Book Reviews

Josiah’s Reformation by Richard Sibbes has just been published by the Banner of Truth Trust1. Richard Sibbes is widely known amongst evangelicals who are familiar with Christian literature. Sadly, few have actually read him beyond the various quotations that appear in numerous Christian magazines. Here is an opportunity to read, learn and enjoy for yourself.2 […]

The World-Tilting Gospel: Embracing a Biblical Worldview and Hanging on Tight Dan Phillips Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2011 315 pages, paperback, £11.99, $17.99 ISBN: 978-0-82543-908-7 Dan Phillips is best known as a Christian blogger, contributing both to his own site, and the world-renowned Pyromaniacs. His posts at either location are always articulate, often provocative and are […]

This book consists, as the Preface tells us, ‘of a collection of pieces written at different times and generally with a view to special circumstances’. It begins with a piece by D. M. McIntyre on ‘Andrew Bonar as a Preacher’ in which we are told that the unrestrained offer of Christ to sinners of mankind […]

Charles Hodge is rightly regarded as one of the leading theologians of the nineteenth century. His life’s work centred on Princeton Seminary where he studied and became Professor of Systematic Theology. This biography was written by his son A. A. Hodge just two years after the death of his father. At the insistence of his […]

‘If you read only one book on parenting outside of your Bible, make sure it is this one! . . . an endless gift of biblical treasure to share with your children, and their children, and their children, and their children, and . . .’ [Jennifer McIlwain on Kenneth B. Wingate’s A Father’s Gift: Lessons […]

Engaging with Martyn Lloyd-Jones: The life and legacy of ‘the Doctor’ Andrew Atherstone & David Ceri Jones (Eds) Nottingham: Apollos/IVP, 2011 376 pages, paperback, £16.99 ISBN: 978 1 84474 553 1 This title is a collection of essays, part appreciation, part analysis of the work and legacy of Dr D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Lloyd-Jones stands astride […]

Although John Newton is best remembered as a hymn writer, many believe that his greatest gift was as a letter writer. This wonderful book strengthens that point of view. It consists of 83 letters written to Pastor John Ryland Jr. between 1771 and 1803. The editor, Grant Gordon, has not only unearthed dozens of letters which had […]

The Banner of Truth has published The Select Practical Writings of John Knox1. We have had a spate of writings by or about John Calvin, and now new books are beginning to appear about John Knox (the 450th anniversary of the Reformation in Scotland and the approaching 500th anniversary of Knox’s birth). We welcome this. […]

Do you struggle with what to say in your prayers? Do you find that you use the same phrases over and over again? Would you like to pray more in line with scripture? Then this wonderful book is for you. Originally published in 1710, it was written by Matthew Henry, who is best known for […]

Voice of Nonconformity: William Robertson Nicoll and the British Weekly Keith Ives Cambridge: Lutterworth, 2011 255pp. paperback, £23 ISBN: 978 0 71889 222 7 This engaging and important book is essential reading for an understanding of how once-powerful English Nonconformity and Scottish Presbyterianism became as feeble as they are today. W. Robertson Nicoll, founder and […]

John Colquhoun, the author of Repentance was born in 1748 and after his conversion felt called to the ministry. He was eventually ordained in 1781 and became minister of the New Church in South Leith, Edinburgh, remaining there until a year before his death in 1827. Thomas Boston’s writings were to be a very great […]

Thomas Brooks’ book of this name was first published in 1652 and was then reprinted with various corrections and enlargements over the following years. Alexander B. Grosart used the edition of 1676 as the basis for his reissue in 1866 and this is the one that Banner of Truth reprinted in 1980.2 Thomas Brooks was […]

The young pastor smiles with joy as he looks out at the pews crowded with a rainbow of pastel-coloured button-ups and Easter dresses. He is encouraged to speak to a packed audience and hopes to preach the gospel to the several unbelievers who were invited by a few faithful church members. However, the large majority […]

This is a fascinating selection of the writings of the great Scottish reformer John Knox first published in 1845. The text is unabridged and unaltered except that the spelling has been updated. Covering the period 1554 to 1558 the book includes 15 personal letters, 2 sermons, an exposition of Psalm 6 and a number of […]

C H Spurgeon wrote that the Puritan Richard Sibbes ‘never wastes the student’s time. He scatters pearls and diamonds with both hands.’ This book is no exception – there is treasure on every page. This series of four sermons is based on the words of the prophetess Huldah addressed to King Josiah as found in […]