Justin Taylor's Blog, page 366

The Ehrman Project

The Ehrman Project looks like a great new website, equipping pastors and students and other readers with helpful responses to the provocative arguments and conclusions set forth by Professor Bart Ehrman—from canon to inerrancy to textual criticism to the problem of evil, and more.

Here are a couple of videos from the site, with Dan Wallace answering general questions about the reliability of the NT manuscripts:

Programa de Teología

A couple of days ago I mentioned that The Theology Program from Reclaiming the Mind Ministries starts next week.

I've now heard that some folks have developed a Spanish-language version (6 courses, 60 videos, and 10 presentations): Programa de Teología.

Here are the direct links to every course:



Introducción a la Teología
Bibliología y Hermenéutica
Trinitarianismo
Humanidad y Pecado
Soteriología
Eclesiología y Escatología

Michael Horton's Systematic Theology

Here's the good news: Michael Horton's long-awaited systematic theology has now been published. Here's the bad news (well, at one level): Zondervan is already sold out of it and the book is heading back to the printers.

WTS Books is out of stock, but if you order it from them by January 27, you'll get a special 45% discount. But the book may not come until late February.

Amazon doesn't release their books until the official publication date (January 25), so it's hard to know if they have sold out of their initial order.

I have a copy of the book, and from what I've been able to sample thus far, I think it will clearly be the best contemporary systematic theology from a Presbyterian-Reformed perspective.

You can read some sample pages here.

Here's a description:

The Christian Faith is written for a growing cast of pilgrims making their way together and will be especially welcomed by professors, pastors, students, and armchair theologians. Its features include: (1) a brief synopsis of biblical passages that inform a particular doctrine; (2) surveys of past and current theologies with contemporary emphasis on exegetical, philosophical, practical, and theological questions; (3) substantial interaction with various Christian movements within the Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox traditions, as well as the hermeneutical issues raised by postmodernity; and (4) charts, sidebars, questions for discussion, and an extensive bibliography, divided into different entry levels and topics.

Here are a few of the endorsements:

"Horton's Christian Faith has the great merit of never letting the reader forget that doctrine is for disciples who want to walk the way of Jesus Christ. Horton knows that the best systematic theology is a practical theology—one that helps us understand the ways of God, makes sense of life, and gives direction for God-glorifying living. He also knows that the best systematic theologies draw on biblical and historical theology. May many readers therefore take up this book, read, and walk!"

- Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Blanchard Professor of Theology, Wheaton College and Graduate School

"Michael Horton's awareness of modern theological and philosophical currents combines with his articulate commitment to historical orthodoxy to make this book one of the most significant voices to be heard in framing a systematic theology for this generation of the Reformed movement."

- Bryan Chapell, President, Covenant Theological Seminary

"A crisp, clear, and forceful new theology that is at once biblical and reverent, historical and contemporary, learned but accessible. What a great gift this is to the church!"

- David F. Wells, Distinguished Research Professor, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

"The Christian Faith is impressively deep, immensely practical, and infinitely hopeful for us pilgrims on the Way. Michael Horton will sculpt your appreciation for theology and enhance your love for Christ crucified. Anyone wanting to impact this world effectively—pastors, missionaries, evangelists, church planters, lay leaders, and all other wayfarers—must read this book."

- Pastor Fikret Böcek, The Protestant Church of Smyrna, Izmir-Turkey

"There has been a renaissance of theological writing in our day, but no one writes as carefully, cogently, and thoughtfully in the grand tradition of Protestant systematic theology as does Michael Horton. This work is a powerful reminder that theology ought to grow first from the soil of the biblical text; then, in conversation with the church across the ages, it ought to clarify conceptually the great truths of the gospel. Theology, as Horton has written it here in The Christian Faith, must always be cognizant of the challenges of the contemporary world, but it must finally belong to the church, which gives it voice in the first place. There is no one better at this task in our day than Michael Horton."

- Richard Lints, Andrew Mutch Distinguished Professor of Theology, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

"Dr. Horton has produced a remarkable work. His approach to systematic theology is fresh and critically needed in our time. Every pilgrim will profit from this work."

- R. C. Sproul, Chairman and President, Ligonier Ministries

The Supreme Court, Roe v. Wade, and Abortion Law

Tomorrow is the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

To understand the ruling and subsequent decisions in detail, there is probably no better resource than Francis Beckwith's article, "The Supreme Court, Roe v. Wade, and Abortion Law," Liberty University Law Review 1.1 (2006): 37-72, available online.

Here is the introduction:

It is no exaggeration to say that no U.S. Supreme Court opinion has been more misunderstood and has had its arguments more misrepresented in the public square than Roe v. Wade (1973). There seems to be a widespread perception that Roe was a moderate opinion that does not support abortion on demand, i.e., unrestricted abortion for all nine months for virtually any reason. Even a philosopher of such erudity as Mortimer Adler did not seem to fully understand the legal implications of Roe: "Mr. Justice Blackmun's decision in the case of Roe v. Wade invokes the right of privacy, which is nothing but the freedom of an adult woman to do as she pleases with her own body in the first trimester of pregnancy."

In order to fully grasp the reasoning of Roe, its paucity as a piece of constitutional jurisprudence, and the current state of abortion law, this article looks at three different but interrelated topics: (1) what the Court actually concluded in Roe; (2) the Court's reasoning in Roe; and (3) how subsequent Court opinions, including Casey v. Planned Parenthood, have shaped the jurisprudence of abortion law.

And here is the conclusion:

The Supreme Court currently affirms a woman's right to abortion with virtually no restrictions prior to fetal viability. After viability, it only allows states to make restrictions prior to viability that do not entail an undue burden. However, given the wideness of the Supreme Court's "health exception," a state's ability to restrict post-viability abortions is questionable, especially given the Court's Stenberg opinion and Roe's pre-Casey progeny. Thus, according to the current legal regime in the United States, the unborn is not protected by the U.S. Constitution from death-by-abortion at any stage in her nine-month gestation.

The Elephant Room

The Elephant Room looks like one of the more interesting conferences—if you can call it that—of the year. It's actually a one-day simulcast event that will broadcast live from Chicago to sites across the country from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (CST) on March 31, 2011. James MacDonald and Mark Driscoll are the moderators

Here are some details:

Format



The Elephant Room will feature blunt conversations between seven influential pastors who share a common love for the Gospel but take differing approaches to ministry. No keynotes. No canned messages. These are "the conversations you never thought you'd hear."

Purpose

The purpose of The Elephant Room is to unify the church on essential truths and overcome the polarizing of others that comes from using differing methods. As Proverbs 27:17 instructs us that iron sharpens iron, so we want to sharpen each other for effective ministry. You'll be stretched and challenged in your convictions and gain practical insights from a variety of pastoral perspectives.

You can see all the cities here.

Their site will give you more info.

How to Search for a Pastor

How do you biblically evaluate and call a pastor? Chris Brauns answers that in his new book, When the Word Leads Your Pastoral Search: Biblical Principles and Practices to Guide Your Search (Moody, 2011). If your church is searching for a pastor, this is would be my top recommendation, and it would be wise to have multiple copies on hand.

You can read chapter 5 online here.

Here's a description:

At any given time there are thousands of churches seeking a lead pastor. While a great resume, a friendly smile and a memorable sermon will convince many, what should local congregations focus on to find a new shepherd? Chris Brauns believes to find a great preacher the search must focus on God's Word and how the candidate relates to it and preaches from it.

This book is a must have resource for search committees and church leaders addressing the needs of churches in the transition of pastoral leadership. It assists by approaching their responsibilities in a biblical way and providing critical help in key practical matters. From the initial formation of a search committee to the final terms of agreement with the new pastor, Brauns shows you how to "major on the majors" and away from subjective approaches of evaluating candidates and their sermons. Great also for pastors or pastoral students to know how to prepare, the book includes such practical tools as interview questions for candidates and the top mistakes search committees make.

Here are a couple of the blurbs:

"The next time someone asks me for advice on conducting a pastoral search process I will tell him to read this book. This isn't the only book you should read prior to launching your search, but it is the first. This book is practical, theological, biblical, and wise.And when a pertinent topic isn't covered, Chris Brauns points you to the right resources. There are few decisions more crucial for a church than picking the right pastor. You owe it to yourself to read this book. It will help churches and pastors avoid lots of common mistakes."

