Nov 30, 2013

Two Possible Book Deals

Barnes & Nobel is offering a 30% off coupon through Sunday, December 1. This can turn out to be a good deal. Here are two examples to demonstrate what you might be able to do. 

N. T. Wright - Paul and the Faithfulness of God is listed at $53.93 or 39% off. This is already better than the $59 price offered at ETS/SBL. But when you add your 30% coupon, this drops the price to $37.75 or a 58% discount. You will probably have to pay your state sales tax but for those who live in Texas for example that would be $3.11. So it comes out to $40.86. But  since the total is over $25 it qualifies for free shipping. So the bottom line is that you get a 54% discount off the list price!

R. Bauckham, J. Davila, A. Panayalov - Old Testament Pseudepigrapha: More Noncanonical Scriptures is listed at $59.34 or 34% off. But if you use the 30% off coupon it drops the price to $41.54. Sales tax for those who live in Texas adds $3.54 for a total of 45.08 with free shipping. This is about 50% off which is still a better than the 40% discount offered at ETS/SBL.

To access the 30% discount enter the discount code BFRIDAY30 at checkout. Keep in mind that this coupon code can be redeemed only once per billing address.

Nov 28, 2013

Rahab's Lie

J. Carl Laney has a good discussion of the ethics of Rahab's lie (Josh 2:5). Laney notes that,

"Several key hermeneutical principles are helpful in responding to this question. First, it is important to remember that the Bible often records what God does not necessarily approve. Second, divine approval of an individual in one aspect or area of life does not mean there is divine approval in all aspects of character or conduct. Third, application should be made on the basis of what the Bible obviously blesses or commends, not every detail of the passage."


Read the rest of Laney's post here.

Nov 27, 2013

Guest Preaching Tips

See this blog post for eleven helpful and common-sense tips related to guest preaching opportunities. In the post, Brandon identifies the following eleven points.

1. Honor the senior pastor
2. Respect the time limit
3. Arrive early
4. Stay late
5. Know your audience
6. Honor the topic / text / series you are given.
7. Know the stage transitions
8. Say “Thank You”
9. Learn how to accept a compliment
10. Come prepared 

11. BONUS TIP: Ask for feedback

A commenter also added "dress appropriately." Read the entire post for additional explanation of the points.

Nov 26, 2013

Video Lecture by Udo Middelmann

You can access video of a lecture by Udo Middelmann given at the Lanier Theological Library. Here is a description of the contents of the lecture.

"The Bible teaches us that God is sovereign over all. Does that mean that in his sovereignty and foreknowledge, all events are determined? What about evil and the choices of man to disobey God or not believe in him at all, including the horrors of the 20th century? Do we have to choose between a good but weak God or a bad but strong God? The sovereignty of God, the existence of evil, the responsibility of man ... how do these work together to explain human history and the reality of the world around us? Belief in the sovereignty of God has led to extreme forms of determinism, while a rejection of God’s sovereignty has resulted in a view of history which assumes the idea of a God with limited power and knowledge. Udo Middelmann critiques both positions and demonstrates the continuing battle of a good and powerful God for his creation. Instead of blaming God, or his absence, Middelmann presents a startling catalyst for thoughtful dialogue. God admonishes us to seek justice, goodness and mercy in the continuing struggle against evil."


Go here to access the video.

Nov 25, 2013

In Defense of the Lecture

The lecture method of teaching has fallen into disfavor these days. But read Abigail Walthhausen's article entitled, "Don't Give Up on the Lecture" in the The Atlantic. See You can access the article here.

Nov 24, 2013

The Preacher as Realist

Warren Wiersbe in an essay entitled, "Your Preaching is Unique," provides the following helpful observation.

"God help the preacher who abandons his ideals! But, at the same time, God pity the preacher who is idealistic that he fails to be realistic. A realist is an idealist who has gone through the fire and been purified. A skeptic is an idealist who has gone through the fire and been burned. There is a difference."

Warren Wiersbe, "Your Preaching is Unique," in Preaching to Convince, ed. James D. Berkley (Waco: Word, 1986), 167.