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O senhorio de Cristo
Jesus Cristo não era apenas um ser humano.
Ele não era apenas um famoso mestre religioso.
JESUS CRISTO É O SENHOR DE TODAS AS COISAS.
Essa reivindicação radical da Bíblia tem profundas implicações para todas as áreas da vida — para todas as pessoas e todas as facetas da sociedade. Baseando-se em textos bíblicos-chave, Vern Poythress explora o que o reconhecimento da autoridade de Cristo significa para a forma como devemos pensar e agir. Analisando como essa autoridade afeta esferas da vida tais como a religião, política, ciência, artes, educação e o futuro, Poythress nos ajuda a buscar a obediência a Cristo como uma expressão de nossa gratidão e devoção — e de nossa expectativa da alegria prometida quando o servimos de todo o nosso coração.
***
O senhorio de Cristo expõe o fundamento por trás de todos esses outros estudos — qual seja, o fato de que Cristo governa todas as áreas da vida humana. É o princípio redescoberto por Abraham Kuyper, isto é, que cada centímetro quadrado do Universo pertence a Jesus. O livro de Poythress traz uma forte defesa bíblica desse princípio. E também traz a melhor discussão até hoje sobre a controvérsia dos dois reinos.
― John M. Frame
Agradeço a Vern Poythress por fornecer um estudo acessível, encorajador e prático sobre o senhorio de Cristo. Qualquer cristão que tenha dúvidas sobre a autoridade de Cristo e a alegria de lhe servir será grandemente auxiliado por este livro. Ele revitaliza e revigora uma compreensão adequada de Cristo o Rei. Este livro pode ser uma ferramenta útil para as igrejas e turmas de escola dominical.
― K. Scott Oliphint
Vern Poythress é um dos poucos autores atuais que combinam rigorosa erudição e teologia bíblica a uma profunda espiritualidade prática. Este volume é uma defesa da ideia tão poderosamente expressa na tradição reformada em geral, e por Abraham Kuyper em particular, de que Cristo é o Senhor sobre todas as áreas da vida. Com base nessa herança, Poythress traz esclarecimentos importantes com aplicações práticas que nem sempre podem ser encontrados nos pioneiros. Os leitores não devem se deixar enganar pela simplicidade invejável dos argumentos; eles são potentes.
― William Edgar
Para quem busca uma introdução clara, acessível e biblicamente sólida ao senhorio de Cristo, tal como entendido na linha kuyperiana da tradição reformada, este é o livro que atende ao requisito. O que faz o entendimento kuyperiano do reino ser tão atraente a muitos é que ele exorta os cristãos a serem ativos em todas as esferas da sociedade e da cultura (e não menos na academia), e este livro faz um excelente trabalho em ilustrar as reivindicações culturais do governo de Cristo. Ao mesmo tempo, Poythress tem o cuidado de destacar algumas das armadilhas potenciais dessa ênfase no engajamento cultural cristão. Um dos pontos fortes do livro é seu uso “mente aberta” de textos bíblicos pertinentes para ilustrar seus pontos, sem apelar a textos-prova superficiais. Um bônus adicional é que o livro inclui um extenso apêndice no qual o autor entra em diálogo com os defensores da chamada teologia dos “dois reinos”, onde aponta, de maneira não polêmica, algumas das confus&
Ele não era apenas um famoso mestre religioso.
JESUS CRISTO É O SENHOR DE TODAS AS COISAS.
Essa reivindicação radical da Bíblia tem profundas implicações para todas as áreas da vida — para todas as pessoas e todas as facetas da sociedade. Baseando-se em textos bíblicos-chave, Vern Poythress explora o que o reconhecimento da autoridade de Cristo significa para a forma como devemos pensar e agir. Analisando como essa autoridade afeta esferas da vida tais como a religião, política, ciência, artes, educação e o futuro, Poythress nos ajuda a buscar a obediência a Cristo como uma expressão de nossa gratidão e devoção — e de nossa expectativa da alegria prometida quando o servimos de todo o nosso coração.
***
O senhorio de Cristo expõe o fundamento por trás de todos esses outros estudos — qual seja, o fato de que Cristo governa todas as áreas da vida humana. É o princípio redescoberto por Abraham Kuyper, isto é, que cada centímetro quadrado do Universo pertence a Jesus. O livro de Poythress traz uma forte defesa bíblica desse princípio. E também traz a melhor discussão até hoje sobre a controvérsia dos dois reinos.
― John M. Frame
Agradeço a Vern Poythress por fornecer um estudo acessível, encorajador e prático sobre o senhorio de Cristo. Qualquer cristão que tenha dúvidas sobre a autoridade de Cristo e a alegria de lhe servir será grandemente auxiliado por este livro. Ele revitaliza e revigora uma compreensão adequada de Cristo o Rei. Este livro pode ser uma ferramenta útil para as igrejas e turmas de escola dominical.
― K. Scott Oliphint
Vern Poythress é um dos poucos autores atuais que combinam rigorosa erudição e teologia bíblica a uma profunda espiritualidade prática. Este volume é uma defesa da ideia tão poderosamente expressa na tradição reformada em geral, e por Abraham Kuyper em particular, de que Cristo é o Senhor sobre todas as áreas da vida. Com base nessa herança, Poythress traz esclarecimentos importantes com aplicações práticas que nem sempre podem ser encontrados nos pioneiros. Os leitores não devem se deixar enganar pela simplicidade invejável dos argumentos; eles são potentes.
― William Edgar
Para quem busca uma introdução clara, acessível e biblicamente sólida ao senhorio de Cristo, tal como entendido na linha kuyperiana da tradição reformada, este é o livro que atende ao requisito. O que faz o entendimento kuyperiano do reino ser tão atraente a muitos é que ele exorta os cristãos a serem ativos em todas as esferas da sociedade e da cultura (e não menos na academia), e este livro faz um excelente trabalho em ilustrar as reivindicações culturais do governo de Cristo. Ao mesmo tempo, Poythress tem o cuidado de destacar algumas das armadilhas potenciais dessa ênfase no engajamento cultural cristão. Um dos pontos fortes do livro é seu uso “mente aberta” de textos bíblicos pertinentes para ilustrar seus pontos, sem apelar a textos-prova superficiais. Um bônus adicional é que o livro inclui um extenso apêndice no qual o autor entra em diálogo com os defensores da chamada teologia dos “dois reinos”, onde aponta, de maneira não polêmica, algumas das confus&
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2016
39 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Vern Sheridan Poythress
75 books149 followersVern Sheridan Poythress was born in 1946 in Madera, California, where he lived with his parents Ransom H. Poythress and Carola N. Poythress and his older brother Kenneth R. Poythress. After teaching mathematics for a year at Fresno State College (now California State University at Fresno), he became a student at Westminster Theological Seminary, where he earned an M.Div. (1974) and a Th.M. in apologetics (1974). He received an M.Litt. in New Testament from University of Cambridge (1977) and a Th.D. in New Testament from the University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa (1981).
He has been teaching in New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia since 1976. In 1981 he was ordained as a teaching elder in the Reformed Presbyterian Church Evangelical Synod, which has now merged with the Presbyterian Church in America.
More information about his teaching at Westminster can be found at the Westminster Seminary website.
Dr. Poythress studied linguistics and Bible translation at the Summer Institute of Linguistics in Norman Oklahoma in 1971 and 1972, and taught linguistics at the Summer Institute of Linguistics in the summers of 1974, 1975, and 1977. He has published books on Christian philosophy of science, theological method, dispensationalism, biblical law, hermeneutics, Bible translation, and Revelation. A list of publications is found on this website.
Dr. Poythress married his wife Diane in 1983, and they have two children, Ransom and Justin. He has side interests in science fiction, string figures, volleyball, and computers.
The family lived on a farm until he was five years old. When he was nine years old he made a public commitment to Christ and was baptized in Chowchilla First Baptist Church, Chowchilla, California. The family later moved to Fresno, California, and he graduated from Bullard High School in Fresno.
He earned a B.S. in mathematics from California Institute of Technology (1966) and a Ph.D. in mathematics from Harvard University (1970).
He has been teaching in New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia since 1976. In 1981 he was ordained as a teaching elder in the Reformed Presbyterian Church Evangelical Synod, which has now merged with the Presbyterian Church in America.
More information about his teaching at Westminster can be found at the Westminster Seminary website.
Dr. Poythress studied linguistics and Bible translation at the Summer Institute of Linguistics in Norman Oklahoma in 1971 and 1972, and taught linguistics at the Summer Institute of Linguistics in the summers of 1974, 1975, and 1977. He has published books on Christian philosophy of science, theological method, dispensationalism, biblical law, hermeneutics, Bible translation, and Revelation. A list of publications is found on this website.
Dr. Poythress married his wife Diane in 1983, and they have two children, Ransom and Justin. He has side interests in science fiction, string figures, volleyball, and computers.
The family lived on a farm until he was five years old. When he was nine years old he made a public commitment to Christ and was baptized in Chowchilla First Baptist Church, Chowchilla, California. The family later moved to Fresno, California, and he graduated from Bullard High School in Fresno.
He earned a B.S. in mathematics from California Institute of Technology (1966) and a Ph.D. in mathematics from Harvard University (1970).
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 10, 2019
Muito bom!
August 20, 2020
A ética cristã que Vern Poythress desenvolve em todo o livro, é que as interações humanas de um servo de Cristo devem partir do princípio que Jesus é Senhor, regulador e mantenedor de todo aspecto da vida. O estudo diligente das Escrituras deve participar da caminhada do cristão, para que ele não caia nas armadilhas das filosofias e desejos nascidos em corações humanos que restam no pecado. Nessa obra, Poythress não tenta provar o senhorio de Cristo, mas quer dar ao leitor uma base bem fundamentada na Bíblia sobre como o senhor Jesus reina sobre todas as coisas.
Toda discussão que ele levanta parte do princípio que Jesus é Rei, que a Bíblia é a perfeita Palavra de Deus e sua infalível revelação, e que o Espírito do Senhor trabalha incansavelmente para nos fazer refletir sua imagem de acordo com seu propósito. Com os olhos em Cristo, em humildade, na companhia de seus ensinamentos e encharcados de sua misericórdia, seus servos trabalharão no mundo presente, combatendo falsidades e ensinando sua Palavra para muito além das paredes da igreja, para que ele seja reconhecido como Senhor de cada centímetro da criação, até que ele volte.
À Ele toda a Glória.
Toda discussão que ele levanta parte do princípio que Jesus é Rei, que a Bíblia é a perfeita Palavra de Deus e sua infalível revelação, e que o Espírito do Senhor trabalha incansavelmente para nos fazer refletir sua imagem de acordo com seu propósito. Com os olhos em Cristo, em humildade, na companhia de seus ensinamentos e encharcados de sua misericórdia, seus servos trabalharão no mundo presente, combatendo falsidades e ensinando sua Palavra para muito além das paredes da igreja, para que ele seja reconhecido como Senhor de cada centímetro da criação, até que ele volte.
À Ele toda a Glória.
June 24, 2016
Vern Poythress. The Lordship of Christ: Serving Our Savior All of the Time, In All of Life, with All of Our Heart. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2016. 224 pp. $14.49
The Dutch statesman, Abraham Kuyper famously said, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine.’" Such is the theme of the recent book by Vern Poythress, The Lordship of Christ: Serving Our Savior All of the Time, In All of Life, with All of Our Heart.
Poythress attempts to show readers that the Lordship of Christ extends to every area of life, including politics, science, art, the future, education, and work. Nothing is excluded.
The author sets the stage by making the crucial assertion that the lordship of Christ extends to believers and unbelievers alike. No one is excluded. Every atheist, agnostic, neo-pagan, gnostic, new ager, evolutionist, and every Christian is subject to the lordship of Christ. The general tone of the book is to help readers understand the implications of living in a world where Christ is Lord over all.
Poythress carefully establishes the basis for a Christian worldview which is grounded in absolute surrender to Jesus Christ: “To confess Jesus to be Lord is to confess him to be God, the same God who is the God of Israel and who created the world.” Poythress continues, “Jesus is therefore worthy of absolute allegiance. In giving allegiance to Jesus we are at the same time giving allegiance to God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, because the three persons are God.”
At the end of the day, every person who stands under Christ’s lordship also recognizes that glorifying him brings the highest measure of satisfaction. Poythress observes, “We find our deepest satisfaction and the deepest fulfillment of who we are - who we were created to be - when we serve God: ‘Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.’”
One of the most helpful aspects of this book is a basic repackaging of Cornelius Van Til’s apologetic method. Standing with Van Til, Poythress demonstrates the principle of antithesis (which was also popularized by Francis A. Schaeffer). The author demonstrates how knowledge is always derived from God and is therefore, never autonomous: “We must not seek knowledge autonomously, in independence from or isolation from God’s words. That is a form of rebellion, which dishonors God’s way of living. When there seems to be a tension between God’s word in Scripture and what we are learning from other sources, Scripture has the priority because it is the word of God.”
Some books are meant to be nibbled at; others are meant to be devoured. The Lordship of Christ is of the later sort. This is a serious book for anyone who is serious about pursuing Christ and glorifying him in every arena of life. College students and Seminarians should devour this wonderful book and find great freedom in living under the authority and lordship of Jesus.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
The Dutch statesman, Abraham Kuyper famously said, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine.’" Such is the theme of the recent book by Vern Poythress, The Lordship of Christ: Serving Our Savior All of the Time, In All of Life, with All of Our Heart.
Poythress attempts to show readers that the Lordship of Christ extends to every area of life, including politics, science, art, the future, education, and work. Nothing is excluded.
The author sets the stage by making the crucial assertion that the lordship of Christ extends to believers and unbelievers alike. No one is excluded. Every atheist, agnostic, neo-pagan, gnostic, new ager, evolutionist, and every Christian is subject to the lordship of Christ. The general tone of the book is to help readers understand the implications of living in a world where Christ is Lord over all.
