstone frequently dis cussed what should constitute ‘the hundred best books.’ Acton eventually sent her his own list, which, in 1883. she recorded in her diary. The list was first published in July 1905 in Pall Mall Magazine (Volume XXXVI. No.147) with an introduction and critique by Clement Shorter. Here is the list as it appeared there.”
~ R. L. Schuettinger, Lord Acton: Historian of Liberty (LaSalle: Open Court, 1976), pp. 237-39.

1. Plato’s Laws—Steinhart’s Introduction.
2. Aristotle’s Politics—Susemihl’s Commentary.
3. Epictetus’ Encheiridion—Commentary of Simplicius.
4. St. Augustine’s Letters.
5. St. Vincent’s Commonitorium.
6. Hugo of S. Victor—De Sacramentis
7. S. Bonaventura—Breviloquium.
8. S. Thomas Aquinas—Summa contra Gentiles.
9. Dante—Divina Commedia.
10. Raymund of Sabunde—Theologia Naturalis.
11. Nicholas of Cusa—Concordantia Catholica.
12. La Bible de Reuss.
13. Pascal’s Pensées—Havet’s Edition.
14. Malebranche. De Ia Recherche de la Vérité.
15. Baarder—Spekulativ Dogmatik.
16. Molitor—Philosophie der Geschichte.
17. Astié—Esprit de Vinet.
18. Piinjer—Geschichte der Religions-philosophie.
19. Rothe—Theologische Ethik.
20. Martensen—Die Christliche Ethik.
21. Oettingen—Moralstatistik.
22. Hartmann—Phenomenologie des sittlichen Bewusstseyns.
23. Leibniz—Letters edited by Klopp.
24. Braniss—Geschichte der Philosophie.
25. Fisher—Franz Bacon.
26. Zeller—Neuere Deutsche Philosophie.
27. Bartholomess—Doctrines Religieuses de la Philosophie Moderne.
28. Guyon—Morale Anglaise.
29. Ritschl—Entstehung der Altkatholischen Kirche.
30. Loening—Geschichte des Kirchenrechts.
31. Baur—Vorlesungen über Dogmengeschichte.
32. Fénelon—Correspondence.
33. Newman’s Theory of Development.
34. Mozley’s University Sermons.
35. Schneckenburger—Vergleichende Darstellung.
36. Hundeshagen—Kirchenvorfassungsgeschichte.
37. Schweizer—Protestantische Centraldogmen.
38. Gass—Geschichte der Lutherischen Dogmatik.
39. Cart—Histoire do Mouvement Religleux dans le Canton de Vaud.
40. Blondel—De Ia Primenté.
41. Le Blanc de Beaulieu—Theses.
42. Thierach—Vorlesungen ilber Katholizismus.
43. M5hler—Neue Untersuchungen.
44. Scherer—Mélanges de Critique Religleuse.
45. Hooker—Ecclesiastical Polity.
46. Weingarten—Revolutionskirchen Englands.
47. Kliefoth—Acht Bücher von der Kirche.
48. Laurent—Etudes de l’Histoire de l’Humenité.
49. Ferrari—Révolutions de l’Italie.
50. Lange—Geschichte des Materialismus.
51. Guicciardini—Ricordi Politici.
52. Duperron—Ambassades.
53. Richelieu—Testament Politique.
54. Harringlon’s Writings.
55. Mignet—Négotiations de la Succession d’Espagne.
56. Rousseau—Considérations sur la Pologne.
57. Foncin—Ministère de Turgot.
58. Burke’s Correspondence.
59. Mémorial de Ste. Hélène.
60. Holtzendorf—Systematische Rechts-encyklopädie.
61. Thering—Ceist des Röcimischen Rechts.
62. Geib—Strafrecht.
63. Maine—Ancient Law.
64. Gierke—Genossenschaftsrecht.
65. Stahl—Philosophie des Rechts.
66. Gentz—Briefwechsel mit Adam Müller.
67. Vollgraff—Polignosie.
68. Frantz—Kritik aller Parteien.
69. De Maistre—Considérations sur Ia France.
70. Donoso Cortes—Ecrits Politiques.
71. Périn—De Ia Richesse dans les Sociétés Chrétiennes.
72. Le Play—La Reforme Sociale.
73. Riehl—Die Biirgerliche Sociale.
74. Sismondi—Etudes sur les Constitutions des Peuples Libres.
75. Rossi—Cours du Droit Constitutionnel.
76. Barante—Vie de Roger Collard.
77. Duvergier de Hauranne—Histoire du Gouvernement Parlementaire.
78. Madison—Debates of the Congress of Confederation.
79. Hamilton—The Federalist.
80. Calhoun—Essay on Government.
81. Dumont—Sophismes Anarchiques.
82. Quinet—La Révolution Française,
83. Stein—Sozialismus in Frankreich.
84. Lasselle—System der Erworbenen Rechte.
85. Thomissen—Le Socialisme depuis l’ Antiquité.
86. Considérant—Destinée Sociale.
87. Rosher—Nationalökonomik.
88. [missing]
89. Mill—System of Logic.
90. Coleridge—Aids to Reflection.
91. Radowitz Fragmente.
92. Gioberti—Pensieri.
93. Humboldt—Kosmos.
94. De Candolle—Histoire des Sciences et des Savants.
95. Darwin—Origin of Species.
96. Littré—Fragrnents de Philosophie.
97. Cournot—Enchaînements des Idées fondamentales.
98. Monatsschrift des wissenschaftlichen Vereins.
99. [missing]
100. [missing]

