The Strasbourg Connection

Further to the last post:

Apparently, Martin Bucer & friends may well have been some of those continental reformed which McNeill refers to as having developed these exercise/fellowships.

...a year later [1547], small groups had arisen in the parishes of St. Thomas and Young St. Peter, consisting of church members who discussed their faith with one another and taught, admonished, and comforted one another. They also submitted to a voluntary church discipline and spoke of themselves as a christliche Gemeinschaft, a Christian fellowship.

And Bucer's motive for creating these groups:

It was not enough for the civil authorities to enforce morality on the entire population under threat of punishment. Convinced Christians had to begin setting up their own autonomous congregational structures as well, including a system of voluntary church discipline. The fact that this had not happened yet constituted in Bucer's opinion 'the worst flaw and defect ' of the Strasbourg church. Because of this, pastoral care - which in Bucer's opinion also represented an effort to educate the entire people - was prevented from 'bringing all the baptized, young as well as old, to true communion with, and obedience to Jesus Christ.'

- p.213 Martin Bucer: A Reformer and His Times by Martin Greschat.

This had to do with the previous post, but I have since lost the train of thought, so I post it just for posterity.

Exercises & Class Meetings

Following up on Pastor Lewis' post.

"Once a week in every town 'that excercise that St. Paul calleth prophesying' is to be held. The reference is to 1 Corinthians 14:29-31,'Let two or three prophets speak...for you can all prophesy.' The Reformers here urge the importance of the 'exercise' for the Church of God in Scotland, though with certain cautions against doctrinal error, over-curiosity, and the use of invective in the free discussion:

For thereby shall the Church have judgement and knowledge of the graces, gifts and utterances of every man within their own body; the simple and such as have somewhat profited shall be encouraged daily to study and proceed in knowledge ...and every man shall have liberty to utter and declare his mind and knowledge to the comfort and edification of the Church.

Such was the 'group method' in Scotland four centuries ago, following models in the Reformed Churches abroad. But since business had to be done for the Churches participating, the exercises naturally tended to assume administrative duties and ruling athourity in these parishes. This was soon to lead to the formation of presbyteries, with specified districts and powers." - McNeill The History and Character of Calvinism, p.301.

Upon reading this, several years ago, I thought it would be a great idea to renew these 'meetings' - with some modifications. These 'exercise' meetings were recommended in what was known as The Book of Discipline, a document of "explicit directions for the conduct of the congregations, including preaching, catechetical instruction, examination for admission to the (quarterly) celebration of the Lord's Supper, prayer, and teaching in the home," drawn up prior to (but not state sanctioned) the First Scottish Confession of 1560. Obviously, as Pastor Lewis explains, this fell out of popular use; probably due to both the inherent provisional nature of revival praxis and the eventual establishment of institutions and institutional processes which gradually assumed responsibility for these matters.

A similar thing happened with the Wesleyan class meetings of the Methodist part in the Evangelical Awakening.
Having friends who are Nazarenes, I obtained several reference items relating to Methodism, the Holiness Movement, and Nazarene church history and distinctives. Amongst this material was D. Michael Henderson's John Wesley's Class Meeting: A Model for Making Disciples. Wesley, two centuries after the Scots, adapted the then current Religious Society model to his own class meeting in The Holy Club.

In the spiritual exercises of the Holy Club, John Wesley's instructional technique was taking shape. Much like the Religious Societies' program, biblical principles were discussed and their implications examined in the context of a small supportive group. But Wesley added a new dimension. Rather than allow the process to end with cognitive acquisition, he demanded practical performance. Once the personal implications of a concept under study were clear, the Holy Club members mapped a strategy for a real-life experiment. As their practice of it progressed, they evaluated theirperfomance and reinforced successful execution of it. Not content to be "hearers only," they determined to be "doers of the Word." - Henderson, pp. 43-4.

Here we can see the similarities with the Scottish exercises and the beginnings of the famous method which Finney, et.al. transformed and reapplied as a formula to various aspects of both conversion and discipleship. After the various influences - from Catholic mysticism to Moravian - and experiments in structure, Wesley's class meeting became part of an system of interlocking groups which Henderson explains as:

1. i) The Society - The Cognitive Mode


2. ii) Class Meeting - The Behavioural Mode


3. iii) Band - The Affective Mode


4. iv) Select Society - The Training Mode

and a fifth, an "alternative route for those of serious social dysfunctions" fitting in after (i)

5. v) Penitent Bands - The Rehabilitative Mode

All, apparently, being rungs on the ladder to perfection. Obviously, the more structured version of the initial fellowships.

We could probably extract a lot of profitable ideas from both these models, and - avoiding the obvious pitfalls - engage in some sanctifying, edifying, and God-Glorifying activites in the format of men's fellowships or societies.

Siouxlands Presbytery on FV/NPP

Good News! from a higher PCA assemby:

Fathers, Brothers, and Sisters, it gives me great pleasure to announce
to you a victory for the cause of truth in the PCA. Included here is a
link to my blog, on which I have posted the Siouxlands Presbytery Study
Committee Report, which was approved at our recent meeting (yesterday).
The Federal Vision was definitively excluded from the bounds of
orthodoxy, as was the New Perspective on Paul.

Siouxlands Presbytery Study Committee Report

Rev. Lane Keister
PCA North Dakota
http://greenbaggins.wordpress.com

The Year's Best Non-Fiction: 2006 (Recently Published)

This year due to the fact that there are 23 titles contending for the top ten spots, I am judiciously dividing them into two categories. The Top Ten will be titles either published in 2006 or available then (ie: published in late or any of 2005), thus they will be the top ten recently published titles (that I have read, and in my opinion). The Honourable Mentions will consist of older titles, even though they may, indeed, deserve to be in the overall top ten category.

