Faith by Hearing
Sanctifying the MP3 RevolutionArchive for By Topic
Discover the Praying Life [Thursday Theology Video]
Paul Miller, author of A Praying Life gave a wonderful message at the 2011 Desiring God Pastor’s conference called “Helping Your People Discover the Praying Life.”
Father Hunger: Doug Wilson
Doug Wilson’s latest book ‘Father Hunger‘ has recently been released. Posted on the Father Hunger website are 7 sermons that cover the basis of the book. Wilson is not only an excellent expositor of Scripture, he is a great teacher who has a gift in writing.
Richard Phillips says of the book:
“Wilson sounds a clarion call among Christian men that is pointedly biblical, urgently relevant, humorously accessible, and practically wise”
Prophecy in the Church Today [Thursday Theology Video]
This video is now almost a couple of years old, but a repost is worthwhile. It is from the 2010 EMA and is a discussion on prophecy in the local church between Ian Hamilton (Cambridge Presbyterian Church) and Wayne Grudem (Phoenix Seminary, Arizona). Not only is the topic worthy of some discussion, but I think the whole thing is conducted in a strong positive spirit; which is just how it should be.
Writing from a Christian Worldview: Tim Keller
Tim Keller discusses writing fiction from a Christian worldview and provides some very valuable insights.
Terry Johnson on Public Prayer
If you are a pastor, elder or worship leader, how much have you thought about the public prayers that define your Sunday morning service? If you have not, may I recommend this message by Terry Johnson, pastor of Independant Presbyterian Church in Savannah, Georgia.
Terry provides a very strong, and convicting, case for well thought out public prayer. He rightly states that our the state of prayer in most churches emphasizes the spontaneous prayer that is more often plagued by cliché and empty words. Prayer is more often caught than taught, and for that reason, the minister should offer a great deal of public prayer that is careful, saturated in Scripture, and distinct from our rambling, personal prayer lives.
On a more sober note, Terry suggests that the public prayer life of a church is reflects the true heart of the minister’s dependence upon God. Churches that have nothing more than a few token, thoughtless prayers reveal a leadership that is more dependent upon self than on God.
This message is not merely theoretical, it is full of ideas and suggestions that can easily be implemented. But the foundation for healthy public prayer is a sincere personal prayer life.
Johnson references Hughes Oliphant Old quite frequently, and recommends his book Leading in Prayer: A Workbook for Ministers. I have this book and frequent it myself, and I can recommend it from my own experience. It’s an excellent resource.
The Essence of Apologetics: Os Guinness
Os Guinness has 4 wonderful introductory lectures on the subject of apologetics, it’s biblical basis, and basic strategies for engagement.
The Biblical Basis of Apologetics >>>
Hitchens Debated
In light of Christopher Hitchens passing this past December, I’ve been barnstorming apologetics lectures and debates, and will be sharing many of those over the next few weeks.
As much as I disagree with Hitchens, and find his grasp of the Bible and Christianity very thin, I admire his ability to communicate, argue and wield the English language. Of all the popular, celebrity atheists, Hitchens is by far the most articulate and formidable, in my opinion. He makes “anti-theism” incredibly appealing to those who don’t have much beyond a Sunday School grasp of Christianity.
I have found the majority of debates with most of the other atheists (or atheistic-leaning agnostics) to be quite dull as their arguments and evasions are easily unmasked. But Hitchens puts up an admirable fight and, consequently, the Christian debaters often shine brighter than we would have seen otherwise. Christianity has some incredible defenders in men like Dinesh D’Souza, Doug Wilson, Alistar McGrath, John Lennox and William Lane Craig.
Here are some links to free mp3 files of debates:
There are a few debates only available on DVD of note that you can purchase from Amazon:
Hitchens vs. Craig; Does God Exist >>>
Hitchens vs. D’Souza: God on Trial >>>
Hitchens vs. Wilson; Collision: Is Christianity Good for the World >>>
This DVD is not a full fledged debate, but rather something of a travelog of Wilson and Hitchens on a book tour to promote their book which covers a debate that they had. While not a debate I found it fascinating.
Hitchens vs. Lennox; Is God Great? >>>
Francis Schaeffer Apologetics
Here are some links to a few classic Francis Schaeffer lectures on his approach to apologetics. The series of apologetics covers his well-known “line of despair.”
Apologetics Debates: A List
Phillip Porvaznik has collected a very large collection of debates and discussions on Christian apologetics. Here you will find Christian apologists such as William Lane Craig, Alister McGrath, Dinesh D’Souza, Walter Martin, and more. They debate objectors such as Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Dennett, Richard Dawkins, Bart Ehrman, Frank Zindler and a host of others.
Thank you, Phil, for putting this list together.
Arturo Azurdia and the Doctrines of Grace
Have you ever been confused by what the fuss is all about regarding the five points of Calvinism, which is also known as the Doctrines of Grace? If so, I recommend Arturo Azurdia’s Wednesday chapel series entitled “So Great a Salvation.”
“So Great a Salvation” is a series of five messages, each covering one of the five points of Calvinism, and then concludes with a Q& A. This is one of the best and most level-headed treatments of the subject I’ve ever listened to. I really appreciated Azurdia’s new labels for each of the five points, making these doctrines much more accessible and clear. And for one who once struggled to understand “limited atonement” I found Azurdia’s treatment of “Intentional Atonement” to be a masterful message.
1. The Human Dilemma
2. God’s Sovereign Choosing
3. The Intentional Atonement of Jesus Christ
4. The Grace that Overcomes
5. Perseverence and Preservation
Even if you’re not interested in “Calvinism” as an “-ism”, you will find this series helpful and enjoyable because “Calvinism” is about the distinguishing marks of God’s plan of Salvation.
