Al Mohler
Brian Habig
C.J. Mahaney
Carl Trueman
Darrin Patrick
Dave Harvey
David Platt
Eric Bancroft
Greg Gilbert
J.D. Greear
Jeff Purswell
John MacArthur
John Piper
Josh Harris
Kevin DeYoung
Ligon Duncan
Mack Stiles
Mark Dever
Matt Chandler
Michael Lawrence
Michael McKinley
Peter Williams
RC Sproul
Russell Moore
Simon Gathercole
Thabiti Anyabwile
Tony Carter2006
The Means of Conversion and what Conversion Means
I’ve had a great day of walking around London with friends, seeing an excellent used bookstore, and, most importantly, establishing a friendship with Peter Masters, pastor since 1970 of London’s Metropolitan Tabernacle. For 2 1/2 hours this afternoon, Peter graciously entertained me in his study with conversation ranging widely over the history of the Tabernacle during Spurgeon’s time, his own personal history (including his membership interview at Westminster Chapel with Dr. Lloyd-Jones!), and issues facing the church today. One long section of the conversation was on conversion. It was interesting to consider with him what Scripture teaches about the experience of conversion. Of course, secularlists like William James, describe conversion as the breaking in on the conscious mind of connections long growing in the subconscious. But as evangelicals we understand there to be a great change, a radical discontinuity introduced by God’s Holy Spirit. But what Peter wanted to point out was the use of means in producing this discontinuity. He suggested that many of the Puritans had a better understanding of this than many evangelicals (including Reformed evangelicals) today.
Dr. Masters was also concerned that associations of different Christians together not undermine what he referred to as "the ministry of warning." He (correctly, I think) noted that when Christians associate together there is a great pressure against disagreeing. This, he thinks, is quite dangerous. NOT that there should not be associations, simply that we must especially guard this ability, in order to faithfully fulfill our ministries.
Much more I could say. Suffice it to say that I am not aware of having met a pastor of a more evangelistic church than is the Metropolitan Tabernacle. For that, Spurgeon would certainly be pleased. And what’s far more significant, we know that God Himself rejoices in the presentation of the gospel of Christ.
May many more conversions come in our churches in Gaithersburg & Jackson, in Louisville & Washington, in London & beyond.
PS–Tim Challies, if you’re reading, someone sent me your entry on my post on the lightness of blogs. I agree with your response (except where you expressed that I thought all blogs were no more than snacks). Some blogs serve excellent purposes. Perhaps to a lesser degree this one. To a greater degree your own! (Or Al’s, or Ref21, or GirlTalk). Keep up the good work.
Good Investments–Heavenly Profits for Earthly Ministry
I’ve had two good experiences preaching today–in the morning at Duke Street Baptist Church in Richmond (SW London) and at St Helen’s Bishopsgate [Anglican] this evening. I saw some old friends at both, and had good conversations afterwards with the respective pastors–Liam Goligher and William Taylor. Both men are doing good gospel work in different settings. Both are committed to expositional preaching, and both understand Scripture well and are gifted to teach others. Among several of the men here, I’ve seen a real desire to give themselves to the training of others, a desire which is always wise for the future of the church.
My sermon topic in the morning was "Church Discipline" (Duke Street) and in the evening "The Reliability of the Bible" (St. Helens). In both I was trying to instruct & persuade, especially those who may have had questions or objections. Neither was the typical expositional sermon. In both, I tried to make the gospel clear. I pray that my ministry was truly evangelical today. Martin Luther in his lectures on the psalms talks about the heavenly profit of the gospel ministry (Martin Luther, First Lectures on the Psalms II, Works II.441). I hope and pray that there was some such profit today. It’s not always obvious, is it? But it is such a privilege to get to preach this great news. Such a privilege.
The Unbearable Lightness of Blogs
One reason that I’ve been reluctant to enter the blogosphere is that I am concerned that blog-writing and reading only adds to a bad tendency that we today already have–a fascination with the newest, latest, and most recent. And the newest and latest also often means that which is of only immediate value, that which is passing. That is opposed to that which is enduring, and which has in fact endured and lasted. We write words here which crawl along electronically and leap out through your fingers and eyes to take precious minutes and hours that the Lord has entrusted to us. Could these small things we write really be that important?
