I am very pleased to share with readers of this blog that “The Politics of Jesus” conference has begun in earnest in Durham, NC, at the First Baptist Church. Sponsored by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and the L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture of Southeastern Seminary (Wake Forest, NC), the conference is bringing together high-level theologians and leading pastors to discuss the relationship of Christian faith and politics. I am honored to have been asked... Read more
At the Henry Center in Deerfield, IL, we are making final preparations for tonight’s debate. Please note that the start time is 7pm Central Standard Time (not 6:30pm as originally planned). Click here to watch the debate at or even some time before 7pm. We’re excited to know that Christianity Today will be covering the debate, and we’ve heard from folks in Kentucky, Minnesota, Ohio and numerous other states that they will be traveling many miles to attend this event.... Read more
I’ve recently received two noteworthy books that I wish to introduce to readers of this blog. Chris Brauns’s Unpacking Forgiveness (Crossway, 2008) is an excellent study of biblical, Christ-centered forgiveness. It includes a huge smattering of helpful practical advice on how one actually goes about forgiving those who have sinned against us. I’m going to give this book to friends and loved ones who struggle with forgiving others, because Brauns goes deeper into the nuts-and-bolts of actionable grace than any... Read more
A little while back I blogged about Stephen Altrogge’s book on sports. I recommended it to my readers and noted as I did so some illumination it brought me about the condition of my heart. In reflecting more on that condition, I’ve found a resonant image playing in my mind related to my pride. Like a squirming bug trapped in a spider web, entangled at every juncture, so too can we Christians of all backgrounds and proclivities trap ourselves in... Read more
I found this quotation relating to fears that play upon women from a recent interview with a prominent teacher of women very insightful. From the CBMW blog: “Jani Ortlund is a mother, pastor’s wife and former school teacher. She is also the author of Fearlessly Feminine: Boldly Living God’s Plan for Womanhood. Gender Blog recently sat down and interviewed her on issues of femininity and biblical womanhood. Her husband, Ray Ortlund, Jr., is a noted pastor and author. The Ortlunds... Read more
In working with the Henry Center, I get to work on events that bless and strengthen the faith and witness of the church. This Thursday, October 9th at 7pm at TEDS we’re hosting such an event, a debate featuring Wayne Grudem, Bruce Ware on others on the question: Do relations of authority and submission exist eternally among the Persons of the Godhead? The Center is pleased to release excerpts from the opening statements of each side participating in the debate. If... Read more
1. Mark Driscoll interviews excellent Christian rap artist LeCrae, who has recorded a song based on a John Piper book. And you thought I was kidding. (HT: JT) 2. The CBMW blog, Gender Blog, has just published my three-part series on a blueprint for manhood. The blog is currently not loading, but here’s the link if you’re looking for the series. 3. One week until “The Politics of Jesus” conference kicks off in Durham, NC at First Baptist Church. I am pumped to... Read more
Came across an interesting piece in the New York Times today. I was going to blog about the Palin-Biden debate but I decided not to after perusing this article, entitled “If Only the Cool Kids Could See Him Now” by Bruce Weber. The tagline on the NYT homepage was this: “Adolescent anxiety is the subject of Jason Robert Brown’s new musical.” This line piqued my interest because cultural adolescence is a current field of personal interest. Think about these sections... Read more
Today, on October 1, 2008, at 3pm in the ATO chapel in Deerfield, IL, my employer, the Carl F. H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding, will sponsor a Scripture and Ministry lecture by Dr. Phil Ryken, Senior Pastor, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA. The lecture is entitled “The Suffering and the Glory: Pastoral Ministry in Union with Christ” and will cover the following, among other matters: What is the meaning and purpose of suffering in the work of pastoral ministry?... Read more
I recently read Stephen Altrogge’s Game Day for the Glory of God (Crossway, 2008) and really enjoyed it. I would encourage parents, sports fans, and Christians who love sports fans to pick the book up. Here’s a nice excerpt from the book that captures its spirit: “God has given us the gift of sports so that we might enjoy them for his glory. Our athletic abilities were given to us by God so that we might use them for his... Read more
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