Weekly Links (3/8/2019)

“When God calls you to do a task, you must attain to the highest level that you can in pursuing it – for His Name’s sake. That is true of counseling as well as any other calling. If God has called you to the ministry of counseling, you are not free to be mediocre. To please Him you must excel. Moreover, as in every area in which others’ lives are at stake, you cannot sluff off what you do as ‘just another thing’ among many. You must give yourself to the work. What you do has eternal consequences!” (Jay E. Adams, Committed to Craftsmanship)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! New week, new links. Enjoy!

  • Al Mohler reports on a couple cases in Canada where parents, in the eyes of the court, are limited in their parental authority, especially with respect to a child’s gender/sexual identity. This seems to be how moral change now occurs in society: court cases.
  • Pastor Jason Meyer of Bethlehem Baptist Church writes of how pastor and Puritan Jonathan Edwards saved his ministry from losing joy in the midst of trials. Great thoughts from a great mind of the past.
  • Creation Ministries International posted a blog article answering the oft-repeated claim, ‘extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.’
  • Simonetta Carr wrote a new book on the issue of schizophrenia in the life of a son of a Christian mother. She was recently interviewed by Steve Hays on the purpose of the book, addressing a very uncommon topic in Christian literature. If this interests you, pick up a copy, but read the interview first.
  • How can we grow in our ability to debate others graciously? Rick Thomas gives us six helpful tips in order to do so. May we all grow in our discernment to know when and how to debate those who may disagree to the glory of God.
  • A video was shown at the Shepherds Conference on the friendship between John MacArthur and R.C. Sproul. Praise God for the fruit of their labors, and the blessing of fellowship.
  • Kevin DeYoung writes a short meditation on how Scripture views strength and weakness in the believer’s life.
  • Stand to Reason’s Tim Barnett recently spoke on the importance of apologetics on a podcast with Alisa Childers. Jason Engwer also wrote on the topic, as did Steve Hays. An apologetic for apologetics!

That’s all for this week! Please be in prayer for the youth and collegians, as they meet for Bible study this week. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

If Thou Lift Up Thy Tool Upon It, Thou Hast Polluted It

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Exodus 20:25

God’s altar was to be built of unhewn stones, that no trace of human skill or labour might be seen upon it. Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange the doctrines of the cross into a system more artificial and more congenial with the depraved tastes of fallen nature; instead, however, of improving the gospel carnal wisdom pollutes it, until it becomes another gospel, and not the truth of God at all. All alterations and amendments of the Lord’s own Word are defilements and pollutions. The proud heart of man is very anxious to have a hand in the justification of the soul before God; preparations for Christ are dreamed of, humblings and repentings are trusted in, good works are cried up, natural ability is much vaunted, and by all means the attempt is made to lift up human tools upon the divine altar. It were well if sinners would remember that so far from perfecting the Saviour’s work, their carnal confidences only pollute and dishonour it. The Lord alone must be exalted in the work of atonement, and not a single mark of man’s chisel or hammer will be endured. There is an inherent blasphemy in seeking to add to what Christ Jesus in His dying moments declared to be finished, or to improve that in which the Lord Jehovah finds perfect satisfaction. Trembling sinner, away with thy tools, and fall upon thy knees in humble supplication; and accept the Lord Jesus to be the altar of thine atonement, and rest in Him alone.

Many professors may take warning from this morning’s text as to the doctrines which they believe. There is among Christians far too much inclination to square and reconcile the truths of revelation; this is a form of irreverence and unbelief, let us strive against it, and receive truth as we find it; rejoicing that the doctrines of the Word are unhewn stones, and so are all the more fit to build an altar for the Lord.

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Examining the Faith in Youth Group (Part 1)

by Andrea Vigil-Ruiz

For the past four years, it has been a privilege to be given the opportunity to be a part of Youth Group as a staffer. Youth Group ranges from 6th – 12th grade and usually meets on Friday nights for Bible study and Sundays for Sunday school. When working with the youth, there can be many questions about the Christian faith that can come up: Why do Christians always talk about the Bible? How do I know that God exists? How do I know if the Christian faith is true? Why should I believe in Christianity as opposed to other religions? Overall, there can be a perception that being a Christian is somewhat mystical, driven by one’s emotions and feelings and cannot really be explained with reasonable reasons. During Sunday school this year, we are going through the book Reasons We Believe by Nathan Busenitz with the hopes of showing the youth that there are actual, tangible, reasonable reasons why Christianity is true and that Christianity is not a blind faith.

Since September, Johnny, Hansol, and Cesar have been on a rotation to teach through two reasons from the book each Sunday. Cesar kicked off the start of the Sunday school term with an introduction to why it’s important to know and understand the reasons we believe in Christianity. Knowing and understanding the reasons that support and defend the Christian faith can be beneficial in two ways: first, to help one grown in his own understanding of the veracity of the faith, ultimately leading to a greater appreciation and awe of God, and second, to equip the believer with the “tools” needed to talk about why the Christian faith is the one and only way with unbelievers.

After that initial Sunday introduction to the study, we dove into the reasons why we believe in God. Due to limited space, this article will address three of the 16 reasons that were presented in Sunday school so far. One of the reasons we believe in God is because the order and design of life that we see around us points to a Creator. The Bible explains that God is the creator of the universe (Genesis 1:1-30) and the overall design of life testifies to God’s creative power (Job 38-41; Psalm 104-1-35). Modern medical and biological science also points to the complexity of life. An example Busenitz uses is the complexity of DNA and how DNA is composed of very specific sequences of data (in the form of four bases: adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine) to complete the genetic code. Given the complexity of how specific the DNA sequence must be points to how this complexity cannot have happened randomly.

More so, when one looks at the creation of man, the idea of a Designer is supported even more. Christian apologist John Gerstner says, “There is more in the universe than mere life. There is intelligent life. There is a kind of life which not only lives but which thinks about living….How could matter, which has no life in itself, actually produce a life which can reflect on matter and tell it that it has no life in itself?” Even the human ability to defy the existence of God is proof of a Designer because the level of intelligence to think about such questions testifies to His existence. During this Sunday school session, the Design (Teleological) Argument was presented to the youth. At the end of the session, the youth were asked to think about how even the most minute biological system requires such specificity in order to function correctly (the flagellar motor system of bacterial cells requires 30 proteins and if even one is missing, the entire system cannot function properly). This session encouraged the youth to look at the complexity of life around them and see that the existence and function of these complex structures, down to even the most minute organism, cannot be due to random forces.

During another session of Sunday School, we went over how the human sense of morality points to a Lawgiver. The argument here points to how all humans have a conscience that is intrinsically aware of right and wrong. In Romans, the conscience is described as “the work of the law [that] is written on [people’s] hearts” (2:15) because “what can be known about God is plain to them” (Romans 1:19; cf 1:32). This reveals that there is a higher moral order where God is the Standard and Judge (Ecclesiastes 12:14). This moral conscience can also be seen across cultures (for example, stealing, lying, and murdering are seen as evil regardless of where you are from geographically), and not as a result of Western Judeo-Christian culture. Moreover, there are universal rights that all cultures agree on, such as the right to love and kindness. Of course, sometimes this moral conscience can malfunction due to being fed the wrong information (1 Corinthians 8:7; Titus 1:15) or when it is ignored for too long (1 Timothy 4:2).

The existence of a moral conscience with humans also shows that depending solely on a biological explanation for the existence of creation (such as the survival of the fittest theory) is neither sufficient nor makes sense. This session also addressed the existence of evil. The question “Why does evil exist?” is often asked, but Busenitz sees this question as a presupposition in support of the existence of God. We are able to identify what is morally evil because of the existence of God, who is the Standard of good. Busenitz writes, “Deep in our hearts we understand something is unrighteous or unjust — it offends us, saddens us, and causes us to cry out for justice. We rejoice when good triumphs over evil, and we feel violated when it does not.” For people across cultures to understand generally what is morally good and bad, it has to point to the existence a divine Creator and Lawgiver who is the ultimate standard of good.

Currently, we are in the section about the evidence for why we believe in the Bible. One reason we believe the Bible is the Word of God is that the Bible is marked by a clear and consistent message. The Bible was written from 1400 BC-100 AD, which is a span of 1500 years. For the 66 books in the Bible (39 in the Old Testament; 27 in the New Testament), there were 40+ different human authors that God used to write the Bible, across different geographic locations (Asia, Africa, and Europe), and in different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek). Not only that,  these authors were all from different backgrounds and vocations. Just to name a few of the human authors, there were: Moses, a prince (Exodus 2:10, cf. Hebrews 11:24-25) who became a shepherd (Exodus 3:1); David, a shepherd (1 Samuel 16:11-13) who became a king (2 Samuel 2:4); Paul, a former Pharisee (Philippians 3:5); and Luke, a Gentile physician (Colossians 4:14).

