C.J. Mahaney's Blog, page 13

What Is the Gospel?

[image error] “What is the gospel?” If someone asked you right now, would you have a clear answer? Would you be confident that your answer is biblical?



There are a surprising number of answers to this question, but not all of them are clear and biblical. So we’re glad to point you to a free chapter from Greg Gilbert’s important new book, What Is the Gospel? . Here’s how C.J. endorsed the book:

Two realities make this a critically important book: the centrality of the gospel in all generations and the...

On Vacation

For the next two weeks I have the joy of creating a memory-making blast while on vacation with my family in Tennessee. I expect the blog to be silent for at least that long.



On July 25 and August 1 I’ll have the privilege to teach at Cornerstone Church of Knoxville. I’ll resume blogging after I return from the family vacation.



I am humbled that you read this blog and hope in some small way it serves you.

Posted by C.J. Mahaney

The Crown of Theology

Eschatology is not optional. In fact, our theology is incomplete without an understanding of the “last things.” In Jeff Purswell’s message at Next 2010, he explained it this way:

Eschatology is not intended to be an add-on to your theology. In many ways eschatology is the crown of theology. It answers questions that other doctrines raise.



And so we believe in God’s good providence. Where is God’s providence leading? We know Jesus paid for our sin, and he’s helping us battle that sin...

The Last One

In Jeff Purswell’s message at Next 2010, “The End Times,” he made an important point about the focus of eschatology. When studying the end times, we are easily distracted from the grand purpose of it all: the revelation of Jesus Christ. Or to say it another way, eschatology is emphatically Christ-centered.



Jeff said it like this:

When the New Testament deals with eschatology, it is much more concerned with the last One than the last things. The early church looked not so much for a...

The End Times

There is often no lack of interest in—or confusion about—the topic of eschatology. So I was grateful that Jeff Purswell, dean of the Sovereign Grace Ministries Pastors College, took up the topic for his contribution to our Next 2010 conference in Baltimore.



Jeff brought both clarity and appropriate emphasis to this important topic, helping us avoid two of the dangers associated with the end times: speculation and negligence.



His message was a conference highlight.



What follows is an outl...

Just Do Something

To close out his Next 2010 conference message, “The Church,” Kevin DeYoung gave a list of suggestions for how to be a difference maker in the local church. He said: 

• Find a good local church.

• Get involved.

• Become a member.

• Stay there as long as you can.

• Put away thoughts of a revolution for a while.

• Join the plodding visionaries.

• Go to church this Sunday and worship in Spirit and truth.

• Be patient with your leaders.

• Rejoice when the gospel is faithfully...

Plodding Visionaries

As the pastor of a local church for 27 years, I am deeply grateful for every person who, when they came to Covenant Life Church, remained for many years. Those who persevered through the years and were patient with me personally and patient with my deficiencies in preaching—it was these people who ultimately made the difference in the church and helped build the church. They demonstrated their love for the Savior through their enduring service.

That's how local churches are built...

What Is the Gospel?

Recently C.J. was invited to join Mark Dever in the latest 9Marks Leadership interview with Greg Gilbert, author of What Is the Gospel? (Crossway, 2010). The interview covers the gospel, the kingdom, the church, and how these three are both related and distinct. Along the way Greg displays his unique gift of speaking backwards. ereh netsiL

Posted by Tony Reinke

Video Games, Idols, and Your Child's Heart

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Video games are one of the most influential and time consuming recreational activities in our society today. On average gamers spend 18 hours per week playing video games. This extensive time investment is reflected in the money invested in video game consoles and software. In 2009, $19.7 billion was spent on video games worldwide, $2.6 billion more than was spent on movies in both box office ticket sales and DVD sales combined.* Many parents are surprised to discover that video games g...