Why Christ Came: 31 Meditations on the Incarnation
When thinking about Christ’s birth, we often focus our attention on Luke’s detailed gospel account. But to appreciate the main point of the story—that the eternal Son of God assumed our flesh-and-blood human nature—we need to learn from the rest of the Bible why Christ came to earth. Why did Christ come? In this book, thirty-one thoughtful meditations answer this vital question, and the answers encourage us to celebrate Christ’s birth more deeply, see more clearly how it is connected with the rest of His ministry, and recognize its importance for our lives.
“Can anything new be said about Christ’s incarnation? Actually, a lot of old things that we may have forgotten! Like a multifaceted diamond, the question ‘Why did the eternal Son become man?’ admits a variety of answers. Probing some of those with wisdom bathed in the Scriptures is what makes this devotional guide so rich. It will be part of our family’s Advent devotions and, I hope, a source of blessing for many others.” — Michael Horton, professor of theology at Westminster Seminary California and cohost of the White Horse Inn
The Glory of Grace: The Story of the Canons of Dort
An important confession of the reformed churches for hundreds of years, the Canons of Dort teach clearly that salvation is by grace alone through Christ alone. yet some people may find it an intimidating document and wonder why it was even written. In The Glory of Grace, William Boekestein and Evan Hughes help our children understand the difficult challenges the churches in the Hetherlands faced in the Arminians’ distortion of the gospel message. in this story about the Synod of Dort (1618), children will learn about the history and ideas that formed the Canons of Dort and come to a greater appreciation of this great treasure of the reformed faith and its emphasis on the glory of god in graciously saving sinners.
“Believers who cherish the biblical teaching of salvation by grace alone through the work of Christ alone will be pleased with the publication of this book. William Boekestein has done a fine service for children and their parents (and, I might add, grandparents) who want their children to know the story of the preservation of this teaching by the great Synod of Dort in the early seventeenth century. May this book serve to ‘tell the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done’ (Ps. 78:4).” — Cornelis P. Venema, President of Mid-America Reformed Seminary
It’s rare for children—or even adults—in our day to have roots holding them to their Christian heritage. The Glory of Grace: the Story of the Synod of Dort attempts to help remedy this situation. Parents who teach the doctrines of grace can use this book to acquaint their children with an important time in the church’s history, a time when faithfulness to these doctrines was at stake. — Starr Meade, Author of Training Hearts, Teaching Minds: Family Devotions Based on the Shorter Catechism and several other books
The Quest for Comfort: The Story of the Heidelberg Catechism
The Heidelberg Catechism has been taught to children for hundreds of years, encouraging them to seek Christ as their true source of comfort. But how did this catechism get written? In The Quest for Comfort, William Boekestein and Evan Hughes combine history and art to retell the events that led to making the catechism. By sharing the stories of Caspar Olevianus, Zacharias Ursinus, and Frederick III and how they came to Heidelberg, children will gain a greater appreciation of the Christian faith as it is expressed in the Heidelberg Catechism.
“It is never too early to begin teaching our children the truth. And what better way is there than to introduce them to one of the finest summaries of that truth ever written: the Heidelberg Catechism. The nice thing about this little book (which is a short introduction to it) is that it will surely encourage our children to want to learn what this Catechism teaches.” — G.I. Williamson, (Author of The Heidelberg Catechism: A Study Guide)
Faithfulness under Fire: The Story of Guido de Bres
The life of Guido de Bres teaches us that we can find enduring hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ, even during persecution. Author William Boekestein sensitively tells the story of de Bres for children, guiding them through his turbulent life and times- from his birth in 1522 in a small Belgium town, to his call to the ministry and study under Reformers such as John Calvin and Theodore Beza, to his authorship of the Belgic Confession and a life of suffering, to his martyr’s death in 1567. Skillfully crafted illustrations and an easy-to-understand narrative combine to capture the interests-and admiration-of the entire family for this amazing Reformation hero.
“Bill Boekestein shows his pastor’s heart and desire to make the riches of our Reformed heritage known in a simple way in Faithfulness under Fire. Men like de Bres lived in a tumultuous time, and their example of total commitment is needed in today’s world of religious pluralism, tolerance, and moderation. Our children need to learn this devotion and parents need to teach it with all their heart.” — Daniel R. Hyde, Oceanside United Reformed Church, Carlsbad/Oceanside, CA
Life Lessons from a Calloused Christian: A Study of Jonah with Questions
“Life Lessons from a Calloused Christian” is a plain, practical explanation and application of the book of Jonah. It is written for those who sense (or still need to sense) that God is calling them to share his motives in doing difficult things for him. The study questions make the book a great devotional tool or group study course.
