Recently, I reviewed Chris Brauns’ new book, Bound Together. Around the same time, I had a chance to ask Chris three questions about the book, which he kindly answered with a thoroughness I’ve rarely seen!

Check out the interview below and keep reading to see how you can win a copy of the book for yourself:

In Bound Together, you identify a serious problem—the creep of individualism into the church. How did we let things get this bad?

The question of how radical individualism made its way into the 21st century church is an important one. Answering properly would require a survey of the developments of the Enlightenment. But let me try giving a concise answer:

Radical individualism was the inevitable trajectory of the Modern Age with its emphasis on individual autonomy. Over time, the radical individualism that came to permeate the West in the modern age has affected and shaped the Church. Continue Reading…

Recently I had the opportunity to review Tullian Tchividjian’s new book, Glorious Ruin: How Suffering Sets You Free (read the review here). This powerful new book is among the most helpful I’ve read on the subject of suffering because of Tchividjian’s focus on the question of who is with us amid our trials. Glorious Ruin unpacks this fundamental question—“the only [one] God has seen fit to answer, concretely, in the person and work of Jesus Christ” (25).

Thanks to the miracle of technology, Tullian and I had an opportunity to sit down and chat about the book. The result was a 25 plus minute conversation where we discussed:

• the need for the book;
• the difference between being theologians of glory and theologians of the cross;
• suffering honestly as Christians; and
• Tullian’s hopes for the book.

Rather than give you chunks of the conversation, I wanted to give you the whole thing (with only the most minor edits). I hope you’ll find the discussion helpful. When you’re done, I trust you will purchase a copy of the book for yourself, which is available now at Amazon and WTS Books among other book resellers. You’ll be thankful you did.

A couple months back, I had the chance to sit down with fellow Cruciform Press author Tad Thompson to talk about his book,  Intentional Parenting: Family Discipleship by Design. In this interview we discuss Tad’s reasons for writing the book, how the gospel applies to parenting and how he hopes readers will be encouraged:

Intentional Parenting is available through CruciformPress.com, Amazon and several of your favorite Christian book sellers.

Tim Chester and I sat down for a preview of his talk at Together for Adoption on the Trinity and adoption:

I’d encourage you to get any of Tim’s books—here are a few to check out:

Gospel Centred Family

Total Church: A Radical Reshaping around Gospel and Community (with Steve Timmis)

A Meal with Jesus: Discovering Grace, Community, and Mission around the Table

Delighting in the Trinity

Many thanks to Tim for taking the time to chat with me for this impromptu video—I hope you’ll check out his books. They’ll be a great blessing to you.

Recently I had the opportunity to read and review Carl Trueman’s excellent little book, Reformation. Following the review, I had the chance to ask Dr. Trueman three questions about the book and his own appreciation for Reformation theology:

1. What do you most appreciate about the theology of the Reformers on a personal level? Is there any particular point at which you would diverge from their basic principles?

Justification by grace through faith. It is the only thing that makes it possible to really live as a Christian. The day I first understood that doctrine, it was as if a great millstone had been lifted off my back. I felt like Christian at the foot of the cross in Pilgrim’s Progress.

On divergence: given the Reformers themselves were quite diverse on numerous points, it is difficult to generalize. I disagree with Luther on the nature of Christ’s presence in the Lord’s Supper and on the helpfulness of images of Christ. I disagree with Zwingli in his more radical statements on the mere memorialism of the Lord’s Supper. With Calvin, I have little in the way of any disagreement. Of the three, Luther, though, is by far my favourite. His humanity is so clear in so much that he writes and does.

2. Looking back on Reformation and the lecture series that birthed it, do you believe there’s a greater or lesser need for recovering an appreciation for Reformation theology?

There is always a need for promoting the great emphases of the Reformation: scripture, grace, faith. What is Christianity without these? I am encouraged that the so-called Young, Restless and Reformed seem to be picking up on much of this, though a little concerned that the movement may be carried along by personalities and trendiness rather than truth. That is a concern, though, not a positive claim. Only time will tell what real depth the movement has.

3.  Is there anything in the book you would state differently?

Probably! Since writing the book, I have spent a decade in the USA, so my perspective has no doubt shifted on many things. I think the most significant, though, would be those matters I highlight in the new preface: today, I would temper my comments on preaching to make a little more room for application, I would stress the importance of ecclesiology, and I would encourage a greater appreciation of the creeds and confessions of the church as a vital resource for healthy church life and order.

Many thanks to Carl Trueman for taking the time to answer these questions and to Christian Focus for making it possible. If you haven’t had an opportunity, I’d highly encourage getting a copy of Reformation. It will be a wonderful addition to your library and a terrific investment into your own faith and ministry.