To understand the benefit of sanctification correctly, we must proceed from the idea that Christ is our holiness in the same sense in which he is our righteousness. He is a complete and all-sufficient Savior. He does not accomplish his work halfway but saves us really and completely. He does not rest until, after pronouncing his acquittal in our conscience, he has also imparted full holiness and glory to us. By his righteousness, accordingly, he does not just restore us to the state of the just who will go scot-free in the judgment of God, in order then to leave us to ourselves to reform ourselves after God’s image and to merit eternal life. But Christ has accomplished everything. He bore for us the guilt and punishment of sin, placed himself under the law to secure eternal life for us, and then arose from the grave to communicate himself to us in all his fullness for both our righteousness and sanctification (1 Cor. 1:30). The holiness that must completely become ours therefore fully awaits us in Christ.
Note: Consider supporting this blog by going to Westminster Bookstore or Monergism Books when looking for great deals on Christian books. — Shane Trammel
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Rewards tougher to redeem as airlines fill flights
In February, the average commercial plane in the U.S. flew 76.6% full, the highest percentage for that month since World War II, according to the Transportation Department.
All airline mileage reward programs are not created equal. In fact, finding the right one is more crucial than ever.
For the complete story, see this Los Angeles Times article.
As you may know I suffer from abibliophobia, the fear of running out of good reading material. And of course this means that I love getting new books. Thankfully I have a job, and some associations, that ensure that I get new books on a very regular basis. And in one of those new books—Wise Counsel: John Newton’s Letters to John Ryland Jr.—I came across a letter about receiving new books.
Here’s the background.
In 1779 John Newton published a 3-volume collection of hymns titled Olney Hymns. It contained 348 hymns, including Amazing Grace, and were mostly written by Newton himself (William Cowper pitched in 68). Upon hearing of the book’s release John Ryland Jr., a friend of Newton’s, wanted a set for himself. Ryland wrote Newton to express his anticipation. Newton mailed him a free set. But ahead of the books Newton sent the following letter:
The hymn books will be with you soon, how soon I know not. Your hungry curiosity will not be long in appeasing. When you have read the preface, twirled over the pages, run your eye down the tables of contents, and have the book by you, you will feel much as you do about any other book that has been lying by you seven years. At least I have often found it so (but perhaps your heart is not just like mine). I have longed for a book, counted the hours till it came, anticipated a thousand things about it, flew to it at first sight with eagerness as a hawk at its prey; and in a little time it has been as quiet, as if placed upon the upper shelf in a bookseller’s shop. [Wise Counsel, 127]
Just when one thinks something has been debated ad nauseum we find others take up interest. The New York Times recently ran an article on Dr. Ergun Caner’s disagreement with The Camel Method. This came to their attention through our podcast #21 where Dr. Caner made some bold statements and even had to apologize because his passion over rode his verbal abilities. What is amazing is The Times did not pick up our podcast #24 where Dr. Caner was more explicit about his disagreements with The Camel Method.
The Godly Home by Richard Baxter is being offered at a special launch price (40% of retail at $10.79) for only one week. This offer expires at 3 PM (EST) on Wednesday, February 3rd.
Product Description: In twenty-first century America, at a time when the family structure is crumbling, divorce rates are at an all-time high, and respect for parents is diminishing, The Godly Home serves as a balm for those seeking God’s plan for the family. With an introduction by J. I. Packer, this book includes topics for those passionate about families or those teaching on the characteristics of a godly family. Richard Baxter covers topics such as marriage, children, and family worship methodically and comprehensively through both hypothetical and real-life questions and concerns that arise in family dynamics. He uses arguments, objections, and frequent Scripture to help husbands, wives, and children to live godly lives.
More than three centuries ago, Puritan church leader Baxter compiled a 1,143-page tome entitled Christian Directory, which included a section on family life. The Godly Home is the only stand-alone version of that section of Christian Directory. Editor Randall Pederson has updated the language and syntax to make this seventeenth-century collection of words one that will continue on for generations to come.
