The Righteousness of God (Dikaiosunē Theou) and Verbal Genitives: A Grammatical Clarification

This article might be worth a read for those who know about the NT Wright argument in this area: The Righteousness of God (Dikaiosunē Theou) and Verbal Genitives: A Grammatical Clarification

Mark Dever: creating a reading culture in your church

Handing out fee books in services for 15 years. That is cool: Mark Dever: creating a reading culture in your church - YouTube

A VIEW FROM A POINT: Risky Sex

Sex is never safe, its always risky: A VIEW FROM A POINT: Risky Sex:

Sex, by its very nature is not safe. It is the ultimate act in giving your whole self away to another person. It requires vulnerability that no other relationship asks for. It is to be fully exposed to another human being. It’s putting your full naked self out there as a gift – that’s risky.
When one offers himself or herself to another there are always the questions they ask, “Does he really want me?” “Does she really love me?” “Will he accept me?” “Will she be here when I wake up in the morning?” "Does he think I'm beautiful?"  These and a million other questions are hanging out there between the two who are fully exposed to the other - what’s safe about that?

This is my last post for the Patheos Atheist Portal

Another Atheist blogger moves to Christianity based off moral laws: This is my last post for the Patheos Atheist Portal:

This post isn’t the final word on my conversion.  I’m sure there’s a lot more explaining and arguing to do, so be a little charitable in your read of this post and try to give me a little time to expand my ideas over the next few weeks.  (Based on my in-person arguments to date, it seems like most of my atheist friends disagree two or three steps back from my deciding Morality is actually God.  They usually diverge back around the bit where I assert morality, like math, is objective and independent of humans.  As one of my friends said, “Well, I guess if I were a weird quasi-Platonist virtue ethicist, this would probably convince me”).

Stylish same-sex campaign glosses over real issues

Strong concluding words by Peter Jensen in the SMH Stylish same-sex campaign glosses over real issues:

Same-sex marriage is not inevitable. It is not even possible. It would be better for us all if the law reflected the truth human beings have always known. Social engineering cannot change realities as basic as these. But the consequences of an attempt may still be painful.

Sexegesis – A Short Review

Sounds like a good read: Sexegesis – A Short Review | Dipendente:

I am particularly impressed by Gordon Preece’s graciousness as he introduces the book and the issues that are faced within the Anglican Church today. The writers interact in a gracious manner with the concerns raised by FUP and the thing that impresses me the most is there isn’t a hint of vitriolic attitude but rather a solid expounding of Scripture and a genuine concern for pastoral care that is expounded by all contributors. Some may read this book and still go away with the view that Evangelicals are “homophobes” but that will not be because of any anti-homosexual people beliefs or arguments mounted in the book but rather an unwillingness to actually enter into a discussion.

An Indonesian Book Burning

Doug comments on people burning his book in Indonesia: An Indonesian Book Burning:

There is currently a ruckus over in Indonesia over a book I wrote, 5 Cities That Ruled the World. The publisher there (Gramedia) has formally apologized for their role in it, and has burned their copies of the book.

The One Indispensable Rule for Using Social Media

Some good advice: The One Indispensable Rule for Using Social Media – Kevin DeYoung:

It’s amazing what some people post online. Do we forget that a thousand other folks are reading this intimate declaration of marital affection or this lambasting of all that their family holds dear? I wonder if people realize that what we post is who we are to hundreds or thousands of people. So no matter what we think we are like in real life, to most people who know of us, they only know us as that guy obsessed with Ron Paul or that girl obsessed with dieting or the pastor who seems to hate everyone or the cynical college kid or the older checking out strange things through Socialcam.

When the Gospel Comes to Life

Good on Carson. The Gospel is not just justification. Although he doesn't mention much about the OT: When the Gospel Comes to Life - Desiring God:

The gospel rightly, thoughtfully, and in biblical faithfulness expounded, will not only win sinners to Christ but it will also shape the lives of Christians to greater conformity to Jesus.

Does Christianity Have a Masculine Feel?

Good point: Does Christianity Have a Masculine Feel? | Challies Dot Com:

I believe it is a category mistake to say that Christianity is either masculine or feminine just as it would be a category mistake to say that Christianity is Caucasian or African-American or young or old. It exists beyond or outside of such categories. I affirm that male headship is clearly laid out in the Bible, that God assigns church leadership to qualified men, and that God has given to men certain traits or virtues that allow them to lead well. However, it does not follow from these facts that the Christian faith ought to feel more masculine than feminine. 

IVP Responds to Review

Wow. IVP took to hear Carl Truman's blog review and took the book out of print to be revised: IVP Responds to Review - Reformation21 Blog:

Nonetheless, we as the publisher take full responsibility for them. Therefore, as of the beginning of June, IVP has taken The Roots of the Reformation out of print and will no longer be shipping orders of this edition. Our goal is to publish a carefully revised second edition of the book by the end of August, in time for Fall semester classes. Further, IVP will offer a complimentary copy of the second edition, including free shipping, to everyone who has already purchased the current edition.

Old Testament Law and The Charge of Inconsistency

Keller writes a good article on a common claim about picking and choosing rules from the Bible: Newsletter - redeemer.com:

I find it frustrating when I read or hear columnists, pundits, or journalists dismiss Christians as inconsistent because “they pick and choose which of the rules in the Bible to obey.” What I hear most often is “Christians ignore lots of Old Testament texts—about not eating raw meat or pork or shellfish, not executing people for breaking the Sabbath, not wearing garments woven with two kinds of material and so on. Then they condemn homosexuality. Aren’t you just picking and choosing what they want to believe from the Bible?” 