Given the varying conditions of where and when the Bible was written and by whom, this is evidence that God is the unifying factor in the authorship of the Bible. And even with such varying locations, languages, and authors, there is still a clear and consistent message about God, man, sin, salvation, and the end of the world. This unity in the message is also clearly seen in reference to the gospel of Jesus Christ, since He is the one that the entire Bible points to from Genesis 3:15 to Revelation 22:16. In Answers to Tough Questions Skeptics Ask about the Christian Faith, Josh McDowell and Don Stewart write, “The Old Testament is the preparation (Isaiah 40:3). The Gospels are the manifestation (John 1:29). The Book of Acts is the propagation (Acts 1:8). The epistles give the explanation (Colossians 1:27). The Book of Revelation is the consummation (Revelation 1:7). The Bible is all about Jesus.” With such a clear and consistent message from beginning to end, Christians can strongly hold firm to the belief that the Bible is from God.

To reiterate, the youth staff understands that going through this study will not ultimately save the youth. The salvation of a person is not dependent on any other human, but solely on the one who is the giver of the gift of salvation — God (Ephesians 2:8-9). By going through this study though, it is a way to encourage the youth to think about these different pieces of evidence so that they can see the Christian faith is a reasonable one, not a blind one. As a staff member, I have already been encouraged and even challenged in my own understanding of the evidence for the faith, and I look forward to the remainder of the school year in continuing in this book study. I hope the youth are, too!

Weekly Links (2/22/2019)

“Every child conceived is a God-created and God-loved person with a God-given purpose and destiny. Let your comfort begin with that truth. God created your child. God loved your child and continues to love your child. God’s purpose and destiny for your child are fulfilled perfectly, even if the child dies. The reality of that is beyond anything you can know fully this side of heaven.” (John MacArthur, Safe in the Arms of God)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! There is much to read, listen and watch, so let’s get this started! Here are you week’s links:

  • What do you do when your child disobeys? Sam Crabtree, pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, writes on how to address the heart of your child that focuses less on following steps and more on following the lead of our gracious and loving God.
  • How can the North American church help the global church, and vice versa? Leonardo de Chirico, Augustus Lopes, Michael Reeves, and Stephen Tong each give their own answer, which provides a small window into how God is working in the church.
  • Steve Hays addressed a common objection Roman Catholics bring up with respect to sola Scriptura: where is there an inspired table of contents? In other words, how do we know, if Scripture is sufficient, that we have all that we need to live a life of godliness? This is a great example of clear thinking to stock criticisms of the Christian faith.
  • Biblical counselor Lou Priolo discusses how to help suspicious people and paranoid thinking in the most recent Truth in Love podcast.
  • What are five things every Christian should be doing with God’s Word? Michael Kruger points to the answer by looking at Psalm 119.
  • If you have never seen a dialogue about abortion, this is a great example of how to begin a conversation with someone who disagrees with you on the topic.
  • Biochemist Michael Behe, known for his work on Intelligent Design, has written a new book, Darwin Devolves: The New Science About DNA That Challenges Evolution. Book reviews have been published prior to publication, and Behe has begun responding to the most prominent ones. He was recently interviewed on the ID the Future podcast, which summarizes the main criticisms and his responses. This is looking to be a good turnout for future dialogue and debate on this very important issue about our origins.
  • What do you think is more reliable, the Word of God or the voice of God? Pastor Clint Archer points out what the apostle Peter thought of his experience at the Mount of Transfiguration in relation to the Bible. This should be taken in consideration whenever any claims of personal revelation from God is claimed. Focus your attention on the Scriptures.
  • Have you ever been with someone who was facing a hard trial, and didn’t know what to say? Beverly Moore provides some much-needed guidance on how to encourage one to rejoice in the hope of the glory of God in the midst of trials.
  • John Snyder and Matthew Robinson have created a podcast awhile back called Behold Your God (from the same people who made the video series of the same name), and have been doing a series of podcasts on the topic of evangelism. This week is a third part, of which they discuss pastor Samuel Walker’s method of evangelism, and how to biblically respond to conviction. This looks like a very important topic that is worth listening to.
  • Is there biblical support for female deacons? Guy Waters argues ‘no’, while Thomas Schreiner argues ‘yes.’

