Showing posts with label Theology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Theology. Show all posts

Saturday, July 30, 2011

The Treasures of the Newfrontiers Magazine

Another "change" coming to Newfrontiers is the finishing of the wonderful magazine edited by Terry Virgo. Terry gave us this rather shock announcement in his final session at "Together on a Mission" and said this would be the penultimate edition which we were given at the conference. I was saddened to hear this - I've had a deep love for the magazine which I have been carefully collecting since back in my university days.

One of the major riches of the magazine is the "Firstline" introduction as editor that Terry would write. I've read through some of my magazines and have posted some of my favourite Terry quotes below;

"The challenge remains for us to be enthusiastic in our embracing of the activity of the Holy Spirit and to be through in our commitment to Biblical truth" - Firstline, Jan-March 2007

"It is very possible to deplore the closing of church buildings and be saddened by the apparant collapse of Christianity but if we simply see it in Ern Baxter's terms, we realise that Saul's kingdom is fading fast but David's kingdom is emerging. There is a new anointing" - Firstline - Sep-Nov 2004

"One of the most important apostolic responsibilities therefore is to define who are the people of God" - Sept-Nov 2003.

"As we go on world mission, we believe we are the fulfillment of promises made to Abraham that in him all the families of the earth would be blessed (Gen 12:3) and that he was the heir of the world (Rom 4:13)" - Firstline - Sept - Dec 2005.

"The new wine demanded a new wineskin. When we came together, we had to make room for God's Presence in this exciting new way" - Firstline - April-June 2006

"Once the local church rediscovers her glorious calling, she rises to true significance. She is a dwelling place for God's Spirit. She is corporately the light of the world, a city set on a hill which cannot be hid" - Firstline - April - June 2006.

"Be sure to run (your race) with zeal and committment fixing your eyes on Jesus 'the author and perfector of faith whofor the joy set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" - Firstline - March-May 2005.

"Jesus was weary of His unbelieving followers. He could not be indifferent or complacent. He could not passively accomodate their failure" - Firstline - April-June 2007.

"The Cross was a form of public execution of unparalelled degradation and repulsiveness" - Firstline - Oct-Dec 2007.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Dr John Stott - A Man of God

I was saddened yet glad for him to hear that Dr John Stott went into the Presence of His Lord this morning. He was one of my greatest evangelical heroes and I was fortunate enough to have met him twice at his home church of All Souls Langham Place - I also heard him preach a number of times and his succinct wonderful exposition made a tremendous impact on my learning.

His ministry was indeed international and I am sure that his funeral will be one of the best attended celebrations seen in London! For those who haven't heard him preach, here is a video of Dr Stott preaching at Keswick a few years ago;

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Proper Foundations - Josh Harris

Josh Harris brought the correct focus of both his church - Covenant Life - and indeed the wider Christian community back to the glorious truths of doctrine in his sermon yesterday;

"I have very important news for you today church. The Son of God has paid the penalty for all of our sins, Jesus Christ who was crucified has risen from the dead and is even now ruling at the right hand of God over this entire universe! There is nothing in all creation that can separate us from His love! He has promised us that He will never leave us nor forsake us! He has promised us that His Church will prevail against the gates of hell and He has told us to take heart when we face tribulation because He has already overcome the world - and He is coming for us. Covenant Life - don't take your eyes off this truth".

Josh then went on to apply the freeing and encouraging truths of this doctrine to both CLC and SGM;

"These are troubling times for us as a church. God is taking our church through a difficult season and this past week was difficult for many of you. Your pastors have been praying for you. We understand the wide range of emotions you are experiencing - confusion, grief, disillusionment. Yet we have also experienced a rising hope that Jesus is in the midst of the storm with us. This awesome God is up to good for His people - He is shaking lives that we may cling more tightly to Him. I have friends who think I have betrayed C J by not standing by him enough. I have friends who think I have lacked integrity by standing with C J and Sovereign Grace. I have come to the conclusion I have too many friends!".

I am so glad that a key leader involved in these troubles is focusing on the truth of doctrine we celebrate rather than getting involved in "C J did this" or " C J did that". Having read the 600+ documents that Brent Detweiler carefully wrote - there are a couple of theological issues I do want to focus on and consider - because I think they are vitally important to the foundations of "Building a house".

They are Brent's considerations on;

1. The place and Person of the Holy Spirit.

2. Apostles as Ephesians 4 Ministries.

But disagreements and considerations aside - the truths Josh Harris cited are indeed the most important. That ALL our sins (past, present and future) have been dealt with at the Cross (that includes C J Mahaney's pride as well as other's gossip!) and He is now reigning on high.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Transcribing ... a Major Part of This Blog

I remember when I started this blog some years back, blogging was all the rage. Nowadays it seems to have died out a bit with only a faithful few still blogging away. I think one of the main reasons I kept mine going was that I wanted a vehicle (or two) for transcribing sermons - a practice I really enjoy and benefit from.

Why did I start transcribing?

I remember the first thing I began transcribing were interviews. I have always had a love of interviews - I feel they give insights into servants of God that you do not always get in sermons. You get more instant answers. While I am a self-confessed bibliophile (lover of books) and collect books as fast as I can and as much as I can afford for my own personal library (now several thousand books) - it always irked me that audiotapes seemed like a hidden treasure. There was so much gold discussed in some preaching and teaching tapes which unless you knew what you were listening to - could be missed. The printed word made that available.

What have I transcribed?

So my first few transcription projects were "Panel Discussions" from the Bethlehem Conference for Pastors. John Piper is renowned for gathering world-class preachers and teachers and the panel discussion was a part of the conference I was always fascinated in.

So I transcribed the 1999 conference where James M Boice, C J Mahaney and Piper discussed many issues. I then transcribed the 1991 conference where Wayne Grudem and Piper sat together discussing "Spiritual Gifts and the Sovereignty of God" and finally the 1995 conference where D A Carson was attending.

I then began to move onto transcribing Dr Ern Baxter. It was (and is) one of my major regrets that Ern never published more books than he did. I've collected and gathered all of his (now out of print) books but there is so much more of his ministry that should have been published! My first project was "Life on Wings - Interviews with Dr Ern Baxter" - a series of 4 interviews that Ern Baxter gave before his death. Mark Heath kindly published the document on his blog for me. I then transcribed "The Priestly Clothing" - a monumental series that Ern gave at our very own Anglia Bible Week in 1983.

I have recently commenced an even bigger project - transcribing (in my view) the most significant series that Ern Baxter preached at the Dales Bible Week in 1976 called "Where are we going?". It was a call to not waste the renewal and moving of the Holy Spirit but to go on and "take the land" - preach the gospel to the lost. Sadly largely ignored by many in that generation - it still has prophetic timeless truth which is why I hope it will be read and maybe even published.

When I encountered Rob Rufus at the "Together on a Mission" conference in 2006 and 2007 I knew instantly that this was a man of God who would change my life. My love for Rob's ministry came because he expressed and enunciated many of the kingdom truths that Ern Baxter did - but his passion for grace teaching meant freedom from much of the legalism I have inherited. It seemed a lethal combination! So I set up the "Rob Rufus" blog - aimed at making much of his teaching available in printed form. Rob and his son Ryan know and approve of this blog.

Transcribing - a Business?

I was interested to see Justin Taylor mention this "transcribing company" that offer this service to church pastors and teachers. It's encouraging that many local pastors can take advantage of this and ensure their ministry is not forgotten. I always used to badger a former hero of mine to write because it was my concern that teaching not written can be forgotten - sadly he never did.
I don't get paid anything for my transcripts - it's a hobby and one I really enjoy. But it's great to see it isn't just me that believes the preached word should be written down. Imagine how lost we would be if Dr Lloyd-Jones had persisted in refusing to allow his ministry to be taped and then written down! We would be without all those timeless books on Romans and Ephesians. I don't want the same to be true of Ern Baxter or Rob Rufus or Stanley Jebb.

Saturday, June 04, 2011

Preach the Word!

I've just come back from a fantastic day spent in the historical city of Oxford. Scott and I both had the day off and decided to do something "different". Oxford is only an hour's drive away and somewhere I've visited once or twice (once in 2001 to hear John Piper speak at St Aldates and St Ebbes churches) but never to appreciate some of it's historical features.

One amazing place I was fascinated to visit was the famous Bodleian Library. It is the main research library in Oxford, one of the oldest libraries in Europe and second in size only to the British Library (some 11 million items!). I could have spent hours there. Why do libraries thrill me so? I think it is the historical marvel that words written down up to centuries ago can still be enjoyed, read and benefited from now.

Video tapes and audiotapes may erode and the spoken words of the sermon lost (one reason why I transcribe so much). But books manage to survive!

I've spent the last couple of days reading a novel I enjoy greatly - the series of books by Christopher Paolini about the character Eragon and his dragon Sapphira. At one point Eragon (the hero of the story) is severely hampered in his battle against evil because he doesn't have a sword. He tries out many inferior swords but ends up seeking the perfect sword made by elves which he calls "Fire". That always challenges me and reminds me of many Christians and Christian churches. Ephesians speaks of the "Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God". Spirit and Word are seen as an offensive weapon in our fight!

There is much to challenge our generation. I've just been absolutely thrilled to find hidden in the archives of the Martyn Lloyd-Jones Recording Trust - two sessions that Dr Lloyd-Jones held after he had finished speaking his famous "Preaching and Preachers" lectures in the USA. No one knew that after these lectures he held two Question and Answer sessions with the students -and the recordings were SAVED! (I will of course be transcribing them).

But Dr Lloyd-Jones is in glory. Terry Virgo and Stanley Jebb are in their sixties and seventies. Rob Rufus and Greg Haslam are in their fifties. Ern Baxter is in glory. Where are the young men and women of OUR generation ready to rise up and obey the Great Commission set by the risen Lord Jesus;

"Go into the world and preach the good news to all creation!".

Will our generation put down the words God speaks through preaching that can be set down in books for generations and centuries to come (if Jesus Christ doesn't return)? I have got a few things that I feel God is challenging me with that I may share in time - exciting days!

Monday, May 02, 2011

A Trip Round My (Much Smaller) Part of My Library.

I was stirred and enjoyed looking at the You-Tube videos posted by T4G having a tour round some of the celebrities such as MacArthur, Mark Dever and so on. I've always had a great love for books but these videos challenged me to sort my library out somewhat and make more use of the awesome resources that are available and should not be taken for granted!

So rather than posted a video (I thought that would be a bit pretentious) - here's a few pictures of what my library looks like.

So this is the "Ern Baxter" section to my library. Unsurprisingly I've devoted many years of my life to building up my collection of articles, sermons, New Wine Magazines (the pile in the bottom right of the photo) and audio tapes of this great hero of mine. The picture in the middle is of Ern sitting with some of the Dunstable elders when he came to visit in 1991 just before he went to glory.

This next picture is a couple of shelves down of the audio tapes with collections I've salvaged from my home church in Dunstable of old Restoration magazines and New Wine Magazines.

The next photo is of the collection of old Stoneleigh Bible Week videos and Brighton conference videos that I've collected as well as books on the Holy Spirit and the Charismatic Movement, gifts of the Holy Spirit and so on.

The next bookshelf is one of my favourite - all the Puritan, Jonathan Edwards, C H Spurgeon (although the majority of the Metropolitan Tabernacle volumes are housed in London).

It's been a busy few days tidying and sorting in - but made me so grateful to God for the servants He has given the Church over the centuries! The written word and the spoken word give us so many opportunities to learn more about the God that we love. But I say again - all the books and tapes in the world CANNOT replace a living encounter with God Himself. Rob Rufus said;

"I love the Bible and I preach the Bible and I believe the Word of God is of paramount importance but friends - we have got to love the Author of this Book. When Glenda was living away - she used to write to me and perfume her letters. But it is not the shadow - it was her I wanted to meet. I love reading the Scriptures but I want to know the Author! I want to encounter the Author!".

These books have got to act like clues - revealing little by little more of the One we love and adore!

Saturday, April 30, 2011

How Great Thou Art!

I hardly need mention that I am a charismatic in every sense of the word - loving worship that engages with God by the Spirit. I love modern song-writers, I love bands and my favourite worship leaders are women such as Lou Fellingham, Kate Simmonds and Darlene Zschech.

But I'm slightly a bit of an anomoly in that there is a powerful part of me that loves the mighty sung hymn written by men such as Charles Wesley. You cannot surpass singing your heart and soul out to a thundering organ and gathered orchestra. I guess this influence came from Dunstable, Stanley Jebb and the church which always loved to sing hymns along with the charismatic choruses.

So today I've been sorting out, unpacking and tidying my study/library and have been playing the latest album release from the wonderful All Souls Orchestra - "How Great Thou Art" - and an unashamed to admit I stood in the study with tears rolling down my cheeks as I enjoyed them sing the namesake of the album - the great hymn; "How great Thou art!". Here's the lyrics that really, really hit me;

"And when I think that God his son not sparing,
Sent him to die - I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:

He bled and died to "TAKE AWAY" my sin! So if He went through that awful agony to take it away then why do I invest so much time trying to remember and mortify sin that is dead and doesn't exist anymore?

And this verse! Ah!

"When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home- what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great thou art!".

For those who are unfamiliar with the All Souls Orchestra and choir - here's a video below giving a taster with Stuart Townend.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

A Way to Think about Christian Books

C J Mahaney has an excellent and accurate way of describing and thinking about Christian books - and one that I have held for some time. In his "study tour" video, he said;

"These are the individuals - dead and alive - who serve me. They are my friends, my teachers, my mentors and reading the volumes present here has made all the difference in my soul ... these are not just books, they are treasures".

I have had that thought for ages ever since I started buying Christian books back in university. I remember my first serious set of books was by C H Spurgeon and it grew from there. When I really enjoy a book and find the author is speaking to me about God, it is as though they are speaking and sitting in the same room with me. As Mahaney said; "They are my friends".

My best friends are writers like Ern Baxter who "though dead still speaks".

Saturday, April 16, 2011

My love of Pastor's Studies

I don't know why but I just love looking round pastor's studies and seeing the walls lined with books. I guess it grew up from being used to Dr Stanley Jebb's study in Dunstable. His study was a massive "L" shaped room and was lined floor to ceiling with books. Sadly his successor had quite a few less and it was sad seeing empty bookshelves.

I think it's because books say a lot about those who's libraries they belong in. There have recently been a few videos on You-Tube looking around the studies of some well-known men. I thought I'd post a tour round half my library before these men of God - because mine's a lot smaller! (Half to three quarters of mine is housed in London at Lansdowne Evangelical Free Church). The noise is very poor but I focus on my favourite Holy Spirit books, preserved videos from Stoneleigh Bible Week and my Puritan collections;

Terry and Simon Virgo have been doing some interviews in Terry's study which I have loved. You also get a good glimpse at some of the wonderful books Terry has and reads.

5f. Free to worship from Terry Virgo on Vimeo.

Together for the Gospel posted two videos in C J Mahaney's study and in Mark Dever's study. Sadly C J tends to spend rather a lot of time fooling about with a glove and basketball but you do see the set of C H Spurgeon books which is a favourite in my library too.


Mark Dever's library is wonderfully massive and reminds me of Stanley Jebb's. I spied Richard Baxter's works which I have.


And again it was wonderful to see around John Macarthur's amazing study (although didn't see enough of it!);


Books are all very well and good - but if they do not serve in increasing a passion for a real encounter with the Presence of God then they are simply tools to increase intellectual snobbery.

Friday, January 07, 2011

"Off-the-Peg Theology" - by Dr Stanley Jebb

Dr Stanley Jebb has written an excellent blog article today called; "Off-the-Peg Theology" which demonstrates his amazing academic insight. He critiques the assumption that so often we accept without question theological statements;

"The trouble is many young men go to theological college and accept without question the ready-made theology that is handed down to them. That is what I call “off-the-peg theology”. Rather I use the term to highlight the fact that so often statements of theology are accepted without question as long as they come from within out own circle".

Rather than;

"Unlike the Bereans, we do not search the Scriptures to see whether those things are so (Acts 17:11)".

Dr Jebb calls this theology an alternative phrase;

"Perhaps “hand-me-down theology” would be a better description. It is only too easy to accept, and even vigorously defend, a theology which we have never carefully compared with Scripture".

Stanley Jebb is correct - many theological phrases have become popular and indeed trendy in these days. Particularly phrases like; "Reformed" or "Evangelical" and sometimes "Charismatic" (although Dr Jebb didn't include the last!). But what do they really mean?

"In these days we have become rather careless in our use of such terms as ‘Reformed’ and ‘Calvinistic’. The word ‘Reformed’ is bandied about almost as though it were a synonym of ‘orthodox’, or a shorthand term for “really, really sound.”

Do we really know what John Calvin wrote in his massive Institutes? Or have we merely read John Piper or Mark Driscoll's popularized If we do not, then why are we so eager to adopt the label for ourselves? The message is excellent and clear - SCRIPTURE is our final authority and we should make every effort to search it Berean-like and see "if these things are so". If aspects of our cultural heritage do not tie up with Scripture then we should be asking why are we holding to them?

Friday, July 30, 2010

Works of Jonathan Edwards - Vol. 26 - Catalogues of Books

So the last volume in the Yale edition of the Works of Jonathan Edwards is slightly and very interestingly different - it's called a "Catalogue of Books" and really is just that - a catalogue. Yale describe it as;

"A notebook he kept of books of interest, especially titles he hoped to acquire, and entries from his “Account Book” a ledger in which he noted books loaned to family, parishioners, and fellow clergy".

Why on earth would a book like this be interesting to anyone but someone with a bibliophile bent?

1. It's interesting historically.

The editorial notes that the "Catalogue" affords us an expansive and insightful insight into eighteenth century America and the books available to Christians there. It notes that the colonials depended on developments across the Atlantic in Britain. Jonathan Edwards apparently was an avid newspaper reader. The editorial notes;

"Edwards abiding interest in "signs of the times" meant that he was an indefatigable source collector. Newspapers were one important source on the progress of God's Kingdom".

That last statement gripped me. Nowadays many Christians read newspapers to get glum about the state of the world. Jonathan Edwards read newspapers to "see if I could not find some news favorable to the interest of religion in the world". I love that!

2. It's interesting theologically.

Jonathan Edwards is recognised by most as a theological and spiritual hero. This volume is an incredible and exciting insight into what drove and what interested him.

The editorial notes;

"Edwards was firmly grounded in the Reformed scholasticism of his forebears. Like his father and grandfather he read what Cotton Mather called; "Good old Puritan Divinity".

I found this an interesting insight into Edwards working day;

"Despite his position as sole pastor to perhaps thirteen hundred people, Edwards tried to spend around thirteen hours a day alone in his study".

I wonder how many modern pastors manage that. How we may ask? The editorial says;

"He attempted to do this by minimizing pastoral visits except in emergencies - he judged himself better suited to the contemplative life - and even by skipping dinner with his family on many occasions. Bible study and sermon preparation occupied most of his time but he also added steadily to his "Miscellanies" and other notebooks".

I particularly identified with this comment in the editorial;

"Over the next three decades Edwards notebooks would increasingly reflect his omnivorous reading as he searched for intellectual allies and antagonists, sometimes copying long extracts from his latest book acquisition".

3. It is Stirring Spiritually.

I have frequently found myself personally struggling with my love for books and my desire for more of the Presence of God and more spiritual encounters. I love reading, I love studying, I love building a theological library - but then I see men and women of God like Rob Rufus who speak of having an encounter with the manifest Presence of God every day and I hunger for that so much! I feel such a spiritual pgymy in comparison! And a volume like this shows me that it does not have to be an opposing war - books in fact should testify of the amazing spiritual encounters and journeys that are available in the Christian life. And any books that do not are not worth reading.

Gone are the days when we had to choose between "Word and Spirit" - as Terry Virgo says in this wonderful video, we can have both!

Terry Virgo: Being Reformed and Charismatic from Jubilee Church on Vimeo.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Iron Sharpening Iron!!

I've been wrestling with some "project" to get into recently - I should explain that I don't like being bored. This is why in the past I've embarked on transcribing sermons or lectures I love like Ern Baxter or Terry Virgo or Rob Rufus. I've loved transcribing some of the panel discussions from the Bethlehem Conference for Pastors. Ern always used to say that for every book he read he agreed with, he would read two or three or more that he disagreed with - to spark his thought processes and get him thinking.

I decided to take a leaf out of his book but with transcribing. I've heard vaguely about the "Resolved" conference run by John MacArthur's church in the USA - but have never listened to any sessions. This past conference held a panel discussion and I decided that could be my perfect opportunity. The participants are all men that - well I wouldn't say I am a fan of.

1. John MacArthur - I don't like his anti-charismatic venom or his eschatology or his ecclesiology particularly.
2. Al Mohler - I respect his intellect and massively envy his library (!) but don't like his pneumatology greatly.
3. C J Mahaney - well, most will know what I think of this bloke thus far.

But I resolved (pun intended) to listen and to learn and to disagree - if necessary but above all to think. So far - I'm 40 minutes into the discussion and am finding it really interesting. I love the committed vision for the Gospel. Each of the speakers have a passion to get the gathered 18 to 30's there to see the true wonder and glory of the Gospel - and that is encouraging. Okay - so I am not quite so keen on a few comments - but by and large I am so grateful for this resource and conference - and so glad that I opened my far-too closed mind to hear this resource.

Here is the link for any who want to listen or watch it - and hopefully the transcript will be done shortly!

Keynote Panel Questions and Answers from Resolved on Vimeo.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

A Warning to the New Reformed Movement

The "New Reformed Movement" is an exciting development in church life and in theology. Servants of God such as John Piper, Mark Driscoll, Don Carson, Wayne Grudem and others have helped stir a passion for reformed theology - and that can't be a bad thing! I've been pondering for a while now however the "hero" syndrome especially among these individuals and how in discussion you often hear phrases like; "Well Piper said ..." and a rebuttal; "Yere but Carson demolished that and said ....". Or even; "Did Driscoll really say ... ?". Theological questions are often answered with "So and so said". Is that right? Can any Ephesians 4 Ministry truly "stand in the very stead of God"?

So I was really interested and encouraged to see the following pastoral caution; "What cautions do you have for the New Reformed Movement?" - from John Piper on my Twitter feed today. Piper was asked whether he had any warnings or cautions for the New Reformed Movement and he replied;

"I will give you one that is from a prophetic word given to me yesterday—take it or leave it".

That makes me sit up and take notice for starters - I love the fact that an intellect like John Piper doesn't have a problem hearing and accepting prophetic words - the prophetic and the mind are NOT enemies! Piper goes on;

"My caution concerns making theology God instead of God God. Loving doing theology rather than loving God ... We should be intellectually and emotionally more engaged with the person of Christ, the person of God—the Trinity—than we are with thinking about him. Thinking about God and engaging with him are inextricably woven together".

And then he goes on to make it explicit - emotions/intellect - they're all part of us and all belong together in our worship of God Himself;

"Intellectualism is a species of pride, because we begin to prize our abilities to interpret the Bible over the God of the Bible or the Bible itself" ... BUT ... "The danger on the other side is to say, "All that intellectual stuff, no, no, no. Doctrine, no. Intellect, no. Study, no. Experience, yes!" People who do this wind up worshipping a God of their own imagination".

I seize onto this warning because I've been in danger of this intellectual pride constantly myself since I began reading theology at university. I've sneered and looked down on church pastors who don't have as big a library as myself. I've judged sermons for their lack of quotes. And it is an UGLY, vile pride. Because why on earth does the God-given ability to read make me a better person than the humble, saintly dyslexic cleaner down the road?

By the way - that doesn't mean I'm giving up my books! But it is an apt reminder not to become so focused on theology that we miss WHO the theology is about - the Person - Jesus Christ.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

An Investment ... or Sheer Irresponsibility?!

Well I have a confession to make - must be related to my "indwelling sin" and that wretched "old man" that just won't quit and die ... ;-)

I was very excited when I first heard about the magnificent series of DVD's that Wayne Grudem has produced. It is a series of 16 DVD's with over 16 hours of teaching on them. Grudem essentially teaches on key aspects of the Christian life in his Systematic Theology such as;

1. What is God like?
2. What are angels and demons?
3. What is the resurrection?
4. What are justification and adoption?

And so on. I've struggled with the price (£80) in my mind but finally yesterday decided to take the plunge and go for it. Men like Wayne Grudem are rare and gifted teachers. Grudem has the unique gift of teaching on systematic theology but for some reason when he teaches on what many may feel are "boring" topics and many other teachers lecture on with little result other than imparting information - Grudem always seems to bring a sense of the manifest Presence of God.

This most certainly happened when I've heard him speak twice at the "Together on a Mission" conference in 2003 and 2006. He spoke in 2003 on "Biblical Manhood and Womanhood" (a subject I tire of often) but there was an amazing sense of God's Presence there when Terry Virgo got us to sing "There is a Day!" afterwards. The same thing happened again when Grudem spoke on the Person of Christ at Brighton in 2006. Grudem certainly speaks with anointing.

I figured that the only other way to be able to get to hear Wayne Grudem speak in this length and depth would be to either follow him across the globe (costing thousands in airfares) or enroll at Phoenix Seminary in Arizona (also costing thousands). £80 seems rather a bargain in comparison! Effectively I get to go on a Systematic Theology course in my own apartment!

Others have already reached the same conclusion clearly - Tim Chester among others has brought the series and reviews it here. I will hopefully be reviewing aspects of interest as I listen to the sessions when I can!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

"Love the Church: Lyrics of love" - Dave Bish

Following on from yesterday's Spurgeon sermon, I was thrilled to hear from Dave Bish - the well-known Bluefish blogger. He and I have shared thoughts on the Song of Solomon for some time now and he's encouraged me many times on his insights on this beautiful book of the Bible.

Dave spoke on the Song of Songs to his UCCF team recently. Here is the link to the notes from the session:

"Love the Church - Lyrics of Love".

Dave accurately sums up the two positions on how to view the Song;

"There are two broad camps of understanding about The Song. Those who say it is about marriage – as it appears at first reading, and those who say it is about Christ and the church, as I’m going to argue. Of course it is both, but which we give priority really effects how we proceed".

That last point is key to my whole understand of this book. I don't have a problem with married couples reading and learning from the love expressed in the Song of Solomon. What a better model to follow? But I do believe that if Christ and His church is isolated from this book (as per Driscoll/Mahaney etc) then a substandard love will result both for Christ in worship and indeed in marriage. As Dave says - what we give priority to will effect how we proceed.

Dave responds to Mark Driscoll's "icky" dislike of seeing corporate love in the Book by reminding us:

"Driscoll’s key argument is that it’s just too icky if this is about “Jesus and me”, I agree but whilst its true that Jesus gave himself up in love for me, we also know “Jesus gave himself up for the church” – and that a corporate reading is more the norm in Scripture. The bride is not individual believers but the church as a whole. Us not me, our husband not my husband".

He then splits the Song of Solomon up very helpfully by "tracks" of lyrics;


Track 1 (1:1-2:7) - Delights.


Track 2 (2:8-3:5) – Desire.


Track 3 (3:6-5:1) – Wedding.

"I find myself thinking – if he loves the church like this I want to know that love, to be found in the church and feel this love by the Spirit. To know his love as Ruth experiences the LORD’s love through Boaz. That means being found among God’s people not being alone. I am not his bride, the church is – it is the church whom he loves like this".

Track 4. The fourth song (5:2-6:1) – Loss


Track 5 (6:2-8:4) – Grace


Track 6. (8:5-8:14)- Home

Dave concludes wonderfully;

"This brief overview is designed not entirely to convince you to read the Song as about Christ and the church but to tug on your heart to love the bigger story of Christ and the church. To want to be found in her to know his love for her, and to grow with the church to love him as she does".

Sunday, July 05, 2009

Dave Bish on the Song of Solomon

Dave has written an excellent post recently that thanks to Twitter I noticed. He interacts with Tom Gledhill, author of the BST Song of Songs and the article on it in the New Dictionary of Biblical Theology and Gledhill's views on this beautiful book. Gledhill follows (or maybe is to blame) for Mahaney, Driscoll et all and states;

"... there is some biblical justification for a moderate typological approach. But the danger of this hermeneutic is that of thinking that the relationship between the believer and God is highly emotional or even erotic".

He then goes on to state that it is "safer" to "the straightfoward and explicit admonitions of the NT". Dave responds;

"So Gledhill says a moderate typology is fine, but we're to abandon it because:

a) we might take it too far, but can we not restrain ourselves? And what if we permit ourselves to ask whether a less cautious hermeneutic might be fruitful? I'm not saying be wreckless, but let's not run scared. Sounds like an argument for abstinence from alcohol for risk of drunkeness...

b) the NT gives us 'straightfoward' words but Matthew Henry suggests: "when the meaning is found out, it will be of admirable use to excite pious and devout affections in us; and the same truths which are plainly laid down in other scriptures when they are extracted out of this come to the soul with a more pleasing power" Can we not have poetic theology?

c) it's prone to excessive allegoratization, but it's ok for Mark Driscoll to follow Gledhill's lead and interpret the foxes as sexual temptation? Excesses all round I guess, but might we miss some of the riches if we pass over details?I appreciate there are dangers, but I think Gledhill over reacts. Given he concedes there is some basis for this typological approach it seems a shame to throw away the opportunity for this book to testify about Christ and the church for fear of getting carried away with it. I accept it's possible to over-read the text, but perhaps we're more likely to under-read it...".

I don't think I need add anything to this outstanding rebuttal. Once again the danger of no use because of overuse - when rather we should be holding to right use. Fantastically written and I urge you to follow Dave's blog and his teaching.

Friday, June 12, 2009

D A Carson Articles!!

Since the Carson and Piper interview I'm still in a reading sort of frame of mind. Thanks to this tip by Dave Bish - I found a list of available articles by Don Carson on the "Gospel Coalition" website. His books are all favourites of mine and are on my shelves, but I've always been frustrated by how to follow and get hold of the articles that these men write without subscribing to every expensive journal around! This one prayer has been answered - here's the links to PDF files. My printer is going to be busy! I was particularly struck by something Piper said in the interview about;

"When you go to school, don't choose classes. Choose teachers. Find the teachers who do it and model it best and take as many classes as you can. It doesn't matter what they teach. I would say that about college and I would say that about seminary. Don't take classes. Take teachers. Ask around - find out who is the thinker and modeller".

Don Carson has been one such man that I've tried to learn as much as I can from (since my university days!). John Piper of course would be another, as well as Ern Baxter, Terry Virgo, Rob Rufus and I could name many more!

Articles

1972

“The Puritans: What They Have That the Moderns Lack.” Northwest Journal of Theology 1 (1972): 75–92.

1975

“Cry” [κράζω]. Pages 408–10 in volume 1 of New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology. Edited by Colin Brown. Exeter: Paternoster, 1975.

“Cunning” [πανουργία]. Pages 412–13 in volume 1 of New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology. Edited by Colin Brown. Exeter: Paternoster, 1975.

“Escape, Flee” [φεύγω]. Pages 558–59 in volume 1 of New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology. Edited by Colin Brown. Exeter: Paternoster, 1975.

“Flow” [ῥέω]. Pages 682–83 in volume 1 of New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology. Edited by Colin Brown. Exeter: Paternoster, 1975.

“Friend” [ἑταῖρος]. Pages 259–60 in volume 1 of New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology. Edited by Colin Brown. Exeter: Paternoster, 1975.

“Divorce: A Concise Biblical Analysis.” Northwest Journal of Theology 4 (1975): 43–59.

“The Nature of the Kingdom.” Northwest Journal of Theology 4 (1975): 60–68.
1976

“The Genesis Flood in Perspective: Fifteen Years Later.” Northwest Journal of Theology 5 (1976): 56–71.

1978

“Current Source Criticism of the Fourth Gospel: Some Methodological Questions.” Journal of Biblical Literature 97 (1978): 411–29.

1979

“The Church in an Affluent Society (Rev. 3:14–22).” Banner of Truth 185 (February 1979): 16–21.

“A Church that Does All the Right Things, but . . . : Shortcoming of the Corporate Model.” Christianity Today 23 (June 29, 1979): 28–31. Reprint as a booklet: The Merely Efficient Church: Shortcomings of the Corporate Model. © Christianity Today, printed and distributed by Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

“The Function of the Paraclete in John 16:7–11.” Journal of Biblical Literature 98 (1979): 547–66.

“Response" - Pages 228–32 in New Horizons in World Missions: Evangelicals and the Christian Mission in the 1980s: Papers and Responses Prepared for the Consultation on Theology and . . . Mission and Evangelism, March 19–22, 1979. Edited by David J. Hesselgrave. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979.

1980

“Adam in the Epistles of Paul.” Pages 28–43 in In the Beginning . . . : A Symposium on the Bible and Creation. Edited by N. M. de S. Cameron. Glasgow: The Biblical Creation Society, 1980.
“Hermeneutics: A Brief Assessment of Some Recent Trends.” Themelios 5 (1980): 12–20. Reprint in Evangelical Review of Theology 5 (1981): 8–25.
“The Finitude of Man.” Christianity Today 24 (October 10, 1980): 31.

1981

“Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility in Philo: Analysis and Method.” Novum Testamentum 23 (1981): 148–64.

“The Doctrinal Causes of Divisions in Our Churches.” Banner of Truth 218 (November 1981): 7–19.

“Hermeneutics: A Brief Assessment of Some Recent Trends.” Evangelical Review of Theology 5 (1981): 8–25. Reprint, Themelios 5 (1980): 12–20.

“Historical Tradition and the Fourth Gospel: After Dodd, What?” Pages 83–145 in Studies of History and Tradition in the Four Gospels. Vol. 2 of Gospel Perspectives. Edited by R. T. France and David Wenham. Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1981. [Also available in an updated format.]

“Jonah 4:2.” Symphony: A Magazine of Christian Poetry 10 (Autumn–Winter, 1980–81): 22.

“Sonnets on John 14:6.” Symphony: A Magazine of Christian Poetry 10 (Autumn–Winter, 1980–81): 23.

1982

“Christological Ambiguities in the Gospel of Matthew.” Pages 97–114 in Christ the Lord: Studies in Christology Presented to Donald Guthrie. Edited by Harold W. Rowdon. Leicester: IVP; Downers Grove: IVP, 1982. [Also available in an updated format.]

“Introduction.” Pages 13–19 in From Sabbath to Lord’s Day: A Biblical, Historical, and Theological Investigation. Edited by D. A. Carson. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1982. Reprint, Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 1999.Translation: Portuguese (2006).

“Jesus and the Sabbath in the Four Gospels.” Pages 57–97 in From Sabbath to Lord’s Day: A Biblical, Historical, and Theological Investigation. Edited by D. A. Carson. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1982. Reprint, Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 1999.Translation: Portuguese (2006).

“The Jewish Leaders in Matthew’s Gospel: A Reappraisal.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 25 (1982): 161–74.

“The Personal God.” Pages 150–62 in Eerdmans’ Handbook to Christian Belief. Edited by Robin Keeley. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982.

“Rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.” The Gospel Witness 61:7 (June 17, 1982): 6–7, 26–27.

“Seven Sonnets from the Cross.” Banner of Truth 223 (April 1982): 23–26.

“Understanding Misunderstandings in the Fourth Gospel.” Tyndale Bulletin 33 (1982): 59–91. [Also available in an updated format.]

1983

“Perspectives.” Symphony: A Magazine of Christian Poetry 15 (1983): 11.

“Recent Literature on the Fourth Gospel: Some Reflections.” Themelios 9:1 (1983): 8–18.

“Redaction Criticism: On the Legitimacy and Illegitimacy of a Literary Tool.” Pages 115–42, 376–81 in Scripture and Truth. Edited by D. A. Carson and John D. Woodbridge. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1983.

“Theodicy.” Symphony: A Magazine of Christian Poetry 14 (Autumn–Winter 1982–83): 23.

“Unity and Diversity in the New Testament: The Possibility of Systematic Theology.” Pages 65–95, 368–75 in Scripture and Truth. Edited by D. A. Carson and John D. Woodbridge. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1983.

1984

“Church, Authority in the.” Pages 228–30 in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Edited by Walter Elwell. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984. Pages 249–51 in 2d ed., 2001.

“‘I Am’ Sayings.” Pages 541–42 in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Edited by Walter Elwell. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984. Page 585 in 2d ed., 2001.

“Jerusalem.” Pages 579–81 in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Edited by Walter Elwell. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984. Pages 626–28 in 2d ed., 2001.

“Jerusalem, New.” Pages 581–82 in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Edited by Walter Elwell. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984. Pages 628–29 in 2d ed., 2001.

“Growing up a ‘PK.’” CBC Report (March 1984): 2–6. Reprint in Evangel 2:4 (1984): 16–18.

“Reflections on Contextualization: A Critical Appraisal of Daniel von Allmen’s ‘Birth of Theology.’” East Africa Journal of Theology 3 (1984): 16–59.

“A Sketch of the Factors Determining Current Hermeneutical Debate in Cross-Cultural Contexts.” Pages 11–29 in Biblical Interpretation and the Church: Text and Context. Edited by D. A. Carson. Exeter: Paternoster, 1984.

1985

“Historical Tradition in the Fourth Gospel: A Response to J. S. King.” Journal for the Study of the New Testament 23 (1985): 73–81.

“Interpreting the Bible.” Evangel 3:2 (1985): 13.

“The Limits of Dynamic Equivalence in Bible Translation.” Evangelical Review of Theology 9 (1985): 200–213. Reprint, Notes on Translation 121 (October 1987): 1–15.

“The ΟΜΟΙΟΣ Word-Group as Introduction to Some Matthean Parables.” New Testament Studies 31 (1985): 277–82.

“Whatever Happened to Humility? Thoughts on the Sin of Triumphalism.” Eternity 36:5 (May 1985): 35.

1986

“Pauline Inconsistency: Reflections on 1 Corinthians 9:19–23 and Galatians 2:11–14.” Churchman 100 (1986): 6–45.

“Recent Developments in the Doctrine of Scripture.” Pages 1–48, 363–74 in Hermeneutics, Authority, and Canon. Edited by D. A. Carson and John D. Woodbridge. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986.

“Church and Mission: Reflections on Contextualization and the Third Horizon.” Pages 213–57, 342–47 in The Church in the Bible and the World: An International Study. Exeter: Paternoster; Grand Rapids: Baker, 1987.

“Colin John Hemer: In Memoriam.” Forum for the Association of Christians in Higher Education (Autumn 1987): 56–60.

“The Purpose of the Fourth Gospel: John 20:31 Reconsidered.” Journal of Biblical Literature 106 (1987): 200–213.

“Report on the GRAMCORD Project.” By D. A. Carson and Paul A. Miller. Westminster Theological Journal 49 (1987): 465–70.

1988

“The Changing Face of Evangelicalism.” Evangelicals Now (May 1988): 12–13.
“Peter and the Founding of the Church.” Pages 11–20 in Great Leaders of the Church. Edited by John D. Woodbridge. Chicago: Moody, 1988.

“John and the Johannine Epistles.” Pages 245–64 in It Is Written: Scripture Citing Scripture. Essays in Honour of Barnabas Lindars, SSF. Edited by D. A. Carson and H. G. M. Williamson. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988.

“Waiting for the Kingdom, Waiting for the King.” The Gospel Witness 67 (1988): 277–86.

1989

“Selected Recent Studies of the Fourth Gospel.” Themelios 14 (1989): 57–64.

1990

“Evangelicals, Ecumenism and the Church.” Pages 347–85 in Evangelical Affirmations. Edited by Kenneth S. Kantzer and Carl F. H. Henry. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990. [Also available in an updated format.]

“Is Sacrifice Passé? [A Response to Robert Brow].” Christianity Today 34:3 (February 19, 1990): 14–15.

“Learning to Pray.” Pages 13–15 in Teach Us to Pray: Prayer in the Bible and the World. Edited by D. A. Carson. Exeter: Paternoster; Grand Rapids: Baker, 1990.

1991

“John, the Last Prophet.” Tabletalk (December 1991): 40–41. Reprint, Australian Presbyterian Living Today 434 (December 1992): 21.

“The Role of Exegesis in Systematic Theology.” Pages 39–76 in Doing Theology in Today’s World: Essays in Honor of Kenneth S. Kantzer. Edited by John D. Woodbridge and Thomas Edward McComiskey. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1991.

“‘Silent in the Churches’: On the Role of Women in 1 Corinthians 14:33b–36.” Pages 140–53, 487–90 in Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Feminism. Edited by John Piper and Wayne Grudem. Westchester: Crossway, 1991.

1992

“A Brief Response to Lois McKinney.” Trinity World Forum 17:2 (Winter 1992): 5.
“Introduction.” Pages 13–16 in Right with God: Justification in the Bible and the World. Edited by D. A. Carson. Exeter: Paternoster; Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992.

“Mystery and Faith in Job 38:1–42:16.” Pages 373–79 in Sitting with Job: Selected Studies on the Book of Job. Edited by Roy B. Zuck. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992. (Reprint from How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil.)

“The Purpose of Signs and Wonders in the New Testament.” Pages 89–118 in Power Religion: The Selling Out of the Evangelical Church? Edited by Michael Scott Horton. Chicago: Moody, 1992.

“Reflections on Christian Assurance.” Westminster Theological Journal 54 (1992): 1–29. Reprint with some minor changes, “Reflections on Assurance.” Pages 383–412 in Historical and Theological Perspectives on Calvinism. Vol. 2 of The Grace of God, the Bondage of the Will. Edited by Thomas R. Schreiner and Bruce A. Ware. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1995. Reprint,

“Reflections on Assurance.” Pages 247–76 in Still Sovereign: Contemporary Perspectives on Election, Foreknowledge, and Grace. Edited by Thomas R. Schreiner and Bruce A. Ware. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.

“An Evangelical Response to Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry" - Edited by Paul Schrotenboer (D. A. Carson was part of the committee of four who produced this report). Carlisle: Paternoster [on behalf of Word Evangelical Fellowship], 1992.

1993

“An Introduction to the Porter/Fanning Debate.” Pages 18–25 in Biblical Greek Language and Linguistics: Open Questions in Current Research. Edited by D. A. Carson and Stanley E. Porter. Studies in New Testament Greek 1. Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series 80. Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1993.

“The Challenge from Pluralism to the Preaching of the Gospel.” Criswell Theological Review 7 (1993): 99–117.

“Christian Witness in an Age of Pluralism.” Pages 31–66 in God and Culture: Essays in Honor of Carl F. H. Henry. Edited by D. A. Carson and John D. Woodbridge. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993. Translation: Korean (2001), Indonesian (2002), Romanian (2006).

“Doctoral Study: Understanding How Programs Differ.” The 1993 Seminary and Graduate School Handbook 5 (1993): 21–22, 68.

“Evil and Suffering in the World of a Good and Sovereign God.” Reaper (June–July 1993): 6–9, 36.

“New Bible Translations: An Assessment and Prospect.” Pages 37–67 in The Bible in the Twenty-First Century. Edited by Howard Clark Kee. New York: American Bible Society, 1993.
“Thomas Donald McMillan Carson: A Tribute.” Banner of Truth 353 (May 1993): 18–24.

“‘Worship the Lord your God’: The Perennial Challenge.” Pages 13–18 in Worship: Adoration and Action. Edited by D. A. Carson. Carlisle: Paternoster; Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993.
1994

“Approaching the Bible.” Pages 1–19 in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Edited by D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, and G. J. Wenham. 4th ed. Leicester: IVP; Downers Grove: IVP, 1994.

“Reading the Letters.” Pages 1108–14 in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Edited by D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, and G. J. Wenham. 4th ed. Leicester: IVP; Downers Grove: IVP, 1994.

“Five Gospels, No Christ: In their attempt to rescue the Bible from conservatives, scholars in the Jesus Seminar became liberal fundamentalists.” Christianity Today 38:5 (April 25, 1994): 30–33.

“The Challenge from the Preaching of the Gospel to Pluralism.” Criswell Theological Review 7 (1994): 15–39.

“Do the Prophets and the Law Quit Prophesying Before John? A Note on Matthew 11.13.” Pages 179–94 in The Gospels and the Scriptures of Israel. Edited by Craig A. Evans and W. Richard Stegner. Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series 104. Studies in Scripture in Early Judaism and Christianity 3. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1994.

“In a Sheep’s Shoes" - Evangelicals Now 9:4 (April 1994): 12–13.

“Living by the Sermon on the Mount.” Aware (April/May 1994): 15–17. Excerpt reprinted from The Sermon on the Mount: An Exposition of Matthew 5–7. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1978. [Also available in an updated format.]

“Matthew 11:19b / Luke 7:35: A Test Case for the Bearing of Q Christology on the Synoptic Problem.” Pages 128–46 in Jesus of Nazareth: Lord and Christ. Essays on the Historical Jesus and New Testament Christology [Festschrift for I. Howard Marshall]. Edited by Joel B. Green and Max Turner. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.

“The Three Witnesses and the Eschatology of 1 John.” Pages 216–32 in To Tell the Mystery: Essays on New Testament Eschatology [Festschrift for Robert H. Gundry]. Edited by Thomas E. Schmidt and Moisés Silva. Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series 100. Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1994.

“When Is Spirituality Spiritual? Reflections on Some Problems of Definition.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 37 (1994): 381–94.

1995

“The Cross and the World Christian.” Pages 9–28 in Text and Context in Theological Education. Edited by Roger Kemp. Springwood, Australia: ICAA, 1995.
“Current Issues in Biblical Theology: A New Testament Perspective.” Bulletin for Biblical Research 5 (1995): 17–41. [Also available in an updated format.]

“Is God Unfair?” Go (Second Quarter, 1995): 9, 15.

“Jesus the Temple of God.” The Evangelical Magazine of Wales (August–September 1995): 8–9.
“On the Other Topics.” Pages 118–30 in Discourse Analysis and Other Topics in Biblical Greek. Edited by D. A. Carson and Stanley E. Porter. Studies in New Testament Greek 2. Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series 113. Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1995.

“Observations of a Friend.” Pages 203–22 in The Anglican Evangelical Crisis. Edited by Melvin Tinker. Fearn: Christian Focus, 1995. Reprint (abridged), Evangelicals Now 10:11 (November 1995): 8–9.

“Preaching That Understands the World.” Pages 149–63 in When God’s Voice Is Heard: Essays on Preaching Presented to Dick Lucas. Edited by David Jackman. Leicester: IVP, 1995.

“The Rare Jewel of Contentment.” Southern Cross (Winter 1995): 6–7.

“Reflections on Assurance.” Pages 383–412 in Historical and Theological Perspectives on Calvinism. Vol. 2 of The Grace of God, the Bondage of the Will. Edited by Thomas R. Schreiner and Bruce A. Ware. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1995. Reprint (with some minor changes) from “Reflections on Christian Assurance.” Westminster Theological Journal 54 (1992): 1–29.

1996

“Accept No Substitutes: 6 Reasons Not to Abandon Expository Preaching.” Leadership 17:3 (1996): 87–88. Reprint, “Teaching the Whole Bible: Six Reasons To Do Expository Preaching.” Pages 404–5 in The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching: A Comprehensive Resource for Today’s Communicators. Edited by Haddon Robinson and Craig Brian Larson. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005.

“The Biblical Gospel.” Pages 75–85 in For Such a Time as This: Perspectives on Evangelicalism, Past, Present and Future. Edited by Steve Brady and Harold Rowdon. London: Evangelical Alliance, 1996.

“Johannine Perspectives on the Doctrine of Assurance.” Explorations 10 (1996): 59–97.

“Lessons from the School of Prayer.” Pages 57–69 (Appendix) in Tony Payne, Bold I Approach: The Why and How of Prayer: Six Topical Bible Studies for Small Groups and Individuals. Sydney: Matthias Media, 1996.

“Must I Learn How to Interpret the Bible?” Modern Reformation 5:3 (May–June 1996): 18–22. [Also available in an updated format (2003).]

“‘Occasional’ Letters from Paul.” Tabletalk 20:1 (January 1996): 38–39.

“‘Yes, but on the other hand. . . .’” Tabletalk 20:2 (February 1996): 36–37.

“When Knowledge Is Not Enough.” Tabletalk 20:3 (March 1996): 41–42.

“Paul: An Apostolic Example.” Tabletalk 20:4 (April 1996): 39–40.

Love, Math, and God’s Character.” Tabletalk 20:5 (May 1996): 36–37.

“‘In Remembrance of Me.’” Tabletalk 20:6 (June 1996): 34–35.

“The Importance of Being Intelligible.” Tabletalk 20:7 (July 1996): 38–39.

“A Matter of First Importance.” Tabletalk 20:8 (August 1996): 36–37.

“Tents, Bodies, and the Resurrection.” Tabletalk 20:9 (September 1996): 34–35.

“How to Give Money Away.” Tabletalk 20:10 (October 1996): 37–38.

“Most Ashamed of the Gospel.” Tabletalk 20:11 (November 1996): 41–42.

“I Fear You Think Too Highly of Me.” Tabletalk 20:12 (December 1996): 39–40.

“The Summer I Learned to Pray.” Decision 37:3 (March 1996): 13–14.

Translation of “Acts” in the New Living Translation.

1997

“The Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books: An Evangelical View.” Pages xliv–xlvii in The Parallel Apocrypha. Edited by John R. Kohlenberger III. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997.

“Can There Be a Christian University?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 1:3 (1997): 20–38. Reprint, pages 159–84 in Trinity: Entrusted with the Gospel. Edited by David V. Martin. Deerfield: Trinity International University, 1998.

“The Challenges of Contemporary Pluralism.” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 1:2 (1997): 4–37.

“The SBJT Forum: How does your role as a scholar, teacher and writer fulfill the Great Commission?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 1:4 (1997): 73–75.

“The SBJT Forum: How may Evangelical Theology transform culture?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 1:2 (1997): 78–79.

“The SBJT Forum: Are we in a battle to define God? If so, what are some significant flashpoints involving evangelicals?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 1:1 (1997): 71–73.

“The SBJT Forum: What is the role of New Testament studies in a Christian university?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 1:3 (1997): 76–78.

“Is the Doctrine of Claritas Scripturae Still Relevant Today?” Pages 97–111 in Dein Wort ist die Wahrheit – Beiträge zu einer schriftgemäßen Theologie [Festschrift for Gerhard Maier]. Edited by Eberhard Hahn, Rolf Hille, and Heinz-Werner Neudorfer. Wuppertal: Brockhaus Verlag, 1997.

“New Testament Theology.” Pages 796–814 in Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments. Edited by Ralph P. Martin and Peter H. Davids. Downers Grove: IVP, 1997. [Also available in an updated format.]

“Reflections on Salvation and Justification in the New Testament.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 40 (1997): 582–608.

1998

“The Ascension: Day of Prayer.” Tabletalk 22:5 (May 1998): 11–13.

“Did Paul Baptize for the Dead?” Christianity Today 42:9 (August 10, 1998): 63.
“Response to the ACTS Theological Synopsis.” ACTS Theological Journal [Korea] 7 (1998): 11–42.

“The SBJT Forum: Does the Johannine corpus leave room for salvation through means other than specific faith in Christ?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 2:2 (1998): 53–55.

“The SBJT Forum: What does the Gospel of John tell us about the doctrine of assurance?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 2:1 (1998): 65–67.

“The SBJT Forum: What concerns and/or heartens you when you consider the current issues in worship?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 2:4 (1998): 65–67.

“The Worldview Clash.” Southern Cross Quarterly (Summer 1998): 24–27.

1999

“Are Christians Required to Tithe?” Christianity Today 43:13 (November 15, 1999): 94.

“An Introduction to Introductions.” Pages 14–22 in Linguistics and the New Testament: Critical Junctions. Edited by D. A. Carson and Stanley E. Porter. Studies in New Testament Greek 5. Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series 168. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1999.

“On Distorting the Love of God.” Bibliotheca sacra 156 (1999): 3–12.

“God Is Love.” Bibliotheca sacra 156 (1999): 131–42.

“God’s Love and God’s Sovereignty.” Bibliotheca sacra 156 (1999): 259–71.

“God’s Love and God’s Wrath.” Bibliotheca sacra 156 (1999): 387–98.

“The Postmodern.” First Things 93 (May 1999): 51.

“The SBJT Forum: Whom would you name as someone whose contributions have been overlooked?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 3:1 (1999): 78–79.

“The SBJT Forum: What do you consider to be the essential elements of an expository sermon?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 3:2 (1999): 93–96.

“The Tabula Rasa Fallacy.” Modern Reformation 8:1 (July–August 1999): 29–32, 43.

2000

“Athens Revisited.” Pages 384–98 in Telling the Truth: Evangelizing Postmoderns. Edited by D. A. Carson. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.

“Christological Controversies.” Pages 189–91 in Evangelical Dictionary of World Missions. Edited by A. Scott Moreau, Harold Netland, and Charles Van Engen. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.

“Christology.” Pages 191–92 in Evangelical Dictionary of World Missions. Edited by A. Scott Moreau, Harold Netland, and Charles Van Engen. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.

“Trinity.” Pages 969–71 in Evangelical Dictionary of World Missions. Edited by A. Scott Moreau, Harold Netland, and Charles Van Engen. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.

“Job: Mystery and Faith.” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 4:2 (Summer 2000): 38–55. (Excerpt reprinted from How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil.)

“Paul’s Mission and Prayer.” Pages 175–84 in The Gospel to the Nations: Perspectives on Paul’s Mission [Festschrift for Peter T. O’Brien]. Edited by Peter Bolt and Mark D. Thompson. Leicester: IVP, 2000.

“Pseudonymity and Pseudepigraphy.” Pages 857–64 in Dictionary of New Testament Background. Edited by Craig A. Evans and Stanley E. Porter. Downers Grove: IVP, 2000. [Also available in an updated format.]

“Reflections on Assurance.” Pages 247–76 in Still Sovereign: Contemporary Perspectives on Election, Foreknowledge, and Grace. Edited by Thomas R. Schreiner and Bruce A. Ware. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000. Reprint (with some minor changes) from “Reflections on Christian Assurance.” Westminster Theological Journal 54 (1992): 1–29.

“The SBJT Forum: Do you think that a fallen Christian leader can ever be restored? If not, why not? But if so, under what conditions?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 4:4 (2000): 87–89.

“Systematic Theology and Biblical Theology.” Pages 89–104 in New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Edited by T. Desmond Alexander and Brian S. Rosner. Downers Grove: IVP, 2000. [Also available in an updated format.]

“The Johannine Writings.” Pages 132–36 in New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Edited by T. Desmond Alexander and Brian S. Rosner. Downers Grove: IVP, 2000. [Also available in an updated format.]

“The Johannine Letters.” Pages 351–55 in New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Edited by T. Desmond Alexander and Brian S. Rosner. Downers Grove: IVP, 2000. [Also available in an updated format.]

“Love.” Pages 646–50 in New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Edited by T. Desmond Alexander and Brian S. Rosner. Downers Grove: IVP, 2000. [Also available in an updated format.]
2001

“Introduction.” Pages 1–5 in The Complexities of Second Temple Judaism. Vol. 1 of Justification and Variegated Nomism. Edited by D. A. Carson, Peter T. O’Brien, and Mark A. Seifrid. Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 140. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck; Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001.

“Summaries and Conclusions.” Pages 505–48 in The Complexities of Second Temple Judaism. Vol. 1 of Justification and Variegated Nomism. Edited by D. A. Carson, Peter T. O’Brien, and Mark A. Seifrid. Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 140. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck; Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001.

“Living Without Heaven or Hell.” Moody Monthly 101:5 (May–June 2001): 12–15.

“The SBJT Forum: Granted that there are spurious conversions in the Bible, what criteria help us to discern that a profession of faith is genuine?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 5:1 (2001): 78–81.

“The SBJT Forum: What positive things can be said about postmodernism?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 5:2 (2001): 94–96.

2002

“The Cross Establishes the Credibility of God.” Irish Baptist Life (March 2002): 12–13. (Excerpt reprinted from How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil.)

“God in Chains.” Australian Presbyterianism 540 (August 2002): 6–9.

“How Can We Reconcile the Love and the Transcendent Sovereignty of God?.” Pages 279–312 in God Under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents God. Edited by Douglas S. Huffman and Eric L. Johnson. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.

“Maintaining Scientific and Christian Truths in a Postmodern World.” Science and Christian Belief 14 (2002): 107–22. Reprint with slight revisions. Pages 102–25 in Can We Be Sure About Anything? Science, Faith and Postmodernism. Edited by Denis Alexander. Leicester: IVP, 2005.

“Revivals?” Modern Reformation 11:6 (November–December 2002): 52.

“The SBJT Forum: Heroes of the Faith.” [“In this forum each contributor was asked to write on an individual who influenced their spiritual and theological development.”] The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 6:4 (2002): 104–6.

“The SBJT Forum: To handle certain categories of divorce and remarriage cases within the congregation, some churches have established a kind of ‘ecclesiastical court.’ What biblical warrant, if any, exists for this practice?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 6:1 (2002): 104–7.

“The SBJT Forum: Will the legacy of Francis Schaeffer endure? Should it?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 6:2 (2002): 68–70.

“The SBJT Forum: What advice would you give to pastors regarding the celebration of the Lord’s Supper in our churches?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 6:3 (2002): 94–97.

“Where Wrath and Mercy Meet.” Pages 85–101 in Thinking Aloud: Keswick Lectures. Edited by Alison Hull. Carlisle: Paternoster, 2002.

“Worship Under the Word.” Pages 11–63 in Worship by the Book. Edited by D. A. Carson. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.

2003

“The Dangers and Delights of Postmodernism.” Modern Reformation 12:4 (July–August 2003): 11–17.

“Foreword.” Pages 7–8 in Encountering God’s Word: Beginning Biblical Studies. Edited by Philip Duce and Daniel Strange. Leicester: Apollos, 2003.

“Half Empty, Half Full.” The Briefing 300 (September 2003): 18–20.

“The Limits of Functional Equivalence in Bible Translation—and Other Limits, Too.” Pages 65–113 in The Challenge of Bible Translation: Communicating God’s Word to the World: Understanding the Theory, History, and Practice [Festschrift for Ronald F. Youngblood]. Edited by Glen G. Scorgie, Mark L. Strauss, and Steven M. Voth. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003. [Excerpt: “The Debate Over Gender-Inclusive Language.”]

“Must I Learn How to Interpret the Bible?” 2003. Update of “Must I Learn How to Interpret the Bible?” Modern Reformation 5:3 (May–June 1996): 18–22.

“The Problem of Pain.”Australian Presbyterian 549 (June 2003): 4–8.

“The SBJT Forum: What are some practical strategies for addressing the abortion issue?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 7:2 (2003): 92–96.

“The SBJT Forum: What practical advice would you give to young pastors who want to be careful and faithful in the counseling components of their ministry?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 7:4 (2003): 78–82.

“What to Do If Revival Comes.” Modern Reformation 12:1 (January–February 2003): 52.

“Why Should Christians Think About Postmodernism?” Modern Reformation 12:4 (July–August 2003): 12–13.

2004

“Atonement in Romans 3:21–26.” Pages 119–39 in The Glory of the Atonement: Biblical, Historical, and Practical Perspectives: Essays in Honor of Roger R. Nicole. Edited by Charles E. Hill and Frank A. James III. Downers Grove: IVP, 2004.

“Mystery and Fulfillment: Toward a More Comprehensive Paradigm of Paul’s Understanding of the Old and New.” Pages 393–436 in The Paradoxes of Paul. Vol. 2 of Justification and Variegated Nomism. Edited by D. A. Carson, Peter T. O’Brien, and Mark A. Seifrid. Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 181. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck; Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004.

“The SBJT Forum: In your book Love in Hard Places you gave us some reflections on racism. Summarize some of the more uncomfortable thoughts that spring to your mind when you think about this subject.” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 8:2 (2004): 74–78.

“The SBJT Forum: We know that during the last quarter-century you developed a close friendship with Carl F. H. Henry and his wife Helga. Would you share any personal reminiscences?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 8:4 (2004): 82–85.

“The SBJT Forum: What are some of the most important things you think that Christians should know about Islam and about Muslims?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 8:1 (2004): 90–95.

“The Vindication of Imputation: On Fields of Discourse and Semantic Fields.” Pages 46–78 in Justification: What’s at Stake in the Current Debates. Edited by Mark Husbands and Daniel J. Treier. Downers Grove: IVP, 2004.

“Why Trust a Cross? Reflections on Romans 3:21–26.” Evangelical Review of Theology 28 (2004): 345–62.

“‘You Have No Need That Anyone Should Teach You’ (1 John 2:27): An Old Testament Allusion That Determines the Interpretation.” Pages 269–80 in The New Testament in Its First Century Setting: Essays on Context and Background in Honour of B. W. Winter on His 65th Birthday. Edited by P. J. Williams, Andrew D. Clarke, Peter M. Head, and David Instone-Brewer. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004.

2005

“The Emerging Church.” Modern Reformation 14:4 (July–August 2005): 11–18.
“Maintaining Scientific and Christian Truths in a Postmodern World.” Pages 102–25 in Can We Be Sure About Anything? Science, Faith and Postmodernism. Edited by Denis Alexander. Leicester: IVP, 2005. Reprint with slight revisions from Science and Christian Belief 14 (2002): 107–22.

“The SBJT Forum: As an outside observer, what comments would you make on the conservative resurgence in the SBC during the last quarter-century?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 9:1 (2005): 86–89.

“The SBJT Forum: You travel to quite a few different countries each year. Would you care to mention some of the mission trends you yourself see on your travels?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 9:4 (2005): 86–89.

“Syntactical and Text-Critical Observations on John 20:30–31: One More Round on the Purpose of the Fourth Gospel.” Journal of Biblical Literature 124 (2005): 693–714.
“Teaching the Whole Bible: Six Reasons to Do Expository Preaching.” Pages 404–5 in The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching: A Comprehensive Resource for Today’s Communicators. Edited by Haddon Robinson and Craig Brian Larson. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005.

2006

“Brief Appreciation of the Life and Service of Leon Morris.” July 31, 2006. Originally published in the online journal Reformation21.

“Foreword.” Pages 12–14 in Lindsay Brown, Shining Like Stars: The Power of the Gospel in the World’s Universities. Nottingham: IVP, 2006.

“The Love of God and the Intent of the Atonement.” The Gospel Witness 84:10 (March 2006): 7–9.

“One Way.” Pages 127–42 in Only One Way? Reaffirming the Exclusive Truth Claims of Christianity. Edited by Richard D. Phillips. Wheaton: Crossway, 2006.

“The SBJT Forum: Could you briefly lay out the opportunities and dangers in the current interest in spirituality?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 10:4 (2006): 84–88.

“The SBJT Forum: How does a thorough knowledge of biblical theology strengthen preaching?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 10:2 (2006): 88–92.

“The SBJT Forum: What elements of the doctrine of the Trinity are largely overlooked in substantial swaths of today’s evangelicalism? And what are the practical implications of such neglect?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 10:1 (2006): 92–95.

2007

“Biblical Theology.” Pages 35–41 in Dictionary of Biblical Criticism and Interpretation. Edited by Stanley E. Porter. London: Routledge, 2007.

“Excerpts from a Sermon: The Call of the Prophet in Declining Times: Ezekiel 1–3.” The Spurgeon Fellow Journal (Fall 2007). Available at http://www.thespurgeonfellowship.org/Fall07/st_f07_1.htm.

“Morris, Leon L.” Page 228 in Dictionary of Biblical Criticism and Interpretation. Edited by Stanley E. Porter. London: Routledge, 2007.

“Moule, C. F. D.” Pages 228–29 in Dictionary of Biblical Criticism and Interpretation. Edited by Stanley E. Porter. London: Routledge, 2007.

“The Challenge of the Balkanization of Johannine Studies.” Pages 133–59in John, Jesus, and History, Volume 1: Critical Appraisals of Critical Views. Edited by Paul N. Anderson, Felix Just, and Tom Thatcher. Society of Biblical Literature Symposium Series. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2007.

“The Challenges of the Twenty-first-century Pulpit.” Pages 172–89 in Preach the Word: Essays on Expository Preaching in Honor of R. Kent Hughes. Edited by Leland Ryken and Todd A. Wilson. Wheaton: Crossway, 2007.

“Introduction” (by D. A. Carson and G. K. Beale). Pages xxiii–xxviii in Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament. Edited by D. A. Carson and G. K. Beale. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007.

“Love and the Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World.” Pages 85–99 in The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World. Edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor. Wheaton: Crossway, 2007.

“Reflections on a Johannine Pilgrimage.” Pages 87–104 in What We Have Heard from the Beginning: The Past, Present, and Future of Johannine Studies. Edited by Tom Thatcher. Waco: Baylor University Press, 2007.

“The SBJT Forum: In any complex debate, it is not long before there are ‘hidden’ elements in the discussion, i.e., elements that are gumming up the integrity of debate because one side or the other fails to recognize their existence and significance. What ‘hidden’ elements are there in current discussions over science and origins?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 11:1 (2007): 78–81.

“The SBJT Forum: Is there anything distinctive about a Christian—and specifically biblical—understanding of the relationship between church and state?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 11:4 (2007): 100–103.

“The SBJT Forum: What are some of the reasons why the doctrine of penal substitution is again coming under attack?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 11:2 (2007): 104–8.

“Unity in Truth and Love.” NB News (Winter 2007): 8–10.

“The Gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15:1–19).” May 23, 2007. Text, audio, and video available at http://www.theGospelCoalition.org/resources/a/what_is_the_gospel_1#. [A lightly edited manuscript of a sermon preached at The Gospel Coalition’s conference in Deerfield, IL.]

2008

“Biblical-Theological Ruminations on Psalm 1.” Pages 115–34 in Resurrection and Eschatology: Theology in Service of the Church: Essays in Honor of Richard B. Gaffin Jr. Edited by Lane G. Tipton and Jeffrey C. Waddington. Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed, 2008.

“Challenges for 21st-Century Preaching.” Preaching 23:6 (May–June 2008): 20–24. [Available online.]

“Common Errors in Understanding the Kingdom.” Evangelicals Now 21:5 (May 2008): 16–17. Reprint, “The SBJT Forum: What are the most common errors that people make when it comes to understanding and proclaiming the kingdom?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 12:1 (2008): 104–7.

“Ongoing Imperative for World Mission.” Pages 176–95 in The Great Commission: Evangelicals and the History of World Missions [Festschrift for John D. Woodbridge]. Edited by Martin I. Klauber and Scott M. Manetsch. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2008.

“The SBJT Forum: What are the most common errors that people make when it comes to understanding and proclaiming the kingdom?” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 12:1 (2008): 104–7.

“The Wrath of God.” Pages 37–63 in Engaging the Doctrine of God: Contemporary Protestant Perspectives. Edited by Bruce L. McCormack. Grand Rapids: Baker; Edinburgh: Rutherford House, 2008.

“Editorial.” Themelios 33:1 (2008): 1.
“Editorial.” Themelios 33:2 (2008): 1–3.
“Editorial.” Themelios 33:3 (2008): 1–4.

2009

“Editorial.” Themelios 34 (2009): 1–2.
“How Should We Wait for Jesus?” Decision, May 2009, 22–25.