Equipping Center

Surveys the teachings and beliefs of the Puritans, and calls today's Christians to follow their example of spiritual maturity.

Although first published in 1663, this volume by Thomas Watson is both clear and concise in its explanation and application of Romans 8:28. The chapters are short, the flow is logical, and the pastoral warmth is evident. This is no dry dissertation, but a volume that will stir the reader's affections for Christ as intimated by its original title, A Divine Cordial. As he stated in the book's original preface, Watson's aim toward his readers was to "buoy up their desponding hearts" and to "fill their hearts with joy till they run over."

This is a book about spiritual formation, the "grace-driven developmental process in which the soul grows in conformity to the image of Christ." The acid test of all spiritual formation is this: Are you becoming more like Jesus? Are the contours of your character being shaped by his image, formed in his likeness? This ongoing transformation is possible for you. You can become more and more like Jesus Christ. But there is only one way: through your increasing understanding and application of the gospel. That's what this book is about. Book jacket.

J. C. Ryle's "Holiness " is a lost treasure, written by one of the great Anglican priests and writers of the nineteenth century. Hendrickson reintroduces this classic text, largely unavailable today, on living a Christ-like life. "Holiness " is considered to be one of the most profound books on discipleship in the English language. Christians have recognized anew the critical importance of discipleship and spiritual formation to the life of the individual believer, the local church and to the Kingdom of God. Ryle's "Holiness " ranks among the core library of teachings on being a disciple of Jesus Christ. In this book, Ryle encourages the reader into a life of holiness, drawn completely from the Bible and not from contemporary books or preachers, or from any of the fads that were popular during his lifetime, much as they are today or in any era. He is writing about personal, or private, holiness, the life we live behind closed doors with our families and closest friends. "I have had a deep conviction for many years that practical holiness and entire self-consecration to God are not sufficiently attended by modern Christians in this country. Politics, controversy, or party-spirit, or worldliness, have eaten out the heart of lively piety in too many of us. The subject of personal godliness has fallen sadly into the background." --"J. C. Ryle "

The Christian life is not a playground, but a battleground. One of the fiercest foes in this battle dwells within our own hearts: the enemy of indwelling sin. The Scriptures command us to "put sin to death." This is what pastors and theologians of another generation called the "mortification" of sin. But how do we mortify sin? And what role does the gospel play in this effort to apply lethal force against sin? How can we avoid falling into legalism while still maintaining a passion for holiness? And what kinds of strategies actually work in the daily battle? These are questions I have personally wrestled with as both a Christian and a pastor. This book is my attempt to answer those questions and provide a biblical and practical guide for the war against sin.

This is an excellent treatise on the importance and practice of repentance. It is useful both for understanding repentance as it relates to salvation and sanctification. The strength of this work is in its analysis of the nature of repentance itself. The older English may be a bit more difficult for some but it is more than worth the effort. This truly is a timeless treasure.

The Puritan Paperback edition, published by Banner of Truth, is an abridged and modernized version of several sermons by John Owen. The chapters cover subjects of interest to all believers: prayer, assurance, sin, and living by faith in times of both personal and national adversity. The encouragement and instruction found here is timeless, as applicable to today's reader as to Owen's original audience.

This little volume by Thomas Vincent (1634-1678) would not be classified as a "devotional," but it will do more to encourage the reader's devotion to Christ than most books in that category. The book is, by the author's own description, practical application and exhortation, beginning with the premise that the life of a Christian is primarily one of love to Christ. The older language may be a small challenge to some readers, but not insurmountable and well worth the effort to read slowly and savor its riches.

How 21st-Century Evangelicals Can Pursue Spiritual Growth through Early Modern Puritan Piety "Keep your heart" (Proverbs 4:23). "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). Scripture beckons Christians toward obedience and maturity, but many modern approaches to spiritual formation are less than biblical. In A Heart Aflame for God, Matthew C. Bingham studies God-ordained spiritual practices modeled by the 16th- and 17th-century Reformers. Primarily drawing from Puritan tradition, Bingham shows readers how to balance belief in salvation through faith with a responsibility for one's personal spiritual growth. He studies biblical practices—including meditation, prayer, and self-examination—from a Protestant perspective. Blending historical analysis and practical application, this edifying study cultivates a greater understanding of Reformed theology and an ever-growing relationship with God. Puritan Tradition for Modern Evangelicals: Shows readers how classic Protestant traditions—including prayer, meditation, and appreciation for the natural world—steer wayward hearts toward Christ Rich Reformed Perspective: Presents spiritual formation practices that are consistent with the 5 solas of the Protestant Reformation Intermediate-Level Study: Written for theological students, pastors, and Christians interested in early modern Reformed theologians

We cannot understand the Christian gospel until we know what sin is. Yet modern secular counsellors urge us to ignore both the word and what it tells us about our rebellion against God and his law. Sadly, the church too often serves as an echo chamber for such cheap and short-sighted wisdom. It's literature spreads the deceptive message that all is well. But it is only when we begin to see our sinfulness that we are able to discover God's forgiveness. Although The Sinfulness of Sin was written three hundred years ago, it remains an oasis of truth in a desert of lies. First published in the aftermath of the Great Plague of London and entitled Sin, The Plague of Plagues, this book gives a crystal-clear explanation of what sin is, why it is so serious, and what we need to do about it. Here is reliable medicine for a fatal epidemic.