Poythress carefully establishes the basis for a Christian worldview which is grounded in absolute surrender to Jesus Christ: “To confess Jesus to be Lord is to confess him to be God, the same God who is the God of Israel and who created the world.” Poythress continues, “Jesus is therefore worthy of absolute allegiance. In giving allegiance to Jesus we are at the same time giving allegiance to God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, because the three persons are God.”
At the end of the day, every person who stands under Christ’s lordship also recognizes that glorifying him brings the highest measure of satisfaction. Poythress observes, “We find our deepest satisfaction and the deepest fulfillment of who we are - who we were created to be - when we serve God: ‘Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.’”
One of the most helpful aspects of this book is a basic repackaging of Cornelius Van Til’s apologetic method. Standing with Van Til, Poythress demonstrates the principle of antithesis (which was also popularized by Francis A. Schaeffer). The author demonstrates how knowledge is always derived from God and is therefore, never autonomous: “We must not seek knowledge autonomously, in independence from or isolation from God’s words. That is a form of rebellion, which dishonors God’s way of living. When there seems to be a tension between God’s word in Scripture and what we are learning from other sources, Scripture has the priority because it is the word of God.”
Some books are meant to be nibbled at; others are meant to be devoured. The Lordship of Christ is of the later sort. This is a serious book for anyone who is serious about pursuing Christ and glorifying him in every arena of life. College students and Seminarians should devour this wonderful book and find great freedom in living under the authority and lordship of Jesus.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
July 29, 2021
A very good antidote to the strawman fallacy against dominionism. While not spousing theonomy as a political policy approach, it resets on its base the much wider discußion on the place of Jesus in the wider culture, and thus provides a saner fundament for not only political life but for all of Christian life in a secularised wold.
Unfortunately, much of its good potential effects are lost on even Christians committed to the Reformed faith, as the deeply ingrained aßumptions on a diminished place of the Church in the world and a correspondingly totalitarian role of the State make a fair reading difficult, if not impoßible; I would recommend (former) neoevangelicals a wider, previous reading of [[author:Francis A. Schaeffer]], [[author:Rousas John Rushdoony]], [[author:Jean-Marc Berthoud]] and perhaps [[author:Joseph Boot]]'s [[title:The Mission of God]] so they gain the literacy neceßary to get past the watchful dragons of the mind.
A minor irritant is the author's tendency to quote himself and John Frame, his partner in his Kuyperian, van Tillian actualisation project, predominantly. While I do appreciated the uniqueneß of their contributions, a wider circle of references would do much to dispel a discomfort derived from a perhaps ill-founded suspicion of parochialism.
Unfortunately, much of its good potential effects are lost on even Christians committed to the Reformed faith, as the deeply ingrained aßumptions on a diminished place of the Church in the world and a correspondingly totalitarian role of the State make a fair reading difficult, if not impoßible; I would recommend (former) neoevangelicals a wider, previous reading of [[author:Francis A. Schaeffer]], [[author:Rousas John Rushdoony]], [[author:Jean-Marc Berthoud]] and perhaps [[author:Joseph Boot]]'s [[title:The Mission of God]] so they gain the literacy neceßary to get past the watchful dragons of the mind.
A minor irritant is the author's tendency to quote himself and John Frame, his partner in his Kuyperian, van Tillian actualisation project, predominantly. While I do appreciated the uniqueneß of their contributions, a wider circle of references would do much to dispel a discomfort derived from a perhaps ill-founded suspicion of parochialism.
November 27, 2017
This work by Poythress has much good - the constant theme of doing all for Christ's glory, acknowledging that Christ is in reality already Lord of all of Heaven and earth and it is the call of the Christian to make this Lordship real temporally. Also good were the chapters that summarized Kuyper and his views on Christ and culture. With all this good, there were some weaknesses. One was the discontinuity, as the major sections seemed thrown together with no continuing thesis running through. Particularly disappointing was his critique of the postmill view and His exhortation to not be distracted by aspects of it. First, he misrepresents what most postmills believe and then attempts to sway them from their alleged errors. He dismisses the postmill view by mere assertion rather than any exegesis. Had he accurately represented the postmill view and stuck with Scripture, this chapter could have been less distracting and more effective.
May 24, 2022
Vern S. Poythress é um teólogo, filósofo e matemático que defende que as leis da
ciência são uma forma da palavra de Deus e apresenta a matemática como uma rima com a perfeição do universo. Ou seja, Poythress não escreve palavras vazias neste livro mas ele vive o "Senhorio de Cristo" em sua vida acadêmica com plenitude.
O texto segue uma linha Kuyperiana e dialoga com Cornelius Van Til e John Frame no qual toda a vida do cristão, chamado por Kuyper de "esferas", está sujeita à redenção de Cristo.
Na verdade, estão dizendo “Mantenha o seu Jesus fora dos negócios,
do trabalho, da educação, da ciência, da tecnologia, do governo, da política, do
entretenimento, da mídia e das artes”. Mas se Jesus é de fato o Senhor de todas
as coisas, ele é o Senhor de todas essas áreas da vida. (p. 10)
ciência são uma forma da palavra de Deus e apresenta a matemática como uma rima com a perfeição do universo. Ou seja, Poythress não escreve palavras vazias neste livro mas ele vive o "Senhorio de Cristo" em sua vida acadêmica com plenitude.
O texto segue uma linha Kuyperiana e dialoga com Cornelius Van Til e John Frame no qual toda a vida do cristão, chamado por Kuyper de "esferas", está sujeita à redenção de Cristo.
Na verdade, estão dizendo “Mantenha o seu Jesus fora dos negócios,
do trabalho, da educação, da ciência, da tecnologia, do governo, da política, do
entretenimento, da mídia e das artes”. Mas se Jesus é de fato o Senhor de todas
as coisas, ele é o Senhor de todas essas áreas da vida. (p. 10)
January 30, 2018
Poythress has done an excellent service in this brief dive into Lordship. It might be described as a summary of Kuyperian theology. The chapters are concise which makes it an easy read, yet is expansive enough to cover much ground. Poythress divides the work into four main sections: The Call to Serve Christ, Resources For Serving Christ, Areas Of Service, and Traps To Avoid In Our Service. Poythress includes a helpful Appendix section on Two Kingdom Theology that is worth the time to read. If you are looking for a quick look at the idea of Lordship or are interested in Kuyperian theology, this book will serve you well and point to further study.
August 25, 2022
Of course I agree with the substance of this book, I just didn't realize that 2/3rds of it would be a summary of Kuyper's Lectures on Calvinism. So if you have read Kuyper is book is redundant. Also, the appendix - a critique of R2K - was weak. I wonder if he held back to not hurt any feelings? If you are going to go after VanDrunen and the gang you better bring your A-game because he is.
I guess my thoughts are this book would be fine for beginners. In fact, I did scan the first chapter for my profession of faith class. So in that way it's helpful.
I guess my thoughts are this book would be fine for beginners. In fact, I did scan the first chapter for my profession of faith class. So in that way it's helpful.
June 1, 2024
Simple, accessible primer/explanation of a Kuyperian worldview. I wish some of his views had been taken to their natural practical conclusions, but it functions well for what it is.
The most helpful section is the last few chapters, detailing traps and hindrances to the application of Christ's Lordship to every sphere. He also singles out some of the dangers inherent to a postmillennial position and while I don't agree with all of his conclusions, it's still thought-provoking and insightful.
The final appendix assessing Two Kingdoms theology is pretty good too.
The most helpful section is the last few chapters, detailing traps and hindrances to the application of Christ's Lordship to every sphere. He also singles out some of the dangers inherent to a postmillennial position and while I don't agree with all of his conclusions, it's still thought-provoking and insightful.
The final appendix assessing Two Kingdoms theology is pretty good too.
September 25, 2017
This book has many helpful reminders for all believers but it may be more helpful for new believers. I think he could have fleshed out some of the concepts in here a little more. This is a good book for learning what it means for Christ’s being the Lord of all things and how we are to submit to Him.
March 6, 2019
Excelente livro! O Dr. Poythress aborda muito bem, de forma introdutória, o pensamento de Abraham Kuyper e suas implicações envolvendo o Senhorio de Cristo em todas as áreas da existência humana. Além disso o autor oferece boas orientações práticas sobre o relacionamento do cristão com várias áreas das atividades humanas. Recomendo a leitura.
May 6, 2022
Clear and accessible. However not very deep, especially the chapters on a Christian approach to the academic disciplines. The chapter on Art was only 2 pages. Much more in depth discussion of false assumptions/beliefs/methods and the Christian alternatives would have been helpful.
February 18, 2020
Refreshing look on Christian worldview. Must read.
April 18, 2021
Apesar de se basear muito na obra do Kuyper, o livro é bem interessante e abrangente.
December 29, 2022
Rambling. It read like a patchwork of random thoughts without much depth. I have come to dislike Poythress' style. Just read Kuyper, Calvin, and Bavinck instead.
July 12, 2025
Poythress for the win!
August 28, 2016
Jesus is Lord. This is a common proclamation by believers. However, do we truly understand what Jesus as Lord means in our life? If he is Lord, what does that look like on a practical level and how does it impact everything we do? Or does it? We certainly claim it does by declaring Jesus is Lord. In his excellent new book The Lordship of Christ: Serving Our Savior all of the Time, in all of Life, with all our Heart , author and theologian Vern Poythress outlines just what Jesus being Lord means and why we should care.
