In popular misconception today, the choice of an apologetical method facing a Bible-believing Christian is between arguing presuppositionally OR appealing to evidences from history and nature in support of Christianity. But that is entirely wrong. Presuppositional apologetics endorses and indeed encourages the use of evidences – but not evidences offered in the “traditional” manner as an appeal to the authority of the unbeliever’s (allegedly) autonomous reasoning. Unbelievers who are self-conscious in their autonomy will usually fight against the force of the “facts” to which we can appeal in favor of the Bible’s veracity. (Greg Bahnsen)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! Here’s this week’s links to get you pumped!

• The Biblical Counseling Coalition has continued its series of making its readers aware of different biblical counseling organizations, providing reasons to pursue biblical counseling training. This week, Lily Park of Crossroads Bible College emphasizes the need to provide this kind of training in a multiethnic and urban world. Rob Green and Kirk Fatool of Faith Bible Seminary explain their MA program that seeks to overcome the roadblocks of cost and distance, while being flexible and practical. Kevin Carson of Baptist Bible College and Seminary discusses the seminary’s bachelor’s and masters’ degrees in biblical counseling. Nicolas Ellen writes of the College of Biblical Studies’ desire to award an MA online with a focus on biblical counseling for African-Americans.
• Russell Moore looks back on his marriage and reflects on lessons he’s learned by being married 20 years. I was very comforted by his wise words, and would commend the article to everyone.
• Ray Ortlund provides a list of one another commands that we may not find in the Bible, but unfortunately may find in the church. Ouch.
• Jonathan Leeman provides six principles for youth ministry. There is much wisdom in this short post, and I think people outside of the youth group should spend some time reflecting on this as well. Volunteer staff (or their parents) are not the only ones who should spend time with the youth.
• Sometimes, we need to hear or watch a story of God’s sovereign purposes in the midst of suffering. Adam and Corrie Hull were parents to Brooklyn, a girl with a rare disease that allowed her to live only 118 days. How does a family grieve with hope? Here’s one example.
• Last month, I mentioned a blog series that CBMW started called, “Manhood Marred,” which dealt with the alternative images of “manhood” that people see instead of true, biblical manhood expressed in Scripture. Thus far, they have covered passivity, male chauvinism, the Peter Pan Syndrome, machismo, escapism, individualism, “glorious” sacrifice, and cynicism. This has been a very challenging series, diagnosing the many ways the world (and even Christians) fails to model true manhood. I would invite all men to read (yes, read!) these posts and evaluate your own lives, repent, and adjust accordingly.
• Speaking of reading, David Murray came up with another top 10 list of books, this time for dads. With all of those listed, I don’t think I should wait until I’m a dad to start reading these. He also has one on leadership.
• There has been a recent kerfuffle concerning the doctrine of sanctification, and a believer’s relationship with the law and Gospel. Written a year ago, The Cripplegate posted some common misconceptions about legalism. Mike Riccardi began writing about the Christian’s relationship to holiness, the means of sanctification(how we grow to be more like Christ), and the way that the means leads to growth in Christ. Fred Butler also makes mention of some resources that deal with this new “antinomianism” (against law) view.
• What is evangelism? Mack Stiles gives a succinct definition.
• Ryan T. Anderson pumps out a new article about 6 ways we can support marriage. This stems from a longer article that gets into more detail. #3 and 5 are probably the best parts of that article.
• Alasdair Groves provides some sage wisdom on listening to those you’ve hurt when you apologize. Make sure to store this in your peacemaking toolkit.

That’s all for this week! Mission Bowl is coming up this Saturday for the ladies, so make sure you cheer them on and show some support! See you there at church on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria