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A La Carte (12/9)
- 12/09/09
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R.C. Sproul on The Manhattan Declaration
Dr. Sproul has offered his take on The Manhattan Declaration, and it’s a slam dunk. “In answer to the question, “R.C., why didn’t you sign the Manhattan Declaration?” I offer the following answer: The Manhattan Declaration confuses common grace and special grace by combining them. While I would march with the bishop of Rome and an Orthodox prelate to resist the slaughter of innocents in the womb, I could never ground that cobelligerency on the assumption that we share a common faith and a unified understanding of the gospel.” He goes on to expand on his reasoning.
Manly Men Loving One Another
I just came across this article by Ray Ortlund. It’s short and to the point. He offers three ways in which God calls Christian men to love one another.
MoonJar
This looks like a neat product. It is a piggy bank that is divided into three compartments, one for saving, one for spending, one for sharing. It seems like a good way of helping children understand how to use their money.
16 Daddy Christmas Tips
Driscoll provides a good list of 16 things dads should consider this Christmas. “‘Tis the season for Dad to drop the holiday ball, stress out as the money is being spent for presents, and miss yet another providential opportunity to lovingly lead his family. So, this blog is intended to help dads not fall into the same old rut of holiday humdrum, sitting on the couch watching football and eating carbs, but rather intentionally plan out the upcoming holiday season. Our children grow quickly and if we miss the sacred moments God opens up for us to connect with and bless our families, everyone suffers and we set in motion generations of missed opportunity.”
Tiger, Barack, and the Law of Transitivity
This is a very interesting article that seeks to understand why people care so much about Tiger Woods. “We are interested because Tiger Woods, who may legitimately be the best golfer ever, had been turned into an all-purpose icon: a man of personal rectitude, a lovely smile, apparent openness; a family man, with a lovely wife and two adorable babies. And of course, he was our first living embodiment of the collective hope for racial reconciliation. Who knew that the early reports of his betrayed wife Elin swinging at him with a golf club constituted literal icon-smashing?”
12 Days of Logos
Logos is offering daily deals for the next 12 days.
Deal of the Day: TomTom Navigator
Amazon has a great deal on the always-popular TomTom GPS system today. “The TomTom XL 325 is an easy to use widescreen navigator. Switch your XL 325 on and go right out of the box. An extra-wide touch screen helps you find your way. The XL 325 is preloaded with millions of points of interest to enhance your traveling experience…”
Dr. Sproul has offered his take on The Manhattan Declaration, and it’s a slam dunk. “In answer to the question, “R.C., why didn’t you sign the Manhattan Declaration?” I offer the following answer: The Manhattan Declaration confuses common grace and special grace by combining them. While I would march with the bishop of Rome and an Orthodox prelate to resist the slaughter of innocents in the womb, I could never ground that cobelligerency on the assumption that we share a common faith and a unified understanding of the gospel.” He goes on to expand on his reasoning.
Manly Men Loving One Another
I just came across this article by Ray Ortlund. It’s short and to the point. He offers three ways in which God calls Christian men to love one another.
MoonJar
This looks like a neat product. It is a piggy bank that is divided into three compartments, one for saving, one for spending, one for sharing. It seems like a good way of helping children understand how to use their money.
16 Daddy Christmas Tips
Driscoll provides a good list of 16 things dads should consider this Christmas. “‘Tis the season for Dad to drop the holiday ball, stress out as the money is being spent for presents, and miss yet another providential opportunity to lovingly lead his family. So, this blog is intended to help dads not fall into the same old rut of holiday humdrum, sitting on the couch watching football and eating carbs, but rather intentionally plan out the upcoming holiday season. Our children grow quickly and if we miss the sacred moments God opens up for us to connect with and bless our families, everyone suffers and we set in motion generations of missed opportunity.”
Tiger, Barack, and the Law of Transitivity
This is a very interesting article that seeks to understand why people care so much about Tiger Woods. “We are interested because Tiger Woods, who may legitimately be the best golfer ever, had been turned into an all-purpose icon: a man of personal rectitude, a lovely smile, apparent openness; a family man, with a lovely wife and two adorable babies. And of course, he was our first living embodiment of the collective hope for racial reconciliation. Who knew that the early reports of his betrayed wife Elin swinging at him with a golf club constituted literal icon-smashing?”
12 Days of Logos
Logos is offering daily deals for the next 12 days.
Deal of the Day: TomTom Navigator
Amazon has a great deal on the always-popular TomTom GPS system today. “The TomTom XL 325 is an easy to use widescreen navigator. Switch your XL 325 on and go right out of the box. An extra-wide touch screen helps you find your way. The XL 325 is preloaded with millions of points of interest to enhance your traveling experience…”
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
Releasing on April 1, The Next
Published in 2008, this book
This is a guide that calls men,
This review of the bestselling
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This is a guide written
Comments (20)
On the 16 Daddy points: a resounding 2 out of 16 about Jesus, which is marginally better than Oprah. The exception being that Oprah would exchange “Jesus” for “do something spiritual”.
