Church History in Four Minutes

Creative and humerous presentation but not sure how helpful this is.



HT: Joel Watts, Stephen Smuts

Top 15 Apologetic Books

Michael Patton lists the following fifteen books as must haves for apologetics.

15. Pensees, Blaise Pascal (can be read through Peter Kreeft, Christianity of Modern Pagans)

14. Letters from a Skeptic, Gregory Boyd

13. How Do You Know Your Not Wrong, Paul Copan

12. Reasonable Faith, William Craig

11. Scaling the Secular City, J. P. Moreland

10. Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, Norman Geisler

9. Case for Christ, Lee Strobel

8. Reason for God, Tim Keller

7. Evidence that Demands a Verdict, Josh McDowell

6. The Analytic Theist, Alvin Plantinga

5. The God Who is There, Francis Schaeffer

4. Faith Has its Reasons, Rob Bowman and Kenneth Boa

3. The Resurrection of the Son of God, N. T. Wright

2. The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus, Habermas and Licona

1. Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis

Read the entire post here.

New Video on Three Views on the New Testament use of the Old Testament Darrell Bock, Walt Kaiser, and Pete Enns

How does the New Testament use the Old? from Zondervan on Vimeo.

Free Audio Download of Just Courage

Christianaudio.com is offering a free audio download of Gary Haugen's Just Courage . Go here and use the coupon code OCT2009.

The Story of Acts

“The story in Acts is the story of the ongoing activity of God that human beings can oppose and attempt to thwart but will nevertheless proceed as God purposes.”

I. Howard Marshall, New Testament Theology (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2004), 162.

Expository Preaching Conference

Criswell College is hosting an expository preaching conference on October 5 & 6, 2009, The theme is “Prophetic Preaching in a Decaying Society.” Speakers include David Allen, Mac Brunson, John Mark Caton, W. A. Criswell (by video), O. S. Hawkins, Greg Heisler, and Alan Streett. The registration fee is $40 or $25 for students. The registration includes a DVD set of sermons by W. A. Criswell, a DVD of his sermon preparation methods, two free books, and a dinner and lunch. To register call 214-818-1316.

Grace Notes

Philip Yancey, Grace Notes: Daily Readings with a Fellow Pilgrim (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009).

Thanks to Zondervan for the review copy.

Those who are already fans of Philip Yancey will be excited to learn that material from his prolific writing career (and some unpublished works) have been turned into 366 (Feb. 29 is included) daily readings. Those who are unfamiliar with Yancey now have a great opportunity to be introduced to his work in bite-sized morsels.

These “morsels” are thoughtfully and thematically placed for each day of the year. A helpful explanation of the challenges and rationale behind the placement is included (p. 17). Those who are less familiar with Yancey’s books will also find the descriptive bibliography to be a helpful introduction to Yancey’s books (pp. 419-22).

Grace Notes provides a welcome option for someone who is looking for something slightly different for their daily devotions. Whether you agree or disagree with him, you will likely be moved and challenged.

Expository Preaching with David Allen

Dr. David Allen was recently interviewed by Barry Creamer on the topic of expository preaching on Live from Criswell radio program. Also on the program is Andrew Hebert. You can access the audio here.

The Doctrine of Grace

In his discussion on 1 Corinthians 3:1-23, Craig Blomberg writes:

"The doctrine of grace is arguably the watershed that separates Christianity from all other world religions. It should cause no surprise, then that the church has a difficult time warding off the persistent intrusion of works-righteousness. It is central to fallen, human nature to say that grace is unfair and we should get what we deserve. But no one honest about his or her own sinfulness could ever really want that. What makes God’s grace filled gospel ‘good news’ is that we don’t have to get what we deserve. Verses 12-15 remind a society preoccupied with statistics that God desires quality as well as quantity as his church grows. But true progress occurs when believers obey him in joyful response to the salvation Christ has already provided, rather than in the hopes gaining greater reward (cf. Luke 14:12, 17:7-10)."

Craig Blomberg, 1 Corinthians, NIVAC (Grand Rapids: Zondervan), 86.

Now for Something Different: Seeker Sensitive

HT: Out of Ur Blog

Article on Balaam

My article "Canonical and Extracanonical Portraits of Balaam" is now out in the Oct-Dec 2009 edition of Bibliotheca Sacra. Other articles in this issue are:

“Elihu's Categories of Suffering from Job 32-37” by Larry J. Waters
“The Literary and Theological Significance of the Johannine Prologue” by Stephen S. Kim
“The New Testament Church as a Mystery” by Gary W. Derickson
“The Temple of God in the Book of Revelation” by R. Larry Overstreet
“The Future of National Israel” by H. Wayne House

You can access a free download of House's article here.

Sons of God in Genesis 6

William Varner has a post on the identity of the sons of God in Genesis 6 as angels. For what its worth, I agree with his view. Read the post here.

Decker on The Law, the New Covenant, and the Christian: Hebrews 7-10

Rodney Decker has posted has recently delivered paper entitled "The Law, the New Covenant, and the Christian: Hebrews 7-10." You can download it here.

The Ending of Mark

Stephen Carlson has a couple of interesting posts on the ending of Mark here and here.

Scripture Unlocked Newsletter

Rene Lopez has posted the Fall edition of his Scripture Unlocked Ministries newsletter. The newsletter has articles on whether prayer is essential for salvation and the identity of the overcomers in Revelation 2-3. You can access the newsletter at the Scripture Unlocked Ministries website here.

Genesis, Adam, Longman, Oh My

There has been a fair amount of discussion in the Bible blogging world about this recent video with Tremper Longman III on whether the Adam of Genesis was a literal and historical human being or a literary construct.



One of the best refutations of Longman that I have read can be found here.

Sermon Preparation and Problems Associated with Some Commentaries

Guy Davies has a helpful discussion on sermon preparation in general and the use of commentaries in particular. In the post, Guy notes nine "dangers of commentaries." I have reproduced an edited form of his comments below.

1) Redundant material Wordy commentaries waste time.
Commentators sometimes go to great lengths on "easy bits" of the Bible, while passing over more difficult passages where most help is needed.

2) Vain discussion
Some commentaries pay too much attention to scholarly fads. Biblical scholars should write with pastors in mind and pay attention to 1 Timothy 1:4 & 1 Timothy 6:20.

3) Weak exegesis
Even the best commentators may be wrong.

4) Weak in biblical integration Little feel for redemptive-historical issues.
No suggestions as to how OT texts speak to NT believers. Preachers are especially in need this kind of help.

5) Failure to point to Christ A sad failing in some modern evangelical OT commentaries. Symptomatic of the influence of unbelieving scholarship. The Old Testament is about Christ (John 5:46). Evangelical commentators above all should attempt to show how the OT is fulfilled in Jesus (Luke 24:44).

6) Often weak in application
As John Frame says, "meaning = application." A commentary that fails to apply the text has not made the meaning clear. Another area where pastors look for help.

7) Concessions to unbelieving theology
Historicity of OT events questioned. Pauline authorship denied.

8) Dull
Scholarly commentaries can sometimes be a little dull. Preachers must not be. Avoid the danger of "the bland leading the bland."

9) Turn the handle mentality
Commentaries are no substitute for a prayerful and reflective engagement with Holy Scripture.

Read the entire post here.

Theological Writing Handout

David Stark has revised his downloadable theological writing handout. Check it out here.

Themes in Luke

Tim Chester has a nice discussion of themes in Luke. In the post he highlights three themes that he believes highlights the radical nature of Luke's Gospel. The three themes are:

1. Inclusion and reversals
2. The importance of God’s Word
3. The dangers of wealth

You can read Tim's explanation here. Readers might also want to check out this older post from my blog.

Varner on James 2:1-4

William Varner has an interesting post which argues that the context for James 2:1-4 is not a worship service but rather a church court. This view is also advocated by Blomberg and Kamell's recent commentary (pp. 110-11). In any case you can read Dr. Varner's post here.

The Meaning of “Preaching Christ”

“On the basis of this New Testament testimony, we can sketch the contours of what ‘preaching Christ’ means. To clear the deck, it may be well to state first what it is not. Preaching Christ is not, of course, merely mentioning the name of Jesus or Christ in the sermon. It is not identifying Christ with Yahweh in the Old Testament, or the Angel of Yahweh, or the Commander of the Lord’s army, or the Wisdom of God. It is not simply pointing to Christ from a distance or ‘drawing lines to Christ’ by way of typology.

“Positively, preaching Christ is as broad as preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. One has only to look at a concordance to see how often the New Testament speaks of ‘the gospel of the kingdom,’ ‘the gospel of Christ,’ ‘the gospel of Jesus Christ,’ ‘the gospel of the grace of God,’ and ‘the gospel of peace.’ In these terms two characteristics stand out. Preaching Christ is good news for people, and preaching Christ is as broad as preaching the gospel of the kingdom—as long as this kingdom is related to its King, Jesus.

“More specifically, to preach Christ is to proclaim some facet of the person, work, or teaching of Jesus of Nazareth so that people may believe him, trust him, love him, and obey him. We shall take a closer look at each of these aspects.”

Sidney Greidanus, Preaching Christ from the Old Testament: A Contemporary Hermeneutical Method (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999), 8.

Latest Issue of Review of Biblical Literature

The latest issue of Review of Biblical Literature is out. Reviews that may be of interest from a Bible Exposition perspective include:

L. Stephanie Cobb
Dying to Be Men: Gender and Language in Early Christian Martyr Texts
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6862
Reviewed by Jan Willem van Henten

J. Edward Crowley and Paul L. Danove
The Rhetoric of Characterization of God, Jesus, and Jesus' Disciples in the Gospel of Mark
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=4991
Reviewed by Seán P. Kealy

Ellen F. Davis
Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture: An Agrarian Reading of the Bible
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6922
Reviewed by Philip F. Esler

F. Gerald Downing
God with Everything: The Divine in the Discourse of the First Christian Century
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6676
Reviewed by Michael Lakey

Lori Anne Ferrell
The Bible and the People
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6947
Reviewed by Seán P. Kealy

Joseph A. Fitzmyer
A Guide to the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6885
Reviewed by Shayna Sheinfeld

William H. Jennings
Storms over Genesis: Biblical Battleground in America's Wars of Religion
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6155
Reviewed by Michael D. Matlock

Julie Kelso
O Mother, Where Art Thou? An Irigarayan Reading of the Book of Chronicles
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6854
Reviewed by Susanne Scholz

Matthew J. Marohl
Faithfulness and the Purpose of Hebrews: A Social Identity Approach
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6586
Reviewed by Renate Viveen Hood

Alexander I. Negrov
Biblical Interpretation in the Russian Orthodox Church: A Historical and Hermeneutical Perspective
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6866
Reviewed by Peter Penner

Etienne Nodet
The Historical Jesus? Necessity and Limits of an Inquiry
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6670
Reviewed by James West

Julia M. O'Brien
Challenging Prophetic Metaphor: Theology and Ideology in the Prophets
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6847
Reviewed by Bo H. Lim

Mikeal C. Parsons
Acts
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6963
Reviewed by I. Howard Marshall

Ilaria Ramelli and David Konstan
Terms for Eternity: Aiônios and Aïdios in Classical and Christian Texts
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6984
Reviewed by Jan G. van der Watt

Kevin J. Vanhoozer, ed.
Theological Interpretation of the New Testament: A Book-by-Book Survey
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6967
Reviewed by Erik Heen

Quote of the Day

“Do not look for big opportunities, “worthy” of your abilities. Those will come in due time. The great saints of the Bible started as servants, not rulers: and they were faithful over a few things before God made them kings. Moses tended sheep; Joseph was a steward; David was a shepherd; even Jesus was a carpenter. Live with the eye of God upon you, and forger the praise of men. Serve faithfully in the hidden place, and in due time, God will life you up. Every opportunity for service is an opportunity to exercise sovereignty in Christ. We reign in life by living to serve, to the glory of God.”

Warren Wiersbe, Live Like Kings: Living the Beatitudes Today (Chicago: Moody, 1976), 42.

DeYoung on Social Justice and Leviticus 25

Kevin DeYoung has a fine set of posts on "Social Justice and the Poor." Today's post interacts with Leviticus 25, in particular with the year of jubilee and how some have advocated a government sponsored redistribution of land as a way of assisting the poor today. But Kevin highlights five problems with this approach which can be summarized as follows.

1. We are not an ancient, agrarian society.
2. Most importantly, our property was not assigned directly by God.
3. Our economy is not based on a fixed piece of land.
4. Our nation is not under the Mosaic covenant.
5. Most of us are not Jews.

Rather, Kevin suggests that Leviticus should remind us that:

1. We should find ways to give opportunities for the poor to succeed.
2. The Bible supports the existence of private property.
3. The Bible relativizes private property.
4. Our God is the God of second chances.
5. Jesus is Jubilee.

Read the entire post here, complete with a link to a sermon on the topic.

The Family of Abraham and the Jerusalem Council

“Paul’s definition of kinship with Abraham and belonging to the line of promise eventually wins in this debate. Looking back on this argument, Luke presents the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 as a decisive turning point in the construction of the ‘family of God’ and ‘family of Abraham.’ In Acts 15:23, a clear note is sounded as the Jewish brothers send greetings to the believers of Gentile origin with the report of the Jerusalem Council about circumcision. This is an incredibly significant step in the Christian movement since it has at least been decided that a believer does not have to join the ‘house of Israel’ through circumcision and proselytization in order to join the “household of God” these two houses being one and the same for the not-Christian Jew.”

David A. deSilva, Honor Patronage, Kinship & Purity: Unlocking New Testament Culture (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2000), 283.