That’s all for this week! Please be in prayer for flocks, most of which are meeting tonight. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

Weekly Links (2/15/2019)

“A true leader is someone who demonstrates to everyone around him that their interests are what most occupy his heart. A real leader will work hard to make everyone around him successful. His passion is to help make the people under his leadership flourish. That is why a true leader must have the heart of a servant.” (John F. MacArthur, Called to Lead)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! There is much to find with respect to helpful links for your benefit, and it is always hard not to include another set of links, but I hope these will point you to Christ and the sufficiency of His Word for daily life.

  • How is God glorified through His people? John MacArthur points out how, and you just might be surprised at what he points to.
  • Last week, I pointed you to Joe Rigney’s message on the application of Christian hedonism to the enjoyment of the things of earth, which came from Bethlehem College & Seminary’s 2019 Gospel Joy conference. They have now graciously provided video of every plenary session and seminar. There’s quite a lot of material that I think will interest anyone interested in growing as a Christian. Take a look!
  • What has been the impact of abortion, specifically for the black community in America? Arthur Goldberg gives some very alarming statistics that has pointed towards “black genocide.” This is a very sobering article that everyone should read, no matter which side of the debate you fall on.
  • RPTS President Barry York writes some lessons he learned from his neighbor on how to be a godly neighbor. Very humbling to read.
  • Historian of science Michael Keas addresses another science myth in the most recent ID the Future podcast: how the Copernican revolution demoted humans from being the center of the universe. That’s the myth, and it’s time to put it to rest.
  • Al Mohler wrote an article bringing to light what the Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News reported this past Sunday: over the past 20 years, there have been 700 victims of sexual abuse in SBC churches. Mohler gives some direction in what must be done, and what is actually being done about the situation. May we all pray for those victims in need of healing, and also that the gospel would reach both victim and abuser.
  • This week, many are celebrating Charles Darwin’s birthday, and his many accomplishments. On the day of his birthday this year, the Discovery Institute made public a list of 1,000 Ph.D. scientists who dissent scientifically from Darwin’s mechanism for evolution: natural selection acting on random mutation. This puts another science myth to rest: no scientist questions Darwinian theory.
  • John Piper was asked recently if a gal engaged to a guy who watches porn should break up with him. He gives some helpful thoughts to the question.
  • Pastor John MacArthur this week celebrated 50 years as pastor of Grace Community Church, and was interviewed about longevity in ministry. This would be a good place to learn about how God has used one man to bring His Word to His people for half a century. Praise God!
  • Tim Challies writes about the fascinating life of Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon.

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the youth and collegians, as they will be at their retreat this weekend. See you next week!

Soli Deo Gloria

Weekly Links (2/8/2019)

“The mind is like a garden; whatever you permit to grow and cultivate will eventually produce behavioral fruit (Gal. 6:7).” (John D. Street, Passions of the Heart: Biblical Counsel for Stubborn Sexual Sins)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! There is a lot here for everyone to enjoy, so here are this week’s links!

  • What would be a good game plan for counselors to implement with married couples in need of help? Certified biblical counselor Julie Ganschow provides some of the basics in dealing with marriage problems.
  • How would the Puritans counsel the aged? Counselor Donn Northup combines some observations from Richard Baxter’s insights in his work A Christian Directory.
  • ACBC’s Truth in Love podcast continues to provide helpful resources in the area of biblical counseling, especially with respect to common struggles believers face today. Three podcasts were posted this week: how to understand feelings biblically, another on how to minister to families following the suicide of a loved one, and counseling women who have been abandoned by their husbands.
  • Joe Rigney, at the 2019 Bethlehem Conference held last month, spoke on resolving the biblical and experiential tensions of what has been called ‘Christian Hedonism.’ The issue has to do with knowing how to enjoy God supremely, and how to enjoy the things of earth. It is quite illuminating how Scripture resolves this tension, and how it can apply in our daily lives.
  • Historian of science Michael Keas is again interviewed on ID the Future podcast on the issue of Galileo and the myth of science vs. religion propagated by many in culture today. Fascinating stuff.
  • Christian apologist William Lane Craig has had animated videos made of various arguments for God’s existence within these last few years, and continues to release new ones every so often. His most recent two focus on the argument for the resurrection of Jesus, based on three facts most New Testament scholars, believer and unbeliever alike, would accept. Though we may not be in lock-step with Craig’s apologetic methodology, there is much to appreciate about these videos, and how they can be passed along to those who don’t believe, in hopes of starting a conversation about the gospel. May they be seen far and wide.
  • Vaneetha Rendall Risner writes about how she learned to read the Bible through tears, and how to seek God by way of His Word in times of pain and loneliness. Very insightful!
  • I was very encouraged to see this post from a mom who has a plan to raise her kids to be pro-life, especially when the culture is heading rapidly towards a pro-abortion stance. We can definitely incorporate this in teaching our kids, whether at home or at church. May God have mercy, and may we be bold to proclaim the gospel of life to all.

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the youth and collegians, as they are meeting for Bible study tonight. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

Walking in the Truth

by Pastor Patrick Cho

With the dawn of a new year, I recently thought about the church and what my greatest burdens are for this congregation. During this time of reflection, I came across 3 John 4, which states, “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” This verse aptly summed up my heart. My burden and great desire for the church is that the members would be walking well in the truth. Just like a loving parent wants the very best for his children, I understand that God is the very best — the greatest and sweetest pursuit — for our members.

The Apostle John is writing to his friend Gaius and gives examples of his faithfulness:

  1. The first way Gaius demonstrates that he is walking in the truth is through his love for the brethren, co-laborers of John who are doing the work of the gospel. John makes a general statement of his acts of love, “whatever you accomplish for the brethren,” which implies that his acts of service were many and various. What is notable about Gaius’s hospitality was that it was provided to strangers. Of course, many would gladly care for friends who stop by for rest on a long journey, but Gaius cared for those he did not know. This provision and care for the brethren flowed out of his love for the Savior.
  2. The second way Gaius demonstrates walking in the truth is seen in John’s exhortation to imitate what is good (v. 11). John warns him against evil reminding him that those who are of God do good. This is consistent with the Lord’s instruction in the Sermon on the Mount that a tree is known by its fruit (Matt. 7:17-20). Every person who is truly in Christ will do the things that are fitting with the gospel. But the one who persistently walks in evil without repentance “has not seen God.” John gives this warning to Gaius to encourage him to continue in the things he is already doing. Besides in the final greeting (v. 15), this is the only command in the letter.

As a pastor, I am often in the unique position of knowing much of what our members struggle with. I am aware of the conflicts, various sins, doubts, and struggles that beset our members’ lives. In my prayers, I ask the Lord to bring our people to a place of spiritual strength and health. It is always difficult to hear that one of our members is not doing well. But there is great joy in hearing about our members who are growing and thriving, seeking to live out God’s truth with faithfulness and perseverance. In this new year, may we all strive to set the best goals of pursuing Christ, that we might have more of Him and less of the world.

For God Is For Me

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Psalm 56:9

It is impossible for any human speech to express the full meaning of this delightful phrase, ‘God is for me.’ He was ‘for us’ before the worlds were made; He was ‘for us,’ or He would not have given His well-beloved son; He was ‘for us’ when He smote the Only-begotten, and laid the full weight of His wrath upon Him-He was ‘for us,’ though He was against Him; He was ‘for us,’ when we were ruined in the fall-He loved us notwithstanding all; He was ‘for us,’ when we were rebels against Him, and with a high hand were bidding Him defiance; He was ‘for us,’ or He would not have brought us humbly to seek His face. He has been ‘for us’ in many struggles; we have been summoned to encounter hosts of dangers; we have been assailed by temptations from without and within-how could we have remained unharmed to this hour if He had not been ‘for us’? He is ‘for us,’ with all the infinity of His being; with all the omnipotence of His love; with all the infallibility of His wisdom; arrayed in all His divine attributes, He is ‘for us,’-eternally and immutably ‘for us’; ‘for us’ when yon blue skies shall be rolled up like a worn out vesture; ‘for us’ throughout eternity. And because He is ‘for us,’ the voice of prayer will always ensure His help.