Top Ten:

1. The Federal Vision and Covenant Theology: A Comparative Analysis by Guy Prentiss Waters (P&R, 2006). A must-read follow-up to 2004's Justification and the New Perspectives on Paul.
2. Danger In the Camp: An Analysis and Refutation of the Heresies of the Federal Vision by John Otis (Triumphant Publications, 2006). Another excellent, orthodox evaluation of the Federal Vision kudzu. Comes with a cd with bibliographic material and bonus items.
3. Full Gospel, Fractured Minds: A Call to use Gods Gift of the Intellect by Rick M. Nañez (Zondervan, 2006). A surprisingly candid admission/survey (by one within the camp) of one of the serious flaws in Pentecostalism/charismania. See my mini-review here.
4. Christian Zionism:Road-map to Armageddon? by Stephen Sizer (IVP, 2005). Though I have read much of his work, in nascent form on the internet years ago, this was a welcome companion to last year's On the Road to Armageddon: How Evangelicals Became Israel's Best Friend by Timothy Weber.
5. True to His Ways: Purity and Safety in Christian Spiritual Practice by R. Davis (Baruch House/AMC ,2006). A moving examination of the occult influences and practices in charismania (Toronto Blessing, Vineyard, et.al.) by one now settled in a Free Presbyterian fellowship.
6. An Emergent Theology for Emerging Churches by Ray S. Anderson (IVP, 2006). An embarrassing theological ediface/defense for the emergent movement. Worth reading for those who want to see what makes emergent tick. For critiques, see last years Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church: Understanding a Movement and Its Implications by D. A. Carson, and numerous internet articles/reviews.
7. Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue, rev.ed. by Robert K. Johnston (Baker Academic, 2006). The original was published in 2000, and I did not know of it until this past year. If you read and loved Ken Myer's All God's Children and Blue Suede Shoes: Christians and Popular Culture, a popular text for courses on Christianity and culture, you will now be able to read the articulate, opposite view. Worthy for getting an understanding of such.
8. Meet the Puritans, With a Guide to Modern Reprints by Joel Beeke and Randall Pederson (Reformation Heritage Books, 2006). An updated and expanded version of Robert Martin's A Guide to the Puritans (though, not in the same format). Massive! 900+ pages, with illustrations(!), and up to date information on the Puritans in print.
9. The Gospel Code by Ben Witherington III (IVP, 2005). Only due to its publishing date. The Bock title, below, was the best response to the Da Vinci Code craze.
10. The Beliefnet Guide to Gnosticism and Other Vanished Christianities by Richard Valantasis (Three Leaves Press/Doubleday, 2006). A brief, yet comprehensive, survey of the varieties of non- and pseudo-Christian Gnostic and other spiritualities, which existed in the early days of the Church.

The Year's Best Non-Fiction: 2006 (Honourable Mentions)

1. Breaking the Da Vinci Code: Answers to the Questions Everyone's Asking by Darrell Bock (2004). A suprising: best of the DVC debunkers.
2. Covenant Theology: The Key of Theology in Reformed Thought and Tradition by Peter Golding (Mentor, 2004). A nice, concise, overview both historical and theological of Covenant Theology. A recommended primer (but, for first year, post-secondary).
3. The Rise of Evangelicalism: The Age of Edwards, Whitefield, and the Wesleys by Mark Noll (IVP, 2004). The first in a projected five volume series dealing with the history of Evnagelicalism (to date, only vols.1 and 3 are in print). Although many would conclude that Noll has gone over to the dark side (ie: his defection to Notre Dame and his irenic Is the Reformation Over?: An Evangelical Assessment of Contemporary Roman Catholicism with Carolyn Nystrom), he shows his historical prowess in this and other histories.
4. The Lord's Day by Joseph Pipa (Christian Focus, 1997). I needed to see the arguments for Lord's Day observance this year. This was beautifully written and argued!
5. A History of the Arab Peoples by Albert Hourani (MJF Books, 1991). Another brick in the edifice of my ongoing attempt to understand Islam and History in general.
6. War Against the Idols: The Reformation of Worship from Erasmus to Calvin by Carlos M. Eire (Cambridge University Press, 1986). Part of a recent study I am doing on images. Excellent!
7. The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels (Vintage, 1979). Had this laying around for over 10 years, and finally got to it during the DVC craze. Excellent seminal work for understanding modern spirituality and the neo-gnostic movement (in the churches, as well). Easily refutable by minimally learnèd individuals.
8. The Ecumenical Mirage by C. Stanley Lowell (Baker Book House, 1967). Impressive, scholarly earlier examination of ecumensim by a Methodist. Grist for another hobbyhorse of mine.
9. This is Music: A Guide to the Pleasures of Listening by David Randolph (McGraw-Hill,1964). Excellent intro to classical music. His intriguing thesis is that music is music (sensual/emotive); and it does not tell stories. The 90+ author still occasionally conducts, and his book was still in print as late as 1997.
10. Twelve Discourses Upon the Law and the Gospel [1836] by William Romaine(Old Paths/Gospel Press, nd). A clear delineation betwixt the two, with a Preface worth the price of the book alone! Should be in this year's top five!
11. Human Nature in its Fourfold State [1712] by Thomas Boston (Banner of Truth Trust, 2002). What can I say? A Classic! To be read in conjunction with Pink's The Total Depravity of Man.
12. The Covenant of Life Opened [1654] by Samuel Rutherford (Puritan Publications, 2005). These last two I have been reading/comparing in tandem (yet unfinished), in a continuing exploration of historical Covenant Theology. Though initially this volume appeared to be the more promising of the two minimal translation for ease of modern reading, newly typeset I have been disappointed, so far, with Dr. C. Matthew McMahons editing (ie: it is harder to follow than Ball's, below).
13. A Treatise of the Covenant of Grace (Facsimile Reprint from the 1645 edition) by John Ball (Peter & Rachel Reynolds, 2006). Despite the trepidation when I began reading this ancient text - I foresaw trouble with the print quality (facsimile), esp. w/side column references, and f/s-type archaisms, etc. I found it, actually, quite easier to read and understand than the McMahon edition of Rutherford (#12, above). Not only that, but I appreciated the original language as, I am sure, most more scholarly (than me) types will. (It seems odd that a 1645 printing would read better than a modernized 1654.)

The Years Best Fiction: 2006

State of Fear [2004] Michael Crichton delivers once again in a surprisingly politically incorrect story about eco-terrorism (though, perhaps not surprising, when one considers his penchant for detailing bad science/scientists). The current eco-freak bugaboo - global warming gets a proper dressing down. I can hardly wait (Yes, I can!) for Next [2006], a twist on his Jurassic Park [1980] gengineering concept: cross-species breeding!! (Note: Crichton is supposed to be releasing the non-fiction States of Fear: Science or Politics? [2007], which hopefully will deal forthrightly with not only the myths of environmentalists but also the deceitful politics behind them.)

Medusa [1988] Medusa was a welcome return to Hammond Innes [1913-98]. A, sometimes idyllic, adventure which probably had more urgency during the final stages of the Cold War, but was still both entertaining and informative regarding international affairs riding on seemingly provincial politics. I had read Innes' The Trojan Horse[1940] several years ago and was impressed with the taut underground chase of the novel. My appetite for Innes whetted, I then tried Golden Soak [1973], and could barely get through the first chapters of the boring and to that point plotless novel set in the the northwestern Australian desert. I suppose I was anticipating something more like Quigley Down Under ;-)

Vixen 03 [1978] I returned to Clive Cussler this year accidentally skipping Raise the Titanic! [1976] enjoying a tale of a long-sunken plane with biological weapons as cargo. I will probably get to a few more this year. I hear his first with son Dirk, Black Wind [2004] is supposed to be quite good.

Fatal Voyage [2001] Kathy Reichs, a forensic anthropologist, has embarked on a sideline career writing mystery novels about one Dr. Temperance Brennan (a character based largely on herself), who solves forensic mysteries in the environs of Montreal, Quebec and Charlotte, North Carolina. She also, coincidentally, has inspired and contributed to the TV drama Bones which, despite using the same character, is remarkably different from her books. Despite the appeal of the ensemble cast of the television series - albeit, the title character is drawn amusingly Vulcan-like - and the belief factor is limited, the novels prove (in spite of gratuitous sex and language) to be much more informative and, overall, better written. I have, as usual, begun her opus in chronological order, and thus have read the first four Deja Dead [1997], Deadly Decisions [1999], and Death du Jour [2000] this past year. The last, Fatal Voyage, about a plane crash, a biker, and a remarkable secret society, has proven to be the best so far.

The Romanov Prophecy [2004] Steve Berry is making a name for himself in the growing field of histrico-religious fiction. Regrettably, his books appear to be devolving (stylistically and idealogically). Having read all but his debut, The Amber Room [2003], as I have a silly idea that I should read the non-fiction The Amber Room [2005] by Catherine Scott-Clark & Adrian Levy, first. But, based on the qualitative trajectory of his novels after Romanov, there is The Third Secret [2005], a story which tries to sell the idea that the 3^rd secret of Fatima would lead to the ordination of women in the Roman Catholic Church; and The Templar Treasure [2006] which tried to sell the idea that the treasure was the remains of Jesus Christ I would be inclined to presume that The Amber Room, his first, was probably his best!!

The Da Vinci Code [2003] Well, due to my apologetical research on Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code (DVC) - see some of its fruit here, I thought it might be advisable to have read the novel. Before the brouhaha, I had read 90% of Angels and Demons [2001] because of its Illuminati subject matter, but found it kept on going after it should have ended. DVC, likewise has a weak ending but, nevertheless, reads like the modern movie-script novel. Entertaining, fast-paced, and very, very bad history. Brown has spawned a plethora of imitators (see Steve Berry and Kathleen McGowan for example); but, allegedly, got his own inspiration from Lewis Perdue's The Da Vinci Legacy [1983], besides the admitted and obvious Holy Blood, Holy Grail [1982] by Baigent, Leigh, & Lincoln. (Funny, I read Perdue's, and cant recall a thing about it. Perhaps DVC overswept it as literature? Nah!)

My first Charles Dickens, David Copperfield [1850], may have made the list...but I havent quite slogged through it yet. Also, in a category of wasted reads, Philip Kerr's A Five Year Plan [1997]. I dont know what I expected I think I read all of his A Philosophical Investigation [1992] but I was disappointed with the unbelievable plot and gratuitous sex and language.

Note: the lack of a Top 10 is an indication of both the small amount of fiction read and the general quality of that which was read.

So, not that much as far as so-called good literature is concerned in 2006.

Triune Faith

Considering the classical definition of faith (notitia, assensus, and fiducia) in the light of both Gordon Clark's formulation (n, a, f as a subset of a), and John Ball's answer to Why does the Covenant of Works not require faith but obedience?, several points come to mind:

a) Adam had both knowledge and agreement concerning the facts of His creation.
b) Adam was expected (via a pointed lesson) to show his trust by obeying.
c) Prior to his fall, Adam was trusting (dependent on) God.
d) The cause of his (our) Fall was his turning away (rebelling) from God, and trusting in himself.

