Theology Book Reviews - KingdomCraft
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 เม.ย. 2023
- Timestamps:
"Reason for God" by Tim Keller: 1:26
"Institutes of the Christian Religion" by John Calvin: 2:43
"On the Incarnation" by St. Athanasius: 6:31
"Confessions" by St. Augustine: 9:43
"The Mystical Presence" by John Williamson Nevin: 14:02
"Sacred Bond" by Michael Grant Brown and Zach Keele: 16:56
"Desiring God" by John Piper: 18:16
"Christianity and Liberalism" by J. Gresham Machen: 19:46
All the music is my own, and of my composition/arrangement
You know, I think this channel is really good for introducing zoomers to Christianity. As someone who wanted to learn about the Christian faith, frequently the people explaining and defending it failed to grab my attention for extended periods of time. You are the first apologetic who I have watched every single video of, and I have to say they are surprisingly entertaining
Have you decided to come to Christ?
As a zoomer I whole heartedly agree. I hope more Gen Z find his channel.
Another good book for basic theology I would suggest is "Mere Christianity" by C. S. Lewis. It's a bit wordy because it was originally written as a Radio Show, but it's very good.
Yeah, anything CS Lewis is pretty good.
banger
Read it this summer, C. S. Lewis not only has great thoughts, but he’s just such a great commentator
Both orthodoxy and mere christianity are nothing close to reformed theology.
@@alexdramos good thing theology goes beyond reformism
Fun story regarding Baptists and the focus on that “personal conversion experience”:
I grew up going to an Assembly of God church, by which I mean I’d gone to that church from before I could speak to about 5th grade or so.
For reasons that are irrelevant to this story, we stopped going, and my church attendance was sporadic and at many different churches until I started dating the girl to whom I am now married.
Long story short, I start going to her (Baptist) church, and her Sunday school has a discussion about that “born again” moment, and I didn’t have one, as I’d lived a sheltered life up until that point and didn’t know or fathom a world without Christ in my life. Again, I’d been taught about Jesus since before I understood what words were, so I struggle to acknowledge any particular magical moment.
Because of my response, the Sunday School teacher reached out to my now father-in-law with his concerns about my salvation. The situation felt more like they were worried I was some kind of heathen punk that was going to corrupt my girlfriend. It was wildly frustrating.
You and I may not agree on everything, but I am incredibly happy to see other young people take theology seriously!
Amazing, I love how invested in Christianity you are. It is refreshing (and not at all surprising) to see how God can take a woke Leftist from Heritic of Heritics, to Christian TH-camr. Love you man (in the Philadelphia way). Never stop being a Calvanist or a Minecraft TH-camr. God Bless!!!
Reason for God was one of the most enjoyable reads I’ve had in a while, and when I originally read it last year it’s what made me want to interact more with Christianity. Glad to see you like it too!
Your timing is incredible. Just started making my “To-Read” list and many of these books are on it.
“On the Incarnation” is an absolutely fantastic read.
Happy to discover this channel, it’s really cool to see someone from our generation using the gifts God has given them to reach people in a way that makes sense to them.
To add one books for consideration: “Celebration of Discipline” by Richard Foster is a pretty short book and a fantastic crash course on the spiritual disciplines. For anyone trying to seriously pursue their faith but not exactly sure how it is a must read. I would say that (after the bible of course) it’s had the single biggest impact of any book on my spiritual walk.
Definitely going to put a couple of the ones you mentioned on my reading list. Thanks for what you’re doing man, keep it up!
can you recreate the tabernacle in minecraft
I once did, but in a different part of my Minecraft world way before I had this youtube. I'll showcase it sometime!
Its a good day when Redeemed Zoomer makes a new video. Love the content keep it up!
I've been loving these videos and I am going to have to go do some reading now!
Love this content bro, keep on preaching
The water bucket at the end was legendary.
