When should parents talk to their children about sex?

When should parents talk to their children about sex? Julie Lowe answers this question in CCEF's "Ask the Counselor." Her answer, in short: talk often, talk freely, and talk soon. See the video below for her complete answer.



(HT: Tim Challies)

What should Christians do about Halloween?

Below are two articles that take the position that Christians should view Halloween as an opportunity to give glory to God by intentionally loving their neighbors who come to their houses on this one night of the year.

Halloween: A Missed Opportunity for Evangelicals

Why All Good Christians Should Celebrate Halloween

"... I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel ..." (1 Corinthians 9:22-23 ESV)

The Gadarene graphic novel

John Piper wrote an "extended, imaginary" story based on Mark 5 about the Gadarene demoniac, and Desiring God published that story as a 144-page graphic novel titled "The Gadarene." It seems like a good tool to share with other people who are into graphic novels or for those who want to see the story in a fresh way. Below is a video about it.



(HT: Tim Challies)

The grace of God in the Bible

Dane Ortlund through short sentences or paragraphs traces the message of God's grace in each book of the Bible.

Does Christianity have a vision for society?

A Muslim friend to Mark Dever: "That's the problem with Christianity: you have no vision for the state or for society as a whole."

Mark Dever's concluding words in his 19 Sept. 2010 sermon titled "Jesus Paid Taxes" (Mark 12:13-17):

"Does Christianity have a vision for the state or the society as a whole, or is Christianity—as my Muslim friend implied—so heavenly minded that it's of no earthly good?

"I think visions like the one my friend had for the state are way too shallow. They're about swords and external conformity to laws. Jesus Christ comes to do something much deeper than any social revolutionary has ever been able to do. He's come to actually change our hearts, to change our natures. The Bible shows us that God has a wonderful vision for his world. We’ve all rejected that vision. And yet even after that rejection, God, in his amazing mercy and love, continues to pursue us. Jesus Christ, his own son, stood there teaching the very people that would in a few days' time seek his life, arrest him, beat him, have him put to death.

"I know there are Marxist and Muslim utopian visions for our world. There are secular visions, too. But none of these visions sufficiently take into account the things the Bible teaches about the sinfulness of humans, about our being made in God's image, about God's goodness, his love, his holiness. Utopian visions of politics or nations or the state always lead to tragedy. They always lead to tyranny and despotism and terrible distortions of God's will.

"Friends, it is the truth of Christianity, about God being holy and loving, and our being made in God's image, and yet fallen, and God's provisions and promises for us in Christ—it is all of these truths together that lead us to sufficiently respect the fallen governments of the world, and yet give us hope to endure them, and to work and hope for something infinitely better. So God gives us the peace that comes with such hope and the strength to get up another day, to continue following Jesus until he brings us home."

(HT: Thabiti Anyabwile, Collin Hansen, and C.J. Mahaney)

If we can but teach Christ to our people, we shall teach them all

"Throughout the whole course of our ministry, we must insist chiefly upon the greatest, most certain, and most necessary truths, and be more seldom and sparing upon the rest. If we can but teach Christ to our people, we shall teach them all. Get them well to heaven, and they will have knowledge enough. The great and commonly acknowledged truths of religion are those that men must live upon, and which are the great instruments of destroying men’s sins, and raising the heart to God." (Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor)

Bad news and good news: A gospel presentation

What is the gospel? Watch the "Bad News/Good News" video below from Evan Tell, a ministry whose mission is to:

• Declare the gospel, clearly and simply.
• Activate believers around the world.
• Prepare upcoming generations to reach the lost.

Remember: It is not a prayer that saves you. It is by God's grace, because of Jesus Christ's work on the cross, through faith in Christ alone that saves you. Prayer is nothing less than coming to God as a beggar with empty hands asking for his mercy and telling him what we are doing in response to his glory and grace.

What is the Bad News/Good News approach?

The Bad News/Good News approach is an easy way to present the gospel. There are 4 points to remember and 4 Scripture verses to support them.

1. Bad News #1 – We are all sinners.* (Romans 3:23)
2. Bad News #2 – The penalty for sin is death. (Romans 6:23)
3. Good News #1 – Christ died for you. (Romans 5:8)
4. Good News #2 – You can be saved through faith in Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

(Note: If you are experiencing problems viewing the video from this site, visit Evan Tell.)

Witnessing to Witnesses

A former Jehovah’s Witness, who left the Watchtower Organization four years ago and was subsequently "cut off from his former religious community–including family," posted a six-part series titled "Witnessing to Witnesses" on his blog, Pondering Christ.

Ian Clary summarizes the posts: These offer an insider’s take on how to approach the Jehovah’s Witnesses who come to our doors. Most work that I've read about the Watchtower Society have been from the outside looking in, so Matt’s perspective has been refreshing and unique. In them he deals with the history of the Society, their failed prophecies, their unique theological perspectives and their teachings about the gospel. Matt also gives some practical application for how to press home the truth-claims of the biblical gospel to the Jehovah’s Witnesses we encounter.

Here's links to the posts:

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4
• Part 5
• Part 6

Is there a plan B for our lives?

In the video below, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation faculty member Winston Smith answers the question, "Is there a plan B for my life?"

For more information about CCEF, visit http://www.ccef.org/. To view more CCEF videos, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/CCEFTube.



(HT: Tim Challies)

Idolatry is like a pacifier

Justin Buzzard likened idolatry to a pacifier in a recent post. "We all have our pacifiers," Buzzard blogged, be they things like job security, relationships, success, reputation, money, planning, comfort, or anything else to which people are prone to give ultimate allegiance or center their lives upon. "We've come to love them too much. ... This is why the allure of idolatry is so strong in our lives. We attach our attention, affection, and assurance to created things rather than the Creator because of the sin in our own hearts and because of the many ways other people have sinned against us."

When God in love takes those "pacifiers" away from his children, he said that it's important for God's children to know something about their Sovereign Father: "he loves his kids. This never changes. All who repent of running their own life and trust Jesus as Savior have inherited an invincible love relationship with the Father. And the reason the Father has ripped the pacifier from your clenched mouth is the same reason he chose you before the foundation of the world, justified you at your conversion, and will one day glorify you in his presence: because he loves you! Don’t just read these words, believe these words.

"He loves you! He loves you! He loves you!

"Child of God, you had a problem and you didn’t know it. You’ve been sucking on a pacifier for years and it’s been damaging you and damaging others. You’ve refused to give it up. Now God has arranged the circumstances of your life to decisively pull the pacifier from your grip. You’re shaken up, but he has you right where he wants you. The only way forward is to trust your Father. Trust him! Let him love you. Trust his plan. Trust him and love him with all your heart. New territory will open up before you."

Read his entire post here.

Think to become a better lover

Think about getting John Piper's new book Think: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God, which is currently available in Kindle format or at Desiring God, and then get it and read it. May the book encourage all who read it become better lovers of God and other people.

Here's the publisher's (Crossway) description:

John Piper’s newest book will help Christians think about thinking. Focusing on the life of the mind helps us to know God better, love him more, and care for the world. Along with an emphasis on emotions and the experience of God, we also need to practice careful thinking about God. Piper contends that “thinking is indispensable on the path to passion for God.” So how are we to maintain a healthy balance of mind and heart, thinking and feeling?

Piper urges us to think for the glory of God. He demonstrates from Scripture that glorifying God with our minds and hearts is not either-or, but both-and. Thinking carefully about God fuels passion and affections for God. Likewise, Christ-exalting emotion leads to disciplined thinking.

Readers will be reminded that “the mind serves to know the truth that fuels the fires of the heart.”

Download a PDF file that contains the contents page, foreword, introduction, and chapter 1.

Here's a trailer for the book:


Piper's aim for the book: I'm trying to raise the question for the average person in school, in the pew, or in life anywhere as to "Why do I have a mind? Why do I have a brain? How does my mind relate to my emotions? How does my mind relate to loving God and loving people? I don't think thinking is the end of life. I think loving, delighting, enjoying, relating to God, especially with others for his sake, is the end of life and that thinking serves that. So I really have a pretty holistic purpose for the book in all those avenues, and my end goal is that we would love God through thinking well about the world and about the Bible that he's given us. The whole aim is not to make us thinkers. The aim is to use thinking biblically to make us lovers.

