en-US Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:01:24 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg LikeOnExternalResourcePlaceholder1956249 Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:01:24 -0700 UserFollowing323511904 Wed, 12 Mar 2025 18:18:52 -0700 /user/show/160770668-paul-liberati Josiah Bates is now following Paul Liberati ]]> Review7373067977 Mon, 03 Mar 2025 16:37:29 -0800 /review/show/7373067977 Josiah gave 4 stars to A Study of Biblical Eschatology (ebook) by G.I. Williamson
bookshelves: recommended-theology
I read this amidst research on the topic of the beatific vision, glorification, and the ascension of Christ. The fifth section of the book is by far the most helpful. I do wish more time was spent in the Pauline epistles... It is still a great treatment of the subject, and covers much ground in a very concise manner. While I do not consider myself partial preterist, Williamson's considerations from that perspective remain consistently helpful. ]]> Review6384141442 Mon, 11 Nov 2024 07:29:22 -0800 /review/show/6384141442 Josiah gave 5 stars to Trees and Thorns: Studies in the First Four Chapters of Genesis (Paperback) by James B. Jordan
bookshelves: favorite-commentaries, recommended-theology
This was an insightful and in-depth look at various details of the first several chapters of Genesis. Jordan is an incredible author and relates his interpretations very clearly. ]]> ReadingNotesCollectionPlaceholder3306265 Tue, 09 Apr 2024 22:50:16 -0700 ReadingNotesCollectionPlaceholder3306263 Tue, 09 Apr 2024 22:48:17 -0700 Review6381961398 Fri, 29 Mar 2024 10:35:07 -0700 /review/show/6381961398 Josiah gave 5 stars to Providence (Hardcover) by John Piper
bookshelves: recommended-theology, favorites
I preordered a copy the moment I was able to back in 2020. I used it in my final paper my senior year of high school in 2021. I gave a copy to my best friend in 2022 and he was very appreciative. Recently I got ahold of four more copies to give to people at my church.
I was so excited to read it, and it did not disappoint whatsoever. This, in my opinion, is Piper's greatest book. He looks to scripture on each and every page and to our reformational protestant forebears as well. It is written exquisitely and pastorally. It is extremely helpful, practical, and biblical. Piper's finest, and perhaps my favorite book written in the decade. ]]> Review6384347802 Fri, 29 Mar 2024 09:53:06 -0700 /review/show/6384347802 Josiah gave 5 stars to He Shall Have Dominion: A Postmillennial Eschatology (Paperback) by Kenneth L. Gentry Jr.
bookshelves: favorites, recommended-theology
This is a book I think that all christian students should read. It is a long and hard, but very worth-it read. He critiques all the golden cows of my baptist childhood, and I did not enjoy it at first because of that. However, as I continued to read I discovered that he was absolutely correct on many points. I still disagree on some minor things, but this book solidly convinced me of many things - such as the postmillenial return of Christ, the victory of the gospel in history, and the exegetical impossibility of premillenialism (and especially dispensationalism).

The arguments are very thorough and biblically-backed. ]]> Review6384333224 Fri, 29 Mar 2024 09:41:57 -0700 /review/show/6384333224 Josiah gave 5 stars to Image and Imagination: Essays and Reviews (Canto Classics) by C.S. Lewis
bookshelves: favorites
C.S. Lewis on the issues of literature and culture is better (in my student opinion) than his fiction. I really appreciate how he thinks about writing. ]]> Review6381694583 Fri, 29 Mar 2024 08:56:57 -0700 /review/show/6381694583 Josiah gave 4 stars to Beauty: A Very Short Introduction (Paperback) by Roger Scruton
bookshelves: favorites
My review here is 4-stars because Roger Scruton's writing on beauty is clear, concise, and cogent. However, Scruton fails to tie beauty to God in a meaningful way and does not explain the grounding behind beauty. He focuses primarily on what the nature of beauty is, and somehow (essentially) avoids God for that discussion. Beauty is theological, and this book is not theological.
However, Scruton is excellent. This book is excellent. ]]>