Anne Steele (1717–1778) has been recognized as one of the leading female hymnwriters of her time. In Anne Steele and Her Spiritual Vision, Priscilla Wong demonstrates how Steele was able to see God in different circumstances of her life and expressed it in three main themes that can be found in her hymnody: the glory of God in creation, faith in the face o… Read more…
Michael A. G. Haykin provides an excellent primer on Reformed Evangelical spirituality by opening a window to the life and work of Alexander Whyte. Haykin's biographical essay introduces the reader to Whyte and to the high premium he placed on vibrant Christianity. The remainder of the book presents 28 selections from various written works by Whyte that … Read more…
A Sweet Flame introduces readers to the piety of Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758). Dr. Haykin’s biographical sketch of Edwards captures the importance the New England minister placed on Scripture, family piety, and the church’s reliance upon God. The remainder of the book presents 26 selections from various letters written by Edwards, two written by family m… Read more…
While largely forgotten in modern times, Hercules Collins (1646/1702) was highly influential among the late 17th and early 18th century Calvinistic Baptists of London. Through a biographical sketch and 35 sample selections collected from Collin's writings, Michael A.G. Haykin and Stee Weaver introduce us to the vibrant spirituality of this colossal figur… Read more…
"“The Foundation of Communion with God” introduces readers to the Trinitarian piety of John Owen (1616–1683). Ryan McGraw’s introduction to Owen sketches the major events of this important theologian’s life and shows how his circumstances shaped his thought on the themes of the Trinity and public worship. The second part of the book presents fo… Read more…
“A Scribe Well-Trained” acquaints us with the life and writings of Princeton Theological Seminary’s founding professor, Archibald Alexander (1772–1851). In the opening biographical sketch, James M. Garretson introduces us to the things that influenced Alexander and how he sought to cultivate godliness in himself, the men he trained, and people to who… Read more…
Samuel Miller (1769–1850) played an integral part in founding Princeton Theological Seminary, which became one of the most influential training grounds for Presbyterian ministers in the nineteenth century. While Miller is most commonly remembered for his writings on church office, he also played a significant role instructing students and shaping their the… Read more…
In An All-Surpassing Fellowship, David P. Beaty introduces us to the spiritual life of Robert Murray M‘Cheyne. After giving an overview of the life of this remarkable Scottish pastor, Beaty analyzes M‘Cheyne’s study of the Bible, prayer life, pursuit of holiness, eternal perspective, and dependence on the Holy Spirit to see the rich contribution they m… Read more…
Puritan pastors of the seventeenth century were true physicians of the soul, and this is made readily apparent in Adam Embry’s study of John Flavel. In Keeper of the Great Seal of Heaven, Embry shows the prominent themes of heavenly mindedness and the work of the Holy Spirit in Flavel’s life and pastoral ministry. He goes on to evaluate Flavel’s teachi… Read more…
It sounded at first like something out of an old horror movie. I thought maybe someone was just playing around, but then I heard it again and again, a loud piercing cry, and less like Hollywood every time. The windows were down in my police cruiser on that warm fall day, but I still couldn’t tell where the sounds came from. I began looking around for the u… Read more…
David Brainerd’s life and thought influenced not only his own generation but have also exerted influence on the generations that have lived after him. His life was characterized by an unusual devotion to God and an agonizing examination of personal motives and aspirations. Unswerving in his purpose after being converted to Christ, Brainerd endured … Read more…
In his grade school days, Ben Carson would hardly have been voted “most likely to become a famous surgeon.” His classmates had already given him another label: class dummy. Then a light clicked on for Ben—and a consuming passion for learning that catapulted him from “zero” test grades to a Yale scholarship, a pioneering role in modern medicine, and… Read more…
