I finally got around to reading the Newsweek interview of Billie Graham, now 87, and mostly avoiding the spotlight nowadays. The interview is a bit disappointing in some ways, notably: (p. 6): When asked whether he believes heaven will be closed to good Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus or secular people, though, Graham says: "Those are decisions only the Lord will make. It would be foolish for me to speculate on who will be there and who won't ... I don't want to speculate about all that. I believe the love of God is absolute. He said he gave his son for the whole world, and I think he loves … [Read more...] about Billie Graham – Newsweek Interview
Al Mohler on Central Value of Marriage in Civilization
Another good post from Al Mohler on the foundational value of marriage in our civilization. Mohler discusses an article by James Q. Wilson (Ronald Reagan Professor of Public Policy at Pepperdine University) which argues that our current marriage crisis is rooted in a basic failure to reconcile the values of character and freedom. … [Read more...] about Al Mohler on Central Value of Marriage in Civilization
Update on Pastor John’s return – first sermon available
Pastor John Piper's first sermon to Bethlehem following his sabbatical is now on-line, both in audio and written format. (HT: Justin Taylor) The topic he takes on here is of extraordinary importance. I spent a semester wrestling with the issue of justification and God's grace in a Greek exegesis class on Romans 9-11. I wrote a 12 page paper on Rom. 9:30-10:13. Upshot: the law of God called for perfect obedience, which no sinner could provide. Righteousness was the goal of the law, but it could only be attained apart from the law (Rom. 3:21). Righteousness was never attainable by … [Read more...] about Update on Pastor John’s return – first sermon available
We’re Back & an Update on Multnomah
Dear Readers, Marni, Karis and I are back from visiting her family in CA and introducing many of them to Karis. It was a great trip, but somewhat tiring as we took a red-eye back to MN last night. You may recall I had written a cautionary post regarding Multnomah being sold. Well, it turns out rumors were true -- Random House has picked up the Christian publishing company, just as the picked up Waterbrook Press a few years back. But they are apparently not being closed. Nevertheless, Tim Challies echoed my concern regarding the disturbing trend of secular companies having ownership over … [Read more...] about We’re Back & an Update on Multnomah
Tom Wells – little gospel book
Are you ever looking for short, readable works that can clearly, articulately, and carefully explain the gospel message to those uninitiated to biblical language? Quite frankly, I know of no better resource for this than Tom Wells' little book, Come to Me! -- which is now available for as little as a penny on Amazon.com!!! I was reminded of Wells' work for several reasons: First, I just received a few copies in the mail (and that always helps); Second, I just heard of someone I know professing faith in Christ (which is great); Third, I read Mark Dever's sober-minded post on whether … [Read more...] about Tom Wells – little gospel book
John Piper – Back in the Pulpit
Looks like I am able to get back into my blog, but blogging will still be light until Thursday. We are currently in CA visiting with my wife Marni's family and therefore missed John Piper's first sermon at Bethlehem since February. Matt at What Else Floats has a good post summarizing the message. The sermon dealt with the justification of the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14. Though I have not yet heard the sermon, there seems to be a relationship between the message and a manuscript that Piper has written, which he described in an open letter to Bethlehem at the close of his sabbatical. Here … [Read more...] about John Piper – Back in the Pulpit