B.H. Carroll - Southern Baptist Pastor and Educator

Benajah Harvey Carroll was born December 27, 1843 in Carroll County, Mississippi to Baptist minister Benajah Carroll. The younger Carroll was "a dedicated infidel until his conversion in 1865" (Warren W. Wiersbe, Walking with the Giants, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1976, p. 123). Wiersbe describes this self-made scholar's struggle to maintain his unbelief and Christ's ultimate victory over human wisdom and stubborn resistance (ibid., pp. 123-124). Shortly after fighting in the Confederate army (1862-64) Carroll turned to Christ and devoted his life to the Lord's service in the ministry.

B.H. Carroll had a remarkable intellect. Excelling as a debater in matters of theological controversy, Carroll rose to leadership in the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the Southern Baptist Convention. For more information on these controversies see the Wikipedia article on Carroll. He was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Waco, Texas and went on to become one of the founders of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, serving as president until his death in 1914.

Though Carroll was Southern Baptist, he was not a premillennial dispensationalist. He was postmillennial, believing in the power of the Holy Spirit to convert the majority of people through the church's testimony. Then Christ would come and establish His kingdom on earth. Carroll attacked dispensationalists for "their pessimism about the success of the Holy Spirit and the success of churches" (Wikipedia).

BH Carroll's greatest legacy is probably his 13-volume magnum opus, An Interpretation of the English Bible, reprinted in 6 volumes by Baker Book House in 1973.

It is not actually a commentary; it is an "interpretation" on a grand scale. Sometimes Carroll pauses to preach a sermon; he may linger for pages on one verse, or he may skip over entire sections. I am glad the editors have not deleted his "asides," because they are sometimes the most interesting parts of a chapter! . . .

Some students differ with Carroll's doctrine of the church or his views on prophecy, but these differences should not rob them of the values of this set of Biblical studies . . . If a young pastor started reading this set faithfully and read only fifty pages a week, he would complete the set in about two years and would have a knowledge of the Word of God from which he would profit for the rest of his ministry. If you only "consult" these books, you may be disappointed; but if you read them seriously, you will be enriched.
(Wiersbe, pp. 125-126)

Happy birthday to one of the lesser known giants of the faith! At the very least, BH Carroll's example should inspire us to excel in the serious study of the Bible that we are called to live and preach.

B.H. Carroll - Southern Baptist Pastor and Educator

Reformed Dogmatics by Herman Bavinck

Herman Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics, translated into English, has been long-anticipated. In May of '08 volume 4 is scheduled to be released which will complete this set.

Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 1: Prolegomena (688 pages)
Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 2: God and Creation (704 pages)
Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 3: Sin and Salvation in Christ (688 pages)
Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 4: Holy Spirit, Church, and New Creation (944 pages)
* Excerpt from volume 4

Bavinck, Herman. Reformed Dogmatics. 4 Volumes. Edited by John Bolt and translated by John Vriend. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008. Hardcover, 3,008 pages. [Baker Academic List Price: $ 179.99 | WTS ($98.99) | CBD ($129.99) | Amazon ($113.39)]

I first heard of this work from Dr Morton Smith, of GPTS, who was having his Eschatology class read Bavinck's The Last Things. I found Bavinck to be a very precise writer. Compared to some of the other books we were asked to read, this was the most challenging because it was so scholarly, but of all it was the most rewarding. This is highly recommended reading for students seeking to understand the amillennial position.

It is often helpful to take note of who is endorsing a book. The endorsements for this set have come from some significant theologians. Baker Academic has listed endorsements from the following scholars:

• Stephen R. Spencer, Wheaton College
• Donald G. Bloesch, emeritus professor of theology, University of Dubuque Theological Seminary
• Richard J. Mouw, president and professor of Christian Philosophy, Fuller Theological Seminary
• Herman Selderhuis, Theologische Universiteit Apeldoorn
• Donald K. McKim, Academic and Reference Editor for Westminster John Knox Press
• John M. Frame, professor of systematic theology and philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary
• Samuel T. Logan Jr., Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia
  
• Cornelis van der Kooi, Free University, Amsterdam
• D. G. Hart, Director of Partnered Projects at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute and author of The Lost Soul of American Protestantism
• J. I. Packer, professor of theology, Regent College
• Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., professor of biblical and systematic theology, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia

Favorable reviews have also been noted by the following scholars:

• J. Mark Beach, Mid-America Journal of Theology
• Augustine J. Curley, Library Journal
• Ron Gleason, Reformation21
• Eugene Heideman, Reformed Review
• Ron Highfield, Stone-Campbell Journal
• Mark G. Johnston, Banner of Truth
• Glenn R. Kreider, Bibliotheca Sacra
• Mark Liederbach, Faith and Mission
• R. Albert Mohler, Jr., Preaching
• Richard J. Mouw, IRT Bulletin
• Roger Nicole, Founders Journal
• Bill Nikides, Foundation
• George Vandervelde, Calvin Theological Journal
• Cornelius P. Venema, Mid-America Journal of Theology
• G. I. Williamson, New Horizons
• Barry L. Wynveen, Reformed Review

Other Reviews Found on the Internet:

• Kim Riddlebarger at The Riddleblog (see Reformed Essentials)
  
• Mark Garcia, Lake Sherwood OPC reviewed in the Ordained Servant
  

Reviews of the original Gereformeerde Dogmatiek:

• Volume One (The Presbyterian and Reformed Review)
  
• Volume Two (The Presbyterian and Reformed Review)

Reformed Dogmatics by Herman Bavinck

SharperIron » Book Review—Jesus’ Blood and Righteousness

Here is our third book review for this year at SharperIron. The wheels of involvement are turning very nicely which means that more reviews are being prepared for posting. I appreciate the fine work each of our reviewers are doing. Please be sure to read Doug's review of Vicker's Jesus' Blood and Righteousness.

