The audio from the “Band of Bloggers” panel discussion is now available for download here.

OK, let’s get right to it…

At Together for the Gospel, there were a lot of books to be had. The conference gave away a number of titles, I bought a number of books at the outstanding bookstore, and, as if that weren’t enough, a pre-conference event called Band of Bloggers also gave away some freebies. So, this is just a quick catalog of the plunder… Enjoy, and check them out!

Freebies!

• Preaching the Cross, by Mark Dever, J. Ligon Duncan III, R. Albert Mohler Jr., and C. J. Mahaney
  (This is the book of the texts of the sessions from T4G 2006.)
• The Truth of the Cross, by R. C. Sproul
• ESV Compact Bible
• Culture Shift: Engaging Current Issues With Timeless Truth, by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
• The Gospel & Personal Evangelism, by Mark Dever
• The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? Revised & Expanded Anniversary Edition, by John MacArthur
• Why We’re Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be), by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Gluck
• Christianity Explored: Study Guide Leader’s Edition
• The Courage to Be Protestant: Truth-lovers, Marketers, and Emergents in the Postmodern World, by David F. Wells
• The Faithful Preacher: Recapturing the Vision of Three Pioneering African-American Pastors, by Thabiti M. Anyabwile
• If You Could Ask God One Question, by Paul Williams and Barry Cooper
• The Future of Justification: A Response to N. T. Wright, by John Piper
• Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God, by Bob Kauflin
• Christ & Culture Revisited, by D. A. Carson
• When Sinners Say “I Do”: Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage, by Dave Harvey
• In My Place Condemned He Stood: Celebrating the Glory of the Atonement, by J. I. Packer and Mark Dever
• Pierced for Our Transgressions: Rediscovering the Glory of Penal Substitution, by Steve Jeffery, Michael Ovey, and Andrew Sach
• Women’s Ministry in the Local Church, by J. Ligon Duncan and Susan Hunt

More Freebies! (From the Band of Bloggers)

• Christ is All: The Piety of Horatius Bonar, edited by Michael A. G. Haykin and Darrin R. Brooker
• The Mortification of Sin, by John Owen
• Walking As He Walked, by Joel R. Beeke
• reThink: Is Student Ministry Working?, by Steve Wright with Chris Graves
• When I Don’t Desire God: How to Fight for Joy, by John Piper
• Young, Restless, Reformed; A Journalist’s Journey with the New Calvinists, by Collin Hansen
• Dear Timothy: Letters on Pastoral Ministry, edited by Thomas K. Ascol
• A Tale of Two Sons: The Inside Story of a Father, His Sons, and a Shocking Murder, by John MacArthur

Books I Bought (and Why)

• The Reformed Pastor, by Richard Sibbes
  I love the Puritans! This one is a must-have that I had not heretofore purchased.
• The Mystery of Providence, by John Flavel
  Another Puritan classic
• Redemption Accomplished and Applied, by John Murray
  The atonement of Christ was one of the major themes of the conference
• Called to the Ministry, by Edmund P. Clowney
  A book on Christian ministry and calling
• Christianity and Liberalism, by J. Gresham Machen
  Though published in 1921, still highly relevant today, as many of the threats to the Gospel that Machen battled still rear their head
• Manual of Christian Doctrine, by Louis Berkhof
  A good short version of Berkhof’s longer Systematic Theology
• Justified By Faith Alone, by R. C. Sproul
  Dr. Sproul is probably one of the best living scholars of the doctrine of justification by faith alone. And, he can explain it! I bought 2 copies of this, so I could give one away. Recipient yet to be determined.
• What Should We Think Of “The Carnal Christian”?, by Ernest C. Reisinger
  This is still a serious issue in the church. Like Justified by Faith Alone, above, I bought extra copies to give away.
• Rediscovering the Lost Treasure of Family Worship, by Jerry Marcellino.
  Family worship is something I struggle with in my leadership in my family. Always looking for help!
• Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions, And Advice to Young Converts, edited by Stephen J. Nichols
  Edwards. Need I say more? OK… Edwards.
  His resolutions are particularly good for self-reflection.
• The New Testament: An Introduction to its Literature and History, by J. Gresham Machen.
  My library has never had any Machen, so I added this one, along with Christianity and Liberalism, above. This will be good for revitalizing my quiet time, when I need it.
• The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment, by Tim Challies
  Tim Challies has one of the best blogs in Christianity, especially when it comes to topics dealing with how to look at issues with a Christian worldview.
• Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health, by Donald S. Whitney
  Another good source for self-reflection and accountability.
• Through Western Eyes: Eastern Orthodoxy: A Reformed Perspective, by Robert Letham
  While going through Church History in Plain Language, I realized that I know very little or nothing of Eastern Orthodoxy. I bought this to try to remedy that.
• Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cures, by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
  Not depression in the psychological sense (though that can be a manifestation), Lloyd-Jones here is addressing the “unhappiness and lack of freedom and absence of joy” in the Christian life, and “the cure that is found through the mind and spirit of Christ.”
• A Quest for Godliness: The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
  Though I love the Puritans, I’ve never read Packer’s classic overview. This came highly recommended by my dear brother, Jerry.
• Our Accountability to God, by Arthur W. Pink
  This looked like a very good and very practical and applicable discussion of sin, our depravity before God, our helplessness, and the remedy found in the cross of Christ.
• Institutes of the Christian Religion, by John Calvin
  Calvin’s Institutes is, of course, a classic. And surprisingly devotional.
• Two Ways to Live: The Choice We All Face, published by Matthias Media
  These short booklets (bought multiple copies) are a great overview of the Gospel. Again, multiple copies.
• Becoming a Woman Who Pleases God: A Guide to Developing Your Biblical Potential, by Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock
  Bought this one for my darling wife, who was so very good to keep things running smoothly at home while I was gone. BLESSED!
• Designing a Lifestyle That Pleases God: A Practical Guide, by Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock
  This is the companion book to the one above.

I walked in the door last weekend from Half Price Books, clutching a paperback copy of Roy Adkins’ Nelson’s Trafalgar: The Battle That Changed the World. Shannon’s response was loving and surprised. “Another book? You haven’t started the last one you bought!”

She was referring to Nathaniel Philbrick’s Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War. But regardless of the titles, the point was one she has made time and again. If I had a dollar for every time we’ve had that conversation, then, well, sweet! More money for books!

It got me thinking, though, while I was pouring through the stacks of books at the amazing bookstore at Together for the Gospel. Why do I buy books? I couldn’t possible read everything on my shelves from cover to cover, so it’s admittedly quite a natural question that Shannon asks – why? Well, several reasons…

1. To Read Them.

This is the most obvious reason. Books beg to be read, that’s why they’re written. Some I do (believe it or not) actually read cover to cover. Currently working on (as I often do) several at once:

• The Puritan classic The Secret Key to Heaven: The Vital Importance of Private Prayer. Why? I want to commune with God better in my private prayer life.
• Also, about to (hopefully) finish up Church History in Plain Language.
• Also reading, on occasion, William Shirer’s very long but classic history, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.

Next up? Possibly one of the two history books mentioned at the top of this article, or I’ll restart Post Captain, which I started and stalled out on a while back. Of course, I may just start on one of the books I got at T4G.

2. For Reference

Some are obvious reference titles, like encyclopedias or Bible commentaries (though they can make for good reading, too!). But with the exception of fiction, generally, any good book worth owning and reading is also worth referring to. (Big pet peeve: Why do most Christian books not have subject indexes? Drives me nuts.)

3. To Browse at Home

Few will probably understand this, but I like to have a large library that I can browse at home. When I want to read something new, I don’t want to necessarily go to the bookstore, as strange as that sounds for someone who loves to buy books. No, I’d rather browse my own shelves, and remember when I bought that one, and think, “OK, now is the time for you.”

4. To Loan Them Out

Many times I will be talking with friends, family, coworkers… And they will say “do you know of any good books on X?” And it is my blessing to be able to say, “Yes, I’ve got just the book for you. I’ve not read it all the way through, but I’ve browsed it over, and can’t wait to read it myself. In the meantime, though, it’s well-reviewed by people I respect, so you are welcome to borrow it.” The library then becomes a form of hospitality, and it is my privilege to be able to share that.

So… any recommendations for my library? I’ll see you at the bookstore!

2 Timothy 4:13

13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. (ESV)

Got back this afternoon from Together for the Gospel 2008. It was outstanding! I’ll probably post more later about it, but in the meantime, some quick thoughts and observations at least somewhat related to the conference:

• The audio is available here. For free. Woohoo! (Already downloaded…)
• The conference had an amazing bookstore, with all selections approved by the four main conference organizers: Al Mohler, C. J. Mahaney, Ligon Duncan, and Mark Dever. While there, I had some thoughts on Why I Buy Books.
• Speaking of books, check out my lists here.
• As usual, Tim Challies has been liveblogging. Tim always gives the best overview of these conferences, so if you don’t feel like downloading the audio just yet, check out his coverage.