Horton's, Zaspel's, Warfield's, and our theology

It was good for Michael Horton ... It was good for Fred Zaspel ... It was good for B.B. Warfield ... and it's good enough for me.

The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way

Dr. Michael Horton is interviewed about his forthcoming book The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way in the 8 Sept. 2010 edition of Westminster Seminary California's podcast "Office Hours." As much as a one-volume work can do, Horton said he spends time not only on the biblical-theological roots of a doctrine, but also on the historical-theological development.

Product Description: The most important systematic theology since Louis Berkhof's 1932 magum opus. Interacting with movements within the Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions, award-winning scholar Horton offers a brief synopsis of biblical passages that inform a particular doctrine; and surveys current and past works with contemporary emphasis on exegetical, philosophical, practical, and theological questions. Includes an extensive bibliography.

The Theology of B. B. Warfield: A Systematic Summary

Fred Zaspel answered some of Justin Taylor's questions about his new book The Theology of B.B. Warfield: A Systematic Summary.

Publisher's Description: Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield (1851–1921) was undoubtedly one of the greatest Reformed theologians in the history of America. As professor of didactic and polemic theology at Princeton University, he wrote extensively in defense of fundamental Christian doctrines. While his writing touched on the full spectrum of theological topics, it was spread over hundreds of periodicals, books, and pamphlets, and a significant portion has never been published in an accessible form. Warfield stands as a dominant figure on the theological landscape, but few have a comprehensive grasp of his theology, largely because of the difficulty of tracing his ideas through numerous sources.

The table of contents, chapter 1, and the appendices and indices may be read online for free.

Listen to an episode of Reformed Forum featuring Fred Zaspel entitled The Theology of B. B. Warfield.

(HT: Justin Taylor)

Church disciplines 575 members

Jonathan Leeman interviewed David King, a pastor in Tennessee, about his "church’s recent work of cleaning up their membership roles." Read the interview here: Church disciplines 575 members.

Failing to love and hate what God loves and hates is at the root of sin

"Loving and hating differently than God loves and hates is near the heart of sin. ... You can always trace the sins of the hands and feet back to the head and heart. Our bodies sin when our heads and hearts are not set on God. The core of sin is to love what is not God as if it were God. ... Failing to love and hate what God loves and hates, respectively, is at the root of sin. What do you fail to hate that God hates? What do you fail to love that God loves?" (Mark Dever, The Message of the Old Testament: Promises Made, pages 374, 384)

What I am, what I ought to be, what I wish to be

By the grace of God I am what I am

Two or three years before the death of that eminent servant of Christ, John Newton, when his sight was become so dim that he was no longer able to read, an aged brother in the ministry called on him to breakfast. Family prayer followed, and the portion of scripture for the day was read to him. In it occurred the verse, "By the grace of God I am what I am." It was Mr. Newton's custom on these occasions to make a short familiar exposition on some passage read. After the reading he paused for some moments, and then said, "I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I wish to be. I am not what I hope to be. Soon, very soon, shall I put off mortality, and with it all sin and imperfection. Yet though I am not what I ought to be, nor what I wish to be, nor what I hope to be, I can truly say I am not what I once was — a slave to sin and satan; and I can heartily join with the Apostle, and acknowledge, 'By the grace of God I am what I am.' Let us pray." (The Christian Pioneer Volume XI (1857), edited by Joseph Foulkes Winks, page 84)

The most horrible religion

"Of all horrible religions the most horrible is the worship of the god within. Any one who knows any body knows how it would work; any one who knows any one from the Higher Thought Centre knows how it does work. That Jones shall worship the god within him turns out ultimately to mean that Jones shall worship Jones. Let Jones worship the sun or moon, anything rather than the Inner Light; let Jones worship cats or crocodiles, if he can find any in his street, but not the god within. Christianity came into the world firstly in order to assert with violence that a man had not only to look inwards, but to look outwards, to behold with astonishment and enthusiasm a divine company and a divine captain. The only fun of being a Christian was that a man was not left alone with the Inner Light, but definitely recognized an outer light, fair as the sun, clear as the moon, terrible as an army with banners." (G. K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy, page 66)

Americolatry

Paul Ireland:

In the whole discussion about Mormonism, I think we’re missing a big part of what is going on with Glenn Beck. The problem is not simply Mormonism. The problem is idolatry.

People who follow Glenn Beck may not become Mormon and reject the Trinity, but they will likely follow his Americolatry—his worship of our nation. His view of life rises and falls on the state of our country. Christians I know who follow Beck quickly get pulled into his idolatrous fervor that declares that our nation can be our savior.

Both the left and the right subscribe to this Americolatry. If our government does X, Y, and Z, then we will be joyful, satisfied, safe, and complete. Then we will live in heaven. But if the other guys get their way, it’ll be hell. In that equation, God is no longer our joy, our comfort, our satisfaction, our all. If God is brought into the conversation at all, it is to use God as a means for our own idolatrous ends. This kind of idolatry is very alluring and dangerous for Christians.

(HT: Justin Taylor)

Praying God's promises

Tim Kerr, pastor of Sovereign Grace Church in Toronto, wrote a prayer manual called Take Words With You, which contains more than 1,600 "scripture promises and prayers meant to help God’s people pray more effectively. The promises are arranged around the cross—its purposes and rewards."

Read more about it here.

(HT: Tim Challies)

Advice for theological students and young pastors

Twenty things Kevin DeYoung wish he knew when he began the ministry (and is still learning now): Advice for theological students and young pastors.

A list of important sermons and articles that are worth reading

I like lists of recommended reading, especially when they concern writings that feed the mind and heart with truth about God and his ways in the world. Justin Taylor posted his "list of important sermons and articles that are worth reading," as well as lists by pastors and theologians of "what they would recommend as sermons or essays that have had a special impact on them, or that they would seriously urge students and pastors to consider reading."

The contributors include:

• Bryan Chapell
• Graham Cole
• Mark Dever
• Kevin DeYoung
• Stephen J. Nichols
• Ray Ortlund
• John Piper
• David Powlison
• Fred Sanders
• R.C. Sproul
• Carl R. Trueman
• Bruce Ware
• Donald Whitney

Check out the lists here.

Jesus My Glory

Here's a prayer titled "Jesus My Glory" from "Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions" edited by Arthur Bennett (pages 42-43):

O LORD GOD,

Thou hast commanded me to believe in Jesus;
and I would flee to no other refuge,
wash in no other fountain,
build on no other foundation,
receive from no other fullness,
rest in no other relief.

His water and blood were not severed
in their flow at the cross,
may they never be separated in my creed
and experiences;
May I be equally convinced of the guilt
and pollution of sin,
feel my need of a prince and saviour,
implore of him repentance as well as forgiveness,
love holiness, and be pure in heart,
have the mind of Jesus, and tread in his steps.

Let me not be at my own disposal,
but rejoice that I am under the care of one
who is too wise to err,
too kind to injure,
too tender to crush.

May I scandalize none by my temper and conduct,
but recommend and endear Christ to all around,
bestow good on every one as circumstances
permit,
and decline no opportunity of usefulness.

Grant that I may value my substance,
not as the medium of pride and luxury,
but as the means of my support and stewardship.

Help me to guide my affections with discretion,
to owe no man anything,
to be able to give to him that needeth,
to feel it my duty and pleasure to be merciful
and forgiving,
to show to the world the likeness of Jesus.

Life is hard, but God is good

Quotes from R.C. Sproul's 2002 book When Worlds Collide, which is a response to the events of 9/11 that wrestles with questions related to God’s sovereignty and human suffering:

The events of 9/11 were a mortal blow to relativism, because the response of
Americans and the response of people the world over, after looking at this
heinous attack on human life, was the very “unrelativistic” declaration that
“This is evil.” … One cannot have such a shocking encounter with pure evil and
walk away, saying, “Well, it’s a relative thing.”

*****

If we look carefully at the biblical understanding of God and construct our worldview
on this basis, we see that God in His providence is a sovereign God, who not
only governs nature and the laws of nature but who raises nations up and brings
nations low. Within His providence come both blessing and calamity.

