Let My People Read is Helping The Gospel Coalition

Hey everyone, I know it's been a while (work and Seminary have taken a toll) but I wanted to get back to the page to let you know that I'm still here, and that we're going to get into giving mode. Our first target is helping The Gospel Coalition. If you're Reformed and don't know about TGC shame on you! Ok, seriously, it is an organization of gospel centered pastors, writers, theologians, etc... who get together to promote sound, gospel centered, biblical teaching.

Over at Justin Taylor's Blog, he has challenged us to help out the ministry (which has contributed a lot to the body of Christ) and join in a unique effort to raise funds as the year ends. Let My People Read is a blog that supports any effort to bring sound teaching to the Body. As such, we are going to help raise support and awareness of this great ministry. Please use our donation widget to make a simple 10 dollar donation.You can also go to (and help promote!) our donation page. Our hope is to raise $800 by months end. I should also let you know that those of us who raise the most will get tickets to next years Gospel Coalition Conference. Not that that's why we're doing it, but it would be nice to win. Thanks again, and look out for some more writing from me as my time opens up.
Keep looking out for more book and movie reviews, as well as some of my fiction writing. Thanks again for your help.

Kinda Christianity

What would Christianity look like if we were all college sophomores? That is the question Ted Cluck and Zach Bartels try to answer. Their answer? Kinda Christianity. The first book published from Ted and Zack's newly formed Gut Check Press, it it setting the pace for the kinds of books they will be publishing (many of them being aimed at men). This first book get's the laughs at every page. With so many people declaring the death of the Emerging church movement, it had to happen that someone would take a funny look back at the movement that gave us such phrases and ideas as:

-Chastised Epistemology

-Greco-Roman Bound Set Theory

-Glocal

-Post-Evangelical

-Village_____ Church

I read through the book today and it is FUNNY! Read it with this warning in mind:

“We know that the late emergent church movement® is pretty much dead. But if emergent taught us anything, it’s that nostalgia sells. Hence this book, which is a guide to emerging, but is also a nostalgic look at a movement that shaped at least six years worth of evangelical history. Let’s remember it together. This is a humble, generous, incarnational, missional, community-based, grassroots guide to becoming emergent. So roll up the sleeves of your intentionally distressed Dickies work shirt, made entirely out of recycled cardboard, and enjoy!”

As you can tell, this isn't a book to seriously discuss at your weekly group at Starbucks or in your incarnational community. It's just a good chuckle. It even comes with a free and equally hilarious study guide.

To be honest, I think we need this kind of book. Some subjects deserve mockery, and ECM is not immune. More so, part of the reason we don't see more books liek this is because people are afraid to poke fun at what clearly deserves to be made fun of. No subject is spared. Starbucks, Post-Modern feminist Theory, and Warehouse churches get taken to the woodchipper. It also includes such subjects as:

Fashion Personal Grooming Finding the Right Workspace Choosing an Emergent Vehicle Naming Your Church Acheiving the Right Atmosphere

Everyone from Brian Mclaren to Che Guevarra and even D.A. Carson (who is strangely made to look like the Joker) show up and get a little pounced on. Though some get more pounced than other's. If you're in the mood to laugh, I can't recommend this book enough.

Hopefully I'll be putting up an interview with the author's soon.

What was biggest Controversy of 09?

As I was looking at my google reader this week, I though I would look up the word "controversy". All I can say is we Reformed folk like to argue! The usuals like Mark Driscoll and Rick Warren keep showing up (deservedly or not). A few names I almost forgot showed up as well. Tim Challies and John Frame for instance. So, wht do you think were the biggest controversies of the year? What do you think we didn't argue enough about? What should have never been an issue? Let me know. I will have my list up in the next few days.

The Manhattan Declaration -Your Thoughts

For those of you following current theological urrents, last week the Manhattan Declaration was announced along with a great deal of well known signatories. Included amongst them are people as diverse as Al Mohler and Peter Kreeft. In short, it deals with:

1. the sanctity of human life
2. the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife
3. the rights of conscience and religious liberty. 

