In Case You Missed T4G

I have only listened to three of the 2012 main session T4G messages, and all three were superb!  If you can find time to listen to these, or at least one of them (while driving, or walking, or whatever), you will not be disappointed.

Here’s brief a breakdown:

Glory, Majesty, Dominion, and Authority Keep Us Safe for Everlasting Joy, by John Piper.

Piper reflects afresh on God’s ability and promise to keep His people from falling.  There’s a strong personal element to this talk, and one cannot help but be drawn in to Pastor Piper’s awe-struck reflections.

The Underestimated God, by Ligon Duncan

This is easily one of the best messages I’ve heard this year.  Oh, that all of God’s people would listen to this.  And oh, how I wish that all discouraged pastors would find their way to this profoundly honest, biblically charged, insightful and inspiring talk.

Divine Sovereignty: The Fuel of Death-Defying Missions, by David Platt

Caution: Prepare to be challenged to give your life to missions.

An Ancient “Problem-Solving” Technique

My friends speak of it.  I hear distant reports of it.  And I have seen it with my own eyes, more than once.  It seems that wherever I turn, the same problem runs rampant in the pop Evangelical church.  It is this: A segment of the leadership (and especially those who are looking to “enter the ministry”) begin criticizing another segment of the leadership, typically the pastorate.  No, not quite.  It isn’t full blown criticism, at first.  Rather, it begins as merely a “concern.”  “Holy sighs” are wed with anguished looks.  Problems in the church as discussed and dissected at great length.  Motives are scrutinized.  Past incidents are exhumed and thread together into a tapestry of intrigue.

What is Sexy? Victoria’s Secret and the Glory of God

Dr. Mark Liederbach, associate professor of Christian Ethics at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, recently gave a provocative and insightful lecture at SEBTS.  Speaking with both skill and precision, Dr. Liederbach attempted to answer the simple, but challenging question, “What is sexy?”

Prevailing Justice

I can remember sitting in the deliberation room with my fellow jurors wrestling with the evidence.  We were trying to decide whether a man should be found guilty of child molestation.  It was an emotionally taxing case.  How could it not be?  A man’s daughter had accused him of terrible wrongs.  And while I think it’s safe to say that each of us had a strong suspicion that the individual being tried was guilty, the evidence simply wasn’t decisive, not beyond a reasonable doubt, anyway.  In the end, it was basically his word against hers.  So we felt it was our duty to acquit him.  And acquit him we did. 

A Few Tasty Audio Recommendations

EFCA Theology Conference on Gender Roles

Many have weighed in on the debate between complementarianism and egalitarianism.  But to date, I cannot say that I know of a better presentation of the biblical data regarding the position known as complementarianism than that of D.A. Carson’s recent lectures on the subject at Trinity.  They are penetratingly clear, which is due largely to his ability to web scholarly insight with genuine pastoral sensibilities.  He also happens to be very fine orator, which doesn’t hurt either.

Spreading the “Joy” of Atheism

“Is there a God? No

What is the nature of reality?  What physics says it is.

What is the purpose of the universe? There is none.

What is the meaning of life?  Ditto.

Why am I here?  Just dumb luck.

Does prayer work?  Of course not.

Is there a soul?  Is it immortal.  Are you kidding?

Is there free will?  Not a chance!

What happens when we die?  Everything pretty much goes on as before, except us.

What is the difference between right and wrong, good and evil?  There is no moral difference between them.

Why should I be moral?  Because it makes you feel better than being immoral.

Is abortion, euthanasia, suicide, paying taxes, foreign aid, or anything else you don’t like forbidden, permissible, or sometimes obligatory?  Anything goes.

What is love, and how can I find it?  Love is the solution to a strategic interaction problem.  Don’t look for it; it will find you when you need it.

Does history have any meaning or purpose?  It’s full of sound and fury, but signifies nothing.

Does the human past have any lessons for our future?  Fewer and fewer, if it ever had any to begin with.”

Prophecy in the Church Today. Or Not. – Ian Hamilton vs. Wayne Grudem

It wasn’t a great debate, but it wasn’t a bad one either. Here’s why.

On the plus side, both men dealt with each other in a gracious manner (No chair throwing or headlocks), explaining their views with sufficient clarity. And given the caliber of both Dr. Hamilton and Dr. Grudem, one is surely bound to listen with interest. Neither are lightweights. In fact, Dr. Grudem may very well be the leading Calvinistic/Charismatic voice of our day. D.A. Carson, John Piper and Sam Storm would be other well known figures. Nevertheless, the debate was missing that little something; that intangible spark that causes listeners to sit on the edges of their seats.

