Kelly Kapic’s Communion with God (Baker; pb., 284 pp.) is an investigation of John Owen’s understanding of humanity and how we relate to God. Kapic demonstrates Owen’s pastoral concern in doing theology, how his concern for practical application is always intertwined with his theology. J. I. Packer in the foreword says no other book on Owen comes as close to Owen’s heart as this one!
Three volumes in the Profiles in Reformed Spirituality series (Reformation Heritage Books) have come out this last year. The most recent focuses on 17th century Particular Baptist pastor Hercules Collins and is titled, Devoted to the Service of the Temple (pb., 139 pp.). This is a great little book full of rich, spiritual insight on various topics including contentment and pastoral ministry. The other volumes deal with Alexander Whyte and Jonathan Edwards.
Baptist Standard Bearer has republished John Gill’s massive and often celebrated commentary on the whole Bible. In addition to the print version they have produced a CD with all of Gill’s books, 100 of his tracts and sermons and several books he edited or recommended. Since the CD is fully searchable, this is a valuable historical, theological resource.
Theology
A Theology for the Church, ed. Daniel Akin (B&H, hb., 979 pp.) is a multi-author systematic theology written by Southern Baptists but does not claim to represent the theology of all Southern Baptists (as if that were possible!). Each chapter surveys the Biblical material, surveys the thinking of the Church through the ages, synthesizes this data and then discusses implications of the doctrine for the church. This format makes it a useful resource. Some particularly good chapters include Greg Thornbury (Prolegomena), Timothy George (God), and Mark Dever (Church).
Several items on baptism have appeared including Troubled Waters: Rethinking the Theology of Baptism, by Ben Witherington III (Baylor; hb., 153 pp.) and Believer’s Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ, ed. Tom Schreiner and Shawn Wright (B&H; hb., 400 pp.). Believer’s Baptism does a thorough job of discussing exegetical, historical, theological, and practical issues from this perspective and is now the standard Baptist treatment of the topic. Steve Wellum’s chapter on baptism and the covenants particularly stands out.
Exploring Theology: A Guide for Systematic Theology and Apologetics, by Clarence Benson and Robert Morgan (Crossway, pb., 335 pp.) is another reprint of books previously published by the Evangelical Training Association in Wheaton. ETA material is aimed at training laypeople in fundamentals of the faith. This volume suits this aim admirably. It contains three books previously published individually: one on the doctrine of God, one summarizing Christian doctrine, and one summarizing key defenses of the reasonableness of Christianity. This could be a useful reference for pastors or as a tool to pass on to your people. The doctrinal treatment tends to stay within the broad areas of agreement among evangelicals without getting into more controversial or debated areas.