In today's culture, these are the very things that have come under attack (broadly speaking). So before I delve into what things are covered, I'd like your opinion: What did you think? Would you sign it? Why or Why Not?

To get your thinking going, here is a link from APPRAISING. It has a few questions about the contenet of the declaration.

And a link to Al Mohler's reasons for signing the Declaration.

What Confessions Deal with Discipleship?

In the last few days I've been looking seriously into the idea of discipleship. I've been greatly helped by the late James M. Boice's book Christ's Call to Discpleship and am looking forward to reading Ancient-Future Evangelism by the late Peter Webber. So in my reading I wonder: what church confessions specifically deal with the issue of disipleship? Let me know in the comments. Maybe I've missed something.

Lesser Known Motions at the Southern Baptist Convention

Lesser Known Motions at the Southern Baptist Convention

At this week's Southern Baptist Convention, messengers from across the country heard various motions on the floor from banning Mark Driscoll's books, to boycotting Pepsi. Here are a few that you might have missed.

 1. Motion to Boycott Mr. Pib. 

 It was asked that Mr. Pib be boycotted because after reassignment surgery, He will soon be known as Mrs. Pib.  

2. A study of the GRC: Grilled Chicken Resurgence

If we accept it, do the liberals win? A one year study of how this may be a threat to those in the convention who favor grilled chicken. (Note: this may lead to boycotting KFC next year).

3. Petition to ask Al Mohler to stop twittering.

Because we're sure that twittering is as addictive as alcohol! 

4. A Day of mourning on John Calvin's 500th Birthday.

The man is a menace.

5. Banning all Veggie Tales videos from Lifeway Bookstores.

Talking vegetables are possesed I tell you!!!!! 

6. Move to NOT have the 2010 Convention in Florida.

Aren't we still boycotting Disney?

7. Make the KJV the official translation of the SBC.

If it was good enough for the Apostle Paul, it's good enough for us. 

(Hope you had a laugh. Seriously, if you really thought I'm exaggerating, take a look at this!) (Via TolbertReport)

David Wells on the church in the West

I go to Africa every year because I serve on the board of a Christian foundation which is building orphanages for children, most of whom have been left behind by AIDS. I am always struck by this paradox, if that is what it is. Here in America we have everything, but despite everything we have (Bibles, church buildings, theological education, colleges, money, know-how), the evangelical church is weak and stumbling. In Africa, amidst great poverty and disease, illiteracy and deprivation, rampant independency and woeful alliances with traditional African religions, there is still to be found courage, vibrancy, and a Christian testimony to the truth of God that is striking by Western standards. Let us not forget who saved the Church of England from their pathetic willingness to capitulate to the homosexual agenda. It was the African bishops, not those from America or Europe! God, you know, does not have his hands tied simply because we in America have all the money!

Why I like Christians

Flickr by Eric Lafforgue

In the last week a few influential blogs have posted their reasons for not liking Christians. As someone who has suffered at the hands of Christians, I can feel some of their pain, but I disagree with lots of their reasons. This one just seems unfair. Seriously, Christians hate anyone with money? Are you kidding? I've seen them treat people with lot's o cash better than the guy that's been a regular member for years (which is equally sinful and a violation of what James tells the Church to do). The one about Christians not dreaming big dreams is WAYYYY unfair. He can't
see any ones heart, and really, dreams come in all shapes and sizes. I think this is similar to the whole working mother critique, that a stay at home mom has thrown her life away (or that a working one can't be a good one). Seriously, cheap shot. (I might, add he starts off with a section about Christians being bitter, and seriously this whole post smells of it). To his credit he did own up to the fact that he himself had done those things as well.To be fair the one about Christians being being ok with mediocre music and art is a bit fair. To that all I can say is: come back Rembrandt!

This post however, did strike a few chords with me. It's actually a bit fair. He mentions Christians being lousy tippers, and having a friend who owns a restaurant, it's true. Many Christians do belittle others and then expect them to hear the greatest story ever told. Not cool. Still, at times it does seem a bit unfair.

So, why do I LIKE Christians? OK, defining them as Conservative Christian Evangelicals, or CCE's, (I have a sneaky suspicion the previous posts meant those kinds of Christians and of which I can identity) here we go:

1. We stand up for the unborn.
In a time when a lot is being said about everything under the sun, the unborn have seemed to gone out of style. Guess what? They are still something worth fighting for, and the pro-life movement owes much to CCE's.

2. Traditional Family
I got into it with a gentleman over at Between 2 Worlds over this very issue. He believes Christians should lay off gay people. Agreed, we should target all sinners, no matter what their sin is. No matter, someone asked him what he would do if his son came home one day from school and he told him that it was ok for a kid to have two mommies or two daddies. If the Church is supposed to model life in the Kingdom, then we should applaud those take God's family ordinance seriously. I have a friend right now who's family is not functional. I asked him how it was going back home, and he said it wasn't home. His fellow believers at our Bible college have become his family. I'm PROUD to be a part of that.

3. Music
I'll admit it, I don't really listen to Air1 as much as I used to. I catch it from time to time. Bottom line, Christian music is lacking at times. I will say, that that is changing. But for all the great songs that Coldplay, Dashboard Confessional, and yes my beloved U2 can muster (OK they get a pass with 40), none of their songs are songs are going to be sung on Sunday morning. Better is One Day was written from the CCE camp, as was Amazing Grace and Indescribable.

4. Education
With the founding of Westminster Seminary, Biola, APU, Dallas Seminary, and Southern Baptist Seminary in the last 100 years, it is safe to say we take education seriously.

5. Books
Granted, C.S. Lewis is no longer writing, but Christians bookstores are filled with some good books (although I prefer the theology books). As a matter of fact, you don't see too many Buddhist, Hindu, or Muslim bookstores, but Christian bookstores are everywhere, and granted they may be filled with some bad books, at least they are promoting literacy and education.

6. Theology
Some things are just worth fighting for. Isn't it possible that the reason we take our theology seriously is because we know what sorts of horrible misrepresentations of God occur when we don't? And that is idolatry of the worst kind. As A.W. Tozer put it, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us". To strive to think the best and highest of GOd is every Christians duty. I will say, CCE's at times can be overly dogmatic about secondary issues like clothing and hair style's, going to the movies, secular music etc...

7. Comfort
WARNING: this one is a bit hit or miss. But, when I hang out with CCE's I don't have to worry about one of them asking me the overtly weird question about my sex life (like if my gf and I are sleeping together), or get offered a joint (this one is a general rule of thumb, remember: stuff happens!) or have going to a strip club as one of the options for the evenings activities. So take this one with a grain of salt, but really, I've only been made uncomfortable with these kinds of issues by my non-CCE friends.

8. Prayer
OK, a valid critique is that we say we fast and pray and then do whatever we want. But not always. On another note, whenever someone has a big need, asking to pray for them, or in a group, isn't a big deal. If it's with a good group, they offer it first. Asking it with my non-Christian acquaintances to pray when the tire pops is a bit odd. Though most people are open to prayer when it's one-on-one. (They also open up and share a lot about their personal life!)

I could mention a few others but I hope those suffice. Every group has problems, even CCE's! But, God loves even them. I hope we can too.

So what should Rick Warren pray?

 

So in light of Rick Warrens controversial invitation to speak at Barrack Obama's inaguration, there has been a lot on line for and against  his appearance. I have to admit, I'm somewhat mixed on this. Should he go there in the spirit of praying for those in authority (or for your enemy!) in light of Romans 13? And what about the equally difficult position of asking a Holy God to bless a man who is pro-choice, for embryonic stem cell research, and gay rights (though not gay marriage it would seem)? Here's pastor (I think) Beth Quick's thoughts on Warren being there (honest I might add):

And then on the other hand, as I've been reflecting, I wonder: I consider not allowing gay and lesbian persons to marry, or restrictions on adoption, or restrictions in the church on ordination, etc., to be oppressive human rights violations. Injustices. Inequalities that are wrong. What if Obama had chosen someone to pray at his inauguration who supported other violations of human rights? I find it harder to answer these questions. If John McCain had been elected, and chosen a pastor to pray who had racist views, would that be ok? Many people shy away from a comparison between racism and heterosexism, but I don't think the analogy is inaccurate. And so I'm just not sure, not sure what 'slot' to put my disagreement with Rick Warren in.

 Her response is telling for two reasons. She obviously differs with Warren's views, but isn't entirely put off with him there. But her difficulty is that he is a heterosexist (it seems very implied). Her pos tis very honest, and she wonders where all the hoopla was when both Obama and McCain met with Warren earlier this year.

The second response comes from Todd Dreher of Crunchy Con Blog. Funny to be sure.

Pastor Rick Warren, who favors civil unions but not full marriage rights, is actually a moderate in this debate. That means two-thirds of all Americans with an opinion on the subject are against same-sex marriage. Yet Rick Warren is somehow too extreme to pray at the Inaugural? Somebody's living in a bubble, and it ain't Rick Warren.

Joseph Farrah of World NEt Daily has this to say (and worth thining about)

Barack Obama is opposed to any and all restrictions on the killing of unborn children and has pledged to work against the few that remain. In fact, as a state legislator in Illinois, he pushed a law that would require the killing of babies born alive after unsuccessful abortions.
I would hope you, a pastor of the gospel of Jesus Christ, would also call that evil.
I’m trying to imagine Jesus giving an invocation at the inauguration of such a man. I think you will agree, it’s unimaginable.
So why are you ready, willing and eager to do this thing?

So what say you? Should he or shouldn't he? What would YOUU DO IN THIS SITUATION? What do I think you ask? I think............to be continued. 

MIssional Church?

OK, if you haven't been paying attention to the blogosphere, (or Google Trends) you no doubt have heard that the word of the day is MISSIONAL. For many, this word is associated with Emergent (and in some ways this is post-emergent) and in some circles it is being seen as the rise of something new (as well as theologically responsible). I've seen see it on the blogs of people like Dan Kimball (who has a new missional network developing that will be based on the highly evangelistic Lausanne Covenant) and even at Monergism, the Reformed (and Reformed friendly) Missional voices of Driscoll, Keller and Stetzer are beginning to be heard. So what is this?

It would seem (according to Google Trends) that somewhere in the last two years in this country, Canada and Australia, people have begun to wonder the same thing. And as a result, ministry in the west is taking a new direction. I think this is very important. Most statistics show that this country is already losing people its Christian population (to say nothing of the spiritual desert Europe is in). We are starting to see the West as a mission field again. Thus many are starting to think like missionaries again. I'm glad that I'll soon to be joining the SBC because this has always been their ethos. They were begun by Reformed Missionaries (the Founders) and they have a branch dedicated to missions in this continent too!

I'm glad to see Reformed people are playing a role is this shift. Thanks to people like Tim Keller, and Mark Driscoll. If you can think of anyone else let me know in the comments. The more I look into it, the more I know I will have to say about it. But for now, here are a few places that have gobs and gobs of info for you to think about
JR Woodward's blog
Simply Misional Blog
Ed Stetzer's Blog
The Resurgence
Acts 29 Network
Monergism Articles

Lots to think about, but as I read Stetzer's book (Breaking the Missional Code) and other books on the subject (I'll be going though the Redeemer Church Planting manual with my Pastor this year) I know I will have more to say. Stay tuned.

