Four Books Recently Read

I have recently read two short biogaphies of men of God I have known personally.

The first was a wonderful little biography that my father-in-law has put together with a brief losing piece by my oldest son. Both were Bud Mort's pastors. So glad the folk at the Met Tab were willing to publish it. They have made a vary good job of it. I knew about Bud but a lot of the details were unknown, however, and it is good to have read this delightful little story. Bud became profoundly deaf when young and his daughter, Linda, is mentally disabled. These and other tough issues were hard to accept but by the grace of God Bud not only accepted them but was more than conqueror through Christ. Every Christian could benefit from this book and it might make a good present for an unbeliever, especially if they are deaf or touched by the tragedy of disability in some way. Not feted by the high and mighty, here is another of whom the world was not worthy.

The second sadly has not been done half so well. The pictures are poor and the typos many. Better, however, that it is done at all than not. The content is excellent. It has been my privilege to meet Brian more than once but this little book gives his background in a way that could not be covered in that brief time. Here is the story of another hero of the faith, briefly told. I would urge all who have an interest in the gospel and in mission to read it. The book explains something of the history of Cubao Reformed Baptist Church and some of the works connected to it. Short contributions from others supplement the main body of the work which is by Brian himself.

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Then I have also been reading this Crossway Short Classics eries. I have now read all of them. I made notes about B B Warfield's one on the emotional life of Christ elsewhere. Anpther two I have read were by Thomas Chalmers and Jim Packer.

Chalmers. I have long known the phrase "The expulsive power of a new affection" and was aware that it is a work by Thomas Chalmers but it is only now that I have taken the time to read this very encouraging sermon or essay in this beautifully presented form. It is not brilliantly written and seems to be a little repetitive but the main point is hammered home effectively and is very worthwhile to keep in mind.

Packer. I was half expecting this to be the essay Packer wrote as a preface to Owen on the death of death but it What did the cross of Christ achieve? is a separate work originally given as a lecture. It is a very through piece of work and provides support for the orthodox position, support I am sure I have been leaning on for years without knowing it as others have imbibed the points he makes. Very well worth reading and digesting.