Books in 06'

I read more in 06' than I ever have. That is not saying much though because I am pretty young, and haven't been reading long. I used to hate reading. In fact in high school, for accelerated reader (a program where you read and take tests over the books and earn a certain amount of points), I would listen to several cassettes of Hank the cowdog because I disliked reading so much. But that was before I understood the call to love the Lord with my mind. This year, I was enabled to read 54 books. Sounds good until you read that D.A. Carson reads around 500 a year. I wanted to try to list my top ten favorite/influencial reads of 06' in no particual order.
Theology
The Gagging of God by D.A. Carson
According to Plan by Graeme Goldsworthy
New Covenant Theology by Tom Wells and Fred Zaspel
Marriage
Reforming Marriage by Douglas Wilson
Intended for Pleasure by Ed Wheat
Mission/Evangelism
Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll
Missional Church by Darrell Guder
Questioning Evangelism by Randy Newman
Practical Theology
Humility by C.J. Mahaney
The Gospel for Real Life by Jerry Bridges
Reference Work
New Dictionary of Biblical Theology (IVP)

Piper Finishes Romans!

John Piper started preaching through the book of Romans on April 26, 1998. He finished this past Christmas Eve. It took about 8 and a half years to finish the series. I think it took Lloyd-Jones 13 years. A couple of summers ago, I listened to his sermons on chapters 9-11. Words can't describe the impact these sermons had on me. His last sermon in Romans was a prayer. You can read/listen/watch it here.

Best Gifts Ever!

Not Really

Celebrate His Faithfulness

Today we celebrate the arrival of Israel's awaited Messiah. God is faithful. Beginning in the garden in Gen. 3, he promised that the the offspring of the woman would crush the head of the serpent. He promised Abraham that through his seed, all the nations would be blessed. He promised David he would establish his throne forever through an everlasting covenant. The offspring of the woman has been born. The seed of Abraham has arrived. David's greater Son is now on the throne. Look outside of yourself and marvel at God's great plan of redemption. God is committed to his creation because he is committed to his glory. He has been/is/ and will remain faithful to his people.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry X-mas????

(HT: Tony K)

ROCKY BALBOA

Jay, you knew it was coming. Last night Alicia took me to see Rocky Balboa. It was excellent. I have to admit that I was a little nervous. You know, sometimes these kinds of comebacks can be a bad idea. MJ is a prime example. I love MJ, but let's be honest, he shouldnt have come back to play with the Wizards. He had left on a perfect note. The comeback was a bad idea. This was not the case with this movie. It was a great way to close out the legacy. I grew up with Rocky so I appreciate it much more than most will. It will help if you have seen all five. If you haven't, it would be a great idea for the Christmas break. I highly recommend it. We also saw 'The Nativity' which was great as well.

Road Trip

Alicia and I fly to Texas early tomorrow morning for about a week, so I won't be blogging. Congrats to Chance and Amber!!!!!!!!!!! Have a great week.

GTY

Last week I received a letter from Grace to You, the ministry of John MacArthur. The front of the envelope read: Step Inside the Emerging Church: The New Movement Creating Chaos in a Congregation Near You. The newsletter warns that though we may not have heard of this movement we soon will and 'the danger is real.' Johnny-Mac writes 'The Emerging Church's frontal assault on the clarity of Scripture makes it the most dangerous attack I've seen." You can't be serious. I think Dr. MacArthur needs to do a little more looking around. There is much more in the world that believers need to be concerned with besides other believers with differing convictions and doctrinal conclusions. I understand that as a leader, he feels like he needs to have an opinion on everything, but too many evangelicals make uninformed criticisms. I have read quite a bit from and about the emerging church and have yet to come across these types of caricatures. If GTY means emergent, referring to McLaren etc, that is one thing, but the 'emerging church movement' is much too diverse for these kinds of comments. One thinks of Driscoll, or Keller. Are these guys dangerous? I love MacArthur and have benefited greatly from his ministry in many ways, but these kind of comments are unhelpful and lack humility. His next book is called 'The Truth War', due out this spring. Phil Johnson says the book will be powerful and very controversial. I bet it will be a great book. I just hope he has done his homework because the newsletter seemed that he hasn't so far.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Ladies, don't believe the lie.

Happy 50th Larry!

Books

Now that I have had some free time, I thought I'd post about some books I recently read. The first is Riddlebarger's 'A Case for Amillennialism.' This was a delightful read. Riddlebarger follows the likes of redemptive-historical thinkers like Vos, Ridderbos, and Hoekema. It is a very good treatment of the end times. He works off of Hoekema's 'The Bible and the Future.' Riddlebarger spends a lot of time going after dispensationalism, which I guess is important with the unfortunate popularity of TBN and 'The Left Behind Series.' Most of the middle of the books is his exegesis of the critical passages in Daniel 9, Matt. 24, and Romans 11, and Rev. 20. This is a must read for those wanting to understand the end times (Chance, you were right).
Next was Randy Newman's 'Questioning Evangelism." This was a great read! It was very insightful and practical ways to rethink our methods of evangelism in today's culture without compromising biblical truth. Newman is very well-rounded. He even emphasizes the importance of biblical theology! I just finished Downing's 'How Postmodernism Serves (my) Faith.' This is a good primer on postmodern thought and its implications for the Christian faith. Downing is rightly glad to see modernism go. This has indeed served the faith. Downing though, like most evangelicals who are sympathetic to postmodern thought, goes too far. Christians must build their worldview from Scripture, as unpopluar as this may be. I wish she would have spent more time developing a theology of language, rather than a more naturalistic view of language. It is a good reminder of our situatedness, and should cultivate humility for all believers.

The Life YOU Deserve

In case you haven't received your new issue of Essence Magazine, I wanted to share '10 Principles to Get the Life You Deserve' by Bishop T.D. Jakes:

1. Love Yourself

2. Know That You Matter

3. Leave your past in the past

4. Own your Financial Power

5. Honor Your 'Me" Time

6. Prioritize Your Relationships

7. Focus on Your Purpose

8. Revel in Your Successes

9. Make Peace With Your Family

10. Celebrate Your Life

Geez. No wonder he has a big church. I wonder which Bible he is reading? BTW I dont subscribe to Essence. Alicia and I saw it in the checkout line at Wal-Mart. I wonder what Paul would say. Oh wait..

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
For people will be lovers of self,.....2 Tim 3.1-2