Book review: Sinclair Ferguson- In Christ Alone

In Christ Alone
Sinclair Ferguson

In the book “In Christ Alone” Sinclair Ferguson examines the character of Christ and what it means to live a gospel centred life.

The book is made up of 50 short chapters of a few pages each. While the chapters are short, a lot of solid theology is packed into them. It has a good balance of knowledge and application. If I was reading it again (which I probably will), I’d read just a chapter per sitting to better ponder on the truths it contains. There were a few chapters that particularly stood out. Having just been studying the challenging book of Hebrews, I found the couple of chapters dealing with Hebrews particularly helpful. I also appreciated the elaboration on the nature of discernment in chapter 35. There were a few minor theological points I disagreed with but those were nowhere near significant enough to detract from a great book.

You might want to consider using this book as a daily devotional. This book would be ideal for people how have been Christians for a while needing a reminder of the glory and centrality of Christ. It might be a little on the heavy side for some newer Christians.

I highly recommend this book.


Review copy provided by Reformation Trust

Book review: Sheridan Voysey- Open House Volume 3

Open House Volume 3
Sheridan Voysey


There are few radio or television shows I bother to make the effort to regularly catch. A radio show I always do my best to listen into is Open House. Open House is a weekly talkback and interviews show discussing life, faith and culture that broadcasts on Christian radio around Australia. If you are in Australia, tune in on Sunday nights. If you are not in Australia or for whatever reason can’t catch the show, you can download the podcast.

Recently interview transcripts from the show were released as the book Open House 3. One of the things I love about the show that is reflected in the book is the diverse range of guests. The book includes actors, authors, journalists, activists, psychologists and even a former mob member! Some are Christians and some are not, some are local to Australia and some come from other parts of the world.

Not only are the interviewees diverse but interesting too. Sheridan does a great job at asking the right questions to get people talking. I found the interview with Joel Osteen fascinating because in it he responds to some of the common criticisms against him. Catherine Hamlin’s stories about working with suffering women in Africa had me crying. As a fan of books by Mark Driscoll and Donald Miller I enjoyed hearing their stories and some of what inspires their work. Other interesting interviewees included Gary Chapman, Melinda Tankard Reist, Bryce Courtnenay and Marilynne Robinson.

I highly recommend this book. It will give you lots of worthwhile food for thought.



Review copy provided by Open House Radio

Photos: Spring in the garden #2

Comforted so we can comfort others

Reading 2 Corithians this week, I was really struck by the opening section.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.(2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV)

I recently came out of a pretty rough season of life. I'll spare you the details and just say it was unpleasant. By the end of the first half of this year I was not in a good place- physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. By the grace of God and with the help of wonderful Christian friends I have been getting better. I am so much healthier on every level than I was.

A temptation when coming out the other side of hard times is to be a bit focused on yourself- how I'm healing, what God is doing in my life, how I still want things to change. It certainly is good to notice and be thankful for how God is helping us. What Paul brings to our attention in this passage though is that God does not just comfort us just for our own sake. He comforts us so we can extend the comfort to others. I find that a real challenge to not just be thinking about myself but to be thinking about how what I have experienced can be extended to help others who need it.