Justin Taylor's Blog, page 120

Race in America: Why the Past Matters (A Discussion between Russell Moore and Matthew Hall)

Russell Moore of ERLC sits down with Matt Hall, VP for Academic Services at Southern Seminary, who is completing his doctoral work on the history of civil rights and the gospel in the Southern Baptist Convention:

More resources here.

Wayne Grudem: Guard Your Heart

“Keep your heart with all vigilance,

for from it flow the springs of life.”

—Proverbs 4:23

Below is a sermon from Wayne Grudem on this proverb (at Mars Hill Church on August 25, 2013), looking (1) what it is to keep your heart, (2) why you should keep your heart, and (3) how you keep your heart.

Transcript here or video below:

How Old Is the Universe?

R. C. Sproul answers wisely:

You can watch the full discussion here, with Michael Horton, Stephen Meyer, R.C. Sproul Jr., and Del Tackett  joining R.C. Sproul to answer questions about the Christian mind, science, old and new earth, and more.

After this conference, Ligonier asked Keith Mathison to deal with Dr. Sproul’s answer in greater depth, and the result is now published digitally as a free downloadable eBook. Dr. Sproul writes, “I am grateful for Keith Mathison’s treatment of these matters in this book—not only for his kind defense of my position (which is not original with me) but for his lucid exposition of the issues faced today in apparent conflicts between religion and science. Keith provides the necessary foundation for resolving these issues.”

Here is the table of contents for A Reformed Approach to Science and Scripture:

Foreword by R.C. Sproul

Introduction

1. All Truth Is God’s Truth

2. General and Special Revelation

3. Interpreting General and Special Revelation

4. Luther, Calvin, and Copernicus

5. Earthly Things and Heavenly Things

6. When Science and Scripture Conflict

7. The Age Of The Universe and Genesis 1

For those interested in these questions, especially from a Reformed perspective, I would recommend reading the PCA Study Committee Report on Creation (2000), where a number of PCA elders from various persuasions on these issues studied and debated these issues in order to produce this report. It is worth reading simply for the definitions, and also for the way in which they seek to describe the strengths of, and objections to, the various orthodox positions.

Here is a flavor regarding how they are able to agree on the essentials despite significant differences:

We have found a profound unity among ourselves on the issues of vital importance to our Reformed testimony. We believe that the Scriptures, and hence Genesis 1-3, are the inerrant word of God. We affirm that Genesis 1-3 is a coherent account from the hand of Moses. We believe that history, not myth, is the proper category for describing these chapters; and furthermore that their history is true. In these chapters we find the record of God’s creation of the heavens and the earth ex nihilo; of the special creation of Adam and Eve as actual human beings, the parents of all humanity (hence they are not the products of evolution from lower forms of life). We further find the account of an historical fall, that brought all humanity into an estate of sin and misery, and of God’s sure promise of a Redeemer. Because the Bible is the word of the Creator and Governor of all there is, it is right for us to find it speaking authoritatively to matters studied by historical and scientific research. We also believe that acceptance of, say, non-geocentric astronomy is consistent with full submission to Biblical authority. We recognize that a naturalistic worldview and true Christian faith are impossible to reconcile, and gladly take our stand with Biblical supernaturalism.

The Committee has been unable to come to unanimity over the nature and duration of the creation days. Nevertheless, our goal has been to enhance the unity, integrity, faithfulness and proclamation of the Church. Therefore we are presenting a unanimous report with the understanding that the members hold to different exegetical viewpoints. As to the rest we are at one. It is our hope and prayer that the Church at large can join us in a principled, Biblical recognition of both the unity and diversity we have regarding this doctrine, and that all are seeking properly to understand biblical revelation. It is our earnest desire not to see our beloved church divide over this issue.

Here are a couple of other videos that treat the issues from a wider perspective:

John Lennox is professor of mathematics and a fellow in the philosophy of science at Oxford University. In the lecture below, delivered at Socrates in the City (at the Union Club in New York City on January 31, 2013), he provides an accessible overview of his Seven Days That Divide the World: The Beginning According to Genesis and Science (Zondervan, 2011).

Eric Metaxas of Socrates in the City interviews Stephen Meyer on Darwin, the scientific method, and the book Darwin’s Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design. Filmed at the Union League Club in New York City on September 12, 2013.

The Right Questions to Ask on Educational Options for Your Kids

Doug Wilson:

For those parents who are involved in making their educational choices, this is the essential thing.

First, what is the big idea, what is the pedagogical concept?

And secondly, how will you know if this is actually being accomplished?

If you gave a bundle of cash to an investment broker, you should know, first, what he was going to do with it.

You should also know, secondly, what means you were going to use to determine whether or not his prospectus had delivered on the promises made.

And if this is the way it is with mere cash, how much more with your kids?

Paul Tripp to Pastors: On Preaching the Gospel to Yourself and Living the Gospel that You Preach

Here is Paul Tripp, author of Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry, teaching at a pre-conference for the Desiring God Pastor’s Conference (February 3, 2014):

You can also grab the audio here and here.

A Free Course (for a Limited Time) from Robert Godfrey on the Reformation

Dr. W. Robert Godfrey, President and Professor of Church History at Westminster Seminary California, has recorded a multi-part Church History Course for Ligonier Ministries. Eventually it will be comprised of 60 talks total from this gifted scholar and teacher.

You can watch for free the first lecture of the first part (AD 100-600), and—for a limited time—watch for free the entire second part (AD 500-1500) and the entire third part (AD 1500-1600).

I have included below the descriptions and 12 videos for the Reformation series:

Lecture 1, Introduction to the Reformation:

As the year 1500 arrived, Europe was in the midst of profound changes. The conditions, attitudes, and institutions that had characterized the Middle Ages were gradually giving way to new movements and developments. The discovery of unknown lands across the Atlantic accompanied an explosion of exploration and trade. The emergence of powerful monarchies in Germany, France, and Spain introduced complex new dynamics to European politics. In the aftermath of the Renaissance, interest in learning and the study of ancient texts ran high, and the recent invention of Gutenberg’s printing press facilitated the spread of ideas at an unprecedented rate. Amid this prevailing climate of change, a consensus was forming among many Europeans that certain beliefs and practices of the church were in dire need of reform.

Lecture 2, Martin Luther’s Early Life:

Extraordinary events often begin with seemingly ordinary people. A promising son of a typical middle-class family at the turn of the sixteenth century, Martin Luther had no other ambition than to know God’s Word. As Martin applied himself to that pursuit, God was equipping and preparing this young monk for an astonishing future. In this message, Dr. Godfrey explores the circumstances leading up to the events of 1517 that forever shaped the trajectories of Martin Luther’s life and of the Christian church.

Lecture 3, Martin Luther & the German Reformation:

It is often through trial and adversity that God shapes His people the most. After publishing what he thought to be an unremarkable critique of corruption in the sale of indulgences, Martin Luther found himself at the forefront of a controversy that he neither expected nor desired. In the years that followed, Luther repeatedly returned to Scripture for guidance and instruction, and his exposition of God’s Word soon put him at odds with both the political and religious elites of his day.

Lecture 4, Martin Luther & the Growing Protestant Movement:

In response to Martin Luther’s tireless ministry, more Christians came to recognize the need to reform the church, and reform movements began to spring up throughout Europe. As Luther continued to serve as a primary preacher and spokesman of the Reformation, he faced the question of how to interact with those whose visions of reform differed from his own. When the early Protestant leaders weighed the possibility of uniting their efforts, they grappled with challenges that still confront Christians today.

Lecture 5, Martin Luther & the Anabaptists:

Western Christianity changed forever during Martin Luther’s lifetime. Profoundly gifted and profoundly flawed, Luther had an enduring desire to proclaim “Jesus Christ and him crucified.” As a result of Luther’s untiring efforts, Christian leaders across Europe sought to bring all of life into accordance with God’s Word, often achieving very different results. Of the many expressions of Christianity that emerged during this time, the Anabaptists puzzled and distressed Catholics and Protestants alike. In this message, Dr. Godfrey discusses the enduring legacies of both Martin Luther and the Anabaptist movement.

Lecture 6, From the German Reformation to Geneva:

Perhaps there is no greater testimony to the enduring nature of Luther’s reforms than the fact that the Reformation continued to gather strength after his death. As Lutheranism took firm root in Germany, other areas in Europe also became centers of vigorous reform. Not least of these was the Swiss city of Geneva, where the Reformed branch of Protestantism took shape under the persistent labors of William Farel and John Calvin.

Lecture 7, John Calvin & Geneva:

God excels at overturning human expectations. When John Calvin left Geneva in 1538, he assumed that he would not be back. Content to study and minister in relative obscurity in Strasbourg, Calvin was unwittingly being equipped to return to Geneva and carry on the task of Reformation that he and William Farel had begun there. During the years ahead, John Calvin would leave a permanent mark upon both this city and the Reformed branch of Christianity.

Lecture 8, The Theology of John Calvin:

It is common to think of John Calvin primarily in terms of his intellectual accomplishments, perhaps regarding him as little more than a brain working in Geneva. However, a closer look at Calvin’s theology reveals that his scholarly activity was driven by a deeply pastoral desire to strengthen believers in their faith. In this message, Dr. Godfrey explores some of the focal points of Calvin’s theology, taking note of how Calvin differed from his Roman Catholic contemporaries and why these differences matter.

Lecture 9, The Catholic Reformation:

Many who desired to reform the Roman Catholic Church eventually split off from it. However, energetic reforms also emerged within the Catholic Church, addressing moral and spiritual problems without forming a separate ecclesiastical body. While the Catholic reformers shared many of the same concerns as the Protestant reformers, their vision of ecclesiastical renewal ultimately took the Catholic Church in a very different direction than that taken by the Protestant churches.

Lecture 10, The Scottish Reformation:

As the teachings of the Protestant Reformation spread throughout Europe, Protestant movements appeared in many different countries. In some areas, the political authorities quickly established Protestantism as the official religion. In nations like France and Spain, the Reformation was eventually suppressed by relentless persecution. However, persecution was not always able to extinguish the Protestant cause. In the case of Scotland, the Reformation took root in spite of government opposition, largely through the diligent and persistent ministry of John Knox.

Lecture 11, The Dutch Reformation:

The success or failure of the Reformation in a particular region often depended on whether the ruler of the region supported or opposed it. However, the Dutch Reformation was an exception to this tendency. Though bitterly opposed by the Habsburg monarchs, Protestantism attracted a large following in the Low Countries. As religious and political tension led to upheaval and war, the courage and persistence of the Dutch people prepared the way for a free Dutch Republic and the rise of the Dutch Reformed Church.

Lecture 12, The Synod of Dort:

When times of trial and persecution come to an end, the absence of external tension may create opportunities for internal strife and division. With the threat of Spanish invasion no longer uniting the Dutch people, controversy surrounding the teachings of the late Jacobus Arminius began to polarize the Reformed churches in the Netherlands. At the resulting Synod of Dort, church leaders responded to this crisis by officially adopting the doctrinal positions that have become one of the distinguishing marks of Reformed Christianity.

Livestreamed Conference on Union with Christ: Piper, Ferguson, and Horton

The Desiring God Pastor’s Conference—with a pre-conference with Paul Tripp, a seminar from Jared Wilson, plenary talks by John Piper, Sinclair Ferguson, and Michael Horton—will be streamed live for the next few days.

Here is the schedule. All times are Central Standard Time (CST).

Monday, February 3

1:00-1:45 PM, Paul Tripp: “Preaching the Gospel to Yourself” [see his forthcoming daily gospel-devotional]

2:00-2:45 PM, Paul Tripp, ”Living the Gospel That You Preach”

3:00-3:45 PM, Jared Wilson: “The Promise of Pastoral Weakness” [see his book, The Pastor's Justification: Applying the Work of Christ in Your Life and Ministry]

7:30-8:30 PM, John Piper: “Glorifying God by Bearing Fruit in Union with Christ (John 15:1-11)”

 

Tuesday, February 4

9:00-10:00 AM, Sinclair Ferguson: “Union with Christ: Mind-Renewing Foundations (Romans 6:1-14)” [see his outstanding essay in the 5 views book on sanctification]

10:30-11:30 AM, Michael Horton: “Calvin on Union with Christ” [see his very good book releasing new month, Calvin on the Christian Life]

1:45-2:45 PM, Sinclair Ferguson: “Union with Christ: Life-Transforming Implications (Colossians 3:1-17)

7:30-8:30 PM, Michael Horton: “Union with Christ and the Communion of Saints”

 

Wednesday, February 5

9:00-10:15 AM, John Piper: “The Ministry of Hudson Taylor as Life in Christ”

10:45-11:45 AM, Horton, Ferguson, and Piper: Questions & Answers (Speaker Panel)

8 Strategies to Increase Your Reading

David Murray:

I struggle to find time to read. Yes, I read plenty during working hours for lectures, sermons, etc, but in terms of reading books of choice in my leisure time, I confess I often go to bed disappointed in my use of the evening hours. It’s so much easier just to tap around on the iPad or read blogs. So here are a few strategies I’ve recently been trying to follow to increase my reading.

Here are his suggestions. You’ll have to read the post to see an explanation of each:

Same Time and Place
Count the Pages
Read Paragraphs Not Pages
Stop Reading
Start the Empty Shelf Challenge
Read Paper Books
Read with Your Kids

Russell Moore in the New York Times: The Case for Transracial Adoption

Russell Moore was invited to contribute to a forum debating the question. Here is his answer:

The same arguments against transracial adoption have been made before, against interracial marriage. In both cases, the hard social adjustments of living in a racist society are used to suggest that it’s better, for the children, if families are racially segregated, separate but equal. I reject that wrong-headed logic, in both cases.

I hold this view not because I believe we live in a post-racial, “color-blind” society. We don’t. The legacy of racial hatred and bigotry is real, and continues. But the families I’ve known who have parents of one ethnicity and children of another — including many of my fellow evangelical Christians — are among the most aware of this situation, and among the most motivated to work for racial justice and reconciliation.

Minority parents of white children teach their kids that the world outside often, sadly, isn’t as loving and diverse as the one they’ve come to know. White parents of minority children are often diligent to teach their children to take pride in their ethnic heritage, and try to prepare them to combat the evils of the bigotry they will face on the outside. These families learn what really every family ought to learn — how to celebrate differences while also celebrating a common belonging, in love.

Right now there are untold numbers of children tied up in the foster care system, or languishing in orphanages and group homes all over the world. There is no place for racist bigotry or identity politics in solving this crisis. What matters is the welfare of children who need a Mom and a Dad.

Can any of us honestly suggest that it would be better for a child to remain in this bureaucratic limbo than to be a son or daughter to loving parents whose skin is paler or darker than his or her own?

The piece can be found here, along with dissenting views.

The Limits of C.S. Lewis as a Storyteller

Alan Jacobs (author of the very good The Narnian: The Life and Imagination of C. S. Lewis) writes:

I don’t think Lewis was by any means a natural storyteller, and all of his fiction suffers to one degree or another from his shortcomings in this regard. Every time he sat down to write a story he was moving outside the sphere of his strongest writerly gifts.

What were those writerly gifts? Above all he was a brilliant satirist and parodist — abilities bolstered by his greatest more-generally-intellectual gift, a prodigious memory — and the master of a familiar, trust-inducing essayistic tone. (A tone that, by the way, he put to excellent use in his scholarly work, which is why The Allegory of Love and his OHEL book remain so exceptionally readable.) Now, his fiction sometimes benefits from these skills. For instance, consider the just-right pitch of this passage from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe —

I hope no one who reads this book has been quite as miserable as Susan and Lucy were that night; but if you have been – if you’ve been up all night and cried till you have no more tears left in you — you will know that there comes in the end a sort of quietness. You feel as if nothing was ever going to happen again.

— or the terrific parodies of administrative jargon in The Screwtape Letters and That Hideous Strength.

But in the basics of the kind of storytelling he liked best — creating vivid characters and keeping a lively plot moving along — Lewis struggled, and I think at times he knew it.

Keep reading. . . .