*****

If God did not ordain all things, He would not be sovereign over all things. And if He is not sovereign over all things, then He is not God at all.

*****

God’s ordination of all things does not annihilate human decisions or the forces of nature. Yet at the same time the sovereignty of God stands over every human event.

*****

I do not know why God ordained 9/11, but I know that He did ordain it because if He did not ordain it, it would not have happened. Since it happened, I know for certain
that God ordained it in some sense. That is one of the most difficult concepts even for devout Christians to deal with. Yet the concept is found on almost every page of sacred Scripture. It is at the very heart of the Christian faith.

*****

The word “tragedy” presupposes some kind of order or purpose in the world. If the world has purpose and order, then all that occurs in it is meaningful in some respect. The idea of a “senseless tragedy” represents a worldview that is completely incompatible with Christian thought. It assumes that something happens without purpose or without meaning.

*****

Christians do not allow for meaningless events to take place, because at the heart of the Christian worldview is the idea that everything in history has a purpose in the mind of Almighty God. God is a purposive God; He is not chaotic.

*****

In the final analysis, that which defines the Christian worldview is the glory of the cross. The cross remains the symbol for all that is loved and embraced in the Christian worldview. It is also the symbol for all that the pagan worldview despises. The cross is the symbol that causes worlds to collide. It provokes a war that will not end until the consummation of the Kingdom of God.

(HT: Tim Challies)

God is a mighty fortress for all who trust in him

Kevin DeYoung: Let (Sept. 11) be a day where Americans give thanks for liberty and pray for their country. Let it also be a day where we remember that while God has not promised America will last forever, he has promised his people an everlasting kingdom. Our God is a mighty fortress for all who trust in him.

Below is a good video of Steve Green singing Martin Luther's famous hymn "A Mighty Fortress."



Lyrics:

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That Word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

Hymn story from Center for Church Music - Songs and Hymns:

The one hymn that most symbolizes the Protestant Reformation is "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." In it, Martin Luther proclaims his confidence in God and rallies all Christians to war against evil. Basing his words on Psalm 46, he victoriously states "We will not fear, for God has willed His truth to triumph through us." Those persecuted and martyred for their convictions during the Reformation sang these words.

Luther understood the power of evil: After he posted his ninety-five theses on the door of Wittenberg's Castle in 1517, he faced years of trials and persecution, he was excommunicated from the Roman church, and he continually faced threats against his life and his freedom. Other reformers had been persecuted and burned at the stake.

But he also knew "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in danger" (Psalm 46:1) and so he wrote "A Mighty Fortress is our God," proclaiming boldly that "the prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him . . . one little word shall fell him."

Since he wrote it in 1529, Luther's hymn has been translated into nearly every language. There are said to be over eighty English translations alone to this hymn, but the version most used in the United States is the translation by Frederic Henry Hedge in 1852.

The first line of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" is inscribed on the tomb of Martin Luther at Wittenberg. And its powerful words and tune continue to live. The hymn was sung at the funeral of President Dwight D. Eisenhower at the National Cathedral in Washington DC, March 1969. And it was also included in the National Service of Prayer and Remembrance, held shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks against America.

Who was Martyn Lloyd-Jones?

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (20 Dec. 1899 – 1 March 1981) is regarded by some evangelical Christians as the greatest preacher of the 20th Century. Below is a short but good introductory video of his life and ministry. He was a herald of God, and his greatness is rooted in the great God whom he loved and obeyed.

For access to more than 1,500 of his sermons, visit The Martyn Lloyd-Jones Recordings Trust Web site. To listen to Living Grace, a podcast featuring his sermons, visit here.

The best biography on the "Doctor" is Iain Murray's two-volume work:

1. David Martyn Lloyd-Jones the First Forty Years 1899-1939 (v. 1)
   
2. David Martyn Lloyd-Jones: The Fight of Faith 1939-1981 (v. 2)

(HT: Reformation Theology)

Grudem's "Politics According to the Bible"

Wayne Grudem’s “Politics According to the Bible” seems like a good book to read for anybody interested in politics or what the Bible teaches. Grudem is a careful, systematic thinker who uses the Bible to shine the light of truth upon all aspects of life.