I am a big fan of Vern Poythress so let me get that out in the open at the outset of this review. What I appreciate most about his writings revolves around the depth by which he engages topics. Admittedly there have been times when his perspicuity on a subject leaves my head spinning just a bit, especially when it comes to matters of math and science. With that said, this book is supremely practical and I found myself yelling a silent (and sometimes verbal) yes as I read it. Let me explain why.
Poythress divides this book into four parts, each engaging an important element of how we are to understand and apply what this whole Lordship of Christ thing is all about. When we discuss Jesus, especially his Lordship over our lives, it is quite tempting to race straight to the cross or the writings of Paul. While there is nothing wrong with such an approach, I think Poythress rightly starts his discussion in a more proper location, namely identifying why Jesus is Lord, what he came to do, and how that is the foundation of the entire biblical drama.
God created everything, the sin of Adam messed everything up, thus the need for a Redeemer to fix this mess. We certainly know that bit of theology, but we perhaps forget how it factors into Jesus being Lord. As Poythress so aptly notes, “We are obliged to accept the authority of Christ because he is God and is Lord of all.” Furthermore, “If Christ is our Master and we are his servants, we must obey him.” This Lordship/obedience combination is an absolute must to grasp and Poythress does an excellent job of using this as the all-important springboard for the rest of his discussion.
Since Jesus is Lord and as his people/servants/bride/children of God, we are to be an obedient people to the commands outlined in Scripture that speak of how we are to love God and others. Poythress unpacks a number of helpful resources, both current and historical for understanding how to serve Jesus, ways in which we can serve, and traps we must avoid as we engage in service to the King.
Since Jesus is Lord, his Lordship impacts everything we do from the minute we get up in the morning to the time when we close our eyes for sleep. Poythress helps the reader in a very practical manner grasp what the Lordship of Jesus looks like in daily life. For instance, when we are at work, we are representatives of our King. No matter what our vocation is or how much money we earn, we are to do it all to the glory of God.
In life there comes temptations and pitfalls placed in our path by the enemy to distract us. A practical book on the Lordship of Christ necessarily should have a discussion of how to deal with these issues and Poythress does not disappoint in that area. Going back to the example of serving Jesus as Lord in our vocation, I know from personal experience work can bring its share of despair and the temptation to do work hastily and haphazard is tremendous. Poythress provides some helpful and practical ways to avoid such traps.
I love how Poythress concludes this book. He wraps up all of the excellent biblically rooted wisdom he has shared thus far with the reminder and declaration that “Christ is our glorious Savior and Lord, who is worthy all our allegiance.” Notice the use of the word all in that statement. He is not just Lord during a worship service. He is not just Lord when it is convenient. He is Lord at all times and this in turn must have a defined impact on our lives. The walk of the believer is not an easy road. The straight and narrow path is that way for a reason. We serve a Savior who is worthy of all praise and furthermore in recognition of Jesus as Lord, we must each and every day serve him with all we have.
The Lordship of Christ by Very Poythress is a must read primer on what this means in our lives. I highly recommend it for the new believer trying to understand what this Jesus being Lord thing is about and I firmly believe even the most seasoned believer will receive a needed reminder of what faithfulness to Jesus as Lord means in their life. I know I often need a gentle and even a firm reminder of that truth. If you are like me and I venture to say you are, give this book a read.
I received this book for free from Crossway Books and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I am a big fan of Vern Poythress so let me get that out in the open at the outset of this review. What I appreciate most about his writings revolves around the depth by which he engages topics. Admittedly there have been times when his perspicuity on a subject leaves my head spinning just a bit, especially when it comes to matters of math and science. With that said, this book is supremely practical and I found myself yelling a silent (and sometimes verbal) yes as I read it. Let me explain why.
Poythress divides this book into four parts, each engaging an important element of how we are to understand and apply what this whole Lordship of Christ thing is all about. When we discuss Jesus, especially his Lordship over our lives, it is quite tempting to race straight to the cross or the writings of Paul. While there is nothing wrong with such an approach, I think Poythress rightly starts his discussion in a more proper location, namely identifying why Jesus is Lord, what he came to do, and how that is the foundation of the entire biblical drama.
God created everything, the sin of Adam messed everything up, thus the need for a Redeemer to fix this mess. We certainly know that bit of theology, but we perhaps forget how it factors into Jesus being Lord. As Poythress so aptly notes, “We are obliged to accept the authority of Christ because he is God and is Lord of all.” Furthermore, “If Christ is our Master and we are his servants, we must obey him.” This Lordship/obedience combination is an absolute must to grasp and Poythress does an excellent job of using this as the all-important springboard for the rest of his discussion.
Since Jesus is Lord and as his people/servants/bride/children of God, we are to be an obedient people to the commands outlined in Scripture that speak of how we are to love God and others. Poythress unpacks a number of helpful resources, both current and historical for understanding how to serve Jesus, ways in which we can serve, and traps we must avoid as we engage in service to the King.