“Bill Boekestein’s little book on Jonah is everything that an introductory Bible Study guide should be: exegetically faithful, doctrinally sound, practically helpful, experientially warm, and colorfully written—all accompanied by prompting study questions. With the Spirit’s blessing, Life Lessons from a Calloused Christian will ‘de-callous’ those who use it diligently and prayerfully, and make them pliant in the hands of the sovereign God.” — Dr. Joel Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary,
Grand Rapids
Pastor’s Blog
Pastor Boekestein blogs at homiletica et cetera (on preaching and other things). His previous (but now stagnant) blog is Life Reformation. This blog will no longer be updated but you may still find some helpful things there.
A pretty good answer to the question, “Why does Pastor blog?” can be found here.
While supplies last we are offering the following resources for free (to U.S. mailing addresses only).
If you would like to receive a free resource, please send an email with your name, address and the title of the resource you would like to receive to info@covenantrc.org. Feel free to send a link to this page to others who might be interested.
Some of the titles below are linked to pages that provide a further description. Other titles are available as internet files and will be linked accordingly.
Audio/Video
The Question of Divorce: What does Jesus Say About it? (DVD) by William Boekestein
Sexual Integrity: Maintaining Honor Inside and Outside of Marriage (DVD) by William Boekestein
All Hands on Deck!: Putting Spiritual Gifts to Work in the Church (Audio CD) by William Boekestein
God: A Pattern for Motherhood (DVD) by William Boekestein
What Do Christian’s Believe?: A Practical Explanation of the Apostles’ Creed (DVD) by William Boekestein
Who is God? (DVD) by William Boekestein
Church Membership: Life in the Body God Promises to Bless (DVD) by William Boekestein
Books
Developing a Healthy Prayer Life by James W. Beeke and Joel R. Beeke
The Family at Church: Listening to Sermons and Attending Prayer Meetings by Joel Beeke
Four Weeks With God and Your Neighbor by Jay E. Adams
Getting the Message: A Plan for Interpreting and Applying the Bible: by Daniel Doriani (click here for “Getting the Message” Study Guide)
Peace Child by Don Richardson
The Providence of God (Study Guide) by R.C. Sproul and Jerry Bridges
The Shepherd Leader: Achieving Effective Shepherding in Your Church by Timothy Witmer
The Three Forms of Unity (The Heidelberg Catechism, The Belgic Confession, and the Canons of Dort) and the Ecumenical Creeds
Faithful God: An Exposition of the Book of Ruth by Sinclair Ferguson.
Pamphlets
Biblical Church Discipline by Daniel Wray
Christians Grieve Too by Donald Howard
The Church in the House: Reasons for Family Worship with Plain Directions for Conducting It by James Hamilton
Coming to Faith in Christ by John Benton
The Congregational Meeting by Martin Monsma [PDF]
The Cross: The Vindication of God by D.M. Lloyd-Jones
The Days of Creation by The Reformed Church in the United States
Divorce by John R.W. Stott
Domestic Abuse: How to Help by David Powlison, Paul David Tripp and Edward T. Welch
Do “Jehovah’s Witnesses” Follow Jehovah by S. Hadley
Good News for the Afflicted: 15 Devotionals by Herman Hoeksema
A Humble Effort to Promote Local Evangelism by Paul T. Murphy
The Invitation System by Ian Murray
The Meaning and Administration of Biblical Baptism by Robert Grossman
The Miseries of the Unconverted by Joseph Alleine
The Moon Doctrine by J. Isamu Yamamoto
The Moral Basis of Faith by Tom Wells
Open Your Mouth for the Dumb: Abortion and the Christian by Peter Barnes
Pornography: Slaying the Dragon by David Powlison
Prayers for Church and Family Life by The United Reformed Churches in North America
The Scripture Cannot be Broken by H.C. Heffren
Study Guide to Daniel Doriani’s “Getting the Message” by William Boekestein
Try the Spirits by David Elgelsma
Ultimate Questions by John Blanchard
Under Loving Command by Al and Pat Fabrizio
Victory: The Work of the Spirit by Pieter Potgieter
What does the God Say about Abortion? by Focus on the Family
What do you do when Fear overcomes you? by Jay E. Adams
What do you do when your Marriage goes sour? by Jay E. Adams
The What, Why and How of Catechism Instruction by Rev. Robert Grossmann
Which Structures Scripture-Covenants or Dispensations? by O. Palmer Roberston
Why the Reformed Church? by Robert Grossmann
Worry: Pursuing a Better Path to Peace by David Powlison