Devoted to the Service of the Temple:

Piety, Persecution, and Ministry in the Writings of Hercules Collins 

Hercules Collins is not a name that most people , theologians, and/or church historians are familiar with.  Apart from recognizing that Hercules has a really cool name, you may not know anything about him. There is much to learn from Hercules Collins’ life and ministry. If you are a Baptist you definitely need to be acquainted with him. Collins was a leading figure within the Particular Baptist movement. Collins was the fifth signatory upon the 1689 London Baptist Confession. Collins’ life and ministry is a model in regards to piety in the midst of several persecutions. Likewise, Collins’ writings are both deep theologically and reflect a deep passion to know Christ more intimately. Haykin and Weaver’s book briefly outlines Collins’ life and gives selected excerpts from his writings. Each chapter or section generally consists of about a page to two pages from his works. The excerpts that the editors chose to use were wonderfully selected. There are a wide range of issues that whet the appetite of those who may desire to know more about the Baptist heritage. One very interesting issue which Collins’ discusses is the eternal state of dying infants. The London Baptist Confession argues that only “elect” infants, who die in infancy, will be saved. Collins here argues that all infant inherit eternal life. Collins offers some very helpful advice in regards to expository preaching within the book. Also, Collins makes a great argument for the necessity of training up pastors within your congregation. There is also a section in the book titled “God is the Gospel.’  If you read the heading (given by the editors) and then read the article, you would honestly think either John Piper wrote it or someone was borrowing heavily from John Piper.  The similarities between the two can be seen when Collins declares,

“There are many good objects in heaven and earth besides thee. There are angels in heaven and saints on earth. But, soul, what are these to thee? Heaven, without thy presence would be no heaven to me. A palace without thee, a crown without thee, cannot satisfy me. But with thee can I be content, though in a poor cottage.”[1]

The similarities between the two are striking.  Collins has a lot to say to pastors and homiletics. The book is phenomenal, easy to read, and extremely short. The reader is left longing for more of Collins by the end of the book. I would highly recommend this book to others who have a passion and zeal for church history. I would require this of any Baptist pastor, who is training for the ministry.

Publisher: Reformation Heritage
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 133
Binding Type: Paperback
Book Grade: A

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Book Review: Cruciform: Living The Cross-Shaped Life

By Jimmy Davis

Book Summary

There is a lot one can learn from the image of a cross. For Jimmy Davis the image of the cross instructs believers on several things. Davis’s book is a mini-biblical theology. Davis takes the reader from creation, to fall, and redemption. The cross is the tool by which redemption is accomplished and a visualization for how believers out to live.  The vertical line on the cross ties man to God (upward) and creation (downward). The horizontal line on the cross ties man to his fellow man (people). The cross is continually pointing outward. Because of the fall, man has a tendency to make the cross point inward. Man now believes God, creation, and mankind are there to serve him. The fall has distorted the created order.  An example of this can been seen with sporting events and mankind’s tendency to turn these into idols. Rather than recognizing and enjoying the athlete’s abilities, which were given to them to glorify God, we now turn these persons and abilities into objects of worship. The cross and redemption changes this inward focus upon ourselves, outward and calls us to worship the God who created us, bless the people around us, and have dominion over the land under us.  The Cross gives believers a new understanding on how to view all of reality. No longer is community here to serve us, but we can begin to see that we are now called to transform our communities for the glory of God. Davis devotes the second half of the book to discussing the life of the believer, both as sons and servants.  A son resembles and is a reflection of his father.  A servant is one who is responsible for seeking, shepherding, and sower. Once a person is adopted as a son, he is enlisted as a servant. These son/servants are empowered by the Holy Spirit to perform good works. These works are not the means by which one becomes a son, but are an expression of one’s sonship. The law is not the root of one’s salvation, but is the fruit.  Davis correctly points out that believers are enabled to obey the law as a result of the cross. Davis concludes with a helpful discussion on cross-centered spiritual disciplines.

