Another Canon author has joined the blogosphere! N.D. Wilson has only been blogging for a few weeks, but after perusing these two posts I think you’ll add it to your feed reader forthwith:

Your book is terrible. NDW explains why he avoids public criticism of his children’s book contemporaries.

Frequently Asked #1 NDW answers the question “What’s with all the classical allusions in Leepike Ridge? And what allusions am I missing?” by telling the story of Leepike’s birth and giving some guidelines for grave-robbing.

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.

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you…” (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

For most Christians, Peter’s words present a daunting challenge. Unless you’re a pastor, or an evangelist, or someone else similarly gifted and accustomed to preaching the Gospel, giving a defense of your faith tends to be a messy enterprise. Answers rarely come easy. Objections, on the other hand, come like a mighty river, and they’re often difficult to refute and turn aside. And often, Christian apologetics seems to be a futile exercise—we can’t argue anyone into the truth, and sometimes it looks like our efforts only make unbelievers more stubborn in their resistance to the Gospel. (more…)

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.)

Some announcements from our good friends at New Saint Andrews College:

First, they’re hosting two Prospective Student Weekends this fall—September 26–29 and October 31–November 3. And what exactly happens during Prospective Student Weekend?

You join them on Friday to visit classes, eat a free lunch, meet students and faculty, tour NSA, and attend Disputatio. On Saturday, enjoy fall festivities in Moscow, and learn about student housing options. On Sunday, worship at one of the local churches and enjoy a hospitality lunch with a church family. On Monday, you get to wrap things up by attending lectures and meeting with College officials.

You can register at NSA’s website, or you can contact Lindsey Tollefson with any questions you might have.

Second, they’re also hosting a Field Entomology Science Camp on October 10th, led by Dr. Gordon Wilson (Senior Fellow of Natural Philosophy). The camp includes two intensive class sessions in the morning, lunch, an afternoon field trip, and a late-afternoon laboratory session. Enrollment is restricted to students age 15 or older. If you register by October 1, you pay only $64 (20 percent off the normal $80 tuition for the day-long camp).

Once again, visit NSA’s website to register, or contact Lindsey Tollefson if you have any questions.