Why was that?

Letters for Life: Galatians

(The intro to the series can be found here)

The book of Galatians challenges the fluffy, feel good Christianity of our day; the type of Christianity known only in terms of calendars with majestic images with uplifting verses; the kind of Christianity equated with bright smiles and neatly kept hair; the kind of Christianity that courteously steps to the side of pluralism or remains quiet in the arena of ideas; the kind of Christianity that would never ever kill a wolf, say a sharp word, or dare offend another.

Galatians is no such book.  It is genuine Christianity.  And as such, it shows us the sanctity, and by extension, the preciousness of the Gospel.

God, Manhood and Ministry: Building Men for the Body of Christ – Desiring God Conference

This year’s Desiring God Pastor’s Conference was excellent.  But while each of the speakers spoke with conviction and clarity and provided much edification, I especially enjoyed Pastor Douglas Wilson’s talks.  They were nothing short of profound.  Substantively speaking, they were like two large roast beef sandwiches coated with melted cheese.  In terms of delivery, boredom was made to cower in the corner.  And in terms of practicality, it was like a verbal tool belt.

Another Hinge on the Door of the Reformation

The Bondage of the Will

-Martin Luther-

“So it is not irreligious, idle, or superfluous, but in the highest degree wholesome and necessary, for a Christian to know whether or not his will has anything to do in matters pertaining to salvation.  Indeed, let me tell you, this is the hinge on which our discussion turns, the crucial issue between us; our aim is, simply, to investigate what ability ‘free-will’ has, in what respect it is the subject of Divine action and how it stands related to the grace of God.  If we know nothing of these things, we shall know nothing whatsoever of Christianity, and shall be in worse case than any people on earth!

Letters for Life: 1 Thessalonians

If one were so bold, one might say that Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians is merely 3 John 1:4 in expanded form.  The verse reads thus, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

Letters for Life: Hebrews

(This is part 2 in a series.  The Intro can be found here.  Part 1 here)

“And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another” (Rom 15:14).

Exhorting or admonishing others can be difficult, if not downright uncomfortable.[1]  But this is especially the case when spiritual disaster is at issue.  When we are made to watch a brother or sister walk dangerously close to the edge of apostasy, that narrow and crumbling rim where the line between life and death is but separated by a hair, we often reel with bewilderment and uncertainty, unsure of what to say or do.  Might we simply love them, or pray for them, or plead with them, or brow beat them?  Should we warn them?  And if so, how?  Should we encourage them?  If so, how?

These are all admittedly difficult questions, and while the circumstances surrounding each particular case will affect the details, there are, perhaps, a few constants.  And the book of Hebrews helps us discern them.

Letters for Life – Ephesians

(This is part one of a series introduced here).

Of all the letters Paul wrote, Ephesians is perhaps the most general.  Unlike Philemon or 1 Thessalonians or 1 Corinthians, a pressing concern isn’t setting the agenda.  And because of this Paul is able to write more freely.  The door is wide open, if you will.  He can address whatever he chooses.

So while Ephesians may not drip with the drama of the Corinthian correspondence, it nevertheless provides us with some interesting insights as a letter.  In order to get at this, we need to back up and consider a few dates (Don’t worry, it’s brief and relevant).

Letters For Life

I’d like to begin a new series.  The topic: Paradigms and Parchments- The Apostolic Example of Problem Solving

When we’re facing a difficult issue, asking ourselves how to best handle or approach a particular problem, we often look to specific texts of Scripture for guidance.  For example, suppose someone wants to know how they should interact with a brother or sister committing sexual immorality.  One verse to be considered, among many, would be 1 Corinthians 5:9-13.  Or suppose you want to know how to conduct yourself with unbelievers, especially within the context of evangelism.  A verse like 2 Timothy 2:24-26 is surely instructive.

This is how we often look for answers in the Bible.  We search out texts that address the issue, compile a list, and reflect.  Now while this is very good and very necessary, I want to suggest and take some time to consider another approach, one that functions more on the macro level than the micro level of individual passages.  What do I have in mind?

A Cornucopia of Blissful Audio (Well, Almost)

It’s been a good week of listening.  I stumbled across a website housing a vast assortment of lectures.  Needless to say, my MP3 player is still burping.  Out of the ten or so lectures I’ve been able to digest thus far, along with my usual regiment of staple podcasts, several have emerged as contenders of your attention.  I’ll list four.