The similar phrase 'Worldly Christianity' is one used by Bonhoeffer. It's J Gresham Machen that I want to line up most closely with. See his Christianity and culture here. Having done commentaries on Proverbs (Heavenly Wisdom) and Song of Songs (Heavenly Love), a matching title for Ecclesiastes would be Heavenly Worldliness. For my stance on worldliness, see 3 posts here.

A Tidy Faith


While at the Carey Conference I took opportunity to buy the new systematic theology by Jonathan Bayes. I was aware of the book and checked with Jonathan whether he was aware that the word tidy has different connotations in South Wales. He wasn't. So inadvertently he has entitled his book orderly faith and brilliant faith. No problem there. Any systematic theology by a Baptist is a rare treat (Gill, Dagg, Erickson, Grudem is about it). This one is 648 pages long and works to a system where we get exegesis first then a systematic formulation of the doctrine with reference to the 20 or so confessions or catechims he has consulted plus other non-western documents. Thirdly, a bit of history and then, finally, practical application. There are 16 chapters and a bibliography. Jonathan is a regular Baptist in Derbyshire but this work has grown our of his overseas lecturing, chiefly in the far east. I notice it is available from Amazon in hardback, paperback and (very cheaply) kindle format.

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