Books
Witvliet, John D. The Biblical Psalms in Christian Worship: A Brief Introduction and Guide to Resources
The title describes the book. It introduces the Psalms in the context of Christian worship. It then provides guidance for effective ways to use the Psalms in worship services. The book has two major weaknesses: it is undiscerning both with regard to styles of music and to ecumenism.
Wilson, N D. 100 Cupboards
Wilson. N. D. Dandelion Fire
Wilson, N.D. The Chestnut King
This is probably the only series of Random House children’s books which promotes the Federal Vision’s thesis of the objectivity of the covenant. More positively, this is an engaging series written by someone who obviously enjoyed the Chronicles of Narnia, drew on that enjoyment (traveling through other worlds through cupboards), but did not slavishly imitate. The books are full of fun allusions to other books (the Bible, the Chronicles, the Wizard of Oz, etc.). These books are definitely darker, however, than Lewis’s.
Speare, Elizabeth George. The Bronze Bow
I recalled enjoying this in high school. However, this time around I was struck with the presumption of making Jesus a character, giving him words other than his own, and, in the end, giving him a message that is different from that in the Gospels.
Articles
Manetsch, Scott M. "Problems with the Patriarchs: John Calvin’s Interpretation of Difficult Passages in Genesis," Westminster Theological Journal 67, no. 1 (Spring 2005): 1-21
Problem passages in the Old Testament in particular—passages that conflicted with common philosophical understandings or that portrayed the patriarchs acting sinfully—propelled patristic commentators toward allegorical interpretations of Scripture. Calvin firmly rejected the allegorical approach, and this article looks at how Calvin interpreted some of these same kinds of passages. The article shows a commitment to literal interpretation as opposed to allegorical interpretation, a willingness to see the text as accommodated to the audience rather than scientifically precise (but nonetheless the words of God and without error), and a willingness to critique the sinfulness of the patriarchs (though with perhaps still too much of a tendency to hold them up as ethical models). Calvin also demonstrated a willingness to acknowledge mystery and human finitude.
Henry, Carl F. B. God, Revelation and Authority
Henry argues against dialectical theologians that revelation cannot be reduced to non-propositional, personal encounters. When Henry insists that Biblical revelation can be reduced to propositions, he is not ignoring biblical genres or saying propositions exhaust the biblical revelation. He is instead insisting that revelation is logically coherent and not relative to the person.