The AmbitiousBookClub - A Book Club a Cut Above!
AMBITIOUS is a monthly discipleship book club of strong Christian women who have a heart for their King, a heart for their family, a heart for the Church, a heart for Truth, and a heart for the culture at large.
Because ... You don't know what you don't know.
Because ... You can't give what you don't have.
Because ... What shapes your thinking, shapes your living.
Because ... We are charged to contend for truth.
Because ... So much is riding on it!
BECAUSE WE HAVE SO GREAT A SALVATION!
"If a man wants to read good books, he must make a point of avoiding bad ones;
for life is short, and time and energy limited."
~ Arthur Schopenhauer ~
as quoted in Serious Times by James Emery White
You see, we are convinced by testimony of Scripture and by HIStory that moms are a powerful force in the world. Christian moms should be one of the most powerful forces for advancing Christ's crown and covenant on earth here and now - for the joy and good of everyone. We need to reclaim the full role of the Proverbs 31 woman (1-9). Have you met this gal? She's no pushover, and neither should we be!
"The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
'What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb?
What are you doing, son of my vows?
Do not give your strength to women,
your ways to those who destroy kings.
It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine,
or for rulers to take strong drink,
lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,
and wine to those in bitter distress;
let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy.'"
Now, that's a mom with moxy!
Quotable Quote -
“Get books into your houses, when you have not the spring near you, then get water into your cisterns; so when you have not that wholesome preaching that you desire, good books are cisterns that hold the water of life in them to refresh you.... So when you find a chillness upon your souls, and that your former heat begins to abate, ply yourselves with warm clothes, get those good books that may acquaint you with such truths as may warm and affect your hearts.”
- Thomas Watson -
(1662)
- Thomas Watson -
(1662)
We want to think Christianly, to be articulate and persuasive, to
be passionate and dangerous amidst doctrines of demons that hold so many captive
in our biblically ignorant, a-literate, mushy-thinking day.
We heartily desire to be contenders of the faith!
be passionate and dangerous amidst doctrines of demons that hold so many captive
in our biblically ignorant, a-literate, mushy-thinking day.
We heartily desire to be contenders of the faith!
Here is Our 2021-2022 Reading Schedule!
SUMMER READING/SEPTEMBERTalk - Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne Grudem,
*1st Edition or 2nd Edition
We are doing things a bit different for the 2021-2022 book club, but it is just as ambitious! Whereas we have historically read titles in categories such as -
Theology Proper/Christology
Biblical Worldview
Cultural Apologetics
Suffering
Discipleship
Education
'Woman'
'Old Dead Guy'
Church HIStory/Biography
This year, we will be reading this one book - Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology. I have advocated that every Christian household have a copy of this book in their home library ever since I came upon it. Here's why: This systematic theology is irenic in nature. Oxford Languages defines Irenic (n) as
What sets this systematic theology apart from other systematic theologies is that Wayne presents the orthodox (as opposed to heretical) "seven broad theological traditions". Specifically -
He also includes Roman Catholic doctrine in this systematic theology, not because he affirms Roman Catholicism on par with the seven theological traditions above, but because we will do well to have a basic understanding of this influential segment of global population, as OS Guinness has so eloquently said,
"Differences make a difference, and contrast is the mother to clarity."
You are welcome to read either edition. There are differences, however. The 2nd edition is a bit longer, and Grudem has changed his position on several doctrines. Please watch this to learn about the differences.
Our Summer and Monthly Reading Schedule is as follows -
We will gather on the 2nd Tuesday each month at the Grier home from 7:00PM-9;00PM. It needs to be a priority to read the material and to attend our monthly gatherings. The AmbitiousBookClub exists for multiple purposes; to nourish our minds so we can be informed and articulate blessings to the church and to the world, but also to kindle and nurture relationships with other thinking Christian women in this battle we call the Christian life. Repeated absence hinders relationship building and throws off the dynamics of the group.
You will note that we are spending two months reading Part 5: The Doctrine of the Application of Redemption, otherwise known as the doctrine of Soteriology. This extra time is a good thing because of the critical importance of this doctrine, and the heat it often generates among those who fail to understand the concept of 'closed-fisted' and 'open-handed' doctrines; but it is alsoa good thing because we historically skip February book club because of our Winter Retreat. We will learn more about our Winter Retreat in September, but do pencil it in your calendar to keep it available on your schedule.
Winter Retreat Friday, February 11 - Sunday, February 13. **Space is limited to 10.
**The Winter Retreat is available to women participating in the DEEP End Monday night Bible study and the AmbitiousBookClub, so it will fill up fast.
*1st Edition or 2nd Edition
We are doing things a bit different for the 2021-2022 book club, but it is just as ambitious! Whereas we have historically read titles in categories such as -
Theology Proper/Christology
Biblical Worldview
Cultural Apologetics
Suffering
Discipleship
Education
'Woman'
'Old Dead Guy'
Church HIStory/Biography
This year, we will be reading this one book - Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology. I have advocated that every Christian household have a copy of this book in their home library ever since I came upon it. Here's why: This systematic theology is irenic in nature. Oxford Languages defines Irenic (n) as
- a part of Christian theology concerned with reconciling different denominations and sects.
