What’s happening to InterVarsity?
Take the time to read this important piece by J. Mack Stiles. It’s a strong reminder for churches and parachurch organisations to remain crystal clear on the gospel —
“For the better part of 30 years I have been a ‘company man.’ My life has been devoted to student ministry through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship as a campus staff worker. All four of my books are published by IVP. The eleven Urbana missions conferences I attended shaped my life as a student and as a staff worker. … I love IV, and I long for its success. …
But, as Phillip Jensen says, the generation that assumes the gospel is the generation most responsible for the loss of the gospel.”
Read it here – from the current 9Marks eJournal.
Preaching without notes
“I’m a convert to preaching without any notes.
I know it’s not for everyone, but I reckon more preachers could do it if they wanted to.
I’ve preached evangelistically without notes for years, by memorising certain talks that I knew I would get to repeat many times. But I’ve not thought it ‘worth it’ to preach all the time without notes. Until now. …”
– At Read Better, Preach Better, Moore College’s Con Campbell shares his experience in preaching without notes.
Notes from the Future: Evangelical Liberalism in the UK
“The Lord Jesus called me into his kingdom in April 1974 in a Baptist church in Southampton, England. He had blessed me with a Christian family, and my conversion was very much a humble acceptance in my heart of truths I had long known in my head. Then, almost immediately after my conversion, I found myself (as a 15 year old) having to resist liberal theology from my fellow pupils at school, and even more so from my teachers.
I’ve used the word ‘liberal,’ though it felt very different from the liberalism I now see and sense…”
– Mike Ovey, Principal of Oak Hill College in London, writes in the current 9Marks eJournal. (Photo © Richard Hanson.)
The Real Scandal of the Evangelical Mind
“Combine the problems of defining evangelical identity with the current cultural penchant for not excluding anybody and you have a heady recipe for total disaster. Say nice things about Jesus, have a warm feeling in your heart when somebody lights a candle, and be kind to your grandmother and—hey presto!—you belong; you too can be an evangelical …”
– Carl Trueman writes on the danger particularly facing evangelical academics in the US (and elsewhere?) – in the current 9Marks eJournal.
9Marks eJournal on the dangers of Liberalism
The latest 9Marks eJournal has been published online and is essential reading. Editor Jonathan Leeman writes –
“Michael Lawrence, Carl Trueman, Al Mohler, and Phil Johnson examine how liberalism happens and offer wise counsel for the academic and the pastor’s heart.
Greg Gilbert, Michael Ovey, Russell Moore, and I point to several specific areas where evangelicals appear to be walking on thin ice…
Greg Wills, Michael Horton, and Darryl Hart present notable lessons from history…”
– and there’s much more for your edification. It’s available from 9Marks. (We’ll highlight some key articles over the next few days.)
‘Moses Tay: A Prophet confronts Lambeth Pragmatism’
Charles Raven’s latest column —
“if you try to keep the light and darkness together, righteous and immoral together, to say we are a church, it’s disparaging the meaning of covenant” – Bishop Moses Tay
In his recent interview with the Christian Post Moses Tay, onetime Archbishop of Singapore, brings a sharp prophetic insight to bear on the Anglican Covenant and warns that it is a ‘whitewash’. ‘It cannot be of God’ he says ‘because if you try to keep the light and darkness together, righteous and immoral together, to say we are a church, it’s disparaging the meaning of covenant’. Read more
10 ways to encourage a Missionary
At The Gospel Coalition blog, Mark Rogers shares the fruit of asking some missionaries what they find encouraging –
“One of the most encouraging/inspiring things we receive from people is a quick note via email to say that they are ‘thinking’ of us…”
Although it’s written from a US perspective, there are some good ideas here.
(h/t Justin Taylor.)
Preach through the Lectionary or books of the Bible?
The Diocese of Tasmania website has posted an article by David Roger-Smith on planning a preaching programme. Especially helpful for those whose practice is to preach on Lectionary readings –
“If you’ve never preached through or helped preached through a biblical book, it might seem a bit daunting, but we would encourage you to have a go. Start with small steps. Devote one school term this year to preaching through a biblical book rather than from the Lectionary readings.”
Download it as a PDF file here from the updated Preaching page.
What you can do in three pages a day
Stephen Altrogge asks, “What would happen if you resolved that, in addition to your Bible, you would read three pages of a spiritual book every day?”
He lists some practical suggestions on what you could read at The Blazing Center.
(Most of the books mentioned would be available at Moore Books or Reformers’ Bookshop in Sydney.)
The persecuted church
Bishop Bill Atwood has written this for the American Anglican Council’s weekly newsletter:
When President Nixon went to Yalta in 1973 (in what is present day Ukraine), I flew the White House staff and secret service on my Air Force plane. Of course the senior staff and the President flew on Air Force One. Read more
Mike Raiter and Radical Discipleship
Mike Raiter, Principal of the Bible College of Victoria, opened God’s word, starting in Luke chapter 9, at this week’s CMS Summer School at Katomba.
CMS has graciously made Mike’s first talk available for download.
It, and the whole series, were a great blessing, challenge and encouragement to all who were present. The other talks are available for purchase from CMS NSW.
This Life I Live — new hymn free download
At the 2010 CMS Summer School held in Katoomba this week, a new hymn by Michael Morrow was taught. ‘This Life I Live’ is a beautiful song ‘celebrating the fact that we who died with Christ now live for him, and live in hope of a glorious resurrection’.
‘The Life I Live’ is not yet available on CD, but you can hear it and download the mp3 file and sheet music at Morrow Music.
For the Love of God
Excerpts from Don Carson’s devotional resource, For the Love of God, are being posted daily at The Gospel Coalition.
You can subscribe to to receive a daily e-mail or subscribe to the RSS feed. A very helpful resource.
Teach us to number our days
At the 9Marks blog, Michael Mckinley recommends this sermon (from last year) on Psalm 90 by Derek Thomas (Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi).
Sobering and encouraging.
Outline of redemptive history
At Between Two Worlds, Justin Taylor has posted a useful summary of Graeme Goldsworthy’s outline of redemptive history–
See it here – and download a copy of the famous ‘coathanger’ chart here.
If you are not familiar with Graeme Goldsworthy’s books, in Sydney, you can get copies at Moorebooks or from Reformers Bookshop.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…