Keep yourself from idols
Adrian Reynolds briefly reviews Derek Tidball’s book, Preacher, Keep yourself from Idols.
“Tidball’s book is neither radical nor novel; it will not teach you anything you didn’t already know nor will it take you long to read. However, unlike other books on idolatry, this one is targeted. It is like a laser-guided missile that strikes right at a minister’s heart.”
– from Church Society (PDF).
Proclamation Trust audio
From Adrian Reynolds at The Proclamation Trust:
“We’ve decided that from now on ALL our online audio will be free.
That means that the last few EMAs [Evangelical Ministry Assemblies] are all now available online for download at no cost. Spread the word!”
EMA 2012 – Heart Matters
EMA 2011 – Preaching that connects
EMA 2010 – Not by might, nor by power.
And more here – thanks to Proc Trust.
Living in the Last Days
AFES has the audio made available the audio and video from the most recent National Training Event. Check it out here.
Ichabod
In July 2009, we linked to this article by David Robertson, Minister of St. Peter’s Free Church in Dundee.
“More than a century of theological liberalism being taught in and through our churches has finally come home to roost. If anyone doubted how sick the Church in Scotland has become, the recent events in the Church of Scotland General Assembly have provided more than enough proof.”
– Three and a half years later, it’s worth re-reading as a reminder of the context of the departure of The Tron, and also as a reminder to pray for Scotland.
The article was an editorial in The Monthly Record of the Free Church of Scotland. (PDF – pages 3-5.)
Teaching Historical Sense
“I was asked last week why some evangelicals convert to Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism.
Reasons vary, I am sure, but I commented that one theme I have noticed over the years is the fact that evangelicalism lacks historical roots. That is not to say that it has no history; rather it is to say that a consciousness of history is not part of the package. …”
– Carl Trueman has some excellent ideas you can use in your church – Ref21.
As Christ is to His church
St. Helen’s Bishopsgate has published a four-minute video excerpt from William Taylor’s sermon on Marriage and Relationships last weekend, addressing Steve Chalke’s recent statements on same sex unions.
Richard Coekin also addressed the topic last Sunday morning at Dundonald Church in London. (“Is Steve Chalke wrong? Marriage Divorce & Celibacy.”)
Lanced
“I find that there are many uncomfortable reflections that the Armstrong story continues to raise: questions about hero-worship, self-justification, self-righteousness and our powerful urge to find scapegoats. …”
– Nick Tucker at Oak Hill College in London sees the Armstrong confessions as a lesson to us all.
‘How much do you have to hate someone to not proselytise?’
“The Penn and Teller show is a favourite of mine, so I was interested to watch this video of Penn, an atheist, speak about being evangelised. …”
– Steve Kryger at Communicate Jesus links to a very thoughtful video.
Four things Christians can learn from the Lance Armstrong debacle
“The rise and fall of Lance Armstrong should serve as a reminder for us all as to how easy it is for us to allow sin to destroy all that we have.” – Ed Stetzer comments.
Testimony of an Unlikely Convert
David Murray at Head Heart Hand writes:
“There are some stories that just need to be told – some testimonies of the Lord’s grace that are so unusual and so encouraging that they will bless everyone who hears them.
This is exactly the case with Rosaria Butterfield who recently authored The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert.”
– He and Tim Challies interviewed Rosaria Butterfield in October 2012 (audio: 20 minutes) – and just last week she was interviewed by Marvin Olansky at Patrick Henry College in Virginia (YouTube: 65 minutes).
She speaks about her journey from a homosexual lifestyle to trust in Christ, and bears witness to those who moved out of their comfort zone to care for her.
Challenging and with much food for thought.
‘Why Steve Chalke is mistaken and the liberality of liberals cannot be trusted’
“Before the vote, there were many people telling the ‘traditionalists’ that they were ‘valued’, that they should be ‘enabled to flourish’, ‘respect’ and so on. …
Unfortunately, when the vote went the ‘wrong’ way, what we saw was not an acknowledgement that the flourishing of traditionalists would have to be sought another way, but an outbreak of something little short of rage and the heaping of opprobrium on those, especially those evangelicals, who had dared to mess things up.”
– John Richardson in the UK reflects, not so much on this week’s announcement by Baptist Minister Steve Chalke affirming same sex relationships, as on words and intentions.
Related:
Steve Chalke affirms same sex partnerships.
The Bible & Homosexuality: a response to Steve Chalke – Evangelical Alliance UK.
Preaching matters (2)
The team at St. Helen’s Bishopsgate have been adding to videos to their Preaching Matters series.
In the latest additions, Charlie Skrine from St. Helen’s shares thoughts on preaching persuasively while Phillip Jensen answers questions on how to apply the Bible.
Both well worth watching.
Priscilla & Aquila Centre conference — 4th February 2013
“Amongst a plethora of conferences to be run this year, one that should not be missed will be held on 4 February at Moore College. It will be run by the Priscilla and Aquila Centre, fast becoming one of the most important venues worldwide for creative thinking about how a commitment to biblical complementarianism might be lived out in the churches and in the world.
This year the conference is entitled ‘Teaching Truth Together’ and the keynote speaker is James de Costobadie from St James Latimer Square in Christchurch.”
– Dr. Mark Thompson commends the coming “Teaching Truth Together'” conference at the Priscilla & Aquila Centre. (Registration closes Monday 21st January!)
Sword of the Spirit — True Spirituality
The Australia Day Convention is coming up on Monday 28th January at the Cathedral.
“The person and work of the Holy Spirit is so important and so misunderstood that instead of doing 1 convention on this topic, we thought we’d do 3! In 2013, Australia Day Convention VI, Easter Convention, and Queen’s Birthday Convention VI will become a trilogy on the Holy Spirit.” Details here.
‘It is no empty word for you, but your very life’ (Deut. 32:47)
At Theological Theology, Peter Bolt, Head of New Testament at Moore College, presents his third and final post responding to recent publications on women preaching to mixed congregations of men and women.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…