Read the first 54 pages of the 664-page book as a free PDF file, which includes the table of contents, preface, and first chapter (on the five wrong views).

(HT: Justin Taylor)

Instead of burning the Quran, read and obey God's Word

There has been much debate about the announcement of a Florida pastor's plan to burn copies of the Quran on Sept. 11. Whereas he should reconsider his position based on feedback received from local and world religious and government leaders, he should primarily consider his idea in light of God's Word.

The pastor has the attention of the world but also a tremendous opportunity to proclaim the most important news story the world can ever hear, namely, the gospel of Jesus Christ. The most important story that can be told is not one man or a group of people burning books in response to a worldview contrary to his or theirs, but God's activity in the world to bring people into a right relationship with himself (Read Romans chapters 1 through 11.) and other people (Read Romans chapters 12 through 16.).

Our response to God's work should be repentance (i.e., a change of mind that leads to changed behavior) and faith (trust in God's promises and counsels in Christ). It is God's mercy that reveals how we should live in a proper relationship with God and other people. It is God's grace that enables us to live a life of "faith working through love."

Rev. Terry Jones, his Gainesville congregation, and we all would do well to remember who God is as our creator and sustainer, how we all have fallen short of loving and honoring God as he deserves, what God has done in Christ to remove the barrier of our sin that has created a chasm between us and God, and live in a manner that testifies to God's greatness and grace. We will remember, by God's grace, if we spend more time prayerfully reading and heeding God's word than speaking and acting in a manner that distracts the watching world from the most important news that's not being reported on.

What Bible should you own? One that you read and heed.

Daniel B. Wallace asks and answers "What Bible should I own?" at Parchment and Pen. Actually, he attempts to briefly answer the previous and following questions, and provide guidelines for English-speaking readers of the Bible:

1. What’s the most literal translation out there?
2. What’s a good study Bible?
3. Which Bible is the most accurate?
4. What’s a good Bible for a new Christian to get?

Although he admits there's no simple answer to such questions, he states every English-speaking Christian should own Bibles within the following categories:

1. King James Bible. "It has been hailed as one of the greatest literary monuments to the English language, and the greatest literary monument every produced by a committee. Regardless of what you think of the KJV’s accuracy, it is a must for all English-speaking Christians. I would add that I think it’s a must for all English-speaking people, regardless of their faith commitments.

2. A good study Bible. "It should be accurate and readable, and have plenty of helpful notes. There are several excellent study Bibles available, but the one I like the best is the NET Bible (available at http://www.bible.org/). ... But there are other good study Bibles, too. The ESV is an excellent, literary translation with understated elegance, in keeping with the KJV and RSV. And its study Bible, with articles and notes, is excellent. The NIV Study Bible has very good notes and a very readable translation, but it interprets a bit too much for my tastes. The NRSV is a very good translation, though its stance on gender inclusivism sometimes mars the beauty of the translation and is even, at times, misleading (cf. Matt 18.15; 1 Tim 3.2). The REB is a gender-inclusive translation but it has sidestepped the problems of the NRSV by giving literary power a higher priority.

3. A "Bible that is readable, lively, and captures the ‘feel’ of the original. The more accurate Bibles usually don’t do this (including the NET and ESV). The NIV comes close, but Eugene Peterson’s The Message, the Living Bible, and J. B. Phillips’ The New Testament in Modern English do well in this regard. These are Bibles that are meant to be read one chapter (or passage) at a time, not verse by verse."

His conclusion: "So, what Bible should you own? At least three, and one of them needs to be the King James Bible. But whatever you get, make sure to read it!"

Have you read "The Story"?

"The Story" is an online and hard-copy tool for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Check out the introductory video below. Hard copies of the gospel presentation may be purchased here.

"The Story" Promotional Video from The Story (ViewTheStory.com) on Vimeo.

(HT: Trevin Wax)

Will you do "whatever it takes"?

