Knox: The Life and Legacy of Scotland’s Controversial Reformer

Trinity Digital Film 2016 | 77 minutes, $17 (buy) $7.50 (rent)

The name John Knox elicits a diversity of reactions. Though a domineering, authoritative, and difficult man, he is often regarded as one of Presbyterianism’s greatest heroes. Relying on multiple interviews with pastors and scholars, this film presents a captivating portrait of the life and times of Knox. Viewers will be introduced to the reluctant man who became a preacher, a galley slave, and went on to become Scotland’s central figure in the Reformation.

The production and editing of this biography is high quality and the content, though introductory, is informative. Viewers, I trust, will appreciate this. However, two comments seem warranted to demonstrate the film’s potential shortcomings.

First, this documentary has been marketed to promote relevance. It does not, in the mind of this reviewer, achieve that goal. It collates facts but never gets around to informing today’s Christians what helpful lessons we may learn from Knox’s life.

Second, and this pertains more to the audience of the film, viewers should be encouraged not to idealize Knox. He did much good, and for that we are thankful. But it is easy to romanticize the man who brought a sharp sword and an even sharper tongue. While the documentary noted some of his weaknesses and the disagreements he had with contemporaries like John Calvin, a true study of this Reformer needs to take him as he was—faults and all.

This video is available for purchase or renting via digital streaming through Vimeo. A DVD is also available, but some North American viewers may need to wait until December due to regional formatting.

Visual Theology

Tim Challies and Josh Byers | Zondervan, 2016, 155 pp., $17.99

Popular Christian blogger Tim Challies has teamed up with illustrator Josh Byers to produce a singularly unique book for adults that combines practical theology with the skill of an artist. At its heart, Visual Theology is a book about Christian health, growth, and maturity communicated through word and infographics.

This book is structured around four main disciplines that increase our spiritual fitness: growing close to Jesus, understanding the doctrine of Jesus, becoming more like Jesus, and living for Jesus. By examining each of these, Challies guides Christians through a topics ranging from the benefits of redemption to our vocation and stewardship. Each page is accompanied by color-bursting infographics to help visual learners connect with what is written.

Overall, this is an excellently formatted presentation that does not read like a demanding how-to book of spiritual disciplines. Challies has mastered the skill of brevity without sacrificing the depth of content, and his refreshing look at the Christian life is thoroughly Christ-centered. This reviewer was pleased with the content and only desired to see a couple of things expanded or clarified. For instance, in a terse section on the role of preaching in the Christian life, the author mainly emphasized an individualistic approach of preaching to oneself rather than the authoritative proclamation of God’s Word as a primary means of grace. Nevertheless, details like this should not deter readers from appreciating the majority of the content.

The infographics are a unique addition. Aside from being a visual aid, they also lend the book an aesthetic appeal that can only be described as fresh and crisp. Perhaps the defect will eventually be infographics if and when they go out of popular use, but hopefully Visual Theology will be an enduring help for growing Christians.

The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New

Marty Machowski and illustrated by Andy McGuire | New Growth Press, 2015, 257 pp., $29.99

Theology is nothing but the study of God—or, to put it a bit more technically, it is the ology of God. In that sense every Christian should be a theologian. In this book, two children stumble across an old package in the church cellar and open it to find a book that guides them through the ology of God. The result is a systematic theology for children. In 71 short chapters, elementary students learn to study God, people, sin, promise and law, Christ, the Holy Spirit, salvation, the church, end times, and the Bible. Accompanying every chapter are beautifully illustrated pictures and study questions. There is also a helpful glossary.

One precaution is that its content is not distinctly Reformed but relies heavily on Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology. While much of what is written will be agreeable to Presbyterians, there are some potential weaknesses regarding what is left out and what is included.

On the one hand, certain emphases are absent. For instance, though the book teaches the headship of Adam, there is no instruction on God’s covenantal arrangements—and since the covenants of works and grace are the organizing principle of the Bible, they are important to emphasize with our children.

