Church History

The Soil of the Prosperity Gospel

By Jonathan Baer | 9Marks Journal: Prosperity Gospel | 01.14.2014

The prosperity gospel is the bitter harvest of an ancient seed planted in modern soil.

Book Review: The Bruised Reed, by Richard Sibbes

Review by Nick Roark | 9Marks Journal: Evangelism - Part 2 | 10.25.2013

The Bruised Reed is a feast for the soul.

Book Review: Manual of Church Order, by John L. Dagg

Review by John Power | 9Marks Journal: Evangelism - Part 2 | 10.21.2013

Pastors should read this book. However, I will say that a close, detailed reading from cover to cover may not be required.

Book Review: Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel, by Kate Bowler

Review by Jonathan Baer | 9Marks Journal: Evangelism - Part 1 | 09.09.2013

In a thoughtful and engaging work, Kate Bowler unravels the origins and development of the prosperity gospel into a multi-billion dollar industry.

Book Review: Encouragement for Today’s Pastors: Help from the Puritans, by Joel Beeke and Terry Slachter

Review by Patrick Schreiner | 9Marks Journal: Is Scripture Enough? | 06.25.2013

A troubled or discouraged pastor can certainly be enlivened by attending to these “sweet droppers.”

Book Review: The Creedal Imperative, by Carl Trueman

Review by Peter Hess | 9Marks Journal: Church and Churches | 03.22.2013

Trueman demonstrates both the value of creeds and confessions for the life of the local church and the serious consequences that follow if we refuse to make our doctrinal beliefs explicit in writing.

Leadership Interview with Mark Dever

Taking Aim at Everyone

By C. Trueman, M. Dever | 03.07.2013

Mark Dever asks Carl Trueman about holocaust denial, secularization, “no creed but the Bible,” and everything else under the sun in this far-ranging conversation.

Book Review: Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics, by Ross Douthat

Review by Matt McCullough | 9Marks Journal: Lay Elders: A User's Guide - Part 1 | 11.13.2012

This book is a call for a renewed, robust, public confidence in the power of Christian orthodoxy. All faithful pastors should resonate with this plea.

Book Review: Godly Conversation: Rediscovering the Puritan Practice of Conference, by Joanne Jung

Review by Bobby Jamieson | 9Marks Journal: Discipling in the Church | 08.27.2012

Would I recommend the book? Perhaps. But I’d be more likely to recommend that you simply go read the Puritans yourself.

Leadership Interview with Mark Dever

The Pastoral Practices of Martyn Lloyd-Jones

By I. H. Murray, M. Dever | 08.24.2012

What was Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ day-to-day ministry like? Find out in this interview with Iain Murray.

Book Review: Ministry by His Grace and for His Glory: Essays in Honor of Thomas J. Nettles, ed. by Thomas Ascol and Nathan Finn

Review by Sam Emadi | 9Marks Journal: Mercy Ministry in the Church | 06.27.2012

Tom Nettles deserves to be commended for his faithfulness to the gospel and his commitment to excellence in academic and pastoral ministry.

Baptists Reading Together and the Birth of Modern Missions

By Michael A. G. Haykin | 9Marks Journal: Wanted: Apostolic Pastors | 05.08.2012

A small group of Baptists who read, talked, and prayed together sparked a renewal that led to the birth of the modern missions movement. What might God do through similar means today?

Book Review: Revival and Revivalism, by Iain Murray

Review by Bobby Jamieson | 9Marks Journal: The Underestimated Doctrine of Conversion | 02.29.2012

I commend it to all present and aspiring church leaders, and to any Christian who likes to ask, “How did we get here?”

His Arm Is Strong to Save: A Trajectory of Conversion in America

By Owen Strachan | 9Marks Journal: The Underestimated Doctrine of Conversion | 02.29.2012

How have Christians in different periods understood conversion and, more specifically, the means of conversion?

Why Sunday School Lost its Edge

By Ed Stetzer | 9Marks Journal: Don't Be Too Cool for Sunday School | 12.19.2011

Has our current culture so changed that Sunday school will not be able to avoid extinction?