Below is a music video of the song "Whatever it Takes" from an album titled "Christ the King" by Curtis Allen, also known as Voice. The song was inspired by Joshua Harris's book Dug Down Deep, an introduction to Christian doctrine. May God and we do whatever it takes to see the supremacy of God in all things and savor Jesus Christ more than anything he has made and through all he sustains.



Here are the lyrics to the song:

Verse 1
I’m on a mission with my shovel out cuz sin is deep so I’m glad that he has dug us out
And it's a fight everyday its like I’m in a bout, ding ding life is a ring the world shouts
And everything is speaking for allegiance, competing with the God I am complete in.
I need grace it's like my faith is depleting so I’m on my face asking Lord am I deep in
Uhnn most of my life has been a rumspringa, meology my introduction to theology
Was like whoa I was offering God apologies, I want the right opinion of him orthodoxy,
It takes Moxie nowadays to choose life,
we should be asking what are we choosing by choosing Christ
It's more than nice that theology matters,
bcuz what you believe determines who you are in the hereafter.

Hook/Chorus
I’m trying to figure out what this life is about,
I gotta see what I believe in a world full of doubt,
Cuz even though I know what’s true to not be confused by the fake,
I’ll do whatever it takes

Verse 2
If I’m honest sometimes I feel the pressure,
cuz digging deep is not an option, its doctrine
It is Luke 6 Christ’s words I adopt them building foundations on the sand
hope I’m not him
cuz its easy to fall a victim to and base confidence on what’s insecure that is sinking you
and be deceiving yourself if you don’t think it through, when the storm comes it’ll wash your foundation through
And I’m telling you it don’t stop hurting
unless you build what you building now as a rock person.
what I mean is you putting your faith in practice,
truth requires action you lay it down like a mattress.
so when they ask this “what’d you build your life on”
if Christ is the goal u should be headed for the Pylon
so when the storms and the waves come and pile on,
your foundations rock solid get your smile on.

Hook/Chorus
I’m trying to figure out what this life is about,
I gotta see what I believe in a world full of doubt,
Cuz even though I know what’s true to not be confused by the fake,
I’ll do whatever it takes

Verse 3
I wanna touch the heart of theology and when I do it Lord help me do it properly
and thinking true thoughts all the wrath that you caught,
is intensified by the purchases that you bought
the blood shed is the reason I wanna be with him this is no moralistic, therapeutic deism,
it's good news headline reads be digging,
no small thoughts all thoughts be that he’s risen
uhnn so now let's make this thing practical, since we are convinced
this is God’s word and factual
but not merely a list of facts and features they are truths that inform for all what belief is
so I’ll study the attributes of God and dig deep even when my arms are getting tired,
I won’t stop until I’ve dug on this spot as I learn you are far but you’re near
you’re the Rock.

Hook/Chorus
I’m trying to figure out what this life is about,
I gotta see what I believe in a world full of doubt,
Cuz even though I know what’s true to not be confused by the fake,
I’ll do whatever it takes

'Finally Alive' finally has study guide

Desiring God is offering a free 12-week study guide for John Pipers book Finally Alive, a book about what it means to be "born again."

Download a PDF copies of the study guide or the book.

Desiring God's introduction to John Piper's book Finally Alive states the following: What does the Bible teach about the miracle of rebirth? ... John Piper explores Jesus' peculiar command, "You must be born again." Spiritual rebirth is precious and crucial. When Jesus said, "You must be born again," he wasn't simply sharing interesting information; he was directing us toward eternal life. It is essential to know what God intends when he uses this language of being born again, so that we may experience new birth and help others do the same.

Piper answers the following questions in the book:

1. What is the new birth?
2. Why must we be born again?
3. How does the new birth Come about?
4. What are the effects of the new birth?
5. How can we help others be born again?

Desiring God's explanation of the study guide: In an effort to encourage discussion and deeper engagement with Finally Alive, we have developed this twelve-week study
guide. Each week consists of reading a chapter or two of the book, meditating upon concepts and Scripture passages, and answering questions. Each week’s study is divided into main two sections, “Reading and Reflection” and “Digging Deeper.”

