DVD Review: Survey of Church History, Part Six

A Survey of Church History, Part One: A.D. 1900-2000.  W. Robert Godfrey. Twelve 23-Minute Messages. [Source: Gift]

For anyone who loves history or theology, I recommend Ligonier's teaching series, A Survey of Church History. W. Robert Godrey is the teacher, and he's fabulous! The series has six parts. 

The sixth part is the final part. It covers the twentieth century. Again the focus keeps returning, circling around, the Presbyterian church. Many of the messages share a common theme: what went wrong with the Presbyterian church, when did it go wrong, how and why did it go wrong, etc. A lot of division and splitting occurs. But the series covers so much more than that.

The messages are:

• A Remarkable Century
• Empires and Missions
• Fundamentalism
• J. Gresham Machen
• Struggle in American Churches
• Aimee Semple McPherson
• Pentecostalism
• The New Evangelicalism
• Rome in the 20th Century
• The Church and Islam
• Doctrinal Distinctives
• Reformed Christianity

I really LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the series as a whole. I thought it would be easy to choose a favorite part: one, two, three, four, or five. You might think, well, the one on the Reformation HAS to be the best of the best, right? Well, I'm not sure I can pick. I found the last two discs to be SO GOOD. Perhaps a bit more thought-provoking and convicting than previous sections which were more history-themed.

One thing he addresses are labels and definitions. Fundamentalism and evangelicalism. How labels come about, how words are defined, how words change meaning, who uses them and why. In one lecture, he talks about how limiting the word evangelical really is. He says that there are four pillars of evangelicalism and that these are the most basic, most bare minimums you could come up with and still technically be of the Christian faith. He argues that Christianity is so much more than four points. It is not even five points. If you're going to embrace the faith, and STAND for something, then he wants you to stand for the whole faith and embrace everything the Bible teaches. The last two messages are specifically about Reformed theology. 

Mom and I were definitely sad to see the series end. We'd become quite attached to spending our days with Godfrey! The series in total is 73 messages!!! 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

DVD Review: Survey of Church History, Part 5

A Survey of Church History, Part One: A.D. 1800-1900.  W. Robert Godfrey. Twelve 23-Minute Messages. [Source: Gift]

For anyone who loves history or theology, I recommend Ligonier's teaching series, A Survey of Church History. W. Robert Godrey is the teacher, and he's fabulous! The series has six parts. 

The fifth part covers 1800-1900. Godfrey is selective in what he includes in this section, as I suppose he's been all along. But what he does include is interesting. He definitely focuses more on the Presbyterian church in America than all the other denominations both in America and in Europe. 

The messages are:

• The Nineteenth Century
• The Intellectual Scene
• Two American Revolutions
• The Second Awakening
• Charles Finney
• The Rise of Cults in America
• The Presbyterian Witness
• Through the Civil War
• Christianity and Science
• Roman Catholicism
• The Church in Europe
• Abraham Kuyper

Godfrey is really enjoyable to watch. I loved hearing him talk about Finney!!! That was probably my favorite bit. For example, he has his students read Finney's systematic theology because he knows if he was just to summarize it for them that they'd never believe him that Finney is as bad as he says he is. One theme you can see through these messages is the need to hold to the truth and not make compromises. Plenty of compromise and accommodation  happens in this century--and the church is not stronger for it. One also sees how the faith loses dominance and influence over society in this century.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

DVD Review: Survey of Church History, Part 4

A Survey of Church History, Part Four: A.D. 1600-1800.  W. Robert Godfrey. Twelve 23-Minute Messages. [Source: Gift] 

For anyone who loves history or theology, I recommend Ligonier's teaching series, A Survey of Church History. W. Robert Godrey is the teacher, and he's fabulous! The series has six parts.

The fourth part covers roughly two hundred years: 1600-1800. This is an exciting period of history, not just church history. It is a time of exploring, conquering and claiming new lands--like America. 

The messages are:

• Continuing the Reformation
• Scholastic Theology
• Puritan Piety
• Puritan Politics
• Puritan Worship and Eschatology
• Puritan Views of Assurance and Conversion
• The Puritans in New England
• The Englightenment
• Wesley and Whitefield
• The Great Awakening
• Jonathan Edwards
• Political Revolutions

I really loved this series. Perhaps not all messages were equally gush-worthy. I think my three favorite messages were Wesley & Whitefield, The Great Awakening, and Jonathan Edwards. I found it reassuring that Godfrey finds Jonathan Edwards a difficult read. And how he'd recommend John Calvin over Jonathan Edwards any day. I probably would have appreciated even more time spent on Whitefield. 

I really can't recommend this series enough. Godfrey is a DELIGHT and then some. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

DVD Review: A Survey of Church History, Part 3

A Survey of Church History, Part One: A.D. 1500-1620.  W. Robert Godfrey. Twelve 23-Minute Messages. [Source: Gift]

For anyone who loves history or theology, I recommend Ligonier's teaching series, A Survey of Church History. W. Robert Godrey is the teacher, and he's fabulous! The series has six parts. The third part covers a little over a hundred years. This period of history--the Reformation--may almost be the most familiar to the audience. (I think it may be Godfrey's own favorite period of church history!)

The messages are:

• Introduction to the Reformation
• Martin Luther's Early Life
• Martin Luther and the German Reformation
• Martin Luther and the Growing Protestant Movement
• Martin Luther and the Anabaptists
• From the German Reformation to Geneva
• The Theology of John Calvin
• The Catholic Reformation
• The Scottish Reformation
• The Dutch Reformation
• The Synod of Dort

I was watching this series on my own for most of parts one and two. But the closer I got to the Reformation, the more interested my Mom became. By the time this third series started, she was hooked! 

History, politics, human-interest stories, theology--this series has it all. I was probably most familiar with Luther and Calvin. I really found the last three messages to be fascinating because the material was new to me. 


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

DVD Review: Survey of Church History, Part 2

A Survey of Church History, Part One: A.D. 500-1500.  W. Robert Godfrey. Thirteen 23-Minute Messages. [Source: Gift]

For anyone who loves history or theology, I recommend Ligonier's teaching series, A Survey of Church History. W. Robert Godrey is the teacher, and he's fabulous! The series has six parts. The second part covers a thousand years of church history!!! A.D. 500-1500. 

The messages are

1. Introduction to the Middle Ages
2. Justinian & Gregory
3. Gregory, Missions & Islam
4. Paths to God: Theologies
5. Church Power & Dissent
6. The Crusades
7. Innocent III
8. Monasticism and Scholasticism 1435
9. Theologians
10. Popes & Councils
11. Great Scholastics
12. Mysticism and the Renaissance
13. Forerunners of the Reformation

I think Godfrey does a wonderful job balancing politics, history, theology, and personalities. It isn't just theology, doctrines, beliefs, and practices. Everything--church history especially--has a context it fits into. Doctrines, for example, can't be separated from human personalities and little vices like ambition, greed, and love of power and control! Viewers/listeners can learn so much from this series!

This second part of the series focuses mainly on the Roman Catholic church and how its doctrines evolved--were formed, reformed, transformed, etc--in this thousand year period. Was the church in need of Reform? Was reform inevitable? He touches on this in the very last episode.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

DVD Review: A Survey of Church History, Part One

A Survey of Church History, Part One: A.D. 100-600.  W. Robert Godfrey. Twelve 23-Minute Messages. [Source: Gift]

For anyone who loves history or theology, I recommend Ligonier's teaching series, A Survey of Church History. W. Robert Godrey is the teacher, and he's fabulous! The series has six parts. The first part covers A.D. 100-600, roughly. This may be the most unfamiliar and most intimidating period of church history. But Godfrey manages to keep it informative and interesting. He even manages to work in a few jokes at R.C. Sproul's expense!

The twelve messages are

• Introduction
• Expansion of the Church
• Defending the Faith
• Pioneering Theologian: Origen
• Developing Theology
• The Bishop
• Constantine and the Church
• Jesus as God
• Jesus as Man
• The East and the West
• Augustine
• Worship and Sacraments

I have always wondered what the difference was between the Eastern Orthodox and the Western church. And I believe he covers that a bit in this series. The answer is the Eastern Orthodox focuses more on the wonder of the Incarnation and the Western church focuses more on the cross. I also found the lesson on Augustine to be enjoyable. I had started reading City of God by Augustine earlier in the year, but had put it aside. After listening to this series, I picked it up again. I am now making some progress in it!

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

DVD: The English Reformation and the Puritans

The English Reformation and the Puritans. Michael Reeves. 2014. Ligonier Ministries. Twelve 23 minute messages. [Source: Gift]

My words won't do this lecture series justice. You'll just have to trust me on that. I found this series by Michael Reeves to be giddy-making. Six of the twelve sermons focus a bit more on history than theology. Six of the twelve sermons focus a bit more on theology than history. So if you LOVE both--as I do--you'll find yourself in a very happy place.

Here are the twelve sermons:

1. Tyndale and the Early Reformers
2. Henry VIII
3. Edward VI and Mary I
4. Elizabeth and the Rise of the Puritans
5. The Theology of the Puritans
6. Richard Sibbes
7. James I and Charles I
8. Thomas Goodwin
9. Cromwell and Charles II
10. John Owen
11. Owen's Theology
12. The Demise of Puritanism

Some of the people discussed: William Tyndale, Erasmus, Martin Luther, Henry VIII, all of Henry VIII's wives, Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey, Mary I, Queen Elizabeth, James I, Charles I, Oliver Cromwell, Charles II, Richard Sibbes, Thomas Goodwin, John Owen, John Bunyan.

There's religion, theology, politics, and so much more!

Questions addressed:
What is the Reformation? What is at the heart of the Reformation? What are the five solas? What's the big deal about justification by faith alone? When did the Reformation end? Did it end? Who were the Puritans? What was the Puritan movement about? What did they hope to achieve? Were all Puritans the same? When did that period begin and end? Is the church still in need of purifying today? What can we learn from reading Puritans? Who is worth reading and remembering? Where is a good place to start?

I loved, loved, loved, LOVED this series. I found it fascinating. The sermons were anything but boring. Most were packed with a lot of information. Yet they always came full circle in a way. I found the series as a whole to be very Christ-centered. Theology should lead to WORSHIP. And if this series doesn't lead you to praising God, I don't know what will. I found Reeves' enthusiasm contagious.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

God Alone

This past week, I listened to R.C. Sproul's teaching series (DVD) God Alone. There were ten 23-minute messages. The subject was THE REFORMATION. There were two sermons for each of the five solas.

• Faith Alone
• Grace Alone
• Christ Alone
• Scripture Alone
• Glory to God Alone

The series provided context for the Reformation. The starting point being, as you might have guessed, what the Roman Catholic church taught and believed at this time period--and perhaps to a certain extent what they still believe today. Then Sproul launches into who Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. The series is more than just what any one person believes to be true. The series also focuses on what the Bible teaches. But there is certainly a historical lesson included as well.

I really enjoyed listening--yes listening--to this one. Though the messages were video messages on DVD, I listened while I sewed Bible covers. (I'll only share one picture this time.) You don't have to see R.C. to get something out of his messages!

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

DVD Review: Doctrines of Grace in the Gospel of John

The Doctrines of Grace in John. Steven Lawson. 2011. Ligonier. Twelve 23-Minute Messages. [Source: Borrowed from Friend]

Watching this made me GIDDY. Why???? Two or three reasons come to mind. First. It's a teaching series focused on the gospel of John. Second. DOCTRINES OF GRACE. I haven't always been Reformed, in fact, I was raised in a denomination where the idea that we didn't have free will--in the matter of salvation--would have been seen as outrageously ridiculous. But as an adult, as I've read the Bible--the whole Bible--for myself I've come to embrace the doctrines of grace. Embrace may not be a strong enough term though!!! For in the doctrines of grace are hidden--or not so hidden--reasons to REJOICE. Third. Steve Lawson. I haven't watched him before, but, I am a big fan of his books.

So how excited was I to watch The Doctrines of Grace in John?! Well, I watched all twelve messages--and took notes, of course--all in one day!!! We "walk" at least four, or maybe five, times through the gospel of John. One "walk through the gospel" is focusing on Radical Depravity, for example. The next "walk" might focus on "Sovereign Election." The next on "Definite Atonement," etc. I love how he looks at specific verses and passages and discusses them at length. He lets the Bible do the talking and persuading!!!! Yes, he mainly stays in John. But he does reference other books of the Bible.

Here are just a handful of verses discussed throughout the series!

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:9-13, ESV

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3, ESV

If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 3:12-21, ESV

The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:35, 36, ESV

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:37-40, ESV

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. John 6:44-47, ESV

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” John 6:63-65, ESV

The twelve messages:

• Laying the Foundation
• Radical Depravity, Part 1
• Radical Depravity, Part 2
• Sovereign Election, Part 1
• Sovereign Election, Part 2
• Definite Atonement, Part 1
• Definite Atonement, Part 2
• Irresistible Call, Part 1  
• Irresistible Call, Part 2
• Preserving Grace, Part 1
• Preserving Grace, Part 2
• This Changes Everything!

From "Laying The Foundation"

• Jesus had more to say about the sovereignty of God in salvation than anyone else in the Bible
• John has a dual focus. One "track" is the free offer of the gospel in an evangelical manner. "The arms of Christ are wide open as we read the gospel of John." Human responsibility. The second "track" is the sovereignty of God in salvation. We need to, "put our arms around the entire Bible." 
• Introduces the subject of the doctrines of grace: Radical Depravity, Sovereign Election, Definite Atonement, Irresistible Call, Preserving Grace. All 5 stand or fall together. There is organic unity within the 5. All elevate God and humble man.

