Justin Taylor's Blog, page 18
May 7, 2020
Why It’s Hard to Resist a Good Conspiracy Theory
Most lives are a touch dull. . . .The draw of a conspiracy theory to its followers is reinforced by the perception it gives them that they are in the know. They reckon that they have discovered what the “sheeple” could not, endowing them with a sense of superiority that is as enjoyable as it is undeserved, a fact that hucksters of all stripes have turned to their financial, political, or other advantage over the generations: Sign up with me and I’ll tell you what’s really going on.
Conspiracy theories have an aesthetic appeal: they make us feel more important in the grand scheme of things than we are. If someone is going to all this trouble to con us into believing in something, then we have to be worth conning; and the impotence we all feel in the face of massive impersonal bureaucracies and economies driven not by democratic institutions so much as multinational corporations is not really the result of our intrinsic smallness and insignificance so much of our potential power which needs to be smothered. Such views play to our vanity; and, to be brutally frank, the kind of virtual solitary vice which so much solipsistic internet activity represents. . . .
History, humanly speaking, is a tale of incompetence and thoughtlessness, not of elaborate and sophisticated cabals. Evil, catastrophic evil, is not exceptional and brilliant; it is humdrum and banal; it does not involve thinking too much; it involves thinking too little.
April 30, 2020
Hymn of the Day: Because He Lives
God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my savior lives
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives
How sweet to hold a newborn baby
And feel the pride and joy He gives
But greater still the calm assurance
This child can face uncertain day, because He lives
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives
And then one day, I’ll cross the river
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain
And then, as death gives way to victory
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He reigns
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives
April 27, 2020
Hymns of the Day: Joni Eareckson Tada with the Gettys
Nehemiah 8:10 says that “the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
If you want to discern what that means, you could do an inductive contextual study.
If you want to see what it looks like, watch the video above with Joni Eareckson Tada and the family of Keith and Kristyn Getty. (She joins them around the 8:10 mark.) Even in the midst of unrelenting lifelong pain, by God’s grace she radiates confidence in him.
The video testifies to the ways in which God uses hymns in the lives of his saints, and her encouragement for families to do this together.
April 22, 2020
Hymn of the Day: “How Firm a Foundation”
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word
What more can He say than to you He hath said
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled
Fear not, I am with thee; oh be not dismayed
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand
When through the deep waters I call thee to go
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress
When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie
My grace all sufficient shall be thy supply
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine
The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose
I will not, I will not desert to its foes
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake
Original words by “K” in Rippon’s Hymns (1787). Music: traditional American Melody. Public Domain (adm worldwide at www.CapitolCMGPublishing.com, excluding the UK & Europe which is adm by Integrity Music). From Together for the Gospel Live. Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Churches. All rights reserved. www.SovereignGraceMusic.org
April 20, 2020
New Books and Bibles from Crossway in April 2020
Below is a list of the new and notable resources releasing from Crossway this month. Titles include:
Coronavirus and Christ by John Piper,
Gentle and Lowly by Dane C. Ortlund, and
the ESV Single Column Legacy Bible.
Also, if you become a Crossway+ member (it’s free), you’ll get:
30% off all print books, ESV Bibles, and tracts available for purchase on Crossway.org.
30% Off Audiobooks
30% off all audiobooks on Crossway.org, which are downloadable as MP3s.
50% off all ebooks on Crossway.org, which can be downloaded in PDF, MOBI, and EPUB formats.
Free Shipping on Orders of $30 or More
Free Bbook When You Buy the Print Book
Coronavirus and Christ
On January 11, 2020, a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) reportedly claimed its first victim in the Hubei province of China. By March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization had declared a global pandemic. In the midst of this fear and uncertainty, it is natural to wonder what God is doing.
In Coronavirus and Christ, John Piper invites readers around the world to stand on the solid Rock, who is Jesus Christ, in whom our souls can be sustained by the sovereign God who ordains, governs, and reigns over all things to accomplish his wise and good purposes for those who trust in him. What is God doing through the coronavirus? Piper offers six biblical answers to that question, showing us that God is at work in this moment in history.
Meeting with Jesus: A Daily Bible Reading Plan for Kids
Following up his popular book Exploring the Bible, a plan for children ages 6–12 to read through the whole Bible, David Murray has written a new reading plan for children that focuses on Jesus Christ. This volume walks kids through the 4 New Testament Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) over the course of a year. Each of the 52 “meetings with Jesus” teaches a new truth about Jesus through 6 days of Bible reading and includes interactive reflection questions, space for prayer and application, memory verses, and lines for sermon notes. In less than 5 minutes a day, children will get to know Jesus and his offer of abundant life.
“Pastor David Murray is our most trusted source for biblical material for children, material that respects the integrity of even the smallest infant in the covenant family. Meeting with Jesus is a gem, offering children accessible questions and gentle guidance that can lead to a lifetime of good practices, while at the same time providing parents and grandparents a clear and daily way to put the hand of a child into the hand of the Savior.”
—Rosaria Butterfield, Former Professor of English, Syracuse University; author, The Gospel Comes with a House Key
One Assembly: Rethinking the Multisite and Multiservice Church Models
Maybe you have been there: you’re running late to church, and you know it will be hard to find an empty seat. This is an all-too-frequent experience in a growing church. For churches experiencing this dilemma, a common solution is to add another service or location. This seems like a cost-effective fix. Besides, no one wants to turn away non-Christians. But is it the best option?
Jonathan Leeman presents a series of biblical, theological, and pastoral arguments to help reorient our minds to a scriptural definition of church. He makes the case that maintaining a single assembly best follows the Bible, fulfills the Great Commission, and furthers our partnership with other churches.
“Evangelical churches that are multisite or multiservice are like that for good-intentioned, pragmatic reasons. Jonathan Leeman challenges us to think exegetically and theologically about a popular practice that may not be as strategic as so many assume.”
—Andy Naselli, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament, Bethlehem College & Seminary
Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers
Christians know that God loves them, but can easily feel that he is perpetually disappointed and frustrated, maybe even close to giving up on them. As a result, they focus a lot—and rightly so—on what Jesus has done to appease God’s wrath for sin. But how does Jesus Christ actually feel about his people amid all their sins and failures? This book draws us to Matthew 11, where Jesus describes himself as “gentle and lowly in heart,” longing for his people to find rest in him. The gospel flows from God’s deepest heart for his people, a heart of tender love for the sinful and suffering. These chapters take us into the depths of Christ’s very heart for sinners, diving deep into Bible passages that speak of who Christ is and encouraging readers with the affections of Christ for his people. His longing heart for sinners comforts and sustains readers in their up-and-down lives.
“Gentle and Lowly comes from the pen of someone who has not just profited from reading the Puritans—but who, more importantly, has read the Bible under their tutelage. One short book can never be enough to convey all the glory of the character of Christ, but this book deftly unpacks something we often overlook: Christ is meek and lowly in heart and gives rest to those who labor and are burdened. Written with pastoral gentleness and quiet beauty, it teases out what twenty biblical texts contribute to this portrait of the heart of Christ, all of it brought together to bring comfort, strength, and rest to believers.”
—D. A. Carson, Emeritus Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Cofounder, The Gospel Coalition
When Pain Is Real and God Seems Silent
Are you feeling despondent, depressed, or discouraged? When we encounter severe trials and suffering, we are often tempted to think that our situation is somehow out of God’s hands. In these dark times, God seems silent, and we feel isolated, confused, and alone. Everyone experiences suffering; even the biblical writers expressed anguish at times. This emotion is clearly captured in the Psalms. Through these brief meditations on Psalms 88 and 89, Ligon Duncan shows us how to respond to our own suffering with the assurance of our heavenly Father’s mercy, which sustains us even in the darkest circumstances.
“The Bible is strikingly candid about human suffering, including the vexing reality that God’s own people suffer—and often suffer excruciatingly and lastingly. Where do we find help? Ligon Duncan, one of the most faithful Christian teachers of our time, takes us deeply into the Psalms in a book that will be of great encouragement to all believers. I am so thankful for Ligon Duncan’s devotion to God’s word and the care of souls. Read this book, and you will understand why.”
—R. Albert Mohler Jr., President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Saints and Scoundrels in the Story of Jesus
The story of Jesus in the Gospels includes all kinds of interesting people—some who claimed to be saints but proved to be scoundrels, as well as scoundrels who were transformed into saints. In Saints and Scoundrels in the Story of Jesus, Nancy Guthrie provides a fresh look into what shaped and motivated people such as John the Baptist, Peter, the Pharisees, Zacchaeus, Judas, Caiaphas, Barabbas, Stephen, and Paul. Join her as she reintroduces us to these biblical characters, helping us to see more clearly the ways in which they reveal the generous grace of Jesus toward sinners.
“Like a mirror, this book beckons the reader to behold herself in the reflected light of how real people interacted with the real and the resurrected Jesus. The exposure from this reflection would be awful if Nancy was not such a faithful guide, reminding us at every turn that repentance is the way forward and that what humbles you can never hurt you. Saints and Scoundrels is convicting and comforting at once, reminding all true believers that God’s family is rough around the edges and held together by grace and blood and faith and the King of kings and Lord of lords who makes himself lowly and gentle for the salvation of his people.”
—Rosaria Butterfield, Former Professor of English, Syracuse University; author, The Gospel Comes with a House Key
Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage
In theology, just as in battle, some hills are worth dying on and others are not. But how do we know which ones? When should doctrine divide, and when should unity prevail? Just as a medic on a battlefield treats the severely wounded first and then moves on to the less serious injuries, we must prioritize doctrine in order of importance. Pastor Gavin Ortlund implores us to cultivate humility as we prioritize doctrine into four ranks—essential, urgent, important, and unimportant—so that we will be as effective as possible at advancing the gospel in our time.
“Gavin Ortlund is a scholar and leader who both wields the sword of the Spirit and exhibits the fruit of the Spirit. He not only stands up for Jesus but also stands with him in love, holiness, and mission. In a sadly contentious time, this book shows us how to love each other and stay on mission together even when we see some nonessential doctrines in different ways. This is a wise and needed book.”
—Russell Moore, President, The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention
What the Bible Says about Abortion, Euthanasia, and End-of-Life Medical Decisions
Abortion and euthanasia are hot-button issues in our world today, accompanied by many differing views, deeply held convictions, and personal experiences related to privacy, sexual behavior, personal desires and responsibility, pregnancy, and children—but deeper than all these is the nature of human life itself. In this timely book, adapted from his larger work Christian Ethics, Wayne Grudem argues that human life is rooted in God’s image, and it is therefore morally wrong to put an innocent human to death, whether at the beginning or end of life. He offers a biblical guide to these topics, defining his terms clearly, exploring science and politics, and weighing opposing arguments—answering questions about the protection of an unborn child, abortion in the case of rape or danger to the mother’s life, and when to stop medical treatment at the end of someone’s life. This short book will help all who seek to understand what the Bible teaches about these important issues that deal with human life.
“Wayne Grudem has faithfully offered a biblical-theological groundwork for making some of the most difficult decisions at the edges of life—its beginning and end. How does one who is committed to the sanctity of every human life approach questions about abortion, euthanasia, and other end-of-life issues? Digest this book to find out.”
—C. Ben Mitchell, Graves Professor of Moral Philosophy, Union University
What the Bible Says about How to Know God’s Will
Every Christian at one time or another has probably asked, What is God’s will for me in this situation? In this accessible booklet, Wayne Grudem offers practical guidance on how to make biblically informed decisions through the guidance of the Holy Spirit in accordance with God’s word.
“Besides its straightforwardness, clarity, and grounding in Scripture, what I like most about this book is its practicality. By following its counsel and being led by the Holy Spirit, Christians will be well equipped to discern and commit to God’s will for their lives!”
—Gregg R. Allison, Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; author, Sojourners and Strangers; Roman Catholic Theology and Practice; and Historical Theology
The ESV Heirloom Single Column Legacy Bible is a special edition based on the Renaissance ideal of a perfect page—featuring a simple, clear layout with generous margins.
As with Crossway’s other Heirloom Bibles, the Heirloom Single Column Legacy Bible is printed in the Netherlands on high-quality European Bible paper and features art gilding, four ribbon markers, and an extra-smooth sewn binding. It is available in black and brown goatskin covers. The Heirloom Single Column Legacy Bible is a fine edition that combines elegant design with the best production materials available.
The ESV Single Column Legacy Bible is designed to reflect the beauty of God’s Word. The layout of the text and margins are based on the Renaissance ideal of a perfect page—what Renaissance thinkers considered perfect proportions. It features wide margins with plenty of white space, line-matched text to minimize show-through from page to page, and section headings in the margins to reduce visual clutter. The result is a clean, simple reading experience that allows the Scriptures to speak for themselves.
The Christian Faith Is Not Based on the Evidence for the Resurrection
William Lane Craig:
In considering the historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus, it is important to avoid giving the impression that the Christian faith is based on the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection.
The Christian faith is based on the event of the resurrection.
It is not based on the evidence for the resurrection.
This distinction is crucial.
The Christian faith stands or falls on the event of the resurrection. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then Christian is a myth, and we may as well forget it.
But the Christian faith does not stand or fall on the evidence for the resurrection.
There are many real events in history for which the historical evidence is slim or nonexistent (in fact, when you think about it, most events in history are of this character). But they did actually happen. We just have no way of proving that they happened.
Thus, it is entirely conceivable that the resurrection of Jesus was a real event of history, but there is no way of proving this historically. I think that in fact the historical evidence for Jesus’ resurrection is good—remarkably good. But the evidence is not the basis of the Christian faith. Should the evidence be refuted somehow, the Christian faith would not be refuted. It would only mean that one could not prove historically that the Christian faith is true.
In point of fact we can know that Jesus rose from the dead wholly apart from a consideration of the historical evidence. The simplest Christian, who has neither the opportunity nor wherewithal to conduct a historical investigation of Jesus’ resurrection, can know with assurance that Jesus is risen because God’s Spirit bears unmistakable witness to him that it is so. And any non-Christian who is truly seeking to know the truth about God and life can also be sure that Jesus is risen because God’s Spirit will lead him to a personal relationship with the risen Lord.
Thus, there are really two avenues to a knowledge of the fact of the resurrection: the avenue of the Spirit and the avenue of historical inquiry. The former provides a spiritual certainty of the resurrection, whereas the latter provides a rational certainty of the resurrection. Ideally these ought to coincide, the Spirit working through the rational power of the evidence and the evidence undergirding the witness of the Spirit. But even if the historical avenue proved inaccessible, the avenue of the Spirit to a knowledge of the resurrection would remain open and independent.
If the evidence for the resurrection is inadequate, then we cannot prove the resurrection to be an event of history. But God’s Spirit still furnishes the unmistakable conviction that the resurrection occurred and that Jesus lives today. Therefore, whatever the state of the evidence, we can be sure that the resurrection is an event of history. Ultimately then, we must come to grips, not with historical evidence, important as this may be, but with the Living Lord Himself.
William Lane Craig, The Son Rises: The Historical Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus (Chicago: Moody Press, 1981; reprint, Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2000), 7–8.
April 14, 2020
Hymn of the Day: “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near,
Join me in glad adoration.
Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?
Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee!
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee;
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do
If with His love He befriend thee.
Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him!
Let the amen sound from His people again;
Gladly forever adore Him.
Words by Joachim Neander (1680). Translated by Catherine Winkworth (1863). Music by Straisund Gesangbuch (1665). Public Domain (adm worldwide at www.CapitolCMGPublishing.com, excluding the UK & Europe which is adm by Integrity Music). From Together for the Gospel Live II. Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Churches. All rights reserved. www.SovereignGraceMusic.org
April 13, 2020
Hymn of the Day: Our Sins They Are Many, His Mercy Is More
What love could remember no wrongs we have done
Omniscient, all knowing, He counts not their sum
Thrown into a sea without bottom or shore
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
Praise the Lord, His mercy is more
Stronger than darkness, new every morn
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
What patience would wait as we constantly roam
What Father, so tender, is calling us home
He welcomes the weakest, the vilest, the poor
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
What riches of kindness he lavished on us
His blood was the payment, His life was the cost
We stood ‘neath a debt we could never afford
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
His Mercy Is More by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa Copyright 2016 Messenger Hymns, Love Your Enemies Publishing Administered by: Music Services, Inc., Love Your Enemies Publishing CCLI:7065053
Download the chart for this song here.
March 26, 2020
Hymn of the Day: A Mighty Fortress
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing
Our Helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe
His craft and pow’r are great, and, armed with cruel hate
On earth is not his equal
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He
The Lord of hosts His name, from age to age the same
And He must win the battle
And though this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure
One little word shall fell him
That word above all earthly pow’rs, no thanks to them, abideth
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him who with us sideth
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also
The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still
His kingdom is forever
Music and words by Martin Luther (1529). Translated by Frederick Hedge (1853). Public Domain (adm worldwide at www.CapitolCMGPublishing.com, excluding the UK & Europe which is adm by Integrity Music). From Together for the Gospel Live. Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Churches. All rights reserved. https://sovereigngracemusic.org/music...
March 25, 2020
Hymn of the Day: He Will Hold Me Fast
When I fear my faith will fail,
Christ will hold me fast;
When the tempter would prevail,
He will hold me fast.
I could never keep my hold
Through life’s fearful path;
For my love is often cold;
He must hold me fast.
He will hold me fast,
He will hold me fast;
For my Savior loves me so,
He will hold me fast.
Those He saves are His delight,
Christ will hold me fast;
Precious in His holy sight,
He will hold me fast.
He’ll not let my soul be lost;
His promises shall last;
Bought by Him at such a cost,
He will hold me fast.
For my life He bled and died,
Christ will hold me fast;
Justice has been satisfied;
He will hold me fast.
Raised with Him to endless life,
He will hold me fast
‘Till our faith is turned to sight
When He comes at last!
from Together for the Gospel Live III, released October 21, 2016
Words: vv. 1-2 Ada Habershon (1861-1918), Public Domain. Alt. words, new words (v.3), and music: Matthew Merker © 2013 Getty Music (BMI)/Matthew Merker Music (BMI) (adm. by Music Services). All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
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