Scientific Extremism on Display — And the Prize Goes To . . .

Forgetting your roots: AlbertMohler.com – Scientific Extremism on Display — And the Prize Goes To . . .:

The award is now simply known as the “Templeton Prize,” not the “Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion.” The choice of Martin Rees this year marks something of a full transition for the prize, given his absolute lack of any religious belief at all. All he sees, he says, is “a sense of wonder at the universe.”

God’s Intention Through Sickness

God’s Intention Through Sickness « J.C. Ryle Quotes:

But sickness, we must always remember, is no sign that God is displeased with us; no, more, it is generally sent for the good of our souls. It tends to draw our affections away from this world, and to direct them to things above. It sends us to our Bibles, and teaches us to pray better. It helps to prove our faith and patience, and shows us the real value of our hope in Christ.

Emotion vs Emotionalism

i think Bob Kauflin also addressed this issue in his talk at a DG Conference on The Power of Words: J.R. Briggs » Emotion vs Emotionalism » Attempting to behold the miracle long enough without falling asleep:

How should one respond to a person who says, “Well, its just not my personality. I don’t show emotion” when you’ve seen them cheer for the Eagles and they’ve shown plenty of emotion? What would you say to them?

Grow Up and Get Married

A good look at how singleness can be addressed in churches: Grow Up and Get Married | Merely Theological:

I confess that I have never met the man or woman described in most sermons or blogs on singleness and the accompanying rants against the cultural phenomenon known as “extended adolescence.” Apparently there exists a large group of 20 and 30-somethings living at home, intentionally unemployed and spending multiple hours a day absorbed in video games. I believe such a description accurately depicts the condition of some, but is it truly reflective of most singles in our churches today?

New Resource from Crossway: ESV GreekTools

I just wish it was free, not just a 30 day free trial: New Resource from Crossway: ESV GreekTools – Justin Taylor:

If you’re at TGC be sure to go by the Crossway Exhibit Booth and see the launch of a great new tool that Crossway has developed: ESV GreekTools.

Plantinga on Dennett

If there are multi-verses could we just happen to be in one that was designed by a Designer?: dangerous idea: Plantinga on Dennett

What He Wanted All Along: The Real Scandal of Pastor Terry Jones

AlbertMohler.com – What He Wanted All Along: The Real Scandal of Pastor Terry Jones:

This publicity-seeking pastor of a tiny congregation deserves to be condemned in every way for his act of putting the Qur’an “on trial” and for then burning a copy in a staged act of inflammatory showmanship. The judgment is the easy part. The difficult dimension of this is the fact that even our condemnation gives this pastor what he most desires — public attention.

That Rope around the High Priest’s Ankle

Interesting: BiblePlaces Blog: That Rope around the High Priest’s Ankle:

The notion that the high priest would tie a rope around his ankle before entering the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) so that his body could be pulled out should he be struck down is not found in any ancient source, including the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Josephus, the Apocrypha, the Mishnah, the Babylonian Talmud, or the Jerusalem Talmud.

Rinse Not the Prose: Christopher Hitchens on the King James Version

Hitchens and Mohler agree on something. This was a good article: AlbertMohler.com – Rinse Not the Prose: Christopher Hitchens on the King James Version:

Since the article’s publication, several observers have noted Hitchens’ comments on faulty modern translations and gender-neutral approaches. His points are well worth noting.

Groothuis on Multiverses and Intelligent Design

dangerous idea: Groothuis on Multiverses and Intelligent Design:

Can one, with a straight face, reject theism because of Ockham's razor, and then believe in the multiverse?

IV gags the Bible at IU/InterVarsity event promoting sodomy (part IV)...

Sounds like InterVarsity has some issues: IV gags the Bible at IU/InterVarsity event promoting sodomy (part IV)... - BaylyBlog: Out of our minds, too...:

But, what I cannot comprehend is the idea of InterVarsity hosting an event, inviting a speaker, having a Q & A, and then declaring that the Bible is off-limits for discussion. InterVarsity believes that the Bible is authoritative, has unique divine inspiration, and is entirely trustworthy. That an InterVarsity sponsored event could be held that expressly did not want the Bible to be brought up is horrifying. That this event could be called 'Jesus and the end of Homophobia' and yet explicitly exclude the words that Jesus said and the things that Jesus taught is horrifying. IU’s Religious Studies department would never participate in an event on Jesus and homophobia where the Bible was not allowed to be used, but InterVarsity Christian Fellowship did.

Robbed Hell - C.A.S.T. Pearls Presents on Vimeo

A Rob Bell parody, its edgy: Robbed Hell - C.A.S.T. Pearls Presents on Vimeo:

Do we really believe that the path to eternal life is narrow? So narrow that not even atheist hippy pop stars will make it in? Don your shallow thinking cap and come wander some contours of meaning in this parody of Rob Bell's Love Wins book trailer.

I also liked this one, although it isn't edited so well.

A fresh look at mission

This conference does look good: A fresh look at mission « Gold, silver, precious stones?:

Apart from the session after lunch, this looks to be a seriously useful day conference!

Daniel Dennett Hunts the Snark

Wow a long review of Daniel Dennetts book, Breaking the Spell:Article | First Things:

I would hesitate to say that Breaking the Spell is, in this sense, entirely absurd, as I doubt that it is tightly reasoned enough to merit the description. What does seem clear, however, is that, in its general form, the book's argument is one that strives (not always successfully) to preserve the shape of reason, logic, and method, even though that shape has been largely evacuated of all rational, logical, or empirical content. To put the matter bluntly, no one could mistake it for a genuinely substantial argument who was not firmly intent on doing so before ever reading the book.

Some Helps for Reading the Bible Better

Some Helps for Reading the Bible Better – Justin Taylor:

Some free, concise essays online