For about three weeks out of every year, Moscow is transformed in an autumnal wonderland. I know this isn’t unique, but since we spend so much time looking at clouds, or dirty snowbanks, or sunburnt fields, the changing colours of autumn are a real treat. We’re right in the thick of it these days: out my windows (and back a block or two) are various collections of yellow and orange leaves. It’s beautiful, and while I do love the snow, I’m really enjoying the piles upon piles that surround us.

(Why do I always include a weather update? Beats me. It just seems appropriate somehow—a recognition that time is still moving.)

The real reason for this blog post is to point you to some cool places around the internet. Well, actually, they’re just places where people are talking about Canon books. But we think that’s cool, and if you’re reading this, then you probably agree.

Rachel Bagley has a fantastic review of Is Christianity Good for the World? that just she posted this morning. Along with summaries of main arguments and comparisons to “The Great Debate” (Bahnsen vs. Stein), she also notes “Wilson’s grace: congeniality towards his opponent, thankfulness to God and Christianity Today for the forum provided, and the grace given in the gospel message at the end of the book.”

Sarah Groves (of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa) has reviewed the upcoming Heaven Misplaced on her church’s blog. Are you an avid anti-postmillennialist? Well, Sarah writes that

even if you are not convinced by Historic Optimism, you will still find this book encouraging. Wilson evocatively reminds us of what Jesus’ death and resurrection actually accomplished. He really is the Lord of all nations. He really has been given authority over all powers. All we have to do is declare the authority and power that Jesus already has. If you are serving in what looks like a fruitless situation, these reminders are timely and life-giving.

Which is exactly what we wanted this book to do. (And starting December, you can stop just trusting us and see for yourself.)

Lastly, Logos Bible Software is starting to create some custom libraries with Canon titles—so far, they have five available. Hop on over, and take a look: they’re ideal for pastoral or personal study (since Logos incorporates them so that you can search your LBS library through Scripture passages).

5:30 on a Monday afternoon. The view from the office window (which I and Rachel Hoffmann share) is of an autumn, late afternoon sun. I confess: I’ve always been a big fan of the colder months, reveling in the colorful leaves, crisp morning air, early sunsets, and—of course—snow.

But enough of my meanderings. I’m not here to wax poetic (if you can even call that poetry). I’m here to pass on a couple of wonderful reviews that were sent to me late last week.

First off, Pastor Toby Sumpter (one of the pastors at Trinity Reformed Church here in Moscow), recently wrote a review of A Primer on Worship and Reformation. A snippet:

In places it can feel like too much is being covered in too short of space, but again, this is a primer and merely meant to introduce someone to these practices and customs which have made up the culture of the churches of the Reformation for centuries. And it is the last chapter on children that is arguably one of the greatest reasons for pressing these themes and continuing to make them accessible to the broader evangelical church. Short of winning the hearts and minds of our children with the culture of a robust Christian faith, reformation will continue to be a word that people say and have no actual experience of. We will know that God has blessed us with reformation when the vast majority of Christians today see their grandchildren walking with the Lord, wielding the Psalms as the weapons they are, and rejoicing in Sabbath living with their children and neighbors. And by the grace of God, worshiping faithfully each Lord’s Day is the way God has promised to bless us with that glory.

To be honest, Pastor Sumpter’s review captures just why we love this book and are excited about its release: make sure to go and read the rest of it.

Our other new review is from Liturgy, Hymnody & Pulpit Quarterly Book Review (a publication of the Wyoming District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod). The Rev. Paul J. Cain, critiquing the Cantus Christi from a Lutheran perspective, writes:

Lutherans will rejoice to see their Reformation-era treasures endorsed and sung with vigor. …. If you are a hymnal collector, and many pastors are, this is an essential addition.

His review can be read here—just wait for the PDF to load and then scroll down to page 203, where the review begins.

And now, it’s time for me to actually get out into that sunset. Have a blessed evening.

It’s been a busy week, but there were a few quick links I wanted to share with you readers before I left the office and enjoyed our last summer afternoon here in Moscow. (We’ve been promised rain—and maybe even thundershowers—this weekend.)

If you enjoy listening to internet specials, Doug Wilson has been a regular guest on Prime Time America (broadcasted on the Moody Broadcasting Network) this past week. Our apologies for not letting you know sooner! The good news is that you can listen to Doug’s segments in the archives, from September 12th - 19th. Simply find the day you’d like to listen to, and fast-forward directly to Pastor Wilson’s segment at the 47 minute mark.

Justin Nale, a Baptist pastor in North Carolina, has written a brief but enthusiastic commendation of Is Christianity Good for the World? on his blog, noting that

Hitchens is loved as a brilliant thinker (and he is), yet Wilson deals handily with his arguments, providing what I believe to be the best defense of Christianity I’ve read yet.

And speaking of Is Christianity Good for the World?, starting September 23rd you’ll be able to see copies of our brand-new book displayed front-and-center in over 700 Barnes & Noble stores across the nation. You can imagine how excited we are about this, so forgive us if we mention it again in a few days!

Dr. Ray Van Neste has written a review of The Book Tree (Second Edition) on his blog. He says, “This is a wonderful book that will be a great resource for every family.” Do read the rest of his review.

And finally, Matthew Smallwood, a friend from Texarkana, has written a thoughtfully critical review of A Primer on Worship and Reformation. While he calls the book a “worthy offing,” he questions the viability of Wilson’s call for “high church puritanism”:

What makes Wilson believe that we can succeed where Baxter and Owens and Newton could not? High-Church Puritanism is desirable, but is it achievable? It sometimes seems as if Wilson was trying (forgive me, shades of Carl Jung!) to ride over a mountain on a tricycle. Granted, his determination and faith appear up to it, and granted (also) if God wills it so, in faith, then he’ll be stomping his kickstand on the summit. If anyone in contemporary Amerika can manage this (for rough and ready Protestants), it will be he and his band of merry men, acting under the blessing of God.

Matthew’s review is both thought-provoking and well worth reading, so please hop on over to his blog and read it.

And, lastly, for those of you who do not stop by the front page every day, we have a new MP3 download available: “Why Debate an Atheist” by Douglas Wilson. (Expect us to talk about this again, too.)

As you probably know by now, we have three new books coming out this Fall, and we’ve been working hard to get some pre-release reviews from people around the blogosphere. And so far, we’ve been very pleased with the response. We’ve already posted some fantastic reviews from Daniel Newman in the UK, and with all the interest we’ve received, it looks like we’ll be able to post regular review notices. (more…)

Daniel Newman, a blogger in the UK, has written a thorough and kind (not to mention our first!) review of A Primer on Worship and Reformation. He writes:

Wilson is not merely offering a criticism of the external forms of public worship and advocating a return to traditional liturgies. He goes to the heart of contemporary evangelicalism, makes his diagnosis and prescribes a change of thinking about the church. Whilst standing for Scriptural truth, we must nevertheless take the church seriously and the covenant seriously. Wilson then offers a manifesto for change in our view of evangelism, Scripture, what happens when we gather together, our forms of worship, our music, the Lord’s Supper, the Sabbath and our children.

Daniel also notes that though “Wilson is writing into an American Evangelical context, British evangelicals have our own problems and would do well to listen to what Pastor Wilson is saying. We, too, have bought to some extent into the idol of individualism and we fail to take the church seriously.” He goes into more detail about the applicability of this book to the UK in his review, so do hop on over and check it out.