So, despite Clark's seeming semantics, I believe that (along with orthodoxy) notitia and assensus must be conjoined with fiducia in order for saving faith to exist. Adam didn't lose (a); he apostatized by redirecting his trust. Thus, we too must have all three components of faith. God tried his creation, whether they would freely trust Him (live and move, and have their being - mental, physical, and spiritual). Man, though created righteous, was not infallible, was not perfect; in short, was not God! Thank God for the Covenant of Redemption, wherein a people where chosen. Unless the Holy Spirit regenerate the elect, we would not be able to enjoy the triune faith (in our triune God). Let the Bride of Christ thankfully rejoice in the quikening and sustaining power of the Holy Spirit working in them to do His pleasure. Let us cry out Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief!

See: John Ball - A Treatise of the Covenant of Grace [1645], p. 12.
Gordon H. Clark - Today's Evangelism: Counterfeit or Genuine?, Chapter 6: Faith

Experential Faith

In discussing Calvin's concept of assurance of faith, Joel Beeke highlights an issue which I both gleaned from Jonathan Edwards and understand the FRC seeks to promote: Experential faith, based on the Word, is both a necessary and valid aspect of the Christian life.

Thus, bare experience (nuda experentia) is not Calvin's goal, but experience grounded in the Word, flowing out of the fulfillment of the Word. Experimental knowledge of the Word is essential. For Calvin, two kinds of knowledge are needed: knowledge by faith (scientia fidei) that is received from the Word, "though it is not yet fully revealed," and the knowledge of experience (scientia experentiae) "springing from the fulfilling of the Word." The Word of God is primary to both, for experience teaches us to know God as He declares Himself to be in His Word. Experience not consonant with Scripture is never experience of true faith. In short, though the believer's experience of true faith is far weaker than he desires [for assurance purposes], there is an essential unity in the Word between faith's perception (the ought-to dimension of faith) and experience (the is dimension of faith).
- Puritan Reformed Spirituality, p.40.

The Holiness Persuasion of the Federal Vision?

"Significantly and symptomatically Finney's doctrine of justification has interesting correspondences. Finney rejected forensic justification and accepted real sanctification as the final basis of man's standing before God. Moreover, Finney saw justification as dependent upon a prior sanctification, thus embracing, no doubt unknowingly, the traditional Roman Catholic ordo salutis. - p.41.
"Then boardman summarized the essential holiness persuasion:'Nevertheless the two things [being reckoned righteous and being made righteous] are distinct and different in their nature and are expressive of two great and equal wants of the sinner. He must be just in the eye of the law, justified before God. But he must also be holy in heart and life, or he cannot be saved.'" - p.44.

- Frederick Dale Bruner, A Theology of the Holy Spirit (Eerdman's, 1970; Trinity, 2001).

Well, specifically, this sounds just like John Kinnaird's position
(which has been uncondemned by the higher OPC courts).
However, it is representative of various FV positions as well.
See both John Otis' Danger in the Camp
and Guy Prentiss Water's The Federal Vision and Covenant Theology.

William Goode vs. Baptismal Regeneration

   Drug out Charismatic Confusion [1834] for some research for our children's Bible class at school, and ran across the following:

   Goode's sun rose to its public splendour in the Gorham Case of 1847. Briefly, this concerned George Cornelius Gorham (1787-1857), vicar of Penwith in Cornwall, whom his bishop, Henry Phillpotts of Exeter (1778-1869), refused to appoint to the vicarage of Brampford Speke in 1847, on the basis of Gorham's alleged unsoundness on the doctrine of baptismal regeneration. Phillpotts was an old-fashioned High Anglican with slight sympathies for the Oxford Movement, and he believed in the intrinsic regenerative efficacy of baptism. Gorham, a Calvinistic Evangelical and student of the Reformers, denied this understanding of baptism; he contended that the regenerating work of the Spiritcould not be tied down to the exact moment of baptism, although the Spirit was free to work at that point in baptised infants if He so chose. The controversy aroused immense nationwide interest. Victory finally went to Gorham when the judicial committee of the Privy Council decided in his favour in 1850.
   Some 50 works of literary warfare were published on the Gorham Case. The most devastating defence of Gorham and his baptismal doctrine issued from Gode's pen - his The Doctrine of the Church of England as to the Effects of Baptism in the case of Infants, published in 1849. Goode's mastery of the writings and theology of the fathers of the Reformed English Church proved largely unanswerable by Phillpotts and his allies, even if it must be granted that most Anglican Evangelicals in those days had somewhat higher views of baptism than their modern Zwinglian descendents.

   Itmay prove interesting - if not profitable - to review the arguments in the Gorham Case. That is, in the light of the present Federal Vision (AAPC, Monroe 4, Neonomist, Monocovenantalism, etc.) controversy.

(Also, another Goode book worthy of republication.)

Survey Says....Amillennialist!

