Ever since I started to hear the buzz about Muslim outrage regarding the the speech given by Pope Benedict XVI on September 12 in Regensburg University (Germany), I was hoping to see an articulate Christian response. Here is an outstanding essay by Pastor John Piper on how Christians should respond to Muslim outrage at the Pope's speech about violence and reason. … [Read more...] about Muslim Outrage at the Pope’s Regensburg Message
Theology
Evangelical Feminism: A New Path to Liberalism?
Evangelical Feminism: A New Path to Liberalism? by Wayne Grudem has just become available by Crossway. In this 272 page book, Wayne Grudem expresses his concern that evangelical feminism, or egalitarianism, is becoming the new path by which evangelicals are being drawn into theological liberalism. Crossway has generously allowed us to view a considerable portion of the book for free. The book also ships this week from Amazon. Related post: Evangelical Feminism and Liberalism … [Read more...] about Evangelical Feminism: A New Path to Liberalism?
What Jesus Demands of the World
The fruit of a significant portion of John Piper's sabbatical will soon be generally available. Here is the book's description [HT: Justin Taylor]: The four Gospels are filled with demands straight from the mouth of Jesus Christ. These demands are Jesus’ way of showing us who he is and what he expects of us. They are not the harsh demands of a taskmaster. For example, the demand that we come to Jesus is like the demand of a father to his child in a burning window, “Jump to me!” Or like the demand of a rich, strong, tender, handsome husband to an unfaithful wife, “Come home!” What Jesus … [Read more...] about What Jesus Demands of the World
Resources regarding Elders/Deacons
This past weekend Pastor John Piper gave a five-hour seminar on Biblical Eldership. Afterwards, a friend of mine who is involved at another church asked me about resources discussing how to transition from a deacon-led ecclesiology to one that gives proper emphasis to elders and deacons working together, each in different spheres. That got me thinking about resources regarding elders and deacons. The first that came to mind is the classic Biblical Eldership by Alex Strauch (assigned reading for Piper's seminar). Strauch has also dealt with the subject of deacons in his The New Testament … [Read more...] about Resources regarding Elders/Deacons
How the Gospel Changes Christians
Steve Childers is President of Global Church Advancement, an international ministry that provides training, consultations, and resources for church planters, pastors and missionaries throughout the world. Here's a great article he wrote which unpacks how ongoing repentance (turning heart affections away from idols) and faith (turning heart affections to Jesus Christ) results in the gospel transforming Christians into being more spiritually-minded and Christ-like. John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, Tim Keller and others are cited. (HT: Mary-Margaret Parker) … [Read more...] about How the Gospel Changes Christians
Does God want you to be rich?
David Van Biema AND Jeff Chu of Time Magazine write an engaging cover story on the resurgence of prosperity theology among evangelicals. The authors claim the (aberrant) teaching has spread beyond its Pentacostal base: "In a Time poll, 17% of Christians surveyed said they considered themselves part of such a movement, while a full 61% believed that God wants people to be prosperous. And 31%—a far higher percentage than there are Pentecostals in America—agreed that if you give your money to God, God will bless you with more money." The theory proposed is that Prosperity Theology fell upon hard … [Read more...] about Does God want you to be rich?