1st-century N.T. fragment: more details emerge

More old bits of the NT have maybe been found. Hopefully this isn't a good marketing ploy for the new book that is going to be published: Baptist Press - 1st-century N.T. fragment: more details emerge - News with a Christian Perspective:

The seminary professor who surprised the academic world by saying a first-century fragment of Mark's Gospel had been found has released new information along with two new claims -- an early sermon on Hebrews and the earliest-known manuscripts of Paul's letters also have been discovered.

God I’m sick of comedians laughing at religion

This is bound to cause a stir (and perhaps the comments only make Kryger's point clearer). God I’m sick of comedians laughing at religion | Article | The Punch:

My question for atheists today is this: do you think the incessant mockery and smug ridicule benefits your cause?

I’ve been to more than my fair share of Christian conferences. I’ve never attended a single conference where those of other beliefs (atheists or otherwise) were the subject of ridicule. I’m not suggesting this never happens, but on the whole, Christians are respectful of those with opposing beliefs.

How to Recognize Elders

Who can be an elder (pastor)?

Men. It sounds chauvinistic in our enlightened and gender-liberated culture to say that only men can be elders (pastors), but the biblical prescription is both clear and logical (1 Timothy 2:12-15). The Bible roots male/female equality in the fact that both bear God’s image (Genesis 1:26-28). Nevertheless, the man and the woman have distinct roles (Genesis 2:15-25). The man is to lead, protect and provide, and the woman is to follow the man’s leadership and help him, thereby fulfilling their God-given vocations (Genesis 2:18). It is not accidental that this very pattern of male leadership, protection and provision is called for in the church. The practice of male elders/pastors in the church serves to instruct and model God’s pattern of manhood and womanhood ordained in creation.

How to Recognize Elders | 9Marks

Bishop defends gay priest appointment

It maybe in line with his own diocese (as he is in charge) but it isn't in line with the wider church... I think this shows that Anglicans don't really do church discipline... Bishop defends gay priest appointment - ABC Gippsland Vic - Australian Broadcasting Corporation:

Bishop John McIntyre, says his decision to appoint Reverend David Head, who formerly held a position within a Melbourne parish, to the parish of Heyfield is in line with the policy of his diocese.

International Journal for Philosophy of Religion

I'd like to ask these people, "if there was no first cause, then how did we get to this point in time?" International Journal for Philosophy of Religion, Online First™ - SpringerLink:

Thus, while there are no problems with whether the conclusions follow logically from their assumptions, the Kalam argument is not viable, and the Aquinas argument does not imply a caused origination of the universe. The assumptions of the latter are at best less than obvious relative to recent work in the sciences. We conclude with mention of a new argument that makes some positive modifications to an alternative variation on Aquinas by Le Poidevin, which nonetheless seems rather weak.

All Audio Sermons and Talks

Moore College Audio Library. I did not know this existed till now... I might be slow on the uptake: All Audio Sermons and Talks:

Speakers include Broughton Knox, F F Bruce, Graeme Goldsworthy, Bill Dumbrell, N T Wright, Don Carson, John Chapman, Donald Robinson, James I Packer, and many others, including current Faculty.

Help for the Poor that Really Helps

A cost effective index of what helps the most people for the least amount of money: Help for the Poor that Really Helps – Kevin DeYoung:

These were the results:

1. Get clean water to rural villages (Rating: 8.3)
2. Fund de-worming treatments for children (Rating: 7.8)
3. Provide mosquito nets (Rating: 7.3)
4. Sponsor a child (Rating: 6.9)
5. Give wood-burning stoves (Rating: 6.0)
6. Give a micro-finance loan (Rating 4.2)
7. Fund reparative surgeries (Rating: 3.9)
8. Donate a farm animal (Rating 3.8)
9. Drink fair-trade coffee (Rating. 1.9)
10. Give a kid a laptop (1.8)

Jeff Bethke Speaks Words at U-District

Another good poem by the "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus" guy. This time on marriage: Jeff Bethke Speaks Words at U-District | Mars Hill Church:

"It’s not the love that sustains the promise; it’s the promise that sustains the love."

Magnify Conference Audio and Video

The audio and video from the Magnify Conference is now available (though the video could use a little more immanence, if you know what I mean).

Magnify Conference Audio and Video – Kevin DeYoung

A New Argument for the Existence of God

I read today this quote: "Human philosophy, the wisdom of the world, has never converted a soul" (Fish, Power in the Pulpit, p. 3) and then I saw this...: A New Argument for the Existence of God – Justin Taylor:

In this paper we offer a new argument for the existence of God. We contend that the laws of logic are metaphysically dependent on the existence of God, understood as a necessarily existent, personal, spiritual being; thus anyone who grants that there are laws of logic should also accept that there is a God. We argue that if our most natural intuitions about them are correct, and if they’re to play the role in our intellectual activities that we take them to play, then the laws of logic are best construed as necessarily existent thoughts — more specifically, as divine thoughts about divine thoughts. We conclude by highlighting some implications for both theistic arguments and antitheistic arguments.

Treasure In, Treasure Out

Ouch: Treasure In, Treasure Out by R.C. Sproul Jr. | Ligonier Ministries Blog:

The next time you are alone in your car, turn on the oldies station. Sing along with as many songs as you can. Then turn off the radio, and begin to sing the Psalms. Then ask yourself what I ask, having failed the test so miserably- who has the words of eternal life, the Beatles, or Jesus?

Peter: Rock or Stumbling Block?

I'm not sure I would go this far, and I'm an Anglican: Articles | Peter: Rock or Stumbling Block? | Phillip Jensen:

Jesus was punning on the word Peter/rock. Puns by their nature are not precise, legal formulations. Let’s assume that Jesus was saying that Peter himself is the rock upon whom he is going to build his church. What does that mean? It’s not saying that Peter will be the head of His church. It’s not saying that Peter is the shepherd or leader of the congregation or the other apostles. It is saying that he is the foundation stone or the first stone of the church. We should draw no further inference until its meaning is spelt out. Much more important than Peter’s place is Jesus action: “I will build my church”. Jesus, not Peter, is doing something.

The MacArthur Study Bible (NIV)

I thought MacArthur would be more particular, but good on him: Pyromaniacs: The MacArthur Study Bible (NIV):

So was Pastor MacArthur himself in favor of an NIV version of the MSB?

Yes, he was. In his words, "No matter what version of the Bible people are reading, I want to be able to help them understand the meaning fully and accurately. The NIV is the most widely used translation in the world, with millions of users. Some prefer it because they find it easier to read than other translations. All English versions of Scripture have translation problems and ambiguities.

Local Christians plan a response to Global Atheist Convention

Both sides have their own conventions and sub-culture. I wonder what the response would be if atheist ran events around the Katoomba conventions... Local Christians plan a response to Global Atheist Convention:

Then again, says Patrick, Christians aren’t entitled to a smug smile here. “We have to be honest and say Christians do the same thing. Christians get together and have simple knock-down arguments against atheists. Christians can too quickly mock atheism without really getting into the depths of their convictions and beliefs.”

The Historical Reliability of the New Testament

12 reasons from the Holman Study Bible as to why the NT is reliable: Ed Stetzer - A Closer Look: The Historical Reliability of the New Testament:

One of the great benefits of the articles in found in the HCSB Study Bible is the high academic quality of the content. These articles aren't fluff. They are seminary-lecture-quality articles.