The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Can somebody recommend a study guide or course?

My wife and I have begun meeting with another couple for study and prayer. All four of us are from a mainline evangelical church background. My wife and I are somewhat familiar with Reformed theology, but still have a lot to learn. The other couple wouldn't know a Calvinist if they ran into one on the street.

I am looking for some type of home study, preferably divided into weekly lessons, that is not too theological but would deepen our knowledge and understanding of the doctrines of grace. I've thought about going through the Westminster Confession, and I'm not opposed to that. But I'm also open to suggestions.

You might like using G.I. Williamson's excellent Westminster Shorter Catechism Study Guide.

Publisher’s Review: The Westminster Shorter Catechism is unrivaled as a concise and faithful summary of the central teachings of Scriptures. For decades G. I. Williamson’s study manuals on the shorter catechism have served as invaluable tools for instructing young and old in the Reformed system of doctrine.

Now newly typeset in one volume, this illustrated manual offers clear exposition of each of the 107 questions in the Shorter Catechism. Each lesson includes Scripture proofs, as well as questions for review or discussion. A valuable aid for group instruction or private study, this volume has been used successfully by homeschoolers, pastors, Sunday school teachers, and parents.

Another ideas is "The Discipline of Grace - God's Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges. I think there is a study guide that you can get with it.

When I taught Williamson's shorter catechism to 5th-6th graders last year, some of the questions were too similar from the previous one. They were just not ready to dissect some of the questions to that degree. I had to do some improvising by combining some of the questions.

[b][u]Westminster Shorter Catechism Study Guide.[/u][/b] by G.I.Williamson

Excellent suggestion; reading it now and learning much.

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm wondering about a John Piper book with a study guide. I know that Piper is solidy Reformed and seems to have an appeal to the broader evangelical community. Any recommendations for one of his books? I recall reading Desiring God many years ago but I don't know about his other works.

IMHO, John Piper is not "solidly Reformed". And although very popular among some, I don't recommend his books. Methinks you could do much better. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

One of Piper's books that I would recommend is "The Pleasures of God". It's the kind of book that is hard to put down.

This is a book about the good news of God's gladness in being God. It is not mainly about us. But it is about what we were made for.

Piper admires the writings of Jonathan Edwards and frequently quotes him. He points out that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. Let everyone who is thirsty come.


Wes

I am a fan of John Piper and although he is a 5 pointer, a lot of people would not consider him reformed, anymore than they would consider someone like John MacArthur Reformed.
Piper's basic strengths are his obvious love of God and instilling a desire for God in others.
Wes pointed out in his post a saying that Piper often uses “God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him.”
A while back in our Bible study group, we used his DVD series called: ‘The Blazing Center’, in which he speaks to the youth of his Church, but what I found to be quite amazing is how each youth that were filmed during his message were not in the slightest bit bored.
Although this series was addressed directly to the youth, it is by no means just for youth. In fact in our Bible study meeting it created a lot of discussion and the average person in that meeting was over 40.

If you are interested in a study that uses a DVD series, I would also recommend a series called ‘Amazing Grace’ The History and Theology of Calvinism.
Here is a little bit of information on this series.

Amazing Grace: The History & Theology of Calvinism (DVD)
Retail $29.99 - SPECIAL PRICE $14.95


" Jerry and Ken, I read Pink's book on The Sovereignty of God a few years ago and became a committed Calvinist. However, I had trouble explaining the doctrines to my dad and brother. When Amazing Grace was released I purchased a copy and found it to be an even better presentation than Pink's book. I convinced my dad to watch it over a couple of nights and he agreed. Within a few minutes of the start of the DVD, my dad was hooked. As it progressed through the theology section, my dad wept and said to me 'why have I never seen this before?' Today, my dad glows with joy knowing that His God is bigger and stronger then anything he had heard coming from most evangelical pulpits and books today. I am writing all of this to ask that you put the DVD back on sale. My dad wants to purchase it for friends and family members for Christmas and get this message out. Thanks for the production and your consideration of this request." -- Mark Taylor
This can be purchased at www.NiceneCouncil.com .

The above information written by Mark Taylor is similar to my own experience. I had been trying to explain the doctrines of grace for quite some time, to a friend of mine. However it became clear that he did not understand something.
I then remembered this DVD series and asked my friend if we could view it together. After we did this, my friend became convinced that the doctrines of grace were the true Gospel.
I thank the Lord for this fantastic tool.

Tom

Yes, Piper often quotes Edwards, but he sometimes distorts what Edwards REALLY wrote/taught to fit into his unbiblical view of "Christian hedonism". One MUST be discerning in reading books by men who are 'popular' for obvious reasons. Piper's views on justification have also been criticized in his book Future Grace which we even discussed here on this board. Another area of Piper's non-Reformed views (no Tom, it isn't because he's a Baptist <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/igiveup.gif" alt="" />) is his allowing women into the Deaconate. He also holds to a semi non-cessationist view of the ecstatic gifts...

Am I saying that Piper is to be totally ignored? By no means!!! What I am saying is that there are far better sources than Piper to consider which have stood the test of time and scrutiny and are faithful to the historic doctrines of the Reformed Faith. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In His grace,

Touchy aren't we? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/coffee2.gif" alt="" />

I am well aware that it isn't because he is Baptist. In fact if you go to most Reformed Baptist forums, you will find out that Piper takes it on the chin in a number of areas. Not the least of which is his stand of allowing Paedo-Baptists into the membership of his Church.

Tom

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/nope.gif" alt="" /> Not touchy whatsoever! Tom

So, tell me why some don't consider Piper "Reformed" if it isn't because he's a Credo Baptist. Surely, it can't be because he allows paedobaptists into membership? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/drop.gif" alt="" />

Inquiring minds wanna know.

Sorry, it was hard to understand why you made that comment.


I don't know all the reasons why some Reformed Baptists don't consider Piper Reformed. But I do know a few reasons, such as I have been told (though I don't know for sure) that he doesn't hold to CT.
They also do not like the fact that he isn't a total Cessationist (though I definitely wouldn't call him a Charismatic either). But the reason I seem to hear the most is because of the reason I told you before; he allows paedo-Baptists into membership. This is something he holds in common with John Bunyan.
Though I don't like to get into the topic very much with my fellow Reformed Baptist brothers and sisters (been there, done that), I found out that most Reformed Baptists believe that the issue of paedo vs. credo is important enough to separate over. This doesn't mean that they do not believe paedo's are genuine Christians, it is just they don't believe paedo's have Reformed enough. Please don't get me started on that, this is for your information only.
I have stated on these forums a number of times that I don't believe this issue is as cut and dried as some make it out to be. Therefore I don't believe it is an issue to separate over.
That is all I really want to say about that particular issue.

Just so you know, though I am some what of a fan of John Piper. There are areas where I disagree with him, but I can say the same thing about men such as RC Sproul and others that hold to the doctrines of grace.
Piper has his strengths and he has his weaknesses.

Tom

Tom, just a quick question

Do Reformed Baptists not allow paedobaptist to join their churches as members. That if far more restrictive than most Presbyterian churches. For the most part as long as someone has a credible profession of faith and seem somewhat teachable, we would not refuse membership in regards to a person's view on baptism. Ordained officers yes, but not membership.

I recognize some of your concerns in the books you've mentioned. Have you read "The Pleasures of God" in particular? If so, would you care to comment on it?


Wes

Christian Hedonism

Perhaps someone could benefit from the above link.





Have a good Lord's day,
William