Justin Taylor's Blog, page 371

An Interview with Bruce Winter

Mark Dever interviews New Testament scholar Bruce Winter on "cultural contextualization in ministry, the importance of historical background for interpreting Scripture, and bad contemporary ideas of leadership."

The Respectable Sin of Judgmentalism

Jerry Bridges, from his book Respectable Sins:

The sin of judgmentalism is one of the most subtle of our "respectable" sins because it is often practiced under the guise of being zealous for what is right. It's obvious that within our conservative evangelical circles there are myriads of opinions on everything from theology to conduct to lifestyle and politics. Not only are there multiple opinions but we usually assume our opinion is correct. That's where our trouble with judgmentalism begins. We equate our opinions with truth. (p. 141)

Bridges gives three examples of his own judgmentalism in the past—on what Christians wear to church, what music is sung in church, and Christians drinking alcohol.

Andy Naselli has provided a very helpful summary of this chapter with numerous quotes.

Bible-Oriented Small Groups

Kent Hughes has high praise for a new book on leading small groups, Iron Sharpens Iron: Leading Bible-Oriented Small Groups that Thrive:

"Orlando Saer's Iron Sharpens Iron may well become the "Bible" for small group studies—as the author's six finely wrought chapters cover virtually everything essential to initiating and maintaining healthy small group Bible studies. There is nothing arm-chair here. No bromides. Saer writes from ground-level, providing us with hard-won advice that is unexceptionably biblical, intensely practical and ever-so-wise. One could wish nothing better for small group ministries than that well-worn copies of this superb book were in the hands of all who aspire to lead. It is terrific, truly the best book of its kind I have read."

—R. Kent Hughes, Senior Pastor Emeritus, College Church, Wheaton, Illinois

You can read the first two chapters online for free.

The Psalms as Christian Worship

This looks like a unique and helpful commentary: The Psalms as Christian Worship: A Historical Commentary, by Bruce Waltke and James Houston.

This unique collaboration by two esteemed evangelical scholars blends a verse-by-verse exposition of selected psalms with a history of their interpretation in the church from the time of the apostles to the present.

Bruce Waltke, who has been teaching and preaching the book of Psalms for over fifty years, skillfully establishes the meaning of the Hebrew text through the careful sort of exegesis that he is especially known for. James Houston traces the church's interpretation and use of these psalms throughout the history of Christianity; as part of his historical approach, he has commissioned fresh translations of numerous Latin and Middle English texts.

A masterly "devotional commentary," Waltke and Houston's Psalms will serve to enrich the lives of contemporary Christians and to deepen the church's corporate worship. Displaying their respective strengths throughout these pages, Waltke and Houston bring together the two voices of the Holy Spirit—heard infallibly in Scripture and edifyingly in the church's response—in a rare and illuminating combination.

Homeless Guy with a Radio Voice

Here's a video making the rounds:

And now it looks like the Cleveland Cavaliers and NFL Films are going to give him a shot.

From his interview with the Associated Press: "God gave me a million-dollar voice and I just hope I can do right by him. . . . I prayed that [my 90-year-old mother] would live long enough that I could make her proud and see could her son do something other than stand along the side of the road with a sign asking for money. . . . I just hope everyone will pray for me." Let's pray that this second chance would end in a Godward way.

Update: Denny Burk posts a Today Show interview.

How Important Is the Bible?

John Piper suggests five questions you can ask of anything to determine its importance:

What would happen if it did not exist?
What would you give to have it or keep it?
What does it make possible?
How does it weather critics and detractors?
How much effort should be given to spread it and preserve it?

In the video below he answers these questions about the Bible at a breakfast gathering at Lausanne:

Dempster Review of Hamilton's God's Glory in Salvation through Judgment

Stephen Demster (himself a gifted biblical theologian; see Dominion and Dynasty: A Study in Old Testament Theology) reviews James Hamilton's God's Glory in Salvation through Judgment: A Biblical Theology. Here's the opening:

When Don Quixote embarked on his quest for the impossible, it was a humorous and tragic adventure. He tilted at windmills which he thought were giants. He looked at peasant girls and saw noble ladies. And he thought an old dilapidated tavern was a castle. Obviously, Quixote was carrying "a few bricks short of a load."

Some might think that James Hamilton Jr. follows in the footsteps of the knight-errant from La Mancha. In his book God's Glory in Salvation through Judgment, Hamilton sets out in pursuit of the holy grail of biblical theology—the elusive centre, the main point of the Bible. This theologian-errant is not deterred by the countless attempts before him, nor by the admonitions of contemporary scholars to give up such a quixotic quest.

As a biblical theologian, Hamilton comes with good background knowledge, which is evident throughout his 600 plus page volume. It is also abundantly evident that he is not a few bricks short of a load. Over the last few years he has been distinguishing himself with publications in the area of biblical theological themes. This book is in fact a sort of culmination of his studies to date.

What makes Hamilton's attempt at writing such a biblical theology impressive is the vast amount of knowledge required. In an age of increasing specialization, the academy boasts not just Old and New Testament scholars, but Torah scholars, Wisdom Literature scholars, Chronicles scholars, Johannine scholars, and so on. Very few feel up to the task of treating the entire Bible as their specialty. In this day and age the task is downright daunting.

Read the whole thing here.

David Wells and Os Guinness: "Globalization: Impact and Reflections"

At Lausanne 2010 David Wells addressed the impact of technology, religious difference, cultural diversity and consumerism on discipleship; Os Guinness concluded with reflections on globalization and mission. About 25 minutes:

Ed Welch: "Can My Body Make Me Sin?"

Ask R.C. Sproul

Here is a 45-minute video of R.C. Sproul answering submitted questions.

He answers questions like why Arminianism is so prevalent in evangelicalism, whether there are two wills in God, whether the Second Commandment prohibits pictures of Jesus, when it's appropriate to leave a church—as well as deeper mysteries like why Sproul's favorite food is deep-fried frog legs!