You scored as Amillenialist. Amillenialism believes that the 1000 year reign is not literal but figurative, and that Christ began to reign at his ascension. People take some prophetic scripture far too literally in your view. Amillenialist 100% Preterist 55% Moltmannian Eschatology 40% Postmillenialist 40% Premillenialist 40% Left Behind 20% Dispensationalist 0% What's your eschatology? created with QuizFarm.com

(HT - Scarecrow)

Chalcedon Compliant

Whew!!
So... At the least, I am not a heretic!
;-)

You scored as Chalcedon compliant. You are Chalcedon compliant. Congratulations, you're not a heretic. You believe that Jesus is truly God and truly man and like us in every respect, apart from sin. Officially approved in 451. Chalcedon compliant 100% Nestorianism 67% Monophysitism 33% Pelagianism 25% Adoptionist 8% Docetism 0% Arianism 0% Apollanarian 0% Donatism 0% Gnosticism 0% Monarchianism 0% Albigensianism 0% Modalism 0% Socinianism 0% Are you a heretic? created with QuizFarm.com

Ten Gallon Hat

I'll put a ten gallon hat
over my devil horns
I'll lasso the sunset, in fact
I'll wear it like a uniform
They'll say "There goes one good man!"
I might fool 'em for another day
then at the crack of one glorious dawn
I'll ride away

I'll be ridin' away
to where they say
that they love you (and they MEAN IT!)
or for instance,
there's no fences
'round your dream when you dream it
and the heart
in the dark
finds a light to redeem it
In the meantime let me say...

God knows I got a ten gallon hat
over my devil horns
I'll lasso the sunset, in fact
I'm gonna wear it like a uniform
they'll say "There goes one righteous man!"
I might fool 'em for another day
then at the crack of one glorious dawn
I'll ride away

Terry Scott Taylor

Updated DVC

Just a note to say that the previous post on The Da Vinci Code
has had a number of updates.

Comments and suggestions/links are welcome.

A Select(ively) Annotated Da Vinci Code Bibliography

Sacred* Titles

Abanes, Richard The Truth Behind The Da Vinci Code (Eugene: Harvest House, 2004) 96pp. 0-736914-39-0 $6.99 USD
Basic, Evangelistic tool; however, goes into more depth on Leonardo than most.

Beverley, James A. Counterfeit Code: Responding to the Da Vinci Heresies (Willard & Assoc. Consulting, 2005) 100pp. 1897213018 $9.50 USD
Print-on-demand title.

Boa, Kenneth & John Alan Turner The Gospel According to The Da Vinci Code: The Truth Behind the Writings of Dan Brown ( Broadman & Holman, 2006) 176pp. 0805441905 $14.99 USD
Focuses on the worldview that enables Brown (and others) to succeed.

+Bock, Darrell L. Breaking the Da Vinci Code (Thomas Nelson, 2004) 208pp. 0-7852-6046-3 $19.99 USD
Bock: "My work concentrates on the first 325 years of Early Christian history, which are key to Brown's claims in his plot. I also give a full sample of texts, orthodox and gnostic, from this period so the reader can see for themselves what these ancients texts say and get a sense of what the difference is between [the] biblical and the 'secret' texts."

Clark, Stephen The Da Vinci Code on Trial: Filtering Fact from Fiction (Evangelical Press, 2005) 94pp. 1850492093 $9.99 USD

Ehrman, Bart D. Truth and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code:A Historian Reveals What We Really Know about Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and Constantine (OUP, 2004) 207pp. 01951-8140-9 $20.00 USD
Besides general debunkery, [t]hroughout, Ehrman offers a wealth of fascinating background information--all historically accurate--on early Christianity. He describes, for instance, the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls (which are not Christian in content, contrary to The Da Vinci Code); outlines in simple terms how scholars of early Christianity determine which sources are most reliable; and explores the many other Gospels that have been found in the last half century.

Flory, Suzy & Gini Monroe - Fear Not Da Vinci: Using The Da Vinci Code to Share Your Faith (AMG, 2006) 224pp. 0899570526 $14.99 USD
Evangelistic tool.

+Garlow, James L. The Da Vinci Codebreaker: An Easy-to-Use Fact Checker(Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2006) 203pp. 0-7642-0185-9 $9.99 USD
Garlow follows up the success of his co-authored Cracking Da Vinci's Code(see below), with this handy alphabetical, cross-referenced glossary-cum-encyclopaedia of Da Vinci Code facts. A sacred version (ie: with a more-or-less dogmatic evangelical Christian viewpoint) of Newman's The Real History Behind the Da Vinci Code (see below).

+Garlow, Jame L. & Peter Jones Cracking Da Vincis Code (Colorado Springs: Victor, 2004) 252pp. 0-78144-165-X $14.99 CDN
Garlow, author of How God Saved Civilization (now, God and His People), and Jones, author of The Gnostic Empire Strikes Back and Spirit Wars, combine efforts to produce a work that tackles the significant points and attach a short Readers Guide with questions relevant to the text. The odd, evolving, Divine Arc/Circle symbology used at the start of chapters has (and will, probably) distracted a few; however, the book has sold around half a million copies, so people appear to be finding it useful overall.

Green, Michael The Books the Church Suppressed: Fiction and Truth in The Da Vinci Code (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2006) 192pp. 08254-6096-4 $13.99 USD
Focuses on the reliability and canonicity of the NT and Gnosticism which Green sees as the main attacks of Brown's work.

Gumbel, Nicky The Da Vinci Code: A Response (Alpha Int'l, 2005) 1-904-07481-2 L1.00 UK
Warning: Written and published by Alpha/Charismania oriented personnel. Recommened by David McKay as, "good because it is so short and people might actually read it!"

+Hanegraaff, Hank & Paul L. Maier The Da Vinci Code: Fact or Fiction? (Carol Stream: Tyndale, 2004, rev. 2006) 96pp. 1-41430279-7 $5.99 USD
A pocket guide designed with quick answers to all the significant issues. Another evangelistic tool. The revised version adds a Gospel presentation. Basic.

Kellmeyer, Steve Fact and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code">Fact and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code (Peoria: Bridegroom Press, 2004) 96pp. 0-971812861 $9.95 USD
A Papist perspective on 72 items of offending material. According to Marcia Ford, an editors nightmare that, "... will make you realize why we need such a thing[as The Chicago Manual of Style], in case you ever doubted it."

