THINK|17 Reformation Resources
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them -Psalm 111:2
The psalmist understood that knowledge of God and his handiwork ought to bring us much delight and should move us to study the unsearchable riches and glory of God. One way to study the great depths of God is to read good books about God written by faithful men and women.
To be clear, no book authored outside the cannon of Scripture is inspired or necessary for your growth in godliness, but the Reformers who proclaimed Sola Scriptura were also compelled to write and read about the God they encountered in the Scriptures. Their robust doctrine of “Scripture Alone” first led them to make the Scriptures accessible to the common man through rigorous translation work, but they did not stop there. It was out of the overflow of their meditations of Scripture that they wrote book after book about the glory of God and the abundance of his grace.
Joining with the Reformers in delighting in the works of the Lord, we are again offering a robust bookstore at THINK|17. The 140+ titles are meant not simply as a means to grow your knowledge of God, but to help you grow in godliness as you read about God and his many works.
As you look through the THINK|17 bookstore this year, consider how you might use these books to grow in godliness, to disciple a young believer, or lead your family in delighting in God as the Reformer’s encourage us to do. Here is a short list of titles that deal specifically with the Reformation.
Reformation Resources
Rescuing the Gospel: the story and significance of the reformation by Erwin Lutzer. This is our conference book and is an accessible and profitable book on the stories and significance of the Reformation. Lutzer masterfully highlights the highs and lows of the Reformers and gives his readers the charge to continue the Reformers legacy.
The Reformation: how a monk and a mallet changed the world by Stephan J. Nichols. This short and witty book will make history fun again. Nichol’s fun and informative introduction to the key players of the Reformation will uplift your spirit and have you wanting to know more about these great giants of the faith.
Reformation Primary Sources
Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin. This is Calvin’s most famous work and editors Tony Layne and Hillary Osborne have edited his extensive and powerful work into digestible chapters that still pack the punch of Calvin’s original work. Calvin plunges the depths of our sin and the heights of the glory of God that will move you to worship as you see and savor our great God.
The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther. Published in 1525, Luther wrote it as a response to former colleague Erasmus’ criticism that he went too far in his onslaught against the Catholic Church. Luther defends his belief that the Scriptures make it clear that sin has such a devastating effect on the human heart that unless God himself releases it from bondage, it cannot be free.
Theology of the Reformers by Timothy George. If you’re looking for a fairly comprehensive collection of writings from many different reformers this is the book for you. George helps us understand the theology of Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, John Calvin, Menno Simons, and William Tyndale in their own words.
The THINK book table will open on Friday at 6 p.m. and remain open during the conference on Saturday and on Sunday morning between services.