“O Lord, grant that I may do Thy will as if it were my will, so that Thou mayest do my will as if it were Thy will.” (Augustine)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday, everybody! Another week has gone by, and the benefit of the church at large has provided links for this week! There’s much to chew on, so let’s get to it!

• Recently, on the Dividing Line program, pastor and apologist James White invited Reformed Theological Seminary president Michael Kruger to interact with a phone call between a Lutheran and a Roman Catholic on a well-known Catholic radio show. Common objections to how Protestants view the canon were presented, allowing both White and Kruger to give informed and helpful responses. This was followed up with a post by another contributor to Alpha & Omega Ministries on two thorny questions brought up with regards to this issue (which itself was commented on by a Triablogger).
• When non-Christian religious groups come to your door, are you willing to show Christlike love as much as showing them their error? False dichotomy, I know, but is there another way to show Christ to those who claim to know Him rather than jumping right into a theological boxing match? Case in point.
• In case you missed it, there was a recent student conference focusing on the theme of missions. Called Cross Conference, there were 10 sessions given to mobilize students to consider their lives to be spent for the sake of the gospel. There were also a couple panel Q&A’s, and seminars addressing various aspects of missionary life. I’m personally looking forward to listening to the one on latinos and missions.
• Joe Carter has begun an impromptu series on what he’s calling “an occasional series on apologetics and worldview analysis.” He just published his third entry, “When Atheists Are Angry at God.” Make sure you catch up with the two previous posts.
• Biblical counselor Bob Kellemen listed his top 20 biblical counseling books of 2013 in two parts, with details as to why he thinks so. Check them out!
• Here’s a helpful resource: a new commentary that addresses apologetic issues from the Gospels and Acts. This addition is sure to be of help to pastors, students, and everyone in between. The unique nature of this commentary is that it enters the discussion by demonstrating the criticism of Scripture as incorrect. The contributors “take the challenges seriously and seek to describe viable solutions that support faith and align with a high view of Scripture.” Andy Naselli provides a 29-page PDF to whet your appetite.
• Tim Challies has a theological toolbox that he uses to help guide him in answering questions relative to their importance and also knowing how to live in line with God’s will. I highly recommend adopting this toolbox as your own.
• Piggybacking Pastor Patrick’s post on Genesis and marriage, if you have never heard a defense of marriage from a philosophical and political science perspective (natural law for short), here is a speech given by Ryan T. Anderson that was provided as testimony to the Indiana House Judiciary Committee recently. He has also given a case for marriage early last year that is sure to be of help for us who still believe marriage to be an institution given by God and worth defending. May we use all arguments at our disposal for God’s glory.
• As we celebrate Sanctity of Human Life this coming Sunday, here are some wise and thoughtful words from Russell Moore concerning this issue. May God spiritually transform unbelievers through His Gospel that leads to the preservation of human lives.

That’s all for this week! Looking forward to worshiping God with you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria