James White's (short) Lecture on the Reliability of Scripture

I sat in on this presentation a few years ago. Here is the most recent presentation Dr. White gives on the reliability of the New Testament. It's very informative and helpful in dealing with some of the basic questions people might have on the reliability of the New Testament.

I'm having a BOOKSALE!!!!!!!

I've been collecting books for a few years now, and I think my collection is pretty nifty. So I've chosen to share my good finds with you, at a modest price. I would like to sell them ASAP, so feel free to make me an offer and I'll save your book/s and send it out as soon as I can. Heres' my list

Martin Bashir Questions Rob Bell, Pulls No Punches

As many of you know, Rob Bell's new book is finally out and making all waves amongst evangelicals. I'll have my own review this week, but I wanted to share a recent interview Martin Bashir (MSNBC) had with Bell. It seems that Bell's "question everything" approach doesn't help him answer many questions. Very poignant, was Bashir's question about which church father to quote from. Origen is a univeraslist (whom Bell apparently promotes) while Arius denied Christ's divinity. Why pick one and not the other? And that is the heart of the issue. People have serious questions about the here and now, as well as the afterlife. To leave things vague and fuzzy (while ignoring the clear teaching of the Word of God) is akin to spiritual malpractice.

As one of the youtube commenters says,"How does a secular journalist grasp the clarity of Rob Bell's error better than most of the evangelical community?"

Let's Play: Who Said It??????????

Here's a quote I came across in an old interview. Who said it? (No cheating!!!)

  I don’t know why as a Christian you would have to make such declarative statements. Like your friend, does he want there to be a literal hell? I am a bit skeptical of somebody who argues that passionately for a literal hell, why would you be on that side? Like if you are going to pick causes, if you’re literally going to say these are the lines in the sand, I’ve got to know that people are going to burn forever, this is one of the things that you drive your stake in the ground on. I don’t understand that.

As all one of you clamored to know who said it. It was Rob Bell.  Here's his interview with The Ooze where he said it. 

A look at an underground ant colony. Fascinating.

Take a look at what one of God's very small creatures can do (in a group of course). No wonder Solomon commended the ant.

Dr. James White Coming to Southern California March 11 & 12 Courtesy of Trinity Law School!

I'm a big fan of James White. I've listened to his podcast The Dividing Line for almost two yeas and have seen him debate. If you have the time next week, and happen to live in Southern California, he'll be here teaching on the reliability of the New Testament.I've seen the presentation before and it will knock your socks off. He'll also be giving a seminar on debating. It's his first time teaching that so I also look forward to that too. I'll see you there.



Here's a map to the church
Here's the church website: http://www.bethelgrace.org/

Advice on Open Air Preaching from R.A. Torrey

 

It's been good to see the positive response people have been having to Steve McCoy's post on open air preaching. I mentioned in my own post that I hope to contribute to the conversation with the advice I've found from some of the great preachers of our tradition. Well I've found some. The preacher I have in mind is R.A. Torrey. He preached around the world with D.L Moody, was one of the first deans of BIOLA University, as well as an itinerrant preacher. His legacy include a lot of devotional and theological works worth your time, Moody Bible Institute, and the streets. 

A few years ago, I came across his book How to Work For Christ. It is a great collection of ideas on how to get out and minister to people evangelisticaly. The chapter I linked to is called Open Air Meetings. Torrey believed in open air preaching and in this chapter gives some reasons to go outdoors, how to conduct meetings, and practical advice for the minister. Some of the information is outdated (unless you have a gospel wagon), but a lot of what he says still rings true. For instance, he warns that you should find a place to preach where you won't get dishwater thrown at you. It would be pretty distracting to be in the middle of a gospel presentation and all of a sudden end up wet. (I think he spoke from experience). He also advises to preach in the shade on warm days. Great practical advice that I hope helps you in your work. But I wanted to share advice that seems to apply at all times. For instance.....

Don't Be Dull

He writes "Dullness will kill an open air meeting...do not preach long sermons. Use a great many striking illustrations... Be energetic in your manner. Talk so people will listen. Don't preach, but simply talk to people". 

Don't Do It Alone

Torrey believed this was a group activity so you should find some fellow workers to go with you. You don't have to do all the heavy lifting. 

Don't Antagonize Your Audience

Forgive my bluntness, bit preachers who go out just to call women "whores" and men "fornicators" are complete idiots. Please don't be that person. All you will do is close off ears to the gospel and perpetuate the crazy street preacher stereotype. 

Don't Be Long

10 to 15 minutes is what he advises. Past that and you'll lose your audience. Though today it might be even less than that. 

Depend on God

He's the one who will touch people, not you. 

Depend on God's Word

Torrey believed in the power of the Word of God. He advised that know how to show someone their need for Christ, how they may be saved, and assurance of salvation and discipleship. Spend time in the word. Better yet, memorize it. 

What about modern technology? Does it have a role in our outdoor witness? It might surprise some to see that Torrey believed in using the latest technology. For instance, on the chapter called "The Use of Autos, Trailers etc..." he says about films

We all recognize the use of the visual in attracting and holding attention. Biblical pictures on inexpensive films can be effectively used on children and grown ups, for, remember, no one is ever too old to be interested in pictures.  

Those of us living in the age of youtube, power point, and flickr, might have use to the church yet.