July, 2006
T4G 2006 AGAIN and Biblical Theology
More blessings! I am being given still more blessings! Let me mention 2 outstanding ones, both of which I hope you can share in. 1) I have the pleasure of trying to assemble the T4G papers for our published volume of them. And so I am reading over them carefully, multiple times. What a blessing! [...]
An Important Question
What do ecclesiology and missiology have to do with each other? Does the same gospel always sound the same when presented? How much can the method be changed without changing the message? Pastors are always having such conversations. Recently reading and talking with Mark Driscoll, Ed Stetzer, David Wells, Tim Keller and others have continued [...]
Spurgeon on Audubon on Preachers with a passion for One Thing
Derek Thomas, my dear friend and colleague here at First Pres., Jackson, does a devotional each week for our Ministers’ Meeting (which we have every Friday morning, in preparation for our Lord’s Day duties and delights, and for prayer for the congregation, for needful sharing of pastoral situations, as well as for mutual encouragement). Derek’s [...]
Seriously, though . . .
Lig, that was an interesting report from brothers & sisters overseas. Thanks for pointing us to it. My family & I have just returned from some good vacation time together. I know Al and CJ & you have been away. It will be good to get back to a little blogging. (Lig, I had a [...]
Professions of Faith on the Mission Field
Great post Mark. Very important subject. In fact, an evangelist just sent me a book on this very subject today. I may blog a few ideas from it next week. Meanwhile, one of our church-supported missionaries in Africa just sent this report to me in his prayer letter. His observations touch on some of the [...]
Should Evangelists Question Professions of Faith?
Sometimes I get the feeling that people think there’s something wrong with questioning the reality of a profession of faith. It’s legalistic, or judging, or holier than thou. Or something. But if evangelists want to see lost sinners saved, and if evangelists know that we sinners can deceive ourselves, then it’s not surprising that we [...]
Al Mohler on the Gospel of Judas
The Australian Presbyterian is a denominational magazine that you should get to know. Peter Hastie, the editor, is doing a super job. He was at T4G in Louisville this year, by the way. Here’s a good piece from the AP by our friend Al Mohler on the subject of the recently rediscovered, translated and published [...]
Two Kinds of Relevance
So, guys, for example, I recently heard a sermon on David’s great Psalm, "Lord, who may dwell in Your sanctuary" (Psalm 15). Everything in the sermon was true. In some ways it was a feast of truth. The preacher exhorted us to do good, speak well, keep our word, do business justly, not slander, etc. [...]
Cross-Centered Relevance
Mark, Lig and Al, your biblical insight on this topic of faithfulness and relevance is critically needed in the church today. Thank you for serving us. The most effective way that I can serve is to post excerpts from my favorite article on this issue: "The Power of the Gospel in the Church Today" by [...]
Sabbatical Reading & Reflections
Brothers, thank you for your reflections. I’m on my annual state capitol road trip with Nathan. We’re in Natchez tonight, heading onto Baton Rouge tomorrow, and then on to Austin & Oklahoma City (Lord willing). One thing I’ve been able to do on sabbatical from preaching, and on vacation this summer is to read more. [...]
