Faith by Hearing
Sanctifying the MP3 RevolutionN.T. Wrights View of Justification Discussed
Al Mohler moderates a panel discussion with Tom Schreiner, Mark Seifrid, Denny Burk and Brian Vickers at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The topic of their discussion is N. T. Wrights revisionist view of justification. This was a very good interview about justification and the challenges raised against it today, and the importance that we deal with this kind of error firmly.
Restoration Prophecy in Ezra-Nehemiah
Very interesting discussion at Christ the Center with Matthew Patton about the “already/not yet” eschatology found in Ezra and Nehemiah. Some of the discussion is challenging, but other parts are incredibly helpful, such as the discussion of typology. From the site:
The Christ the Center corporal’s guard spoke with Matthew Patton, PhD student in biblical studies at Wheaton College Graduate School in Wheaton, IL about his paper “Searching for a Truly Repentant Israel: Ezra-Nehemiah and Restoration Prophecy.” A very fascinating discussion was had about such things as the already/not yet eschatology of Ezra-Nehemiah and how even though Israel was back in the land, they had not returned from exile. The significance of typology was also addressed. One of the strengths of Matt’s research is that he shows the intertexuality of the various parts of the Bible. This paper particularly highlights Nehemiah’s prayer and his citations and allusions to Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and 1st Kings. This discussion augers well for future in-depth biblical theological and exegetical conversations.
Piper in Germany at the Hirten Konferenz
John Piper participated in the Shepherds Conference (Hirten Konferenz) in Bonn, Germany. He brought a series of three messages that he has previously given, though somewhat modified for the occasion. Great messages here, however they are difficult listening because of the German translation.
The Life and Ministry of C. H. Spurgeon
Phil Johnson gave a series of excellent addresses on the life and ministry of Charles Spurgeon. Johnson has become something of a Spurgeon expert while running the fabulous Spurgeon archive, and he has given us a tremendous gift in this series of messages. Johnson looks at various aspects of Spurgeon’s life, such as his conversion, his marriage, his gout, his theology, his ministry and his battles. Very interesting and edifying. Don’t miss these gems.
Phil delivered these messages in 2006 at Sovereign Grace Baptist Church in Rio Rico, Arizona.
Don Carson: Praying with Paul
Justin Taylor has found the messages that Don Carson delivered in Cambridge that led to his fantastic book A Call to Spiritual Reformation. This is a young Carson with powerful messages on prayer.
The conference messages are a good introduction to this book, and covers some of the same material. The book contains more material, and because it is such a phenomenal and important work, I highly recommend you read this book.
God Exposed Conference
Don’t miss the God Exposed Conference, a pastors conference focusing on expositional preaching. This is a much needed conference which was co-sponsored by 9Marks ministry and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
To begin with, Dan Akin’s message is one of those defining messages that set the standard for what preaching is meant to be. Akin looks at the preacher in Ecclesiastes. He begins his message by stating the phrase, ‘The most important thing about any message is what you say, but how you say it has never been more important.’ Akin comes down hard (helpfully so) on the need for preaching to engage and hold interest in the listener. He even goes so far to say that it is a sin for a preacher to be boring. This is a message you will want to listen to twice (which I did).
Mark Dever opens the conference with a good anticipatory message and concludes it with a fantastic message. In fact, all of the speakers made very thoughtful and engaging contributions to the conference.
One of the unique qualities of this conference is something that I first heard at T4G, and that is that immediately after the message all the speakers gather to discuss the message–a very helpful practice.
God Exposed is a pastors conference on expositional preaching that
- Session 1: Mark Dever – “The Power of God’s Word” (Mark 4:26-34)
- Session 2: Daniel L. Akin – “The Preaching on Preaching” (Eccl. 12:9-14)
- Session 3: Michael McKinley – “The Centrality of the Word” (Luke 10:38-42)
- Session 4: CJ Mahaney – “Expository Faithfulness” (2 Timothy 4:1-5)
- Session 5: Thabiti Anyabwile – “Will It Preach? Exposition in Non-White Contexts”
- Session 6: Mark Dever – “Expositional Preaching: A Defense and Charge”
9 Marks interview and Christian Rap
Mark Dever interviews two Christian rap artists about their music, craft and ministry: Shai Linne and Curtis Allen, “The Voice”.
I first heard about Shai Linne from a student at a college retreat I recently spoke at, and to be very honest, I didn’t give the student who told me much consideration. I came home, looked up Shai Linne on the Internet, and within a few minutes I was hooked. Shai has more theology in one song than most pastors have in in a years worth of preaching. When was the last time you heard a contemporary Christian song deal with penal substitutionary atonement?
Curtis Allen is in seminary and preparing for the pastorate. Shai Linne is active in his Sovereign Grace church and is considering seminary.
9 Marks interview on Christian Rap >>>
Lessons Learned from Three Decades of Leading
C. J. Mahaney, Jeff Purswell and Bob Kauflin gather for a lengthy discussion reflecting on their many years of ministry together at Covenant Life and Sovereign Grace.
There is one excellent observation I will leave you with: The boys were talking about preparation for worship, and C.J. said, the Holy Spirit is not thwarted by planning or preparation. Some believe the Spirit works spontaneously, but the Holy Spirit is more at work when we are prepared than when we are not.
New Testament Theology
Dr. Thomas Schreiner joins the lads at Christ the Center to discuss his new book New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ.
Schreiner was greatly influenced by Ladd’s New Testament Theology, and his book seeks to “open windows” on important New Testament theological concepts. Schreiner focuses a great deal on typology and the New Testament being a fulfillment of many Old Testament themes, promises and covenants.
If you’re unfamiliar with typology, this is a good introduction to it’s importance as the New Testament relates to the Old. Fascinating discussion.
Westminster Seminary bookstore has a 46 page preview of Schreiner’s book.
Richard Phillips: The Masculine Mandate
Richard Phillips discusses his excellent new book The Masculine Mandate with the team at Christ the Center. Phillips was motivated to write this book after reading Wild at Heart, the horrid, yet popular book by John Eldredge. Phillips observes that Eldredge got the primary text for men right, but took a wild interpretation that isn’t at all biblical.
Phillips identifies masculinity as being both working and keeping (nurturing), which emerge from the responsibilities he had in the garden of Eden. It’s not common to consider man as a nurturer, but that is a major part of what it means to be a man.
Phillips also suggests that many men are consumed with “man idols” that appear to be masculine, but need to be put in their place because they hinder the true responsibilities of men. He suggests many young men need to be admonished to grow up, put away their video games and begin to behave responsibility, and prepare themselves for marriage.
One of the most insightful comments was that the feminism movement in the church has largely been fueled by the movement of masculine abdication. Men have forgotten what it means to be a man in the church, and in the home, and women have responded with feminism.
This discussion is very invigorating, and at the end you will want to have this book ordered, as I did.