What sets this systematic theology apart from other systematic theologies is that Wayne presents the orthodox (as opposed to heretical) "seven broad theological traditions". Specifically -
- Anglican/Episcopalian
- Wesleyan/Methodist/Arminian
- Baptist
- Dispensational
- Lutheran
- Reformed/Presbyterian
- Renewal/Charismatic/Pentecostal
He also includes Roman Catholic doctrine in this systematic theology, not because he affirms Roman Catholicism on par with the seven theological traditions above, but because we will do well to have a basic understanding of this influential segment of global population, as OS Guinness has so eloquently said,
"Differences make a difference, and contrast is the mother to clarity."
You are welcome to read either edition. There are differences, however. The 2nd edition is a bit longer, and Grudem has changed his position on several doctrines. Please watch this to learn about the differences.
Our Summer and Monthly Reading Schedule is as follows -
- Summer/September BookTalk - Preface(s), Introduction, and Part 1: The Doctrine of the Word of God
- September Read/October BookTalk - Part 2: The Doctrine of God, 9-14
- October Read/November BookTalk - Part 2: The Doctrine of God, 15-20
- November Read/December BookTalk - Part 3: The Doctrine of Man in the Image of God
- December Read/January BookTalk - Part 4: The Doctrines of Christ and the Holy Spirit
- January & *February Read/March BookTalk - Part 5: The Doctrine of the Application of Redemption
- March Read/April BookTalk - Part 6: The Doctrine of the Church
- April Read/May BookTalk - Part 7: The Doctrine of the Future
We will gather on the 2nd Tuesday each month at the Grier home from 7:00PM-9;00PM. It needs to be a priority to read the material and to attend our monthly gatherings. The AmbitiousBookClub exists for multiple purposes; to nourish our minds so we can be informed and articulate blessings to the church and to the world, but also to kindle and nurture relationships with other thinking Christian women in this battle we call the Christian life. Repeated absence hinders relationship building and throws off the dynamics of the group.
You will note that we are spending two months reading Part 5: The Doctrine of the Application of Redemption, otherwise known as the doctrine of Soteriology. This extra time is a good thing because of the critical importance of this doctrine, and the heat it often generates among those who fail to understand the concept of 'closed-fisted' and 'open-handed' doctrines; but it is alsoa good thing because we historically skip February book club because of our Winter Retreat. We will learn more about our Winter Retreat in September, but do pencil it in your calendar to keep it available on your schedule.
Winter Retreat Friday, February 11 - Sunday, February 13. **Space is limited to 10.
**The Winter Retreat is available to women participating in the DEEP End Monday night Bible study and the AmbitiousBookClub, so it will fill up fast.
SEPTEMBER READING/OCTOBERTalk - Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne Grudem, Part 2: The Doctrine of God, Sections 9-14
*1st Edition or 2nd Edition
OCTOBER READING/NOVEMBERTalk - Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne Grudem, Part 2: The Doctrine of God, Sections 15-20
*1st Edition or 2nd Edition
*1st Edition or 2nd Edition
NOVEMBER READ/DECEMBERTalk - Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne Grudem, Part 3: The Doctrine of Man in the Image of God
1st Edition or 2nd Edition
1st Edition or 2nd Edition
DECEMBER READ/JANUARYTalk - Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne Grudem, Part 4: The Doctrines of Christ and the Holy Spirit
1st Edition or 2nd Edition
1st Edition or 2nd Edition
JANUARY READ/*FEBRUARYTalk - Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne Grudem, Part 5: The Doctrine of the Application of Redemption
NOTE: Because our Kingdom-MindedMom's Winter Retreat is Friday, February 11 - Sunday, February 13th, we will not be meeting to discuss our reading until March. This works out perfectly because we can spend 2 careful months reading about the differences in soteriology among Christian beliefs! It's like God planned it this way!
NOTE: Because our Kingdom-MindedMom's Winter Retreat is Friday, February 11 - Sunday, February 13th, we will not be meeting to discuss our reading until March. This works out perfectly because we can spend 2 careful months reading about the differences in soteriology among Christian beliefs! It's like God planned it this way!
FEBRUARY READ/MARCHTalk - Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne Grudem, Part 5: The Doctrine of the Application of Redemption
1st Edition or 2nd Edition
1st Edition or 2nd Edition
MARCH READING/APRILTalk - Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne Grudem, Part 6: The Doctrine of the Church
1st Edition or 2nd Edition
1st Edition or 2nd Edition
APRIL READ/MAYTalk- Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne Grudem, Part 7: The Doctrine of the Future
1st Edition or 2nd Edition
1st Edition or 2nd Edition