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LIBRARY SPOTLIGHT: romans 8
by Sarah Shrader
As we’ve started our journey through Romans 8, I have often thought about the scene in Pilgrim’s Progress where Christian meets Apollyon. When Apollyon attempts to discourage him by listing some of his unfaithful acts along his pilgrimage, Christian responds, “All this is true, and much more which you have left out! But the King whom I serve and honor is merciful and ready to forgive.” And when Christian is finally victorious, he quotes Romans 8, saying “In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us!”
This month I’d like to share a few helpful resources as you and your family meditate on Romans 8:
There are a handful of books that I find myself returning to, and How the Gospel Brings Us All the Way Home is at the top of that list. Derek Thomas moves systematically through Romans 8, which he aptly calls “the best chapter in the Bible”. In each chapter, he seamlessly blends theology with application and provides vivid illustrations to show the depth, sweetness, and security of our life in Christ.
Why do bad things happen to good people? In his book All Things for Good, Thomas Watson explores how God uses both the good and the bad in the Christian’s life to make them more Christlike. Watson provides encouragement to the reader in how to understand the various hardships of the Christian life, and challenges them to consider what it looks like to love God. If you’re intimidated to read a Puritan author, I highly encourage you to give this little book a try. Watson is very accessible, and he has a very pastoral heart to his writing, weaving in and explaining scripture in a way that can “make your heart burn” like the men in Luke 24.
If your family is looking for an engaging way to study Romans together, consider The Sword by Marty Machowski. Part fiction and part Bible study, this book is fantastic. It starts with a story of two children who discover an artifact and journal from a Roman guard who met Paul and had the gospel preached to him. The children have to work through the journal (and learn about the book of Romans) to solve a mystery. This would be a perfect book for families to work through together, or for upper elementary school children to work through on their own.
You can find all of these books and a few more on display in the library. Next month, in honor of Mother’s Day, I’ll share a few resources about mothers and motherhood.
Tolle Lege!
Sarah