For those who are in my church, you may have heard me quote a sentence during sermons, seminars or Sunday school lessons, and I would say, “The person who said this quote is a dead guy in the [so and so] century.”
Although the selected sentences may sound archaic – or should I say “old”? – they contain more theological richness than, I think, John Piper, John MacArthur, Mark Jones and so forth could pen down.
Dead guys such as John Bunyan, who draws out words or sentences, using allegory, to tell a beautiful story, yet deep theology, in Pilgrim’s Progress.
Dead guys such as John Calvin, who was a genius exegete.
Dead guys such as Charles Spurgeon, who was known as the prince of preacher.
These dead guys have been known as the Puritans. It also depends on how you define “puritans” because church historian found it to be one of the most difficult tasks. If you are an average Joe who may seem to know who the puritans are, your answer may be wrong because the answer is not as simple as using Wikipedia or dictionary. But…I digressed from my main point.
I found knowing dead guys have greatly reinforce my walk with Christ and my understanding of Scripture. Their works are influential and edifying to the souls. Their works have caused them to spill their own blood. Their works are worth attentive studying and reading (although I admit that reading Geerhardus Vos’ Biblical Theology has put me to sleep countless times).
I encourage you to get to know some of these dead guys. Indeed, be updated with modern issues that they may not have dealt with.
Personally, I don’t expect myself to know all of them at great length, but I have chosen to study two or three dead guys’ work.
John Owen – known as the greatest theologian in history.
Charles Spurgeon – known as the prince of preacher.
James Montgomery Boice – known as the defender of Biblical Inerrancy.
Tommy Wong 