+Lutzer, Erwin W. The Da Vinci Deception (Carol Stream: Living Books, 2006 [2004]) 167pp. ISBN 1-4143-0633-4 $6.99 USD
A very helpful introduction to the critical issues with a nice examination of gnosticism by a recognized, proven, conservative (Baptist) writer and Senior Pastor of Moody Church in Chicago.
A short positive review by Gary Gilley is online.

+McDowell, Josh The Da Vinci Code: A Quest for Answers (Holiday: Green Key Books, 2006) 112pp. 1-932587-80-2 $4.99 CDN
A short text using the conversational technique(apparently, popular?) about as successfully as James White did in Scripture Alone (ie: I dont care for the technique, but realize that it might be helpful for others). A useful 3-session study guide for this item is available on-line. Tim Challies has a review of Quest here.

+Olson, Carl E. & Sandra Miesel The Da Vinci Hoax: The Truth About Jesus, Christianity, Mary Magdalene, and The Da Vinci Code (Ignatius Press, 2004) 329pp. 1-58617034-1 $15.95 USD
"Co-authored by a theologian and a medievalist, The Da Vinci Hoax hasbeen described by Francis Cardinal George of Chicago as 'the definitive debunking.' At 330 pages and with 555 footnotes, it is the most exhaustive and meticulous refutation of the biblical, theological, historical, philosophical, and artistic errors of The Da Vinci Code."
Papist, but looks interesting (even Marvin Olasky endorses it!). Furthermore, Marcia Ford, author and able DVC et.al. reviewer (see below), has these glowing words: "Olson, editor of Envoy magazine and a Catholic author with an evangelical background, and Miesel, a journalist with master's degrees in biochemistry and medieval history, provide a wealth of richly detailed historical and theological information in their extensive volume. Chapters are arranged topically and thoroughly cover the subject under discussion, whether it's Gnosticism or the Knights Templar or Leonardo's art. More than the other titles, this book looks at the cultural and religious factors that have combined to contribute to the success of DVC."

Price, Robert M. Da Vinci Fraud: Why the Truth is Stranger than Fiction (Prometheus Books, 2005) 296pp. 1591023483 $18.00 USD
NT Scholar and member of the Jesus Seminar puts in his 2¢.

+Strobel, Lee & Gary Poole Discussing The Da Vinci Code (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 96 pp. 0310272653 $7.99 USD
Discussion Guide & DVD for small group study. New.

Strobel, Lee & Gary Poole Exploring The Da Vinci Code: Investigating Issues Raised by the Book & Movie (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 112pp. 0310273722 $4.99 USD
New.

Welborn, Amy - De-Coding Da Vinci (Our Sunday Visitor, 2004) 124pp. 1-5927-6101-1 $9.95 USD

Williams, Garry - The Da Vinci Code: From Dan Brown's Fiction to Mary Magdalene's Faith(Christian Focus, 2006) 1-84550-121-7 $3.99 USD
Recommended by Westminster Seminary. Publisher remark: "Garry Williams teaches Church History and Doctrine at Oak Hill Theological College in London, England. Here he answers seven of the key claims raised by Dan Brown's book and points you towards a story even more intriguing - and more firmly based on fact."

+Witherington III, Ben The Gospel Code (Downers Grove: IVP, 2004) 252pp. 0-8308-3267-X $15.00 USD
James Dunn's student, apparently, does an adequate job.

Sacred Resources On-Line
(Please send me additional links, and I will update.)

Challenging Da Vinci Website
Australian David McKay informs me that this is,"a site created by Sydney Anglican Media to address questions posed by the Da Vinci Code. The site will be advertised with the introductory short ad at cinemas. Greg Clarke, who wrote a lot of the material, says he thnaks God for the book and film because it has given opportunities to address hundreds of non Christians and share the gospel with them. He's going on a national church-hopping tour talking about the film, book and the Bible."

Christianity Today "The Da Vinci Rejects"
Humour: What other publishers could have done to respond to Dan Browns bestseller.

Christianity Today - "Decoding The Da Vinci Code"
Has links to other articles on the topic; but, overall, rather sparse.

Discusing the Da Vinci Code
A sub-site of Bible.org with many helpful, academic resources.

Ford, Marcia 'DA VINCI DEBUNKERS: Spawns of Dan Brown's Bestseller'
Seminal reviews of 11 books about/or responding to DVC. Recommended
_________ 'The Book That Will Not Go Away'
Further reviews of 15 titles which either debunk or imitate DVC. Recommended

Jeff Down's Resource Index: The Da Vinci Code Page
A handy reference to a multiplicity of Books (most herein mentioned), audio, and online essay links. Recommended

JesusAndDaVinci website
A nexus of linked articles, a discussion group, and (Josh McDowell) resource store. Part of a network of Campus Crusade sites responding to Brown's novel and the movie, catalogued by Rob Williams of CCC here.

Rhodes, Ron "Crash Goes the Da Vinci Code"
An helpful essay dealing forthrightly with many significant quotes. By a recognized and competent apologist.

Rogers, Jay The Real Jesus, Part Two:Debunking The Da Vinci Code
Part of a planned DVD presentation on The Real Jesus by the director of The Forerunner. This part deals with Brown's gnostic delusions. In Jay's words: "Originally, I had planned to make it available upon the release of the movie. I probably will have part 1 of the video done by summer, and the Da Vinci Code section (part 2) will probably appear in 2007 as
part of the video series -- The Real Jesus: Exposing the Christological Heresies of Pop Culture."

