The Benefits of Providence: A New Look at Divine Sovereignty
by James S. Spiegel - This is perhaps the best book I read on the subject. Though there were some things in it that I felt weren't necessary, I believe that the author does a very good job at defending a high view of providence. The author clearly lays out false and unbiblical understandings of providence especially Open Theology. In addition the author discusses issues like feminism and other wrong views. But through it all, Spiegel presents the doctrine as historical and biblical. He is right in affirming that Augustine has set the standard for a right understanding of providence, but he goes on to show how many faithful believers (from the New Testament on) have affirmed the doctrine. In spite of the many difficulties of this doctrine, Spiegel offers a careful analysis and discussion of it.For a fuller review, click here.
The Invisible Hand: Do All Things Really Work for Good (Sproul, R. C. R.C. Sproul Library.) (Sproul, R. C. R.C. Sproul Library.) (Sproul, R. C. R.C. Sproul Library.)
by R.C. Sproul - Sproul needs no introduction. He is known as a first rate Christian philosopher and Reformation theologian. In this book, Sproul offers a biblical and reformed look at the doctrine of Divine Providence. Like most of his books, Sproul discusses many of the major issues that arise and discusses them from a biblical perspective. My main concerns with the book is his love of philosophy which sometimes clouds the biblical perspective of the book. Also, I didn't care how sometimes the author left the reader hanging. I found myself getting into a particular subject only for the author to end the discussion. However, in all of it, Sproul writes more from a pastoral care and perspective than I expected. This was a welcomed surprised. I assumed that the book would be more thought than practice and I was wrong. Overall, this was a good book and I would recommend it to those wanting to understand the issue better.A fuller review may come later. No promises.
The Secret Providence of God
by John Calvin - I really enjoyed this book. Sometimes listening in to a conversation two theologians are having is an excellent way to really understand what each person believes not to mention the insight into the pastoral mind of the two involved. In this book, John Calvin defends his doctrine of Divine Providence against the many attacks made against him by his opponents. What is interesting is that the arguments made 500 years ago are still be made today. Some things never change. For those who like Reformation theology, I recommend this book.
Their God Is Too Small: Open Theism and the Undermining of Confidence in God
by Bruce Ware - This is the best introduction to the heresy of Open Theism. Ware shows how Opennes Theology is empty and unbiblical. Ware is a good writer and a first rate theologian (and a professor at Southern Seminary). If you want to know more about Openness Theology, this is the best book. Open Theology is an attack on God's providence. While your at it, read Ware's other books on the subject including God's Lesser Glory: The Diminished God of Open Theism
and God's Greater Glory: The Exalted God Of Scripture And The Christian Faith
.For a fuller review, Click here.
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGIES AND OTHER BOOKS
Institutes of the Christian Religion
by John Calvin - Calvin is perhaps best known for his belief and affirmation in Divine Sovereignty and Providence and his Institutes show why. I was thankful that Calvin writes as both a theologian and a pastor here. It was in many ways thanks to him that God showed me that the doctrine of providence is a reminder that we have hope without fear.Mystery of Providence (Puritan Paperbacks)
by John Flavel - I did not get to finish this book, but from what I read, it reads like many other more Puritan books. Heavily biblical and deep. Not for the faint of heart, but good nonetheless.Systematic Theology - 3 Volume Set
by Charles Hodge - Hodge offers a great discussion on the doctrine of Divine Providence. I really enjoyed much of what he said. He deals with many of the issues that we are confronted with and deals with them with the gospel and with Scripture. I like Hodge's work a lot.Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine
by Wayne Grudem - Grudem offers an excellent brief discussion of Divine Providence. If you begin anywhere, begin here. Grudem walks us through the Reformed perspective of it and shows why it is best as compared to a more Arminian argument. He also deals with the problem of evil and other issues raised by this doctrine.
Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, God/Creation
by Norman L. Geisler - I am really enjoying Geisler's systematic theology books. When it comes to providence, Geisler seeks to uncover every rock in an understandable and organized way. He offers all the issues and reveals what history has said about them, what the Bible says about them, and what it is we are to believe. I really liked this section a lot.God and Creation
by Thomas Aquinas - Aquinas' theology is interesting, but I enjoyed this section on providence. I'm not a big fan of Medeival Theology, but I did enjoy this section of Aquinas' work.Abstract of Systematic Theology
by James P. Boyce - Once again, well laid out and discussed by a leading baptist theologian.Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe (RE: Lit)
- Driscoll and Breshear say virtually nothing in any depth on this issue. This was disappointing, but I still like this book a lot.For more:
Reviews - A Sweet And Bitter Providence by John Piper
What is the gospel of Jesus Christ? What is the gospel period?* Perhaps no question is more important than that. The balance of life and death, restoration and reconciliation, hope and joy all hang in the balance. It is imperative that the Church affirm and proclaim the message once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). The gospel is central to the Church and is the rock by which the Church is built on (see Matthew 7:24-29; 16). The fact that many within the Church are debating this issue should be a serious cause of concern.
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but in such quotes, the author fails to present the gospel that such men have and continue to boldly proclaim. Instead of discussing sacrifice, submission, slavehood, self-denial, even self-hatred, the author discussed poverty, injustice, and consumerism. We will not understand why and how to serve the poor and the greedy unless we proclaim the foolish message of the cross. Such a message calls us to sacrifice. Not sacrifice of our money, but a sacrifice of our lives. This goes beyond social issues, but to our very core. We must look at Christ on the cross. We must live like Christ at the resurrection. We live and die by those events. The cross. The resurrection. Period.
by Charles Ryrie
What the Bible Says about God the Creator (The Doctrine of God, Vol. 1)
- Perhaps the most thorough treatment of this doctrine (and this doctrine alone) is Jack Cottrell's book. This is only the first part of a series of books on the doctrine of God written by the theologian. What Cottrell offers here are all of the issues surrounding the issue of creation such as transcendence, immanence, ex nihilo, and so many other things. He talks about God, who He is, and how He created. He says much about wrong views of God and right views of God. He warns of wrong ideas like pantheism and dualism. Cottrell is a writer that writes with simplicity. I felt like I was being guided through the issues, not simply given the facts. Cottrell writes like a teacher, not just a professor. My biggest problem with them book is that little is said regarding evolution, theistic evolution, and similar issues.
The Case for a Creator: A Journalist Investigates Scientific Evidence That Points Toward God (Strobel, Lee)
- Author and former journalists, Lee Strobel was once a skeptic and atheist. But once he went where the evidence led, he became a Christian. His other writings are well known and perhaps one book that is oftentimes forgotten is this book on creation. The format is same and the excellence of dealing with the issues remain. Strobel is a good writer and though sometimes he doesn't dig deep enough, he does ask good questions and force us to ask difficult questions that evolution cannot answer.
The Battle for the Beginning
by John MacArthur - MacArthur is a well known pastor and author and in this book he takes on the issue of creation and evolution. MacArthur is a young earth creationists and is so purely because of his convictions and interpretation of Scripture. However that does not mean that he is empty headed. Throughout the book, MacArthur shows the many holes in evolution and why young earth creation makes sense. This is a book that should be taken seriously. MacArthur makes important exegetical, theological, scientific, and even philosophical issues that should be part of the conversation.
Fatal Flaws: What Evolutionists Don't Want You to Know
by Hank Hanegraaff - Though the book is small, author and radio host Hank Hanegraaff makes some important points in rejecting evolution. Hanegraaff points out the many false "missing links" purported to be proof of our ancestry with apes. Such lunacy continues with us today and Ida is only one of the more recent examples. Likewise, Hanegraaff points out that evolution carries with it a lot of baggage like racism, sexism, and eugenics. For those wanting an introduction into the many problems of this theory, this is a good place to begin.