Bookworming

I haven't been reading books for sometime so I decided to kickstart this old habit again. I've been reading a couple of books now - Mark Dever's Message of the Old Testament (OT) every night now & The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World in/on the train to work every morning.

 

Both books are actually a compilations of sermons so I must be carefully to read them in the light of their contexts and not be too quick to apply them directly to everyday life.

 

Mark Dever's Message of the Old Testament

Message of the Old Testament is actually Mark's attempt to provide a broad sweep of OT through sermons covering each and every OT book. There are many books on the OT but what I find very beneficial is how Mark grounds each sermon in the light of the gospel which is where true transforming power lies.

 

Since we have such a hope,we are very bold, not like Moses,who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14But their minds were hardened. For to this day when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:13-18

 

While OT points to Christ, we must not simplistically think that every single line is about Christ, but rather we should also recognise how the OT is a progressive revelation of God's plan of salvation that ultimately culminates in the person and work of Jesus Christ.  I think Mark understand this and therefore each sermon is given due regard to its historical context and how they are each unique and contributes to the overall Biblical Canon. 

 

So far, I have read 2 books (Song of Songs & Judges) only, so when I finish all of them hopefully, perhaps then (if I have the time) I can provide a fairer comment/review.  Hope I can continue reading the sermons consistently to beef up my understanding of the OT (in light of the gospel).

 

Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World

This book as mentioned above is a compilation of the sermons delivered the Desiring God 2006 National Conference in the US.  The speakers are mainly the reformed type Pastor-Theologians or Theologian-Pastors namely - John Piper, Mark Driscoll, DA Cason, Tim Keller, Voddie Baucham Jr and Justin Taylor doing an introduction.

 

I bought this book mainly because I find myself struggling in the sea of postmodernistic culture.  I find this rather unsettling in terms of how do I lived out my and share my faith where find others find them increasingly archaic and perhaps even narrow-minded. 

 

I have read one sermon so far - The Gospel and the Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World by Tim Keller.  Basically he starts off with sharing the basis of why modern era evangelism doesn't cut it anymore.  Not that they are wrong per se, just that those methods were mainly for folks who has some basic understanding of a Christian world view whereas the Postmodern worldview is completely different.  I'm still digesting his sermon. I'm not used to his style which is still somewhat academically inclined.  Nevertheless, I'm sure there's much to learn from him. Got to go through the valley before you reach the mountain-top.