The Narcissism Epidemic

In last weekend’s edition (August 2nd 2009) of the White Horse Inn, Michael Horton spoke with Dr. Jean Twenge, author of Generation Me, and co-author of The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement.

It’s worth hearing – at the White Horse Inn website.

Tong: Defending my take on Schori

My last blog remarked on Presiding Bishop Schori’s breathtaking rejection of the gospel of salvation, “the great Western heresy – that we can be saved as individuals, that any of us alone can be in right relationship with God”.

The blog drew some debate about my use of Scripture but I take comfort from the report of Bishop David Bena’s sermon at an ordination where he attacked Schori by saying…

– Read Robert Tong’s post at SydneyAnglicans.net.

The Wrighteousness of God

“Bishop Wright’s views on Paul, Israel and justification have been known for many years, and have often been debated in scholarly circles.

As this latest book makes clear, those views have not been widely accepted—indeed, they have been openly opposed by almost everyone engaged in the field, from the most conservative Evangelicals to the most ardent liberals. …”

– In his editorial to the June 2009 issue of Churchman, Gerald Bray gives a helpful summary of Bishop Tom Wright’s teaching, and the response of John Piper and others. It’s available from Church Society as a PDF download and is worth reading.

New Christian newspaper planned

Two well-known Christian media men, John Sandeman and David Maegraith, have teamed to produce a mass market monthly Christian newspaper — Eternity.

They say, “Eternity will produce news with a Christian worldview, drawing on the resources of Christians and churches around Australia. The paper is independent of denominations and is privately operated.”

The first issue is planned for October 2009 – see details at their website.

A House Divided?

“Rowan Williams’ proposal for a ‘two-track’ Anglican Communion is a theological disaster. Beyond this, it is almost certainly unworkable.

The reason for this is simple — both sides in this controversy see the question of homosexuality as both unavoidable and fundamental. Both sides see the question as far too important to remain unsettled. Neither side can accept the permanent disagreement of the other. …”

– Albert Mohler writes at his blog.

See also, “Are we about to go to war?” by Peter Ould and some comments by John Richardson. (Photo: ACNS.)

God the Peacemaker: Graham Cole on the Atonement

Graham Cole’s most recent book is a biblical theology of the Atonement – God the Peacemaker: How Atonement Brings Shalom.

It gets a mention at Between Two Worlds – and there’s an interview with Graham.

What does inerrancy mean? Is it essential to Christian belief?

In this video clip from The Gospel Coalition, Don Carson speaks about what Christians believe about the reliability of the Bible. (h/t Andy Naselli.)

What Men need in a church

“Most of all men need another man. If a man builds a real friendship within your church body, good things happen. A man with a ‘brother’ will be a better man at home and at work. …”

– David Moore reflects on what is helpful for men in church.

Insights from B.B. Warfield

Carl Trueman is giving the annual Eliza Ferrie public lecture at the Presbyterian Theological Centre in Burwood on Wednesday 12th August. His topic? “The Essence of Christianity and the Cross of Christ: Insights from B.B. Warfield.”

Details of this and the Confess or Die Conference (7-8 August) at the PTC website.

Do not rejoice in this

John Piper writes:

“On vacation I was meditating on Luke 10:17-20 where Jesus tells us not to be overly excited about our ability to do feats of triumph in defeating the devil. Rather he says, fix the root of your joy in this: Your names are written in heaven. Amazing.

Most of us are moved more by the fireworks of miracles than by the mere assurance of salvation. Something is amiss. So I lingered long enough here to put my heart right. And in the process wrote a poem…”

– Read it at Desiring God.

Free audio book for August 2009

For something rather different, this month’s free audiobook download from Christian Audio is Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy.

The 11 part download in mp3 format comes to 357MB and is available at www.christianaudio.com/free – use the code AUG2009 at the checkout to get it free.

New Sovereign Grace album preview

A preview of the forthcoming album ‘Sons & Daughters’ from Sovereign Grace is now online at their website.

NT Wright on GC09 and the Archbishop of Canterbury: Unpacked or Repackaged?

“It has been said of the great twentieth century theologian Karl Barth that his was ‘a maverick ego that never lost the sense of continuity with itself’.

Whether the Bishop of Durham, one of Anglicanism’s most heavyweight theologians, has a maverick ego could be an interesting debate, but a strong ego is undoubtedly an asset to any theologian. In his ‘unpacking’ of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s reflections on TEC’s recent General Convention, he clearly demonstrates continuity with himself, but there is a worrying discontinuity in the image we are given of Rowan Williams. …”

– Charles Raven at SPREAD comments on Bishop Tom Wright’s “Rowan’s Reflections: Unpacking the Archbishop’s Statement” at Fulcrum.

More ideas for connecting

Steve McCoy in the US writes, “I’ve noticed in my life and in the life of my family that 5 tools have stood out this summer as helpful for connecting with our neighbours. Here they are for you. …”