Memorizing Scripture Together - Week 2 Update (11/30/08 - 18 Comments)
It is my intention to primarily use email to update the participants in the Memorizing Scripture Together effort (click here to learn about the program). However, this morning I logged in to the software I use to send those emails only to find that it is down for maintenance until 9 AM tomorrow morning. And so I'm going to post this on the blog today just to keep people in the loop. The email blast...
What Have You Won? (11/29/08 - 44 Comments)
Yesterday I swung by Chapters, Canada's answer to Barnes & Noble. It was actually the first time in a long while that I had been inside a real brick and mortar bookstore. Though I browse books on a near-daily basis through the internet, rarely do I actually go into a store. I had almost forgotten what a different experience it is and what a good experience it is. Aileen and I found a few books...
DVD Reviews (11/28/08 - 9 Comments)
Over the past weeks I've had quite a few DVDs added to my collection and today I thought I'd offer brief reviews of some of the more notable selections. Every one of them is available from Vision Video. The Gladys Aylward Story he Torchlighters video series is a series of animated DVD's dedicated to "Highlighting the honor, integrity and life-changing experiences of those well-known and little-known Christian men, women and children who in response to...
How to Encourage a Blogger this Christmas (11/27/08 - 22 Comments)
I posted an article like this one in the past and did so only with great trepidation. Yet today (during the lowest-traffic day of the year) I will do so again in the hope that you'll be willing to give my motives the benefit of the doubt. I write about this not for my benefit but for the benefit of my fellow bloggers. With Christmas fast approaching, the timing just seemed right. I first wrote...
Audience of One (11/26/08 - 12 Comments)
The Call by Os Guinness is a book that was on my list of things to do for a long, long time before I actually settled down to read it. But once I got into it, I was amazed at just how much wisdom it contains. At one point Guinness discusses the importance of living life for an audience of One. He begins the chapter by reflecting on Andrew Carnegie and his lifelong desire to...
Book Review - Twilight (11/25/08 - 52 Comments)
Twilight is a phenomenon; or that is what I hear. I began to receive emails about it a short time ago and the requests for a review have increased as the release of the Twilight movie has approached. Strangely, I get more requests to review teenage fiction than any other genre. I usually reply with an apologetic email saying that I do not review such titles. But because of the popularity of this series I...
10 Tips to Read More and Read Better (11/24/08 - 17 Comments)
When I turned to the readers of this site and asked for questions I could answer or topics I could address, I noted (without much surprise) that many people were interested in the subject of reading. One person sought a basic "Why, what and how of reading Christian books." Others sought advice on how to read more and how to read better. This is a subject I have written about before but I thought it...
Memorizing Scripture Together - It Begins Today (11/23/08 - 9 Comments)
A few days ago I announced Memorizing Scripture Together--a program or effort dedicated to committing to memory passages and verses of Scripture. I had hoped to have at least thirty people agree to participate in the program. I was surprised and delighted to find that hundreds had signed up to participate. This shows, I think, how much we as Christians crave the Word but how our lazy, sinful natures draw us away from our hearts'...
The Dark Guest (11/22/08 - 9 Comments)
Here is another prayer from The Valley of Vision. I think this one has somehow struck me deeper than any other in the book. This confession both shames and encourages me: "I am not yet weaned from all created glory, honour, wisdom, and esteem of others, for I have a secret motive to eye my name in all I do." Here it is, a prayer that God would remove the dark guest who haunts me....
Memorizing Scripture Together (11/21/08 - 33 Comments)
The "Reading Classics Together" effort has taught me that blogs (even this blog) can offer a kind of excitement and accountability by community that helps me do things I wouldn't otherwise have the discipline to do. And from what I hear, it works for some of you, too. Many of us would never have read Owens or Edwards or Pink if we had not had the crowd accountability we've found here. This has been...
Darwin on the Right (11/20/08 - 52 Comments)
This Sunday I'll be preaching on the topic of Creation in an evening series at my church. Our Sunday evening format allows for only short sermons and I am trying to distill the broad topic of Creation down to the most fundamental points. I have no intention of defending Creation against evolution or of refuting the various views among Christians that conflict with the position of my church's leadership (though I am sure some of...
Overlooking an Offense (11/19/08 - 19 Comments)
Last week I solicited questions from the readers of this site, looking for good ideas for future blog posts. I received almost 100 responses, many of which asked really good questions. In the coming weeks and months I will attempt to answer many of them. I begin today with this one: "How do you discern when to take something up with a person and when is it something to just let go (is it ever...
Reading the Next Classic Together (Round 5) (11/18/08 - 154 Comments)
I'm inviting you to read one of the classics of the Christian faith with me. Read on to find out more... To this point the "Reading Classics Together" effort has gone very well, at least in my opinion. Every week we've tackled together just a short portion of one of the classic texts of the Christian faith. In this way we've read through J.C. Ryle's Holiness, John Owen's Overcoming Sin and Temptation, A.W. Pink's...
A Visual History of the English Bible (11/17/08 - 3 Comments)
I wanted A Visual History of the English Bible to be a standout. A book that I spied in a catalog and knew I just needed to read, it deals with a topic I love and in a way that is fresh and compelling. Few readers of the English Bible really understand the history of their Bible and fewer still understand the countless sacrifices that were made to bring it to us. A book like...
The Trinity (11/16/08 - 5 Comments)
I have the privilege of preaching tonight on the topic of the Trinity. It seemed appropriate, then, that I would combine this topic with the prayers I often post on Sundays--prayers drawn from The Valley of Vision. This prayer is the first in the book and is known simply as "The Trinity." What a great prayer it is. Three in One, One in Three, God of my salvation, Heavenly Father, blessed Son, eternal Spirit, I...
That Shall Be Known... (11/15/08 - 10 Comments)
Yesterday, while reading a book about the history of the English Bible, I came across the story of John Rogers, a Bible translator who worked first with Tyndale and then independently after Tyndale's death. It's a story I've read before and one that is so powerful. Rogers was eventually arrested, tried, and found guilty of heresies against the Roman Church and against the sacrament. Such heresy carried with it the penalty of death and Rogers...
The First and Primary Object (11/14/08 - 18 Comments)
It was a couple of years ago now that I read George Marsden's great biography of Jonathan Edwards. As I read it I was often stopped short by Edwards' wisdom. Constantly surrounded by conflict, and often facing people who sought to undermine his ministry, Edwards had every opportunity to reflect on the task of a minister. One of these conflicts involved the question of whether sermons should primarily enlighten the mind or whether they should...
Reading Classics - The Religious Affections (XV) (11/13/08 - 12 Comments)
We made it! This marks the final reading in Jonathan Edwards' The Religious Affections. I hesitated for a while before suggesting that we read a 380-page book together, but we did it. And what a read it was. My only real regret is that I feel like I have only skimmed the surface. In his companion volume to this book, Sam Storms says that he had to read the Affections many times through to have...
What Should I Write About? (11/12/08 - 3 Comments)
I spent some time this morning writing an article for a magazine. They had requested a 600-word article on "What is the greatest hindrance to the gospel today?" I've found that articles like this pose a special kind of challenge to me. While I take time to write every day, far more often than not I am writing about what I want to write about. I set my own topics and write about whatever interests...
Three Cups of Tea (11/12/08 - 3 Comments)
I eventually gave in to the pressure. I had seen Three Cups of Tea on the shelves of airport bookstores, in the hands of friends and on countless bestseller lists. I thought it was only right that, if so many people were reading it, I should read it too. And so, while browsing through one of those airport bookstores and searching for some early-morning easy reading, I finally picked it up. Three Cups of Tea...
A Righteous Man (11/11/08 - 13 Comments)
Every believer carries a measure of the guilt for Jesus' death. Was it not for our willful disobedience to God's perfect Law, we would have no need of a Savior. We acknowledge in song that it was our hands that drove the spikes into His and sometimes speak about driving the nails into Jesus' hands every time we sin. We speak figuratively, of course, knowing that although we were not present at the time of...
Book Review - Worldliness by C.J. Mahaney (11/10/08 - 16 Comments)
Any book on worldliness faces a difficult challenge. The author who takes too firm a stand on issues may slip into legalism while the author who takes too lax a stand may slip into the worldliness he seeks to avoid. The discerning author will need to tread the line, being careful to say no more than Scripture does while still dealing effectively with issues of contemporary importance. Because such a book is long overdue I...
Things I Miss About Cable T.V. (11/09/08 - 66 Comments)
It must have been a couple of months ago now that Aileen and I got rid of cable TV. We didn't get rid of the television altogether--we kept it so we could watch DVDs and enjoy the Wii. But we got rid of cable and now have access to precisely 0 channels. Today I paused to reflect on all of the things I miss about having cable television. Here they are in no particular order:...
The Purpose of Christmas (11/08/08 - 31 Comments)
Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life was a phenomenon, selling tens of millions of copies and remaining on the New York Times list of bestsellers not for mere weeks or months, but for years. Tens of thousands of churches and organizations have participated in a "40 Days of Purpose" program, encouraging their members to read the book and implement its teachings. While several books bearing Warren's name have been released since The Purpose Driven Life...
John 3:16 Conference: Question and Answer (11/07/08 - 21 Comments)
Guest blog by Andrew Lindsey Congregational singing: "I Love to Tell the Story" The speaker from each of the five points was on the panel. Dr. Patterson had to leave so that his alternate, Dr. Malcolm Yarnell took his place for Total depravity. Dr. Vines announced that he would like to have at least one Calvinist and one non-Calvinist address each one of the five points. Panelist #1: Dr. John Voight (sp?) pastor from Rome,...
John 3:16 Conference: Message on John 3:16 by Dr. Charles Stanley (11/07/08 - 8 Comments)
Guest blog by Andrew Lindsey Dr. Vines announced that he asked Dr. Stanley to share how he has proclaimed the gospel throughout the world through In Touch Ministries. Dr. Charles Stanley: "I'm just called to do one thing, and that's to preach the gospel as far and as wide as God lets me." The church has one mission. Great Commission texts quoted from the gospels and Acts. In many preaching magazines the emphasis is "making...
John 3:16 Conference: Message on Perseverance of the Saints by Dr. Ken Keathley (11/07/08 - 8 Comments)
Guest blog by Andrew Lindsey Prayer by Phil Roberts. Dr. Ken Keathley: 2 Timothy 1:12. 2 components of assurance: 1. Certainty that one is saved. 2. Certainty that one in a state of grace will remain in this state. What is the basis of assurance? 3 components: 1. Present certainty a. Denied by Council of Trent, Canon 15, which says present certainty only comes through special revelation. (John Calvin pointed to the Bible as special...
John 3:16 Conference: Additional Resource (11/07/08 - 0 Comments)
Guest blog by Andrew Lindsey Mark Lamprecht is also live-blogging this Conference, and is catching some statements that I miss. Read his posts HERE....
John 3:16 Conference: Message on Irresistible Grace by Dr. Steve Lemke (11/07/08 - 9 Comments)
Guest blog by Andrew Lindsey Congregational singing: "Amazing Grace" Prayer by Ergun Caner. Dr. Steve Lemke: "It is my desire that we as Southern Baptists can go forward in unity." Quote from Nathan Finn that we must be free to hold differing convictions and to attempt to persuade others of our convictions. Irresistible grace did not originate at Dort, but was made famous by this Synod. Quote from one of the Remonstrants that the grace...
