The Grace of God

Andy Stanley's new book, The Grace of God, is written on a familiar but often misunderstood topic.  We are drawn to grace and at the same time are afraid of grace, whether from losing control over our own circumstances or the potential of opening the doors to an 'everything goes' lifestyle.  This book is a look at a number of examples of grace in the Bible including Adam and Eve, Abraham, Joseph and Judah, Moses, Rahab, David, Jonah, Matthew, Nicodemus, Samaritan Woman, Stephen/Paul/Thief and James' declaration about the Gentiles.

Andy is a master story teller and he is able to bring Bible stories, some well known and some obscure, alive and present them in fresh ways.  While the entire book is great, my favorite part was the first half which deals with the Old Testament.  It is easy to see grace in the New Testament, but sometimes this is unfairly contrasted with the the Old Testament.  Andy presents grace in places that we have perhaps never seen before.  I also enjoyed his conclusion and his creative way of retelling the parable of the Prodigal Son.  This is a great book for Christians who have lost sight of grace and for seekers trying to discover what Christianity is really supposed to be about.

Book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available now at your favourite bookseller.  

Logan and the Guardians of Ga'Hoole

I have been reading the Guardians of Ga'Hoole books to the boys.  Justus tolerates it but Logan is obsessed with the Guardians.  All day long you will hear him say "The Guardians of Ga'Hoole."  He will grab my laptop, go to Youtube and do a search for the Guardians of Ga'Hoole so he can watch the trailer.  He is totally stuck on it but it also gives us a sense of how smart he really is.  He will ask specifically for people to go to Youtube on their iPhone so he can watch it.  The movie is released on DVD in December and although that means we will have to watch it over and over, at least we can give Youtube a rest.  Good thing it is a very good movie.

Community Turkey Dinner

First Baptist Church Meaford is having their annual community turkey dinner on Saturday, December 4 at 5:00 pm.  This is a free turkey dinner as gift from our congregation to our community.  If people would like to give, they are welcome to bring a gift of food for our local food bank, but there is no obligation.  If you are going to be in the Meaford area, you are welcome to join us.  Tickets are free but they are limited so call the church office at 519-538-2533 or email at meafordbaptist@bmts.com to reserve your place.  For those who cannot join us, please pray for this important outreach to our community.

Ligonier Ministries Resources

Check out these resources from Ligonier Ministries:

Buy R.C. Sproul's "Chosen By God" for $10.40. Shop Today!

Buy "The Last Days According to Jesus" from R.C. Sproul. Shop Now!

Buy R.C. Sproul's "The Consequences of Ideas" for only $12.80. Shop Now!

Buy "The Prince's Poison Cup" children novel by R.C. Sproul. Shop now!

Buy "Dust To Glory" by R.C.Sproul. Shop Now!

Buy "The Prince's Poison Cup" DVD by Dr. R.C. Sproul. Shop Now!

Buy "Providence: God in Control" in audio. Shop Now!

Buy R.C. Sproul's "Surprised by Suffering" Hardcover for only $12.00. Shop Now!

Another Step

Today I went to the Barrie recruiting office for my PT test in order to join the army reserves as a chaplain.  It included a step test, grip test, push ups and sit ups.  I was by far the oldest of the eight people there for the test.  They were mostly between the ages of sixteen and twenty, with one twenty-six.  Thankfully they lower the standards for old guys like me.  I was surprised to discover that not only did I pass the tests for my age bracket, I actually passed according to the standards of the young guys!  Apparently my working out is paying off.  My next step is a medical examination and then on to the next step.  It is a great relief to be through this stage.

SBL Day Three

This morning I went to a session on Greek rhetoric in Luke-Acts.  I particularly enjoyed a paper by Sean Adams.  It is an area that I am interested in.  I have done research in this area and hope to publish in this area one day.  We did not go to any more sessions today.  In the afternoon we went to the Atlanta Aquarium.  It was pretty incredible.  Not only did I touch a manta with my bare hands, I actually touched a shark!  It was pretty cool.  Later in the afternoon I had a really good workout.  I am glad of that as my physical for the army is on Thursday.  The rest of the day is to relax and to get ready for leaving Atlanta tomorrow morning.  It has been a great week but I am very much ready to go home and see the kids again.