Here's the study guide's table of contents:

Introduction
An Explanation of the Study Guide
For Leaders
Lesson 1: Introduction to Finally Alive
Lesson 2: What Is the New Birth?
Lesson 3: Why Must We Be Born Again? Part 1
Lesson 4: Why Must We Be Born Again? Part 2
Lesson 5: Born Again Through the Washing of Regeneration
Lesson 6: Born Again Through Faith in Jesus Christ
Lesson 7: Born Again Through Intelligible Good News
Lesson 8: The New Birth Overcomes the World
Lesson 9: Regeneration, Faith, Love
Lesson 10: Freedom from the Practice of Sinning
Lesson 11: Loving Others with the Love of God
Lesson 12: Helping Others Be Born Again
Appendix: Leading Productive Group Discussions

Christ Alone

Here's a prayer titled "Christ Alone" from "Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions" edited by Arthur Bennett (pages 40-41):

O GOD,

Thy main plan, and the end of thy will
is to make Christ glorious and beloved
in heaven
where he is now ascended,
where one day all the elect will behold his glory
and love and glorify him for ever.

Though here I love him but little,
may this be my portion at last.
In this world thou has given me a beginning,
one day it will be perfected in the realm above.

Thou has helped me to see and know Christ,
though obscurely,
to take him, receive him,
to possess him, love him,
to bless him in my heart, mouth, life.

Let me study and stand for discipline,
and all the ways of worship,
out of love for Christ;
and to show my thankfulness;
to seek and know his will from love,
to hold it in love,
and daily to care for and keep this state of heart.

Thou hast led me to place all my nature
and happiness
in oneness with Christ,
in having heart and mind centred only on him,
in being like him in communicating good
to others;
This is my heaven on earth,
But I need the force, energy, impulses of thy Spirit
to carry me on the way to my Jerusalem.

Here, it is my duty
to be as Christ in this world,
to do what he would do,
to live as he would live,
to walk in love and meekness;
then would he be known,
then would I have peace in death.

Preaching Christ or preaching about Christ?

Ray Ortlund writes about the difference between preaching Christ and preaching about Christ.

His points:

1. Preaching Christ is presenting him so clearly and directly that the people experience the sermon this way: “It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified” (Galatians 3:1).

2. Preaching about Christ is presenting ideas related to him. It’s a good thing to do. But preaching Christ is more profound, more daring and more helpful.

How do you test whether someone is preaching Christ or preaching about Christ?

Orland states: What are the people who hear me preach walking away with? Have they seen Christ himself during this sermon, or have they only interacted with ideas about Christ? As a preacher, I cannot make people engage with him. I wouldn’t want to try. But I can and must preach in such a way that he stands forth as obvious and available to the people right then and there.

Read his entire post here.

What's the key to healthy Christian growth in godliness?

Dane Ortlund recently asked some Christian men, "What's the key to healthy Christian growth in godliness?"

He prefaces the responses as follows: I explicitly asked our brothers to keep it to a single, short sentence. Of course, whole volumes could be (and have been!) written addressing this question. [His favorite book on the subject is G.C. Berkouwer's Studies in Dogmatics: Faith and Sanctification] ... So we gladly receive these wise statements remembering that sanctification is not a math problem. There is no formula. Every answer below needs a hundred footnotes. Point taken. The purpose of this exercise is not to provide an opportunity to nit-pick but to re-center, refresh, encourage, spur on, help one another.

Check out his post for the responses.

Learning the Greek alphabet can be easy

Justin Taylor posted an mp3 for learning the Greek alphabet from Michael Graening, a Southeastern Seminary student. Listen to it here.

The song is good, but I think Richard Belcher has a much easier method to memorize the Greek alphabet. Here's his suggestion from A Practical Approach to the Greek New Testament:

Use the tune of "Onward Christian Soldiers" with the Greek alphabet as the lyrics.

Alpha, Beta, Gamma,
Delta, Epsilon,
Zeta, Eta, Theta,
Iota, Kappa, Lambda,
Mu, Nu, Xi, and Omnicron,
Pi, Rho, Sigma, Tau,
Upsilon, and Phi, Chi, Psi,
and last Omega.

Onward Christian scholars,
Learn the alphabet.
Then when test day cometh,
You'll have no regret.