Augustine's Confessions was literally most relatable book I've ever read, I've never felt so understanding of my suffering and it makes me feel like I'm not alone in my spititual journey. I go to an eastern Orthodox church, I dont really understand why they cant just accept him as a saint, he is one of the people who has inspired me the most in life
I started reading the confessions of St. Augustine for my Latin class and it’s one of the most interesting books I’ve read. The way in which he poses his questions and attempts to reason through them is incredibly investing, and makes me think about my own position on things. He also answers a lot of questions I have myself, like the relationship of God and time, or where the soul resides. Idk I just really enjoy reading it
You briefly mentioned Mere Christianity when you were talking about Tim Keller's book. That is the book that 'reconciled' my belief in Christianity. I haven't read Tim Keller's but I'll check it out since you consider it a similar type of work.
Finally, meshing 2 of my favorite things. Theology and minercraft
12:53 - 13:01 yes, yes it is Brother. Love St. Augustine. ☦️
Thanks for doing this! If only I had time to read more of these books :(
Have you considered cutting throughout your Minecraft gameplay as you discuss things? That could help keep viewers engaged visually. I know a lot of the big Minecraft TH-camrs mix time-lapses into their Let's Plays, I wonder if that would fit well into this style? Anyway, loving the series!
He’s playing while talking so I doubt he’ll do that.
I'm reading Mere Christianity rn, it's a fantastic book
I was predestined to click this video
Currently reading the Reason for God and I think its great. Off topic but having an enchanting table inside the church feels a bit strange
On a related note, have you heard of R. C. Sproul's book Consequence of ideas? My class has been reading it this spring semester.
I am reading "The Confessions" by St. Augustine and highly recommend it. It is a great book to read if you are just getting into theology as it is a much more personal book and a lighter read than some of the other theology books. I would also recommend books by C. S. Lewis as he is a great author which really helps if you are not used to reading content-heavy books.
You have a very interesting view of what it means to be reformed.
"The Experience of God: Being, Consciousness, Bliss" is fantastic
DBH is the goat
"The Necessity of Reforming the Church" also by Calvin is almost a 100 page rendition of the "Institutes"
I just picked up “the bondage of the will” by Martin Luther. Boy is it dense, but I’m excited to read it.
love your channel it's literally my only exposure to protestantism beacuse I surround myself with catholics, it's nice
One only needs to observe how the OPC and the PCA denominations are flourishing compared to the mainline PCUSA in order to make the conclusion that Machen was right all along. With that said, I really appreciate that you included Christianity and Liberalism in your list of books. Also, how is it that Piper gets included but not R.C. Sproul?
But PCA and OPC worship style and buildings are a joke compared to PCUSA
Nice video.
The Imitation of Christ by medieval catholic monk Thomas van Kempis is also a pretty awesome read. John Calvin and John Wesley are said to have read this book.
As someone who grew up in an OPC Church, I’d be interested to hear you talk more in depth about your thoughts on it.
I currently attend a southern baptist church, and although I love it dearly, the more I learn about theology the more I find myself agreeing with orthodox reformed doctrine. I want to be objective from my upbringing but it really just seems to be true to me.
Because of that, long term it’s hard to imagine myself landing outside of an OPC/PCA/etc type of church long term. As someone who clearly believes church tradition matters I’m curious how you square your theology and denominations traditions.
I also wonder what you thing OPCers or people like me should do. Would it be better if the 30,000 OPC members merged back into mainline presbyterian churches?
Regardless, I may have to read J. Gresham Machen’s book, because I may have had some mistaken impressions. I was under the impression that he actually tried to take a stand against rising liberalism in the church and was effectively kicked out. I suppose I’ll have to look further into it. Thanks for giving me some food for thought
Bro just come back to the Mainline (PCUSA) and crusade with me!
What is your opinion on Chosen by God by Dr. R. C. Sproul?
Can you do a video on modern charismatic church movement?
sure
@@redeemedzoomer6053 lol
What are your thoughts on James tour? (If you've heard of him)
Keep it going! Have you considered playing more games too?
Just the first couple of seconds had me laughing.
25:15 is that a reference to Jesus walking on water? :D
Is there anything good by William Farel?
Ok that time-lapse at the end only hurt a lot, but otherwise thank you so much for another excellent video. Looking forward to the next one!
