God-centered resources from the ministry of John Piper

There’s fresh snow on the ground today in Minneapolis. True, it’s more like a tundra than a desert, but it’s still nice to come across an oasis. Particularly one that’s inside and heated and has tons of discounted books specially selected for pastors!

Our conference bookstore opens today at 3 p.m. and we plan to have it open until 11 p.m. tonight, then all day tomorrow (7 a.m. – 11 p.m.) and much of Wednesday (7 a.m. – 1 p.m.). It’s located on the same level as the auditorium where the Conference will be centered.

To whet your appetite for some of the cool literary refreshment we hope to serve up at this pastors’ oasis, here’s a brief recommended list. (Note: These are priced to sell. We’re trying our best to remove as much financial barrier as possible to feeding your soul and strengthening your ministry.)

Since this is our Pastors Conference, we’ll begin with Preaching and the Ministry and finish with books by our keynote speaker, Don Carson.

Preaching and the Ministry

• The Christian Ministry by Charles Bridges. This classic comes highly recommended by Sinclair Ferguson and C. J. Mahaney, two trusted guides.
• Him We Proclaim by Dennis Johnson. Wonderfully Christ-centered. Good for those looking for a new book on preaching that comes highly acclaimed.
• The Swans Are Not Silent Series by John Piper. Particularly poignant for pastors.

Theology

• The Christian Life by Sinclair Ferguson. Solid, soul-sustaining food from a trusted shepherd.
• He Who Gives Life by Graham Cole. Cole teaches about the Holy Spirit while demonstrating how to do theology. Fine discussion of the concept of mystery, especially as it relates to the Trinity.
• The Church by Edmund Clowney. Written by a master of biblical theology, this book’s strength and scope are underplayed by its frank title. Clowney’s diagram of the church on page 209 (and the surrounding discussion) are extremely helpful.
• The Person of Christ by Donald Macleod. I love this book! I was riveted two summers ago and then again this Fall.
• The Doctrine of God by John Frame. If you sense the impulse to buy one larger book at the conference, this may be the one. Frame is superb on the doctrine of God. Three magnificent chapters on the Trinity at the end.
• Salvation Belongs to the Lord by Frame. The whole range of systematics, written with simplicity and straightfowardness but also with strengthen. Good resource for small groups and Sunday school classes.
• Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem. Newly recast. Special Conference rate.

Church History

• For Us and for Our Salvation by Stephen Nichols. Put mildly, Christology is essential to Christianity, and Nichols traces its development from Christ to Chalcedon with an impressive blend of brevity and depth.
• Church History: A Crash Course for the Curious by Christopher Catherwood. An insightful, and at times sporadic, gallop through church history with an honest and trustworthy guide.
• Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelley. Easy to read but very broad in scope; a great way to get into church history.
• Revolutions in Worldview edited by Andrew Hoffecker. Two chapters alone—Frame on the Greek civilization and Vern Poythress on the New Testament worldview—make this a worthwhile acquisition.

Bible Helps

• An Introduction to the Old Testament by Tremper Longman and Ray Dillard. A significant reference tool for understanding the Old Testament.
• Can We Trust the Gospels? by Mark Roberts. Level-headed and convincing arguments from a man who’s rubbed shoulders with the most serious of critics.
• Old Testament Commentaries by Dale Ralph Davis. Davis is a preacher and models stirring Christ-centered exposition of the Old Testament.

Marriage

• Love That Lasts by Gary and Betsy Ricucci. Fine book on marriage from C. J. Mahaney’s sister and her husband. On special sale at the DG bookstore.

Carson Classics to Commend

• Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor by Don Carson. A moving and deeply encouraging read, particularly for those with a pastor’s heart. As far as we know, our Conference Bookstore is the only place to get this new release until the end of February.
• Letters Along the Way by Carson and John Woodbridge. Bunyan-like fictional compilation of letters about the Christian life to a young Christian from his mentor. Somewhat analogous to being mentored by Carson via email. Okay, that’s a stretch, but it’s very good.
• Introduction to the New Testament by Carson and Doug Moo. A marvelous resource. Those already with it can testify to that. Those without it can get it at our discounted rate.
• Commentary on the Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament edited by Carson and Greg Beale. Newly published, sizeable resource for preachers. Normally $54.99. Only $29.99 at the Conference Bookstore.
• Gospel of John. I go back to this over and over again. I’ve learned to just keep it on my desk when reading through the Gospel of John during the last quarter of the year.
• The Cross and Christian Ministry. A relentless plea, via exposition, to keep the cross central and resist the subtle temptation to relegate the gospel to the periphery.
• Love in Hard Places and The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God. If the phrase “love of God” has grown bland, let Carson help put gospel content back into this central Christian concept. Marked down to $8.49 each for these two during the Conference.

As usual, the bookstore has all Piper books at special rates, including DVDs for only $10 and his newest The Future of Justification for $6.99. We also have titles by our other speakers, Crawford Loritts (three books) and Greg Livingstone (Planting Churches in Muslim Cities).

See you at the oasis!