You may have noticed some new books on the shelves of the welcome desk in the foyer. These are resources we would like to highlight to the congregation for a period of time. 

The theme for these resources is Heaven Help Our Worship: Worship and the Christian Life. They have been selected to fall into five categories. Categories and titles include:  

Theology: The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer.  

Sanctification: Look and Live by Matt Papa.  

Christian Biography: The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts by Douglas Bond.  

Church History/Cultural Evaluation: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken.  

The Church: Church Planting: Thinking Through Each Step by 9Marks’ Church Matters Journal.  

The purpose of highlighting these resources is simply to put biblically solid, Christ-exalting, affection-fueling resources in the hands of the members at Summit Woods for their personal growth in the Lord, to equip them to do the work of ministry, and for use in discipleship relationships.   

Perhaps you’ve been looking for a new book for yourself to read in your devotional time, or perhaps you’ve been wanting to get together with a brother or sister in the Lord and desire to encourage them in their walk with the Lord – these resources are there to be readily available for you in addition to the books provided in the resource room.   

Today's highlight is The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts by Douglas Bond. 

This book is part of The Long Line of Godly Men Profiles, which “are designed to introduce readers to significant Christian figures and to show how they used their particular spiritual gifts, personality traits, or ministry abilities in serving God.” Similar to John Piper’s The Swans are Not Silent series, these books are short, devotional biographies that are a great way to introduce readers to the lives and ministries of faithful saints.

From the slipcover: 

Isaac Watts (1674-1748) is known to history as "the Father of English Hymnody." In his lifetime, he wrote some 750 hymns, including "Joy to the World" and "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross." Today, however, Watts' work is increasingly forgotten as evangelical churches embrace new songs, neglecting many great hymns.

In The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts, Douglas Bond argues that the grandeur, beauty, and joy of Watts' lyrics, with their rich biblical and theological content, can help the church regain a sense of wonder at the majesty of God, leading to a reform of worship. 

Bond demonstrates how Watts used his poetic gifts in multiple ways for the good of the church in his day. By taking Watts' words as their own, Bond writes, Christians can share in his wonder at Christ and the glories of the world to come, and learn how to better praise God. 

Excerpts from the forward and preface: 

In a day where there is much shallowness in corporate worship, the church must recapture a high view of God that leads to transcendent worship. In the final analysis, it is theology that inevitably produces doxology. The recent resurgence of Reformed theology must inspire towering praise in the hearts of believers. 

Poetry, for Watts, was a means to a higher end, perhaps a requirement of all great poetry. Hence, he was unapologetically a biblical and theological poet who has given to all Christians a rich legacy of sung worship, full of imagination, skill, deep theological perception, vivid sensory insight, cheerfulness in the midst of suffering and disadvantages, and a contagious sense of wonder at the majesty of God. Ours is a world that desperately needs Watts’ poetry… All people will find a wealth of enrichment and encouragement by learning more of the poetic wonder of Isaac Watts.