In the wake of Pastor Jeremiah Wright's inflammatory sermons and Senator Obama electing to make a major speech on the topic of race, I read with great interest Shelby Steele's new book A Bound Man: Why We Are Excited About Obama and Why He Can't Win. Steele's thesis is that Obama is "bound" between two competing political needs. On the one hand, he must appeal to whites by symbolizing the promise of a new, more hopeful form of interracial relations. To that end, Obama offers an attractive alternative to the polarizing demeanor of men like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton -- black leaders who … [Read more...] about Book Review – A Bound Man – Shelby Steele – I
Proclaiming Christ, Not Ourselves
This great quote from James Denny (an old Scottish minister) is a particularly good word for pastors, but it applies to all of us to some degree: "No man can bear witness to Christ and to himself at the same time. No man can give the impression that he himself is clever and that Christ is mighty to save." (Quoted in John Stott, Between Two Worlds, 325) (HT: John Piper) … [Read more...] about Proclaiming Christ, Not Ourselves
Sixteen Lessons from David and Bathsheba
Pastor Mickey Connolly at CrossWay Community Church in Charlotte, NC gave a recent message on the fall of David with Bathsheba (II Sam 11-12). He lists 16 lessons from this God-breathed account which are quite relevant in our battle against sexual temptation: 1. Temptation can come when I least expect it. I must always be on my guard. 2. Sin often happens when I am not positively engaged in godly activities (when I'm not doing what I am supposed to be doing). 3. I usually have a chance to stop myself if I would only take it (1 Cor. 10:12). 4. Sin has a way of finding me out... it will be … [Read more...] about Sixteen Lessons from David and Bathsheba
Do Hard Things – Chuch Norris Foreword
My copy arrived today, and boy did Multnomah do a great job with it. The cover art is outstanding. Crisp, clear, and catchy. The back cover reads: "Most people don't expect you to understand what we're going to tell you in this book. And even if you understand, they don't expect you to care. And even if you care, they don't expect you to do anything about it. And even if you do something about it, they don't expect it to last. We do." The jacket includes a great photograph and overview of the book. On the inside, I was intrigued that the foreword was supplied by Chuck Norris. He … [Read more...] about Do Hard Things – Chuch Norris Foreword
Interview of Tom Schreiner
Andy Cheung interviews Tom Schreiner about his forthcoming volume, New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ, which will be released on June 1. For now, this 46-page excerpt (the table of contents, preface, the introduction, and chapter 9 on Jesus’ Saving Work in Acts) is available. (HT: Jim Hamilton) … [Read more...] about Interview of Tom Schreiner
Simeon Trust Workshop on Preaching Christ from Exodus
The Simeon Trust, an organization dedicated to equipping pastors for biblically faithful, expository preaching, is hosting a workshop in Corona, CA on May 14-16. Speakers include David Short, Rector of St. John’s (Shaughnessy) Anglican Church in Vancouver, David Hegg, pastor of Northpoint Evangelical Free Church in Corona, and Paul Winters, Pastor of Spring Valley Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Roselle, Illinois. The theme of the workshop is preaching Christ from the book of Exodus. … [Read more...] about Simeon Trust Workshop on Preaching Christ from Exodus