More on Multisite

I do like the 9Marks guys: More on Multisite – The Gospel Coalition Blog:

Due to tremendous interest in the multisite conversation between Mark Dever, Mark Driscoll, and James MacDonald, I thought it would be helpful to feature several other resources on the topic. These articles should fill in several gaps left behind by the 10-minute video.

Never Be Ashamed Of Christ!

Never Be Ashamed Of Christ! | J.C. Ryle Quotes:

Whatever others around you think, don’t you ever be ashamed of being a Christian. Let them laugh, mock, jest, and scoff, if they will. They will not scoff in the hour of death and in the day of judgment. Hoist your flag; show your colors; nail them to the mast. You may certainly be ashamed of drinking, gambling, lying, swearing, idleness, pride, and failing to go to church on the Lord’s Day. But of reading the Bible, praying, and belonging to Christ, you have no cause to be ashamed at all. Let those laugh that will. A good soldier is never ashamed of the colors of his nation’s flag, and his uniform. Be careful that you are never ashamed of your Master.

9Marks at Southeastern: Biblical Theology

A free conference talks from Dever, Thabiti, David Platt, Danny Akin and Chandler: 9Marks at Southeastern: Biblical Theology – Justin Taylor:

Here are five sessions recently given by 9Marks at Southeastern Seminary

Multiple Sites: Yea or Nay?

A great discussion between Dever, MacDonald and Driscoll on multi site churches. I am glad this took place. I like Driscoll, but I do side with Dever on the issue. Why build an empire? Let other people preach in "your" off site church (more than 4 times a year). Interestingly Driscoll and MacDonald also don't see value in video after they die as they would be dated, yet are old books still ok?: Multiple Sites: Yea or Nay? – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Forgiveness Part 1: Do I Have to Forgive?

Back in my old church in Sydney I remembered an argument saying that you don't have forgive unless someone asks for forgiveness. A fair few people assumed this, but it never sat right with me: Forgiveness Part 1: Do I Have to Forgive?:

Forgiveness is pretty black and white, fundamental Christianity 101; if you don’t understand forgiveness you don’t understand Christianity.

I think people are delusional. You can clap, sing, praise God and think you are a Christian all you want, but the truth is you will have to answer to God for your lack of forgiveness. Sadly, you don’t hear this taught by pastors.

People often say “I am growing in forgiveness”, or “I’m learning to forgive”—I don’t buy it. Either you have forgiven or you haven’t, there’s no growing!

I believe that people struggle with not forgiving others because pastors have failed to teach the perilousness of it.

Reasons for Reason

Reasons for Reason – Kevin DeYoung:

How do you give a reason for the hope that you have when the people asking you aren’t interested in reason? It seems to me one of the first tasks of evangelism today is to reintroduce the law of non-contradiction.

Tom Wright Reads Humpty Dumpty

An amusing look at how Wright reads Israel's meta-narrative into everything: SAET � Tom Wright Reads Humpty Dumpty � The Society for the Advancement of Ecclesial Theology:

Clearly the writer is telling an Israel story, and here alludes to the Temple.

An Open Letter to My Pastors on Glenn Beck

A Lady thanks her pastors who do not support Glenn Beck and want the bible, not America to be preached. I don't think Australian's has such a love for their country or religion that this would arise:An Open Letter to My Pastors on Glenn Beck – The Gospel Coalition Blog:

I’m moved to write today and say “thank you” for not being one of them. Thank you for your faithfulness in preaching Christ from the pulpit, not “the principles of America.”

Make This a Day of Turning

Piper on organising a prayer life: Make This a Day of Turning - Desiring God:

Therefore, my simple exhortation is this: Let us take time this very day to rethink our priorities and how prayer fits in. Make some new resolve. Try some new venture with God. Set a time. Set a place. Choose a portion of Scripture to guide you. Don’t be tyrannized by the press of busy days. We all need midcourse corrections. Make this a day of turning to prayer—for the glory of God and for the fullness of your joy. (Desiring God, 2003 edition, pages 182–183)

Who’s Afraid of Inerrancy?

Kevin DeYoung points out a discussion with Tim Keller, Alister McGrath, Brian McLaren, and Dempsey Rosales-Acosta on biblical authority: Who’s Afraid of Inerrancy? – Kevin DeYoung

“The Best Sermon on Christianity and Politics”

“The Best Sermon on Christianity and Politics” – Justin Taylor:

I have not had the chance to listen to this sermon, but I certainly trust Collin and Thabiti’s judgment.

A Free Preview of John Piper’s New Book, Think

A trailer and pdf with the forwards, into and chapter one of Piper's next book to be published: A Free Preview of John Piper’s New Book, Think – Justin Taylor

The Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment of Spiritual Dehydration

Encouraging post by Mahaney, with a link to his sermon on Jude: The Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment of Spiritual Dehydration:

So have your affections for the Savior diminished? If so, ask yourself these questions from Jude:

- Am I preaching the gospel to my own soul each day?
- Am I praying with any level of consistency?
- Am I eagerly awaiting Christ’s return and am I longing for heaven?

The Gospel in Every Sermon: Dever, Driscoll, and MacDonald

Should you mention the Gospel (eg. Jesus' death and resurrection) in every sermon? Driscoll, Dever and MacDonald think so: The Gospel in Every Sermon: Dever, Driscoll, and MacDonald – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Honour, Head-coverings and Headship: 1 Corinthians 11.2-16 in its Social Context

A new paper on the head coverings bit in 1 Corinthians. In bible study this year we looked at 1 Corinthians and this passage still had a bit of question marks over it. Hopefully this is helpful (I haven't read it yet): Honour, Head-coverings and Headship: 1 Corinthians 11.2-16 in its Social Context — Journal for the Study of the New Testament:

The argument offered here is that notions of honour come to the fore and higher-status male Corinthians are employing modes of head attire to maintain distinctions of status. At the same time, Paul insists upon female head-coverings to safeguard the honour of the community within a context of the potential presence of non-believers in a communal service of worship.