John 3:16 Conference: Message on Limited Atonement by Dr. David Allen (11/07/08 - 31 Comments)
Guest blog by Andrew Lindsey Congregational singing: "Redeemed, Redeemed." Introduction of Dr. Allen by Dr. Jerry Vines. Dr. David Allen: Quote of John 3:16. Argument against Limited atonement quoting only Calvinists. What two things do these men have in common? (Long list of theologians including Calvin, Bullinger, Ursinus, Bunyan, Edwards, Hodge, Strong.) A: They are all Calvinists, and they all rejected Limited atonement. 2 Corinthians 5:19, "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself."...
John 3:16 Conference: Message on Unconditional Election by Dr. Richard Land (11/07/08 - 16 Comments)
Guest blog by Andrew Lindsey Congregational singing: "Love Lifted Me" Intro. by Jerry Vines. Opening prayer by Dr. Chuck Kelley. Before Dr. Land spoke, Dr. Vines made some comments regarding the messages. One major point that Dr. Vines sought to articulate was that to disagree is not to attack, and that he hope that points are clearly articulated without animosity. Dr. Vines also made the following additional points concerning Total depravity: "God, in his sovereignty...
John 3:16 Conference: Attendance and Mood (11/07/08 - 2 Comments)
Guest blog by Andrew Lindsey Before I go to the Conference this morning, I wanted to answer some questions some have been asking me about the attendance and mood of this Conference. Attendance: There appear to be somewhere between 800 and 1000 people at the Conference. [For readers who may be familiar with First Baptist Church Woodstock, GA- the bottom level of the "chapel" in A building, the building behind the main building housing the...
Dominican Republic - Random Reflections (11/07/08 - 5 Comments)
As I begin my journey home, I thought I'd offer a few random reflections on the Dominican Republic (though if you didn't read it yesterday evening, I'd really encourage you to first read and respond to this post). These are things that popped into my head at one time or another, but which didn't find their way into another post (perhaps for good reason). Here they are... Before I left, a friend who spent several...
Dominican Republic - Ordinary Superheroes (11/06/08 - 15 Comments)
(Please don't forget to visit Nick's blog) This is our last day in the Dominican Republic. Tomorrow morning we will head for the airport and from there we will fly for home, leaving the developing world and returning to the developed world. As much as I've enjoyed this experience, I can't deny that I'll be glad to be home. I've been to many homes here in Dominican Republic but I don't know if I'll remember...
John 3:16 Conference: Message on Total Depravity from Dr. Paige Patterson (11/06/08 - 11 Comments)
Guest blog by Andrew Lindsey Congregation singing: "O How Marvelous, O How Wonderful" Dr. Paige Patterson: The most hated doctrine is not the doctrine of election, but the doctrine of the exclusivity of Christ. The second most hated doctrine is that of human depravity. "Everyone knows that I am not a Calvinist, I am not Reformed." Thank God that our Calvinist brothers are trying to preach the Word of the Lord; many non-Calvinists are entertaining...
John 3:16 Conference: Message on John 3:16 by Dr. Jerry Vines (11/06/08 - 4 Comments)
Special signing by an FBCW member, "Gentle Savior, Lead Me On." Dr. Vines introduced by Johnny Hunt. Dr. Vines has previously preached John 3:16 on August 26 of this year in a chapel service of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS). That previous sermon can be heard HERE. Having listened to Dr. Vines' sermon from the SBTS chapel, I note that the introduction to this sermon was substantially the same as that earlier sermon; however,...
John 3:16 Conference: Introduction and Opening Message by Johnny Hunt (11/06/08 - 2 Comments)
Guest blog by Andrew Lindsey Began with singing of "How Great Thou Art." Opening prayer by SBC evangelist Junior Hill for truth, compassion for the lost, and graciousness of spirit. Introduction of Johnny Hunt by Dr. Jerry Vines. Johnny Hunt preached from Psalm 119:33-40, a text that Hunt preached in chapel at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary on October 15 of this year. (This earlier sermon can be heard HERE.) Johnny Hunt made comments and...