Since Jesus is Lord, his Lordship impacts everything we do from the minute we get up in the morning to the time when we close our eyes for sleep. Poythress helps the reader in a very practical manner grasp what the Lordship of Jesus looks like in daily life. For instance, when we are at work, we are representatives of our King. No matter what our vocation is or how much money we earn, we are to do it all to the glory of God.
In life there comes temptations and pitfalls placed in our path by the enemy to distract us. A practical book on the Lordship of Christ necessarily should have a discussion of how to deal with these issues and Poythress does not disappoint in that area. Going back to the example of serving Jesus as Lord in our vocation, I know from personal experience work can bring its share of despair and the temptation to do work hastily and haphazard is tremendous. Poythress provides some helpful and practical ways to avoid such traps.
I love how Poythress concludes this book. He wraps up all of the excellent biblically rooted wisdom he has shared thus far with the reminder and declaration that “Christ is our glorious Savior and Lord, who is worthy all our allegiance.” Notice the use of the word all in that statement. He is not just Lord during a worship service. He is not just Lord when it is convenient. He is Lord at all times and this in turn must have a defined impact on our lives. The walk of the believer is not an easy road. The straight and narrow path is that way for a reason. We serve a Savior who is worthy of all praise and furthermore in recognition of Jesus as Lord, we must each and every day serve him with all we have.
The Lordship of Christ by Very Poythress is a must read primer on what this means in our lives. I highly recommend it for the new believer trying to understand what this Jesus being Lord thing is about and I firmly believe even the most seasoned believer will receive a needed reminder of what faithfulness to Jesus as Lord means in their life. I know I often need a gentle and even a firm reminder of that truth. If you are like me and I venture to say you are, give this book a read.
I received this book for free from Crossway Books and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
November 22, 2016
Poythress writes a much needed book on the lordship of Christ - it is sweeping in its coverage, as any book on the lordship of Christ should be. The subtitle is brilliant - one that sums up everything I love about this doctrine.
So why only 2 stars? (2 stars = It was ok.) This could have been a much deeper and richer book - indeed I was hoping it would be, so maybe the fault lies with me. It is more of a primer than an in depth theological look at the Lordship of Christ, skimming the surface, rather than mining for gold. A number of criticisms come to mind:
1. The book doesn't comment much on the distinction between Christ's universal lordship which he holds as God, and Christ's mediatorial lordship which he holds as Redeemer. There is much comfort and richness in the truth that the Father has given all authority to the Son, and made him head over all things for the church, so that the whole of human history is governed by the Son for the benefit of the church.
2. Tied in to the above criticism - in its section on resources, the book lacks any interaction with William Symington's Messiah the Prince or Samuel Rutherford's Lex Rex or any mention of the Covenanters who did so much to content for the Lordship of Christ. It is as if the concept was discovered by Abraham Kuyper. The new abridged and modernised edition of Messiah the Prince by J.K. Wall would be a better introductory read, before reading Poythress. By all means read Poythress, but read Messiah the Prince first.
3. It omits any teaching on what sort of Lord Christ is - what it is like to be under his lordship (existentially). It is almost all 'law' and no grace. Or more aimed at the intellect and the will, rather than dealing also with the heart. We have a Lord who delights in the obedience of his people, who is a loving and lovely Lord who delights to rule all things well for his people. This provides the motivation for living under his lordship.
4. It appears to favour a Two-kingdoms approach to the church in the world. I think this is flawed and undermines Christ's lordship. The appendix deals (and doesn't deal) with Two-kingdom theology, without given any substantial mention of weaknesses.
So why only 2 stars? (2 stars = It was ok.) This could have been a much deeper and richer book - indeed I was hoping it would be, so maybe the fault lies with me. It is more of a primer than an in depth theological look at the Lordship of Christ, skimming the surface, rather than mining for gold. A number of criticisms come to mind:
1. The book doesn't comment much on the distinction between Christ's universal lordship which he holds as God, and Christ's mediatorial lordship which he holds as Redeemer. There is much comfort and richness in the truth that the Father has given all authority to the Son, and made him head over all things for the church, so that the whole of human history is governed by the Son for the benefit of the church.
2. Tied in to the above criticism - in its section on resources, the book lacks any interaction with William Symington's Messiah the Prince or Samuel Rutherford's Lex Rex or any mention of the Covenanters who did so much to content for the Lordship of Christ. It is as if the concept was discovered by Abraham Kuyper. The new abridged and modernised edition of Messiah the Prince by J.K. Wall would be a better introductory read, before reading Poythress. By all means read Poythress, but read Messiah the Prince first.