New Books

One of the draws of ETS and SBL are the great deals on books.  Here is what I picked up.  Other than the first book, which I bought to prepare for a course I am teaching next summer, can you guess where my current interest is?

New International Biblical Commentary (NIBC), Luke By Craig Evans / Hendrickson Plenty of important questions vie for attention in contemporary Lucan scholarship. In this volume, Craig Evans not only demonstrates a firm grasp of them, but makes them comprehensible to laypeople. His clear writing and logical explanations lay open both difficult Lucan passages and scholarly arguments about them.

Paul and Scripture: Studying the New Testament Use of the Old Testament By Steve Moyise / Baker Academic There are over one hundred explicit quotations of Scripture in Paul's letters and at least two hundred allusions. The coming of Jesus and the birth of the church caused Paul to look at the Scriptures with new eyes, sometimes clarifying what was written and sometimes reinterpreting it. Paul and Scripture illuminates Paul's use of the Old Testament, providing a big-picture overview for students of the New Testament. Steve Moyise, a recognized expert on the use of the Old Testament in the New, discusses Paul's handling of creation stories, Abraham, Moses, the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings. He then assesses competing contemporary approaches to Paul's interpretations of Scripture. Contents Introduction 1. Paul and the Creation Stories 2. Paul and Abraham 3. Paul and Moses 4. Paul and the Law 5. Paul and the Prophets: Israel and the Gentiles 6. Paul and the Prophets: The Life of the Christian Community 7. Paul and the Writings 8. Modern Approaches to Paul's Use of Scripture Appendix 1: Paul's Quotations from Isaiah Appendix 2: Index of Paul's Quotations Appendix 3: Extracts from the Dead Sea Scrolls Indexes

The Living Paul: An Introduction to the Apostle's Life and Thought By Anthony C. Thiselton / IVP Academic The Apostle Paul has long had his admirers and revilers. And contemporary Christians often harbor private misgivings about this prominent apostle. Paul sounds harsh, intolerant, misogynistic, and his gospel surely misconstrues the message of Jesus. "How is it," they want to ask, "that some Christians can speak so fondly of Paul?" Anthony Thiselton is an unabashed admirer of Paul, a student of his letters and a devotee of his gospel. Over a range of issues, Thiselton cleans the lens and sharpens the focus to give us snapshots of Paul's life, mission and thought. Whatever your level of knowledge and experience of Paul, you will find The Living Paul informative and interesting, nuanced and inspiring. A portrait of Paul rendered in the deft strokes of a master.

Paul, Apostle of God's Glory in Christ: A Pauline Theology By Thomas R. Schreiner / Inter-varsity Press Every serious student of the New Testament and of Christian theology must come to grips with the apostle Paul. In Paul, Apostle of God's Glory in Christ, Thomas R. Schreiner gives us a sound and insightful exposition and assessment of Paul's theology that is well-geared to the needs of seminary students and working pastors. While thoroughly informed by the issues of contemporary Pauline studies, he offers an account of Paul's theology that is relatively unburdened by scholarly trappings but deals directly with the matter. "The goal of writing a Pauline theology," he says, "is to unearth Paul's worldview and to present it to contemporaries. Our task is not merely to reproduce Paul's thinking on various topics but to rightly estimate what is most important in his thinking and to set forth the inner connections between the various themes." Like most writers of a Pauline theology, Schreiner discerns something at the heart and soul of Paul's theology. As Schreiner puts it, "The passion of Paul's life, the center and foundation and capstone of his vision, and the animating motive of his mission was the supremacy of God in and through the Lord Jesus Christ." Schreiner has stitched this theme into the fabric of his book, and the result is a Pauline theology that is not only informative, but spiritually uplifting, as well.

