by Stephen Rodgers

Well, we’re back from hiatus, and I’ve got a report on all the free stuff that you won’t want to miss out on this month. In case you’re not familiar with the little quotes for each piece, those are lifted from the various websites of the publishers; they are not mine.

The Brothers Karamazov (audio book)

“A masterpiece on many levels, it transcends the boundaries of a gripping murder mystery to become a moving account of the battle between love and hate, faith and despair, compassion and cruelty, good and evil.”

Believers Church Bible Commentary: Ecclesiastes (Logos)

“In this volume, Miller respects the pastoral and theological contribution of Ecclesiastes, without muting its critique of simplistic and comfortable approaches to the life of faith. It is particularly useful for Christians who need a fresh look at the insights of this ancient sage in an era of uncertain identity, the flux of worldviews, and the elusiveness of truth.”

Addictions (Tabletalk)

“The August issue of Tabletalk considers addictions. Both men and women are affected by addictions because of the fall. The root problem of addictions is that they reveal our idolatrous hearts. While there are differences in the various types of addictions, they all are a consequence of the darkness of sin. Thankfully, the Bible addresses addictions and gives us hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Prophet, Priest King (CredoMag)

“In this issue of Credo Magazine, three theologians walk us through this three-fold distinction, helping us understand each office better in light of the coming of Christ. So we invite you to come, like Mary (Luke 10:38-42), and sit at the feet of Jesus in order to marvel at how these offices display the glory of Christ.”

“Joy is not an emotion. Joy is a settled certainty that God is in control.” (Jim Engle, quoted by Greg Forster, The Joy of Calvinism: Knowing God’s Personal, Unconditional, Irresistible, Unbreakable Love)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! Another week, another moment to thank God for all He has provided. Through His church, He has provided many links to learn and read from. Here’s a select few for this week’s links:

• Have you ever wondered why we as believers are called to obey Christ completely? Professor offers three simple reasons, the first of which I think is more than enough.
• While the debate on the eternal relationship between the Father and the Son continues on, Pastor Jesse Johnson gives a summary of the debate in 200 words (with additional footnotes). And in case you’re wondering why this debate matters, I find Tony Reinke’s interview with Pastor Michael Reeves extremely helpful in calibrating our mindset to delight in the Trinity. I hope and pray our minds are full of delight in how God has chosen to reveal Himself, and we would worship Him as He truly is.
• Over at The Glory Books blog, Nicholas Melonas makes the case that believers should consider learning the biblical languages, while missionary Robert Zink explains the detrimental effects of pride on our devotional time with the Lord.
• Biblical counselor Bob Kellemen was recently interviewed about his book Gospel-Centered Counseling. A transcript of this interview has been made available to read. This is a good summary of its contents, along with his thoughts on the biblical counseling movement as a whole. Stimulating and encouraging.
• Last week, some of the ladies from our church, as well as other LBC churches, attended The Gospel Coalition Women’s Conference. All the sessions have been posted online. You would be wise to give your time to this, ladies!
• Tim Challies makes mention of an event for Christians to gather at the National Mall next month, calling for a million people to come gather together there. Challies exercises discernment in evaluating the purpose of this upcoming event. This can be an opportunity to bring the gospel to bear in conversation with both believer and non-believer, so be prepared to discuss this.
• In light of the recent Orlando attack, some backlash has come in the vein of calling everyone to come together by loving each other, as Jesus and Muhammad taught. David Wood fact-checks this kind of thinking.
• Over the past number of months, Crossway has been coming out with posts entitled, ’10 Things You Should Know About…’ Well, now you can access all of them in one spot. Guess what? There’s a lot we should know, and now you have a good place to start!
• John Piper recently dealt with a couple ‘Ask Pastor John’ podcasts on summer, one on bikinis and modesty, and the other on a theology of summer vacations. Listening to these is a great start to not waste your summer.
• Eugene Merrill provides some thoughts on typical objections to the Bible in terms of Old Testament historical credibility. Great insights.
• Al Mohler recently discussed on his daily program The Briefing the issue of character in leadership and whether it still matters, given the current election. He also wrote an essay about that as well. Sane and biblical thinking to meditate on.

That’s all for this week! Please remember to pray for all attending VBS next week, including the staff who have been preparing, and also the parents who will have opportunities to discuss with their kids the truths that they learn. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

“Though the absolute sovereignty of God over our lives is consistently taught throughout Scripture, it is not the uncaring sovereignty of a despot but of a God who is just as loving and caring as He is sovereign. But we have to by faith believe that truth when His ways are different from that which we desire.” (Jerry Bridges, God Took Me by the Hand: A Story of God’s Unusual Providence)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! Summer is coming, and you may be thinking about vacations or fun times. Let this be a call to not waste your summer. Having said that, here are this week’s links:

• Is it possible to worship God as idolatry? The True Woman blog has some great insight about false worship that’s worth giving your time to.
• In conjunction with the TGC Women’s Conference, a new album is available for free download: ‘When Trials Come: Resurrection Songs for a World of Suffering.’ This looks like a great new album to listen to.
• Steve Lawson writes about self-discipline: what it isn’t, what it is, and what it’s worth. If you find yourself in need of self-discipline, may this be a helpful corrective of your current thinking.
• With the recent shooting in Orlando, a number of responses followed. Here are the ones I’ve found most helpful: Al Mohler, David Wood, James White, and David Inserra.
• Do you know what to look for in a church? Can you give wise counsel to someone who is transitioning to a different stage of life and plans to move in the near future? If so, consider seasoned counselor Jim Newheiser’s list of 10 qualities of a good church.
• What do you know about apologetics? How about biblical counseling? Well here’s 10 things to know about the former, and 10 more things to know about the latter.
• What are some reasons families fail at family worship? It helps to know the problem before coming to a wise solution. May this be a catalyst to pursuing growth together as a family, to God’s glory.
• If you still want to follow the discussion concerning the Trinitarian issue concerning the eternal relationship between the Father and the Son, this post seems to collect all the relevant posts in order from oldest to newest.
• Over at the Women’s Hope podcast, Felecia Stephens discusses God’s blessing of cancer. Such a beautiful perspective on suffering with hope in our good God.
• There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the recently discovered ‘Gospel of Jesus’ Wife.’ Michael Kruger gives a summary of the most recent discovery: the author of the forged document.
• Tim Challies continues his series on why he isn’t many different positions, this time a paedobaptist.

That’s all for this week! Please keep the LBC ladies who are attending the TGC Women’s Conference in prayer for their edification and return tomorrow. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

“As Jesus grew as a man, his human capacities developed, and with them the pressure of temptation (Lk 2:52). In that context he developed in obedience, not from imperfect to perfect, but from infancy to maturity. When he cried out on the cross “It is finished” (Jn 19:30; see also 17:4) and with royal dignity committed his spirit into the hands of his Father, he was the first person to have lived a life of perfect obedience and sanctification. In his resurrection his sanctified human life was divinely transformed into what the New Testament calls “the power of an indestructible life” (Heb 7:16). Because this has taken place first in Christ our representative, it is possible for it to take place also in us through the Spirit. Christ himself is the only adequate resource we have for the development of sanctification in our own lives.” (Sinclair Ferguson, Christian Spirituality: Five Views, ed. by Donald L. Alexander)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! The week is at an end, but the links have just begun! Enjoy!

• Ligonier Ministries uploaded the audio and video of their West Coast conference on the gospel, which looks to be a helpful conference to jump into, so dive in!
• There’s been recent discussion concerning the relationship between the Father and the Son in theological circles, specifically whether the Son is eternally subordinate to the Father or not. Some well-known theologians are accusing other well-known theologians of heresy with respect to this view. Denny Burk has the round-up. This is worth digging into because it lays out the positions clearly, and it focuses on theologians who are faithful to the Scriptures. May we all grow in our discernment through this discussion.
• Joe Carter provides a lowdown of California bill SB 1146, which would limit religious exemption to seminaries, whereas Christian colleges and universities would no longer qualify. Time to read, and pray.
• Professor Greg Welty interacts with UC Irvine professor Donald Hoffman’s case against reality, arguing the implications of evolutionary theory should lead to a rejection of evolutionary theory. This one’s a thinker.
• ACBC’s Truth in Love podcast recently invited Dr. Stuart Scott to speak on godly leadership in the home. Here’s the transcript, in case you haven’t had a chance to listen to it.
• Everyone has probably heard of Brock Turner, and the outcry of injustice that came due to his six-month sentence. Amy Hall illustrates how people want a just judge when it comes to others’ sins, but not their own. Very revealing.
• Tim Challies continues his series of what he is not, writing this time on why he isn’t Arminian. If you think he’s talking about the ethnicity, this post is definitely for you.
• Is Proverbs 22:6 a promise? Eric Davis over at The Cripplegate would argue it to be a warning. If you’re a parent, you’d be wise to read the case he makes.
• The Women’s Hope podcast features apologist Mary Jo Sharp, who discusses how to have gospel conversations with other non-Christians. This is definitely one worth listening to, ladies!
• Over at The Glory Books blog, Dr. Phil Wages gives four tips/hacks for beginner Bible study students. If you’re just starting to read the Bible or have been doing it for a while, there’s definitely something to glean from here.

That’s all this week! Please be in prayer for Lumos, as their last Bible study for the school year is tonight, and also for the UCSD students who are graduating this weekend! See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

by Stephen Rodgers

Alright, here we go…and no, I did not somehow Rip Van Winkle my way through the weekend. The reason the Weekly Links are going up today was to give the various sites more time to get their “month of June” articles out. Now you know. So, without further ado…

Study the Word: 12 Christian Leaders on Bible Study (free Logos book)

“We’ve all struggled to make time for daily Bible study. Sometimes we don’t even know where to begin. Learn how influential pastors and Christian leaders approach Bible study—including Kay Arthur, Max Lucado, Philip Yancey, and many more! This hand-curated collection of feature stories, originally published in Bible Study Magazine, speaks directly to the truth and transformational power of Scripture for our lives. Be inspired with a newfound passion to seek God through the Bible.”

Preach the Word: Preachers Who Changed the World (free issue of CredoMag)

“Paul instructed Timothy to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (2 Tim. 4:2). The command is a simple one. Yet, churches today and their pastors fail to take it seriously.”

Legalism: The Delusion of Man-Made Religion (free issue of Tabletalk)

“The June issue of Tabletalk addresses legalism. At its root, legalism is an attempt to earn favor with God by human effort. It is the opposite of antinomianism, which belittles the law by cheapening grace. In contrast, legalism exalts the law above grace. As a result, it breeds contempt toward those who do not measure up and foments guilt within those who do not conform to its unbearable standards. Legalism wrongly burdens God’s people with the heavy yoke of manmade rules and regulations. The answer to this heresy is a proper understanding of the Bible’s teaching on grace and the law.”

Reformed Faith and Practice Journal (free new journal)

“Reformed Faith & Practice: The Journal of Reformed Theological Seminary is edited by members of the faculty of the Seminary, and it seeks to further the mission of the Seminary, which is to ‘serve the church by preparing its leaders, through a program of theological education, based on the authority of the inerrant Word of God, and committed to the Reformed faith.’ “

What is the Church? (free sermon series)

“Who or what is the Church? Some might think there are more pressing issues to address in today’s world, but there’s no question that the word ‘church’ conjures up all kinds of images. Indeed, it is a word which is very often misunderstood.

By examining passages from several books of the New Testament, Alistair Begg provides clarity on the topic of the Church by explaining the nature, origin, and leadership of the Church, the relationship of individuals to the Body of Christ and to local congregations, and the marks of a healthy church fellowship.”

“The human comforter is a sorrow sharer who points people to the supreme Comforter by incarnationally entering the sufferer’s earthly story.” (Robert Kellemen)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! Yes the weekend is here, and yes, so are your weekly links! Enjoy!

• Do you think it’s possible for people who advocate for abortion rights can change their mind? If so, how long do you think it takes? For some, it can be in a matter of minutes. Stand to Reason and The Daily Signal reports on a video that lays out the procedure an abortion doctor performs that has convinced a number of people to become pro-life. After watching, you may be as well.
• Tim Challies continues his series on why he isn’t (fill in the blank): last week being an atheist, this week being Roman Catholic. Along the same vein, Bill Webster spends some time discussing the differences between the Roman Catholic gospel and the biblical gospel.
• Jared Oliphint writes about the consequences of relativizing gender in light of the push to normalize transgenderism. This article qualifies as must-read. Professor David Murray teases out what Christians should do in response, D.A. Carson reminds us that we aren’t entitled to the world’s respect, and Jeanne Harrison provides some conversation pointers for parents to discuss this issue with their kids should it reach their school.
• Over at the True Woman blog, their 25 Women Who Impacted the World for Christ series continues this week highlighting the life of Esther Ahn Kim. If you love this, you’ll love her own retelling of her story in If I Perish, which I can personally testify is a great read!
• Can you give a biblical case for the doctrine of the Trinity or the deity of Christ? Well, I’m sure you’ll have some help in these posts by Nathan Busenitz.
• Here are some great how-to articles: how to evangelize professing believers, and how to honor your parents as an adult.

That’s all for this week! Please be in prayer for Andy Lin and Esther Cheng, as they marry tomorrow(!), and the Argentina team presents on Sunday. See you all then!

