People do not drift toward Holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated. (DA Carson, For the Love of God, Volume 2. HT: DG)

by Stephen Rodgers

We’ve got another batch of links for you today, so sit back, buckle up, and hang on…

• The folks over at Desiring God have officially launched a Czech website! There’s not a whole lot of content there yet, but they plan to add one sermon per week.  This is going to be a great resource for one of the least religious populations on the planet. (WEB)
• Over at the Ordinary Pastor blog, Erik talks about what his house has been like since they radically cut back on television. (WEB)
• RC Sproul has some thoughts on selecting the “right” interpretation of the Bible. (WEB)
• Douglas Groothuis has a very short outline on truth and contradiction that I appreciated. I may have to use this as a quote on a future Friday. (WEB)
• And for everyone who was asking for a video, here’s one of Martyn Lloyd-Jones speaking of George Whitefield. (VIDEO)

There you go!  I’ll see you Sunday.

Pro Rege

The point is, God wants you to know Him: wants to give you Himself. And He and you are two things of such a kind that if you really get into any kind of touch with Him you will, in fact, be humble – delightedly humble, feeling the infinite relief of having for once got rid of all the silly nonsense about your own dignity which has made you restless and unhappy all your life. He is trying to make you humble in order to make this moment possible: trying to take off a lot of silly, ugly, fancy-dress in which we have all got ourselves up and are strutting about like the little idiots we are. (CS Lewis. HT: Toby Sumpter via Trevin Wax)

by Stephen Rodgers

Well, given that Harold Camping has been all over the evangelical blogosphere as well as the secular media, I thought it would be a good time to take a few moments to review his life, predictions, and ministry.  If nothing else, this should bring you up to speed on what all the hubbub has been about, and give you a Biblical basis to respond the next time someone makes these kinds of claims:

• DJP of Team Pyro fame has a series of articles that puts the whole Harold Camping fiasco in context.  His first post, Harold Camping is not a false prophet gets the ball rolling with an examination of the theological difference between a false teacher and a false prophet.  His second post, Harold Camping glorifies God: seventeen ways, explores a plethora of ways in which God is glorified in the midst of Camping’s false predictions.  And his final post, Harold Camping, the true Gospel, and hedged bets explores in what ways the behavior of Camping’s followers is actually an appropriate analogy for our loyalty to Christ (with an emphasis on “analogy”). (WEB)
• RC Sproul Jr. has a post in a similar vein to DJP’s initial offering entitled Harold Camping: False Prophet? (WEB)
• W. Robert Godfrey has a 5-part series exploring the history of Camping’s ministry and theology.  You can also just download a .pdf of the whole series. (WEB/PDF)
• And last but not least, Douglas Wilson answers a question about how Christians should respond to their unbelieving friends and co-workers who think this is typical for Christianity. Like him, I have to go mow my lawn now. (VIDEO)

That’s it for now.  See you Sunday!

Pro Rege

The startling truth is that, if you stumble over Melchizedek, it may be because you watch questionable TV programs. If you stumble over the doctrine of election, it may be because you still use some shady business practices. If you stumble over the God-centered word of Christ in the cross, it may be because you love money and spend too much and give too little. The pathway to spiritual maturity and solid biblical food is not first becoming an intelligent person, but becoming an obedient person. What you do with alcohol and sex and money and leisure and food and computer have more to do with your capacity for solid food than where you got to school and what books you read. (John Piper, “By This Time You Ought To Be Teachers”. HT: Shepherds Notes via Vitamin Z)

by Stephen Rodgers

It’s time for another edition of the Weekly Links, and we’ve got some really good stuff for you this time around.  So without further ado…

• It’s a new month, and that means that Ligonier Ministries has a new edition of Tabletalk.  This one focuses on The 11th Century: Conflict, Crusades, and the New Christendom. (WEB)
• I stumbled across a new blog recently, from a relatively new group called the Biblical Counseling Coalition. It seems like a lot of good folks from other groups have come together in this organization, and their first article was penned by none other than Paul Tripp. (WEB)
• This article from the Resurgence has been making the rounds, so I thought I’d post it here as well.  It’s a great read for parents, and it’s entitled 5 Ways to Make Your Kids Hate Church. (WEB)
• And since we’re on the theme, JI Packer’s work was recently highlighted on the 9Marks Blog on why people leave churches. Understanding what these articles say should give you some new thoughts on how to reach the visitors that come through our doors. (WEB)

That’s it for this week.  Thanks for reading, and see you Sunday!

