There are many things we can learn from those who have gone before us. My personal temptation is to think that those from earlier times are not as smart because we've advanced in technology and even some forms of learning. However, that is simply erroneous thinking. Many who've gone before us are more intelligent and are actually the pioneers of the learning we have today.

Richard Sibbes was a Puritan pastor that seemed to toe the line well during a time that was full of controversy. Both sides wanted to claim him and he was often said to hold positions that weren't true of him. Mark Dever seeks to clear the air through an in depth exploration of Sibbes history and theology.

The most helpful part the reader will find in this book is clarification of who Sibbes is and the "why" behind his writing and preaching. Having read this book, I feel as though if I were to read works by Sibbes, I'd have greater understanding of where Sibbes is coming from. Dever put in a lot of work to really clarify Sibbes history and theology. Having context always helps the reader gain greater clarity.

My greatest critique of the book would be Dever's passive writing. He simply writes to inform, which some readers may like. I personally would have enjoyed Dever's take on some of Sibbe's theology. I would have loved to have known Dever's opinions on Sibbes and wished he would've inserted himself a bit more into the book. This is a minor critique and I may be alone in these wishes.

The Affectionate Theology of Richard Sibbes is a great biography for anyone interested in the Puritans. Mark Dever has made a great contribution in writing this particular work as Sibbes was a Puritan surrounded by controversy and mystery. Dever does all of us a favor by shining light where there was darkness helping us all understand this great Puritan pastor better.

Sibbes is unreal. I have his huge volume set from Banner of Truth and it is like wading through quick sand because on every page, you have to stop and reflect on what he is saying and realize, it is very deep and meaningful. So to have this short essay on Sibbes was a great read. I practice in my preaching the importance of context, because if you don't understand the context, you can't fully understand the verse. This book was like reading the context so that when I do read Sibbes, i will better understand the verse. I like that. Thanks for this research and this series, it is so wonderful.

Any introduction to the Puritans is good. While many would suggest that you should just "read Sibbes himself," it can help to have a work like this as a companion-piece, especially if original editions of Sibbes' own writings aren't ready available and don't feature a look at his life, writings, and context as an introduction.

The long line of Godly men series is a series of books which I have greatly enjoyed reading and picking up this volume on Richard Sibbes by Mark Dever I was somewhat disappointed.

To be fair to Dever he makes clear in the introduction that this book was largely his Phd thesis, edited slightly and put out for publication under a different title. For me it read too much like a Phd thesis, the extensive footnoting was annoying (but understandable given the background), the terms used were technical without much explanation (again understandable). For me the book would have needed a bit more editing or re writing before being published as an accessible introduction to Sibbes.

In saying that it was a short book which could be read in a few hours, I learned a lot more about Sibbes than I knew at the start and would buy and give it to a few of my friends in the Episcopalian church so it is not all bad.

I am grateful to netgalley.co.uk and Reformation Trust for a copy of this book to review.

The Long Line of Godly Men Profiles is a series published by Reformation Trust that has been educating and inspiring Christians for over ten years. Steven Lawson serves as the series editor and oversees this important project. This excellent series introduces readers to pastors and theologians from different generations - men like Calvin, Edwards, Luther, Tyndale, and Spurgeon. Each book stands alone and each one offers a treasure chest of biblical resources - historical, biblical, theological, and pastoral. The latest offering is no exception as Dr. Mark Dever introduces the life, ministry, and theology of Richard Sibbes.

The Affectionate Theology of Richard Sibbes is a short biographical sketch of the influential pastor. In Dever’s words, Sibbes was “the quintessential Puritan.” The aim of the author is to present Sibbes in a clear light and provide historical and theological clues along the way that will portray him in a proper light. In a final sense, Dever’s goal in this work is to “recover Sibbes as a historical and theological whole.”

Dever traces the ministerial career of Richard Sibbes and alerts readers to some of the high points of his ministry and makes reference to some of the controversies that emerge, along the way. One of the dominant themes is the tension which existed in the 17th-century Elizabethan era between the conformists and the non-conformists.

Three specific pastoral matters that occupied the attention of Sibbes was the centrality of the heart, assurance of salvation, and the role of the conscience. Dever introduces each subject and highlights the various points, which were emphasized by Sibbes.

The Affectionate Theology of Richard Sibbes has a more academic feel than most of the other books in the Long Line of Godly Men Series. Students interested in the Puritan era and 17th century England will find Dever’s observations interesting and illuminating. Dever’s fine work should be welcomed and applauded.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.

I would like to learn more about Richard Sibbes, however this book was difficult to follow. It seemed to be written for scholars, not the everyday person.
I received this book free from the publisher for the purpose of review.

The Affectionate Theology of Richard Sibbes by Mark Dever, is latest book in the Long Line of Godly Men Profile series.that introduces and profiles significant Christian men in history. I know Richard Sibbes only through his book, A Bruised Reed. I am guilty of putting all the men of this era in the same general category of “Puritans” and “Nonconformist”. Dever’s book has corrected me in that assumption and helped me to understand Sibbes and his life and the context which he ministered. Dever explains through a few second hand sources Richard Sibbes is wrongly identified with the Nonconformist and was more of a moderate, hoping for long slow reform of the Church of England.

Since Richard Sibbes was a moderate man, who was a Consenter, yet leaned towards sympathies with Nonconformist, he is claimed by both sides. If you don’t know what these terms mean, you will before you get very far into this book. Dever's goal was to "...recover Sibbes as a historical and theological whole” and to view Sibbes in his historical context for the moderate man he was. Rather than engaging in the controversies of the day, Sibbes had a heart toward the people in his congregation and sought to help those under his preaching.

I can’t say that the book has moved me to appreciate Richard Sibbes more, but it does give me a better understanding of who he is and how to go about reading his works in the future. In the light of many of his contemporaries who suffered for their convictions, I can’t say a moderate man who avoided controversial topics and toned down doctrines he professed is awe-inspiring, but these books are much better when we know the truth about a man instead of making him a sort of superhero. For this, I am thankful for the honest look at Richard Sibbes.

Thanks to Netgalley.com for the review copy.

The Affectionate Theology of Richard Sibbes
by Mark Dever

Reformation Trust Publishing

Ligonier Ministries
Christian , Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 01 Mar 2018


I am reviewing a copy of The Affectionate Theology of Richard Sibbe's through Reformation Trust Publishing/ Ligonier Ministries and Netgalley :

Richard Sibbes lived in a time of both political turmoil and religious upheaval but despite that he continually applied the reformation theology to his hearers lives.


Richard Sibbes emphasized the security of God's Covenant, the call for assurance of Salvation, and where ones heart should be in the Christian Life.

The Affectionate Theology of Richard Sibbes brings light to this fascinating figure of the Reformation!


I give The Affectionate Theology of Richard Sibbes five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!