The nouns are the same — if done properly, in both instances our subject material is the Word of God.

The verbs are the same — if done properly, in both instances we are preaching the Word of God.

The adverbs are different — in the first instance we are preaching from a single text of Scripture (in what I would call an expository manner); in the second instance we are preaching catechetically from a broader range of God’s revelation in Scripture.

I think that’s a helpful way to explain it, especially for those who still struggle with the idea of catechism preaching.  Still I am becoming increasingly convinced that it is unhelpful to describe the Catechism as our TEXT for the afternoon/evening sermon.  That terminology can and often does give the impression that the Catechism has replaced the Bible in the second service.  In the service I typically announce it something like this:  “This afternoon we’re considering the teachings of the Word of God as summarized and confessed by the church in Lord’s Day x.”   But I’m still trying to think of a better, yet still succinct, way of mentioning it in the order of worship in the bulletin.  Right now we still have “TEXT:”  I know some URCs have “Confessional Reading,” but that’s not really accurate either.  If anyone has a good suggestion, I’ll leave the comments open just for this one post.

The Gospel Under the Northern Lights is a missionary memoir.  It describes our family’s experiences in north-central British Columbia while labouring for the gospel in the little village of Fort Babine.  Right now (until January 20) you can get 20% off the retail price by using the code PRICETHAW.  Order it here.  Here are some comments from people who’ve read it:

“Couldn’t put it down! Not quite done…another late night tonight! Thank-you, it is very enjoyable and interesting.”  JVB, Hamilton, ON

“It is a fantastic book! I couldn’t put it down even when I was supposed to be cooking and cleaning. It shows very clearly the joys and sorrows, struggles and triumphs that go along with mission work. A must read for everyone!”  JDR, Neerlandia, AB

“…this is a very worthwhile book. Pleasant to read as it reads like a story, but so much learning to be gained from it as well! You will not be disappointed!”  CH, Hamilton, ON

“…an excellent read. I spent every spare moment this weekend reading it. What a story!”  MS, Neerlandia, AB

While I did at one time, now I don’t normally write reviews of books written by multiple authors.  I’m not going to make an exception for this one.  It’s too much like having to write individual reviews of eight chapters instead of a review of one book by one author.  So I just wanted to share this remarkable paragraph from Sinclair Ferguson’s contribution, “Christ the Sin-Bearer.”  These insights are drawn from Isaiah 53:

We see Jesus in all the the glory of what theologians call the munus triplex, the three-fold office of our Savior.  Jesus became a humiliated prophet who did not open his mouth.  He became a humiliated priest who was offered as the sacrifice for guilt.  He became a humiliated king so that there was no majesty in him to attract us.  Because his work has ended, his mission was accomplished, and his sacrifice was accepted.  Thus, God has raised him up and he is now the exalted prophet before whom even kings will shut their mouths and listen.  He is the exalted priest who will sprinkle the nations with his sacrificial blood, cleanse them, and make them a fellowship of priests unto God, his Father.  He is the exalted king who has returned from battle victorious in his splendor and entered into the majesty of the right hand of God.  He has received the spoils of war.  ‘Ask of me,’ says the Father, ‘and I will make the very nations as your inheritance.’ (cf. Ps. 2:8).  (118)

Beautifully put!  When I come across a passage like this, I make a note of it somewhere handy so that if I come to preach upon something related, I can easily find it again.  Here I’ve made a note next to Lord’s Day 12 of the Catechism, the place where Reformed churches confess the three-fold office of Christ.

…you may have noticed the news item about our Bible translation.  The synodically appointed Committee for Bible Translation recently released its report on the 2011 NIV.  You can find it at the federation website, www.canrc.org .  To summarize the report as briefly as possible, the new NIV is not recommended to the churches by the committee.  At our last Council meeting we discussed this report and came to a decision.  Since the old NIV is no longer available and the new NIV is not acceptable, we are compelled to adopt a different translation.  Of the options available (NASB, NKJV, ESV), the ESV is the most attractive.  We have therefore decided to adopt the ESV effective September 1, 2012.  The time frame gives congregation members opportunity to purchase new Bibles.  Of course, if you wish to keep using your old NIV, you certainly have that freedom.  However, if you are going to be looking for a new Bible for your children or for a gift, we recommend that it be an ESV in anticipation of the change in September.  We have a congregation meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 23 and I’ll be making a presentation there about the background and rationale for this decision.  You’ll also have opportunity to ask any questions.  In the meantime, you are reminded that just about any new NIV Bible that you purchase will be a 2011 NIV with the objectionable changes mentioned in the CBT report.

Athanasius, Simonetta Carr (with illustrations by Matt Abraxas), Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2011.  Hardcover, 63 pages, $18.00.

As soon as I took this book out of the envelope, I was impressed.  This volume for children has been published in a quality manner.  From cover to cover, the book is filled with beautiful illustrations (by Matt Abraxas), helpful maps, and other visual aids.  Once again Reformation Heritage Books has produced a book that does justice to its subject.  This is a publisher with a clear commitment to excellence.

The subject here is Athanasius, one of the early church fathers.  He was an important figure in the development of the doctrine of the Trinity.  The patristic period is often ignored in Christian literature for children and so this biography definitely fills a gap.  Athanasius lived during a tumultuous time and because of his strong convictions, he was often on the run and living in exile.  He was loved by some and hated by many.  His life’s story is compelling.

Simonetta Carr is a United Reformed Sunday school teacher from California.  She tells the story of Athanasius crisply and accurately.  The book also touches on his theological significance, but it does so in a way suitable for younger readers.  How young, you ask?  As I do with all the children’s books that I review, I test drove this one with my family.  I’d say that the fourteen year old and twelve year old probably understood the most.  The eight year old did okay with most of it, though the theological aspects were beyond her.  Our three year old liked the pictures.  The back of the book says that it’s suitable for ages 7-12, but I’d suggest that it’s best geared towards those on the upper side of that range.

I could see a book like this being used in several ways.  The average Christian family could do like we did and read the book together out loud.  It could also be passed on to older children for their own personal reading.  Homeschooling families could use it as part of their church history curriculum, as could regular Christian school teachers.  The back of the book includes a “Time Line of Athanasius’s Life” as well an appendix with interesting facts about Athanasius and his context.

Athanasius is one of several volumes in the RHB series Christian Biographies for Young Readers.  If this one is any indication , the other titles in this series will also be worth checking out:  John Calvin, Augustine of Hippo, and John Owen.   Through volumes like these, we are reminded of how our good and gracious God has preserved his church through the centuries and we’re encouraged to fight the good fight in our own day.