I previously mentioned Marvin Olasky's interview of Tim Keller in World Magazine. Here's one exchange: WORLD: When logical arguments about the reason for suffering sound cold and irrelevant to real-life sufferers, what do you do? KELLER: You shouldn't say a darn thing. If you're saying someone is right in the middle of it, then I think your job is to speak when spoken to. There is no decent thing to say other than your own presence, which mediates if you are a Christian. The existential answer is that only Christianity believes that God has entered the suffering world. We don't know what the … [Read more...] about Keller/Piper on The Mysterious Distribution of Suffering
Theology
Jonathan Edwards’ Religious Affections Audio For Free
Christian Audio is offering a free download of the audio book of Jonathan Edwards' The Religious Affections. Simply add it to your cart and use coupon code "challies08" to get it for free. (Challies will be hosting a discussion of this book, as he has previously done with other good books.) (HT: Tim Challies) … [Read more...] about Jonathan Edwards’ Religious Affections Audio For Free
Prodigal Love for the Prodigal Son (C.H. Spurgeon)
Speaking of Tim Keller, I was reminded of the discussion on his forthcoming book, entitled The Prodigal God (Dutton, October 2008). Many have taken issue with Keller's use of the word "prodigal" (see the comments). On the WTS site I saw a link to an old C.H. Spurgeon sermon on the Luke 15 account entitled "Prodigal Love for the Prodigal Son." In ascribing "prodigal" love to God the Father, Spurgeon apparently meant "overflowing" because he notes in the first paragraph that the subject of the sermon will be "the overflowing love of God toward the returning sinner." Excerpt: See the … [Read more...] about Prodigal Love for the Prodigal Son (C.H. Spurgeon)
WORLD Magazine Book of the Year: The Reason For God
Marvin Olasky pens a great article and interview with Tim Keller, author of WORLD magazine's Book of The Year, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism (Dutton, 2008). Excerpt: WORLD: What's the difference between proofs of God's existence and "clues of God"—and why is the difference important? KELLER: I can give you enough rational reasons to believe in God that fall short of demonstrable proof but that cumulatively give me warrant to say that Christianity makes more sense than alternate views of reality. There are enough clues of God's existence that when you add them all up it … [Read more...] about WORLD Magazine Book of the Year: The Reason For God
Church Reform When You’re Not the Pastor
Greg Gilbert has three excellent posts so far on the topic. 1. Reform is easier in a small church than in a large one. 2. Do what Christians do---love. 3. Make yourself a help, not a problem, to your church's leaders. Speaking of being a healthy church member, Thabiti Anyabwile has a new, short book out that spells out ten marks of one: 1. An expositional listener 2. A biblical theologian 3. Gospel-saturated 4. Genuinely converted 5. A biblical evangelist 6. A committed member 7. One who seeks discipline 8. A growing disciple 9. A humble follower 10. A prayer warrior … [Read more...] about Church Reform When You’re Not the Pastor
Tough Questions Christians Face – Ligonier Conference
Speaking of conferences, I'm looking forward to attending and live-blogging the Ligonier West Coast Conference entitled Tough Questions Christians Face. From Dr. Sproul's invitation: Christ has redeemed us to be a light that directs others to Him. Fulfilling this call requires us to be able to deal with the most difficult questions asked about the Christian faith. If we are unprepared for the darkness around us, it will be harder to counter it with the truth of God’s Word. On September 26–27, 2008, during Ligonier Ministries’ 2008 West Coast National Conference in Scottsdale, Ariz., Ligon … [Read more...] about Tough Questions Christians Face – Ligonier Conference