Soli Deo Gloria

Our pursuit of knowledge ought to be motivated by love for those whom it might benefit, whether inside or outside of the church, living or not yet born. It ought also to be marked by love. The manner in which we treat those with whom we engage in our intellectual work—our classmates, our colleagues, those whom we study, those with whom we debate—ought to reflect the selfless love of the triune God. (Derek Halvorson)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! Short and sweet, so have at it!

• Though I haven’t written about him in awhile, a lot has happened since David Daleiden posted videos exposing the character of some of the top leaders of Planned Parenthood. Randy Alcorn gives a small update. Please be in prayer for him.
• In a recent Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper discusses the issue of Target’s new transgender bathroom policy. Make sure you take a listen to this. Also having a compassionate approach would be a great addition to having a winsome apologetic in this culture.
• Fred Butler contends that many who are in the classical apologetics camps misuse Scripture regularly, and shows how they do this with a number of passages that are regularly cited when discussing apologetic method. This will be a helpful corrective in service to the church.
• How much is the Church responsible for our corrupt culture? Dr. James Benecke provides a response that needs to be heard (or read, in this case).
• Tim Challies writes about why he is not an atheist. That should be enough to pique your interest.
• In case you missed the Truth in Love podcast, ACBC posted a transcript of an interview between Heath Lambert and David Powlison on having a biblical response to panic. There is much wisdom to glean from these two. So glean!
• Al Mohler predicted that court-ordered same-sex marriage cannot deliver on its promises. Professor David Murray agrees, providing support from professor Jason Hill, who identifies as gay.
• What is the prayer of faith, and how is it demonstrated in the life of a believer? Sinclair Ferguson writes a simple answer that has dramatic ramifications. You may never look at prayer the same way again.

That’s all for this week! Please be in prayer for the Czech Missions Team from LBCLA as they will be giving a presentation and a lunch fundraiser on Sunday! See you then!

Soli Deo Gloria

“We must be honest about the hostility, or we’ll have wrong expectations and give up on evangelism. But we must also be excited about the hunger, or we’ll have no expectations at all, and never start evangelism. Hostility and hunger: that’s what you’ll find as you tell others about Jesus.” (Rico Tice, Honest Evangelism: How to Talk about Jesus Even When It’s Tough)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! I hope your week has deepened your knowledge of God and your love for God. Hopefully, these links will serve to that end. So here are your week’s links!

• Many theologians practice what is called, ‘biblical theology,’ which is the discipline of studying the progressive nature of divine revelation, seeing how these truths are given to us by God chronologically. They seek to trace the many themes of the Bible, emphasizing the importance of reading Scripture in this progressive manner. While many adhere to this perspective, Jesse Johnson mentions one theme that is interestingly silent in theologians’ treatment of the subject: Israel. It’s more interesting than It sounds. Read on.
• How can marriage be lived to the glory of God? John Piper spends 22 minutes answering that. Carve out some time for this!
• How does one grow in humility? Geoffrey Thomas provides an answer devoted to the life and death of Christ.
• Dr. Howard Glicksman has been writing a year-long series of articles explaining the design of the human body as evidence of an intelligent designer. This is a fascinating look at the intricate detail which God has structured the body to function, and you would be remiss in skipping out on this stimulating study. This week he covers the role of calcium in the body. Don’t miss out!
• If you wondered how to become knowledgeable in Christian ethics, who better than Russell Moore to provide an answer? Well, here it is!
• The Master’s Seminary recently posted some videos detailing some of their distinctives as a seminary. Currently, they’ve posted on having a high view of God and a high view of God’s Word.
• Stand to Reason interviewed Christian screenwriter and author Brian Godawa on his new book, God Against the gods: Storytelling, Imagination and Apologetics in the Bible, who advocates pursuing beauty and subverting the cultural narrative to show the superiority  of the Christian worldview, as exemplified in Scripture.
• Joe Carter created a mini-glossary of a number of terms that have been used in discussing gender identity, and the revolution that is at the forefront of media coverage. This can be a great tool to be informed and share about these issues with those around you. This will be especially helpful in light of President Obama’s letter issued today, calling for all public schools to accept those who identify as transgender to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity. Denny Burk provides an initial analysis.
• Professor Michael Kruger gave a workshop at The Gospel Coalition’s 2015 National Conference answering the question, ‘How do we know the Bible is God’s Word?’ Trust me when I say this was one of the best answers I have ever heard. Listen carefully!

That’s all for this week! Pray for the upcoming SDSU graduates, as this will be their time of transition into post-college life. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

by Stephen Rodgers

It’s the first Friday of the month, which means that it’s time to post a whole bunch of free stuff! I’m continuing my experiment of copy/pasting the blurbs for these resources in lieu of commenting on them, but suffice to say that this month’s panoply of materials is all-killer-no-filler.

Seriously, it’s really good stuff.

Delighting in God by A. W. Tozer

Delighting in God is the message Tozer intended to be the follow-up to The Knowledge of the Holy. He demonstrates how the attributes of God–those things God has revealed about himself–are a way to understand the Christian life of worship and service. We are here to serve and adore him, but we can only fulfill that role by acknowledging who he is, which is the essence of the Christian life and the source of all our fulfillment, joy, and comfort.

Why God Won’t Go Away by Alister McGrath

In a decade embroiled in fanaticism and fear, a renewed interest in the age-old debate over the question of God has reignited, giving rise to a new group of media-savvy contenders dubbed the “New Atheists.” As expressed in the works of best-selling authors like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, the New Atheists have found a foothold in today’s cynical society, and have ramped up their efforts to debunk the existence of God.

John 3:16

The May issue of Tabletalk examines John 3:16. This verse is among the most well-known and loved passages in the Bible. Even those who know little about Scripture recognize it as a cornerstone of Christian belief. While many are familiar with the reference, few consider its full meaning. The importance of John 3:16 is that it serves as a summary of the Bible. Every word is important. This issue considers each word and phrase of this verse as a way to understand the central truths of the gospel.

JBMW 21.1 – Spring 2016

The Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (JBMW) is a semi-annual, academic journal dedicated to facilitating a scholarly conversation on gender, marriage, singleness, personhood, family, and the many intersections that exist between these topics and biblical studies, church history, and systematic and practical theology.

Themelios 41.1

The Gospel Coalition just released the April 2016 issue of Themelios, which has 208 pages of editorials, articles, and book reviews.

“The Christian church has long been understood by the culture at large to be the guardian of what is right and righteous. But now the situation is fundamentally reversed. The culture generally identifies Christians as on the wrong side of morality.” (Albert Mohler, We Cannot Be Silent: Speaking Truth to a Culture Redefining Sex, Marriage, and the Very Meaning of Right and Wrong)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! The week is nearly over, but the links abound! Without further ado, here you go!

• Who do you think is the greatest missionary of all time? You may be surprised at the answer. In another co-written post, Andrew Naselli and J.D. Crowley lay out 12 (biblical, I might add) principles for disagreeing with other Christians. This is well worth your time.
• What does a Muslim think about a given topic? The proper response should be, “Which Muslim?” Professor James Anderson gives a broad picture of the many Islamic traditions that would be helpful in your witness t them.
• Are you aware of Satan’s strategies to sway you from following Christ? Ed Welch writes of his many deceptive tactics that are more subtle than you think. Be prepared for battle against the enemy.
• When Christians are accused of believing in blind faith, is there any merit to it? Craig Biehl would argue the opposite: atheism is accepted on blind faith, and when you read his explanation why, you won’t be dismayed when the opportunity arises to make that clear.
• If you have doubts as to whether false teachers can come to embrace true, saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, I would simply point you to the grace of God in the life of Pastor John Samson. A former Word Faith teacher, Samson has now come to the truth and shares his story of God’s patient and powerful grace.
• Students, are you ready for finals week and summer break? Well, whether you are or not, there’s some wisdom from the pen of Peter Krol, who gives a plan conducive to productivity for the glory of God. He even dares you to prove him wrong. Take up the challenge!
• In a world where retaliation is accepted to a certain extent in our culture today, what does Scripture have to say about that? Mary Kassian provides some godly wisdom in this area. This is probably more pervasive than we think. Along similar lines, Ken Sande recently spoke on gospel-centered relationships, which will be a helpful strength for us to cultivate in our everyday friendships.
• How do we obey the commands to feel when it doesn’t seem that we are in control of our feelings? John Piper recently did a lab working through 1 Peter 3:8-9 that I think will be of help to you in this area.
• The Women’s Hope podcast features Gloria Furman discussing her upcoming book Missional Motherhood: The Everyday Ministry of Motherhood in the Grand Plan of God. This is a conversation that looks like it will spark great conversations between moms and women in general (Furman even states the book is for all women, not just moms), so make sure you give it a listen!

That’s all for this week! This week is flocks week, so make sure you spend some time getting to know the church body and blessing one another with discussing the sermon together! See you all tomorrow at banquet! And Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria