Today’s quote from Spurgeon demonstrates that the man believed two points that many today would disagree with. Firstly, he argues that intellectual assent to the gospel is insufficient for salvation, indeed that it may make you more worthy of damnation. Secondly, he seems to suggest that experience may well need to come first before faith. How many people do in fact say, “if I could just feel God, I would believe?” Finally he seems to believe that it is possible... Read more
Jonathan Edward’s great work Religious Affections was introduced to us in yesterday’s quote. In my mind there is probably no better book written to help us to grasp this vital subject (other than the Bible itself of course!) We should by now be beginning to understand one of the most fascinating paradoxes, our feelings are meant to be a massive part of our Christian experience, and yet they are not always to be relied upon. This quote is vintage Edwards:... Read more
Despite appearances to the contrary, much of life is boring routine. I suppose true greatness comes to those who make the best of that. # "Exactly 300 days ago, life as we knew it was forever changed. 300 days ago, I wasn't sure how many more days I'd have" http://ow.ly/2K7AC # RT @Jonspach: @adrianwarnock but how we do miss that boring routine when it is taken from us without our consent, eh? # RT @abrahampiper: I hope to one day... Read more
Today we turn to Jonathan Edwards, that master of discussing Christian experince and his concept of the affections. We would be wrong to assume that affections are simply the emotions as the following quote makes clear. Although this idea does include emotions, it relates to the entire inclination of our heart and wills. When thinking about our affections, we have to ask “what draws our heart’s attention?” Jonathan Edwards’s Treatise Concerning the Religious Affections (1746) has provided the best explanation... Read more
Hundreds of Christians praying for Zimbabwe today here in Jubilee London. It's love zim day. Hundreds of churches praying that God will move # RT @TerryVirgo: Today is Love Zim Day when tens of thousands will gather across Zimbabwe & around the world Let's pray Tomorrow I go to Zim! # Joel (7): Theres only one God. George (3): there's Jesus as well! Charis (9): Jesus is Gods son isn't he? Me: all the above is true # George (3):... Read more
I want to urge you to get the dates in your diaries already, and be alert to whenever the ticket sales are announced. Next summer, in a climax to the annual Newfrontiers events that have been a major part of my life most summers for over 30 years, Terry Virgo will host the final combined leadership and student / 20s event in Brighton. Conferences have come and gone over the years in Newfrontiers, and this will of course not be... Read more
I want to tell you about a conference I will be speaking at during the week of Monday, February 21 to Friday February 24 2011. It is called Life in the Spirit and will take place in Swanwick, UK. The event has previously had Sam Storms as a regular speaker, and has gathered a number of people who are committed to bringing the twin emphases of Reformed doctrine and charismatic experience together. This year I will be speaking for one session, and... Read more
Today I want to tell you about an event that is truly exciting to me. From Friday, April 29 to Monday, May 2 Bible By the Beach 2011: Resurrection People will take place in Eastbourne, UK. I will speak three times during the weekend as part of an entire conference devoted to the resurrection of Jesus. I will do one session on resurrection apologetics, preach in a local church on the Sunday morning, and also speak on how Jesus resurrection affects our assurance... Read more
The following post is comprised of Piper material I have posted before at PIPER FRIDAY – It is Impossible to Elevate Emotions Too Highly!. “Don’t I elevate the importance of emotions too highly?” While at Wheaton College, Piper read Situation Ethics by Joseph Fletcher, who argued that since love is commanded in the Bible, therefore love can’t be an emotion because you can’t command an emotion. But Piper felt there was something dead wrong with this premise since emotions are... Read more
One of the many highlights of the Brighton conference for me was that Kate Simmonds was once again with us leading worship, having traveled all the way from Sydney, Australia. She shared with us a song that displays the glorious gospel in a wonderfully fresh way. In these two videos she first speaks about the song, and then in the second one sings it. Congregations could do a lot worse than adopting this song. The music sheets and mp3s of... Read more
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