Faith by Hearing
Sanctifying the MP3 RevolutionArchive for Church History 20th Century
The End of Secularism
Hunter Baker’s new book The End of Secularism is being hailed as a the sequel to Richard John Neuhaus’s classic, The Naked Public Square. Hunter Baker is interviewed on Moody’s Prime Time America.
Interview with Hunter Baker >>>
Justin Taylor has more information on this book on his blog Between Two Worlds.
Al Mohler on the Future of the Southern Baptist Convention
Al Mohler recently gave an address to the Southern Baptist Convention. The purpose of the message was to call the SBC to take action in how it must restructure itself for the future, or find itself obsolete. And the guidance for that restructuring must be to return to Biblical principles.
Mohler begins by narrating a lengthy history of the formation of the SBC, it’s initial purposes, and how it developed over the years to become the institution it is today. Being an life long SBC guy myself, Mohler’s reflection of his own young years in the SBC was somewhat like a trip down memory lane. And now that I’m older, in hindsight I see the motivation behind some of the madness I observed (remember the RA’s and Training Union?).
Mohler explains how the business model of General Motors influenced the structure of the SBC. He also compares the SBC to the philosophy of the mall in America, and how the decline of the mall and decline of GM both signal the imminent decline of the SBC if it does not rise to the challenge and make the necessary changes.
Fascinating address and urgent call to arms.
American Reformation Heritage
Darryl Hart builds a case for rethinking our ecclesiology. Currently we have 3 kinds of churches: doctrinal, cultural, and pietists. Hart argues for a 4th category which he calls confessional. These were delivered in 2005 at the Reformation Heritage Conference.
Session One: “Where Are We Now?: An Evaluation of Reformed Christianity in America” Click Here
Session Two: “The Appeal & Disappointment of Evangelicalism: Is Reformed Christianity Evangelical?” Click Here
Session Three: “Putting the Reformation back in Reformed Christianity” Click Here
Ten Indictments Against the Modern Church
What can I say about Paul Washer? Lest I tread too closely to making too much of a man, I can’t help but be excited by a preacher who speaks for God, whose words convict and inspire awe before God and his work of the Gospel. Here is a man who has a prophetic voice in the manner of a Tozer or Lloyd-Jones. And in this message, Washer clearly and effectively levels ten indictments against the modern church that we must take heed of. Here are just a few of Paul’s major points, though not necessarily his exact 10 indictments:
The modern church practically denies Scripture by embracing the sociological, the psychological and the anthropological as having authority over God’s Word. The modern church does not know God. The modern church has exchanged the Gospel and the power of God for tricks, techniques, and pagan-like methodologies.The modern church has robbed people of the power of the Gospel by embracing the heresy of decisionism. The modern church is focused on prosperity and not on sin, thus defusing the one thing necessary for the Holy Spirit to deal with to restore a sinners true relationship with God. The modern church is filled with and caters to the goats while the sheep starve under the hand of capitulating leaders. The modern church has remained silent on the reality that God`s people are called out to be separate. The modern church has torn Matthew 18 from Scripture, and along with it loving, compassionate church discipline.
Paul asks the loaded question of leaders, “Are you smarter than God? Then stop acting like it!” There is a sharp bite to Washer’s indictment, yet the cutting comes from spiritual wisdom, and one who loves Christ’s bride, the Church.
Washer spent 10 years ministering in Peru, where he started a missions organization called HeartCry Missionary Society, and has since returned to the US to oversee this organization. He makes Grace Life Church of the Shoals his church home.
Many thanks to Chad of Christ Fellowship in Hannibal, Missouri for connecting me with Paul Washer. You will be hearing much more about this man as my iPod is filled with Paul Washer mp3’s.
Herman Bavinck Introduced by Ron Gleason
If you poke around Reformed circles you’re eventually going to hear about a man named Herman Bavinck. If you don’t know who he is, well, join the crowd. However, he seems to be a man worth knowing.
Herman Bavinck is a Dutch Reformed pastor of the late 19th, early 20th centuries, who wrote what many consider to be the best Reformed systematic theology in print. Bavinck is solid, balanced, and very well informed.
Being Dutch, his works have not been translated into English until very recently, and hence, the new notariety for Bavinck. As one of the panelists said, even though he can read Dutch and wrestle through Bavinck’s work in Dutch, having it in English is a gold mine.
Ron Gleason, pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Yorba Linda, California, and co-editor of the book Reformed or Conforming, is currently finishing a soon to be published biography of this man Herman Bavinck. His discussion with the folks at Christ the Center provides a very intriquing picture of this man and his work.
The interview begins with Gleason talking about his work on the book Reformed or Conforming.
Reformation and Modern Church History with Dr. David Calhoun
Church historian David Calhoun’s lectures on church history have been made available online by Covenant Theological Seminary. These excellent lectures should not be missed. The old saying, ‘Those who don’t know history are bound to repeat it’ holds a particular truth for Christians. We must know church history. Calhoun does a great job of making church history accessible and interesting.
A TOP AUDIO POST
Dr. David Calhoun’s Reformation and Modern Church History lectures>>>
Martyn Lloyd-Jones: Reflections of his ministry by the Catherwoods
Mark Dever of 9 Marks interviews the daughter and son-in-law of the doctor reflect on his life in ministry.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones: Reflections of His Ministry by His Family.
