Faith by Hearing
Sanctifying the MP3 RevolutionArchive for Russell Moore
Al Mohler’s Last Radio Episode
July 1st saw the final day of the Albert Mohler Radio show. Long time colleague Russell Moore hosted the final program to interview Mohler and look back at his massive legacy of work in radio. I will miss Mohler’s program, but don’t you miss this final episode.
Kevin DeYoung & Genuine Love for the Church
Russell Moore discusses issues of the church with Kevin DeYoung and Dan Kimball on the Albert Mohler Radio Program. The focus of the conversation is why the world likes Jesus and not the church, and what we can do about it.
DeYoung is author of Why We Love The Church and Why We’re Not Emergent.
Storytelling and a Child’s Imagination
Standing in for Al Mohler on his radio show, Russell Moore interviews musician and author Andrew Peterson about the place of story in a child’s life. Moore and Peterson argue that the mass media has crippled today’s children in their ability to understand story. Peterson is author of a series of books called the Wingfeather Saga, and a fan of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. He runs a blog called the Rabbit Room.
I’m always interesting in discussions that examine the life of the imagination and the use of stories to enrich our minds. Moore and Peterson talk about the value and importance of story, and draw out some very good points. Peterson suggest that too much of “Christian Fiction” lacks “teeth”, presenting children with a view of the world that is unrealistic and superficial.
While there is much that is helpful here, I do take issue with one point. Moore and Peterson present an unfortunate (and I suspect unintentional) caricature of family devotions as being “stuffy” without the added joy of reading stories together as a family. Both Moore and Peterson read books like the Chronicles of Narnia to their children: Moore alongside of family Bible reading, and Peterson perhaps, though unclear.
Moore believes the value of reading stories helps family devotional time be “light” rather than “stuffy.” Peterson takes comfort in the fact that a Bible college professor never did family devotions with his children, under the pretense that Jesus was always in their home in all they did, and the stories they read as a family (not necessarily from Scripture) display spiritual truths about Jesus. This I do take issue with.
The unfortunate, and I’m sure unintended, impression one comes away with is that reading stories is something we need to work at more, while having family Bible reading is something we need to do less of. Open the Bible for your kids and you run the danger of being stuffy. Open C. S. Lewis or Andrew Peterson for your kids and you will be light and fun and present truth about Jesus they will remember.
The point they were circling, is that propositional truth is harder to remember than truth embedded in story. This is a funny concept that is growing in popularity today. The problem with it is that while ‘yes’ truth can be more powerfully presented through story, it is limited in power by the imagination and skill of both story teller and audience. Far too often stories are so amateurishly told that the “truth” it is intended to display is lost. Forgettable stories present truth in forgettable fashion. On the other hand, unforgettable propositions presented in unforgettable propositional fashion will be far more effective than a forgettable story. Let’s be careful not to elevate story to the most powerful form of communicating eternal truth.
2008 Together for Adoption Conference
The ministry of Together for Adoption is led by Dan Cruver and Jason Kovacs, both who are passionate for Christians to be involved in adopting orphans. The message titles give a very clear picture of what this conference is about: “The Good News of Adoption”, “The Cosmic Significance of Adoption”, “Adoption in God’s Story of Redemption”, “Our Adoption and Visiting Orphans in their Affliction.”
The speakers make a strong appeal for the need of the church to be more involved in adoption, and they support their admonition by drawing from our adoption as sons and daughters into the kingdom of God, and our instruction of visiting orphans in their affliction.
Also available on the same page are other sermons and addresses on adoption from a wide variety of well-known speakers such at C. J. Mahaney, Russell Moore, Derek Thomas, John Piper and many others, most of whom have adopted children.
Unfortunately, my internet filter has blocked my ability to download these messages, but I have been able to listen to a few of them in streaming format, as I have opportunity. This is a very good resource of information if you have the ability and/or interest in adoption.
Feminism in Your Church and Home
Mark Dever, C.J. Mahaney, Russ Moore and Randy Stinson tackle the touchy issue of feminism in the Church and the Christian home. Russ Moore makes the shocking statement that most Christians are feminists and live in ‘same-sex’ marriages. The reason? Most men do not exercise Biblical headship for their wives.
Randy Stinson observes that the ‘generic Christian’ model of the gender issue undermines the effectiveness of almost everything else that takes place in the church. DON’T MISS THIS ONE.
Feminism in Your Church & Home >>>
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The Kingdom of Christ with Russell Moore
Russell Moore delivered 3 outstanding lectures about the Kingdom of Christ at the 2005 Criswell Lectures of the Henry Institute. It’s been a few years since I listened to these lectures, but I remember there being so much good information portrayed in a way I had not heard before that I had to listen to them twice.
The 3 lectures are:
The Kingdom and the Future
The Kingdom and the Gospel
The Kingdom and the Church
Moore is the Dean of the School of Theology at Southern Seminary.
The Kingdom of Christ Lectures page >>>
This series is the basis for Moore’s book ‘The Kingdom of Christ’.