Paul's Way of Knowing: Story, Experience, and the Spirit By Ian W. Scott / Baker Academic Is it possible for human beings to know anything at all about God? If so, how? Philosophers and theologians have debated these fundamental questions for millennia. In this clearly written book, Ian Scott asks how the apostle Paul answers them. Scott finds that while Paul did not explicitly address questions of epistemology (the branch of philosophy that studies how we know), his epistles imply certain conclusions. After articulating Paul's assumptions about how human beings can move from unbelief to faith through a rational process, Scott assesses the structure of Paul's own claims to knowledge. He finds that for Paul, theological knowledge is about discerning the story of what God is doing and finding one's own place in that story. Originally published by Mohr Siebeck, this valuable work is now available as an affordable North American edition.

Pauline Christology: An Exegetical-Theological Study By Gordon D. Fee / Hendrickson In this exhaustive study of Pauline Christology by noted Pauline scholar Gordon Fee, the author provides a detailed analysis of the letters of Paul (including those whose authorship is questioned) individually, exploring the Christology of each one, and then attempts a synthesis of the exegetical work into a biblical Christology of Paul. Fee's synthesis covers the following themes: Christ's roles as divine Savior and as preexistent and incarnate Savior; Jesus as the Second Adam, the Jewish Messiah, and Son of God; and as the Messiah and exalted Lord. Fee also explores the relationship between Christ and the Spirit and considers the Person and role of the Spirit in Paul's thought. Appendices cover the theme of Christ and Personified Wisdom, and Paul’s use of Kurios (Lord) in citations and echoes of the Septuagint. Gordon D. Fee is Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and is the author of numerous works, including New Testament Exegesis, Third Edition: A Handbook for Students and Pastors; To What End Exegesis? Essays Textual, Exegetical, and Theological; Listening to the Spirit in the Text; The First Epistle to the Corinthians (New International Commentary); 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus (New International Biblical Commentary); and, with Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth.

Paul: In Fresh Perspective By N.T. Wright / Augsburg Fortress Building on his 2004 Hulsean Lectures, Wright sheds new light on Paul---his world, legacy, and theology. The Bishop of Durham discusses the apostle's Jewish roots, attitude toward the Roman Empire, and experience of the risen Christ; and summarizes the main theological contours of Paul's thought---monotheism, election, and eschatology---and their relevance for the contemporary church. 195 pages, softcover from Fortress.

Introducing Paul: The Man, His Mission, and His Message By Michael F. Bird / IVP Academic Master theologian, pastoral mentor, spiritual advisor, dedicated missionary---Paul was all of these and more. Diving below the surface, Bird introduces us to a Paul who transcends labels and defies our preconceptions. Animated and penetrating, this fresh study will challenge your assumptions and offer a new understanding of Paul's views on justification and the gospel.

SBL Day Two

Another good day at SBL.  The day started with a very interesting session on the historical Jesus that looked at the question of whether it is possible for believing Christians to do true historical Jesus research.  The session included papers by Darrell Bock, Craig Keener and Robert Webb.  It was very interesting and I believe that these evangelical scholars demonstrated that it was indeed possible.  Amanda and I then had lunch with a friend of ours named Ryann Craig.  We got to know Ryann when we were in Beligium.  It was great to see her again.  After lunch, Amanda and I went to a feminist session led by famous feminist theologian Elisabeth Shussler-Fiorenza.  It was interesting as I knew very little about feminist biblical scholarship (as it turned out, my former Dead Sea Scrolls professor Eileen Schuller sat beside me).  After that session, I went down to the book area and had the good people at Accordance Bible Software get my software all update.  They were very helpful.  After that, I went to a workshop called "E-Publish or Perish?" that with my involvement in www.apologeticsjournal.com, I was very interested in.  After the session, Amanda I went out for dinner with some new friends of ours named Jon and Beth Stovell.  They are both Ph.D. students at Mac Div.   It has been a full but a good day.

SBL Day One

Now that ETS is over, now is the time for SBL.  We started off with a session that looked at myth in comparison to the Old Testament.  After lunch, I went to a session on the synoptic Gospels that looked at the use of the Old Testament in Luke.  The speakers included Craig Evans and Richard Hayes.  I very much enjoyed their papers.  After that session, we went to a session on early trinitarian concepts in the Gospel of John.  It was also quite interesting.  After the sessions, Amanda took me out for dinner for my birthday.  Now it is time to relax and enjoy the evening.

