In a sad development, Mexico City lawmakers voted 46-19 to legalize abortion. The left-leaning mayor is expected to sign the bill into law. CNN reports: Nationally, Mexico allows abortion only in cases of rape, severe birth defects or if the woman's life is at risk. Doctors sometimes refuse to perform the procedure even under those circumstances. The new law will require city hospitals to provide the procedure through the end of the first trimester and opens the way for private abortion clinics. Girls under 18 would have to get their parents' consent. Also: The only countries in Latin America … [Read more...] about Mexico City Legalizes Abortion
N.T. Wright, Steve Chalke and Penal Substitution
First some background: A few days ago I mentioned the New Word Alive conference, which is (at least in part) an outgrowth of a fresh split in UK Evangelicalism over Steve Chalke's description of penal substitution as "cosmic child abuse." Chalke infamously used this term in his book The Lost Message of Jesus. IVP-UK published a book defending penal substitution (and thus opposing Chalke) entitled Pierced for our Transgressions, by Steve Jeffrey, Mike Ovey, and Andrew Sach. It includes a foreword by John Piper and numerous endorsements. (The book will be available in North America this … [Read more...] about N.T. Wright, Steve Chalke and Penal Substitution
Our With One Voice interview with Match.com
Last summer I mentioned that the faith-based dating channel of match.com had interviewed Marni and I about With One Voice. The interview has now been posted. … [Read more...] about Our With One Voice interview with Match.com
John Newton on Character Blemishes
I came across this paraphrase from John Newton's “Some Blemishes in Christian Character” on Tim Keller's Vision blog archive and found them penetrating. See if you can recognize your loved ones -- or, more importantly, yourself! “Austerus” is inflexibly and invariably true to her principles, but there is a harshness in manner that makes her more admired than loved. Her intimate friends know that she is no stranger to humility, but those friends are few. Others think her proud, dogmatic and self-important, with a cynical air. “Humanus” is generous and benevolent, but if you entrust him with a … [Read more...] about John Newton on Character Blemishes
Children Desiring God Conference – April 26-28
I was honored by the request to live blog the plenary sessions of the Children Desiring God Conference, which kicks off in less than a week. Live blog posts will appear on the Desiring God blog as well as here (by permission from DG). Conference Theme: How Great a Salvation The theme for this conference, "How Great a Salvation," was chosen out of a desire to lead children toward a biblical understanding of salvation. The nature of our evangelistic appeals—the words we use to explain salvation, and the assumptions we make in teaching children—will shape their understanding of the gospel for … [Read more...] about Children Desiring God Conference – April 26-28
New Word Alive Conference – April 2008
Adrian Warnock points to what sounds like a great conference (particularly for those on the other side of the pond): A 2008 New Word Alive Conference will be from April 7-11 at Hafan Y Mor Family Holiday Park, Pwllheli, North Wales. Confirmed speakers include D.A. Carson, John Piper, and Terry Virgo. There is a capacity for over 5000 attendees, says Warnock. The Conference is sponsored by UCCF and the Keswick Convention, and not Spring Harvest (which has historically been involved). In his post, Adrian points to a fresh split in UK Evangelicalism which may have prompted the formation of … [Read more...] about New Word Alive Conference – April 2008