Henry Barrow was a 17th century Puritan pastor imprisoned and eventually executed for his faith. After three years of imprisonment in despicable conditions, having not been outdoors in that time, Anglican officials visited him to convince him of his errors. Being unsuccessful he bishop quipped that Barrow should enjoy his opportunity for solitude. In response, …
Continue reading ‘Sweet Harmony of Grace in the Congregation’ »
B. J. Maxwell posted a wonderful section from William Still’s book, The Work of the Pastor. I have pasted only a portion below. I encourage you to go on to Maxwell’s site to read the rest. “God has caused you to become pastor to some souls here who are as valuable to Him as any …
This year marks the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Version of the Bible. It is unfortunate that for so many people today mention of the KJV summons up only negative impressions- argument over using only the KJV, specter of unintelligible language, etc. In fact, the production of this translation is a …
Several years ago I began keeping an annotated list of every book I read each year. It has been a very useful discipline and resource for later. As part of my own review of this past year I will post here what have been the best books I have read this past year. Included in …
Here is wonderful 17th century Christmas hymn by Paul Gerhardt which expounds the meaning of the Incarnation. This is hymnic gospel proclamation! Let us take great comfort in the work of Christ, God come to get us. All my heart this night rejoices, As I hear, far and near, sweetest angel voices; “Christ is born,” …
This is a recent post from the Children’s Hour: The Life of Our Lord, Written for His Children, Charles Dickens (Simon and Schuster, 1934), hb., 128 pp. A few years ago I stumbled across a first edition copy of this book which Dickens wrote from 1846 to 1849 for his own children and was only …
J. R. R. Tolkien was captivated by Old Norse poetry and described it this way: “Old Norse poetry aims at seizing a situation, striking a blow that will be remembered, illuminating a moment with a flash of lightning- and tends to concision, weighty packing of the language in sense and form …” (The Legend of …
Continue reading ‘Tolkien, Old Norse Poetry and Preaching’ »
Keep Your Greek: Strategies for Busy People, Constantine Campbell (Zondervan, 2010) pb., 90 pp $9.99 This little book is the best thing I know of for encouragement and advice for how to maintain and increase your ability to read and use Greek. I almost can’t say too much good about this book- and it would …
I noticed this paragraph in Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead which accurately describes a very common element of life as a pastor. “That’s the strangest thing about this life, about being in the ministry. People change the subject when they see you coming. And then sometimes those very same people come into your study and tell you …