And Christ doesn’t even get first spot(!) A dose of Christocentricity?
Seems like Driscoll is getting legalistic again.
… and of course the final item on his list of “must dos” is a mildly-disguised condemnation of men not managing to accomplish all the “must dos” on his list.
… and of course the final item on Driscoll’s list of “must dos” is a minimally-disguised accusation / condemnation of men not accomplishing all the “must dos” on his list.
Holy smokes, isn’t it a little bit early for Driscoll bashing? I hope you two either are half asleep or haven’t had your coffee yet… I would hate to see what you would comment about with a clear cohesive mind. Maranatha!
I’m from another continent. Anyway, how does that weird saying saying: “wake before seven…”
And I personally prefer to play the ball, not the man.
I can’t help but wonder how the comments would look different if Sproul had posted the same list…
Nick Coller, you have a point…
On reflection, I think I’m reacting because of a women’s talk my wife heard about being careful not to just list things to do and then tack Jesus on in the end.
Maybe commenting in response to MD isn’t the wisest way to communicate that message.
I like Mark Driscoll but there are times when he comes across as a “my way is the best way” . However, I think he nails it on the head with this list. My wife has called me Mr.Christmas all of our 22 married years , so I say amen Mark . Wake up the men and engage Christmas , you will be happy you did.
I like Mark Driscoll but there are times when he comes across as a “my way is the best way” . However, I think he nails it on the head with this list. My wife has called me Mr.Christmas all of our 22 married years , so I say amen Mark . Now pass me some plum pudding!
Reg, a long and happy marriage is a wonderful thing. It’s a real blessing and I rejoice with you!.
However, that is not the point. My original post still stands. Surely anything about Christmas surely must have the gospel front and centre. It should not be reduced to a “top ten list of things to do to improve you and your family’s wellbeing” with Christ hidden under point 3 and 15 as an afterthought.
A gospel tradition that my wife and I are big on is to have an advent calendar. In each drawer is some candy and a key verse from the Scriptures. I feel this is better than the consumerist mindset underlying the 16 Daddy points. DVRs and experiences? Puh-lease! We don’t need encouragement to watch more TV.
Unbelievable.
Look, there is no requirement that we pile on Driscoll every time he says anything. He may not use Jesus’ name in a tip like this one—to schedule a big Christmas daddy date with his daughter. Dad, what’s your big plan for the fancy daddy date?—but neither does he need to. It is a great bit of advice that would be valuable whether you love Jesus or not! So stop complaining and think about arranging something fun to do with your kids!
Thanks for the Moonjar link! I’ve been looking for something simple like this to start teaching our kids about money management.
Thank you Tim. I totally agree.
I could not agree more, Tim. Simply unbelievable. I read the list, and I think it’s great… and greatly needed. There are so many dads out there who need this kind of help - particularly younger dads. That said, there is no dad among us who cannot do with some encouragement - and improvement - in one of the most important callings on earth: representing our heavenly Father well by being faithful, loving and creative fathers!
Christmas already IS about Jesus. Driscoll does not have to tell us how to MAKE it that. But what some people do need to be reminded of is how to act like it is about Jesus, by doing things that He calls us to — like loving our families in specific ways.
Which applies to Moms as much as Dads of course, but that’s all he’s doing. I suppose Paul was just giving a “to do” list when he told men to lay down their live for their wives and lead their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? Or is it possible that following Jesus does in fact mean that there’s certain “stuff” to “do,” and advice on that might be helpful?
Hey, it’s a natural human tendency to take a guy like Driscoll, who people have some legitimate issues with, and find fault with everything he does. Natural, but not charitable OR reasonable.
On Tiger — while I think various people are making a good point that he has become idolized in all kinds of ridiculous ways, too often I get a whiff that this is somehow more Tiger’s problem than ours. Tiger certainly has his own sins to answer for, but if a society insists on taking a man who’s really good at playing a game, and making him out to be some kind of all-around hero, it isn’t just, or even primarily, the man himself who’s the problem here — it’s the rest of us for falling into it. And it isn’t just unbelievers who fall into that kind of thing, is it?
Hey Tim are you sure about that “no requirement” thing? I’ll check his wiki page later just to be sure :)
Also I think it’s a good list, it would not be hard for any one to make #2,3,5,7,8,9,10,12,13, 14 & 15 ways to point to or talk about Jesus. But as #1 says you need a plan, it’s not going to just happen.
MoonJar: FYI, Crown Financial has a children’s ABC Bank, same concept. http://www.crown.org/cartproducts/Product.asp?sku=LB980&aid=
Driscoll: I think he is trying to be helpful and his list is just that! Thank you Mark Driscoll.
I think some you guys need to argue and provoke each other less and pray for each other more.
I agree with Dave in post two. pastors should turn hearts to Jesus, not burden with long list of works
Moonjar: For the more traditional - check out:http://www.amazon.com/Money-Savvy-Generation-BLUE-Pig/dp/B0002HRWBQThis one has 4 compartments. We like to use the INVEST for investing in God’s kingdom.