SharperIron » Book Review—Jesus’ Blood and Righteousness:

"Perhaps you have heard the word justification defined this way: justification is God’s treating me just as if I had never sinned. But is this true? Does justification merely equal forgiveness of sins—as amazing as that is—or is there something more? Do we need an external righteousness that is not our own?

These are questions of eternal significance. In Jesus’ Blood and Righteousness: Paul’s Theology of Imputation, Brian Vickers argues that the question of whether Scripture teaches the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to the believer is not a mere academic debate but a matter that concerns the heart of the gospel and salvation (p. 15). Vickers states his argument on page 18: “The contention of this book is that the imputation of Christ’s righteousness is a legitimate and necessary synthesis of Paul’s teaching.” He has produced a persuasive and rewarding book defending this Scriptural doctrine. ..."

Purchase: Crossway, CBD, Westminster Bookstore Amazon

SharperIron » Book Review—Jesus’ Blood and Righteousness

Timothy Dwight's Theology

Timothy Dwight's Theology: Explained & Defended, 4 volumes.
(May 14, 1752-January 11, 1817)

I'm researching the printing history, etc. of a couple sets of Dwight's Theology that I have to sell. One set is an 1836 printing (9th edition). While searching, this evening, I came across Solid Ground Christian Books' recent reprinting of this set. What a treasure this will be for pastors and students of theology.

This set contains chapel sermons by the late president of Yale College and grandson of Jonathan Edwards.

Lyman Beecher, a sophomore at Yale College, left us a stimulating account of the condition of the students, in 1975, when Dr. Timothy Dwight ascended to the presidency. He noted:

“Before he [Timothy Dwight] came, college was in a most ungodly state. The college church was almost extinct. Most of the students were skeptical, and rowdies were plenty. ...[M]ost of the class before me were infidels, and called each other Voltaire, Rousseau, D’Alembert, etc.” (Lyman Beecher, Autobiography, as quoted by Leonard Woolsey Bacon in A History of American Christianity.)

Here is how Dr. Dwight dealt with these hardened students:

“They thought the faculty were afraid of free discussion. But when they handed Dr. Dwight a list of subjects for class disputation, to their surprise, he selected this: ‘Is the Bible the word of God?’ and told them to do their best. He heard all they had to say, answered them, and there was an end. He preached incessantly for six months on the subject, and all infidelity skulked and hid its head. He elaborated his theological system in a series of forenoon sermons in the chapel; the afternoon discourses were practical. The original design of Yale College was to found a divinity school. To a mind appreciative, like mine, his preaching was a continual course of education and a continual feast. He was copious and polished in style, though disciplined and logical. There was a pith and power of doctrine there that has not been since surpassed, if equaled.” (Lyman Beecher, Autobiography, as quoted by Leonard Woolsey Bacon in A History of American Christianity.)

Dwight's Theology: Explained and Defended in a Series of Sermons was meant to be preached and made effective in convincing men and converting them to the service of God. These sermons were designed to be completed within the four years of the college curriculum, so that every graduate should have heard the whole of it.

Considering the cost of an antiquarian set, Solid Ground's price is outstanding!

Purchase at: CBD | RHP | Amazon | Logos

Dr. Joel R. Beeke, President of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, has also added his recommendation for this set:

"Dwight's theological sermons are worthy of careful study. Their clear, scriptural guidelines and experiential warmth promote practical Christianity. Read with discernment, they will still feed the soul today and challenge us to godly living in Christ Jesus."

Timothy Dwight's Theology

What to Read of the Fathers? - Michael A G Haykin

Michael Haykin, responding to a comment on his ecclesioblog, Historia ecclesiastica, has provided some helpful recommendations re: "what to read of the Fathers".

Here are his favorites.

Starters -
Pelikan, Jarislav. The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine, Volume 1: The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition (100-600). University Of Chicago Press; New Ed edition (August 15, 1975). 442 pages.

Kelly, JND. Early Christian Doctrine. Continuum International Publishing Group; 5th edition (May 2000). 528 pages.

Other secondary sources that provide a good introduction include:
Hall, Christopher. Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers . InterVarsity Press (September 1998). 223 pages.

_____. Learing Theology with the Church Fathers. InterVarsity Press (October 2002). 296 pages.

Wilken, Robert Louis. The Spirit of Early Christian Thought. Yale University Press (March 11, 2005). 398 paages.

Bray, Gerald Lewis. Creeds, Councils and Christ. Christian Focus Publications; New Ed edition (April 1997). 224 pages.

Chadwick, Henry. The Early Church. Penguin (Non-Classics); Revised edition (October 1, 1993). 320 pages.

_____. The Church in Ancient Society. Oxford University Press, USA (September 4, 2003). 744 pages.

Primary sources:
Bettenson, Henry. The Early Christian Fathers. Oxford University Press, USA; New Ed edition (September 15, 1969). 318 pages.

_____. The Later Christian Fathers. Oxford University Press, USA; New Ed edition (January 1, 1973). 302 pages.

The Confessions of St. Augustine. Revell (February 1, 1997). 208 pages.

The Epistle to Diognetus.. Edited by Kirsopp Lake. Kessinger Publishing (December 2005). 48 pages.

Basil. On the Holy Spirit. St. Vladimir's Seminary Press; New Ed edition (November 1980). 118 pages.

Here is a link to the original article: Why read the fathers?

What to Read of the Fathers? - Michael A G Haykin