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Barrett’s Book Notes: Stephen Nichols and W. Robert Godfrey

This week it was announced that Steve Nichols will be the new president of Reformation Bible College and the chief academic officer of Ligonier Ministries. We would like to extend our congratulations to Nichols who is an outstanding scholar, teacher, and writer. One of the things Nichols does so well is bring church history to life, especially drawing our attention to that great heritage of the Reformation. Much like Sproul, Nichols has a way of bringing complex and great truths in church history down to a lay level so that those in the church can digest God’s Word and God’s work in the history of the church. So today I would like to highlight a number of new resources Ligonier has released by Nichols, as well as two by Robert Godfrey. (Also, come back Monday when we will highlight the new lectures made available of Ligonier’s recent conference.)

WHY12DC_200x1000Stephen J. Nichols. Why We Trust the Bible. Ligonier Ministries, 2013.

In a day when the authority and inerrancy of the Bible are being increasingly questioned, I am not sure we can have too many books and messages defending Scripture’s truthfulness and reliability. In this DVD series Nichols gives six different lectures:

Revelation: Where Would We Be Without It?

The Authority of Scripture, Part 1: The Doctrine of Inspiration

The Authority of Scripture, Part 2: The Doctrine of Inerrancy

Why Sixty-Six Books? The Development of the Canon

Why So Many Interpretations? The Clarity of Scripture & Interpretation

Scripture for Life: The Sufficiency of Scripture

And here is a summary:

God’s revelation: where would we be without it? In this series, Dr. Stephen Nichols explains that we would be lost if not for God’s Word, trapped in the darkness of sin forever. Rather than forsake us, God sent His Son, Jesus, revealing and recording His redemptive purposes in an inspired, inerrant, and authoritative source: the Bible. Sufficient for all of life, a crucial question arises: will we accept its authority?

You can also find a free study guide here.

And here is the first video:

JON02DC_200x1000Stephen Nichols. Jonathan Edwards. Ligonier Ministries, 2013.

In my estimation Jonathan Edwards is one of the most important figures one could spend their time studying and learning from. His life and his writings have left a rich heritage for students, lay-people, pastors, and scholars alike. He has been called America’s greatest philosopher-theologian for good reason. That said, get your hands on this DVD series by Nichols. Here are his messages:

His Early Life

A Minister of the Gospel

The Great Awakening

His Big Idea

The Conflict at Northampton

The Missionary

And here is a summary:

Meet one of America’s greatest theologians.  One of the best avenues for helping you understand what you believe, why you believe it, and how to better communicate it is to seek out examples in those who came before us.  That’s the goal of the new six-part teaching series Jonathan Edwards by Stephen J. Nichols, which offers a relatable, instructive, and inspiring model in the 18th-Century minister and scholar who endured great hardships, yet always trusted God’s redemptive purposes for His people no matter what.

And do not miss this first lecture for free:

PEA01BH_200x1000Stephen Nichols. Peace: Classic Readings for Christmas. Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2013.

Well, it’s not Christmas, but it is never to early to begin thinking about the Incarnation of the Son of God. This large, coffee-table like book by Nichols walks us through great passages in the Bible and voices from church history in order to point us to Jesus who is the Christ. Looks like an excellent resource that provides passages to meditate on, whether it is Christmas or Easter.

Listen to a special broadcast on Renewing Your Mind with R.C. Sproul and author Stephen Nichols discussing this book.

Also, here is a sample from the book itself.

SUR04DC_200x1000W. Robert Godfrey. A Survey of Church History, Part 2 and Part 3. Ligonier, 2013.

Previously I recommended Part 1 of W. Robert Godfrey’s lecture series through church history. Parts 2 and 3 are now available as well. Part 2 covers 500-1500 and Part 3 covers 1500-1620. Here is a description of each:

Part 2, A.D. 500-1500 — As the Roman Empire gradually crumbled in the fifth century AD, the people of the Mediterranean world turned to the church for leadership and direction in a new era of uncertainty. The next thousand years would prove to be a complex experiment in Christian civilization, one in which the church played a pivotal role in the development of Western government, thought, and culture. Join Dr. Robert Godfrey as he explores the hopes, challenges, triumphs, and tragedies of Christianity during the Middle Ages.

Part 3, A.D. 1500-1600 — We live in a world that has been profoundly shaped by events that occurred in the sixteenth century. In addition to landmark developments in economics, government, and culture, this crucial century witnessed a powerful renewal of biblical Christianity. Amid opposition and uncertainty, faithful Christian leaders expressed a passion for the gospel and a commitment to the authority of Scripture that have influenced generations of believers. In this third installment of his journey through church history, Dr. Robert Godfrey brings to life the stories of those who dedicated their lives to proclaiming the truth of God’s Word in the Protestant Reformation.

And here are the first lectures of each:
 

 

Matthew Barrett (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Assistant Professor of Christian Studies at California Baptist University, as well as the founder and executive editor of Credo Magazine. He is the author and editor of several books, including Salvation by Grace: The Case for Effectual Calling and Regeneration. You can read about Barrett’s other publications at matthewmbarrett.com.

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