Monday June 29th, 2009 was supposed to be a day filled with summer fun. The kids and I were going to the water park to celebrate summer. However, I noticed that a slight tremor in her right hand that she developed over the past 2-3 days had notably worsened. We decided to take her to her Pediatrician, just for safe measure. Her Dr decided to get a CT of Kate’s head, to rule anything out. We proceeded to Phoenix Childrens Hospital for a stat CT of her head. At 5:30 I, Holly, Kate’s mom, was taken into a room alone and told Kate had a massive tumor on the basil ganglia portion of her brain. The world stopped for us that day. I called her dad and through sobs told him to come to the hospital quickly. Our journey had begun. Kate was directly admitted to the PICU. One minute thoughts of the water park the next our child is critically ill in the PICU. We would have never chosen to be a part of this journey with childhood cancer, but it was chosen for us, and our sweet Kate. She is now in the Phoneix Children’s Hospital undergoing treatment for this disease.
Kate underwent a craniotomy with tumor resection on July 3rd, 2009. They unfortunately were only able to remove 50% of the tumor due to it’s location in the left temporal lobe of her brain and the fact that the tumor had wrapped itself around major blood vessels to her brain. Kate experienced right sided paralysis immediately following surgery. She has since regained much of this, however right sided weakness still continues.
After a few days of waiting the pathology report was in, Kate was diagnosed with a very malignant, aggressive brain tumor called a supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor or sPNET. Our hearts were shattered. Dreams for our little 5 year old daughter put on hold to battle this monster. Long term prognosis and outcomes weren’t encouraging so Kate has been put on a study that is showing a little more promising outcomes, hopefully a better chance at survival and less long term side effects. She is currently undergoing the Head Start 3 Study out of Los Angeles but doing it at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. The study involves the initial brain surgery, 5 round of very intense chemotherapy with possibility of a subsequent brain surgery and then another round of chemo with a stem cell transplant. We are hoping to avoid radiation after transplant. Kate is also in physical therapy and occupational therapy and has been released from speech therapy.
We believe strongly in the power of prayer and the ability of Jesus to heal our precious daughter. Whether He does this through modern medicine or simply a divine touch, we aren’t picky. We are asking others to join us on this journey and fervently pray for our Kate. The road is long and unbelievably hard. We have 3 children, all who are intensely affected. Olivia is now 7, Kate is 5 and Will is 4. Please keep all of us in your prayers as we try to walk this journey of childhood cancer. Thank you.
As of September 29th Kate was readmitted to begin her 3rd round of chemo. She will be hospitalized for the entire round.
If you blog and use Twitter, you may want to take a look at twitterfeed.com.
Note: Consider supporting this blog by going to Westminster Bookstore or Monergism Books when looking for great deals on Christian books. — Shane Trammel
Mike Huckabee and Chuck Colson discuss the Manhattan Declaration
To my utter amazement, at around 2 minutes 28 seconds into the video, Huckabee begins to compare the Manhattan Declaration to Martin Luther’s 95 Thesis, placing the two on equal footing with regards to their significance. That is just insane. There is no comparison in my mind. One document, the 95 Thesis, kick started the Reformation, the other, the Manhattan Declaration, will most likely be a footnote in history.
Don’t get me wrong, social justice, the sanctity of life and marriage, etc. all worthy issues for Christians to focus on. It’s the ecumenical nature of the Manhattan Declaration that has me concerned. Read this.
Under the auspices of Highland Theological College, Principal Donald Macleod of the Free Church College delivered the annual John Murray lecture on November 20th. This lecture is well worth hearing, and can be downloaded on the website of Greyfriars Free Church here (MP3). Inverness Greyfriars is the church where Dr Malcolm Maclean (formerly an editor with Christian Focus Publications) has recently been inducted. Follow Dr Maclean’s blog here .
Just in time for Christmas and the New Year, Banner of Truth is now selling a new compilation devotional of Puritan excerpts titled Voices from the Past: Puritan Devotional Readings (cloth, 428 pgs). It looks really good. You can download and preview the first 20 pages here (PDF).
TEN YEARS IN THE MAKING! This work has long been anticipated. Glean from the wisdom and spiritual depth of the Puritans during 2010 through these 365 daily readings.
Over the past fifty years there has been a great resurgence of interest in the writings of the Puritans. The reading of their works has brought great benefit to the people of God in many lands. Christians from many different backgrounds and cultures owe a great debt of gratitude to those faithful pastors and preachers who continue to speak through their writings even though they have long since entered into their heavenly reward. The Puritans really knew how to teach and apply God’s Word in the Spirit’s power!
