Welcome to Final Call, a brief, hand-picked selection of news, articles, videos, and curiosities from the Internet and beyond. Today’s edition offers some quick clicks while also looking at an ancient heresy and a batch of new books.
Definition: Modalism
A heresy that maintains that “Father,” “Son,” and “Holy Spirit” are three names for, or *modes*,
thus *mod*alism) of, one and the same person. They are not three persons. Modalism fails to account for several matters. One is the baptism of Jesus: all three persons of the Trinity were active, as the Father spoke words of commendation about his baptized Son, on whom the Spirit was descending (Mark 1:9-11). Another event is Jesus praying: the Son of God did not direct his prayers to himself but directed them to his Father, who is a person distinct from the Son (John 17). (The Baker Compact Dictionary of Theological Terms
Quick Clicks
- Reading the Book Acknowledgments – Justin Taylor writes about one of the best but most underappreciated parts of a book—the acknowledgements.
- A Biography for a Contemptible Life – While I certainly wouldn’t defend the decision to publish such an obituary, it’s still interesting to read how some people choose to remember their parents.
New Releases on Crossway
Crossway has a whole batch of new releases this month. There are lots of good ones among them:
Reset: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture
David Murray
Drawing on personal experiences—and time spent counseling other men in the midst of burnout—David Murray offers weary men hope for the future, helping them identify the warning signs of burnout and offering practical strategies for developing patterns that are necessary for living a grace-paced life and reaching the finish line with their joy intact.
This Changes Everything: How the Gospel Transforms the Teen Years
Jaquelle Crowe
Written by a teenager for teenagers, This Changes Everything is a deeply theological yet practical and accessible book on how the gospel radically transforms every aspect of the teen years.
Alive in Him: How Being Embraced by the Love of Christ Changes Everything
Gloria Furman
Alive in Him draws us into the main themes in the book of Ephesians, showing us how the blessings we have received in Christ empower our obedience and love for God. Designed to be read alongside an open Bible, Alive in Him helps us apply Paul’s letter to our daily lives, reminding us of our purpose on earth and directing our gaze to the love of Jesus Christ—a love that has the power to transform how we live.
Chasing Contentment: Trusting God in a Discontented Age
Erik Raymond
In Chasing Contentment, Erik Raymond helps us understand what biblical contentment is—the inward gracious spirit that joyfully rests in God’s providence—and then how we learn it. Giving us practical guidance for growing in contentment in various areas of our lives, this book will encourage us to see contentment as a priority for all believers.
Reformation Theology: A Systemic Summary
Matthew Barrett
Offering readers a comprehensive summary of the major tenets of
Reformation theology, this volume convincingly demonstrates the Reformation’s enduring importance for the church today.
The Collected Works of John Piper
John Piper
This 14-v
olume set brings together for the first time all of Piper’s published writings from 1970 to 2015, featuring the latest editions of fifty books along with hundreds of articles and chapters, compiled into one beautifully designed resource.
