Review: Renegade: Martin Luther, the Graphic Biography

Andrea Grosso Ciponte. Renegade: Martin Luther, the Graphic Biography.  Walden, NY: Plough Publishing House, October 9^th, 2017. 160 pp.

3 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

This year marks the 500^th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation and this book is one that is published in light of that historic milestone with this being a graphic novel on the life of Martin Luther.  What follows is my thought on the book Renegade: Martin Luther, the Graphic Biography.

Read Full Post »

Light Humor: UberChristian: The Rideshare App Exclusively for Christians

Man I’m still trying to recover from my missions trip.  Here’s a light post that’s funny:

Read Full Post »

Paradox of Proverbs, and it’s application

Sometimes people make an assertion that there’s a Bible contradiction from the Book of Proverbs but they assert their claims without considering the literary form of proverbial sayings.  When one consider the nature of proverbs as “slice of reality” rather than an absolute statement to be applied in every instance I think we see there’s not a Bible contradiction.

Consider the following example from common English proverbs that people wouldn’t say are contradictory but each applies in different instances:

Read Full Post »

Review: Theology in Three Dimensions by John Frame

John Frame. Theology in Three Dimensions.  Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing, September 29^th, 2017. 136 pp.

4 out of 5

Purchase: P&R Publishing| Amazon

Over the years I have really benefited from reading theologian John Frame especially in thinking more consciously of my theological method.  John Frame’s triperspectivalism and his exploration of the inter-relationship of doctrines, theology and different field of study has also caused me not only to think more clearly but more worshipful of the God who is the source of the unity of various disciplines, doctrines and foci in theology.  In this book John Frame gives us a short one volume introduction to his triperspectivalism and his perspectivalism in general.  I’m glad he wrote this work.

Read Full Post »

Sunday Morning Motivations for Preachers and Teachers: Knowing Christ

It’s Sunday!  I know teaching, preaching and ministering is not always easy.  Here is another short post providing you with the motivation from the Word of God for preachers before you enter your pulpit and teachers before you go in to instruct your class.

Today’s post comes from Philippians 3:7-11=

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ More than that, I count all things to be loss ^[c]in view of the surpassing value of ^[d]knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, ^[e]for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, ⁹ and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, ¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and ^[f]the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;^11 [g]in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Here’s a question based upon the verse:

Read Full Post »

A Way to Remember the Contents of the Old Testament

One way that has been helpful for me to remember what’s in the 39 books in the Old Testament is thinking of the number 593-5-593.  I first heard this years ago from a teacher name Robert Morey.

Read Full Post »

Home from Teaching Theology Overseas Summer 2017

Got home from teaching theology overseas in two undisclosed countries.  Had to take a lot of flights to these areas but I’m so glad I’m home and hopefully able to read your blog more!

Read Full Post »

Guest Post: Is a Plurality of Elders for Southern Baptists?

This is a guest post by Shuan Marksbury.  His blog can be found here.

Today, the term “elders” rings sour in many Baptist ears. Perhaps it seems too Presbyterian, or it may seem to authoritarian. Indeed, many SBC churches practice a model of a deacon leadership or have such a congregational government that spiritual decisions are left in the hands of those not holding (and, perhaps, unqualified for) any office.

Read Full Post »

Guest Post: In Opposing Naturalism in Science, the Bible is More Foundational than Design

This is a guest post by Mike Warren.  His website can be found here.

In February a documentary film was released called “Is Genesis History?” that defends the historical accuracy of the book of Genesis from a literal, young-earth creationist perspective.  Paul Nelson was interviewed for the documentary.  He is a scholar at the Discovery Institute, the leading Intelligent Design (ID) organization.  He is one of the few young-earth creationists at the Institute.  But when he saw the completed work, he felt compelled to write a strong denunciation of the message that his interview seemed to convey.  In the article, “New Film Is Genesis History? Presents a False Dichotomy: I Dissent from My Role in It,”[i] Nelson says that his talk about the “conventional paradigm” and the “historical Genesis paradigm” included in the film after some editing presented a false dichotomy between the young-earth creationist view and all the other views of origins.  I have addressed the epistemological problems with the ID movement’s disregard for the Bible in an essay published in the Journal of Creation,[ii] but Nelson’s protest over the film is an appropriate time to revisit the issue and focus on his particular argument.

Read Full Post »

Guest Book Review: The Inerrant Word

This is a guest review by Alf Cengia.  He is a friend who reads this blog and his website can be found at Zeteo316.  Check it out.

The Inerrant Word: Biblical Theological and pastoral Perspectives. Edited by John MacArthur and Foreword by R. C. Sproul. Published by Crossway (Hardcover 399 pages).

