Speaking of Tim Keller, I was reminded of the discussion on his forthcoming book, entitled The Prodigal God (Dutton, October 2008). Many have taken issue with Keller's use of the word "prodigal" (see the comments). On the WTS site I saw a link to an old C.H. Spurgeon sermon on the Luke 15 account entitled "Prodigal Love for the Prodigal Son." In ascribing "prodigal" love to God the Father, Spurgeon apparently meant "overflowing" because he notes in the first paragraph that the subject of the sermon will be "the overflowing love of God toward the returning sinner." Excerpt: See the … [Read more...] about Prodigal Love for the Prodigal Son (C.H. Spurgeon)
WORLD Magazine Book of the Year: The Reason For God
Marvin Olasky pens a great article and interview with Tim Keller, author of WORLD magazine's Book of The Year, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism (Dutton, 2008). Excerpt: WORLD: What's the difference between proofs of God's existence and "clues of God"—and why is the difference important? KELLER: I can give you enough rational reasons to believe in God that fall short of demonstrable proof but that cumulatively give me warrant to say that Christianity makes more sense than alternate views of reality. There are enough clues of God's existence that when you add them all up it … [Read more...] about WORLD Magazine Book of the Year: The Reason For God
Tony Snow (1955-2008)
Tony Snow, former press secretary to President Bush (2006-2007), died this morning as a result of a three-year battle with colon cancer (which spread to his liver). In addition to being a conservative commentator, Snow once had a syndicated talk radio show, The Tony Snow Show. Perhaps less well known is the fact that Mr. Snow was an evangelical Christian. He wrote an article for Christianity Today in July 2007 called Cancer's Unexpected Blessings. Here's an excerpt: I sat by my best friend's bedside a few years ago as a wasting cancer took him away. He kept at his table a worn Bible and a … [Read more...] about Tony Snow (1955-2008)
Church Reform When You’re Not the Pastor
Greg Gilbert has three excellent posts so far on the topic. 1. Reform is easier in a small church than in a large one. 2. Do what Christians do---love. 3. Make yourself a help, not a problem, to your church's leaders. Speaking of being a healthy church member, Thabiti Anyabwile has a new, short book out that spells out ten marks of one: 1. An expositional listener 2. A biblical theologian 3. Gospel-saturated 4. Genuinely converted 5. A biblical evangelist 6. A committed member 7. One who seeks discipline 8. A growing disciple 9. A humble follower 10. A prayer warrior … [Read more...] about Church Reform When You’re Not the Pastor
Exaggeration and Overcommitment
My latest article with Boundless webzine has been published. In a nutshell, the article is about how both exaggeration and over-commitment are distortions of the truth. With exaggerations, we stretch the truth to fit our purposes. With over-commitments, we either lie and say we will accomplish what we cannot accomplish, or we neglect our other God-given priorities in order to make our word good. Here's the opening: I'd already done all the work I could do without the deliverable I needed from Bob. If I didn't get his report, I wasn't going to be able to finish the project on time. He'd … [Read more...] about Exaggeration and Overcommitment
Tough Questions Christians Face – Ligonier Conference
Speaking of conferences, I'm looking forward to attending and live-blogging the Ligonier West Coast Conference entitled Tough Questions Christians Face. From Dr. Sproul's invitation: Christ has redeemed us to be a light that directs others to Him. Fulfilling this call requires us to be able to deal with the most difficult questions asked about the Christian faith. If we are unprepared for the darkness around us, it will be harder to counter it with the truth of God’s Word. On September 26–27, 2008, during Ligonier Ministries’ 2008 West Coast National Conference in Scottsdale, Ariz., Ligon … [Read more...] about Tough Questions Christians Face – Ligonier Conference