The Da Vinci Dialogue website
Sponsored by HollywoodJesus (?), with the cooperation of Sony Pictures(?). From their Expert page: "Highly regarded Christian leaders and scholars volunteered to tackle the controversial topics within The Da Vinci Code. Between now and the release of the film, the Da Vinci Dialogue will regularly post new and insightful essays from these experts. Additional essay contributors will be announced in the coming days." The range of experts include: John L. Allen, George Barna, Darrell L. Bock, Tony Campolo, Chuck Colson, Gloria Gaither (yes, Bill's wife!), and the list goes on to represent papists, neo-evangelicals, liberals, and some half-decent representatives like Josh McDowell.

The Truth About Da Vinci.com
A reformed presence! Westminster Seminary has just (April 14th) launched a - growing - site with relevant apologetical articles, sermons, FAQs, video clips, Q&As, an e-store (really, Westminster Bookstore), and (forthcoming) White Papers, Discussion (forum?) and Banners(?). We'll keep tabs on it for updates. [HT to Steve Johnson from rtdisc.]

Turner, John Alan "Who is Really In the Gnosis?"
An article for Reflections Ministries about Dan Brown, Elaine Pagels, and Gnosticism. [HT to Mr. Turner.]

White, James - "Debunking Dan Brown's "Fact Based Fiction"
A lengthy combined version of several blog postings in which James deals in his usual, polemical style with issues of the book. Jame's three-part Sunday Schoo discussion of The Da Vinci Code is also online: Part I, Part II, Part III.

Wright, N.T. - "Decoding The Da Vinci Code"
The Bishop of Durham [CoE] weighs in on The Da Vinci Code.

Sacred DVDs

+The Da Vinci Code Deception (Grizzly Adams Productions) 120 min. 1-931602-86-7 $19.95 USD
A docu-drama with experts, setting-site tours, sermon outline, and group studies utilizing the material in the Lutzer, Bock, and Garlow/Jones titles (above). See also Grizzly Adams Productions.

Where Fact and Fiction Meet: The Biblical Christ in a Da Vinci Code Society $29.99 USD
Six pseudo-documentary studies - ideal for small groups - entitled, The Historical and Biblical Jesus, Ancient and Modern Gnosticism, The Real Words of Christ, Jesus, Mary, and the Role of Women in the Early Church, The Messiah, the Myths, and the Holy Grail and Reaching the Da Vinci Code Society. Comes with Outlines and personal and Bible Study questions.


Secular Titles

+Burstein, Dan, ed. Secrets of the Code (NY: CDS Books, 2004) 373pp. 1-59315-022-9 $21.95 USD/$29.95 CDN
Subtitle: The Unauthorized Guide to the Mysteries Behind The Da Vinci Code. A collection of essays, synopses, a glossary, cast, and web-resource guide by a variety of authors who represent a spectrum of interests in the material (ie: from the sympathies of a Michael Baigent or Margaret Starbird, through the ambivalence of Bart Ehrman or Elaine Pagels, to the helpful plot-hole exposé of David Shugat and the level-headed review by Laura Miller). Recommended.


Cox, Simon Cracking the Da Vinci Code (Sterling Publishing, 2004) 160pp. 1-4027-1837-3 $9.95 USD
A partisan work composed of short discussions of various Brown topics and esoterica. Cox writes, "This book isdesigned in such a way as to give the reader of The Da Vinci Code a primer on many of the factual elements in the book."

+Haag, Michael & Veronica - The Rough Guide to The Da Vinci Code, rev.ed.(London: Rough Guides, 2006 [2004]) 288pp. 1-84353-713-3 $10.99 USD/ $15.99 CDN
The best, pocket-sized, cheap - with relevant pics and diagrams - secular guide to the novel; now enhanced with movie-related trivia.

Lunn, Martin Da Vinci Decoded: The Truth Behind the New York Times #1 Bestseller (The Disinformation Company, 2004) 182pp. 0-9729-5297-7 $9.95 USD
A, purportedly, thorough examination by an unknown author who utilizes Brown's sources - sometimes, against him.

+Newman, Sharan The Real History Behind the Da Vinci Code (NY: Berkley, 2005) 337pp. 0-425-20012-4 $15.00 USD/$22.00 CDN
An alphabetically-arranged examination of people, places, and subjects raised in Browns novel, by an acclaimed medieval mystery writer, longtime member of the Medieval Academy, and Ph.D. candidate. She gives a generally sane, secular take on the material. For a sacred version in a similar format, see Garlow's The Da Vinci Codebreaker (above).

*Note: I have, on purpose, used the distinction between sacred and secular.This does not indicate, however, that I am under the impression that all the authors under the sacred designation are Christians, never mind conservative, evangelical, or reformed. Commensurate sentiments would be in play vice versa.
+Titles I own. Donotions of other resources, gladly accepted! (I am working on a presentation for locals.)

The Gospel of Judas?

The recent release of a spurious gnostic text known as The Gospel of Judas has caused a minor tempest.

Discussions over the Easter release-date - as The Da Vinci Code, and other Gospel-attacking material has also been released in the past - are being held on various group's e-lists.

But, The Gospel of Judas is so dominated by a gnostic worldview, and informed by platonism, Jewish mysticism, and pre-Manichean motifs, that it can have no serious impact on on the Canon, esp. as seen by Christians. Irenaeus dealt with centuries ago, as did other Fathers over similar heretical movements.

Here [ht to John Barach on ref-net] is a scathing review (primarily of National Geographic's disingenuousness) of the recent publication of The Gospel of Judas by Bruce Chilton, certainly no conservative evangelical scholar, but helpful (if I must descend to such a comparison) in the manner that N. T. Wright is - ie: Handle Me With Care (for all you Lynne-ites out there).

