Reformed Book Services
[Guest post by Ricky Pronk]
Canadian Reformed minister Dr. Wes Bredenhof loves to promote sound Reformed books. He writes,
As a pastor … I’m always on the lookout for faithful and helpful devotional literature. The Puritans are among my favourites. There are many contemporary authors who carry on in the line of the Puritans, authors like Jerry Bridges and R. C. Sproul. Sinclair Ferguson is also in their growing number. Theologically sound and pastorally written (Book Review in Clarion, March 25, 2011, Volume 60, No.7, p. 171).
Until recently one had to order books like these online and from American addresses. But now these books and many like them are displayed on shelves in a bookstore in southern Ontario. Reformed Book Services in Brantford not only sells Puritans but also books by classic Reformed authors such as Calvin, Luther, Bucer, and later theologians such as Edwards, Warfield, Dabney, Bavinck, Machen, Van Til, and selected contemporary Reformed authors such as Packer, Sproul, Van Dam, Visscher, Venema, Beeke, etc. Not only are these books and many others accessible in a Canadian bookstore, but they may be purchased at discounted prices.
Reformed Book Services was established by a group of likeminded men and women who have a passion to make not only Puritan literature but also contemporary authors like them more widely available to Canadians. As a not-for-profit book service, books can be offered at discounted prices. With the help of some Christian businessmen investing in inventory and equipment, the store has been open since the summer of 2009. A manager assisted by trained volunteers operates the store, conveniently located in a business square on Lynden Road, close to the 403 and near the Lynden Park Mall in Brantford, Ontario.
A wide selection of books for children and adults, all from trusted Reformed authors are available in-store, or may be ordered by phone, email or from the website, which lists over 2,000 titles. These books are from publishers such as Banner of Truth Trust, Inheritance Publications, Paideia Press, Presbyterian and Reformed Publishers, Reformation Trust, Reformation Heritage Books, Christian Focus Publications, Evangelical Press, and a number of newer publishers, not widely known.
On the shelves you will find biographies, devotionals, church history books, Bible commentaries and references, Bible studies, books for office bearers and for teaching children. There are books on parenting, marriage, the family, counselling and women’s books by well-known authors such as Paul Tripp, Wayne Mack, Brian Chappell, Elisabeth Elliott, Sharon James, Faith Cook, Christine Farenhorst, Susan Hunt, etc.
Also in stock are many Bible-based activity books for children, Bible story books, children’s devotionals, mission stories, and historical fiction, by Carine Mackenzie, Piet Prins, Anne DeVries, Susan Hunt, and others. In addition, the store carries selected translations of the Bible in various formats, Psalters, CDs, as well as gift certificates and a limited selection of greeting cards. Booklets for outreach that deal with social issues from a Christian perspective are available in quantities.
The aim of Reformed Book Services is to make available in Canada the increasing number of books that are written from a standpoint of the classic Reformed interpretation of Scripture, including those from the Puritan tradition, books valued by Rev. Bredenhof and other Reformed pastors. It has been encouraging and interesting to note that some in the broader evangelical community are also discovering Reformed Book Services. Who would have thought that there are Pentecostals who enjoy reading Matthew Henry, A.W. Pink and Lloyd-Jones? And yes, we love to sell to pastors, church librarians, schools, and of course, all walk-ins. Discover and browse.
Submitted by Mrs. Ricky (Frederika) Pronk (Reformed Book Services board member)
For more information contact: REFORMED BOOK SERVICES, 230 Lynden Rd., Unit 5A (behind Galaxy Car Wash), Brantford, ON N3R 8A3, Tel. 519.304.4709 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 519.304.4709 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; email: sales@reformedbookservices.ca; www.reformedbookservices.ca. Store hours are Monday10am-5pm, Thursday10am-9pm, Friday 10am- 5pm, Saturday 10am-3pm.