The Peacemaker, by Ken Sande

Looking for Biblical counsel on how to resolve conflicts? I have often thought that there is too much emphasis placed upon confrontation and negotiation in the counsel typically given. Consider this approach commended throughout Scripture:

“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense” (Prov. 19:11; cf. 12:16; 15:18; 20:3).

“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out” (Prov. 17:14; cf. 26:17).

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8; cf. Prov. 10:12; 17:9)

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2).

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col. 3:13; cf. Eph. 4:32).

The above passages were taken from The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal ConflictThe Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict by Ken Sande, Updated Edition (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2003) p. 82.

Life and Death in the First Century

I have been reading and re-reading James S. Jeffers’ book The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era: Exploring the Background of Early Christianity. It is an informative and thoroughly enjoyable book — I highly recommend it. In his chapter on “Life and Death in the First Century” he recommends the following books for further reading:

Labor and the Economy

• The Social Context of Paul’s Ministry: Tentmaking and Apostleship, by Ronald F. Hock

Leisure and Games

• Cruelty and Civilization: The Roman Games, by Roland Auguet

Travel

• Ships and Seamanship in the Ancient World, by Lionel Casson
• Travel in the Ancient World, by Lionel Casson
• The Book of Acts in Its Graeco-Roman Setting, edited by David W. J. gill and Conrad Gempf
• The Cities of St. Paul: Their Influece on His Life and Thought, by William Ramsay

Dining

• Roman Cookery, by John Edwards
• Rome: Its People, Life and Customs, by Ugo Enrico Paoli

Reclaiming The Center: Confronting Evangelical Accommodation In Postmodern Times

“When evangelicals confuse an improper passion for novelty with a proper pursuit of academic and pastoral relevance, the results can be distressing. I cannot express how grateful I am for the well-formed wisdom with which this book points to the abiding and decisive relevance for future route-finding of the old theological paths.”
—J. I. Packer, Professor, Regent College

“For those evangelicals who—like myself—are increasingly troubled by extravagant claims made by various evangelical scholars about the nature of the ‘postmodern’ challenge, as well as by earnest calls to develop new epistemological and theological perspectives in response to this challenge, the writers of these essays shed much light. This book is must-reading for everyone who wants to promote a clear-thinking evangelicalism for our contemporary context.”
—Richard J. Mouw, President and Professor of Christian Philosophy, Fuller Seminary

“Here is a collection of intelligent, provocative, gutsy essays that dare to fly into the eye of the scholarly storm over evangelical identity. Though different perspectives are present even here, the underlying thesis is clear and worth heeding: the eager, and sometimes uncritical, embrace of postmodernist paradigms may be as premature as it has proven to be unproductive for the well-being of the evangelical church. One of the most important books of the new century!”
—Timothy George, Dean, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

