Chan on Devotion: Penetrating

Stott on Missions

From John Piper's introduction to the newest (3rd Edition) of Let the Nations be Glad:

John Stott has sounded the note I love to hear and echo:
The highest of missionary motives is neither obedience to the Great Commission (important as that is), nor love for sinners who are alienated and perishing (strong as that incentive is, especially when we contemplate the wrath of God . . .), but rather zeal—burning and passionate zeal—for the glory of Jesus Christ. . . . Only one imperialism is Christian . . . and that is concern for His Imperial Majesty Jesus Christ, and for the glory of his empire.

The Multifaceted Role of Preaching

The God-ordained means to save, sanctify, and strengthen his church is preaching. The proclamation of the gospel is what elicits saving faith in those whom God has chosen (Ro 10:14). Through the preaching of the Word comes the knowledge of the truth that results in godliness (Jn 17:17; Ro 16:25; Eph 5:26). Preaching also encourages believers to live in the hope of eternal life, enabling them to endure suffering (Ac 14:21–22). The faithful preaching of the Word is the most important element of pastoral ministry.

(John MacArthur, Jr., “Preaching” in Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry, John MacArthur, Jr., ed. (Dallas, TX: Word, 1995) p 250)

Why Expository Preaching

All good things require reminders. Contrary perhaps to my mother and grandmother's wisdom: "if it was important you wouldn't have forgotten it"--which is not altogether untrue; however, many times, things that are worth remembering are worth repeating so as to not forget them. The why of expository preaching is no exception.

McLarenism--another gospel

I read Brian McLaren's A New Kind of Christian a few years ago. I did so tethered to a friend in order to not be deceived by someone's unique communication skills during one of my "questioning phases". For those who don't have such friends to tether to, try on Kevin DeYoung. He writes a great response to McLaren's new book, which he is bold enough to call a New Christianity. Christianity is about the gospel of Jesus. A new Christianity then, must be about a new gospel or a new Jesus or both. Seems to me that the apostle Paul had words about this kind of thing.

Why Worship is Important for the Soul

A couple of clips from a couple of great men. Kauflin is worship pastor at Covenant Life Church. David Powlison is one of the founders of CCEF. In an age when worship can be dry (on one hand) or over-emotionalized (on the other hand)--and where counseling can be so behavioristic, it is refreshing to hear these two men give Christ-centered, gospel-saturated insight into both.

Mahaney for Pastors

Great message my CJ Mahaney for pastors. Particularly: being patient with your flock's growth; encouraging (not admonishing ) the weak; hanging with the flock immediately before and after the message to temper and tender our tone while presenting the message. Good stuff.

Exegetical Fallacies

At Thabiti Anybwile's blog, one of several great articles.

Piper on Retirement

Biblical Theology @ 9 Marks Interview

This interview points to a few good books probably worth checking out on Biblical Theology. They also talk about the difference between that and systematic theology and the place of each in the church's understanding of the Bible.

9 Marks Interview: Darryl G. Hart

While I am not so sure about what Darryl talks about during the first 3/4 of this interview, he is certainly provocative. One of the things he talks about is eschatology and how that should create within us a kind of contentment (of already-not yet kind) and what the implications of that are for living in a secular place. He advocates the separation of church and state in what I believe are compelling ways. He advocates tolerance and separation at the same time. He has written a few books on these topics as well that are probably worth checking out--maybe from a library IF they carry them.  One of the specifically interesting things is his desire for the eschewing of the "evangelical" label. His arguments for doing so are compelling and I have anecdotally  found them helpful in evangelism with secular academic culture.

Strength-based Stuff

One of my favorite practical blogs is Matt Perman's What's Best Next. A couple of items I need to bookmark for later...for self and for parenting. This parenting one would be good given that we are home schooling and our oldest daughter at age seven devours books: 1-2 a day at a 4-8th grade level. She is learning a lot this way. And while she is not that into math, she is learning a ton more than how to read by reading. Her strength is evident here. The other three kids...need to work on identifying that.

Far Too Easily Pleased: Video

What I love about this video is that I couldn't figure out where it was going until the end. Simple, but made a point well.