Customer Reviews

Tabletalk

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This magazine is a great. It is in a small format so that it is easy to carry and read. It comes out monthly about mid-month, so that you have time before the devotionals start for the next month.

The theology is Reformed and fits in with our Christian Reformed Church (CRC) theology. I do not recall anything that I have objected to, hardly anything that even raised an eyebrow. That is not to say that it is sugar-coated! On the contrary, it challenges us to live godly lives.

Typically, there are several articles ranging from about one to three pages. Those are written well. So are the daily devotions which are a full-page for each weekday and a page or two for the weekends. The devotional topics vary over time, sometimes being parts of Bible books, other times being topical.

I really like this magazine and plan to keep subscribing.

Tabletalk is a truly excellent little publication that is produced by Ligonier Ministries (which was founded by pastor and theologian Dr. R.C. Sproul). Each edition is built upon a collection of essays and articles dealing with a particular subject matter (The Prophetic Books of the Old Testament; C.S. Lewis; The Kingdom of God; etc). The articles are written by many of today's best teachers, pastors and theologians, yet they are written for average people like you and me. Each edition also comes with a month's worth of devotionals that are suitable for personal or family worship.

Tabletalk is always interesting and always practical. Subscribe to it and I can pretty well guarantee that you'll start to look forward to its arrival each month.

The story is told of the Christian Reformer Martin Luther that he habitually gathered his large family and a collection of personal disciples together around his table for nourishing food and pious conversation. So was born the tradition of 'table talk', a form of Christian teaching that is anchored to the daily rhythms of family and community life.

Ligonier Ministries, an outgrowth of the ministry of theologian and teacher R.C. Sproul, takes the concept to a new dimension with its monthly publication 'Tabletalk'. It's a pity that the Amazon page contains no visual image of Tabletalk, for the people at Ligonier have managed to produce - month after month - an image-rich publication that is pleasing to the eye as well as potentially nourshing for the soul.

I have used Tabletalk for years, principally as a guide that facilitates the personal discipline of daily Bible Reading. I've observed and appreciated the steady rise in quality, both of the publication itself and of the delivery system that used to bring the product to my door after its sell-by date but now routinely arrives a month in advance.

Compared with other 'devotional guides', Tabletalk prioritizes Bible reading itself. Each weekday presents a biblical text according to a thematic scheme, followed by four or five paragraphs of comment. In addition, Tabletalk's 'read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year' methodology invites the reader to two readings, one from the Old Testament and another from the New.

A small section called 'Coram Deo' ('before the face of God') facilitates reflection and prayer on matters that arise in the biblical text(s).

A separate section presents theological reflection by academics, teachers, and pastors identified with the Reformed movement, which self-consciously reverences its roots in Geneva and the teachings of the Reformer John Calvin. Within their genre and theological context, these reflections are of a generally high calibre, though some readers will find their sustained fascination with the doctrines of election and particular or limited atonement obsessive.

In spite of some personal reservations about the narrow version of the Reformed tradition that is practiced and presented by Ligonier and Tabletalk, I have stuck with this fine devotional guide year after year, principally for the way it guides and facilitates systematic Bible reading.

You're unlikely to go wrong if you do the same.

The devotional is great, but I really get a great deal out of the extended articles. They are in keeping with the monthly theme, but carry with them a depth that support and expand upon the single page devotionals. I live overseas where English magazines are non-existent so I think of this one as being like water on a dry tongue.

As a pastor I have found Tabletalk to be a tremendous resource. Whether for the new Christian who is just beginning to get a handle on theology or for the 'experienced' Christian who is looking for theological meat and thought provoking articles, Tabletalk is up to the task.

Between the topical articles and the exegetical Bible Studies there is more than enough to encourage a deeper walk with the Lord in a nicely sized booklet that fits in your Bible.

Tabletalk also provides information on additional resources through Ligonier Ministries, a sound Reformed ministry of R. C. Sproul. You will find the staff at Ligonier professional, courteous and informative.

I highly recommend this resource!!

If you are looking for a great devotional/study tool to use for your homeschool this is a great choice. You can use it as your Bible lesson or for the older children they can use it as their daily devotional. It has great articles and daily Bible lessons with an easy format. I have been a subscriber for years and have used it in family devotions, homeschooling and personal study. It is also a great gift idea for encouraging others in their spiritual growth.

My wife was being given these by a friend for over a year and got to like them so much, she wanted them for her own. Now she has her favorite devotional for herself.