Bob Carr

“If ever a preacher had a challenge it was Bob Carr’s statement: ‘The thing that puzzles me about Easter is why the sacrifice was required. … No preacher has ever explained to me why the death of Jesus had to happen, why it was mandated, why any message from God to man had to happen by that route.’

He expressed no doubt that the Scriptures recount Jesus’ death as a sacrifice, he just could not see the reason for it. So in response there is no point simply rehearsing the content of the Scriptures, rather it requires showing their logic. So here are two lines to follow – one personal the other explanatory.”

– Dean of Sydney Phillip Jensen writes on former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr, and the Cross of Christ.

Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God

Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God – one of J I Packer’s most important books – is this month’s free Audiobook download from Christian Audio. It’s read by American Grover Gardner.

The Legacy I want to Leave — Piper

“When I think of the coming generations, I am not content to only leave them a deposit of books and sermons that celebrate the glories of God and the wonders of Christian Hedonism. A great teacher once told me to ignore the conclusions of commentaries, and only look for their arguments. I have tried to give good arguments.

But underneath all the arguments is the Book. The Bible. If future generations only learn what we saw, and not how to see it for themselves, they will be second-handers. And second-handers cannot last. …”

– John Piper introduces “Look at the Book”.

Tim Challies on Brian McLaren

“Along the way we have visited such figures as Joseph Smith (Mormonism), Ellen G. White (Adventism), Norman Vincent Peale (Positive Thinking) and Benny Hinn (Faith Healing). Today we turn to a man who helped lead the Emerging Church and who was once named by TIME as one of the 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America.”

– In his series on ‘The False Teachers’, Tim Challies (who will be in Oz later this month) turns to Brian McLaren.

(Brian McLaren was one of the speakers at the 2008 Lambeth Conference.)

Firing Rome’s Canon

“The church at Rome just determined that these two popes exceeded God’s expectations for obedience. These men not only were able to escape the punishment of purgatory, having no need to purge their sins, having already achieved the holiness necessary to enter heaven.

Not only that, but all the merit they achieved which was beyond what was required was deposited, along with the merit of Christ, into the Treasury of Merit. This merit can become yours, via the purchase of indulgences…”

– Dr. R.C. Sproul, Jr. looks at the theology behind the canonisation of Popes John and John Paul.

Saints

“ I turned up for my early morning coffee today and, helping my newsagent friend, Charlie, dropped off today’s edition of La Fiama, the Italian newspaper, to my barista, Dom. I asked him, as usual, to translate the headline – ‘Pope declares two Popes saints’.

How does a person become a saint in the Roman Catholic church?…”

– David Cook on who the real saints are. (published 29 April 2014.)

A Conversation with Tyndale House’s Peter Williams

Dr. Peter Williams, Warden at Tyndale House in Cambridge, was interviewed recently in Arizona. He was asked about the future of the church, and what challenges and encouragements there are.

15 minutes, worth watching. (h/t Justin Taylor.)

Anzac and Easter 2014 — Phillip Jensen

“Easter is a moveable feast. The latest day upon which it can occur is Anzac day. But not till 2038 will Easter and Anzac day coincide. Frequently, as in this year, Easter is close to Anzac Day. Inevitably they cast a shadow upon each other. Both are about paying the supreme sacrifice.

Australians, together with our cousins across the Tasman, remember the sacrifice of so many of our armed forces on Anzac day each year. It is right and proper to do so. …”

– Phillip Jensen writes in his weekly newsletter for the Cathedral.

‘Women, Sermons and the Bible’ coming in May

Tony Payne at Matthias Media writes:

“…I’m pleased to be able to announce that on Monday 5th May, Matthias Media will release Women, Sermons and the Bible: Essays Interacting with John Dickson’s Hearing Her Voice (edited by Peter Bolt and Tony Payne).

The collection not only responds to the main arguments of Hearing Her Voice (regarding whether women should give sermons in the regular Sunday gathering), but also bounces off this specific question to consider some larger issues…”

– See the table of contents at the Matthias Media website.

Mohler & colleagues publish important response to ‘God and the Gay Christian’

Albert Mohler and four colleagues at The Southern Baptist Seminary have published an e-book in response to “God and the Gay Christian”, which was also published today.

It can be downloaded here.

Mohler explains why a response is important:

“The church has often failed people with same-sex attractions, and failed them horribly. We must not fail them now by forfeiting the only message that leads to salvation, holiness, and faithfulness.”

Sexegesis: An important contribution to a vital debate.

Justin Taylor: Why book-length responses to other books can be helpful.

Themelios vol 39, issue 1 now available

The latest issue of the theological journal Themelios is now available for free download from The Gospel Coalition.

Check it out – including Don Carson’s editorial, “Do the Work of an Evangelist”.

h/t Andy Naselli.

Resurrection and Ethics

“Christ’s resurrection from the dead changes the trajectory of human life. In 1 Corinthians 15:32, the apostle Paul hypothesises that if the dead are not raised then ‘we should eat and drink for tomorrow we die’…”

– a (final?) Easter reflection from The Australian Church Record.

Resurrection and Judgement

“It may seem odd to associate resurrection with judgement, especially in a world that considers ‘judgement’ as some kind of swear word, but Jesus’ resurrection actually has much to say about judgement…”

– A third reflection on Easter from The Australian Church Record.

Abp of Melbourne on ABC News 24

The Archbishop of Melbourne, Dr. Philip Freier, was interviewed on ABC News 24 this morning – on the meaning of Easter and a compassionate society. Watch it here.