On the other hand, I had a wonderful time today at the South East Gospel Partnership in London. Here, I met friends old and new, and discussed Reaching, Building and Sending in the Local Church. Simon Smallwood (minister at Dagenham), Peter Jensen (Archbishop of Sydney) and a number of others spoke. Then I had the treat to have dinner with William & Janet Taylor (William is the minister of St. Helen’s Bishopsgate here in London), Dick Lucas (who was the minister before him) and Peter & Christine Jensen. The conversation was wonderful, encouraging, instructive and enjoyable. As I came home, I thought that perhaps through a blog like this, we can share something that will be enjoyable, instructive and edifying. Maybe we can model, encourage, and even partially provide that kind of fellowship.
Having said that, I am concerned that we not neglect reading more important things. Even beyond the Bible, there are 2,000 years of Christian reflections in print before we get to blogs. (Now let’s see if Al really reads these blogs!) I was reading recently about an earlier president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, John R. Sampey, and a "lightening" that was happening in theological education a century ago! Sampey recalled, “The course in ‘Special Theology,’ which was the successor of the course in ‘Latin Theology,’ was changed to ‘Biblical Theology.’ Under Dr. Boyce this course was limited to the reading of Latin; under Dr. Kerfoot and Dr. Dargan some reading of Latin was still required; Dr. Mullins gradually reduced the readings from Anselm and Turrettin, until in 1904-1905 only textbooks in English were studied.” (John R. Sampey, Memoirs, p. 109).
So be sure and set aside some time to read more substantial things. Commune with the saints that have gone before. Give some time to reading Anselm and Turretin, Samuel Rutherford’s Letters or John Bunyan’s Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. And if you still have some time, you can have some other food for your soul–side dishes–snacks–by reading this blog.
Thoughts, gentlemen?
OK, C J, Enough About Sports
It just had to happen. And, in a strange sort of way, it even helps to make the point. All over the world people gather together because of what animates, excites, and unites them. Just look at the World Cup, Super Bowl, and Olympic crowds — rock concerts, political rallies, and movie openings. But we are together for the Gospel. Which is the ultimate point, after all. And it’s a really good thing in so many ways. If we were coming together about sports, I’d be left out. C J would be in, but in his current state of limping, it would be more theoretical than physical. Together for the Gospel, C J, in the church of Christ where we all love by God’s grace. Proud to be limping with you, my faithful friend.
Jazzed
Here are just a few of the many reasons why I am jazzed about the Together for the Gospel Conference. Mark Dever, Al Mohler, Ligon Duncan, John Piper, John MacArthur and R.C. Sproul will all be speaking! That lineup works for me. So let me get this straight. As part of my job I get to come to this conference and hear all these men teach? I can do this. So can you. Why wouldn’t you?
Furthermore, this conference doesn’t simply represent the world class lineup of aforementioned teachers. No, this conference is the fruit of genuine friendships among those teaching. The relational aspect of this conference is both unique and significant. I think all present will experience the fruit of these friendships through the teaching.
Finally and most importantly, I am excited about this conference because the gospel is central to this conference. T4G will make a loud statement to pastors about that which is, in Paul’s inspired words, of first importance: “Â…Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor 2:2)”. At a time when many pastors are convinced they must be creative or innovative, this conference will remind all of us that we simply have to be faithful to that which is most important, the gospel. We want pastors to place their confidence in the gospel and to build their personal lives and local churches with the gospel. Please don’t misinterpret our excitement. We don’t think this conference is the only necessary conference for pastors, but we are convinced that the gospel is the only necessary message for pastors. And it will be our privilege and joy to serve each pastor at the conference with this glorious message.
Preaching Abroad
OK, I would respond to CJ’s "Conversation Joined" but I can’t figure out how to post a comment. So this is going to be its own brief entry. I am in England preaching. I’ve spent the day with Matt Schmucker and others here at Oak Hill Theological College. Peter Jensen (Archbishop of Syndey) and I spoke in morning sessions to a gathering of students and pastors. And this afternoon, I met with independent (mainly Baptist) students. It’s great to see some of the good work that the Lord is doing here at Oak Hill. My access to the internet is limited, so my blogging will have to become more frequent and regular upon my return to the States.
I’ve got a busy week here coming up. Peter J & I are speaking at meetings across England (London, Cambridge, Birmingham, Leyland) and I’m to be preaching at Duke Street (Richmond), St Helens (London), Eden Baptist (Cambridge) and Spicer Street (Congregational), over this next week. Pray for me. I am always encouraged by the emphasis on expositional preaching that I find here among this strain of English (and Australian!) evangelicals. If you’re reading and you’re not familiar with Peter Jensen or Philip Jensen, then check out websites (that you can find through Google) with Sydney Anglican Diocese or St. Matthias Media.
As to CJ’s suggestion that I typed "Great Stuff", in fact I did not. That was Ryan Townsend in front of CJ’s own distracted face while Ryan was teaching CJ how to post a blog on this site!
Conversation Joined
My first exposure to this blog came this morning when my friend Justin Taylor chastised me for only posting a brief comment after Mark Dever’s opening post (see Jan 2, "A New Conversation"). Well, since I have been in L.A. and didn’t even know our blog had started, I made my way to Mark’s post where I came across my supposed response which reads, "This is great stuff!!!" Mischief is obviously present and active from the outset, my friends, for I didn’t post that comment! Please don’t misunderstand – I DO think Mark’s post was great stuff but I didn’t post that comment. Ah, but I suspect I know who did! And you don’t have to be charismatic or a continuationist in order to discern this. You just have to know Mark Dever! Knowing my reluctance to participate in this blog (I’d rather just read it!), I am sure my friend has done this to provoke my participation. Again, please don’t misunderstand. I am very excited about this conversation and this blog. I plan on visiting this blog each day and numerous times throughout the day because these guys have plenty to say and I have much to learn. I’m just not sure how much I have to say in this conversation, although I can be our go-to guy when it comes to all collegiate and professional sports (Al and Mark are particularly useless in these arenas. Remind me to describe the experience of watching the USC-Texas national championship game with these two guys!). So I am very excited about listening in on this conversation. But given the option of either posting myself or having my good friend Mark post for me, I’ll opt for the former. Even though I don’t play in their league I will join this conversation with these 3 men I deeply love and respect. I am honored to be numbered among them as their friend. I am humbled to be included with them in this conversation. Tomorrow I will tell you why I am so excited about the Together for the Gospel Conference.
Together for What?
I think the title of this conference says it all — "Together for the Gospel." I am incredibly thankful for my friendship with Mark Dever, Ligon Duncan, and C J Mahaney. In recent years, I have come to a new and deeper understanding of what these friends mean to me. It may well be that reaching middle age has something to do with this realization, for I have come to prize most highly those friendships that can last a lifetime.
Yet, I am confident that something deeper and more important is at work here. The friendship that binds us together is a friendship that is rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Here we have found our shared redemption, our shared identity, our shared calling, our shared commission, and our shared passion. Of course, this means that we also share concerns about how the Gospel is being misunderstood and misconstrued in our postmodern times. We are together . . . in and for the Gospel.
I can’t wait to join with our friends John MacArthur, John Piper, and R C Sproul at the T4G conference in April. We hope to see pastors from all over the country here to be together with us . . . for the Gospel.
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. [Romans 15:5-6]
Ephesians and T4G
Mark, thanks for starting the conversation. I’ve been preaching through the book of Ephesians here at First Pres. in Jackson for about six months (with a break here and there), and we are now in chapter 3. What you say in your post is so right and so Pauline (biblical!) and so under-appreciated by Christians in our time, country and culture. I’ll post a few quotes on this, soon, to emphasize some of the points you make.
A New Conversation
Christ loved the church, we read in Ephesians 5. We read in Acts 20 that God gave His own blood for the church. He founded it (Matt. 16). He identifies with it (Acts 9). In the end of the Bible, we even see that He presents the church as His own bride (Rev. 20). It is good and right–if we love the Lord Jesus–to love His bride. This blog is a conversation between four friends (and maybe some more) who have been called, in various ways, to serve the Lord by serving His bride. We hope that it’s an encouragement to you in your own life and calling.
This is also what the conference in April is about. We understand that God builds His church through His Word. Each one of us in this conversation has experienced God’s powerful Spirit through His preached Word. We are excited to think more about this together, and to do that along with John MacArthur, John Piper, R C Sproul and other pastors and church leaders who are able to make it to Louisville in April. I’m looking forward to it. Maybe in a later post, I’ll talk about how this all got started.