—Kevin DeYoung, Senior Pastor, University Reformed Church (East Lansing,MI)

"In the normal course of events, the search for a pastor should not be a regular event in the life of a congregation. When a church needs to find a pastor, therefore, many have little guidance as to how to go about the process. Chris Brauns's book is the only resource of its kind that I have ever seen. If your church is searching for a pastor, or if you are a pastor seeking to equip your congregation to follow biblical guidelines when that day does come, I highly recommend this thoughtful, practical, biblical work to you."

—Russell D. Moore, Dean, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

You can find more information and resources at the book's site.

Randy Alcorn to Pastors about Abortion

Randy Alcorn:

If you lack the conviction or the courage to stand up and say to your church, who you are accountable to lead, "It is wrong to kill unborn babies, God hates it and God will judge it," then you should not be a pastor. If you don't have the guts to say "These are children—we must stop killing them" then you need to do something that doesn't even pretend to take on a biblical and prophetic mantle.

You can read the rest here.

A Conversation with Tim Keller

If you ever wanted to eavesdrop on an hour and a half conversation with Tim Keller in his living room, look no further. Here's a great conversation with DG Executive Director Scott Anderson where Keller talks about his upbringing, conversion, shaping of his understanding of the gospel, influences, marriage, and his new book Generous Justice. I think it's well worth the time.

Abortion Is About God: Piper's Passionate, Prophetic Pro-Life Preaching

Given Sanctity of Life Sunday this weekend, Crossway kindly gave me permission to post online a PDF of my chapter, "Abortion Is About God: Piper's Passionate, Prophetic Pro-Life Preaching" (in , ed. Sam Storms and Justin Taylor [Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010], 328-350).

Here are the opening paragraphs:

Evangelicalism—in the Reformed camp or elsewhere—is not exactly overflowing with models of how to preach exegetically faithful, powerfully prophetic, culture-engaging, hope-giving, gospel-centered sermons on the politically charged and personally painful topic of abortion. But for the past twenty years John Piper has been doing just that. In this chapter I want to survey Piper's sermons and writings on abortion as an encouragement and a model for preachers—and all believers—to honor God and defend the defenseless by proclaiming God's Word and engaging the world on the issue of abortion.

In order to let Piper speak as much as possible, I'll quote and paraphrase him extensively in what follows. I begin with a bit of biographical overview, sketching Piper's development as a pro-life pastor. I'll then attempt to summarize the main exegetical arguments in his pro-life sermons, since expositional preaching on abortion is a challenge. Finally, I will suggest some application lessons that pastors can learn from Piper's pro-life preaching.

You can read or listen to all of these original sermons here.

Abortion/Infanticide Doctor Charged with Multiple Counts of Murder

God, help us.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A doctor who provided abortions for minorities, immigrants and poor women in a "house of horrors" clinic has been charged with eight counts of murder in the deaths of a patient and seven babies who were born alive and then killed with scissors, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Dr. Kermit Gosnell, 69, made millions of dollars over 30 years, performing as many illegal, late-term abortions as he could, prosecutors said. State regulators ignored complaints about him and failed to inspect his clinic since 1993, but no charges were warranted against them given time limits and existing law, District Attorney Seth Williams said. Nine of Gosnell's employees also were charged.

Gosnell "induced labor, forced the live birth of viable babies in the sixth, seventh, eighth month of pregnancy and then killed those babies by cutting into the back of the neck with scissors and severing their spinal cord," Williams said.

Patients were subjected to squalid and barbaric conditions at Gosnell's Women's Medical Society, where Gosnell performed dozens of abortions a day, prosecutors said. He mostly worked overnight hours after his untrained staff administered drugs to induce labor during the day, they said.

Early last year, authorities went to investigate drug-related complaints at the clinic and stumbled on what Williams called a "house of horrors."

Bags and bottles holding aborted fetuses "were scattered throughout the building," Williams said. "There were jars, lining shelves, with severed feet that he kept for no medical purpose." More . . .