Book Reflections

There are several things that I enjoyed about this book. First, a chapter begins with an illustration about Neyland Stadium. Neyland Stadium is the stadium of one of the greatest football institutes in the nation and it also happens to be in my hometown.  Second, another chapter begins with a Windy Gap illustration. Windy Gap is a camp location for YoungLife. These two things strike close to home for me, and thus naturally draw me to this book. The book is very short and an enjoyable read. Davis has a ton of great illustrations. All the illustrations are personal and easy to remember. The book is extremely simple and easy to follow. This book is a great introductory book for a new believer. The book covers the three uses of the law in an extraordinary way.  My personal favorite section of the book was where Davis discusses “Cross-Centered Spiritual Disciplines.” The term “Spiritual Disciplines” has been revived within our culture through many great modern writers (e.g. Don Whitney, John Piper, Michael Haykin, ect). The problem I encounter most often is people believing the spiritual disciplines are the rule by which one stands righteous before God. Although no one would admit that they believed that they stand before God by their faithfulness to these disciplines, their actions testify to the contrary. An example for this can be seen in man’s constant condemnation of themselves when they miss one of these spiritual disciplines or when these disciplines become a checklist. I have done my quiet time, have fasted, and prayed, therefore God looks well upon me.  I missed one of these disciplines this week; therefore God is not happy with me. Davis coins a new phrase that helps elevate this problem, Christ-Centered Spiritual Disciplines. These disciplines need to be seen correctly in light of Christ and his finished work. These disciplines rightfully seen become a tool created for the believer’s joy. These disciplines rightfully applied are a means of grace for the souls of believers. I would highly recommend the book. This book is simple, short, and inexpensive.

Discussion question:

Spiritual Disciplines or Christ-Centered Spiritual Disciplines? Do you think that the distinction is helpful? Why or why not?

Publisher: Cruciform Press
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 107
Binding Type: Paperback
Book Grade: A+

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Book Review

Darrin Patrick and Matt Carter’s book For the City is a divided into two parts “A Tale of Two Cities” and “In and For the City.” Part one of the book describes the early years of both Matt and Darrin’s church plants. Part two of the book covers developments or themes that both authors either had not lived out or had a period of reformation within these categories during their tenure with these congregations. Part one covers the creation, key decisions made, and early life of the church. Part two covers key themes which were learned by both men that also happened to be needs of reformation in the majority of churches in America. Key themes which are discussed in part two are: Contextualization, Community, Serving the City, Equipping, Suffering, Confessions, and lessons learned from Jonah. The Title of the book comes from the idea that a church can be against the city (view the city as sinful), of the city (allow the city to control and influences its theology and ministry [e.g. seeker sensitive]) or for the city (be a congregation that is rooted in and has a heart for the city. A church for the city is a church that “if it were to shut its doors, the city would grieve.”

Book Reflections

To begin, this book is phenomenal! I thoroughly enjoyed both the writing style and content of both authors. Coming into the book, I had never heard of Matt Carter, but I had heard of Chris Tomlin (his worship minister). I come away from the book appreciating Carter more and desiring to learn more about him and his ministry. Next, I am extremely appreciative of the categories or themes which the authors chose to address in part two of the book. The themes within this book are some of the most neglected themes within the church within our age. I am thankful for the many seminaries that are producing graduates who have a high regard for theology and exegetical preaching. Even in saying this I believe that the categories within this book are often neglected in spite of the return of theology and exegetical preaching. I pray that pastors and their congregations with take hold of this book and apply its truths to the daily lives. In most churches community exists, but it is divorced from mission and thus is no community at all. Churches are not equipping leaders or training pastors, but are sending them off for someone else to do this. I would not go to the extreme as some do and say that I wish seminaries didn’t have to exist, because I think there is a place for them. I am thankful for seminaries and believe that they serve a purpose of academy that the majority of the time cannot take place within the church. Churches are not contextualizing their ministries. Many people will flee from this wordage because it sounds to emergent or emerging, but the issue remains at large even if you semantically get around the wordage. This book teaches both through story and didactically. The stories are very rich in their thinking and are extremely challenging in their application. This is a book that once you pick up you will not want to put down. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. I think this book should be a requirement for every pastor’s bookshelf.

Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 180
Binding Type: Paperback
Book Grade: A+

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