Pro Rege

The great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one’s ‘own’, or ‘real’ life. The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one’s real life – the life God is sending one day by day: what one calls one’s ‘real life’ is a phantom of one’s own imagination. (CS Lewis, Yours, Jack: Spiritual Direction from CS Lewis. HT: Trevin Wax)

by Stephen Rodgers

Alright…it was a rather hectic week (hence the quote), but here are a number of resources you won’t want to miss:

• Themelios 36.1 is out.  Among other great articles, there are a couple of interesting ones on the Trinity, if that’s interesting to you. (WEB/PDF)
• The latest edition of the 9Marks eJournal is out as well, and it’s on the subject of Church Membership. If you’re looking for a particular issue/topic, please note that I have updated our own topical index of the journal to be current as well. (WEB)
• For those of you who follow John Piper’s tweets, this is the website that he was so enamored with this week. (WEB)
• It’s a new month, and that means that christianaudio.com has a new free audio book!  This month, they’re giving away Tim Challies new book, The Next Story. There’s been quite a bit of buzz about this title, and this is your chance to get the audio version at no cost. (MP3)
• This sermon jam from Ravi Zacharias has been particularly encouraging to me this week.  I commend it to you. (VIDEO)

That’s it for now folks.  Have a great week!

Pro Rege

At our last ‘summit’ I noted in passing that Paul’s central concern theologically is ‘salvation in Christ’. But this is a phrase that needs unpacking. First, the supposition of ‘salvation in Christ’ is the triadic nature of God, since it is predicated on the love of God the Father, is effected through the death and resurrection of Christ the Son, and is made effective through the Spirit of God who is also the Spirit of the Son. Second, the goal of salvation is not simply the saving of individuals and fitting them for heaven, as it were, but the creation of a people for God’s name, reconstituted by a new covenant. Third, the framework of God’s ‘salvation in Christ’ is thoroughly eschatological, meaning that Christ’s death and resurrection and the gift of the Spirit mark the turning of the ages, whereby God has set in motion the new creation, in which all things eventually will be made new. Fourth, the means of ‘salvation in Christ’ is Christ’s death on the cross and his subsequent  resurrection in which death itself has been defeated. (Gordon Fee, “Paul and the Metaphors for Salvation: Some Reflections on Pauline Soteriology”. HT: Nick Norelli)

by Stephen Rodgers

So…I have some good news, and some great news for you this week.

The good news is, that due to a computer issue involving the creation of secure passwords…and consequently being temporarily without access to anything…there is no new edition of the Weekly Links.

The great news is, that if you haven’t had a chance yet to read over the special edition of the Weekly Links that we did for Holy Week/Good Friday/Easter…this is your chance to do so.

Trust me, it’s subject matter well worth reflecting on.

Thanks for your patience!

Pro Rege

The chief impression that a study of the atonement leaves with us is that of the many-sidedness of Christ’s work for men.  When he died for us on the cross, he did something so infinitely wonderful that it is impossible to comprehend it in its fullness.  However man’s need be understood, that need is fully and abundantly met in Christ.  The New Testament writers are like men who ransack their vocabulary to find words which will bring out some small fraction of the mighty thing that God has done for us.  And yet, though it is so complex and so difficult, it may be put very simply: ‘the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me’ (Gal. 2:20). (Leon Morris, The Cross in the New Testament. HT: Ray Ortlund)

by Stephen Rodgers

Welcome to a Good Friday/Easter edition of the Weekly Links!  My intention is to point out a number of resources that can help you have a greater understanding and appreciation for the events and circumstances surrounding Holy Week, Good Friday, the crucifixion, Easter, and the Resurrection.  So let’s get to it!

• First up, if you’re looking for an overview of the entire Holy Week, Justin Taylor did a rather extensive series on the subject.  And over at the 22 Words blog, Abraham Piper has a visual representation for those of you who are more visually-oriented. (WEB)
• On top of that, Ligonier Ministries put together a great list of resources for people who want to study the implications of Holy Week. (WEB)
• That brings us to Erik Reymond, who has some devotional thoughts on why “Good Friday” is so good. (WEB)
• The Pyromaniacs each contributed their own thoughtful response to the question, “What does the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ mean to me?”  They aren’t long responses, so be sure you don’t miss out on what Phil Johnson, Dan Phillips, and Frank Turk each had to say. (WEB)
• Al Mohler has a great article on how the cross and the resurrection are at the center of the Christian faith. (WEB)
• And this is probably the third or fourth time I’ve posted this, but since we’ve gotten to the resurrection, this video featuring a sermon excerpt from Matt Chandler regarding a post-resurrection appearance of Christ gets me every time. (VIDEO)
• And if you want to approach the subject from a more apologetics-oriented angle…
  • Michael C. Patton has put together an article entitled A Short Defense of the Resurrection of Christ. It serves as a good introduction to the subject. (WEB)
  • In similar fashion, Justin Holcomb has a 3-part series (at the time I write this), on Defending and Proving the Resurrection over at the Resurgence. (WEB)
  • A lot of unbelievers object to the resurrection on the basis of a lot of bad arguments. Over at the Tekton Ticker blog, JP Holding identifies a number of those arguments…and then explodes them. (WEB)
  • One often-raised objection to the resurrection is that the 4 accounts in the Gospels cannot be harmonized.  Over at Triablogue, Rhology shows that’s not the case. (WEB)
  • And speaking of Triablogue…if you really want to get into some of the issues surrounding Easter, those fine folks have put together collections of articles that deal with just that issue…from 2009, 2010, and 2011. To say that Steve Hays and Co. are “prolific” is a bit of an understatement! (WEB)

