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
Theology
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
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
Blog going dark until Monday (8/7)
Dear Readers, We're going camping for a few days. Here's some interesting stuff for now: The Thirsty Theologian continues his analysis of the permissibility of alcohol for Christians today. Al Mohler reprints a blogpost regarding a Time Magazine assessment on "Being 13." The Jollyblogger expresses some balancing thoughts on the converse of the feminized church -- namely the hyper-masculine church. Have a great weekend! … [Read more...] about Blog going dark until Monday (8/7)
Delaying Marriage: Conflict over the Cost
Awhile back the team at Boundless.org ran an article by Danielle Crittenden on the cost of delaying marriage. It contained some counter-cultural statements that tipped the apple cart, even for many Christians. Here are two examples: But if a woman remains single until her age creeps up past 30, she may find herself tapping at her watch and staring down the now mysteriously empty tunnel, wondering if there hasn’t been a derailment or accident somewhere along the line. The 33-year-old single woman who decides she wants more from life than her career cannot so readily walk into marriage and … [Read more...] about Delaying Marriage: Conflict over the Cost