Dangerous Journey (Hardcover) is the world-famous, much-loved classic Pilgrim’s Progress retold for children. This abridged version uses the original words of John Bunyan as selected by Oliver Hunkin to present a gripping narrative. Filled with intricately detailed illustrations, this handsome, large-format book makes an ideal gift.
John Bunyan could be said to have authored the most influential book in the English language (other than the King James Bible) – The Pilgrim’s Progress. But he has also written another dramatic allegorical novel – The Holy War.
Bunyan’s plan for his readers was for them to experience the struggles of the city of Mansoul as a fierce battle rages to take control of it. However, alongside this knife-edge drama Bunyan wished his readers to understand how the struggles of their souls ran in parallel to the struggles of the wretched inhabitants of that place.
The righteous and honourable ruler Shaddai and his son Immanuel rule Mansoul with justice and equity. But the ruler of darkness – Prince Diabolus – has other plans. With his evil captains and their battalions Diabolus plots the fall and destruction of the once happy city. The first to fall is Captain Resistance as Diabolus knows that there is only one route into the city and that it can only be breached through the permission of the people of Mansoul itself. With Captain Resistance gone the city is laid open to Diabolic lies and the next to fall is Lord Innocency and then the city is lost. So begins a story of treachery and deceit, foolishness and pride, forgiveness and final redemption. In fact this is, as Bunyan intended it, the story of a sinner saved by the grace of God.
In the final edition of his Institutes, Calvin defines prayer as “the communion of men with God by which, having entered the heavenly sanctuary, they appeal to him in person concerning his promises in order to experience … that what they believed was not in vain.” Elsewhere, he writes that prayer is “a communication between God and us whereby we expound to him our desires, our joys, our sighs, in a word, all the thoughts of our hearts.”
Calvin considered prayer to be holy and familiar conversation with God, our heavenly Father; reverently speaking, it is family conversation, or even intimate covenantal conversation, in which the believer confides in God as a child confides in his father. Prayer is “an emotion of the heart within, which is poured out and laid open before God.” In prayer, we both communicate and commune with our Father in heaven, feeling our transparency in His presence. Like Christ in Gethsemane, we cast our “desires, sighs, anxieties, fears, hopes, and joys into the lap of God.” We are “permitted to pour into God’s bosom the difficulties which torment us, in order that He may loosen the knots which we cannot untie.” Prayer is the outpouring of the soul, the deepest root of piety, and the bedrock of assurance. It is the most important part of the Christian life, the lifeblood of every true believer.
Matt was moved out of ICU on Sunday and continues to get plenty of rest as part of his recovery, per doctor’s orders. Please continue to pray for patience during this recovery time and to honor family-only visitation until further notice.
Pathology results of the tumor are due sometime mid-week, and we will keep you notified whenever possible.
If you attended a worship service at The Village this weekend, you saw a brief video with Matt that was taped prior to his surgery. Many were encouraged by it, and you can view it by going to the pastors’ blog on our church Web site.
Dec. 5, 2009 @ 1:57 PM
The doctors have ordered Matt to get as much rest as possible in the next few days. For that reason and because his hospital room cannot accommodate many people, visitation is being limited to family members only until further notice.
Matt will have a CT scan done today as is routine after brain surgery, and he is expected to come out of ICU on Sunday. When praying, pray that the Lord give everyone patience as we navigate through the next few days of recovery.
We promise to update you whenever possible. Thank you for your testimony of prayers and for being the Church.
If you like to save a dollar or two, and download iPhone applications, we have good news. In anticipation of Black Friday, numerous applications have gone from paid, to free.
Black Friday of course the famous day in which retailers attempt to convince shoppers to get up early enough that they spend more money than they had intended strictly on grogginess along.
Appshopper maintains a list of applications that have recently had a price change. As it turns out, there are dozens of applications that have just moved from costing at least a dollar, to no cost at all.
Now, some of these apps will now have some form of advertising, but you cannot beat the price of free. After the jump, a few of the top free applications, and the full list.
WinC went from $2 to free, along with a $10 price drop for Photo Diary. Fun games BomberDove and Cannon Frenzy are now free, each costing$1 before.
For a full list of the applications that are now free, check the full listing here. Happy Black Friday, everyone.
Yesterday (Tue. Nov. 24, 2009) marked the first state dinner of the Obama White House where President Obama played host to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India.
It is reported that Obama and Singh announced a wide range of new agreements in areas such as energy, health care, education, climate change and agriculture. Nonproliferation issues, the war in Afghanistan and counter-terrorism were also topics of discussion.
Obviously missing however are “new agreements” with regards to serious issues in India such as the constant persecution of Christians (see video 1 and video 2), the issue of human rights (the sex trade/slavery, massive child labor industry, the caste system, etc.) and the issue of abject poverty for the majority of those living in India.
Here are some additional topics I hope President Obama and Singh will discuss: (Source) (Source) (Source)
About one-third of the world’s poor people live in India.
More than 450 million Indians exist on less than $1.25 a day, according to the World Bank.
Another 700 million Indians exist on less that $2 a day.
There are over 1.1 billion souls in India most of whom live in abject poverty.
Around 1.2 million children are believed to be involved in prostitution in India.
At least 2.5 million Indians suffer from HIV AIDS.
It is said by many that India’s economy is a “vibrant success story” but the facts above say something altogether different as I see it.
We should also not neglect the reading of Luke 18:7-8.
Publisher’s Description: Before the dawn of time a plan was made… a plan to save and a plan to love, a plan to rescue and a plan to send. One after the other people were sent to be where they were needed to be.
In the distance wise men ride camels through the desert. A star glimmers in the night sky. They have a long way to go and many months of travel ahead of them.
Some shepherds stand guard over their flock of sheep as a young couple struggle the last few miles of a tiring journey desperate for shelter and a place to sleep.
All have been sent to one place for one event that will change the world forever. The one and only saviour of the world will be born that night in a stable, in a little country called Israel in a little town called Bethlehem.
The key part of the plan is a baby and His name will be Jesus for he will save his people from their sins.
In 1517 a monk named Martin Luther, incensed by the recent sale of indulgences in a nearby German town, gave public notice on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg that he wanted to debate what the Catholic Church actually taught about indulgences. These are the now famous 95 Theses.
Bruce A. Ware correctly sums up Calvin’s thoughts on Prayer …
It was surely Calvin’s perspective that prayer … does make a difference to the work of God. While prayer never coerces God to act other than his infinite wisdom has willed, it nevertheless is one important and necessary condition which must be present for certain aspects of God’s work to be carried out. Prayer, then, is not contrary to divine sovereignty but a divinely ordained instrument functioning within the sphere of God’s sovereign wisdom and power in carrying out his will. — Bruce A. Ware, “The Role of Prayer and the Word in the Christian Life according to John Calvin,” Studia Biblica et Theologica 12 (1982): 90.
Note: Consider supporting this blog by going to Westminster Bookstore or Monergism Books when looking for great deals on Christian books. — Shane Trammel
The guys at LifeChurch have been working hard to build an online Bible with tons of interactive features.
You should do yourself a favor and go sign up right now. These guys rock, I love seeing Christians giving away their hard work to help people know and love Jesus more.
I found the following from Earl Creps on “how to read for personal growth” interesting because of the reference to Henri Nouwen.
From an email to a friend, Earl writes (only point 1 discussed here):
1. Read the classics: dial up amazon.com and search for the works of James McGregor Burns, Henri Nouwen, Warren Bennis, etc. While we can debate “what’s a classic?,” books of this sort will get you into the game in a hurry.
I just don’t get the attraction to Henri Nouwen.
Why would any true Christian want to point others to the writings of a heritic? I know that is a strong claim but it’s the truth.
Henri Nouwen, the now deceased Catholic theologian, hardly seems an appropriate spiritual mentor for bible believing Christians.
Consider the following quote from Nouwen:
Today I personally believe that while Jesus came to open the door to God’s house, all human beings can walk through that door, whether they know about Jesus or not. Today I see it as my call to help every person claim his or her own way to God. — From Sabbatical Journey, Henri Nouwen’s last book page 51, 1998 Hardcover Edition
The above quote from Nouwen is in direct contradiction to the biblical record as to how one must be saved (justified). Ephesians 2:4-9 makes it abundantly clear that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. There is only one path to Christ and any message to the contrary is a false gospel.
