I tried to write this piece twice now. I keep deleting it and pretending it isn't on my mind. So instead I'm just going to forgo waxing elegantly.
September Book Review
This was a hectic month with some pretty awesome reading from some excellent publishers. There were multiple kid's books reviewed as well. Those are not included here. I commend to you the book review page. There you will find all kinds of awesome stuff. Enjoy regardless.
Historical Problems & the Problem with History
It's important to understand that the scriptures (specifically the New Testament in this sense) were written in space & time to a certain people in space and time. None of this means that what was written then is no longer applicable to the modern reader, rather, Wright contests that in order to obtain a modern application from the text would depend on obtaining the ancient application. Our approach should not be to divorce the scriptures from the place and time they were written in order to acquire their "higher meaning." Instead we should look to understand exactly what scripture was addressing so that we may see how it does (and does not) apply to us today.
Book Review: Jesus, the Temple and the Coming Son of Man by Robert Stein
Jesus, the Temple and the Coming Son of Man is a focused effort to re-acquaint readers of the Scriptures with the meaning of Christ as recorded by Mark. Stein provides a scholarly, yet condensed, approach that laymen and pastors will find extremely valuable.
The Eyes of Jesus
Perhaps this explains how we can know certain things but not be moved (or broken) until we see. Perhaps this teaches us the importance of seeing in ministry.
Pastors, Food, and Jesus - a Baptist Conference
It was a pastor’s conference - I ought to have been prepared.
Liturgy Series: Part 1 – Apologetics
In the coming weeks I will be taking a look at different liturgical aspects of the historic Christian church. I hope this series will shed light on the different liturgical aspects in the church so that you (the reader) will find your participation in the liturgy of the church more fruitful and engaging.
Book Review: The People, The Land, and the Future of Israel (editors Darrell L. Bock & Mitch Glaser)
Future of Israel is simply a repackaging of old evangelical theology for a generation that has already become disenchanted with these roots. Ryrie’s Dispensationalism Today or scholarly works by Dr. Bock, Dr. Saucy or Dr. Blasing would better serve individual interested in studying the Biblical pro-Israel arguments.
Book Review: The Original Bishops by Alistair C. Stewart
In conclusion, Alistair Stewart does a magnificent job of laying out his case in The Original Bishops. This is a highly technical work and much of it was well past my knowledge or ability to render scholarly judgment.
Till We Have Faces
The beauty of the gospel is that it is the ultimate unveiling. The reality of Jesus pulls back the veil that has hidden the ugliness of humanity's heart. When we are presented with the god-man Jesus Christ we have but two options: 1) the pridefully hang on to the veils that cover our ugliness or 2) allow the spirit of grace to remove the veil, expose our shame, yet cover us and transform us into the beauty of Christ.
Book Review: And So To Bed… A Biblical View of Sleep
Until infants entered the picture, my experience of sleep was one of quickly falling into it, staying there soundly, and waking each morning refreshed. Nursing an infant every two hours will create new sleep and prayer patterns. As Adrian Reynolds discusses in his book, And So To Bed…A Biblical View of Sleep (henceforth “To Bed”), not only is sleep spiritual, it speaks of spiritual realities and can be both hindered/enhanced by spiritual conditions.
Welcome to St. Anne's Manor
My hope is that this blog can encourage its readers to be of a similar type as those who dwelt at St. Anne's Manor in That Hideous Strength: faithfully awaiting the descent of the gods.
Barthian Art for Cash
“Art can be redemptive because of its eyes to see the sorrow of the world and its ears
Book Review: The Home Team by Clint Archer
The Home Team closes strongly, reminding families that the goal of parenting is “to raise children who are independently dependent on Christ” (133). Although covenant orientated families, and churches, will be appreciative of Archer’s insight, they will ultimately be unsatisfied.
Addressing the Amillennial Alternative: Chapters 7-9
We arrive at some of the most important chapters in my eschatological journey. The two whole chapters Storms devotes to the Olivet Discourse are incredibly good.
Book Review: Give Me Children or I Shall Die by Laurel W. Koepf-Taylor
“The necessity of children for communal survival in the ancient world stand in contrast with the compulsory restriction of children’s value to the emotional realm that has come to dominate modern Western culture.” (154)
Book Review: Christian Pipe Smoking An Introduction to Holy Incense by Uri Brito & Joffre Swait
Perhaps some will even "discover that pipe smoking, for all intents and purposes, is a form of prayer" (17).
Only the Trinity Will Work
"Deep Comedy," according to Leithart, is something that can only be achieved in and through the Christian worldview. What is "deep comedy?" it is the world that the Bible says that we inhabit. The Bible, through the communication of the Trinitarian God, teaches that creation (the world we inhabit) need not be a perpetually decaying world.
Road Trip 2014
Road trips are certainly not glamorous. They are not particularly comfortable. Only those stout of heart, quick of clemency, and iron of stomach undertake such travels. Well, those people and then us.
The Irony in Images
The rendered unto Caesar the Image of God, Jesus Christ.