Monthly Archives: January 2011
Michael Horton: Pastors Need Good Theology
Part 1 of an interview with Michael Horton is posted over on CBD’s Academic Blog. There’s a great question in the interview for anyone in ministry, but especially pastors:
Q: If there was one thing you could say to pastors about the need for good theology, what would it be?
Michael Horton: We’re soul doctors. Not only do medical doctors dedicate years to formal instruction, they are regularly engaged in seminars, conferences, and training programs for continuing education. We all want doctors who not only have good bedside manner and can manage a staff; we look for expertise in the healing field.
Similarly, bad theology can be deadly. According to the latest Pew study, evangelical Christians trailed atheists and Mormons in understanding basics of the Bible and Christian doctrine as well as other religions. Something is wrong, and part of that is the false choice that many assume when it comes to doctrine and life, creeds and deeds, knowing and doing.
Links Worth Clicking: The QR code book and more
A Brazillian e-bookstore published a book entirely of QR codes. They describe their book as a “living book,” a descriptor I’ve heard used for Scripture before. It’s a really interesting idea…
Books and Culture has an interesting, free podcast you might like. I discovered it while searching for their sement on Michael Horton’s The Christian Faith.
John Sowers (Fatherless Generation) did some Q&A for Christianity Today on Fatherlessness: “Filling the Dad Gap.”
If you were part of our Turning Controversy into Church Ministry Blog Tour you might be interested in author Bill Campbell’s radio interviews and his other blog tour.
And Scripture Zealot posted some thought-provoking quotes on originality online.
Your Church and Facebook
Recently, Pope Benedict the XVI gace his official blessing for the Catholic Church to be on social networks (here’s the article that linked me to it). Admittedly, this blessing seems to come a little late (i.e. isn’t everyone already on?) but I appreciate the thoughtfulness behind the blessing. I appreciate the careful consideration of technologies pros and cons. Here’s a paragraph that stood out to me:
The new technologies allow people to meet each other beyond the confines of space and of their own culture, creating in this way an entirely new world of potential friendships. This is a great opportunity, but it also requires greater attention to and awareness of possible risks. Who is my “neighbour” in this new world? Does the danger exist that we may be less present to those whom we encounter in our everyday life? Is there is a risk of being more distracted because our attention is fragmented and absorbed in a world “other” than the one in which we live? Do we have time to reflect critically on our choices and to foster human relationships which are truly deep and lasting? It is important always to remember that virtual contact cannot and must not take the place of direct human contact with people at every level of our lives. (emphasis mine)
Have you heard of the Ehrman Project?
I found out about this project via Louis McBride’s Church Connection blog (thanks, Louis!). Has anyone in your church raised questions about the reliability of the Bible because of Bart Ehrman’s famous books? This site would be a great place to send them. Such credible scholars as D.A. Carson, Darrell Bock, and others provide video and PDF responses to many of Ehrman’s claims. You can search by topic or by book. It’s really an excellent resource. (Great job Miles O’Neill!) I’ve included the intro video and a video from D.A. Carson on inerrancy below. Check out the rest at www.EhrmanProject.com
Washed and Waiting Blog Tour sign up
Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality is Wesley Hill’s debut book and it’s a powerful one at that. Here’s a brief descriptor:
In Washed and Waiting, Wesley Hill writes for gay Christians and those who love them. Part-memoir, part theological reflection, Hill shares the struggles that gay Christians face as they seek to live faithful to God’s “no” to homosexuality.
Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality
If you google “Washed and Waiting” you might find reviews of Washed and Waiting in Relevant, The Harvard Ichthus, Between Two Worlds, Challies.com, plenty on Goodreads and Amazon, and Wesley’s guest post for EngagingChurch.
I encourage you to read those reviews and then sign up for our blog tour [Sorry! This blog tour sign up is now closed]. It’s clear that homosexuality will be a critical topic to the post-modern generation. Our culture seems to be (generally speaking) in the midst of a shift of beliefs and practices regarding homosexuality.
This book – perhaps more than any other available right now – can give Christians an incredible inside look at what it’s like to be a follower of Jesus that struggles with same-sex attraction. Pastors and church leaders simply can’t miss it. You will be able to understand, and minister to, homosexuals better.
Our blog tour wll be the week of February 21-25. You agree to post your review on your blog and on Amazon (or a similar site) and we’ll send you the book for free.
The Leadership Network Innovation Series
Most of you are likely familiar with the LNIS series. But just in case you’re not, check out this video (and/or www.innovationseries.net).
This Week: “To Transform a City” Blog Tour
The To Transform a City Blog Tour starts today! All week long (Jan. 10-14) bloggers will be discussing Eric Swanson’s and Sam Williams’ new book, To Transform a City: Whole Church, Whole Gosple, Whole City.
I’ll be keeping a list of all the blog links here. Be sure to join the discussion as we wrestle with questions like: How does the ministry of a local church change within this new reality? How does it stay the same? How can we lead others to be externally-focused Christians? To proclaim the good news and transform their communities – within the city? What is the emerging story of what God wants to do in the cities of the world?
Also this week the book will be available for 50% OFF with Free Shipping at www.Zondervan.com The offer is good only January 10-14. Use this discount code 370032.
The Squirrel Factor
Borrowed Light
Harmony Church
The Assembling of the Church and also Saved Through Faith
Encourage
J. Gordon Duncan
BLESSrev
Are We There Yet?
Ponderings by Andrea
Examiner.com
Mark Howell Live
In Defense of Orthodoxy
Locker Room of Life
DashHouse.com
Can’t. Catch. My. Breath.
Your Daily Strength
Sam & Ashley Sutter