‘When I cry unto Thee, then shall mine enemies be turned back.’ This is no uncertain hope, but a well grounded assurance-‘this I know.’ I will direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up for the answer, assured that it will come, and that mine enemies shall be defeated, ‘for God is for me.’ O believer, how happy art thou with the King of kings on thy side! How safe with such a Protector! How sure thy cause pleaded by such an Advocate! If God be for thee, who can be against thee?

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Doest Thou Well To Be Angry?

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Jonah 4:9

Anger is not always or necessarily sinful, but it has such a tendency to run wild that whenever it displays itself, we should be quick to question its character, with this enquiry, ‘Doest thou well to be angry?’ It may be that we can answer, ‘YES.’ Very frequently anger is the madman’s firebrand, but sometimes it is Elijah’s fire from heaven. We do well when we are angry with sin, because of the wrong which it commits against our good and gracious God; or with ourselves because we remain so foolish after so much divine instruction; or with others when the sole cause of anger is the evil which they do.

He who is not angry at transgression becomes a partaker in it. Sin is a loathsome and hateful thing, and no renewed heart can patiently endure it. God himself is angry with the wicked every day, and it is written in His Word, ‘Ye that love the Lord, hate evil.’ Far more frequently it is to be feared that our anger in not commendable or even justifiable, and then we must answer, ‘NO.’

Why should we be fretful with children, passionate with servants, and wrathful with companions? Is such anger honourable to our Christian profession, or glorifying to God? Is it not the old evil heart seeking to gain dominion, and should we not resist it with all the might of our newborn nature. Many professors give way to temper as though it were useless to attempt resistance; but let the believer remember that he must be a conqueror in every point, or else he cannot be crowned. If we cannot control our tempers, what has grace done for us? Some one told Mr. Jay that grace was often grafted on a crab-stump. ‘Yes,’ said he, ‘but the fruit will not be crabs.’ We must not make natural infirmity an excuse for sin, but we must fly to the cross and pray the Lord to crucify our tempers, and renew us in gentleness and meekness after His own image.

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Weekly Links (1/25/2019)

“Prayer for the Christian is a matter of believing that God is, and that he does respond to those who believe in him. Prayer then, instead of being a matter of times and seasons and special or routine occasions, becomes a life, or it becomes such a vital part of life that it re-focuses one’s whole outlook. We become interested in God, his ways, his doings, his words and we find ourselves agreeing with him about perhaps a great many things we were tempted not to agree about before. And the very humility which unself-consciously comes with such an attitude is one of sheer delight.” (William Philip, Why We Pray)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday!

  • Tuesday was Sanctity of Life Day, and you may not be aware of how the pro-life movement has been in the last couple of years. Life Training Institute speaker Scott Klusendorf wrote an update on the state of the pro-life movement under the current administration, with steps to increasing exposure of the pro-life message, in light of the gospel. You would be wise to read and heed.
  • In light of Klusendorf’s article, to make a case for the pro-life view on abortion, theologian Wayne Grudem gives some of the scientific evidence to further solidify persuading others of a biblical view of life. Klusendorf has also written five myths concerning abortion that every one should be aware of.
  • The Biblical Counseling Coalition started a three-part series on the effects of abortion in light of Sanctity of Life Day. The first article is on the topic of sidewalk counseling, the second is on post-abortion counseling for women, and the third on post-abortion counseling for men.
  • Christian apologist Frank Turek recently spoke on the issue of abortion on his podcast, including how to address the issue with those who are pro-choice, possibly pro-abortion. Turek is usually pretty helpful when it comes to issues of culture, so don’t miss out on this one.
  • Is the doctrine of adoption sweet to you? If not, you may change your mind after reading this explanation of it.
  • Pastor Brian Hedges writes an open letter to whoever falls under the category of ‘timid evangelist.’ I pray this will be of help to you to overcome the fear of man and increase your fear of God.
  • Historian of science Michael Keas debunks a couple common myths regarding science and religion on the recent ID the Future podcast, specifically, regarding the Dark Ages and belief in a flat earth. This was a continuation of a previous podcast, so make sure to check back to previous episodes.
  • Kevin DeYoung gives 10 biblical reasons racism is sin. Most people think it’s wrong, but cannot give the why. Let this be a good starting point for future discussions on racism among believers.

That’s all for this week! Please be in prayer for our flocks, as they are meeting tonight. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria