Book Notes

William Shishko

Extracted from Ordained Servant vol. 6, no. 2 (April 1997)


One of the many encouraging signs of the increasing influence of reformational theology on the arid desert of American evangelicalism is the growing number of younger writers who are seeking to bring the Reformed faith to bear on our culture in popular ways that do not sacrifice the rich doctrinal content of the Scriptures and our confessions.

Leading the pack is the prolific Michael Scott Horton, President of CURE (Christians United for REformation). Following the publication of his popular presentation of the Reformed faith (Putting Amazing Back into Grace), he has subsequently produced significant critiques of the heresies prevalent in much of modern charismatic theology (The Agony of Deceit), the dangerous elements of cultural Christianity in the United States (Made In America), and the diversions from preaching the Gospel and making faithful Christian disciples inherent in America’s so-called “culture wars” (Beyond Culture Wars). His sequel to the latter volume, Where in the World Is the Church? (Moody Press), offers a wealth of helpful thoughts on the whole subject of the application of the Christian faith to culture. Building on the insights of Abraham Kuyper, the book gives special attention to the arts, science, and work. It is a helpful addition to the plethora of works on the subject of how Christians can be in the world but not of it.. His most recent work In The Face of God (Word Publishing Co.) builds on the many volumes now surveying the Gnostic roots of so much modern “spirituality.” His emphasis on the mediation of Christ, the church, the Word and Sacraments, and biblical worship are refreshing affirmations of historic Reformed principles.

Despite Horton’s affinities with a Lutheran view of the law, Orthodox Presbyterians will appreciate (among many other things) his debt to the memory and thought of J. Gresham Machen. Indeed, Beyond Culture Wars is dedicated to Dr. Machen. For stimulating reading CURE’s Modern Reformation magazine is superb. (The September/October, 1996 edition was dedicated to the theme of “Polemics: A Defense of Defending,” and included, among other things, Dr. Machen’s lecture on “Christan Scholarship and the Defense of the Faith”). Information on all of CURE’s material can be obtained by writing to them at Box 2000, Philadelphia, PA 19013, or by phoning them at 1-800-956-2644. The e-mail address is: cureinc@aol.com. Net surfers will find a wealth of material available on their web page at http://members.aol.com/cureinc.

Lesser known, but no less incisive is Douglas Wilson, author of a number of volumes which seek to apply the Reformed faith to modern issues in a presuppositional manner. One evening I treated myself to Persuasions: A Dream of Reason Meeting Unbelief (Canon Press), and enjoyed reading this intriguing collection of imaginary conversations between an evangelist/apologist and various characters who are stuck in the quagmire of unbelief. The book illustrated particularly man’s unwillingness to believe the truth, cf. Jn. 5:40. It’s a great read for people who are growing in their apologetic skills. Related to Wilson is the magazine Credenda/Agenda (phone 208/882-7963. Web page www.credenda.org/). Its articles run the gamut from thoughts on schooling and child rearing to church government and Protestant vs. Catholic views of the authority of the church (Volume 8, number 5). While I weary of the multiplication of periodicals—many of which are only a waste of the paper they are printed on—Credenda/Agenda and Modern Reformation are well worth your attention, even if only because they treat relevant topics with an unashamed commitment to historic Reformed orthodoxy. One certainly cannot say that about Christianity Today!


William Shishko is pastor of Franklin Square OPC, Franklin Square, New York.