I thought the Institutes was a surprisingly easy read book. But as you said it’s probably the level of the christian and his her personal reading experience
id also recommend knowing God by J.I packer
Here are some more theology books that I highly recommend for a second part:
1. "On The Bondage Of The Will" by Martin Luther
2. "Mere Christianity" by C.S Lewis
3. "Summa Theologica" by St. Thomas Aquinas
4. "The City Of God" by St. Augustine
5. "The Unseen Realm" by Dr. Michael Heiser
6. "Saved By Allegiance Alone" by Matthew Bates
7. "Against Heresies" by St. Irenaeus
Is the weapon swing a "wave" to us?
Have you interacted with the work of James B Jordan or Peter Leithart?
The Kingdom of God Is Within You - Leo Tolstoy
Hey I've seen a few of your videos and just found this kingdom craft series. It's interesting that I run into this now because I am struggling with videogame addiction.
Just wondering if you would have any advice for me. I find it a lot harder to abstain from things I love (like games) than things which I hate (like obscene websites). It's pretty obvious to me that the way which I use videogames are not in line with Christ's teachings, that being said I'm not sure if I should, and how I could bring myself to 'hate' them.
Basically every question like this boils down to a worship issue. I have to deal with a similar problem regarding explicit material (self sensoring to avoid youtube autoban).
The question you need to ask is who do you love more? The idol of pleasure that manifests itself in video games, or Jesus? And be honest, for me the answer to that was my idols, and I've had to ask God to change my heart. Once you settle on who you want to worship with your time, pray and ask God for a new heart, and then discipline yourself to do it
@jokinghazard I think you're exactly right. I shouldn't forget that God can change our hearts, and that our current struggles may not remain forever.
Praying for whatever you're going through friend.
What do you mean when you say “born again experience”?
Is your PCUSA church conservative or liberal? If liberal or moderate, how did your pastors take your views on taking back the denomination?
Hey, I have a question. As far as I have heard, Original Sin is Adam and Eve's sin. I always thought that we didn't carry their sin, and we are just unable to live sinlessly and can't earn our salvation, and thus we're still totally depraved. Now I'm confused.
im subbing
If you are not big on reading, I would recommend listening to audiobooks. It can help you get through some of the more wordy/dry parts of the books and lets you do something else while listening to it in the background.
21:34 very true brother! That's me!
I'd recommend anyone interested in Christianity to read C.S. Lewis' 'Mere Christianity'. He provides a great framework for how we know God exists and then works up to how we know Christianity is true, all with great arguments and analogies to help one's understanding.
You should read St. Maximos the Confessor and Dr. Edward Feser if you haven't. Fr. Seraphim Rose is very good as well. ☦️
Blessed Augustine's other work, 'The City of God', a defence of Christianity from the claim it lead to the fall of Rome and a wider historical narrative of the earthly kingdom vs the heavenly kingdom (recalling your allegory in retaking the mainline churches) is one of the greatest Christian works in the entire patristic canon. I would absolutely reccomend people try tackling it in at least some direct way whether it be with a commentary and/or lecture as long as you are also undertaking the primary work itself whether that is through reading or an audiobook. Opens up a much larger perspective to the orthodox (lowercase) faith and historical church.
Redeemed Zoomer, Bruce Gore is also a PCUSA guy who is trying to reform it.
He has good teaching videos. I have dialogued with him some privately.
HOW DO I JOIN YOUR SERVER?!?!?!
8:49
Redeemed Zoomer is about to become catholic 100% confirmed.
He sounds pretty open minded yet only time will tell. The reformers were way more Catholic then modern Protestants and imo dismisses them.
Mere Christianity is goated, same with the Everlasting Man.
Big books like the ones in your vid hurt my head
More please
The lead singer of Skillet, John Cooper, recently wrote a really good book called _Awake and Alive to Truth_ and it’s primary goal is to help people overcome the liberal, post-modernist definition of “truth” in favor of the ultimate truth that IS Jesus Christ.
I also recommend some of the Kyle Idleman catalogue. While I may not agree with these two gentlemen on _everything_ there are still important lessons that can be gleaned from these books.
Ought to read Van Til’s apologetic by Greg Bahnsen. I know you don’t like presuppositionalism, but it completely changed the way I think about epistemology.
is this server like joinable? if so what's the ip? (i love ur vids and so does my youth pastor)
It’ll be open to the public this summer!
