The promise of good things.

This book does look interesting. Michale Jensen and Tom Frame have co-authored a book. Theoblog Durham: The promise of good things.

This small book is part of our effort to revive interest in the Articles. It reflects our commitment to an expression of Anglican mission and ministry that honours the past, engages with the present and anticipates the future, for the sake of Jesus Christ and the coming Kingdom of God.

How to preach when your wife has cancer (or some other “distraction”)

How to preach when your wife has cancer (or some other “distraction”) � Expository Thoughts:

Before we complain about this we have to wonder why we would want it any other way. We tend to forget that the real pathway to life with Christ is narrow, difficult, and hard to find. If you haven’t cried yourself to sleep at night with the promises of 2 Corinthians 12:9 playing pinball in your heart then you haven’t been in ministry long enough. Give it time and suffering will come to your parsonage.

Google to bring Dead Sea Scrolls online

Google to bring Dead Sea Scrolls online:

JERUSALEM -- The Dead Sea Scrolls, among the world's most important, mysterious and tightly restricted archaeological treasures, are about to get Googled.

Newsletter - redeemer.com

So Keller likes the Book of Common Prayer and he is a Presbyterian :) Newsletter - redeemer.com

Years ago when I wanted to become more skillful in public prayer, I was fortunate to come across the collects of Thomas Cranmer, the writer of the original Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. The “collects” (the stress is on the first syllable)that Cranmer wrote were brief but extremely ‘packed’ little prayers that tied together the doctrine of the day to a particular way of living.

Inerrancy and Baggage

Inerrancy and Baggage – Justin Taylor:

I’d rather run the risk of being associated with those who hold a literalistic interpretation of Scripture than with those who deny central articles of the faith. (And without seeking to demean the motives of people who don’t like “inerrancy,” I wonder how much of our current aversion to the term is a self-conscious attempt to distance ourselves from some of our forefathers in the faith.)

Dumping the term while upholding the content may appear sophisticated and nuanced, but I believe it breeds more confusion than clarity. So, I’ll continue to affirm inerrancy. I”ll continue to teach it, to properly qualify it, and to reclaim it. To my friends who still don’t like the label, your baggage looks heavier to me.

DeYoung, Duncan, and Mohler: What’s New About the New Calvinism

Another good video with the colour turned down: DeYoung, Duncan, and Mohler: What’s New About the New Calvinism – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Articles | Ministry Training Paper: Evangelical Worship

I good article on church worship and an interesting point on the current symbols Anglicans have: Articles | Ministry Training Paper: Evangelical Worship | Phillip Jensen:

... the wearing of a surplice, the long white gown, was a symbol in the 16th century of not being significantly different to the layman. By the latter part of the 20th century only clergymen were left wearing the surplice as most robed choirs have moved away from such a cumbersome and inconvenient garment.

Critiquing the Left—And the Right

On men and women in church: Critiquing the Left—And the Right - Desiring God:

Below are a couple paragraphs that give the flavor of Patrick’s even-handed perspective—an approach that critiques both the left and the right, and thus steers clear of both the liberal and conservative errors.

A Question and a Challenge for Pastors of the Next Generation

Some questions worth asking: A Question and a Challenge for Pastors of the Next Generation – Justin Taylor:

So here are the questions that demand a clear answer in every generation of pastors.

New Think Book Is Not a New Idea

Piper on our minds and emotions New Think Book Is Not a New Idea - Desiring God:

If we neglect the mind we will drift into all sorts of doctrinal error and dishonor God who wills to be known as he is. And if we neglect the heart we will be dead while we yet live no matter how right our creed is. “This people honors me with their lips but their heart is far from me.” So my goal for us is that we put together what so many keep apart to their own hurt. Let us be clear in our heads and warm in our hearts. Let us feel with all our might and think with all our might.

Inerrancy and the Reformers

DeYoun response to some objections about him thinking that Calvin believed in inerrancey: Inerrancy and the Reformers – Kevin DeYoung:

I argued that though he didn’t use the word (it wasn’t around), Calvin did believe what the word inerrancy defends.

How To Lose the Assurance of Your Salvation

This challenged me this morning: How To Lose the Assurance of Your�Salvation | J.C. Ryle Quotes:

Inconsistency of life is utterly destructive of peace of conscience. The two things are incompatible. They cannot and they will not go together. If you will have your besetting sins and cannot make up your minds to give them up, if you will shrink from cutting off the right hand and plucking out the right eye when occasion requires it, I will engage you will have no assurance.

Scientism Makes Scientists Laughable

On Hawking's claims: JP Moreland's Web � Scientism Makes Scientists Laughable:

In previous times when average people knew more philosophy, these claims would simply be laughable because they are philosophical assertions being made by scientists who have little or no philosophical training. Thus, however brilliant they are in their own field, Hawking and Mlodinow are laypersons when it comes to the relevant issue at hand. But we live in a scientistic culture. When a scientist speaks, he is taken to be an authority irrespective of what the topic is. And that attitude reflects poorly on the educational level of the public.

The Science Behind Red Sea Parting

Penn does make a good point. Do Christians really need science to explain miracles, if that is the case then are they miracles anymore? Penn says Christians are now using Atheists arguments: YouTube - The Science Behind Red Sea Parting - Penn Point (this also has a language warning)

I’ve finally figured out what’s wrong with our church planting strategy

Andrew Katay comments on the talk that Al Stewart gave on church planting (and was just linked below this one)I’ve finally figured out what’s wrong with our church planting strategy � Gold, silver, precious stones?:

On Wednesday, we deal with an initiative in church planting. And I’ve finally figured out what’s wrong with it.