The biblical teaching regarding the incarnation of Christ and the person of the Mediator is awe-inspiring. This doctrine amazes us not simply because it is mysterious and somewhat beyond human comprehension, but because there is a sense in which the hypostatic union of the two natures in Christ is the greatest miracle in Scripture. In order to save us God had to become man. The Son assumed a genuine human nature in order to: perfectly obey God’s law (in order to fulfill the covenant of works), suffer and die on the cross as a vicarious atonement and rise again victorious over Satan, sin and death. Even now the God-man sits enthroned at the right had of God interacting and applying redemption to His people. It is a tremendous blessing to us that the Mediator will forever and ever be both God and man. For eternity we will be able to look at the scars in our Lord’s hands, feet and side. His glorified human body will be an eternal testimony to His supreme love; the love that caused Him to descend from the room of heaven to the filthy manger in Bethlehem and the painful road to Golgotha.

If you are not a Christian, then it is now time to behold the God-man with the eyes of faith. Believe in His person and His work of redemption. There is no other name given among men by which we can be saved (Ac. 4:12). There is only one mediator between God and man, the Man Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 2:5). Dear Christian, you know that there is no other greater motivation for obedience and good works than our love and adoration for Christ. Lord enable us to be continually faithful to our precious Lord and Savior—Immanuel. Amen. (Brian Schwertley)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Hello, everybody! It is with great joy that I get to partake in the weekly links for you this week. I hope that what is linked here will be of interest as well as draw the church closer to our Lord, all in the hopes of making God big (finish strong!). With that said, let’s get to it!

• CCEF (Christian Counseling & Education Foundation), the leading biblical counseling “think tank,” has just come out booklets that deal with a number of issues that we all go through. Each of them has selected articles that address a specific area, which are: anger, parenting, redeeming psychology, relationships, and suffering. Currently, the set is at a discount, but ends this weekend.
• Clint Archer, a South African native and graduate of The Master’s Seminary, reflects on his life and how Nelson Mandela had changed his view of race, leading him to learn how to love a terrorist.
• Justin Taylor recently interviewed Gerald Hiestand, co-author with Jay Thomas, about their recently released book, Sex, Dating, and Relationships, which covers the themes and main argument of the book. This interview is a good primer on how Christians should view this area, which will not only be helpful in clearing the haze, but a point of entry in bringing a Christian worldview to bear on the lives of non-Christians. No doubt they have their own ideas of dating and marriage, and clear, biblical thinking in relation to this can definitely dispel myths as well as create opportunities to share the Gospel. Don’t enter a discussion on this subject unprepared.
• Russell Moore addresses the nature of many Christmas songs and the lack of what is normally sung (to which I give a hearty amen). This sprung up in overhearing a conversation from a ‘grinch’ of sorts in “Rethinking Our Holly-Jolly Christmas Songs.”
• In their most recent podcast, “Mortification of Spin,” Carl Trueman and Todd Pruitt discuss with Christopher Bogosh, a Christian nurse who just came out with a new book entitled Compassionate Jesus: Rethinking the Christian’s Approach to Modern Medicine, end-of-life issues and challenging the modern medical worldview. Shout out to all LBC members who work in a hospital (doctors, nurses, etc.).
• The Master’s Seminary Journal is now being made available online only, and it looks like a feast of articles ready to be devoured. This new issue has to do with the Trinity, and the connection between the Triune God we worship and creation, inspiration, eschatology, and the early church witness prior to the Constantine. Many who disagree with God’s Triune nature (falsely) believe brought the doctrine into existence. Though not quite as many book reviews as Themelios puts out, TMSJ has 14 new reviews worth looking into. Check it out!
• Has America become too vulgar? Al Mohler would argue in the affirmative. Find out why.
• What is the relationship between Christians, sports, and manhood? Owen Strachan provides some insight for us.
• How can you increase in your love for God and others by using first person pronouns (I, me, my, mine)? Bill Smith gives some helpful words that will cause you to think even harder on our Passion statement.
• If you have known me for some time, you know I love sending articles that are worth reading and would like to begin linking to a weekly article that, like beef jerkey, take awhile to chew on. This week, since we’re ever coming closer to Christmas, a classic read on the incarnation is On the Incarnation by Athanasius, a 4th century bishop well-known for his unwavering defense of the deity of Christ against Arius (precursor to Jehovah’s Witnesses). You can read it online, in PDF, or even listen in MP3.

Make sure you have time in between reading to come to our Christmas Concert this Saturday! Don’t forget to come and worship God with us on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria