40 Questions About Baptism and the Lord’s Supper - Book Review

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are celebrated in virtually every Christian denomination, Protestant and Catholic. But they are observed differently in virtually every Christian denomination, Protestant and Catholic. 40 Questions About Baptism and the Lord’s Supper attempts to dissect, breakdown and unpack the why’s and the how’s as a whole and within each denomination. It accomplishes that goal very well.

This volume is written by two professors from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, John S. Hammett, Ph.D. and Benjamin L. Merkle, Ph.D. But don’t assume that because of their Southern Baptist affiliation that their assessment is slanted. Hammett and Merkle are eminently fair and balanced in their evaluation concerning how Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are celebrated within other denominations.

This book is part of a series likewise titled “40 Questions About …” Thus far there are volumes such as The Historical Jesus, Creation and Evolution, The End Times, and Interpreting the Bible. You can find the full list at Kregel Publications.

There are three separate sections to 40 Questions About Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Part 1, the shortest of the three, engages both ordinances answering such questions as “Are They Sacraments or Ordinances?’ Parts 2 and 3 cover each ordinance separately with Introductory Questions, Denominational Views, Theological Issues and Practical Aspects.

All questions are dealt with thoroughly and impartially. While you won’t be an expert scholar on the subject upon completion, you will have a complete understanding of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper regardless of your theological relationship.

In a short summary the book is 40 questions you thought you might like to ask or never thought to ask about Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. All Christians at one time or another are involved in these ordinances/sacraments, but few ever grasp the history and meaning. This volume will equip you with that knowledge.

If you have never done a study of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, this is a must have book. If you are a pastor, this is definitely a reference work you want to have available to answer the inevitable questions that will arise on these subjects. It’s a volume every Christian should have in his library.

 

Disclaimer: This book was provided to me by Kregel Publications for a fair, honest and balanced review.

Mormonism 101 - Book Review

We are commanded by Scripture to be ready to give an answer. We are compelled to defend our faith. This, of course, involves both offense and defense, sometimes both at the same time. One of the battle fronts that concerns both offense and defense involves the cults. At times it seems like we cannot do enough to defend the faith especially against those forces that tend to look and smell Christian.

With that in mind the more resources we have available for our reference the bettered armed we will be  for the fight. Of course, some weapons are bigger and better than others. Mormonism 101 is one of those that is a very good sized weapon.

The book is written by Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson and is an update of their 2000 volume.

This is a detailed account of the Mormon beliefs covering virtually every area of the religion. The authors provide detailed quotes from Mormon literature and documents as well as quotes from LDS leaders' speeches. They then follow up with documentation from Christian theology. You get to make the comparison. Mormonism 101 is not a rehash of other cult books with a rearrangement of the material. If you are familiar with books like Kingdom of the Cults, you will be pleasantly surprised to get a different approach to the defense. We are also provided an extensive bibliography for further reference and study.

I think there are three ways to approach this book. First, you could just read through it to get an understanding of the history and beliefs of the Mormon faith. Certainly this would be a good approach and it would certainly get you through the 400+ page book in reasonable time. You would have a sound overview of Mormonism.

Second, you could engage this book by doing a detailed study of this volume chapter by chapter. This would afford you the opportunity to develop the skill to defend your faith vigorously in the face of false teachers.

Or, you might consider combining this volume with other research material in an effort to become an expert in cult apologetics.

Whatever way you go, you will not be disappointed with Mormonism 101. It will provide you with invaluable information on a cult many criticize but few know why.

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of the book by Baker Books for a fair and honest review.