Purchase: Crossway | Amazon

This is another important book I picked up from our Church Bookstore. I’m particularly drawn to these apologetics because of my former Roman Catholic background, a stint in a “Christian” cult and New Age years. What connected all these experiences was a downgrade of God’s Word. As most of us understand, this has happened throughout history. Today God’s Word is being questioned by some professing Christian leaders who are capitulating to the culture. John MacArthur writes:

The Bible is treated like Silly Putty, pressed and reshaped to suit the shifting interests of popular culture. ~ The Inerrant Word (page 26)

MacArthur states that the most dangerous attacks against God’s word have come from the evangelical community. He lists: “seminary professors, mega church pastors, charismatic charlatans on television, popular evangelical authors, Christian psychologists, and bloggers on the evangelical fringe.”

Iain Murray’s contribution (How Scotland Lost Her Hold on the Bible – A Case Study of Inerrancy Compromise) is an excellent case study of how God’s word can be gradually downgraded by ambivalent language. Murray demonstrates why claiming that Scripture contains God’s Word isn’t good enough.

The problem with saying that Scripture contains the Word of God is that it doesn’t affirm that Scripture is the Word of God. You may mean that it contains God’s Word; but also items which aren’t affirmed by the church, and thus open for debate. Homosexuality and same sex marriage would be two examples.

Murray uses the example of a bag of groceries. You can tell someone that it contains potatoes. You might even mean that the bag ONLY contains potatoes. But you might also mean that it contains other items. This chapter was one of my favorites as it is especially relevant to cultural challenges in the church today.

Another favorite was Alistair Begg’s Let the Lion Out, based on 2 Tim 4:1-5 and Charles H. Spurgeon. Just preach the Word! Ferguson’s The Holy Spirit and the Holy Scriptures was another gem in a lost list of important contributions.

The book is comprised of four main parts:

1. Inerrancy in the Bible: Building the Case
2. Inerrancy in Church History: Showing the Precedent
3. Inerrancy in Theological Perspective: Answering the Critics
4. Inerrancy in Pastoral Practice: Applying to Life

Each section has a number of chapters by a selection of evangelical scholars and ministers including: John Frame, Matt Waymeyer, Michael Vlach, Alistair Begg, Sinclair Ferguson, G. K. Beale, Abner Chou, William Barrick and more.

The Inerrant Word highly recommended reading for all Christians.

Read Full Post »

Collection of Sunday Morning Motivations for Preachers and Teachers

This is worth bookmarking if you are a pastor or teacher in the Church.

Here’s a post on “How to Get the Most from our Sunday Morning Motivations for Preachers and Teachers Series.”

Here’s the series:

1. Sunday Morning Motivation for Preachers and Teachers: Be Worthy of Your Wages!
2. Sunday Morning Motivation for Preachers and Teachers: Sharing in His Glory
3. Sunday Morning Motivation for Preachers and Teachers: Receiving the unfading crown of glory
4. Sunday Morning Motivation for Preachers and Teachers: Used by God to bring People to Salvation
5. Sunday Morning Motivations for Preachers and Teachers: Fixing our hope on the living God
6. Sunday Morning Motivations for Preachers and Teachers: Your Spiritual Gift Bestowed by God
7. Sunday Morning Motivations for Preachers and Teachers: You are given spirit of Power
8. Sunday Morning Motivations for Preachers and Teachers: You are given spirit of Love
9. Sunday Morning Motivations for Preachers and Teachers: You are given spirit of Self-Discipline
10. Sunday Morning Motivations for Preachers and Teachers: You were appointed a preacher or teacher
11. Sunday Morning Motivations for Preachers and Teachers: Your reward is great in heaven
12. Sunday Morning Motivations for Preachers and Teachers: Knowing Christ

Read Full Post »

Summer 2017 Teaching Theology Overseas Update #3

This is an update report written by a brother traveling with SlimJim.

Yesterday night we met our host and pastor coordinator. We were extremely exhausted from the trip, yet we were able to have a meaningful talk about the things going on in his ministry. It was very encouraging for Pastor Jim and I to hear the heart of this Pastor. He has a deep love and thirst for the scripture and seeks to grow in the knowledge and understanding of the deep things of God. He was so excited for our arrival he prepared many of his church member’s hearts and wet their appetite for the topic discussing the biblical role of manhood and womanhood. He had invited and encouraged many of the pastor’s wives to come to the conference, the men and women of the church who were married, as well as the single young men and women to come hear the word of God related to the topic, since it is relevant to all. What is truly encouraging was the power of the Holy Spirit to lead and cause the yearning of many of the church members to come and gather to learn God’s word. Individuals came from far distances and came in spite of being in pain. An example is one of the Pastor’s had a severe shock to the hand which damaged his right hand severely. There was heavy burning and loss of movement in his hand. Please pray for his healing. The members from pastors to young men and women took notes with an eager heart. It was an encouraging sight to behold. This dedication and love for the Lord is truly a beautiful and glorious site. It was a hot and sweaty affair even for the locals! For the love of God, they all bore the 8 hours and 6 sessions of the biblical roles of manhood and womanhood in the humid heat. The church has no air conditioning, no running water, no restrooms with working plumbing (they have an out house), and very little chairs. But praise God for their faithfulness! More again soon, I lost a 2 hour email and got to tired to finish it last night.

