Back in July I posted a brief note about Christ the Center’s interview with Rev. Dr. John Fesko on his latest book, The Rule of Love: Broken, Fulfilled, and Applied. Now having had the chance to read the book myself I want to heartily commend this concise 136 page study on one of the most neglected and misunderstood aspects of the Christian life: the Ten Commandments as our rule of love.

What does it mean that the Decalogue is our rule of love? Do the Ten Commandments matter to Christians beyond battles over whether the Decalogue ought to be allowed in American courtrooms and public schools? How does the Law apply to the church today? Fesko answers these questions by looking at each of the 10 commands and unfolding them in the light of their historical, covenantal, and redemptive contexts.

Fesko’s explanations are clear, concise, and creative. You may find yourself thinking more than once, “I’ve never looked at it that way before.” (See especially the chapter on the Fourth Commandment.)

The structure of the book is easy to follow. Each chapter is divided into three sections: (1) the command in its original setting; (2) the command in the light of Christ; and (3) the command’s connection to the church. And the conclusion of each chapter includes a handful of review questions, facilitating personal and small group study.

In a word, while this brief book certainly does not say the last word on the Decalogue (nor does it claim to); however, it does provide a wonderful first word on how the “Ten Words” serve as a rule of love in Christ’s church.

Related Books on the Ten Commandments

More Books by Rev. Dr. John Fesko

While looking for a cost-effective way to purchase Adobe Acrobat 9 I came across a CNET certified store which sells discounted software:

For example, Acrobat 9 Pro lists for $449 on Adobe.com, but SoftwareMedia sells Acrobat 9 pro (Mac version) for $112. To find more great deals visit SoftwareMedia.

Summary: This full-color encyclopedia will be a wonderful tool, especially for families and Bible students, to learn the people, places, and historical context of Holy Scripture.

Book Info

ISBN: 9780310241362 (Worldcat; Google Books)
Publisher: Zondervan (2009; expected in October)
Genres: Reference, Biblical studies
Reading Level: high school–adult
Format: Hardcover, 5 volumes
List Price: $279.99 (Pre-order from Amazon: $176.39)

Why another Bible encyclopedia?

Zondervan’s newly revised Encyclopedia of the Bible has a long pedigree; it significantly updates Zondervan’s 1975 Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, which itself was an expansion of Zondervan’s 1963 Pictorial Bible Dictionary. This pedigree is significant when viewed in light of its nearest major competitor, the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE), which was published in 1915 and revised in 1929 and 1979. Both encyclopedias are nearly 30 years old. Thus, Zondervan’s revised Encyclopedia will compete as the most up-to-date, comprehensive (and to my knowledge the only full-color) Bible encyclopedia currently on the market.

What is new in this revised edition?

The original scope of the 1975 edition was “intended to cover directly or indirectly all persons, places, objects, customs, and historical events and major teachings of the Bible” (x). Fifteen new contributors and a new revision editor (Moises Silva) deepen this original scope by adding hundreds of new brief articles and twenty new “in-depth articles.” For example, readers will look forward to new articles such as “Apologetics” by William Edgar and the “Biblical Doctrine of God” by John M. Frame. Additionally, some existing articles “have been totally rewritten,” and others “have received substantive updating” (v). Thus, the revision seeks “to preserve the original contributions as much as possible while at the same time updating the material to serve a new generation” (v).

Perhaps the most visible difference is the full-color photos and maps. The colorized maps aid the reader in appreciating topographical features, and the detail of the photos helps the geological and archeological aspects to come alive. See, for example, the sample shot of the pre-publication Zondervan Encyclopedia entry for “Arad” (left) compared to the ISBE entry for “Arad” (above left).

Specs from the Publisher

• More than 5,000 pages of vital information on Bible lands and people
• More than 7,500 articles alphabetically arranged for easy reference
• Hundreds of full-color and black-and-white illustrations, charts, and graphs
• 32 pages of full-color maps and hundreds of black-and-white outline maps for ready reference
• Scholarly articles ranging across the entire spectrum of theological and biblical topics, backed by the most current body of archaeological research
• 238 contributors from around the world

Be sure to look for this new Zondervan Encyclopedia in October 2009. (Pre-order through Amazon.com.)

Summary: The ESV Study Bible (and accompanying web site) is a great tool for personal study and family worship; it leads the way in breadth, depth, and innovation for a new generation of study Bibles.

Book Info

ISBN: 9781433502415 (Worldcat; Google Books)
Publisher: Crossway (2008)
Genre: Biblical studies
Reading Level: middle–high school
Worthy read? Yes
Price: $28.49 @ WTS Books (43% off list price: $49.99)

Why this study Bible?

Study Bibles are tools designed to help readers understand the text. Since there are so many Bible study tools to choose from nowadays, what features distinguish the ESV Study Bible among other options for  the Bible reader’s tool belt?

Achieves balance and expertise with multiple scholars.

The advantage of having multiple experts rather than one main voice (i.e. the “John MacArthur” Study Bible, et. al.) is twofold. First, balance; second, expertise.

On balance, the biases and limitations of a single author approach are unavoidable. What if that  man has peculiar views which skew his interpretation of particular passages–who will provide a balancing voice? How could one man be an expert on all 66 books of the Bible? These hindrances are significantly mitigated by the ESV Study Bible’s collective approach. Thus, instead of getting just one man’s reflections the ESV Study Bible employs 95 Bible scholars and teachers all of whom share a firm commitment to the truthfulness of Holy Scripture.

On expertise, reading through the list of contributors is like walking down a hall of “who’s who” in Evangelical scholarship. Now, the eminence of the scholars is not the important bit; however, what is important is that multiple experts in their respective fields are contributing notes according to their areas of expertise. Thus, the scholar who has spent his or her career studying a particular book (or books) gets to contribute his or her deep, wide, and mature study of the text.

Explains redemption history and literary features.

Two large difficulties constantly confront the reader of the Bible: (1) How does a particular book fit together? What is the storyline of, say, the book of Genesis? (2) How does the Bible as a whole fit together? Is there an overarching narrative connecting the individual books?

The ESV Study Bible presents aids on both scores: (1) On the individual book level the introduction to each book includes sections on salvation history and literary features of that book. Also, the study notes within each book contain specially-shaded notes to indicate the literary structure for the book’s large sections and individual scenes. (2) On the overall level the articles include an “overview of the Bible” and significant introductory materials to both the Old and New Testaments, including articles on topics such as: the date of the Exodus, introduction to the Pentateuch, the time between the testaments, the Roman empire and Greco-Roman world, Jewish groups in New Testament times. Furthermore, the ESV Study Bible presents surveys on the theology of the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Presents all new notes.

Some study Bibles have notes which strikingly resemble one another. For example, the introductions to the individual books of the Bible in R. C. Sproul’s 2005 study Bible bear a very similar resemblance  to those of the 2003 Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible. Not so with the ESV study Bible. All the notes are fresh, up-to-date, and reflect current scholarship.

Avoids topical agendas; Lets God speak.

While topical-based study Bibles (i.e. the “manly man” study Bible, the “teen” study Bible, the “spiritual renewal” study Bible, the “women’s” study Bible, et. al.) may have a useful purpose in some contexts, such topical approaches tend to favor one theme or topic to the exclusion of many others. Thus, due to nearsightedness the reader misses the richer interrelations of the wide variety of themes throughout the Bible.

The ESV Study Bible, on the other hand, does not so limit itself to a particular theme or to a specific sociological interest group; rather, it seeks to let God be heard in all that He has spoken and to all generations, young and old. Therefore, this study Bible is particularly well suited for family worship.

Includes useful web site.

When you purchase an ESV Study Bible you are actually purchasing two products–Each Bible comes with an access code to the ESV Study Bible Website. In addition to providing all the charts, maps, articles, and study notes of the print edition, two features add value for study purposes: First, the search feature allows you to perform keyword and string searches on the biblical text; Second, the notes feature allows you to add your own notes to an individual verse or to an entire chapter. For more features try the free preview.

Presents beautiful, full-color charts and maps.

View more examples at the ESV Study Bible web site.

Critiques

All in all I think this study Bible is a wonderful study tool. The following comments are suggestions for further improvement on a few “little things”:

1. The paper thickness for individual pages of the hardback edition is slightly too thin for my liking. (The full color maps in the back, however, are printed on heavier stock.) Nonetheless, there is no significant bleeding between pages, and the text is highly readable.
2. Due to its girth (Amazon lists the ESV study Bible at a 4.7 lbs shipping weight; compare the Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible, which weighs in at 3.2 lbs shipping weight), the hardcover edition is slightly heavy to hold and a tad awkward to carry around. Nevertheless, I have seen at least one person carrying the hardcover edition to church. I find myself using the hardcover either in my lap or on the kitchen table.
3. The search feature on the accompanying web site needs the following improvements: (a) the ability to search the study notes and (b) a larger input text box on the search form itself.

Related Elsewhere

For more information be sure to visit the official web site for the ESV Study Bible. Also, comparing a few more reviews may be helpful:

1. Evangelical author and blogger Tim Challies offers a useful review.
2. Nathan Stitt offers a thoughtful layman’s review, especially noting the balanced stance of the editors (i.e. it is not just a Calvinist or just an Arminian study Bible…).
3. Andy Naselli links to the review he published in JETS (Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society).
4. The “Scripture Zealot” blog has posted links to about 20 or so reviews of the ESV Study Bible.

For a great price, fast shipping, and great service purchase your ESV Study Bible at WTS Books.

To John Stuart, Provost of Aye

Worthy and Dear Beloved in our Lord,

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.

I was refreshed and comforted by your letter. What I wrote to you for your comfort, I do not remember. I wish I could help you to praise His great and holy name, who keepeth the feet of His saints and has numbered all your goings. I know our dearest Lord will pardon and pass by our honest errors and mistakes when we mind His honor; yet I know none of you have seen the other half and the hidden side of your wonderful return home to us again. I am confident you shall yet say that God’s mercy blew your sails back to Ireland again.

Worthy and dear sir, I cannot but give you an account of my present state that you may go an errand for me to my high and royal Master. First, I am very often turning both the sides of my cross, especially my dumb and silent Sabbaths; not because I desire to find a defect in my Lord’s love, but fear of guiltiness is a tale-bearer between me and Christ, and is still whispering ill thoughts of my Lord, to weaken my faith. I would rather a cloud went over my comforts than that my faith should be hurt; for if my Lord get no wrong by me, I verily desire grace not to care what becomes of me. Hence these thoughts awake with me in the morning and go to bed with me.

O what service can a dumb body do in Christ’s house! O I am a dry tree! If I might but speak to three or four herd boys of my worthy Master, I would be satisfied to be the meanest and most obscure of all the pastors in this land, and to live in any place, in any of Christ’s basest outhouses! But He saith, ‘Sirrah, I will not send you, I have no errands for you thereaway.’ My desire to serve Him is sick of jealousy, lest He be unwilling to employ me.

Secondly, this is seconded by another. Oh! all that I have done in Anwoth, the fair work that my Master began there, is like a bird dying in the shell; and what will I then have to show of all my labour, in the day of my compearance before Him, when the Master of the vineyard calleth the laborers, and giveth them their hire?

Thirdly, But truly, when Christ’s sweet wind is in the right airth, I repent, and I pray Christ to take law burrows of my quarrelous unbelieving sadness and sorrow. But I wish He would give me grace to learn to go on my own feet and to learn to do without His comforts, and to give thanks and believe, when the sun is not in my firmament, and when my Well-beloved is from home, and gone another errand.

Now, for any resolution to go to any other kingdom, I dare not speak one word. My hopes of enlargement are cold, my hopes of reentry to my Master’s ill-dressed vineyard again are far colder. I have no seat for my faith to sit upon but bare omnipotence and God’s holy arm and goodwill. Here I desire to stay and ride at anchor and winter, while God send fair weather again. But there will be sad days see it come to that. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you.

Aberdeen, 1637

Who Was John Stuart?

Inheriting considerable property from his father, Stuart was lavishly generous in support of those suffering persecution for conscience’ sake. Later, owing to the ravages of plague he lost much of his money. He joined with Blair (Letter XVI) in the frustrated attempt to emigrate to America, which is referred to in the next letter.