3. It omits any teaching on what sort of Lord Christ is - what it is like to be under his lordship (existentially). It is almost all 'law' and no grace. Or more aimed at the intellect and the will, rather than dealing also with the heart. We have a Lord who delights in the obedience of his people, who is a loving and lovely Lord who delights to rule all things well for his people. This provides the motivation for living under his lordship.
4. It appears to favour a Two-kingdoms approach to the church in the world. I think this is flawed and undermines Christ's lordship. The appendix deals (and doesn't deal) with Two-kingdom theology, without given any substantial mention of weaknesses.
August 7, 2016
The Lordship of Christ: "Serving our Savior all of the time, in all of life, with all of our heart"
Autor: Vern S. Poythress
Published by Crossway
224 pages
ISBN-10: 1433549530
ISBN-13: 978-1433549533
Vern S. Poythress, has been teaching in New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia since 1976. In 1981 he was ordained as a teaching elder in the Reformed Presbyterian Church Evangelical Synod, which has now merged with the Presbyterian Church in America.
Some of his published books are: Chance and the Sovereignty of God, God-Centered Biblical Interpretation, The Miracles of Jesus: How the Savior's Mighty Acts Serve as Signs of Redemption.
In this book titled "The Lordship of Christ," Dr. Poythress deepens us two important issues for the Christian life: service to Christ and the lordship of Christ.
The book consists of four parts:
1. The Call to Serve Christ: An exposition of the lordship of Christ and of our duty to serve.
2. Resources for serving Christ: Biblical principles to serve Christ. It is presented the example of Abraham Kuyper.
3. Areas of Service
4. Traps to Avoid in our service: How to overcome some obstacles in our service to Christ.
The argument of this book revolves around a Kuyper thought: 'There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over Which Christ, Who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: Mine"
The author challenges us to serve the Lord not only in our local congregations, but also in our daily lives and any area.
Personally, it is a book that has challenged me to see that everything belongs to our Lord and therefore can serve in love and reverence.
Autor: Vern S. Poythress
Published by Crossway
224 pages
ISBN-10: 1433549530
ISBN-13: 978-1433549533
Vern S. Poythress, has been teaching in New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia since 1976. In 1981 he was ordained as a teaching elder in the Reformed Presbyterian Church Evangelical Synod, which has now merged with the Presbyterian Church in America.
Some of his published books are: Chance and the Sovereignty of God, God-Centered Biblical Interpretation, The Miracles of Jesus: How the Savior's Mighty Acts Serve as Signs of Redemption.
In this book titled "The Lordship of Christ," Dr. Poythress deepens us two important issues for the Christian life: service to Christ and the lordship of Christ.
The book consists of four parts:
1. The Call to Serve Christ: An exposition of the lordship of Christ and of our duty to serve.
2. Resources for serving Christ: Biblical principles to serve Christ. It is presented the example of Abraham Kuyper.
3. Areas of Service
4. Traps to Avoid in our service: How to overcome some obstacles in our service to Christ.
The argument of this book revolves around a Kuyper thought: 'There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over Which Christ, Who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: Mine"
The author challenges us to serve the Lord not only in our local congregations, but also in our daily lives and any area.
Personally, it is a book that has challenged me to see that everything belongs to our Lord and therefore can serve in love and reverence.
August 2, 2017
This title sounds like it should be a great one--Poythress on the Lordship of Christ? Sign me up! Unfortunately the book is light on content, and approximately a third of the book (I read a Kindle edition) is devoted to an appendix, Scripture references, index, etc.
What is left is 20 very short chapters that cover a wide range of territory. Don't get me wrong, the content is good, it is just far too brief, and essentially a primer on the topic. Having read several of Poythress's other more topical works, like Reedeming Science and In the Beginning Was the Word, this one simply pales in comparison.
For those not yet familiar with Poythress, or the topic, this may be a fine place to start, but if you've read his other works, you will likely be let down with this one.
What is left is 20 very short chapters that cover a wide range of territory. Don't get me wrong, the content is good, it is just far too brief, and essentially a primer on the topic. Having read several of Poythress's other more topical works, like Reedeming Science and In the Beginning Was the Word, this one simply pales in comparison.
For those not yet familiar with Poythress, or the topic, this may be a fine place to start, but if you've read his other works, you will likely be let down with this one.
January 2, 2022
É um ótimo livro introdutório sobre o tema do senhorio de Cristo, Suas bases bíblicas e teológicas. Também um bom livro-resumo sobre as principais linhas dentro do pensamento reformado, especialmente de Abraham Kuyper. Abrange uma quantidade extraordinária de conteúdo, por ser um livro breve. Porém, como é de se esperar, acaba não aprofundando as discussões e é, por vezes, repetitivo. A melhor parte é com certeza o apêndice, onde o autor trata da teologia dos dois reinos e suas implicações.
November 20, 2016
Excellent work on the implications of Christ lordship over all of life, drawing heavily from Kuyper's thought.
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