Linked Reviews

Reformation 21 has just posted some interesting reviews:

Wright's Paul: In Fresh Perspective
and
Letham's The Holy Trinity

Full Gospel, Fractured Minds - Review - 1

Full Gospel, Fractured Minds: A Call to use God’s Gift of the Intellect
By Rick M. Nańez
(Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005) ISBN: 0-310-26308-5, $18.00 HB, 267pp.
A Review, Part I

The claim to the uniqueness or seminality of this title, as attested by the likes of Stanley Horton, J. P. Moreland, and Amos Yong (see Endorsements and Preface), only confirms some of the negative impressions non-Pentecostals have supposedly and stereo-typically held concerning the Pentecostal/Charismatic phenomenon.

Having been a participant in such circles for over five years, having brethren who remain or still partake in the fringes of such, and being an observer of the evangelical Christian sub-culture in general, much of Nańez’s book resonates with what I have either experienced or know. Nańez, himself a Pentecostal, undertakes, in this aptly titled volume, to call his kind to a reformed opinion and use of the intellectual faculties with which we have been created. And, as you might imagine, this is no small task.

Exposing the anti-intellectual bias within his camp, Nańez appears convincing enough to me; but, will it be enough to convince his brethren who hold entrenched positions within that camp? I think so. At least, I hope that it proves adequate to shake the insularity of their world - characterized by “power encounters,” “liberating emotional expression,” and “where robust leadership is encouraged and cultivated” (ie: though Nańez sees these as positives, I would propose that they are the very obstacles to his pursuit of a balanced Christian life.)

Nańez divides his book up into two sections: the first half, Anatomy of the Fractured Mind, deals with the history and origins of the problem; while the second half, Ammunition for the Full-Gospel Mind, attempts a reasonable defence of the uses of the intellect. He also provides an eclectic 15 page Bibliography, as well as handy Scripture, Subject, and Name Indices.

2005 Top Fiction Titles

Here are the Top Five Fiction Titles for 2005

1. Jane Austen - Pride and Prejudice [1913]
First time read, and 3rd Austen.

2. Leo Tolstoy - Resurrection [1899]
Second reading of this Doukhobor-financing novel of redemption.

3. Fyodor Dostoevsky - Crime and Punishment [1866]
Second reading of this novel which portrays a truer anthropology than most.

4. Agatha Christie - Crooked House [1949]
Another novel of surprising anthropology.

5. Alistair MacLean - When Eight Bells Toll [1966]
4th reading (this time - to my son) of one of MacLean's classics.

And here, in no particular order, and to compensate for the lack of a proper top ten, are ten works of fiction which will receive honourable mention (though they are not in the class of - at least the top three - above):

Agatha Christie - The Mysterious Affair at Styles [1920]
The first Poirot mystery, and still worthy.
Agatha Christie - The Moving Finger [1942]
A nice treatment of the poisoned pen letter theme.
Agatha Christie - The Secret of Chimneys [1925]
She should have written more with Anthony Cade.
Ngaio Marsh - Overture to Death [1939]
Not up to Died in the Wool, but a pleasant read.
Michael Crichton - Disclosure [1993]
Dated, but his usual fast-paced read.
Robert Ludlum - The Bourne Identity [1980]
Much better than than the movie; too bad the same couldn't be said for The Bourne Supremacy, which I just couldn't be bothered to finish.
Robert Ludlum - The Scarlatti Inheritance [1970]
Nice debut. Doesn't read like a novel, but interesting plot.
Robert Ludlum - The Matlock Paper [1973]
Conspiracy! Scary! Unfortunately, dated.
Clive Cussler - Sahara [1992]
Read it before the movie, and was impressed enough to buy the rest of his.
Clive Cussler - Pacific Vortex! [1983]
Promising actual debut, though published later. Mediterranean Caper passed, but Iceberg ran the Cussler engine dry for a while.

2005 Top Ten Non-Fiction Titles

These are, in order of importance, the top ten non-fiction titles I have read this year.

1. Paul M. Elliott - Christianity and Neo Liberalism: The Spiritual Crisis in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and Beyond, 2005.
A must read for anyone who wants to know what is going on in the reformed camp today.
2. James Bannerman - The Church of Christ, 2 vols., 2002 reprint.
The definitive text on the nature of the Church of Christ first published in 1868.
3. Heinrich Bullinger - The Decades of Heinrich Bullinger, 2005.
A classic text on reformed theology (in the shape of 50 sermons) finally in print again.
4. John MacArthur - Fool's Gold: Discerning Truth in an Age of Error, 2005
Timely collection of essays by Master's Seminary staff dealing with issues of alarm.
5. James White - Scripture Alone: Exploring the Bible's Accuracy, Authority, and Authenticity, 2004
Another plank in White's continuing defense of reformation principles, this time expounding sola scriptura. A worthy compliment to The God Who Justifies, The Potter's Freedom, and The Forgotten Trinity.
6. Timothy Weber - On the Road to Armageddon: How Evangelicals Became Israel's Best Friend, 2004
An expose of the logical conclusions of dispensationalism.
7. David T. King - Holy Scripture, the Ground and Pillar of Our Faith, Volume One: A Biblical Defense of the Reformation Principle of Sola Scriptura, 2001
What the subtitle says! And how!
8. Don Kistler, ed. - Sola Scriptura!: The Protestant Position on the Bible, 1995
Collection of Essays. As can be seen, a significant (and profitable) subject of study for 2005!
9. John Piper - Counted Righteous in Christ, 2002
The imputation of Christ's righteousness for the justification of sinners! [contra Gundry]
10. Steve Wilkins & Duane Garner, eds. - The Federal Vision,2004
Primary source for the Arminian-leading heresy invading the presbyterian reformed camp.