Taking a break from the blogosphere

I don’t know if you have noticed yet but I have missed a couple of days of posts. I will actually be taking a brief hiatus from blogging. With the wedding coming up and the transition back to Louisville Jess and I have been and will continue to be relatively busy. I also want to spend as much time as I can in communion with the Lord before the big day away from the internet. The temptation to post can be overwhelming sometimes. On a side note I do plan to post pictures of our wedding as well as write about my experience that day.

A huge thanks to all you faithful visitors! It encourages me greatly that you are utilizing the resources I have linked. I will be back soon with updates to the blog as well as some new resources so please stay tuned.

Blessings,
Jonathan

Johnny Hunt elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention

Johnny Hunt has won the SBC presidency by a relatively large percentage winning 52.95 percent over the other five candidates in Indianapolis.  Johnny Hunt is senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Woodstock, GA.  Please pray for wisdom and discernment for Johnny Hunt as he begins to lead the SBC.

• Johnny Hunt: 3,100 votes (52.94%)
• Frank Cox: 1,286 votes (21.96%)
• Avery Willis: 962 votes (16.43%)
• Bill Wagner: 255 votes (4.35%)
• Les Puryear: 188 votes (3.21%)
• Wiley Drake: 45 votes (0.77%)

Baptist Press: Hunt elected president on first ballot

Christianity Today: Johnny Hunt Wins SBC Presidency

C.O.P.S

Just a little advice for anyone planning to do any street or door to door evangelism in your local ghetto or hood. Leave this shirt at home.

(HT: Purgatorio)

Should I go to Seminary?

Dan Phillips writes on whether or not seminary is a necessity drawing from both conviction and experience.  Click here to check it out.

Peter Gentry on the Septuagint

Justin Taylor interviewed Dr. Peter Gentry of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary on the Septuagint.  Dr. Gentry is an unusually gifted scholar when it comes to ancient languages and writings.  Click here for the interview.

Should it bother evangelicals who believe in the inerrancy of Scripture that the NT writers sometimes quote the LXX where it differs from the Masoretic text?

The NT writers sometimes took the Septuagint wording and applied it to a new circumstance (e.g., Acts 14:11 borrowed words from Ps. 118:22; 2 Cor. 6:18a borrowed words from 2 Sam. 7:14 and other texts). At other times the NT writers corrected the Septuagint reading in order to bring it into greater conformity to the Hebrew texts (e.g., see the use of Isa. 28:11–12 in 1 Cor. 14:21, or the use of Isa. 63:10 in Eph. 4:30). The use of the Septuagint doesn’t imply that the NT writers thought that the original Hebrew was mistaken; rather, it means that they affirmed the truthfulness of that which they were quoting or adapting in their own writing.

Why is it important to study the Septuagint?

Several reasons make study of the Septuagint important: (1) It provides extremely early textual testimony to the Hebrew Scriptures; (2) it provides us with an extremely early understanding of Hebrew grammar and word meanings otherwise unknown to us; (3) it essentially provides for us the earliest commentary on the Hebrew text (since all translation involves interpretation); (4) it serves as a key witness to the thought and worldview of Second Temple Judaism (c. 450 b.c.–a.d.70), since it was produced in the intertestamental period; (5) it is the key to understanding the Greek of the NT, since it was used so often by the apostles and by the early church; (6) it can shed light on translation debates today.

Big Ups to Nadal!

My favorite tennis player and probably the greatest in history some would say has once again been denied the 2008 French Open Championship.  The only grand slam that he has yet to win with Rafael Nadal standing in his way.  Congratulations to Nadal for another great accomplishment! Below is a picture of Roger Federer during his match with Nadal.

Phil Ryken on the ESV Study Bible

Phil Ryken:

Over the past week I have had the opportunity to review advance proofs of the ESV Study Bible that is planned for publication in October of 2008. Although I have not participated in this project, I have watched it unfold with great interest and anticipation. From what I have seen so far, I believe it will be the world’s best complete single-volume resource for reading, studying, and teaching the Bible.

Read the whole post.

Num-Nut?

That dude Kobe is crazy!

(HT: The Blazing Center)

Hybels on “misinformation” regarding the REVEAL survey

Out of Ur:

In a video released on June 5, Bill Hybels discusses the “unfortunate” reporting that has revolved around Willow Creek’s REVEAL survey. The video refers to a recent Christianity Today article and Out of Ur posts as examples of “misinformation.” You can watch Hybels’ full interview with Jim Mellado, the president of the Willow Creek Association, here.

After watching the video you may want to read the articles in question and post your feedback:

Willow Creek Repents?: Why the most influential church in America now says “We made a mistake.”

Willow Implements REVEAL
Greg Hawkins tells about the big changes Willow Creek is making.

Willow Creek’s ‘Huge Shift’
Influential megachurch moves away from seeker-sensitive services.

(HT: Z)

hur-muh-noo-tiks 101

The task of interpretation is a vital discipline in the Christian walk for through it we develop our paradigm for the Christian life. We come to know our Lord and Savior more accurately and might I say more intimately through right interpretation.

The New Attitude blog has posted a one page guide to help you improve on the task of interpreting Scripture also known as hermeneutics. A must resource for anyone thirsty to see God as revealed in Scripture. Print this off and pass it to your loved ones, friends, those in church. Fold it and slip it in your Bible. You will benefit much by asking yourself these seven simple questions during your reading of Scripture. I have copied and pasted the sheet on this post but you can get the PDF by click here .

NA Blog:

Hermeneutics (hur-muh-noo-tiks) n. [Grk.]: the craft of interpreting Scripture

7 Questions to Ask Every Passage*

Who is the author and who is his audience?

Why is the author writing and what is his burden for his audience?

How does this verse connect to the rest of the chapter and the book the whole storyline of the Bible?

What does the language of the passage highlight and draw attention to? (e.g., parallels, word pictures, specific details, repetitive words/phrases)

What does this reveal about the nature of God and the nature of mankind?

How does this passage reveal our need for a Savior and Godʼs disposition to provide a Savior?

What response or action does this passage call for?

A Starter Bibliography: For Further Study

• Knowing Scripture by R.C. Sproul: Short and sweet. Start here.
• The Message of the Old Testament & The Message of the New
• Testament by Mark Dever: One chapter for each book of the Bible.
• Godʼs Big Picture by Vaughn Roberts: A helpful introduction to storyline of the Bible.
• The ESV Study Bible: Our favorite study Bible (or it will be when it
• releases this fall).
• Your Pastorʼs Sermonʼs: Every week your pastor helps you interpret
• Scripture and apply it. Listen closely.

Steve Lawson and John MacArthur on Expository Preaching

John MacArthur and Steve Lawson (host) recently held a conference at Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in October of 2007 on expository preaching.  Those wanting to know the benefits and arguments for expository preaching will be blessed by these sessions.

• Session 1: The Invincible Weapon Dr. Steven J. Lawson (Hebrews 4:12-13)
• Session 2: What is Expository Preaching? Dr. Steven J. Lawson
• Session 3: Why I Am Committed to Expository Preaching I Dr. John MacArthur
• Session 4: Why I Am Committed to Expository Preaching II Dr. John MacArthur
• Session 5: Expositors Conference Question and Answer Session
• Session 6: The Ten How To’s of Expository Preaching Dr. Steven J. Lawson
• Session 7: Famine in the Land Dr. Steven J. Lawson (Amos 8:11)

(HT: P&P)

John Owen Conference

Phil Gons hooks us up with some information on the upcoming John Owen conference at Westminster College in Cambridge.  The conference will be from August 19-22.  Below is a list of the speakers.  Speakers are limited to 25 minutes each with room for questions.

• Willem van Asselt, Utrecht University, Holland
• Stephen R Holmes, St Mary’s College, University of St Andrews, UK
• Michael S Horton, Westminster Seminary, California, USA
• George Hunsinger, Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey, USA
• Kelly Kapic, Covenant College, Georgia, USA
• Suzanne MacDonald, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, USA
• Sebastian Rehnman, Johannelunds Theological Seminary, Sweden
• Alan Spence, United Reformed Church, London, UK
• Carl Trueman, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, USA

(HT: JT)

“Understanding how metrosexual your worship leader is”

For a handy guide on how “metrosexual” your worship leader is click here.

(***UPDATE*** click here for the score sheet)

Book Alert on Baptism! “The Baptist of Disciples Alone” by Fred Malone

Tom Ascol reports:

Fred Malone has written what Al Mohler calls “one of the most important books on baptism to appear in at least the last two hundred years.” After going out of print last year, that book, The Baptism of Disciples Alone, is now available again in a revised and expanded edition.

Founders Press is offering an incredible pre-publication deal on this new edition for a limited time. Until June 20, 2008, this 319 page hardback book (that retails for $29.95) can be purchased for $15.95. This is an internet only special and orders must be placed via the Founders Bookstore.

GodBlog Conference 2008

This looks to be an interesting conference. Desiring God and Stand to Reason are just a couple of the ministries sponsoring the event. Click here for the list of speakers. Click here to be directed to the site.

Below is a short news report from the GodBlog site on the influence of blogging. Interesting…

The Folly of Hoarding

(HT: DG Blog)

How Honest are Conservatives and Liberals?

WorldMagblog:

Peter Schweizer, writing at Examiner.com, looked at various research studies on honesty and discovered the following:

• 57 percent of those who call themselves “very liberal” said it was OK to cheat on your taxes compared to just 20 percent of those labeling themselves as “very conservative” (World Values Survey).
• Consider the following: “You lose your job. Your friend’s company is looking for someone to do temporary work. They are willing to pay the person in cash to avoid taxes and allow the person to still collect unemployment. What would you do?” Forty-nine percent of liberals would go along with the scheme, while only 21 percent of conservatives said they would agree to it (National Cultural Values Survey).
• Liberals were two and a half times more likely to say they illegally download music on the Internet (Barna Research).
• College students who lean toward “conservatism” have “higher levels of ethical values” (Journal of Business Ethics).
• There’s a link between “political liberalism” and “lying in your own self-interest” (Journal of Psychology).

Peter Schweizer writes:

The honesty gap is also not a result of “bad people” becoming liberals and “good people” becoming conservatives. In my mind, a more likely explanation is bad ideas. Modern liberalism is infused with idea that truth is relative. Surveys consistently show this. And if truth is relative, it also must follow that honesty is subjective.

Sixties organizer Saul Alinsky, who both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton say inspired and influenced them, once said the effective political advocate “doesn’t have a fixed truth; truth to him is relative and changing, everything to him is relative and changing. He is a political relativist.”

During this political season, honesty is often in short supply. But at least we can improve things by accepting the idea that truth and honesty exist. As the late scholar Sidney Hook put it, “the easiest rationalization for the refusal to seek the truth is the denial that truth exists.”

Helpful Advice on “Note-Keeping and Organization”

Derek Brown a fellow student at Southern has posted some helpful advice on storing up resources to increase your knowledge. You can guarantee that I will be applying much of this into my study.

“Note-Keeping and Organization” (Part 1) (Part 2)

Brown writes:

Much of our labor as pastors, teachers, and professors will be the gathering and distribution of useful knowledge. Anticipating this to be the case, I have found it helpful to begin to learn how to store up that knowledge now, so that I can use it later in the ministry. In the next post, I would like to suggest a few ways in which I take, store, and retrieve notes. I have written on this previously, but this next article will deal in more depth with the whole of my method of note-keeping, not just with the note-card system. The approach I use now is basically a combination of several methods I have distilled into a note-keeping and retrieval process that has proved to be both simple and effective. I hope it will be a benefit to you.

What Makes a Doctrine Essential? 3 Criteria

Michael Patton has listed three criteria that determine whether or not a doctrine is essential or not.  A question I’m sure most of us has asked ourselves in the promotion of unity.  He concludes that all three below are needed for a doctrine to be considered essential.  Click here to read what he says about each.

Patton:

Included in this credo is the belief that there are certain doctrines that are “non-essential” or non-cardinal. These are those that, while important to varying degrees, are not damnable in the proper sense. About these doctrines there can be legitimate disagreement within Christianity. We are to have liberty with regard to such doctrines. This means that we are not to properly or formally divide over them. We are to have grace.

This all sounds really nice. I have heard this touted from the Evangelical mountain-tops for quite some time. The difficulty always comes when we begin to discuss one key question: What are the essentials? Who decides? The Pope? Your local church pastor? The SBC? My private interpretation of the Scripture? Alas, with such a question, the divisions start all over.

In essentials, unity. Sounds nice, but impractical. Right?

3 Criteria

1. Historicity: Does the doctrine have universal historical representation?

2. Clarity (Perspicuity): Is the doctrine represented clearly in Scripture?

3. Explicity: Does the passage of Scripture explicitly teach that a certain doctrine is essential?

Defining the Gospel

There has been a lot of talk on what constitutes the Gospel since Mark Dever gave his sermon entitled “Improving the Gospel: Exercises in Unbiblical Theology ” at the Together for the Gospel conference this year. Questions have arose such as: How do you distinguish the Gospel from its implications? Are implications part of the Gospel?

The 9Marks blog has been posting some interesting discussion lately on this issue. Check out the comments sections as well. Below are links to some of the posts in chronological order.

The Gospel? – Mark Dever

Improving the Gospel (1-5): CRY #1 – “MAKE THE GOSPEL PUBLIC” – Mark Dever

Re. Dever’s Cry #1 – Jonathan Leeman

On the meaning of “gospel” (RE: Cry 1) – Greg Gilbert

Cry #2 – “Make the Gospel Larger!” – Mark Dever

“What is the Gospel?” he asked. – Greg Gilbert

Below is a quote from Greg Gilbert’s latest post:

3. What’s an example of a non-essential implication of the Gospel?

If by “essential” you mean “of the essence of the Gospel itself,” then I’d say: Defining things as I have above, no implication of the Gospel is of the Gospel’s essence. In other words, if it’s an implication of the Gospel, it’s not part of the Gospel, however immediately it may flow from it.

But if by “essential”—or “non-essential,” as it is—you mean “things we can take or leave, do or not do,” then I’d say this: There are many things which are held out by the inspired New Testament itself as necessary implications of the Gospel, things like love, purity, holiness, etc. Those we have to do. If we believe the Gospel, we will do them. And because they are demanded of us by Scripture, we are under obligation to them. They are essential, meaning necessary, for us as Christians.

But there are other things that are often held out by people as unquestionable implications of the Gospel that really are not. Forgiving third-world debt comes to mind. And you could list more. These are the kinds of things where Christians can have some good conversations: Do you think forgiving third-world debt is something we ought to do in light of the Gospel? What about cleaning up parks? What about adopting schools? Have those arguments. But don’t make the mistake of saying that forgiving debt or cleaning up parks is the Gospel. It’s not; it’s not even an implication of the Gospel explicitly commanded in Scripture; it’s just a thing about which we can argue and discuss whether or not it might be an implication of the Gospel.

Worlds most Ginormous Bookstore

(HT: Shepherds Scrapbook)

Advice for Newlyweds: “Pause”

Molly Routon, Director of Global Education Partnerships for Peacemaker Ministries has posted some needed practical advice at least for my relationship.  Oh only if we were more aware of how impatient we were.

Routon writes:

I had a great conversation today with Greg, whose office is next to mine.  He was talking about advice for marriage and said that the biggest piece of advice he gives to newlyweds is “Patience.”  He said, “You should have the word ‘Patience’ plastered all over your house.  That’s one of the key things that will help keep the pickle jar being on the top shelf in the fridge instead of in the door from becoming a big deal.”

Kind of gives another useful angle to the “Pause Principle,” huh?  Forget trying to remember all the words of the acronym.  Just pause! (As an aside, I think this fruit of the Spirit is closely linked to “Getting the Log Out” and “Overlook” on the Slippery Slope.)

Greg’s point is that having a little patience – recognizing that we are often wired to react to everything right away, but that a few moments of contemplating if it’s worth getting so worked up about – can resolve a lot of conflicts before they even start.  In fact, here was his precise comment: “You can really reduce the number of conflicts in your marriage if you’re not in the full-time business of starting them.”

A Remedy for Complaining (12 points)

Steve Camp has posted some helpful reminders from Bill Izard for complainers, which includes pretty much everyone including myself as the worst of course. Read these in light of God’s grace and mercy in your life.

Bill Izard:

1. GOD COMMANDS ME NEVER TO COMPLAIN.
Do all things without complaining and disputing. Philippians 2:14(NAS)

2. GOD COMMANDS ME TO GIVE THANKS IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE.
In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

3. GOD COMMANDS ME TO REJOICE ALWAYS, AND ESPECIALLY IN TIMES OF TRIAL.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Phil. 4:4; Rejoice always. 1 Thessalonians 5:16; Count it all joy when you fall into various trials. James 1:2

4. I ALWAYS DESERVE MUCH WORSE THAN WHAT I AM SUFFERING NOW IN FACT, I DESERVE HELL.
Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins? Lamentations 3:39 Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Luke 13:2-3

5. IN LIGHT OF THE ETERNAL HAPPINESS AND GLORY THAT I WILL EXPERIENCE IN HEAVEN, THIS PRESENT TRIAL IS EXTREMELY BRIEF AND INSIGNIFICANT, EVEN IF IT WERE TO LAST A LIFETIME.
The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom. 8:18; For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:19

6. MY SUFFERING IS FAR LESS THAN THAT WHICH CHRIST SUFFERED, AND HE DID NOT COMPLAIN.
Who when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when he suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. 1 Peter 2:23

7. TO COMPLAIN IS TO SAY GOD IS NOT JUST.
Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right? Genesis 18:25

8. FAITH AND PRAYER EXCLUDE COMPLAINING.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered from all my fears. Psalm 34:4

9. THIS DIFFICULTY IS BEING USED BY GOD FOR MY GOOD AND IT IS FOOLISH FOR ME TO COMPLAIN AGAINST IT.
And we know that all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

10. THOSE MORE FAITHFUL THAN I HAVE SUFFERED FAR WORSE THAN I, AND DID SO WITHOUT COMPLAINT.
…and others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. All these, having gained approval through their faith… Hebrews 11:35-39

11. COMPLAINING DENIES THAT GOD’S GRACE IS ENTIRELY SUFFICIENT.
My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

12. THE GREATEST SUFFERING, THE WORST TRIAL OR DIFFICULTY, CAN NEVER ROB ME OF THAT WHICH IS OF GREATEST VALUE TO ME AND MY GREATEST JOY, NAMELY THE LOVE OF CHRIST.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

More Greek Resources…

Denny Burk has pointed out some helpful Greek resources.  I haven’t heard of 2 and 3 but have utilized zhubert.com quite a bit during my Greek courses a couple of years ago and I am incredibly thankful for it.  Especially for someone who doesn’t have access to software like Bibleworks these resources are especially helpful.

Denny Burk:

1. Greek New Testament Website – zhubert.com – Excellent website with a browsable, Web-based interface to the Greek New Testament. Passing the mouse over any word brings up an information box that parses and defines each word of the New Testament. Great tool.
2. Greek New Testament Website – This website provides a browsable, Web-based interface to the Greek New Testament. Click on any word in the text, and the website will parse the word.
3. Greek Fonts – The SP Legacy Fonts, developed by James Adair, are available on the Society of Biblical Literature’s website. At their website, you can download a Greek font (SPIonic) and Hebrew fonts (SPEzra and SPTiberian). The website contains instructions for downloading and installing the fonts. Click here for a keyboard map of the Greek font SPIonic.

10 Recommended History Books by Al Mohler (Part 2)

Check out 6-10 for some interesting Summer reads.

Mohler:

History makes for compelling reading precisely because each reader is building a master narrative of the world. The more history we know and understand, the richer and more interesting that master narrative becomes. The more we know, the more we want to know.

Doctrinal Teaching is Ultimately Practical

Below is a quote by John MacArthur on the importance of doctrinal preaching.  A much needed reminder for today’s contemporary church that doctrine is ultimately practical.

Practical application is vital. I don’t want to minimize its importance. But the distinction between doctrinal and practical truth is artificial; doctrine is practical! In fact, nothing is more practical than sound doctrine.

Too many Christians view doctrine as heady and theoretical. They have dismissed doctrinal passages as unimportant, divisive, threatening, or simply impractical. A best-selling Christian book I just read warns readers to be on guard against preachers whose emphasis is on interpreting Scripture rather than applying it.

Wait a minute. Is that wise counsel? No it is not.

There is no danger of irrelevant doctrine; the real threat is an undoctrinal attempt at relevance. Application not based on solid interpretation has led Christians into all kinds of confusion.

No discipline is more sorely needed in the contemporary church than expositional biblical teaching. Too many have bought the lie that doctrine is something abstract and threatening, unrelated to daily life.

It is in vogue to substitute psychology and spoon-fed application for doctrinal substance, while demeaning theological and expositional ministry.

- Blog excerpt from What Does it Mean “To Me”?  (by John MacArthur)

Piper: 20 Reasons I Don’t Take Potshots at Fundamentalists

Check them out here.

10 Recommended History books by Al Mohler (Part 1)

Looking for some Summer reading.  Al Mohler has listed 10 history books that he has recommended for Summer reading.  Click here to see 1-5 and a brief overview of each one.

A Morning Prayer

Compassionate Lord,

Thy mercies have brought me to the dawn of another day.

Vain will be its gift unless I grow in grace, increase in knowledge, ripen for spiritual harvest.

Let me this day know Thee as Thou art, love Thee supremely, serve Thee wholly, admire Thee fully.

Through grace let my will respond to Thee, knowing that power to obey is not in me, but that Thy free love alone enables me to serve Thee.

Here then is my empty heart, overflow it with Thy choicest gifts;

here is my blind understanding, chase away its mists of ignorance.

O ever watchful Shepherd, lead, guide, tend me this day;

without Thy restraining rod I err and stray.

Hedge up my path lest I wander into unwholesome pleasure, and drink its poisonous streams;

direct my feet that I be not entangled in Satan’s secret snares, nor fall into his hidden traps.

Defend me from assailing foes, from evil circumstances, from myself.

My adversaries are part and parcel of my nature;

they cling to me as my very skin;

I cannot escape their contact.

In my rising up and sitting down they barnacle me;

they entice with constant baits;

my enemy is within the citadel.

Come with almighty power and cast him out, pierce him to death, and abolish in me every particle of carnal life this day.

-Valley of Vision pg.117