http://www.calvaryherald.com/ The web magazine of Calvary Reformed Presbyterian Church in Hampton, Virginia. en-us 2007-9 webmaster@calvaryrpc.org webmaster@calvaryrpc.org http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp091115.html by Byron Snapp. We live in a culture that wants Christianity to be relegated to our private lives. The author reminds readers that the God of creation commands Christianity to flow out into every facet of life. He then shows how the Bible speaks to many areas of life that may seem to be neutral. He rightly begins with God’s attributes including God’s sovereignty and providence. http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp091114.html by Byron Snapp. Are the Gospel accounts of Christ’s life credible? In answer to the modern criticism to the contrary, the author tackles this question. http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp091113.html by Byron Snapp. What method did the noted Reformed evangelist, Francis Schaeffer, use to defend the faith? Was he a presuppositionalist? Was he an evidentialist? The author seeks to answer these questions by examining Schaeffer’s lecturers and recorded interaction with students. http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp091112.html by Byron Snapp. Too often I have forgotten the sacrifices made, and the dangers endured, by others so that people like me can hold an English Bible translation in their hand. Bobrick’s account gave me a greater appreciation for the translators and of God’s providence in the peopleand path that were involved in the translation process. http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp090830.html by Byron Snapp. Jean Louis, a French ship owner, was between the proverbial rock and hard place. During the French Revolution, the wealthy were targeted by new rulers who did not mind overthrowing the monarchy and committing mayhem and murder to obtain the wealth which the victims left behind. Jean, the son of a successful trader, decided to flee Nantes with his English wife to his more peaceful Vendee possessions. However it was not long before this rural peace was shattered by the Parisian powers demanding peasants to fight in their army. These peasants valiantly refused and thus faced the fire and force of the French soldiers. http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp090829.html by Byron Snapp. We are living in a day of cultural shaking and re-making. This should be sufficient reason for Christians to give much thought to the calling of the regenerated to shape culture. The author focuses on a more important reason. We have been created in God's image, the very God Who created the world. Crouch defines culture as "what we make of the world" (p. 40). Culture is not individualistic. He rightly points out that culture requires a public. The immediate culture that shapes us and that we impact in our immediate family. http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp090828.html by Byron Snapp. Other than Psalms, Proverbs is probably the most read Old Testament book. Many recognize that great wisdom is unfolded in the thirty-one chapters of that inspired work. In this book the author examines many proverbs in a topical format. http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp090827.html by Byron Snapp. The title grabs the reader's attention. No doubt it is meant to do so. The book's contents focus on a problem that grabs a parent's attention when it initially occurs and when it continues. How does a parent address a teen who has a great chip on his or her shoulders toward authority and toward seemingly sound reason? http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp090809.html by Byron Snapp. "How did that happen?" Have you noticed how often that question falls from peoples' mouths in the midst of unexpected events? In the media broadcast following the recent death of Michael Jackson, one question that riveted viewers to the television screen was "How did it happen?" What caused the death of this popular entertainer? The same question arises in the aftermath of airplane crashes and car wrecks. http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp090726.html Review by Byron Snapp. The articles printed in this volume were originally published by Princeton Theological Seminary in the 1830s and 1840s. The authors (mainly two professors, Charles Hodge and Archibald Alexander) sought to address renewed controversy regarding man's fallen nature, the extent of the atonement and God's sovereignty in salvation. http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp090725.html Review by Byron Snapp. Sometimes joining the military brings a marked change to the new recruit. Prior to his enlistment Terrence O'Conner was known for his practical jokes. His father, a military veteran, successfully worked to fulfill his son's desire to join his father’s unit. Soon the unit was on its way to Portugal to aid the local rulers in their resistance to French invasion. On the sea voyage young Terrence used quick thinking, patience, and trickery to thwart capture by enemies. This heroism opened the door for future advancement and further action. http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp090724.html Review by Byron Snapp. How do men who are called to church planting or the pastorate prepare themselves? Denominations which stress preparation for the ministry have answered this question in one of two ways—study under an experienced minster or attend a seminary. In the early nineteenth century, Princeton Theological Seminary was established by the Presbyterian Church to train men for the pastorate. http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp090723.html Review by Byron Snapp. People familiar with Africa today tell us it is a continent on which the Holy Spirit is doing a mighty work. Many are being brought to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a realization of a sure hope that David Livingstone had more than a century ago as he trekked through much of the unexplored continent in the face of disease, disappointment, and disbelief. http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp090422.html Review by Byron Snapp. In God’s wisdom much of I Samuel, all of II Samuel, and the first two chapters of Kings are devoted to David’s life. Additionally, more than one-half of I Chronicles centers on this important king. God has much to teach His people by a study of David’s faithfulness and his folly. http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp090421.html Review by Byron Snapp. For many people today, history earlier than one’s own life is irrelevant and thus not necessary for study. Such thinking is errant. Ben House repeatedly reminds the reader of this erroneous thinking in his wide-ranging, well-written book. http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp090419.html Review by Byron Snapp. A diligent worker loses his job. A retiree dies shortly after retiring to enjoy his grandchildren. Covenant children go off to college and reject the faith. An unexpected illness slowly drains much of a lifetime of savings. Many similar illustrations could be given that can cause Christians to verbalize this book’s title. http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp090420.html Review by Byron Snapp. As a Christian do you daily wrestle with worldliness? This book is an important reminder that you and I must. None of the contributors are opposed to our enjoying God’s creation and the material blessings He has allowed us to steward. Their concern is the wise words the inspired John wrote in I John. 2:15: “Do not love the world or anything the world.” http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp090328.html review by Byron Snapp Does God exist? These two notable thinkers, whose earthly lives partially overlapped, gave much thought to this question. They arrived at opposite answers. Their answers to this question impacted their approach and answers given to the relevant social issues covered in this insightful, well-written work. http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp090327.html review by Byron Snapp Do Roman Catholic beliefs differ greatly from Protestant doctrine? This volume provides a knowledgeable and very readable answer to this question. Webster begins by examining the basis for scriptural authority and then clearly shows that church tradition cannot be placed on the level of scripture. In a very helpful chapter, Webster explains what the early church fathers meant when they used or appealed to the tradition of the apostles. He shows, by looking at the context of their writings, that they did not place this tradition on the same level as the inspired word of God. http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp090326.html review by Byron Snapp Today, hand-written letters have been replaced by e-mail messages. The time required to write letters by hand probably allowed for more thoughtful reflection and more personable expression than is often reflected in today's e-mails. Also, in bygone eras, hand-written letters were at times saved by their recipients. John Newton was born early in the eighteenth century. Many readers are familiar with his life on the sea. http://www.calvaryherald.com/A-Snapp090325.html review by Byron Snapp Talk about bad timing! The family of Everett DeBoer was moving into a new house when they learned that the Germans were invading Holland. This was the beginning of five years of German occupation of the country. The family had an immediate problem: some of their younger children were staying with relatives elsewhere in the country. They had to race to get their children in the midst of the ongoing warfare. Would they be able to safely reach their children and return home before encountering invading soldiers?