Welcome to May! To ring in the new month I’ve got a couple of great new desktop wallpapers for you to download. This month’s wallpapers were created by Anna Cirlot.

A few notes: Your desktop or laptop may take any of the sizes, depending on your monitor size and a host of other considerations. If you’re not sure of the size, just find one that looks like it would be pretty much the same size as your screen. Generally you set one of these are your wallpaper by clicking on the link to the image, then right-clicking on the image (once it’s open) and selecting “Set as Background,” “Set as Desktop Background,” or something similar. If you aren’t sure, post a comment and we’ll try to help you figure it out.

On the Wings of the Morning

Anna says: “This photo taken by photographer Jessica Preskitt reminds me of the place we recently baptized two believers a couple of Sundays ago.  I can’t help but think about this verse whenever I see the sun rise along the marsh.  It’s beautiful to know God is always near.”

With Calendar: 1024x768, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 2560x1440

Without Calendar: 1024x768, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 2560x1440

Redeemed

With Calendar: 1024x768, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 2560x1440

Without Calendar: 1024x768, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 2560x1440

I hope you are enjoying this Visual Theology series of infographics as much as I am. The series has now visited the ordo salutis, the attributes of God, the books of the Bible, Philippians 4:8, the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Trinity, Philippians 2:5-11, the Old Testament tabernacle and the fruit of the Spirit. Today it continues with a look at Reformed theology, focusing on the five pillars and the five points of theology that emerged from the Reformation.

(Click on the thumbnail image below to see the complete infographic)

If you are after a high-res version, you can have it here in JPG format (8 MB). Please feel free to download, copy, email, share, or print the graphic; I just ask that you don't sell it.

If you have other ideas for theological infographics, please feel free to leave a comment. Several more are already in development.

It occurred to me recently that I own several books dedicated to the topics of humility and pride (and, I’m sure, many more that deal with them in passing). I began to wonder how each of the authors define their terms and, with a little bit of research, here is what I came up with. You will see that all define humility but not all so clearly define pride.

William Farley (Gospel-Powered Humility)

Humility is the capacity to see myself in God’s light, in the context of his holiness and my sinfulness.

Pride is spiritual blindness, a delusional, inflated view of self. It is unreality on steriods.

Let me also include a worthy quote: “Here is the great paradox: the proud man thinks he is humble, but the humble man thinks he is proud. The humble man sees his arrogance. He sees it clearly, and as a result he aggressively pursues a life of humility, but he doesn’t think of himself as humble. The proud man is completely unaware of his pride. Of all men he is most convinced that he is humble.”

C.J. Mahaney (Humility: True Greatness)

Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness.

Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon him.

Wayne Mack (Humilty: The Forgotten Virtue)

Humility consists in an attitude wherein we recognize our own insignificance and unworthiness before God and attribute to Him the supreme honor, praise, prerogatives, rights, privileges, worship, devotion, authority, submission, and obedience that He alone deserves. It also involves a natural, habitual tendency to think and behave in a manner that appropriately expresses this attitude.

Andrew Murray (Humility)

Humility is not so much a grace or virtue along with others; it is the root of all, because it alone takes the right attitude before God, and allows Him as God to do all.

Conclusions

Based on these definitions, it seems that the key to pride is the desire to elevate myself so I can have God’s position and status for myself. It effectively lowers God as it elevates self. Humility, on the other hand, is simply a right assessment of myself that takes into account the infinitely vast gulf between Him and me. Put in those terms it hardly seems like it should be the lifelong battle it is for each of us. And yet we feel its pull every day.

Here are seven ways that you can pray about your prayer life. These are seven items you can add to your prayer list as you consider your own prayer life or another person’s.

1) Pray that your prayers would be the expressions of a humble heart.

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:5-6)

2) Pray that God would remind you that he doesn’t want or need your eloquent prayers.

And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:7-8)

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:26)

3) Pray that you would remember what the really important requests are.

Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.”
(Matthew 6:9-13)

About a month ago I announced the start of a new series of posts in which I will attempt to define theological terms succinctly and simply (as much as this is possible). I began with a definition of the category itself--theology--and am now finally getting around to the second term.

Trinity is a word that, like theology, we do not find in the Bible itself. Nevertheless, like theology, it is no less biblical, because the concept that it summarizes is clearly evident in Scripture, from the first page to the last.

Trinity refers to the nature of God’s existence and is a theological description that distinguishes genuine, biblical Christianity from so many cults and frauds. The name itself could be understood as the combination of the words “triple” and “unity,” and that would just about capture the main idea. 

In very basic terms, Trinity refers to God’s three-fold being--the fact that he has always been and forever will be one God who consists, simultaneously and distinctly, in three Persons (Father, Son and Spirit), who are each fully God.

Any definition of Trinity warrants additional explanation of all that it does (and doesn’t) mean. For a next step in understanding the doctrine, I recommend checking out the infographic I put together recently. Here is how I defined the term in that graphic:

God eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and each person is fully God, and there is one God.

If you haven’t ever read a book on the Trinity, you would do well to read one as soon as possible! I recommend James White’s The Forgotten Trinity or Bruce Ware’s Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; both are excellent places to go for an introduction or refresher.

I love writing book reviews and I love reading them. Since I cannot possibly read and review all of the interesting books out there, I've decided to put together some occasional round-ups of reviews written by other writers. Here are a few notable links I've collected over the past few weeks.

William Carey: Obliged to Go by Janet & Geoff Benge, review by Monique Bergmeier. “All the books in the Christian Heroes series we have read are very well written, with a style that draws our children in as we read aloud together. … [it] is a valuable resource in providing concrete examples of true heroes of the faith after which we and our children may follow in seeking God’s will for our own lives.”

The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler, review by Camden Bucey. “The Explicit Gospel is a useful book with many admirable qualities. Principally, it points us to the matter of first importance, that “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). I agree with the principle concerns of this book, but I believe the author could clarify and improve his case in several ways.”

The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Tim Keller, review by “quaesitor” (Mark Meynell). I’m very pleased this is out in print now, simply because it gets to the heart of such a crucial contemporary issue: the power of the Ego. … This booklet contains all the hallmarks of a Keller treatment: close attention to the details of the text (in this case, a handling of 1 Corinthians 3:21-4:7), explicit debts to the thought of C S Lewis, an appreciation of how contemporary thinking is developing and shifting, as well as a vital understanding of real people’s pastoral needs.”

Relationships: A Mess Worth Making by Tim Lane and Paul Tripp, review by Mark Tubbs. “I can confidently say it is a book that every Christian should read on the threefold basis of theology, applicability, and accessibility.”

The Gospel Focus of Charles Spurgeon by Steven Lawson, review by David Steele. Steele gives it five stars, saying that it “is a much-needed antidote in a church that downplays theology and especially has a nasty habit of misrepresenting historic Reformed theology. It reminds pastors of the need for courage and conviction. … It is time to open the Book and preach with the passion and fervor of Charles Haddon Spurgeon.”

Fools Rush In Where Monkeys Fear to Tread by Carl Trueman, review by Aimee Byrd. “Anyone who wants to be sharpened should read this book. While you may not agree with everything he says, you will be challenged by the gospel’s implications. Your sense of humor will be challenged as well. And your vocabulary.”

Reformation: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow by Carl Trueman, review by David Steele. “Trueman’s work is a delight to read. My hope is that this reprinted edition receives the credit it deserves. Grounded in the great truths of the Protestant Reformation, this work inspires, educates, and corrects mistakes some evangelicals are currently making.”

A few days ago I received three packages in the mail and, coincidentally, each of them contained a book for which I had penned an endorsement several months before. I bring them to your attention because of them is worth reading.

The Most Misused Verses in the Bible by Eric Bargerhuff. Here’s what the publisher says about it: “A surprising number of well-known Bible verses are commonly misused and misunderstood. Whether intentionally or not, people take important verses out of context, and pastor and Bible scholar Eric J. Bargerhuff has seen the effects: confusion, faulty decisions, sin being dismissed, and more. With a deft touch, he helps readers understand and apply sound principles of interpretation and application of twenty familiar verses. This concise high-interest approach appeals to the curious as well as readers concerned about incorrect theology.” And my blurb went like this: 

There is great value in memorizing Scripture and in storing up God’s Word in your heart. But that value is diminished when verses are then quoted out-of-context, used in ways they were never meant to be used. Eric Bargerhuff has done the church a great service in selecting a list of verses we are prone to misuse and patiently and winsomely explaining what they really mean and how they actually apply to us. This is a book that is long overdue and I gladly commend it to you.

Together: Growing Appetites for God by Carrie Ward. The publisher says, “Christian parents have a responsibility to make sure their children know and love God’s Word. But what if you struggle as a parent to read the Bible yourself. How can you pass a love for God’s Word along to your children if you struggle with it yourself? That was Carrie Ward’s story. Until God gave her a plan to help her develop a consistent time in the Word, right along with her children. Readers will walk together with Carrie Ward, an everyday mama, as she journeys through the Bible with her small children one chapter a day. As her children re-enact the Bible stories readers will be able to see Scripture through the eyes of a child. Parents will learn how to impart God’s truth to their children day by day, and will see its transformative power on their families. Together: Growing Appetites for God is an easy read and includes helpful tools for scripture memorization and charts to follow progress through the Bible.” Aileen and I endorsed this one together:

Like all Christian parents we long to raise our children “in the fear and discipline of the Lord.” Carrie’s wonderful little book models one simple but profoundly important way we can do that—reading God’s Word together. Together has strengthened our resolve to maintain this important discipline and it has encouraged us to see that it is not only possible, but that it also bears fruit.

Am I Called?: The Summons to Pastoral Ministry by Dave Harvey. The publisher says, “Many men have the skills to lead a church, but only some are called. Dave Harvey helps men considering pastoral ministry to see God's active role in the process of discerning their calling. God's Word offers a clear framework for evaluating one's call, especially within the context of community. Harvey offers six diagnostic questions to help prospective pastors process their calling, and what they should be doing now if they aren't sure. Illustrated with personal and historical stories, Harvey explores biblical and practical principles for determining the pastoral call. Over the past twenty-four years of ministry, Harvey has enjoyed assisting many men in discerning whether they are called into ministry. This book will guide you through that all-important process with wisdom and confidence in God's faithfulness in your life.” I wrote:

The history of the church is marked and marred by the “ministries” of unqualified men. The reason I am glad to recommend Am I Called? is that Dave Harvey sets the call to pastoral ministry in the biblical context: the calling from God and the calling from and to a local church. May God use this book to raise up a whole new generation of men who are called, equipped and competent for the work he (and we) have called them to.

Today I've got another batch of books that I didn't review. Life is such that there are lots of great books that I just cannot find the time to read and many other books I'm simply not qualified to review. These books tend to find their way into these round-ups of the ones I received and looked at but for one reason or another just couldn't review. I list them here in the hopes that at least some of them will be of interest to at least some of you!

Eternal Perspectives by Randy Alcorn. “Pulling from noted authors, scholars, and theologians such as C.S. Lewis, Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, Alister McGrath, Martin Luther, Augustine, Max Lucado, Philip Yancey, D. L. Moody, Dallas Willard, and countless others, Eternal Perspectives is the ultimate resource for anyone looking for inspirational quotes and passages on the topic of Heaven.”

God Is Love by Gerald Bray. “This volume is unique from others in that Bray traces the common theme of God's love through the Bible categorically--from God's love for himself and his creation to the cross as the ultimate expression of God's love, among other categories. The centrality of God's love in Bray's theology reflects a deep conviction that the Bible shows us God for who he really is.”

Giving Up Gimmicks by Brian Cosby. “When youth groups elevate experience over truth, they drive away the teenagers they hope to attract. Here is a ministry approach, grounded in Christ and patterned after the means of grace, that brings them back.”

If you read this site on a regular basis, you are no stranger to the fact that publishers are offering all kinds of great deals for Kindle books. It seems that every week there are at least 3 or 4 irresistible deals where a good book is marked down to just two or three dollars. I know that for this reason and others, many of you are considering purchasing a Kindle. I have put together this little guide to help sort out all the options. 

In general, there are two advantages to an e-reading device: the price of books and the convenience of the electronic format. Because there is no printing or shipping cost involved, books tend to be significantly cheaper in ebook format. Because ebooks are mere bits and bytes, they weigh nothing and an entire library can be carried wherever a device can go.

Kindle is the leading ebook device and format and the only one I have used extensively, so I will focus only on it (and not on Nook, Kobo and the other variations).

The first thing I will do is run over the options. This seems complex, but only because Amazon offers so many variations on the device. The first three devices are all e-readers, meaning that they have a screen that is not backlit (i.e. you cannot read it in the dark without a light source) and are meant to mimic the experience of ink on paper. They use very little power and need to be recharged only every week or two under normal use. The final option is a tablet computer, similar to a small iPad.

Kindle

The entry-level Kindle retails for just $79 for the ad-supported version or $109 with no ads. It weighs just 6 ounces and has enough storage to hold around 1,400 books. This device offers only wifi connectivity, which means that you will need to have a connection to a wireless network or your local computer in order to purchase books or add books from your library.

A word about advertisements: They will appear on the screen when you are not using the device. As you let the Kindle go dormant, the screen will show advertising about products or services that may be of interest to you. There may also be small advertisements when you browse your library. You will not see ads as you read a book.

Pros:

• You can’t beat the price; $79 quickly pays for itself in the amount you save over purchasing printed editions
• At just 6 ounces in weight and 6.5” in height, it’s ultra portable
• The e-ink screen is no more difficult to read than ink on paper

Cons:

• Taking notes is slow and cumbersome
• You can only buy new books when you have access to wifi or your local computer

This is a good option if you are just investigating the market, if budget is a significant consideration, or if you are not much of a note-taker.

I hope you are enjoying this Visual Theology series of infographics as much as I am. It has now visited the ordo salutis, the attributes of God, the books of the Bible, Philippians 4:8, the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Trinity, Philippians 2:5-11 and the Old Testament tabernacle. Today the series moves back to a particular Scripture passage—Galatians 5:22-23 where we learn about the fruit of the Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Here we tried to capture the tree and fruit motif, but without making it too obvious. I think it worked.

(Click on the thumbnail to see the comple the infographic)

You can also download it as a desktop wallpaper if you’d like to pretty up your computer: 1024x768, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 2560x1440

If you are after a high-res version, you can have it here in JPG format (7 MB). Please feel free to download, copy, email, share, or print the graphic; I just ask that you don’t sell it.

If you have other ideas for theological infographics, please feel free to leave a comment. Several more are already in development.