Any degree of skepticism about the portrait of Christ, the promises of God, the principles of godliness, and the power of the Holy Spirit, as biblically presented, has the effect of enslaving us to our own alternative ideas about these things, and thus we miss something of the freedom, joy, and vitality that the real Christ bestows. God is very patient and merciful, and I do not suggest that those who fall short here thereby forfeit all knowledge of Christ, though I recognize that when one sits loose to Scripture this may indeed happen. But I do maintain most emphatically that one cannot doubt the Bible without far-reaching loss, both in fullness of truth and of fullness of life. If therefore we have at heart spiritual renewal for society, for churches and for our own lives, we shall make much of the entire trustworthiness–that is, the inerrancy–of Holy Scripture as the inspired and liberating Word of God. (J.I. Packer, Truth and Power; HT Justin Taylor)

by Richard Shin

And we’re back with another set of weekly links.

• Erik Raymond from the Ordinary Pastor blog shares with us his encounter with an unbeliever who has a strikingly familiar ideology as we Christians do.
• Jared Wilson has a post on Ray Ortlund, a pastor he admires and frankly (if you can’t tell from my previous Weekly Links) I do too.
• Justin Taylor shares with us a book that may raise some eyebrows. It’s a third view to the covenant theology vs. dispensationalism debate.
• Kevin DeYoung has a post for folks who start attending a new church. This is very good advice for anyone in this boat.
• Mike Riccardi’s fourth installment of his series, Learning to Suffer Well, can be found here. The first three can be found in last week’s Weekly Links.
• Ray Ortlund shares with us what it means to foster a gospel culture in the church.

That’s all, folks. I know the Beacon is kind of busy these days with updates from Pastor Patrick mixed into the regular updates, but we’re thankful that you are reading with us!

Coram Deo