Report On Short Term Mission to the Czech Republic

I interviewed Tom Hinders about his recent mission trip to the Czech Republic. The audio is a little over 10 minutes long. You can listen by clicking here.



Tom is from my home church. I'm very proud of Tom for going on the mission and pray the Lord leads him into fruitful fields as he continues his theological education.

The Great Trinity Debate: Bowman & Burke

Evangelical Rob Bowman and Christadelphian Dave Burke have completed their debate of the nature of God on the Parchment and Pen blog. Below are their posts collected in summary form to help you follow the discussion from beginning to end.

Preliminaries

• Resource List: Bowman & Burke
• Introduction: Bowman

Part 1 - On God and Scripture

• Bowman
• Burke

Part 2 - On Jesus Christ

• Bowman
• Burke

Part 3 - On Jesus Christ, continued

• Bowman
• Burke

Part 4 - On The Holy Spirit

• Bowman
• Burke

Part 5 - On The Trinity

• Bowman
• Burke
  
  
  
  

Part 6 - Closing Statements

• Bowman
• Burke

Many Convincing Proofs or How Jesus Patiently Loves

I had the blessed opportunity to preach at my home church today. The message was on Jesus' numerous resurrection appearances and how he repeatedly showed himself to his disciples to destroy their unbelief. The sermon is a little longer than 30 minutes. You can listen to it by clicking here.

"God is still God. God is still good." - Zac Smith

Brothers and Sisters,
Is Jesus good enough to carry us through trouble? Is he truly good?

Yes. Yes. Yes.

The Story of Zac Smith from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

HT:JT

Words of Wisdom

"Fear not! The reward is glorious; the honor is beyond all earthly honors. The contempt and enmity are but for a day; the dignity and the blessedness are forever and ever."

--Horatius Bonar

Pierced for Our Transgressions

I finally finished my first reading of Pierced for Our Transgressions by Jeffery, Ovey, and Sach. It is an excellent work and well worth the time. I hope to post a full review in a few days. The authors take the time to deal with many current objections to penal substitutionary atonement, explaining and exploring models of justice displayed in various positions, identifying and critiquing underlying presuppositions, and offering helpful advice on less-than-helpful illustrations which enjoy broad use within evangelical preaching.

This was a great volume to follow Morris' The Cross in the New Testament. Morris explored the rich pallete of the atonement and responded more than adequately to positions which still hold sway in several branches of the church. Jeffery, Ovey, and Sach continue his analysis into current trends and echo the faithful work of Morris to our current generation of evangelical theologians.

The Passion & The Empty Tomb

John Ankerberg is offering a free pdf of the book he co-authored with John Weldon, The Passion and the Empty Tomb.

Warnock interviews Grudem

Here is an interesting video, where Adrian Warnock interviews Wayne Grudem. While it is relatively brief and they do not explore any single question in depth, there is a lesson to be had. We are able here to peek through a small window into a mature theological world-view. Grudem does not display foolish middle-of-the-road muddle-ism as he considers and answers Adrian's questions. Instead, he externalizes his internal dialog so we might see the path he walks from the question to living out the answer.

Young brothers and sisters, take note. Life is richly textured. Your walk in this life need not be reduced to a pallete of black and white. There is room for nuance and vibrance in your daily walk.

Words of Wisdom

They think they make a very wise bargain when they sell their conscience, God, and heaven for a little of that which some call riches.

-- James Janeway

The One True God by Paul Washer

You can download a pdf edition of The One True God by Paul Washer. It is structured very differently than most other theological books. It is more like a workbook for a Bible study than an academic textbook. The author intends to get you into the biblical text and to utilize your mind and your heart in the pursuit of God through the Bible. Paul has served as a missionary and is the director of the HeartCry Missionary Society, which he founded during the time of his mission in Peru.

Read Tim Challies' review here.

How God Tests His People

"God tests his people by actual experience. He did not test Abraham by words only; he did not say to him, "Will you do this? Are you willing to do that?" It is always easy to say that we will do a thing if we do not expect to be compelled to do it. We can make large promises when we think we shall never be called upon to fulfill them; we can even think large things today about what we intend to do tomorrow. It is always easy to rise up early overnight. But God does not prove his people in word only, but in deed and in truth."

--Spurgeon, excerpted from Abraham's Trial: A Lesson For Believers

Apologetics in the Local Church

Anthony Horvath lays an interesting proposition on the table. There are multiple ways to apply his thoughts, not limited solely or even primarily to vocational ministry. Food for thought.

Sproul On The Death of God

R. C. Sproul's comments here reinforce a healthy habit of careful speaking about the cross.

Risking the Truth: Scott Clark interviews Martin Downes

Very interesting interview of Martin Downes by Scott Clark of Westminster Seminary/CA. Listen to it here. I continue to learn much from Martin. He's a clear thinker and has a cool British accent, so everything he says sounds very smart. ;-)

Seriously, this guy knows his stuff, and understands how heresy takes root. It is worth the listen if you need historical background coupled with pastoral concern.

Heresy Never Dies

Martin Downes spoke recently on the topic why heresy never dies. His home blog is Against Heresies. In his speech, he explains the danger and damage of heresies from a pastoral vantage point. He then explores a case study of the historical error of the Socinians and the resurgence of their thought through the open theism movement.

You can watch the video here or listen to the audio here.

Helping Students Keep The Faith

Here is a sampling of questions to discuss with the young adults in your church as they transition from high school to college. We simply must, must, must care pastorally for our young people when they disappear from weekly involvement in church and go off to college. Their absence from home does not break the commitment each church member makes to help care for one another. This is not the sole arena of the youth pastor. As strange as youth culture may seem, students do respond many times to even the smallest interaction. They have not moved to another planet, only to a new phase in their lives.

Given that they are away at school, you must seize opportunities to talk with them. Don't delay. Share your Christian love today.

Our Present State and Only Hope

Dr. Ed Komoszewski delivers a sermon that is chock-full of wisdom. This is a great example of preaching God's Word, speaking the truth in love.

Culture and Cultus

Carl Trueman is a good author and a helpful theologian. He shares his thoughts on a tangent to the present Waltke brouhaha.

Jesus' Sacrifice Demonstrates God's Love

I spend a fair amount of time dialoguing with Jehovah's Witnesses on the discussion board at CARM. I am going to post direct links to some of the threads. I think they might be helpful to many of the readers here.

The Watchtower god cannot demonstrate the greatest love.

Tell Me the Old, Old Story

Tell me the old, old story,
Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His Glory,
of Jesus and His love.


Tell me the story simply,
As to a little child,
For I am weak and weary,
And helpless and defiled.
Tell me the old, old story,
of Jesus and His love.


Tell me the story slowly,
That I may take it in,--
That wonderful redemption,
God's remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often,
For I forget so soon;
The "early dew" of morning
Has passed away at noon.
Tell me the old, old story, etc.


Tell me the story softly,
With earnest tones and grave;
Remember, I'm the sinner
Whom Jesus came to save!
Tell me the story always,
If you would really be,
In any time of trouble,
A comforter to me.
Tell me the old, old story, etc.


Tell me the same old story,
When you have cause to fear
That this world's empty glory
Is costing me too dear.
Yes, and when that world's glory
Shall dawn upon my soul,
Tell me the old, old story:
"Christ Jesus makes thee whole."
Tell me the old, old story, etc.