Reformed Piety


Book Description

This small but important book shows how genuine biblical, Reformed piety, is both covenantally based and experientially lived. Piety, covenant, and experience are all interrelated in genuine and vital Christianity, and all point to Jesus Christ as the head of the covenant and the focal point of true Christian experience.This book is intended as Geoff Thomas says in his Foreword to encourage us "towards Reformed experiential living reflecting something of the Christian's affection for God, loving Him with all his being, a servant truly on flame for his Lord, who cries, 'For me to live is Christ'--who is presenting his body as a living sacrifice to God, who like John the Baptist has an awakening ministry, as a burning and a shining light... most needful of all is a close walk with God, a consecration of all we are to all that Jesus Christ is. That must be the one thing we do as Christians, not talking about it, or longing for it, but making progress in appropriating it each day of our lives, in the pulpit, in the home.... The words of this little book will help you to be a better disciple in our short and uncertain earthly pilgrimage."Joel Beeke says: In this little book, I aim to accomplish four things: First, to give you a bird's eye view of what Reformed piety is by looking at Calvin as one of its premier magisterial representatives. Second, to examine how we understand what Reformed piety should be in relation to the covenant of grace. I wish to thank my colleague Dr. Stephen Myers (PhD), Associate Professor of Historical Studies at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, who did the heavy lifting on this chapter for me--hence the co-authorship of this book. Having done his doctoral dissertation on Ebenezer Erskine's covenant theology, he is eminently qualified to write this chapter. Third, to consider what Reformed piety should be in the context of Christian experience. Finally, to present some conclusions that explore the interface between these three concepts in Reformed thought: piety, covenant, and experience.







The Practice of Piety


Book Description







Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life


Book Description

In this classic devotional, John Calvin urges readers to apply the Christian life in a balanced way to mind, heart, and hand. Rather than focusing on contemplative otherworldliness, the book stresses the importance of a devotedly active Christian life. In style and spirit, this book is much like Augustine's Confessions, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, or Thomas à Kempis's Imitation of Christ. However, its intense practicality sets it apart, making it easily accessible for any reader seeking to carry out Christian values in everyday life. Chapter themes include obedience, self-denial, the significance of the cross, and how we should live our lives today.







John Calvin


Book Description

This volume translates selected works of John Calvin (1509-1564), the great reformer of Geneva, with special emphasis on his piety.




Petrus Van Mastricht (1630-1706)


Book Description

This book is a first monograph on the life and work of Petrus van Mastricht (1630-1706). Expanding the new interest in Protestant scholasticism this book portrays Mastricht as a post-Reformation reformed theologian, philosopher and Christian Hebraist. The result provides a fresh appraisal, in particular, on the relationship of biblical exegesis, doctrine, polemic, and praxis.




An Honest and Well-Experienced Heart:


Book Description

An Honest, Well-Experienced Heart introduces us to the life and writings of Puritan preacher and author John Flavel (1627–1691). In his brief, introductory biography, Adam Embry discusses Flavel’s background, ministry, and theology of keeping the heart, which, for Flavel, “is the great business of a Christian’s life.” Centuries ago, Flavel wrote, “Above all other studies in the world, study your own hearts.” Embry guides us through forty-two short passages from Flavel’s writings that acquaint us with this dedicated Puritan minister’s piety and help us see the importance of this great business of keeping and managing our hearts. Table of Contents: Section One: Christ Rules the Heart Section Two: Keeping the Heart Section Three: Seasons of the Heart Section Four: Discerning the Heart Series Description Seeking, then, both to honor the past and yet not idolize it, we are issuing these books in the series Profiles in Reformed Spirituality . The design is to introduce the spirituality and piety of the Reformed Profiles in Reformed Spirituality tradition by presenting descriptions of the lives of notable Christians with select passages from their works. This combination of biographical sketches and collected portions from primary sources gives a taste of the subjects’ contributions to our spiritual heritage and some direction as to how the reader can find further edification through their works. It is the hope of the publishers that this series will provide riches for those areas where we are poor and light of day where we are stumbling in the deepening twilight.




The Soul of Life


Book Description

John Calvin is the most notable figure from the Reformed tradition. Unfortunately, he is often characterized as a stern and cerebral individual who had little concern for practical matters. However, Calvin was actually influential in promoting a profound sense of piety among early Protestantism. In The Soul of Life , Joel R. Beeke presents the life and ministry of Calvin with a special emphasis on Calvin's efforts for cultivating healthy spirituality among the churches. The selections from Calvin's own work will give readers a firsthand look at Calvin's emphasis on godliness, and by God's grace, will be a means for spurring on greater godliness in our day. Table of Contents: The Life of John Calvin The Piety of John Calvin Section One: The Definition and Importance of Piety Section Two: Piety's Supreme Goal, Soli Deo Gloria Section Three: Theological Dimensions Piety's Profound Root: Mystical Union Piety's Double Bond: The Spirit and Faith Piety's Double Cleansing: Justification and Sanctification Section Four: Ecclesiological Dimensions Piety Through the Church Piety of the Word Piety in the Sacraments Piety in the Psalter Section Five: Practical Dimensions Prayer Repentance Self-Denial Cross-Bearing The Present and Future Life Obedience Recommended Books by or about Calvin Series Description Seeking, then, both to honor the past and yet not idolize it, we are issuing these books in the series Profiles in Reformed Spirituality . The design is to introduce the spirituality and piety of the Reformed Profiles in Reformed Spirituality tradition by presenting descriptions of the lives of notable Christians with select passages from their works. This combination of biographical sketches and collected portions from primary sources gives a taste of the subjects' contributions to our spiritual heritage and some direction as to how the reader can find further edification through their works. It is the hope of the publishers that this series will provide riches for those areas where we are poor and light of day where we are stumbling in the deepening twilight.