On the other hand there is some content that will be disagreeable, the most apparent being the study of the church. Written from a Baptist perspective, the definition of the church is written so as to exclude children. While the chapter on baptism is fairly noncommittal, with the author giving a hat-tip to those who practice infant baptism, it still promotes baptism by immersion only. Furthermore, readers should be aware that the chapter on the gifts of the Spirit does not distinguish between what we generally refer to as ordinary and extraordinary gifts. Deficiencies like these, however, can easily be corrected in instruction and should not divert the would-be reader. 
 Divine Rule Maintained

Stephen J. Casselli | Reformation Heritage Books, 2016, 188 pp., $40

After being encouraged by his peers, the Westminster Divine Anthony Burgess published a series of lectures on the law under the title Vindicae Legis: A Vindication of the Morall Law and Covenants in 1646. Burgess’ volume is a careful and valuable corrective to the errors of antinomianism and legalism. However, given its old style, demanding content, and onerous organization, it remains a challenging read for many pastors and seminary students.

That is why Divine Rule Maintained is a welcome addition to any library. Stephen Casselli, pastor of Holy Trinity OPC in Tampa, Fla., has provided us with an extremely helpful synopsis and analysis of the old work. After introducing readers to the life of Anthony Burgess, he develops Burgess’ understanding of the relationship of the law to creation, Moses, and the gospel while also providing helpful historical context and acquainting readers with some of the perplexing questions that inevitably arise from a study of this nature. The final product is a well-researched and documented volume that makes Burgess’ excellent work more palatable.

While this book will not appeal to every reader, some should take a particular interest. First, those who appreciate Puritan literature will value the work. Contrary to what some modern republications may lead one to conclude, the Puritans were not only devotional writers but also immensely sophisticated theologians. Casselli’s commentary helps readers to faithful digest some of the rich exegetical fruit of the 17th Century. Second, it will appeal to those who are familiar with some of the contemporary debates regarding antinomianism and legalism. Casselli’s volume addresses the root of these errors and demonstrates their correction in Jesus Christ. Finally, Divine Rule Maintained ought to appeal to those who have been called to preach. The struggle of the pulpit can be defined, in part, as the struggle for clarity on law and gospel issues. This book will, hopefully, advance any pastor’s understanding on this.

While not a substitute for Burgess’ work, Casselli has provided us with a volume that will complement it nicely.

My Comfort in Affliction

Amanda Slikker | Westbow Press, 2013, 249 pp., $19.95

Amanda Slikker (Enid, Okla., RPC) was in her “plebe” year at the Naval Academy when, during her first rugby game, she suffered an injury to her jaw that would drastically alter her life. In this intriguing autobiography she describes in detail her physical struggles as she undergoes years of questions, surgeries, and treatments.

Any biographer (or autobiographer) should ask two questions: Do I have a story to tell? and Have I told it in the best way possible? This reviewer believes that Slikker does indeed have a story to tell. Countless people silently struggle with chronic pain and dismal medical prognoses that, though not always life threatening, radically affect everyday life. Readers are invited into one such struggle as the author shows her doubt, pessimism, and frustration and the circumstances that exacerbate those feelings. Any reader with an ounce of empathy will be attracted to her story.

As to the second question, readers will probably differ. This reviewer wished the author would have simplified and shortened some of the minute details that seemed more laborious than helpful. I was also expecting, as the title suggested, more of a working-through of the spiritual hope that is found in the One who is Lord of body and soul. After all, that is our greatest comfort in life and in death!

This self-published book had glitches that will catch the eye of the grammatically precise. Nevertheless, Slikker’s autobiography is a vulnerable and transparent glimpse of those “light and momentary afflictions” that, at times, seem bigger than God, but in reality yield to His good and pleasing will.

Reviewer Kyle Borg is pastor of Winchester, Kan, RPC.