@@redeemedzoomer6053 thank you so much dude
I recommend "Miracles" by cs lewis
What do you think about Charles H. Spurgeon being a freemason?
Hey, English isn't my native language, but I'd like to know your opinion about the name of God - Jehovah. Do you use it and what do you think about it? Wouldn't you agree, that you can find this name literally everywhere in the old testament?
Holiness by J.C. Ryle
Hey this is on your trinity video, I’ve heard Orthadox and Catholics say that Mary is apart of the Holy Trinity?Replacing the Holy Spirit.
I'll probably just buy the first one
What about G K Beale?
Hey if you want the best theology book I know, take Garrigou-Langrange`s "The Three Ages of the Interior Life". He`s a Catholic, I know. But this shows the depth of Catholic theology and teaches what a Catholic means by salvation by grace and how to attain it.
Which is why "Ecclesia semper reformanda"
“The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination” Loraine Boettner
If you’re interested in an Orthodox view of salvation, read “The Ladder of Divine Ascent” by St John Climacus. And anything by St Gregory Palamas is a good gateway into Orthodox theology in general.
I'd also highly recommend reading "Introduction to Christianity" and "Jesus of Nazareth" by Josef Ratzinger, better known as Pope Benedict XVI, even if you're not a Catholic. Both books are about very fundamental matters and therefore a good read for any Christian, not matter the denomination.
Great video!
I have a question: if you are not a teology nerd, then who is? Explain to me in minecraft terms if possible please.
Just a thought: I think we should love God primarily for who he is and not for what he gives us (the two things relate to each other) - not trying to argue with you or Piper.
Can you separate someone from what they do?
@@Testimony_Of_JTF
Well... I think God does this. And I feel that this way of thinking just goes against my imaginations about love-relationships (I don't love my mom because she gives things for me, I will love her even if she never gives me anything. In fact, I can show my love even more, when I get nothing from her. I love her because who she is.) - Sorry for the long example.
@@jonatanmolnar3261 Makes sense
I appreciate your work. I myself became a Reformed Non-Denominationalist only a few years ago when I came to genuine faith in our LORD and Savior Jesus
I'm surprised you didn't recommend Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis.
It's just cuz I haven't read it yet
@@redeemedzoomer6053 Fair enough
I just randomly felt compelled to say this but I was saved when I was 12 by becoming interested in what hell looked like. I watched Dante’s inferno videos but they didn’t move me. Then I watched a very graphic video, which was not biblical, which showed demons torturing people,in hell, according to the sins they committed in life. (Complainers sat still complaining, liars had lava poured on their tongues, adulterers’ privates “attacked” by spears, etc”. Nevertheless I was crying half way through the video. It was God’s most gracious tool! I told myself over and over, I’m going to hell! Praise to God!!!
Yay
No pilgrim's progress?
do you have a discord server?
Do you like Anthony Rogers?
Zwingli was symbolic
What if you hold a church service in minecraft? That would be so cool😂
I think that would have been the way to go during the pandemic for churches that chose to stream their service. I can understand that it would have been a bit distracting, though.
13:05 clipped
i think that's a mischaracterization of baptists. Not all Baptists say you need that conversion experience, cuz not all people do especially if they were young, but most do say you need to look for fruit.
Calvanism is frankly as bad as theology gets, denying the true love God has for everyone, in that He died for all to have the chance to spend eternity with Him if they accept Him
Called me out in the first few seconds
I'm currently searching for a spiritual connection with a religion at the moment, and the best theology books to help you find your spiritual path: The bible, The Quran, Bhagavad Gita, the torah, etc. Research the main religions first, then read on the denominations.
Dang, you gotta call me out in the first 5 seconds? smh my head.
Algo comment
8:49
I'm Catholic and look, if You won't ask St Athanasius to pray for you, I'll ask St Athanasius to pray for you.
Are you using a voice changer?
I know that this is theology books, but why not mention The Pilgrims Progress, or at least encourage people to read it?
YOU READ NEVIN????
sure did!
@@redeemedzoomer6053 w theologian who needs to be more commonly known
I would disagree with you about my man Johnny Mac, but then he does keep saying theres a pre-trib rapture 🤦♂️