Team Pyro Does it again!

Frank Turk of Team Pyro has written a very (VERY!) lengthy response HERE to the recent pro-gay marriage Newsweek story. This is definitely the tip of the iceberg. If we as a church think we can ignore this, we do so at out own peril. We must learn to develop a cogent biblically based response to the new gay movement.

Other responses

Al Mohler
James White

New Reformation Promo Video-enjoy

Here it is. Visit the page. And share with those you think would be interested.

What's the state of the church? Watch this.....

Take a look at the following clip. It comes from Michael Horton's "Christless Christianity" project. It should speak for itself. But I do have something to add at the end.



If you missed it, Roger Olson (Arminian) Marva Dawn (Paleo-orthodox Lutheran) and Scot Mcknight (Emergent leaning/NPP/Anabaptist) also appear in this video. Normally we stay away from people of other (almost contradictory) traditions, but if even they can see that there is a problem, it shouldn't surprise us that Horton's book is necessary. It should also make us think of what we're going to do about it? What is your church situation like? Is it like what is being presented in this clip? Is it only about how God can make you happy? If it is, what will you do about it? I recommend reading Christless Christianity and giving a copy to your church leadership.

But, I'd like to hear from you as well. What is the problem? What are some solutions?

Happy Birthday Martin Luther!

(Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms)

As a Reformed Christian, I celebrate the life of a great saint God used to change history. Here are a few thoughts, blogs and video clips that commemorate today's event. Some thoughts from the Desiring God Blog

It was a backwater German town called Eisleben on November 10, 1483—today marks 525 years.

There Martin Luther had his inauspicious beginning. He was born a poor boy, son of a coal miner. And by a strange providence, Luther died in the same town 62 years later on February 18, 1546, even though he spent barely any of his life there.

In the intervening 6 decades, the world changed—and Luther, under God, was the chief catalyst.

The pope excommunicated Luther in January of 1521, making him a marked man. For the last 25 years of his life, he lived with the awareness that each day could be his last. He often expressed surprise that he was still alive.

Other's celebrating are
1517: Happy Birthday Martin Luther

And a very interesting video I found. Enjoy. The Reformation Polka. Very funny.

Gay Protest Saturday Nov. 15-How will we respond?

If you haven't been watching the news, Gay groups have been marching across the state. They've marched in Salt Lake City against the Mormon church, against Saddleback Church, and today against the Los Angeles Cathedral in Los Angeles. How far will this go? Sad to say, it would seem that we are allowed to vote as long as it's for whats in vogue. But it also says that we are allowed to vote, so long as we leave behind that which is most important to us: our values and our worldview. So what are we supposed to do? This Saturday I ask that we fast and pray. If you know someone who is going to march on Saturday, take them out to eat on Friday and talk with them. Even more, listen. I know we'll disagree. As a matter of fact, they may not like our reasoning, but I think they will see that we care. After we pray, the ball is in our court. They will march against our churches, but we can respond with wild eyed extremism (the kind they make fun of on SNL), or we can respond with prayer, with love, and with a carefully reasoned case for traditional marriage. That last part was inspired due to something someone said at our New Reformation "Cheer Up Party".
The book of Luke and Acts were written to a Grecco-Roman audience with the aim of showing that Christianity is a legitimate faith amongst the many pagan faiths of the time. More so, that it was politically viable. I believe that our ideas still have weight and have much to offer. Indeed, they have shaped the Western society! I also believe that living those beliefs to their fullest (especially the mercy and compassion we have shown in the past) could well be one of the biggest testimonies to the world. So from sun up to sun down next Saturday, I'll be fasting and praying. How about you?

Happy Reformation Day!

For those of you who don't know, October 31 1517 marked the start of the protestant reformation. To this day we live with the reprocusions of that event. If you read a Bible in your own language, if you sang at church in your own language, if you can read it on your own, and if you believe Jesus died for your sins and has forgiven you by God's grace along through faith in Christ, then you've been affected. Here are a few clips I found to commemorate the event.

A tribute to those who came before us.....


John Piper is BAD!

Just cause John Piper in a way introduced me to reformed Theology.

And of course, the battle hymn of the Reformation: A Mighty Fortress is Our God, a great hymn penned by Luther.


Happy Reformation Day!
Semper Reformada!
Soli Deo Gloria!

Please pray for the Christians of Iraq

Ok, if you haven't been watching the news, thousands of Christians in Iraq have had to flee their homes. The reason being that many of them are being killed. It really moved me to bring this issue up. I emailed an organization called Christians of Iraq. Here is what they have to say

The situation of the Christians of Iraq has been gone from bad to worst because the central Iraqi government has done nothing to stop the violence against them, as if Iraqi ruler don't mind that Christians of their country are persecuted and driven out of their homeland. Some reports indicate thathttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif the Iraqi security forces are involved in terrorizing the Christians. The only solution would be for the Bush administration and the UN to pressure the Iraqi government to protect its Christian citizens which so far it has failed to do .. Please read the latest articles about this subject. at and http://www.christiansofiraq.com

People who wish to help have to promptly call the white house and their members of congress to ask them put pressure on the Iraqi government to stop the terror against its Christian citizens. The villages weher the Mosul's refugees have taken shelter in are in dire need of assistance.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent have been notified but no assistance from these organizations has come yet.

Please, call, email, write, your local congressmen today and ask them to make sure our soldiers are helping in the area. Speak up for these people. They are a minority and thus have us to call on. Please pray as I get the word out. here are a few websites
Find your local congressman or woman and call them now
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/

To donate and get more info from an organization that deals with this please go to
http://www.persecution.com/

OK Heres what I also want you to do: I want at least a couple hundred of you to go to
http://www.redcross.org/

and TELL THEM TO GET INTO THIS AREA. If they need money, give it. You can spare 5 bucks. Every little bit counts.


Pray you guys.

Frank!

Mark Driscoll in Sydney: revealing interview

While in Australia, Mark Driscoll got interviewed by the Sydney Anglican Network. Here's the 23 minute interview. His views on spirtual gifts, church service and culture are pretty revealing and I might add, cool.



So how should we do church? What role does research play? Something to think about.

Pastors Gone Wild! (Or more church stupidity)

What is it with Pastors trying to look cool by showing up on stage with a motorcycle?
As I said in a previous post, we sometimes bring the trouble on ourselves for the dumb things that get done in Jesus' name.



And no Pastors were hurt in the making of this clip-yet......

Mark Driscoll in London: Sermon on Missional Churches

Well, I haven't talked about Mark for a while. However, he's been to London recently and preached messages and worked with the Reformed/Charismatic New Frontiers Churches. HERE You can hear some of the messages. The message On The Missional Church is the message I listened to first. It's very informative. So a few questions. What kind of Church is yours?
1. A Mirror-reflecting your culture
2. A Parasite-taking from culture and giving nothing back
3. A bomb Shelter-staying away from the world
4. A City Within A City-The city of God. In other words, a counter culture.
I think his best idea is about getting rid of missions departments so that the entire church can be missions minded. His other idea is that we must all be well informed theologian and apologists. Even your 5 year olds must be on fire about church planting and missions. Wow. Listen and let me know what you think. (I have to admit, he talks about getting rid of Sunday School....ehhhhhhh.......how are they going to become better theologians and apologists without the extra time to go in depth in the time Sunday School affords? Maybe small groups?)
One more: FOR THOSE OF YOU SLEEPING AROUND MARK SAYS: Jesus Has a BRIDE not a girlfriend he sleeps with. If you're sleeping around, your preaching a false gospel.

A few more nuggets I picked up: media is a sermon with a message it wants to convert you to, preach the gospel often, multiple campuses, save money for church planting etc...