Following Rob Bell

Christians are the true rebels: Following Rob Bell - Reformation21 Blog:

"These days, the real adventurers are those who set sail for the risky land of Christian orthodoxy. The real brave men and women are those who consistently go to church, observe the sacraments, hear the word, and submit themselves to the discipline of the church. In an age of autonomy, it's those who subject their thoughts, behaviors, and passions to an exclusive Sovereign that are the brave few. Those may not be the memoirs we're interested in today, but they'll be the ones that last tomorrow. "

On Paris and living with fear

Well said: On Paris and living with fear - The Gospel Coalition Australia:

"So read the news reports, grieve with the victims, cry, call for justice, and get angry with those criminals who thought it was their right to take 129 lives. And pray. Pray for the victims’ families; pray for the dismantling of Islamic State; pray for France as the nation grieves. And then, when you've sunk to the depths of your grief in light of these attacks, thank God for the life he's given you, then go and live it."

Six Questions to Ask When Studying the Bible in a Group

A modification of a method I use for Bible Study groups (I only ask 4 not 6 questions): Six Questions to Ask When Studying the Bible in a Group | Desiring God:

"If you want to read the Bible with your small group, or have tried in the past and it’s fallen flat, you might try the Swedish method. "

Please don't be intolerant

Some good points in here, Please don't be intolerant - Adam4d.com:

"Disagreement is not intolerance"

Richard Glover: Sticking up for the believers

Not a bad read: Richard Glover: Sticking up for the believers:

"And why the rise of militant atheism at exactly the time the church has never been less powerful?"

Christianity, the World's Most Falsifiable Religion

Christianity, the World's Most Falsifiable ReligionParchment and Pen Blog:

"“Even atheists,” Habermas said, “have nothing but ‘negative apologetics’.” In other words, Christianity has a significant amount of historically verifiable data which forms the bedrock of the faith. This is “positive apologetics.” An atheist conference, for example, does nothing but belittle the claims of other religions (primarily Christianity). “There is no positive defense that one can give for naturalism,” Habermas concluded. Therefore, the only thing available to the atheist is an attempt to overturn the massive amount of evidence that Christianity has."

7 great study bibles

I good overview of the good study bibles out there: 7-great-study-bibles-hd.png (1600×6551):

Scientists Should Tell Lawrence Krauss to Shut Up Already

I miss Hitchens, I think he was the best of them. Krauss, not so much: Scientists Should Tell Lawrence Krauss to Shut Up Already | Public Discourse:

"Krauss’s argument is as inept as that of someone who thinks that checkers game boards have no cause, because we can find no reference to such a cause in the rules of checkers. Such a person is looking in the wrong place, just as Krauss is looking in the wrong place when he confines himself to science to find some reason to affirm a divine uncaused cause."

In Which I Toss Another Cinder Block Into the Goldfish Bowl

Doug Wilson got under fire for saying that Christian women are prettier: In Which I Toss Another Cinder Block Into the Goldfish Bowl | Blog & Mablog:

"As I mount the gallows and look out over the crowd gathered for the festivities, the chaplain accompanying the hangman asks me if I ever thought it would end this way. Well, kinda, I did, but to be honest, I hadn’t anticipated that it would be for believing that Christian women were prettier."

Microaggressions and the Rise of Victimhood Culture

Quite an interesting observation: Microaggressions and the Rise of Victimhood Culture - The Atlantic:

"Victimhood cultures emerge in settings, like today’s college campuses, “that increasingly lack the intimacy and cultural homogeneity that once characterized towns and suburbs, but in which organized authority and public opinion remain as powerful sanctions,” they argue. “Under such conditions complaint to third parties has supplanted both toleration and negotiation. People increasingly demand help from others, and advertise their oppression as evidence that they deserve respect and assistance. Thus we might call this moral culture a culture of victimhood ... the moral status of the victim, at its nadir in honor cultures, has risen to new heights.”

Raising a Child in the Lord: The Art of “Conferencing”

Not bad questions for any age: Raising a Child in the Lord: The Art of “Conferencing” - The Gospel Coalition:

" two fundamental questions: 

Was the pastor right on Sunday?  
What did your heart do when you heard that sermon?"

“Shut Up, Bigot!”: The Intolerance of Tolerance

This is worth remembering: “Shut Up, Bigot!”: The Intolerance of Tolerance | Public Discourse:

"A little reflection on this definition will reveal that the vast majority of bigotry accusations populating the internet and in public discourse are not legitimate ones. On the contrary, they are the consequence of a mistaken view of tolerance that is itself a product of a warped postmodern epistemology."

dangerous idea: 10 Questions for Materialist Atheists

I like the questions: dangerous idea: 10 Questions for Materialist Atheists

Operation rescue: the Christians of the Middle East face extinction

Interesting take: Operation rescue: the Christians of the Middle East face extinction:

"The Abbott government could treble the 6000 refugee number in each of the next four years – 72,000 refugees – and make a real difference, without incurring the wrath of the electorate. But only if it had the courage to give priority to Christians.

That's the political reality. That's the only way to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number in this crisis."

How could God command the acts of violence in the OT?

A good overview of dealing with this question: How could God command the acts of violence in the OT?:

The Word 1-2-1

These PDF's look quite good (they should make an android app): Buy/Download - The Word 1-2-1:

"The Word One to One has been used by many people around the world. To assist the worldwide church we are making the resource available for free! You can download the resource in full colour, to use on a tablet or laptop. You can also print them out (we suggest doing this in black and white)."

Crucial Questions: 22 Free eBooks from R.C. Sproul

These would be worth a read. Each one isn't that long: Crucial Questions: 22 Free eBooks from R.C. Sproul by Nathan W. Bingham | Ligonier Ministries Blog:

"To further help Christians know what they believe, why they believe it, how to live it, and how to share it, in May 2013 we made the ebook editions of R.C. Sproul’s Crucial Questions series free forever. We continue to publish new ebooks in this series and this year have added Can I Lose My Salvation? and What Is the Great Commission?"

The One Question Every Husband Needs to Ask His Wife (Every Day)

Not a bad question: The One Question Every Husband Needs to Ask His Wife (Every Day) - Thinking of God:

“What’s one thing I can do today to make you feel loved?”

7 Questions for Those Who Want Money for People With Minds That Hate . . .

Pointing out the inconsistency of the pro-abortion, progressive stance: 7 Questions for Those Who Want Money for People With Minds That Hate . . . | Blog & Mablog:

"You are the party of women’s rights and you agitate for protection for women, and yet with the exclamation #anotherboy, you reveal that you do in fact know that half of the bodies you are taking to market are female bodies, AND you want to be the feminists?"

Free Compelling Interest by Roger Resler Audiobook Download

Christian Audio have put up an extra free book this month on the topic of abortion: Compelling Interest by Roger Resler Audiobook Download - Christian Audio! Audiobook Download, Monthly Free Book:

I Don’t Know if I’m Pro-Choice After Planned Parenthood Videos

I Don’t Know if I’m Pro-Choice After Planned Parenthood Videos - The Daily Beast:

"That’s what a man does. He protects children—his own children, and other children. That’s what it means to be a man"

12 Things That Every First Time Dad Should Know

Some good advice, even if you are expecting your third (like I am): 12 Things That Every First Time Dad Should Know | Biblical Counseling Coalition Blogs:

"Here are 12 for you to consider as you get ready to meet your son or daughter."

Pastoral letter concerning the redefinition of marriage

Maybe a little pragmatic, but it is good Stuart has put this out, his progressive links down the bottom seem interesting: Pastoral letter concerning the redefinition of marriage · News · Canberra and Goulburn Anglican Community:

"As it happens, the Anglican Church of Australia does have a clear and unambiguous position on marriage. Our nationally authorised and instituted liturgies reflect this unequivocal view – to which I subscribe, as follows:
‘Marriage is a life-long union in which a man and a woman are called to give themselves in body, mind and spirit, and so to respond, that from their union will grow a deepening knowledge and love of each other’ (A Prayer Book for Australia, p. 647)."

Interview: Katy Faust lobbies against same-sex marriage

Well done ABC for putting this up: Interview: Katy Faust lobbies against same-sex marriage - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation):

She’s Having a Fetus

The conversation is funny and really really sad at the same time: She’s Having a Fetus - The Gospel Coalition:

"Do pregnant women really talk about carrying a “fetus” rather than a “baby”? I was skeptical until I overheard the following conversation at a local shopping mall:"

The Amazing Dr. Ransom's Bestiary of Adorable Fallacies

Its worth clicking through to the pdf's: The Amazing Dr. Ransom's Bestiary of Adorable Fallacies - Canon Press:

Inside you'll find insightful illustrations, pithy descriptions, helpful exercises, semester- & year-long schedules, and all the clever analaysis a person might need to leave the little fallacies alone. Perfect for fledgling logic students. Matchless as a supplement to any established high-school or college logic curriculum. Ideal for pastors or parents, or anyone else in our age of nonsense who wants to apply logic to real life. 

Cultural Cheat Sheet for Christians (no.1): Abortion Fallacies 

Cultural Cheat Sheet for Christians (no.2): Gay Rights Fallacies

10 statistics about Australian men

Interesting: 10 statistics about Australian men |:

Christianity: The Good Stuff

You don't see this very much: Christianity: The Good Stuff:

"for the sake of fairness, I am going to list seven things that, in my view, Christianity has gotten right. These are salient themes of the Christian message, themes that persist through the ages and shine in the often dark and gritty reality that is the history of the Christian religion."

Reaction To The Supreme Court Decision on Same-Sex Marriage

Not a bad video about the US decision to same sex marriage: Reaction To The Supreme Court Decision on Same-Sex Marriage | TGC:

My Perspective on Tullian's Sin

This is a sad thing: Fighting for the Faith: My Perspective on Tullian's Sin:

"As one who has far more data to work with than many others, I must admit that the whole series of events leading up to last Sunday has shaken me to my core. The reason for this is simple. I just witnessed one of the most elaborate satanic schemes pulled off in modern history. The devil concocted the perfect plan to tempt a pastor to sin and the devil left nothing to chance."

Black Is Black, I Want My Country Back

Self identification only gets you so far: Black Is Black, I Want My Country Back | Blog & Mablog:

"Iowahawk nailed our drunk generation to the wall when he said that my gender is apparently what I think it is, while my race is what other people think it is."

The One Thing Bruce Jenner Got Right

Ouch: The One Thing Bruce Jenner Got Right | Blog & Mablog:

"Christ makes all things new. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. And when God gives us a new heart, it is far more real than the old broken one. In regeneration, God is turning us into people. God takes away the heart of stone, and in evangelical conversion He gives a heart of flesh. So what does God give? He gives a living, beating human heart. He gives a genuine heart. All our surgeons can do is give fake boobs."

Freedom Is . . . a Sexual Ponzi Scheme?

A nice article on our modern arguments for sexual freedom: Freedom Is . . . a Sexual Ponzi Scheme? | Carl R. Trueman | First Things:

"A vision of personhood and freedom reduced to a series of sexual encounters designed to stave off boredom represents a somewhat childish and vacuous philosophy of life. Indeed, this is what now passes for thoughtful and provocative journalism in a quality newspaper and yet I hardly needed to break sweat in picking apart such nonsense. Conservative Christians may be in a minority, but thank God we have a richer understanding of what it means to be human and to be free than the rather simplistic and—dare I say it?—boring and predictable one which is exhibited here."

Now Hiring . . .

Nice quote by Doug Wilson: Now Hiring . . . | Blog & Mablog:

"So we should be in the market for young Christian men and women who are willing to be trained in genuine cultural engagement. They won’t be embarrassed by old-fashioned virtues, like hard work and discipline. They will respect authority and defy the authorities. They won’t get fired from jobs because of laziness, and they will get fired from them because of something they said about homosexuality. They won’t resent money and success, and they won’t be dazzled by money and success. They will laugh at the hipsters, and they will laugh at themselves laughing at the hipsters. They will loathe the enticements of corrupt entertainment, and they will love a true story. They would rather die than become one of the cool kids. They will be cool"

8 Items for Christian Parents to Ponder

Challenging and comforting: 8 Items for Christian Parents to Ponder | Challies Dot Com:

"Consider that there is no one in the world more likely than you to be instruments of their eternal good. You have advantages that no others have, such as the insights you gain into their hearts. Because you are with them every day, and because you have so much knowledge of their weaknesses, you have unique opportunities to instill the knowledge of Christ into them. "

Free Downloads on christianaudio by John MacArthur

Looks like a good free audio book this month: Free Downloads on christianaudio - Christian Audio! Audiobook Download, Monthly Free Book:

"As a Christian father, you bear a tremendous responsibility--to raise your children through both biblical instruction and personal example."

On My Wedding Day

A nice list: On My Wedding Day | Desiring God:

"These are seventeen dreams we have for our marriage. I wonder if you have dreams for yours? A marriage without a vision might survive, but it probably won’t grow or thrive."

Flash Offer - Christian Audio! Radical by Platt

Platt's book on audio is free for 3 days: Flash Offer - Christian Audio! Audiobook Download, Monthly Free Book

All the "one another" commands in the NT [infographic]

Nice overview: All the "one another" commands in the NT [infographic] - The Overview Bible Project:

Why PhDs in Theology Commit Adultery

Challenging, what do we do with our knowledge of God: Why PhDs in Theology Commit Adultery | Desiring God:

"Why is it that people with PhDs in theology commit adultery? They don’t know God."

I Don’t Hate Mark Driscoll

The murky world of corporate Christianity: I Don’t Hate Mark Driscoll | CRAIG GROSS:

"We live in a world where you can purchase everything from email lists, to twitter followers to Yelp reviews and everything in between. Some legit and some not so legit."

More info on this link

Christian Persecution | Peter in Eritrea - Passion

"If you knew Jesus was coming back in 10 days, what would change in your life?"



Christian Persecution | Peter in Eritrea - Passion - YouTube

In Which Stephen Fry Steps In It

Wilson makes a good point: In Which Stephen Fry Steps In It |:

But I want to note something really strange about this set up. When God and Fry take their places as these disputants, Fry undertakes to argue morality with Him. And in order to argue this way, he has to assume — and most certainly does assume — that there is a moral standard that overarches the two of them, and which is equally binding on both of them.

 But what is that standard? Where did it come from? How does it come to be binding on both of them? In order for the standard to be authoritative, there must be an authority, correct? Who is that authority?

15 Worship Decisions We’ll Regret

Interesting list, I like number 7 (hows that for click bate): 15 Worship Decisions We’ll Regret | Doxology and Theology

One More Thing about Anglicanism

Scot McKnight makes a good point: One More Thing about Anglicanism:

"So I ask, Where’s Jesus as a Person in this sketch? Where’s God the Father as a Person? Where’s the Holy Spirit as a Person? Father, Son, Spirit… That is, the first element of Anglicanism is that we affirm the creed and the historic faith of the church and that faith is belief in God — Father, Son and Spirit — and the church God has created."

JC Ryle’s new book – now on general sale!

Not bad for a guy who died over 100 years ago: Ministry Monday: JC Ryle’s new book – now on general sale! | Church Society:

Animated Explanation of 'The Covenants'

Quite a good video about the covenants in the Bible: Animated Explanation of 'The Covenants' - YouTube:

Bible Reading Plans for 2015

There are links to some printouts. Its still not too late: Bible Reading Plans for 2015 by Nathan W. Bingham | Ligonier Ministries Blog:

"For your convenience, we’ve compiled a list of Bible reading plans for you to choose from. Maybe in 2015 you will read more of the Bible each day. Perhaps you’ll slow down your reading and instead spend more time considering what you read. Whatever it is you’re looking for in a reading plan, you should find it below:"

Free Morning and Evening audio download on christianaudio

Last year they gave out the ESV in January. This year its Spurgeon's devotions. Not bad: Free Downloads on christianaudio - Christian Audio! Audiobook Download, Monthly Free Book