Knowing Christ | Mark Jones | Banner of Truth, 2015, 250 pp., $13.

The simple aim of this book is to give Christians a reason to love Jesus more. In a day when our thoughts of Christ are not too big but often too small, when our love for Him is not too bright but often dim, and when our knowledge is not too full but often malnourished, this should be a welcome addition to any bookshelf.

Mark Jones, pastor at Faith Vancouver PCA and Puritan scholar, situates this book as a followup to J.I. Packer’s classic, Knowing God. There are many strengths to this book, not the least of which are Jones’s faithfulness to the biblical testimony and a concern to maintain the nuanced points of orthodoxy and Presbyter­ian confessionalism.

In addition to frequent biblical references, Jones draws from his own in-depth studies, especially of the Puritans. While some readers will appreciate the scholarly emphasis, others may feel encumbered by the citations. Jones does not shrink back from addressing the extremely complex issues that arise in this area of study (e.g. the communication of attributes, the doctrine of anhypostasis, and impeccability). He does try, however, to navigate these deep waters as a pastor. Whether he is successful in that effort will probably depend on the perspecitive of each reader—but do expect this book to stretch your mind. Most unfortunate was the publisher’s decision to forego footnotes for endnotes and include chapter study questions at the back of the book. In the mind of this reviewer, that inhibits some of the accessibility of the book.

The end result, however, is a full and captivating picture, both for mind and heart, of the person and work of Jesus Christ, broken up into digestible chapters. It will provide readers with a helpful grid by which they can begin “beholding the glory of the Lord” in the Word of God (2 Cor. 3:18).

Peace by Piece | Maria Rockhill | Westbow Press, 2015, 48 pp., $9.95

This is a memoir retelling the experience of an 8-year-old girl named Maria living deep in the wilderness of northwestern Ontario, coming to grips with the move she and her family must make from all she has known and loved to a new life in Kansas. The book opens with a wise and loving analogy from Maria’s mother: moving is like a puzzle. When you live in one place you know the picture that puzzle makes. When you move, you have to start all over again to make a new puzzle. Some of the pieces will be the same (family members), but many will be different.

Written by an RP pastor’s wife, this book chronicles, in winsome ways, what Maria’s 8-year-old self felt, thought, and experienced as she contemplated what her new puzzle might be like when she moved to Kansas. Readers will enjoy the childlike simplicity of this story mixed with vivid memories and fun anecdotes about people and places—not to mention a hearty dose of nostalgia for many of us as we remember life-changing events in our childhood. But this book is not just a good story. It is also meaningful as we all look for an abiding peace in the many pieces that make up our lives.

Same-Sex Attraction and the Church: The Surprising Plausibility of the Celibate Life | Ed Shaw | IVP Books, 2015, 172 pp., $16

One of the greatest needs of the contemporary church is to speak biblically and compassionately about sexuality. In recent decades it seems the emphasis of this discussion has centered on whether the Bible condemns or condones homosexual behaviors. What has been lacking, in the opinion of this reviewer, is ways in which the church can address, pastor, counsel, and share in the burden of our brothers and sisters who find themselves struggling in this particular area. This book is a remedy to that concern, and it heads, mostly, in the right direction.

Ed Shaw is a pastor, faithful Christian, and one who believes the Bible supports the traditional view of sexual ethics. He is also a man who struggles with same-sex attraction. In this book he seeks to guide readers away from what he calls the “plausibility problem”—that is, the idea that what the Bible teaches regarding sex is not a reasonable expectation. He introduces this problem in 2 chapters and, in the following 9, he identifies missteps that have helped to reinforce the plausibility problem (e.g. sexual identity, gender confusion, ultimacy of happiness). Readers should be aware that, contrary to what the title may suggest, these missteps are not only relevant to the issue of same-sex attraction but also address most if not all of society’s distorted views of sex and sexuality.

One particular chapter, “Godliness is Heterosexuality,” has received both praise and criticism. The aim of the chapter is to identify the misstep in thinking heterosexuality is godliness. Critics have urged a more careful answer. While heterosexuality cannot be equated with godliness, a monogamous covenantal union between two people of the opposite gender is the design of God for our sexual natures. As with all books, readers should exercise careful biblical discernment. Nonetheless, this book is a great introduction in dealing with the real-life issues that present themselves in our sexualized culture.

Noah: A Journal of Praise | Nancy Ganz (author) and Matthew Sample II (illustrator) | Shepherd Press, 2015, 48 pp., $9.95

Some Bible stories are so well known that it is hard to think of them beyond our own familiarity. This short and colorfully illustrated book gives children (and parents!) an imaginative perspective on Noah’s experience aboard the ark while, at the same time, staying faithful to the biblical witness.

Noah: A Journal of Praise is written from the first-person perspective of Noah as he struggles with the questions and circumstances that he may have encountered on the ark. What is unique, however, is that every entry ends in the praise of God—praise for His judgment, kindness, provision, and covenantal love. The language used in these notes of praise is very reminiscent of the book of Psalms. For that reason it gives parents the opportunity not only to speak of God’s redemptive purpose in a well-loved Bible story, but also to teach their children how the Psalms have a timeless character.

Readers should know that the author and illustrator do not present a saccharine picture of the biblical account. That is part of the faithfulness of this book. The story of Noah is intended to demonstrate God’s saving mercy in the midst of terrible judgment. The same waves that bear the ark above the waters drown the wicked. Of course, the meaning of that points us to the cross of Christ—His condemnation is our pardon. Parents should be prepared to discuss these honest yet appropriate images and ideas with their children. RP author Nancy Ganz has once again successfully opened the Old Testament for children’s imaginations and affections.

Reformed Dogmatics (4 vols.) | Geerhardus Vos | Lexham Press, 2012-15, 959 pp., $135

Many people in the Reformed Presbyterian Church owe a debt of gratitude to J.G. Vos. His years as a churchman, professor, and prolific writer continue to bear fruit in this generation. What may not be as well known to some is that J.G.’s father, Geerhardus Vos, was arguably one of the most influential and critical Reformed thinkers of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. While his legacy has been centered on his fathering of Reformed biblical theology, now, thanks to the efforts of Richard Gaffin, we have access to his monumental work in systematic theology.

This four-volume set (the printed fifth volume is forthcoming) was written before Geerhardus Vos was 34, and he already demonstrates his acute exegetical skill and his profound grasp on the whole of the theological encyclopedia. In his writing, Vos sought to be faithful to the biblical witness, and his conclusions never brought him beyond the confessionalism that identifies Reformed thought.

One of the particular strengths of this work is the cogency with which it is written. Vos structured each chapter as a series of questions and answers and further subdivided answers when necessary. The editor has done a good job in retaining this flow by italicizing the questions and indenting and numbering the answers. The reader is never left trying to unscramble the main point. Vos also had an ability to say a lot in few words. The depth, precision, and terseness of his writing will no doubt challenge a reader unfamiliar with the subject and may inhibit the accessibility of this work to a wide audience. Nevertheless, the reader who is willing to persevere will find these volumes to be a steady guide through the doctrines of God, man, Christ, and salvation.