“Provocative, timely, and controversial!”
—Donald G. Bloesch, Professor of Theology Emeritus, Dubuque Theological Seminary

“Compromise and confusion stand at the center of evangelicalism’s theological crisis, and a clear-headed and convictional analysis of the problem has been desperately needed. Thankfully, Reclaiming the Center has arrived just in time. . . . My fervent hope is that it will open evangelical eyes, humble evangelical hearts, and awaken this generation to the peril of accommodationism.”
—R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“The authors of this well-designed volume provide a bold and well-argued response to what is sometimes called ‘postconservative evangelicalism.’ This important conversation regarding the essence, center, and boundaries of evangelicalism is here explored, interpreted, and assessed from a well-informed theological, philosophical, and historical perspective. . . . I heartily commend this volume and trust it will find a large readership.”
—David S. Dockery, President, Union University

Questioning Evangelism, by Randy Newman

My friend Amy Bobo has reviewed Randy Newman’s book Questioning Evangelism. Here is an excerpt…

Did you know it is possible to present the Gospel by simply asking questions?

Randy Newman, in his book Questioning Evangelism, encourages us to pursue a more open dialogue with those who are seeking Truth. Consider some of the following:

“So, it sounds like you don’t believe in God? I’m interested in hearing your story and understanding why you believe what you do. Would you mind telling me?”

“How do you decide what is right and wrong?”

“How about you? You’ve heard of Jesus. What do you think about Him?”

And then, if a listener seems inquisitive, it might be appropriate to ask, “Are you interested in some verses I read in the Bible that seem to fit with our discussion?”

Basically, you can share your faith and still listen with openness and respect. God doesn’t ask us to try to read another person’s mind, nor does He urge us to push people into a decision. He just asks us to share and let the Holy Spirit draw them to Christ.

Questioning and Listening- How does that help someone make a decision?

As Newman aptly points out, if we look at what Jesus did, He asked pointed questions to those who were truly seeking. When Nicodemus asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “Why do you call me good?” And to the disciples who were arguing over Jesus’ role in society, He asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus knew the importance of listening to people and letting them talk through their struggles.

Click here to read all of the review.

The Reason For God, by Timothy Keller

My friend Amy Bobo has reviewed Tim Keller’s book The Reason For God.  Here is an excerpt…

“Take the leap of doubt to discover your reasons for faith,” says Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. Whether you currently believe or you struggle with skepticism, doubts can be a divine invitation to grow your faith, deepen your relationship with God, and to mature into a person of substance.

With a 30-year ministry in the heart of Manhattan, Tim knows how to communicate the Gospel to this culture of intellect, and he does so with quiet dignity and respect for both sides, often acknowledging the personal, intellectual, social, and spiritual reasons people choose to think the way they do.

So, to everyone, Tim recommends we look at doubt in a radically new way. If believers go through life too busy or too apathetic to grapple with tough questions, where will we find ourselves when tragedy strikes? Or how can we truly befriend those struggling with doubt if we’ve never considered their points? And skeptics are challenged as well. Is there some bit of faith in something embedded in the arguments against God? Maybe it’s true that even our doubts are a leap of faith, because we are brave enough to consider the merits of our mostly deeply held convictions.

Click here to read more of the review.

The Unity Factor, by Larry Osborne

This book could save your church from needless conflict and division. Listen and learn from it!
~ Rick Warren, Saddleback Church

Larry Osborne’s message will save a pastor years of frustration with his veteran insights. He’s ‘been there and done that’ with leaders. He has helped me more than once to clarify my leadership strategy. His life and church are living proof he knows what he’s talking about!
~ Steve Sjogren

I loved The Unity Factor when I first read it several years ago. Few books become more relevant as they age. But Larry’s wisdom on leadership is more helpful to me now than ever. Its clarity and simplicity cut through the glut of contemporary punditry.  My hope  is that a fresh generation of readers will find new direction in this updated version.
~ Bill Hull

Larry writes like a wise mentor, sharing his profoundly simple proven approach to getting your team to work together without splits, shoutin matches, or a ‘range war board.’ If you are a pastor, consider rereading this book once a year for the rest of your life.
~ Bobb Biel, President of Masterplanning Group International

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