Well, that’s it for now folks.  Don’t forget that we have Good Friday service tonight at 6:30pm.  See you there!

Pro Rege

The difference between a Christian and non-Christian: When a non-Christian is convicted of sin, he sides with his sin. When a Christian is convicted of sin, he sides with God, against himself. (Mark Dever. HT: Desiring God)

by Stephen Rodgers

Welcome to Friday!  A few people have mentioned that they greatly prefer the slimmed-down version of the WL that I’ve been doing lately…so we’ll continue on that theme for now.

• We’re halfway into April, and thus far I neglected to mention to you that christianaudio.com has a new free book!  This month, the free giveaway is Corrie ten Boom’s The Hiding Place. You can hit the link for your free copy. (AUDIO)
• Piggybacking on Cesar’s most recent post, which in turn was a summary of a message I preached, I thought I’d pass along this article from Jared Wilson (actually quoting David Powlison), on “How to Identify Your Idols,” (which I used in preparing for the message).  How’s that for coming full circle? (WEB)
• Remember how I told you that John Piper is preaching through his seminal work, Desiring God?  Last week, I pointed out the link for chapters 1 and 2; this week, I’m pointing out the link for chapters 3 and 4. You don’t want to miss this. (VIDEO)
• And in keeping with our recent focus on peacemaking, over at the Resurgence they’ve formatted and packaged a great article by Tim Keller entitled “Serving Each Other Through Forgiveness and Reconciliation.” It’s a 10-page PDF, but well worth your time.  So hit the link, print it out, and carry it around with you until you get an opportunity to read it carefully…and try to do it soon. (PDF)

That’s it for this week folks.  See you Sunday!

Pro Rege

Every time we look at the cross Christ seems to say to us, ‘I am here because of you.  It is your sin I am bearing, your curse I am suffering, your debt I am paying, your death I am dying.’  Nothing in history or in the universe cuts us down to size like the cross.  All of us have inflated views of ourselves, especially in self-righteousness, until we have visited a place called Calvary.  It is there, at the foot of the cross, that we shrink to our true size. (John R. W. Stott, The Message of Galatians. HT: Ray Ortlund)

by Stephen Rodgers

I don’t have a ton of links for you this week; mostly I’m just clearing out a few things that I’ve been saving, and highlighting a couple of things you shouldn’t miss.  So without further ado…

• If you recall, I mentioned last time that John Piper was going to preach/read through his classic book Desiring God.  Well, the introduction to chapters 1 and 2 is up, along with Piper’s actual message. And if that weren’t enough, here comes Curtis Allen with the Desiring God rap song. (AUDIO/VIDEO)
• By now most of us have probably heard of Amy Chua and the “tiger mother” book. Al Mohler has an article addressing the brouhaha as well as bringing a much-needed Christian perspective to the whole thing. (WEB)
• As a warning against pride and a reminder of the power of sin, RC Sproul has an article (excerpted from Pleasing God) on the heresy of perfectionism. (WEB)
• I had an opportunity to talk to Pastor Patrick this week about the perception that many in the Christian community have of Calvinism and Calvinists.  So this article from Elliot Grudem (son of Wayne Grudem) on the subject was timely indeed.  And I’m not just saying that because it contains the phrase “John Frame is the Chuck Norris of Systematic Theology” (even though I would offer a hearty “amen!” in response). (WEB)

That’s it for this week.  See you Sunday!

Pro Rege

by Stephen Rodgers

My apologies to everyone, but due to getting blindsided by some personal issues, the Weekly Links for this week has been cancelled.  If all goes well, it should be back to normal next week.

In the meantime, I would recommend that you take the opportunity to check out recent church announcements, the Peacemaker series, and/or the Recommended Resources page.  I’m sure you’ll find something of value there, especially if you haven’t been able to keep up lately.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.  See you next week!

Pro Rege