Our English Bible

Church Society has reprinted a 1936 article by Harold Smith on the origins of the English Bible. It’s an introductory article covering the period before Wycliffe to the Revised Version of 1885.

It’s available as a PDF file from Church Society.

Australia — whose land?

Dr. Peter Adam, Principal of Ridley College in Melbourne, last weekend delivered the John Saunders Lecture for 2009. His topic was ‘Australia – whose land?’.

“So all lands belongs to God, and he distributed them to many nations, setting the time and places where they would live. The land is God’s land. To respect and honour God is to know that he made Australia, and to treat the existing indigenous peoples who were here in 1788 with respect. The appalling theory of terra nullius treated people as if they had no significance. This was an insult to them, and an offence against God their maker. …”

The text of his lecture has now been made available on the Ridley College website (PDF – direct link).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. …”

– Not everything translates exactly, but there are some good, simple ideas here.

Themelios — July 2009 edition online

The latest edition of Themelios, published by The Gospel Coalition, is available on their website.

It’s a free download in a choice of formats (e.g. a 1.2MB PDF file).

Trueman on John Owen

Carl Trueman gives a video introduction to Puritan theologian John Owen. It’s from Westminster Seminary on YouTube and runs for 10 minutes 20 seconds. (h/t Justin Taylor.)

Carson on sermon preparation

Colin Adams at Unashamed Workman points us to an excellent talk given by Don Carson at the Katoomba Centenary Preaching Conference at SMBC in 2003.

Colin has also provided an outline with time markers to the 65MB mp3 file of the talk.

The Church and Schism — Packer at Oak Hill

Dr J I Packer spoke on “The Church and Schism” at the Oak Hill 2009 School of Theology in London.

Thanks to Oak Hill, you can read or watch the lecture here.

Worth watching!

Ministry Today — New Opportunities

William Taylor, Mark Dever and Phillip Jensen are speaking on ‘Ministry Today – New Opportunities’ at the Ministry Intensive planned for August 17 and 18 in Sydney.