Galatians 1:6-9 says that the preacher preaching a false gospel is accursed.
RTS has an annual John Reed Miller Lecture Series. In 2005 they hosted Sinclair Ferguson. Dr. Ferguson gave a series of lectures on preaching Christ and preaching the Gospel. The lectures he delivered were:
Derek Thomas preached on the doctrine of Hell at the 2008 GPTS Spring Conference. The theme of the conference was “A Reformed View of the End Times.” You can listen to Dr. Thomas’ message here.
The unalterable character of God’s promise is emphasized for those who love God in Romans 8:28, where Paul promises that “all things work together for good.” Such a promise is negated if believers could actually apostatize. Romans 8:29-30 ground (hoti) the promise in Romans 8:28. The reason all things work together for good is that a chain of events are a reality for those who love God. They are foreknown, predestined, called, justified and glorified (Rom 8:29-30).
Assurance of faith is woven into the Pauline gospel. Those who are justified and reconciled will be spared from God’s wrath on the day of the Lord (Rom 5:9-10). [page 277]
In the Sermon on the Mount, (Matt. 5:1-48; 6:1-34; 7:1-29) we are challenged by Jesus Christ Himself as to what kind of character we should have as Christians. Christ directs us to what should define our outer way of life and our inner habit of mind.
There is no other section of Scripture that brings Christians face to face with their humanity and the grace of salvation as the Sermon does. As Christ masterfully expounds on the Kingdom of Heaven, He presents believers with the perfect standard of the Christian life. He challenges the genuineness of our words and actions, allowing us to know exactly where we stand in relation to the Kingdom. Both humbling and encouraging, it is the greatest message ever preached.
The Sermon on the Mount begins with what is called “The Beatitudes” (Matt. 5:1-12) The Beatitudes give us the character of those who are the true children of God. The first four Beatitudes focus on our relationship to God, and the second four on our relationship to our fellowman.
A discussion on the meaning and applications of the Sermon is inexhaustible. That being said, I would like to discuss a very specific aspect of the Sermon, that being the topic of Mercy (Matt. 5:7). Even more specifically, I would like to discuss the “Ministry of Mercy” carried out in the lives of “Children in Need — the abused and neglected”.
James 1:27 tells us Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Today, approximately 500,000 children in the US are caught up in the court and child welfare maze because they are unable to live safely at home. Imagine you, a Christian, being empowered to minister to these children in need.
The basic idea of the Greek word translated merciful is “to give help to the wretched, to relieve the miserable.” Here the essential thought is that mercy gives attention to those in misery. A synonym for mercy would be compassion. An important distinction is that mercy is not simply feeling compassion. Mercy exists when something is done to alleviate distress. Mercy is compassion in action.
One can only imagine how wretched and miserable a child would be who has and now may be experiencing neglect, verbal abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and seperation from parents.
If you desire to walk out James 1:27 and Matt. 5:7, consider becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate, in doing so you would be empowered to make a lifelong difference in the lives of abused and neglected children. This child advocacy program is not Christian in its founding, but remember, we are to be salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16), in the world, not of the world; a light in a dark place. This program provides Christians a truly unique opportunity to be “Ministers of Mercy”.
Please pray and ask God how you might be involved in life transforming ministry to children in need.
These essays are the most influential in forming the evangelical and Reformed view of Scripture in the twentieth century. They are around 100 years old, but the exegetical arguments still hold up. The book is a formidable work of godly scholarship. It is the starting point for most current discussions of biblical authority and inerrancy. Warfield’s view was not original, though some have claimed that it was. His was the traditional position of orthodox Christianity. But he was creative in his powerful defense of that position.
Herman Bavinck, Reformed Dogmatics, volume one of four, on “Prolegomena.” English translation (Baker, 2003).
Bavinck’s theology is the most important work of Reformed systematic theology in the past century. The section on Scripture is marvelously comprehensive and nuanced. In my judgment, there is no difference between his position and that of Warfield, but his vocabulary and emphasis are different. He and Warfield give us “two witnesses,” coming from different cultures, testifying to the truth of Scripture as God’s word.
Meredith G. Kline, The Structure of Biblical Authority (Eerdmans, 1972).
This is the most important breakthrough in the doctrine of Scripture since Warfield. Shows that Scripture has the character of a written treaty, of which God is the author, and to which believers must be committed without reservation. I have disagreed with Kline on some other matters, but I believe this book contains a powerful argument. Kline shows that the idea of a written, authoritative word of God is essential to God’s plan of redemption.
These are cogent articles by the old (around 1946) Westminster Seminary faculty, dealing with various aspects of biblical authority. I keep coming back especially to John Murray’s “The Attestation of Scripture” and Cornelius Van Til’s “Nature and Scripture.” Murray gives a concise, definitive exposition of Scripture’s self-witness. Van Til shows that both general and special revelation are necessary, authoritative, clear, and sufficient for their respective purposes, and that they stand opposed to the worldviews of non-Christian philosophies.
No question about it, God has blessed me and my wife with three wonderful biological children. I make that distinction because we are in the process of adopting from China. Please pray for us when you think about it.
… Edwards maintains, that fallen man suffers moral inability and there are certain things that he simply cannot do. First, (Edwards explains to the Indians in the latest preaching on this text), [December 1751] men cannot make satisfaction for their sins; only God can do that. Second, men cannot earn a righteousness that makes them acceptable before God; only he can provide that. Third, men cannot change their hearts which, yet, must be changed by God. This alone is enough to demonstrate that Edwards was no incipient Arminian. John Calvin never enunciated the sinner’s moral inability more explicitly and lucidly. The sinner suffers total moral inability to save himself or to cooperate in his regeneration.
Every week, Drew has various publishers pitch him authors to interview on the show. Some he interviews, many he doesn’t. Never before though, has Drew endorsed a book as strongly as this one The Shack. A work of fiction, written by an unknown author & self published. Having only spent a few hundred dollars on marketing, The Shack has sold almost half a million copies in the last 10 months! WHY? Since finding out about The Shack, many of Drew’s friends have gone out and bought entire boxes of the book. This week, the author of this incredibly spiritually healing book joins us LIVE, in studio.
He’s baaaack! This time Paul joins us to share his own personal journey. If you’re not sure what The Shack is all about. A work of fiction, written by an unknown author & self published. Having only spent a few hundred dollars on marketing, The Shack has sold almost half a million copies in the last 10 months! WHY? Since finding out about The Shack, many of Drew’s friends have gone out and bought entire cases of the book.
David Lee of Justice for All tells the story of Emmitt Till and describes the use of graphic abortion images as putting a face on abortion much as the open-casket image of Emmitt Till put a face on Racism.
If college student Caleb Hogan argues what he truly believes, he stands to lose the most important competition of his lifeóand the support of his mother. If he softens his stance, he might win the coveted title…but lose the heart of his teammate Rachel in the process.
Come What May is a vivid reminder that choosing what is right is never easy…but it is always worth the cost.
Jim R. Sibley, director of “The Pasche Institute of Jewish Studies“, brings us the following insightful article on the obstacles to the evangelization of the Jewish people.
Bill and Gloria Gaither will be hosting the 19th annual Family Fest in May and will be featuring The Shack author William Paul Young. The Gaithers have been a popular Christian music team for many years. Lighthouse Trails is sorry to see they will be including The Shack author in this year’s event. The Shack, a fiction story that has been at the top of the New York Times Best Seller List for 41 weeks, is presented as a Christian book but has serious New Age implications including the Black Madonna (goddess) theme.
Note: Consider supporting this blog by going to Westminster Bookstore or Monergism Books when looking for great deals on Christian books. — Shane Trammel
You cannot help but love Conrad Mbewe, who pastors a church in Zambia. Not only does he have a strong South African accent, and a comforting preaching style, he is a good expositor of Scripture and strongly stands for God’s Word.
Also, consider listening to this recent message by Pastor Mbewe.
D. A. Carson at Omaha Bible Church on Making Sense of Suffering.
Dr Carson spoke 3 times on Saturday on the topic of Making Sense of Suffering. The messages were not stand alone but rather they built upon each other. Carson gave us 6 theological pillars for understanding suffering. Carson helped us to see suffering from the view of the beginning (Genesis) and the end (Revelation). He also did not spare a healthy and hearty explanation of how the gospel is at the very heart of understanding suffering. Overall, it was, in my somewhat bias view, one of the best conferences I have been to.
Open Doors believes that every Christian who is persecuted should be remembered and supported by other Christians. One way that you can help is to buy a pair of “Walk in their Shoes” shoelaces.
The funds will go towards financially supporting and raising awareness of the THOUSANDS of ’secret’ persecuted Christians. To visit the Walk in their Shoes website click here.
Welcome to Secret Church. Close the door behind you and step quietly. Here in this secluded place, under cover of night, we join together to study God’s Word, the Bible, and to identify with our brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted even now in countless places around the world.
Right now, more than 200 million Christ-followers around the world are being punished, persecuted–even killed–because of their faith in Jesus Christ. This is not ancient history.
For security reasons and out of respect for our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, we do not use names of specific people on this website when speaking of the persecuted church. Consider, however, persecution of Christians and the state of the Church as it exists in the world today:
In parts of Central Asia where the state religion is mandated, Christians are considered traitors to their country and their families. Family members are beaten, and then thrown out of their house and onto the streets.
In the Middle East and parts of Western Asia and Africa, laws prohibit Christians from evangelizing, and forbid citizens from choosing Christianity over the religion into which they were born. Christians caught sharing God’s Word are chased out of town, beaten, or worse.
In 1960, more than 70 percent of the Church worldwide was still Western (white and middle-class). But indigenous mission movements were beginning to emerge out of indigenous churches. Since the 1980s the non-Western Church has grown at such a rate that the Church worldwide is now more than 70 percent non-Western.
EMILY’s List wins elections. Since our founding, we have helped elect 79 pro-choice Democratic women members of Congress, 15 senators, 9 governors, and hundreds of women to state and local office.
EMILY’s List has also become one of the largest financial resource for minority women seeking federal office. Click here to learn more about our work with women in color seeking office.
“While the media spent much of December and January chattering about the selection of mega-church pastor Rick Warren to deliver the inaugural invocation, Obama was quietly filling his administration with members of the abortion lobby. NARAL’s former legal director, Dawn Johnsen, will serve as assistant attorney general for the Office of Legal Counsel. Secretary of Health and Human Services-designate Tom Daschle, who led the fight in the Senate against the ban on partial-birth abortion, will help devise the health care plan, which Obama promised would cover abortions. Melody Barnes, a onetime Planned Parenthood board member, left her job at the left-wing Center for American Progress to serve as the director of the White House Domestic Policy Council. Ellen Moran left her job as executive director of Emily’s List, a pro-choice political action committee, to head the White House communications team. And just in case pro-choicers still doubted whether they had the president’s ear, Michelle Obama’s chief of staff, Jackie Norris, was once a Planned Parenthood board member too.” — Source
It’s only recently that I have started reading biographies of preachers, theologians, pastors, etc. It has been a great joy to read biographies on Spurgeon, Edwards, Lloyd-Jones, Machen, Owen, Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Bunyan, Brainerd, Wilberforce, Newton, Pink, and now Van Til.
It has been a blessing to gain insight into who these men were and their contribution to the Christian faith. Reading about Cornelius Van Til has been no less insightful and beneficial. Reading the book Cornelius Van Til: Reformed Apologist and Churchman (American Reformed Biographies) has given me a deep appreciation for Van Til’s place in the history of the Christian faith.
“Muether does a masterful job of tracing the personal history of this ‘father of presuppositionalism.’ I could not put this book down.” – K. Scott Oliphint, Professor of Chruch History at Westminster Theological Seminary and editor of the book The Defense of the Faith (Cornelius Van Til)
In 1944, at the suggestion of former student H. Evan Runner, Van Til wrote the widely distributed pamphlet Why I Believe in God … In this dialogue with an imaginary skeptic, Van Til admitted that God was for him the “all-conditioner,” who thoroughly shaped his belief in God. He then demanded that the unbeliever make a similar acknowledgment. “If you want to say that belief was poured down my throat, I shall retort that unbelief was poured down your throat.
Religious neutrality, in other words, was impossible. If one is not for God one is against God, and to be without bias is simply to have a particular kind of bias.
July 3, 2010 
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Posted in Herman Bavinck 
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