First Principles of Bible Study by Harold Camping. Published by Family Stations, Inc., 1986) . Reviewed and critiqued by Pastor McShaffrey.

The booklet, First Principles of Bible Study (Published by Family Stations, Inc., 1986), was written to provide students of the Bible with the basic principles needed to read and understand the Word of God.

The author, Harold Camping, is the President of Family Stations Inc.  and his ministry reaches into nearly every country of the world by means of radio, literature, television, and Internet.

Mr. Camping was once an Elder in the Christian Reformed Church and has held to many of the basic tenets of the Calvinist tradition.  In his teaching, the authority of the Bible, the depravity of man, and salvation by grace alone have been stressed.

His ministry has been blessed by God and many, including myself, have been brought to faith through his teaching.

Nevertheless, Mr. Camping is presently leading as many away from the Church as he had initially led to Christ.  His erroneous teachings are threatening the spiritual health and well-being of the blood bought Bride of Christ.

(more…)

“Addictions – A Banquet in the Grave: Finding Hope in the Power of the Gospel” by Edward T. Welch. Published by P&R, 2001. Reviewed and recommended by Pastor McShaffrey.

“An effective church will have addicts in it.  After all, the church is, in part, a hospital for sinners…” (p. 120).

This valid insight invites us to consider how ready we are and whether we are even equipped to deal effectively with the ugly ravages of sin associated with addiction. (more…)

The Holy Spirit by John Owen (1616-1683). Published by Banner of Truth (1988) and Christian Heritage (2005). Reviewed and recommended by Bishop JC Ryle (1816-1900).

The subject of sanctification is of such deep importance, and the mistakes made about it so many and great, that I make no apology for strongly recommending “Owen on the Holy Spirit” to all who want to study more thoroughly the whole doctrine of sanctification. No single paper like this can embrace it all.

(more…)

“Crook in the Lot: A Puritan’s Understanding of that Thorn in Your Side” by Thomas Boston (edited by Roger N. McDermott and published by Christian Focus Publications, 2002). Reviewed and recommended by Pastor McShaffrey.

The human condition has not changed much over the past two hundred and fifty years. There is still suffering, pain, affliction, deformity, and various imperfections with which all men must deal. Though we have done our best as a society to minimize or even deny such, this fierce reality remains unchanged. (more…)

A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. Published by Dutton, 2005 and Plume, 2006. Reviewed by Donald S. Whitney.

I first heard of Eckhart Tolle during a medical examination. After learning that I was a professor of biblical spirituality, the doctor asked, “Have you read Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now?”

I said no, I had not. A brilliant, multi-talented man with a Catholic background, the physician began to commend the book to me as insightful and profound.

Weeks later, in order to familiarize myself with it prior to my next trip to the doctor’s office, I leafed through the bestseller at Barnes & Noble. My initial impressions were confirmed with every passing page. The Power of Now was just another New Age, man-centered, self-help manual claiming to be the solution to every problem. And whether by design or default, the net effect of the book was to present itself as a replacement for the Bible and the Christ-centered faith the Bible produces.

Tolle’s A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose [1] is simply more of the same.

(more…)