John 3:16 Conference Registration: Schedule, Vendors, and Books (11/06/08 - 2 Comments)
Thanks to Tim Challies for the opportunity to report on the John 3:16 Conference for Challies.com. I registered for the John 3:16 Conference at First Baptist Church Woodstock, GA (FBCW) about 45 minutes ago and have been looking for an Internet connection since then. I do not know if I will have connectivity from the Conference floor; if not, I will not be live-blogging, but will post summaries as soon as I am able to...
John 3:16 Conference (11/06/08 - 1 Comments)
Today marks the beginning of the John 3:16 Conference. Sponsored by Jerry Vines Ministries, the conference allows some of the Southern Baptists Convention's foremost pastors to respond to the growing presence of Calvinistic theology in the Convention. "Did Jesus die on the cross for every person? Are believers eternally secure? Can grace be resisted? These and many other questions will be addressed. This conference is not going to be a 'Let's bash the Calvinists' conference....
Dominican Republic - God's Hidden Gifts (11/05/08 - 7 Comments)
Have you ever looked through the photos of children at Compassion's site or at a table at a concert and wondered why sometimes five or six girls are wearing the same dress? It's not a school uniform and is not a particularly nice dress, so why are several of the girls wearing it? Today I found out why. With tears of shame, even fifteen years later, Julia (pronounced "HOO-lia) sobbed her story. She had been...
Pray for Liam (11/05/08 - 7 Comments)
You may have seen me mention Liam's name in a previous blog post. Liam is the son of our friends Kim and Jason and a friend to Nick. Today he is having a major surgery to remove a tumor from his brain. Even if the surgery is 100% successful. he will be in the hospital for ten days and will see a period of recovery that may take up to a year. I'd just ask...
Dominican Republic - The Business of Hope (11/04/08 - 13 Comments)
(When you're finished here, please visit my son Nick's blog at challiesjr.com.) I must have met 100 children today; 200 maybe. I had children touching my skin, poking my nose, grabbing my ears, hanging off my back, arms and shoulders, poking their hands into my pockets and asking, always asking, to have their photo taken. I shot photo after photo of children posing for the camera, smiling and giving a thumbs up or "rabbit ears."...
Dominican Republic - Not All is Paper (11/03/08 - 12 Comments)
This afternoon we toured through Compassion International's Dominican office. There we saw the men and women who create the programs, who choose which children will be selected for sponsorship, who translate letters from sponsors to children and children to sponsors, and who manage the finances that make possible all that they do. At one point one of our group asked about adhering to the rules Compassion lays out, and especially the rule that only a...
Blogging the Dominican Republic (11/03/08 - 9 Comments)
I'm writing this morning from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. As you know, my son and I are here with Compassion International to see how they serve God by serving this nation. From now until Thursday we will be touring the country and seeing Compassion's work among its people. We will be busy all day and writing in the evenings, so, as a break from the usual routine around here, I'll be posting later...
Blogging the Dominican Republic - Travel Day (11/02/08 - 16 Comments)
Early this morning (really early this morning), my son Nicholas and I are heading to Pearson International Airport and, from there, to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic (after layovers in Chicago and Miami). We will be traveling with Compassion International, a child sponsorship organization that ministers to over 40,000 Dominican children. Along with a few other bloggers, we have been invited to see how Compassion serves these children; we're allowed to open any file...
Inequality of Possessions (11/01/08 - 56 Comments)
The American presidential election is almost upon us (even those of us who do not live in the United States). One of the fundamental issues in this election regards distribution of wealth. Many people have become alarmed at Obama's statements about the redistribution of wealth. I think it is useful to provide a Christian perspective on inequality of wealth. To that end, I am posting the seventh chapter of Wayne Grudem's book Business for the...
