The Apostle John wrote his first epistle to Christians ("you who believe in the name of the Son of God"). And why did John write? "That you may know that you have eternal life" (I John 5:13). While God delights to grant assurance of salvation to His children, we're also told that assurance is a blessing that each Christian is to earnestly seek (II Peter 1:10). And in thinking about assurance of salvation we must inevitably consider questions like: Is certainty possible in this area? What does it mean to truly know God? Is it possible to be "sure" I know God, and yet be deceived? How … [Read more...] about Do I Know God? – Tullian Tchividjian
Theology
Election and Free Will – Robert Peterson
While we're on the topic of reformed theology, I thought I'd mention this interesting new book by Robert A. Peterson, Professor of Systematic Theology at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. Entitled Election and Free Will: God's Gracious choice and Our Responsibility, Peterson traces the doctrine of election throughout the Bible and explains the biblical concept of free will. I find this issue to be at the heart of the Calvinism-Arminianism debate. People often talk past each other because they have different categories for "freedom". In one sense, all humans are free to … [Read more...] about Election and Free Will – Robert Peterson
Young, Restless, Reformed – Collin Hansen
A well-researched and entertaining account of Reformed theology's increasing popularity among young Christians, Collin Hansen's new book, Young, Restless, Reformed, appeared in seed form as a Christianity Today cover story in 2006. With a degree in journalism, Hansen is now editor-at-large for Christianity Today while pursuing an M.Div. at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. Hansen documents the impact of several vibrant ministries that, while having significant theological differences with one another, answer with one voice on the question, "Who does what in salvation?" … [Read more...] about Young, Restless, Reformed – Collin Hansen
Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor – D.A. Carson
You don't have to be a pastor to profoundly benefit from Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor: The Life and Reflections of Tom Carson, a moving biographical account written by Pastor Carson's son, eminent author Dr. D.A. Carson. This is simply an outstanding book for any Christian who wants to fight sin, grow in grace, and be faithful until the end. I read it straight through, and was quite moved. Dr. Carson writes poignantly about his father, Tom Carson, who spent much of his life in pastoral ministry in small churches. Tom Carson never wrote a book and was never a sought-after conference … [Read more...] about Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor – D.A. Carson
The Conservative Resurgence at Southern Seminary
Dr. Albert Mohler walks through the story of his early years at Southern Seminary. It is an outstanding story of God's goodness. Two free downloads: Part 1 Part 2 (HT: JT) … [Read more...] about The Conservative Resurgence at Southern Seminary
Heirs With Christ – Joel Beeke
Adoption is at the heart of the Christian's experience because none of us are naturally God's children. Rather, we were "dead in our trespasses" and "by nature children of wrath" (Eph. 2:1,4). But God, in love, predestined us for adoption. Ephesians 1:3-6 reads: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to … [Read more...] about Heirs With Christ – Joel Beeke