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Aaron Armstrong —  April 17, 2013 — 2 Comments

I Am Not Abraham’s Mistake

Derek Rishmawy:

As frustrating and awkward as being an Arab high-schooler in post-9/11 America could be at times—given garden-variety prejudices, fears, and ignorance—none of those slurs frustrated me so much as what some of my well-meaning, evangelical brothers and sisters ignorantly implied: that my entire ethnic heritage was an unfortunate mistake—Abraham’s mistake to be exact.

Get to Church Early

Joe Thorn:

I could relax a bit. I know it. And of course there are times when nothing can be done about it. We are all late some of the time.

But many churches (including the one I pastor) go through periods of time where people begin showing up to services late. It becomes a thing. It doesn’t sound like a big deal, and of course this isn’t the sort of thing that brings fire from heaven or church discipline. But being late can have a genuinely negative impact in more ways than one.

Weakness Is the Way

Check out the trailer for J.I. Packer’s upcoming book, Weakness Is the Way: Life with Christ Our Strength:

Why You Should Read Narnia in Publication Order

Trevin Wax:

As one who has read The Chronicles of Narnia multiple times, I have strong opinions on how they should be read.

Date of Composition? Only if you’re a Lewis scholar interested in the development of his thought.

Chronological Order? Please disregard the Harper interpretation of Lewis’ views. That statement is up for debate.

In C. S. Lewis – A Life, Alister McGrath summarizes the reasons you should stick with the publication order. I agree, and this is the way we introduced the books to our kids.

The shadow of secularization and the new dawn of the church.

Micah Fries:

I think the church should approach the future with some level of brevity. We should be aware of the challenges that are ahead of us, but we should not run in fear. The future can be bright, for all the reasons I laid out, and even more. Most of all, the future is bright because God is good, he is still sovereign and he loves his bride, the church. And this is a great thing!

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On bombs and Boston

Aaron Armstrong —  April 16, 2013 — 5 Comments

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Yesterday afternoon two bombs went off near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Dozens were injured and at least three people were killed—including an eight-year-old boy.

When we learned of the event at work, we were shocked. Two of my co-workers were in Boston just a few days prior to this event. One co-worker had a family member running in the Boston Marathon that day.

For a moment there was silence.

Sometimes that’s the best response to tragedy.

When the silence ends, it’s tempting to start asking questions:

Who did this? How do we respond? What should we do now?

As of this writing, no one has claimed responsibility for the bombing. Someone may eventually claim responsibility. Some may try to use the event as an opportunity to push a particular agenda.

That includes Christians who like to say things like “This is God’s judgment on America’s sin.”

If there’s any “agenda” for Christians to put forward, maybe it’s this:

There will be a day when eight-year-olds won’t die in explosions. There will be a day when people won’t set off bombs in America or any nation in the world.

There will be a day when we don’t have to wonder “why”—and a day when all our tears will be wiped away.

But today’s not that day.

Today we still live in a world where evil exists; where sin runs rampant and people die.

Christian, don’t offer answers right now. Weep with those who weep. Mourn with those who mourn.

But don’t forget the promise of the one who wipes away every tear from every eye and has promised, “Surely, I am coming soon!”

And whenever we are confronted with evil like the events in Boston, our prayer should be the same as the Apostle John’s:

Come, Lord Jesus.

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Aaron Armstrong —  April 16, 2013 — Leave a comment

Love and the Inhumanity of Same-Sex Marriage

Jonathan Leeman:

Whether or not same sex marriage is a political fait accompli, I don’t know. What concerns me in the present hour is the temptation among Christians to go with the flow. The assumption is that the nation no longer shares our morality, and that we must not impose our views on others and blur the line between church and state. Besides, we don’t want to let any political cantankerousness get in the way of sharing the gospel, right? So we might as well throw in our lot. So the thinking goes.

How hard Christians should actively fight against same-sex marriage is a matter for wisdom. But that we must not support it, I would like to persuade you, is a matter of biblical principle.

Mike Leake:

One of the greatest joys (and at times pains) of working with teenagers is whenever students with unbelieving parents come to know Jesus. After only a short time of becoming followers of Jesus, these dear students begin aching for the lostness of their parents. And so they share the gospel with them.

And it gets really ugly.

The problem with “mental illness”

David Murray:

I wish there was a word or phrase to cover the mental and emotional disorders (e.g. depression, anxiety, schizophrenia) that result from both personal sin (for which we are responsible), and personal suffering (for which we are not – or not wholly –  responsible).

Bigger Than the Box

Aimee Byrd:

Sometimes we may think that we are the only ones that “get it.” Or, maybe those in our small circle or coalition. Rarely do we think the older generations have the insight that we have developed.

We can easily begin thinking this way when it comes to the biblical understanding of sexuality. This weekend I went to a small conference in Burtonsville, MD. Some of the women in our presbytery have been communicating about supporting one another in the women’s ministries in our churches. We were thrilled to have the opportunity to hear Susan Hunt speak about biblical womanhood–generation to generation.

Susan Hunt is a 73-year-old woman who gets it.

18 things you should never say to a woman

Ben Reed:

When God brings you through pain and suffering and confusion, you’re marked forever. You’re not the same person. You don’t process life the same. You don’tgrieve the same. You don’t celebrate the same. You don’t see other people the same way.

Experiencing a miscarriage has caused me to treat women, and couples, differently. I’m more cautious when talking with them about children. I think before I speak about pregnancy. I don’t bring up the idea of children with couples that don’t have any, unless they bring it up first. There are certain questions I don’t ask and statements I don’t make. There are jokes that I refuse to say, or laugh at. Ever.

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How will you respond to the Gosnell trial?

Aaron Armstrong —  April 15, 2013 — 1 Comment

gosnell-kermit

This past week, Christians and pro-life advocates took to social media to compel the mainstream media to cover the Kermit Gosnell trial, an abortionist on trial for eight counts of murder, including seven babies who he allegedly killed after their birth.

Joe Carter shares nine things you need to know over at TGC and Trevin Wax shares eight reasons he believes for the cause of the media blackout, so I don’t want to retread that ground.

The case is dark; it’s another evidence of the evil running rampant within the human heart. 

There is no avoiding this fact. Despite what pro-choice advocates say about abortion, it’s evil, plain and simple. We can’t overlook this and Christians dare not. The Bible is too clear on the dignity of human life (beginning with Genesis 1:26-27) and God demonstrates great care for the defenseless and marginalized.

There are few as defenseless as babies, especially those in the womb.

Christians are right to be outraged when it comes to our culture’s flippant attitude toward children in general and abortion in specific. Here in Canada, we currently have no legal restrictions on abortion (it’s regulated by the Canada Health Act). The history of abortion law in Canada is long, complicated—and frankly there are no easy answers for how to properly restrict or allow access (depending on your perspective).

In other words, the situation is pretty much the same as in America.

So what is it about media silence surrounding the Gosnell case that has Christians in particular up in arms? It’s not just that it confronts us once again with the horror of abortion, which it does that quite well.

The Gosnell trial proves the Bible’s testimony true—and our culture desperately wants to ignore it.

The Bible is emphatic that the human heart—our will and desire—is bent toward evil. We’re told our thoughts are only evil continually (Gen. 6:5; 8:20). We deceive ourselves continually (Jer. 17:9), calling evil “good” and good “evil” (to which God says “Woe to those who do” in Isa. 5:20).

The testimony of Romans 1 is true:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.… they exchanged the truth about God for a lie… (Rom. 1:18, 25)

But how can Christians faithfully respond? Here are three ways:

1. Be charitable.

There’s part of us that wants to paint pro-choice advocates as being like Gosnell. Don’t do that. Remember, while some do so by virtue of our culture’s radical individualism, many supporters of abortion are moved to do so out of a sense of compassion for women in very difficult circumstances. It’s why the arguments against restricting abortion typically invoke rape victims and call back to the days of backroom abortions. Simply, they’re advocating for the compassionate option within their own worldview.

2. Know your facts.

Christians need to know the facts surrounding abortion in North America (or wherever we live). Do your research. Read good books (two I recommend are Innocent Blood and Stand for Life, both by John Ensor). As much as you’re able, know what you’re standing up against—and what you’re standing up for. And while you’re at it, remind people that children are not a burden.

3. Speak the truth in love.

Defend human dignity and human life, make it clear that abortion is a heinous evil—but remember, your best arguments aren’t going to win the day. The only thing that will truly change a person’s heart is the Holy Spirit bringing life from death through the proclaimed gospel of Jesus Christ.

Though the sin is great, it’s not so great the gospel can’t overcome it. On the cross, Jesus pays the penalty for the sin of abortion—and in His grace, both the abortionist and the patient can be made new in Christ. Both can be redeemed. Both can be reconciled and restored. Though the consequences remain, the stain of sin will be removed.

Our mission—regardless of our zeal for the cause—is to serve as ambassadors of Christ; to plead with the lost to be reconciled to Christ. 

The Gosnell trial may help further the ministry of reconciliation—will you seize the opportunity?

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Aaron Armstrong —  April 15, 2013 — 1 Comment

Sisters, we are not muzzled

Lisa Spence:

I wrote a post recently at my personal blog where I announced I was more than my motherhood. In that post I mentioned the seeming prevalence of women in current evangelical discussion both as subject and object: we discuss, we’re being discussed. I quickly admit that my observation is just that: merely my observation and certainly not an official survey of the whole of the internet landscape concerning women. But, in the course of that same observation, I read much about women and their voice, more specifically the lack thereof.…

There have been so many women through the course of my journey who faithfully served me as they served the Lord. I am part of their legacy and their voices ring loud in my life and my heart. They had no large platform, no pulpit, no book or blog or speaking circuit. Most of what they taught me was not in some sort of official capacity but fleshed out in real life, one on one, their speaking the truth with love and conviction. They loved me and they loved Jesus and they were not silent. Their voices were strong and sure as they spoke grace and hope and joy to whomever and wherever the Lord granted opportunity.

‘Who Are You Sleeping With?’

Derek Rishmawy:

Now, I happened to be one of the lucky few to ask Keller a question after the session (at a distance…on a microphone) and seeing as how he’s probably the most astute cultural observer I know of working the pastorate today (aside from our own staff here at CaPC), I stumblingly asked him if he could identify a couple of the major obstacles for our current culture when it comes to the seeing revival or spiritual renewal in the church, especially with respect to repentance.

Drawing on his experience in urban, culture-shaping Manhattan, Keller responded that one of the biggest obstacles to repentance for revival in the Church is the basic fact that almost all singles outside the Church and a majority inside the Church are sleeping with each other. In other words, good old-fashioned fornication.

WPost reporter explains her personal Gosnell blackout

Mollie Hemingway:

Then I decided, since tmatt has me reading the Washington Post every day, to look at how the paper’s health policy reporter was covering Gosnell. I have critiqued many of her stories on the Susan G. Komen Foundation (she wrote quite a bit about that) and the Sandra Fluke controversy (she wrote quite a bit about that) and the Todd Akin controversy (you know where this is going). In fact, a site search for that reporter — who is named Sarah Kliff — and stories Akin and Fluke and Komen — yields more than 80 hits. Guess how many stories she’s done on this abortionist’s mass murder trial.

Did you guess zero? You’d be right.

Piper on Regrets and Retirement

Collin Hansen:

Shortly after John Piper concluded his 33-year pastorate at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, FakeJohnPiper tweeted his week one retirement to-do list: “Catch up on ‘Little House on the Prairie’ reruns. Arc Leviticus. See if Savers is hiring. Write three books.”

During The Gospel Coalition 2013 National Conference earlier this week, I asked the real John Piper what’s left for week two of retirement. But we also discussed what he won’t miss about being a pastor. He explained what young Christians who look up to him for his writing and conference speaking need to know about the day-to-day pastoral care that shaped this broader influence. He also shared why he regrets so much about his time at Bethlehem.

Logos March Madness Sale ends today

Today’s the last day to save up to 75% on Logos editions of titles by Martyn Lloyd-Jones, D.A. Carson and more.

How Can an Infinite Hell Be Just When Our Sins Are Finite?

R.C. Sproul Jr:

The wisdom of this question, I would argue, is that it gets at the real horror of hell. A lake of fire is a frightening thought indeed. The greater dread, however, is the duration of hell, that it never ends. This, I suspect, is what tempts some to try to tweak the church’s historic view on hell, including everyone from John Stott to Rob Bell. Is it possible to posit a truly terrifying, painful hell that only lasts a time? Can we affirm the just judgment of God, and still hope that it will one day come to an end?

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In love he predestined us foradoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us inthe Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christas a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Ephesians 1:4-10

 Posted by Aaron Armstrong  onApril 14, 2013 In Christian Living
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Kindle deals for the Christian reader

Aaron Armstrong —  April 13, 2013 — 2 Comments

Kindle3_1

TGC is now behind us, but there are still a whole whack of amazing Kindle deals related to the event. I’ve categorized them by author (for those with multiple titles) and by genre for the remainder:

Alistair Begg:

D.A. Carson:

Tim Challies:

Mitchell Chase:

Kevin DeYoung:

Nancy Ganz:

J.D. Greear:

Wayne Grudem:

Michael Horton:

Crawford Loritts:

Albert Mohler:

John Piper:

Colin S. Smith:

Joni Eareckson Tada:

Paul Tripp

Tedd Tripp:

Christian living and devotional works:

Marriage and family:

Theology and commentaries:

Ministry:

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Aaron Armstrong —  April 13, 2013 — Leave a comment

Mike Leake:

When some peace-loving dude “humbly” tells a believer that all religions are basically the same, the believer typically responds with wet pants. That claim scares many of us. It scares us for a couple of reasons. One, we don’t know all religions. This dude seems to have studied even Zoroastrianism. Secondly, this guy seems pretty sure of himself and he also seems like he really loves peace. I don’t want to be seen as some sort of arrogant, war-mongering, and hate-filled meanie pants.

So what do I do?

What seems simple isn’t all that easy

Barnabas Piper:

So many of the lessons we learn and the tasks we attempt in life are seemingly simple. Losing weight is just a matter of burning more calories than we consume. Being punctual simply requires us to leave a bit earlier. Christianity is just being like Jesus. If the incongruity in these statements hasn’t become clear yet, let me try these examples: All it takes to be a tightrope walker is to stroll a length of wire and all it takes to win a football game is to push an oblong object across a line more times than the opposition. Simple, right?

Yes, the goal in all these examples is simple, at least as stated. But this is a false simplicity, one that fails to acknowledge the underlying complexities, obstacles, challenges, motivations, and personalities that are in play. The formula for losing weight may be simple but doing so can be tremendously difficult. And “live like Jesus” is an easy enough explanation of Christianity, too, but it is no easy mission.

To label something in “simple” terms often leads people to believe that doing it is easy, which is just a set-up for disappointment, frustration, and even despair.

Download Knowing the Bible: Mark free

Download Knowing the Bible: Mark, a 12-week study guide by Dane Ortlund free from Crossway. Here’s a promo video featuring Dr. Ortlund to help you get a sense of the series:

Each study guide contains:

  • Reflection Questions designed to help you engage the text at a deeper level
  • Gospel Glimpses highlighting the gospel of grace throughout the book
  • Whole-Bible Connections showing how a passage connects to the Bible’s overarching story of redemption culminating in Christ
  • Theological Soundings identifying how historic orthodox doctrines are taught or reinforced throughout Scripture

I just recently picked up the Romans study by Jared Wilson at TGC; I’m looking forward to going through this and Mark soon.

HT: Justin Taylor

Repentance versus Defensiveness

Gavin Ortlund:

Our default mode – in and out of the church – seems to be defensiveness. I know mine is. Nothing is more natural when we feel threatened by a criticism than to divert, distract, and downplay. Its as instinctive as flinching when a punch is coming. In my experience, a heart of repentance is something I have to work at. I have to say things like, “wait a minute. Think this through. Why does this criticism hurt you the way it does? Remember your identity is in Christ. Remember you’re identity is not at stake. Relax! Is there something you can learn here?” Its a counter-intuitive feeling, like learning to use a muscle we didn’t know we had for the first time. Or better: learning to relax a muscle for the first time that we’ve always kept tight. Its a kind of paradox: an effort at relaxing, a striving to cease striving, a struggle to give up.

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A much-needed kick in the teeth

Aaron Armstrong —  April 12, 2013 — 1 Comment

humble-orthodoxy

One of the best books I read in early 2010 was Josh Harris’ Dug Down Deep. Back when I reviewed the book, I called out the last chapter, “A humble orthodoxy” as being worthy of being a book unto itself.

It seems others felt the same way.

Harris’ new book Humble Orthodoxy: Holding the Truth High Without Putting People Down was released just a couple weeks ago. The book revisits and expands on the content of that final chapter, showing how doctrinal humility affects our heart and attitudes, views of others and our relationship with God.

I read it on the way home from the Gospel Coalition National Conference and it was a much-needed kick in the teeth. Here’s one passage that particularly gripped me:

How can we be arrogant about a truth that is completely outside of anything we’ve done? If we had earned the gospel, we could be arrogant about it. If we had somehow created the truth, then we could copyright it and control other people’s access to it. But the truth is a gift from God to us. It has changed us only because he extended his mercy to us. How then can we not extend mercy to others?

Sound doctrine is vital. Godly example is essential. But they are not enough. Apart from humility of heart, we will be like the Pharisees and will use the truth as a stick to beat others over the head. And God will be dishonored in that. If we would honor God, we must represent truth humbly in our words, in our demeanor, and in our attitude.

I have a hard time remembering this lesson. Sometimes I suspect it’s because of insecurity. I’m not always as confident as I want to be, so the louder I get, the more right I must be.

Maybe some of you know what I’m talking about. Maybe.

But humility and orthodoxy are fast friends. One doesn’t really have one without the other. This is a lesson I need to be reminded of again and again. And God is gracious to provide the reminders at the right time.

Because the book is an expansion of Dug Down Deep‘s final chapter, some might be tempted to write it off as unnecessary.

Don’t do that. Humble Orthodoxy may not be a whole-cloth new work, but it serves as a great (short) heart check. Read this book; then go back and read it again.

Title: Humble Orthodoxy: Holding the Truth High Without Putting People Down
Author: Josh Harris with Eric Stanford
Publisher: Multnohmah (2013)

Buy it at: Westminster Books | Amazon

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Aaron Armstrong —  April 12, 2013 — Leave a comment

The God Who Finds Us

Ronnie Martin:

What’s interesting about doubt and despair is that they cause our focus to center on the very thing that God wants us to stop focusing on: ourselves. He knows that ever since Adam and Eve shifted the desire they originally had for God over to themselves, we inherited something we’d struggle with our entire lives. Us. It’s this self-consuming focus onus that ultimately casts a dark shadow of doubt over our hearts and minds. And the world tells us this is a good thing. How many times a day do we hear these lines?

Get Faithfulness Under Fire for $5 at Ligonier.org

The hardcover edition of Faithfulness Under Fire: The Story of Guido de Bres by William Boekestein is featured in today’s $5 Friday sale at Ligonier.org. Also on sale:

  • Welcome to a Reformed Church by Daniel Hyde (ePub)
  • Heroes of the Christian Faith teaching series by R.C. Sproul (audio download)
  • Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen (paperback)

$5 Friday ends tonight at 11:59:59 Eastern.

Osteen’s folly

Marty Duren:

In the past Osteen has admitted to not being a theologian. That is well and good…Not being a theologian is not the problem.

Yesterday sometime this quote was posted to the Facebook page of Joel Osteen Ministries:

When we come to the end of this life, we’re not going to stand before any person and give our account. We’re going to stand before Almighty God. He is going to ask, ‘Did you become who I created you to be? Did you stay true to what I put in your heart?’

My biggest blogging mistake: “Holy Hip Hop”

David Murray provides a wonderful example of how repentance plays out online:

I’ve been thinking a lot about the whole subject of “Holy Hip Hop” or “Christian Rap” since I wrote three blog posts on the subject a couple of years ago. The upshot of it all is that I’ve taken down the blog posts and I want to apologize to my African American brothers and sisters in Christ for four wrongs.

Going to Pastor an Established Church?

Darryl Dash:

I’ve spent twenty years pastoring established churches, and about a year beginning to plant a new church. I’m not really sure which one is harder. I do know, though, that I’d go about pastoring an established church differently than before. Here’s what I would do differently.

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