It is not that I expect everyone to have the capability of understanding that the whole Bible is about Jesus and God’s plan to redeem his people, but I vainly hope that one day someone will access their common sense (or at least talk to an informed theological advisor) before leveling the charge of inconsistency.

Conclusion:

One way to respond to the charge of inconsistency may be to ask a counter-question—“Are you asking me to deny the very heart of my Christian beliefs?” If you are asked, “Why do you say that?” you could respond, “If I believe Jesus is the the resurrected Son of God, I can’t follow all the ‘clean laws’ of diet and practice, and I can’t offer animal sacrifices. All that would be to deny the power of Christ’s death on the cross. And so those who really believe in Christ must follow some Old Testament texts and not others.”

Polygamy in the Bible: A sordid tale

There is a lack of Biblical understanding out there: Polygamy in the Bible: A sordid tale | The Briefing:

Something similar happens when it comes to the Bible and polygamy. Sure, the narrators never pause to say, “Oh by the way, please, don’t be a polygamist.” But why should they? The stories make the point all by themselves. As Peter Jensen–one of the interviewees in the TV segment I linked to above–pointed out, stories about polygamy in the Bible, time after time, result in disaster.

God Desires All to Be Saved, and Grants Repentance to Some

Interesting messing of two verses: God Desires All to Be Saved, and Grants Repentance to Some - Desiring God:

Therefore, our prayers for the unbelievers we love, and our evangelism, should be driven by this one and only hope for their salvation: “God may perhaps grant them repentance.” Since he alone has the power to overcome spiritual deadness and Satanic blindness, we lay hold in prayer and witness on the truth: “God may grant repentance.” That is our only hope.

Wretched: False Prophet Fiasco

Quite a good twist happens: Wretched: False Prophet Fiasco. - YouTube

Theological Primer: The Attributes of Scripture

A nice framework to remember: Theological Primer: The Attributes of Scripture – Kevin DeYoung:

God’s word is needed.
God’s word is enough.
God’s word is understandable
God’s word is final.

How ‘Love God and Others’ Is a Backward Gospel

Interesting observation: How ‘Love God and Others’ Is a Backward Gospel | Mars Hill Church:

Sometimes you hear people say that the gospel message is “Love God, love others.” It sounds nice, but it’s all backward. “Love God and love others” is not a summary of the gospel—it’s a summary of the law.

The Book of 2 Corinthians in 42 Tweets

I like when they do this. It helps to get the main ideas out: The Book of 2 Corinthians in 42 Tweets - Desiring God:

The letter is structured around these many related and connected themes, and what follows is my fallible attempt to break this infallible book into 42 thematic tweets.

So, what did the Muslims do for the Jews?

That's right. So many Islamic states are quite accepting of the Jews today and allows them to practice their religion freely and without fear...: So, what did the Muslims do for the Jews? | The Jewish Chronicle:

Jewish cultural prosperity in the middle ages operated in large part as a function of Muslim, Arabic cultural (and to some degree political) prosperity: when Muslim Arabic culture thrived, so did that of the Jews; when Muslim Arabic culture declined, so did that of the Jews.

Tim Keller’s top 10 evangelism tips

Not a bad list: Tim Keller’s top 10 evangelism tips « salternlite:

1. Let people around you know you are a Christian (in a natural, unforced way)
2. Ask friends about their faith – and just listen!
3. Listen to your friends problems – maybe offer to pray for them
4. Share your problems with others – testify to how your faith helps you
5. Give them a book to read
6. Share your story
7. Answer objections and questions
8. Invite them to a church event
9. Offer to read the Bible with them
10. Take them to an explore course

Is it Bigotry to Advocate Gay Marriage but Oppose Polyamory?

Turns out the Greens aren't as progressive as they have us believe: Is it Bigotry to Advocate Gay Marriage but Oppose Polyamory?:

If you are gonna say that marriage is about “love not law,” and cannot be restricted by “religious prejudices” or “get your religion out of my bedroom” – to quote the standard mantras – then the same apparent bigotry of opponents of gay marriage is committed by opponents of polyamory. It is grossly hypocritical to be in favor of gay marriage and yet to be opposed to polyamory because the same arguments for gay marriage can (and will be) used for polyamory.

10 Things Nobody Tells You About Being a Dad

Not a bad list at all: 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Being a Dad | Daniel Darling, Author, Pastor, Speaker:

Before I became a dad, I thought I would be a pretty good dad. After all I grew up in a nice, Christian home, I read a few parenting books, and heard quite a few messages on biblical parenting. So I was set. The kids I would raise would be fortunate to have me as their father.

Because He Wrote a Book

Another good clip that didn't make it into Collision. How can you say you know what God wants?: Because He Wrote a Book | The Resurgence:

A few years ago, a documentary called Collision was made where Douglas Wilson debated Christopher Hitchens on Is Christianity Good for the World? Hundreds of hours of footage was shot and edited down to 90 minutes of solid debate and conversation. The clip you see above didn't make into that 90 minutes. Consider it deleted scenes. This is the first time it's being released, and we have it here for you to learn what it means and looks like to make a defense for your faith. 

By way of clarification--atheism and hate

Getting together to ridicule: dangerous idea: By way of clarification--atheism and hate:

If someone, from the pulpit, were to say "keep mocking homosexuals, ask them if they really have sex with people of the same sex" would they be condemned as homophobes fomenting hatred?

I am not a Catholic and don't believe in transubstantiation. But if I did, Dawkins' "do you really believe that" would not provide any reason whatsoever to reject it. God, being omnipotent, could, so far as I can tell, cause the bread and wine to become the body and blood of Jesus. The point is, ridicule is not, never was, and never will be an argument.