Read Full Post »

Guest Post: Scripture is How We Know God

This is a guest review by our Michael Coughlin.  He is a friend who reads this blog and his website can be found at here.  Check it out.

Consider this:

Read Full Post »

I wish there was a Bible verse that said

This is a guest review by our Michael Coughlin.  He is a friend who reads this blog and his website can be found at here.  Check it out.

“I wish the Bible described what Jesus looked like.“

“I wish the Bible had more descriptions of Heaven.“

“I wish the Bible had a liturgy for church services.”

“I wish there was a Bible verse that said clearly, ‘Don’t baptize infants.’”

“I wish the Bible had explicit rules for modesty or what shows were OK to watch.”

Have you ever uttered a phrase like that? On the surface it doesn’t sound too bad. Usually people utter this phrase because they are seeking God’s will in a matter and want to do what is right. Sometimes people are having a debate with another Christian and they believe clarity would resolve the conflict.

Read Full Post »

The JOY of family devotions!

This is a guest review by brother Tom.  He is a friend who reads this blog and his own blog can be found here.  Check it out.

Sure, it’s a great blessing to be able to attend worship services with other believers at church, but what happens in your life between services? Are you desiring the Word as you desire your daily meals? Are you seeking a deeper relationship with the Lord through daily prayer? Husbands and fathers, are you leading the members of your families to a closer walk with the Lord?

When I was a young husband and father, I assumed my family was getting enough spiritual “stuff” at church. How wrong I was! If you’re not making Christ the center of your home, ungodly influences will certainly fill the vacuum.

Our family went through some hard struggles and I even walked away from the Lord for a long “season,” but after I returned to the Lord, I understood I needed to make Christ the center of our home. Pastors often encourage families to have “daily devotions” together, but what exactly does that look like?

Three years ago, I was reading an article about a musician I had admired who had accepted Christ and he described in some detail how he and his wife had a daily devotion time of Scripture reading and prayer. I went to my wife and suggested we also have a devotion time and she gladly agreed!

Our devotion time looks something like this: We sit together and one of us reads a Bible chapter aloud and afterwards the other one prays aloud on our behalf. We alternate the next time. Sounds pretty simple, right, but there’s some detail that goes into that. What book of the Bible should you start with? We began by reading the Psalms and Proverbs and then read Genesis in the Old Testament followed by Matthew in the New Testament and then alternating between the Old and the New thereafter. But there are no rules. Depending on your family, you will want to be discerning regarding what books to read and the length of the passage. A child or a new believer will certainly be overwhelmed by reading through Leviticus and Deuteronomy. The Gospels, Psalms, and Proverbs are generally excellent starting points.

I prepare for the next day’s devotion by doing a short study of the next chapter. I read the text and use a one-volume commentary, Bible dictionary, concordance, and paraphrase Bible to get a good understanding of all of the exegetical elements that I may not be familiar with. It’s up to you how deeply you want to study the text, but it’s a good idea for you to understand the passage and to be prepared for questions from your family members. Make it an interesting time; a time of “Wow!” discovery of the eternal truths of God’s Word, not a drudgery. Your devotion time shouldn’t drag on all night but should be short and sweet! Not that I’m keeping track but we probably average around fifteen to twenty minutes.

After my wife and I read a Bible passage, we’ll often discuss how it relates to our everyday lives. The whole point of reading Scripture is not to make it a perfunctory, legalistic exercise but to allow the Holy Spirit to let it seep into our hearts and be a light unto our everyday paths. Before you begin reading any passage of the Bible, ask the Lord to teach you all that He wants you to learn from His Word.

After reading the Bible chapter, my wife and I will pray. Some believers might refer to a list of intentions in their devotions and that’s okay. But our prayers to the Lord should be mainly from the heart. It’s always a blessing to connect a learning from the Bible passage with something like the prayer that follows: “Lord, You taught us about (such and such) in your Word tonight and I ask that you help me/us to (such and such).” There is no such thing as a “bad prayer” from a child, but set an example of praise and unselfish supplication. There will be times when you and your family will be able to look back in gratefulness to answered prayer.

You and your family should be intentional about your devotion time. Other things will compete for your time and attention but make devotion time with the Lord a priority. But If you miss a scheduled devotion time, it’s not the end of the world, either. Just pick up where you left off. I keep a little journal to keep things straight.

Husbands and fathers, what an awesome and humbling privilege it is to lead our families in following the Lord and communing with Him as part of everyday life! Husbands, when you and your wife are seeking the Lord’s will together daily, your marriage will be blessed beyond measure. I can attest to that! Fathers, train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it (Prov.22:6).

Wives and mothers, perhaps it’s you in your household who the Lord is leading to take the initiative in establishing a devotion time for your family.

I hope you’ll prayerfully consider setting up a daily devotion time in your home with your family.

 “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15

Read Full Post »