From "Radical Depravity" parts one and two

• Once set in place you're begging for sovereign election
• Radical = comprehensive; it effects the whole person: the mind, the emotion, the will
• Nine points that show where we once were and where he found us, that show the natural state of man without the Spirit, without God: 1) Spiritual Ignorance (John 1:9-11, 13) 2) Spiritual Blindness (John 3:3) 3) Spiritual Hatred (John 3:19-20) 4) Spiritual Defiance (John 3:36) 5) Spiritual Death (John 5:25, Colossians 2:13, Ephesians 2:5) 6) Spiritual Inability (John 6:44, 65, 66) 7) Spiritual Slavery (John 8:34) 8) Spiritual Bondage (John 8:44) 9) Spiritual Deafness (John 8:43, 47)
• "What can a dead man do?" "Stink!" 
• Do you see what a miracle it is that we are saved? Should we not be grateful? 

From "Sovereign Election" parts one and two

• How can anyone be saved? "BUT GOD" 
• "God's choice is the root. Our choice is the fruit. God's choice is the cause. Our choice is the effect."
• I believe, there are seven points in these lectures. He wasn't as good at mentioning numbers this time!
• They are: Divine Choice: John 1:12-13; Loving Choice: John 6:37-39; Previous Choice: John 10:1-3; Distinguishing Choice: John 13:18, Romans 8:29; Purposing Choice: John 15:16; Saving Choice: John 15:19; Sovereign Choice: John 17:1-2, 6, 9, 24. 
• This shows not only his love for us, but, also love for His Son.
• This is your testimony and story--"but he called them by name"
• God has never learned anything.
• None of us want what is fair. What is fair is that we all suffer in hell forever.

From "Definite Atonement" parts one and two

• Sometimes called Particular Redemption
• Heart of the doctrines of grace is the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ for sinners. Middle of the 5 Points. Heart of what we believe.
• Asks two questions: 1) For whom did Jesus die? 2) What did he accomplish in that saving death? The answer to the second question will answer the first. Intent and Extent.
• "Not one drop of his blood was shed in vain. All for whom He died for he saved. It was a triumphant death, a glorious death. He did not shed his blood in defeat. All for whom he died upon that cross he purchased their salvation. He secured their redemption. Jesus in his death did not merely make people savable." 
• Jesus fulfilled the very purpose for which He came into this world.
• It was a real atonement (John 1:29); a specific atonement (John 3:14, 15, 16); an exact atonement (John 6:37-39); an exclusive atonement (John 10:11, 15, 17, 18, 30; John 11:49-52; John 12:32-33; John 15:13); a priestly atonement (John 17); and a triumphant atonement (John 19:30)
• John 10 is the Lord's own commentary on his own death
• Those for whom he prayed (in John 17) are those for whom he died on the cross and those for whom he continues to make intercession for in heaven right now
• The word world is used ten different ways in the gospel of John

From "Irresistible Call" parts one and two

• "Regeneration is the life of God in the soul of man."
• I didn't catch the official names of all the points in this lecture. But I did get all the Scripture references. John 1:12, 13; John 3:3, 5, 8; John 5:24, 25; John 6:37, 44; John 10:1,2, 3, 4,5.
• The greek work translated "draw" means dragging, hauling, or towing. 
• At the same time he's drawing us, he's giving us a new heart. 
• It is not believe and then be born again; it is be born again and then believe.
• Imparting life to the dead.
• "To come to Christ is to be resurrected."
• God gives the gift of repentance. God gives the gift of faith. "Repentance" and "faith" are not something that we can work up ourselves. They do not come from within. They are gifts. It has to be granted to us to believe. 

From "Preserving Grace, parts 1 and 2"

• Also called "Eternal Security"
• This is the truth that makes the doctrines of grace so sweet.
• John 3:15. John 3:36. Eternal Life. Have in present tense. Not will have. Eternal life begins the moment you believe in Christ. "Eternal life" used 17 times in John. First time in John 3:15. It has to do with both quality and duration. 
• John 3:16. Never Perish. "What part of "not perish" do we not understand? 
• John 4:14 Never thirst. 
• John 5:24. Never condemned
• John 6:39, 40, 44, 54,  Never Lost
• John 6:51 Live Forever
• John 10:27, 28, 29, Forever Secure
• John 11:25-26 Never Die
• John 14:16, 17 Never Abandon
• John 17 "All roads lead to John 17" "This prayer will always be answered

From "This Changes Everything"

• His testimony of how he came to believe/embrace the doctrines of grace; his background, etc.
• 9 reasons why he feels believing the doctrines of grace changes EVERYTHING. I agree with all of them. 
• "There is no greater comfort or no greater peace on your deathbed than those found in the doctrines of grace."
• "These are not just truths to live by but truths to die by."

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible