Advance 2013 | Conference Sessions

This content might be worth a watch/listen: Advance 2013 | Conference Sessions:

A Fixed Given

Is nature fixed or can we tinker with it? A Fixed Given | Sex and Culture:

If I may make the problem stark, what is the difference between a man shaving his head, or a woman dying her hair, or a teen-ager getting braces on her teeth, or a man getting a sex change operation? All four can be cast as examples of us "tinkering with" nature. Nature wants the hair to grow, he wants it shaved. Nature wants her hair to gray, she wants it not to. Nature wants her to be snaggletoothed, she wants a straight smile. And he wants his body to conform to his "inner woman." Why is this last one a travesty, and the others not?

What is the Gospel for all cultures?

A good article discussing what the Gospel is: CONTEXTUALIZING THE ONE GOSPEL IN ANY CULTURE: A MODEL FROM THE BIBLICAL TEXT FOR A GLOBAL CONTEXT

The gospel is the good news that God has accomplished his creation purposes by fulfilling his promises given through Israel. In particular, the gospel narrates how God reigns over all nations through Jesus Christ whom he resurrected thus defeating his enemies, the last being death. As a result, Jesus reconciles us to God the Father by redeeming us from slavery to sin, which is any idolatrous power that corrupts our desires and condemns us to everlasting shame. God will recreate the world in which the human family receives, reveals, and rejoices in God's glory. In response, God commands all nations to repent of their rebellion. Any who give  their allegiance to Christ will not be put to shame.

“Submit” Is Not a Four-Letter Word | J.D. GREEAR

A nice summary at the end" “Submit” Is Not a Four-Letter Word | J.D. GREEAR:

The differing roles between men and women are meant to be a blessing for us, not a curse. Feminists may forget that these differences can be helpful; traditionalists may forget that these differences can be abused. But the differences are part of God’s design for us to reflect his nature back to himself.

Solid Joys - Daily Devotionals by John Piper

A new site made up of daily devotionals by John Piper, also has an iphone and andriod app: Solid Joys - Daily Devotionals by John Piper:

Top 10 Ways to Ruin Your Child’s Imagination

Quite a good list: Top 10 Ways to Ruin Your Child’s Imagination – Justin Taylor:

Infanticide: the coming battle

Well worth a read: Infanticide: the coming battle:

"Yesterday I created a file on my computer marked “Infanticide.” I intend to start making notes, collecting articles, and finding materials about the subject. I’ve been thinking about doing it for a while and I’m convinced that now is the time to start gathering info and getting ready to deal with the subject. Let me tell you why."

Atheism is doomed: the contraceptive Pill is secularism's cyanide tablet

Interesting take on family values and projected populations: Atheism is doomed: the contraceptive Pill is secularism's cyanide tablet – Telegraph Blogs:

But if what Kaufmann is saying is true – and the demographic data suggests it is – then the contraceptive Pill was not so much secular Europe’s liberation as its cyanide tablet.

On Not Losing the Gospel in the Next Generation

Some good advice from the Don: On Not Losing the Gospel in the Next Generation – Justin Taylor:

Daniel Darling, writing for Leadership, asks Don Carson, “You’ve often said that the Church is three generations from losing the gospel entirely. What advice would you give to pastors and church leaders to ensure that this doesn’t happen?” Here is his answer:

pastoral-pressures

Quite an informative image: pastoral-pressures.jpg (1600×1162):

Dysfunctional pastors

A good reminder about what the ministers role is: Dysfunctional pastors | macarisms:

Our pastors are doing the ministry. They’re busy with ministry. All kinds of ministry. Exhausted from ministry. Never ending ministry. And here’s the real problem…
God doesn’t call pastors to do the ministry.

JESUS IS LOVING BARABBAS - JUDAH SMITH SERMON JAM

Quite a good 8 min typology clip: JESUS IS LOVING BARABBAS - JUDAH SMITH SERMON JAM - YouTube

Frank Schaeffer: A Tribute to My Evangelical Leader Mom

Frank Schaeffer who wrote against Christianity was won over by the love his mum had showed him throughout his life: Frank Schaeffer: A Tribute to My Evangelical Leader Mom-- Edith Schaeffer RIP:

I knew what she was trying to say. It's the phrase she spoke most to me over my 60 year journey on this earth so far. I answered her thought, and I said, "Thank you, I know you love me and I love you too Mom." The day before Mom died my last words to her were "I want you to know your prayers for your family have been answered. I credit every moment of joy to your prayers."
I'll miss her voice. I learned to trust that voice because of the life witness that backed it up. I know I'll hear her voice again. You won Mom. I believe.

A Dance, Not a Fistfight

There is an order of things to this world and that comes from God: A Dance, Not a Fistfight | Chrestomathy:

"We have to keep reminding ourselves lest we slip back into understanding submission as an attempt to cope with raw power. That is not it at all. Authority and submission together are a dance, not a fistfight. Moreover, it is a dance grounded in the way things ultimately are, because this is the way our triune God ultimately is" (For a Glory and a Covering, p. 66).

Good Friday and the Death of Same Sex Envy

Who thinks Gay marriage will be the end, the final frontier of the sexual revolution? No one. Good Friday and the Death of Same Sex Envy | Sex and Culture:

Anybody who thinks that the sexual revolution is about to realize all its goals within the next year or two, and then we will all settle down in peaceful democratic harmony, is someone who probably ought to have their car keys taken away.

Eight Issues That Do NOT Make or Break Christianity

I think I disagree with the ones about the Bible: Eight Issues That Do NOT Make or Break Christianity - Apologetics 315:

Here is a list of what I believe to be eight issues that do not make or break our faith: