“Jesus helps us see here why the doctrine of the inerrancy of Scripture matters. It’s not merely because we want to assert that documents don’t err but, more importantly, so thatwe don’t err. In preserving the Bible from error, God is loving us. The Scriptures are meant to protect people. Truth leads to freedom (John 8:32), and error leads to bondage (2 Tim. 2:25–26). Truth saves (2 Thess. 2:10); error destroys (2 Thess. 2:11). Truth enlightens (Ps. 43:3; Eph. 5:9); error deceives (Prov. 12:17; 2 Cor. 11:13). Truth gives life (1 John 5:20); error brings death (2 Sam. 6:7). Therefore, God is concerned not only for his own glory in being a God of truth (Rom. 3:7); he is concerned also for us when he guards his word from error.” (John Piper, A Peculiar Glory: How the Christian Scriptures Reveal Their Complete Truthfulness)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! I pray your weeks have drawn you closer to Christ, and your growth as believers bring you closer to one another! Here are this week’s links!

• Randy Alcorn points out that one of the reasons people leave the church may come from a deeply critical attitude, and one way to dispel that sinful mindset is to teach and be taught about the happiness of God. Parents, do your children know that God is happy, not only by you teaching them such a truth, but by your demonstration of that truth in your life?
• What’s at stake in the complementarian view of biblical manhood and womanhood issue? After reading Greg Gibson’s article, you may be convinced that God’s glory is truly at the heart of it.
• Thom Rainer gives some wise advice in today’s day of podcasts: seven reasons your pastor is more than a podcast. Church, we need to heed this bit of wisdom today. Read, and reread  again.
• Did 2nd century church leader Papias know the apostle John? Here’s Michael Kruger’s answer to that question.
• Sadly, this month is considered to be Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Justin Holcomb provides a list of 10 things that we should know about sexual assault. May the Lord bring awareness to His church, and may the gospel radically transform lives affected by this heinous sin.
• With recent attacks in San Bernardino, Paris, and Brussels, how are Christians to respond to jihad? Nabeel Qureshi, a former Muslim who converted to Christianity, answers questions related to this in light of his new book Answering Jihad: A Better Way Forward. This is a great start to this complex reality.
• How can parents raise missions-minded children? Over at the The Glory Books women’s podcast, Women’s Hope, missionary BJ Lawson of Hope and Help International focuses on answering this subject that gives encouragement to those who have this in mind.
• Biblical counselor Robert Kellemen addresses the half-biblical counsel one can give to those who suffer by not identifying with their suffering, but to strictly point them to God’s design for suffering. Kellemen challenges this view, offering a fully biblical view that not only offers God’s perspective, but our sympathy to those who suffer as well. He follows up with another post on what Scripture identifies as the consequences of using a half-biblical model of counseling are to those who are hurting. He then responds to objections from those who would argue that identifying with others in their suffering by using a term like “incarnational suffering,” leads to murky theology. All of it is fascinating reading, and hope it brings deeper fidelity to Scripture in guiding us in our counseling others to God’s glory.
• Did God “break the law for love”? Tim Challies answers a recent claim made by a pastor that is emotionally appealing, but biblically dangerous.

That’s all for this week! Please keep Lumos and College Life in prayer today, as they meet tonight. Also, don’t forget about our church’s Women’s Seminar featuring Janie Street! And, all members are highly encouraged to attend the members meeting on Sunday, so hope to see you all this weekend!

Soli Deo Gloria