About “Rutherford Thursdays”

• See my introduction to the “Rutherford Thursdays” series of blog posts.
• Selection from His Letters is a public domain text hosted by CCEL. I have arranged and formatted Rutherford’s text and Hugh Martin’s editorial comments, added headings, paragraph separations, etc., for presentation on this blog.
• Letters of Samuel Rutherford is a nice print edition of Rutherford’s letters for under $5.
• For a brief biographical sketch of Rutherford’s life, see Hugh Martin’s forward to Selections. And see Martin’s glossary for help with outdated vocabulary.
• Rutherford Resources:
  • Samuel Rutherford by Andrew Thompson. This book, now freely available via Google Books, presents two parts: First, a biography of Rutherford’s life; Second, a selection of Rutherford’s letters entitled “Honey from the Honeycomb.”
  • Fire and Ice index to S. R.
  • Samuel Rutherford: A New Biography of the Man & His Ministry. This biography by Kingsley G Rendell provides an excellent introduction to Rutherford’s life and work.

Rutherford Reads

Contents

• Facing Hard Times
  by Ross W. Graham
• Missionary Impossible
  by David Winslow and Kathleen Winslow
• The Challenges for an Army Chaplain
  by Graham C. Harbman
• Charity and Criticism
  by “Uncle Glen”

The August–September issue of New Horizons is an encouraging read, especially in two departments:

1. First, the Home Missions section reveals the diversity (ethnically, culturally, geographically) and deep commitment to church planting evident throughout the OPC. Such diversity is impressive for our so-called “sideline” size and status, and the commitment to Reformed faith and practice even in large urban settings (like Chicago and NYC) is a testimony to God’s presence accompanying His means of grace.
2. Second, the report on the 2009 Timothy Conference reveals the church’s pro-active efforts to bring up the next generation of ministers, a pressing need for anyone who has seen the domination of grey and balding “crowns” on display at a General Assembly. What a strategic time to cast a compelling vision of biblical ministry to young men entering the years of their lives when their future courses are being set.

Praise God for His continued work through our humble kirk, for His keeping His covenant promises even through our hard times.

City of God? Christianity, Judaism and Islam in the Public Square, a Veritas Forum at Oxford with presentations from

• Rabbi Dr. Naftali Brawer (Judaism),
• Dr. Tariq Ramadan (Islam), and
• Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali (Christianity)

is interesting, informative, and worth a watch or listen. Even the fact that such dialogues are happening today speaks to the happenings of our time.

However, it is frustrating that such interfaith discussions tend to degenerate into mere earthly-focused political chats which nearly disregard the whole premise of religion–that the supernatural grounds the natural. It is helpful to hear what heaven has to speak to earth; it is boring to bear with lips waxing eloquent on what earth wants to speak to heaven. Such talks will not be worth their salt until the supernatural comes into its own.

Related Reads

To John Stuart, Provost of Aye

Much Honored and Dearest in Christ,

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, be upon you.

I expected the comfort of a letter to a prisoner from you, see now. I am here, Sir, putting off a part of my inch of time; and when I awake first in the morning (which is always with great heaviness and sadness), this question is brought to my mind, ‘Am I serving God or not? Not that I doubt of the truth of this honorable cause wherein I am engaged; I dare venture into eternity, and before my Judge, that I now suffer for the truth — because that I cannot endure that my Master, who is a freeborn King, should pay tribute to any of the shields or potsherds of the earth.

Oh that I could hold the crown upon my princely King’s head with my sinful arm, howbeit it should be struck from me in that service, from the shoulder-blade. But my closed mouth, my dumb Sabbaths, the memory of my communion with Christ, in many fair, fair days in Anwoth, whereas now my Master getteth no service of my tongue as then, has almost broken my faith in two halves. Yet in my deepest apprehensions of His anger, I see through a cloud that I am wrong. And beside, He has visited my soul and watered it with His comforts.

The great men, my friends that did for me, are dried up like winter-brooks of water. All say, ‘No dealing for that man; his best will be to be gone out of the kingdom.’ So I see they tire of me. But, believe me, I am most gladly content that Christ breaketh all my idols in pieces. It has put a new edge upon mv blunted love to Christ; I see that He is jealous of my love, and will have all to Himself.

In a word, these six things are my burden:

1. I am not in the vineyard as others are; it may be, because Christ thinketh me a withered tree, not worth its room. But God forbid!
2. Woe, woe is coming upon my harlot-mother, this apostate kirk! The time is coming when we shall wish for doves’ wings to flee and hide us. Oh, for the desolation of this land!
3. I see my dear Master Christ going His lone (as it were) mourning in sackcloth. His fainting friends fear that King Jesus shall lose the field. But He must carry the day.
4. My guiltiness and the sins of youth are come up against me, and they would come into the plea in my sufferings, as deserving causes in God’s justice; but I pray God, for Christ’s sake, that He may never give them that room.
5. Woe is me, that I cannot get my royal, dreadful, mighty, and glorious Prince of the kings of the earth set on high. Sir, ye may help me and pity me in this; and bow your knee, and bless His name, and desire others to do it, that He has been pleased, in my sufferings, to make Atheists, Papists, and enemies about me say, ‘It is like that God is with this prisoner.’ Let hell and the powers of hell (I care not) be let loose against me to do their worst, so being that Christ, and my Father, and His Father, be magnified in my sufferings.
6. Christ’s love has pained me: for howbeit His presence has shamed me, and drowned me in debt, yet He often goes away when my love to Him is burning. He seemeth to look like a proud wooer, who will not look upon a poor match that is dying of love. I will not say He is lordly. But I know He is wise in hiding Himself from a child and a fool, who maketh an idol and a god of one of Christ’s kisses, which is idolatry. I fear that I adore His comforts more than Himself, and that I love the apples of life better than the tree of life.

Sir, write to me. Commend me to your wife. Mercy be her portion. Grace be with you.

Yours, in his dearest Lord Jesus.

Aberdeen, 1637

Who Was John Stuart?

Inheriting considerable property from his father, Stuart was lavishly generous in support of those suffering persecution for conscience’ sake. Later, owing to the ravages of plague he lost much of his money. He joined with Blair (Letter XVI) in the frustrated attempt to emigrate to America, which is referred to in the next letter.

About “Rutherford Thursdays”

• See my introduction to the “Rutherford Thursdays” series of blog posts.
• Selection from His Letters is a public domain text hosted by CCEL. I have arranged and formatted Rutherford’s text and Hugh Martin’s editorial comments, added headings, paragraph separations, etc., for presentation on this blog.
• Letters of Samuel Rutherford is a nice print edition of Rutherford’s letters for under $5.
• For a brief biographical sketch of Rutherford’s life, see Hugh Martin’s forward to Selections. And see Martin’s glossary for help with outdated vocabulary.
• Rutherford Resources:
  • Samuel Rutherford by Andrew Thompson. This book, now freely available via Google Books, presents two parts: First, a biography of Rutherford’s life; Second, a selection of Rutherford’s letters entitled “Honey from the Honeycomb.”
  • Fire and Ice index to S. R.
  • Samuel Rutherford: A New Biography of the Man & His Ministry. This biography by Kingsley G Rendell provides an excellent introduction to Rutherford’s life and work.

Rutherford Reads

Listen to the latest Christ the Center interview with Rev. Dr. John Fesko on his latest book, The Rule of Love: Broken, Fulfilled, and Applied. In this instructive interview Fesko answers questions such as:

• How does Jesus relate to the 10 commandments?
• Why is the prologue to the Decalogue often ignored, yet important?
• What use is the law for Christians today?
• What role does culture play in how the law is applied?

Listen and learn how the law is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path in Christ.

More Books by John Fesko

Repentance is preached in the name of Christ when, through the teaching of the gospel, men hear that all their thoughts, all their inclinations, all their efforts, are corrupt and vicious. Accordingly, they must be reborn if they would enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Forgiveness of sins is preached when men are taught that for them Christ became redemption, righteousness, salvation, and life [I Cor 1:30], by whose name they are freely accounted righteous and innocent in God’s sight (Institutes, 3.III.19, cited from the Battles ed.).

Calvin’s Preaching

• View Calvin’s recorded sermons on various books of the Bible
• Listen to a Reformed Forum interview on Calvin’s preaching

Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion

Biography and Introduction