ETS Day Four

Today was the last day of ETS.  It started with a great paper by N.T. Wright on Justification.  I thoroughly enjoy N.T. Wright's scholarship.  He has such a passion for Scripture and for the people of God.  It was obvious, however, that the harsh criticisms he has received has taken a toll.  It is unfortunate that Christians can be so uncharitable when they disagree.  After his paper, there was a panel discussion about all the plenary sessions.
After lunch I went to a session dealing with Craig Keener's new book on the historical Jesus.  One of the respondents was Craig Evans.  It was very interesting.  After that session, I went to the airport to meet Amanda.  It is great to have her here with me.  ETS was now done and so Amanda and I went over and got our material for SBL (Society of Biblical Literature) which starts tomorrow.

The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach

I just finished reading this book and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to defend the resurrection of Jesus as a matter of history.  You can purchase it from CBD at the link below.

The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach By Michael R. Licona / IVP Academic The question of the historicity of Jesus' resurrection has been repeatedly probed, investigated and debated. And the results have varied widely. Perhaps some now regard this issue as the burned-over district of New Testament scholarship, while others have come to believe that we simply do not have th adequate methods to make the controversial results of the field of any use. Could there be any new and promising approach to this problem? Yes, answers Michael Licona. And in The Resurrection of Jesus: A Historiographical Approach he convincingly points us to a significant deficiency in approaching this question: our historiographical orientation and practice. So he opens this study with an extensive consideration of historiography in general, and the particular problem of investigating claims of miracles. This alone is a valuable contribution to the ongoing struggle for methodoloical viability in historical Jesus scholarship. But then Licona carefully applies his principles and methods to the question of Jesus' resurrection. In addition to determining and working from the most reliable sources and foundational historical evidence, Licona critically weighs tegh viability of others' prominent hypotheses. His own argument is a challenging and closely argued case for the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. Any future approaches to dealing with this "prize puzzle" of New Testament study will need to be routed through The Resurrection of Jesus.

Serving a Patient God

Last week at church we focused on 1 Timothy 1:15-17.

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:15–17 NIV)

We looked at three aspects of this:
1) Jesus came to save sinners.  Paul calls himself the worst or the chief of sinners.  Many see this as a reference to his persecution of Christians.  I believe that Paul saw himself as the chief of sinners because he knew his own heart.  We can see other people's sinful actions but it is only within ourselves that we can see sinful hearts.  The fact is that we are all sinners in need of a Saviour.
2) God responds with mercy rather than wrath.  Christ displays his patience in our life like a beautiful masterpiece.  This is a display that we need to see and need to share with others.  Our witness is not based on our perfection but on the display of Christ's patience.
3) Paul responds to these truths with an outburst of praise.  Worship is not just a religious obligation, it should be a natural response to what God has done for us in Christ.

Death of the Messiah

A large part of my preparation for my ETS paper was reading Raymond Brown's massive two volume work The Death of the Messiah.  This is an incredible work of research.  In it, Brown looks at what all four canonical Gospels (as well as the Gospel of Peter) have to say about the passion of Christ.  He interacts with an incredible amount of scholarship.  I recommend this book for those who really want to dig into what the New Testament says about Jesus.  Warning: This is not light devotional reading but is meant for people interested in a scholarly approach.

The Death of the Messiah, Volumes 1 & 2 By Raymond E. Brown / Yale University Press "There is no better place to go for detailed analysis. For Brown both the history and drama are important. It is a classic,"---Christianity Today. "Of encyclopedic proportions, it will serve as a point of reference for decades,"---Christian Century. Moderately critical scholarship from this sane and balanced expert. 1664 pages total, two softcovers. Yale University.

ETS Day Three

Had a good day at ETS.  The morning started with a paper by Mike Licona on "The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach."  That happens to be the book that I am reading right now and so I was very interested.  I was extremely impressed with Mike.  Not only is he very intelligent, he was able to include humor, humility and authenticity.  His was probably the best speaker I have heard at ETS.  I then went to a paper by Randall Tan on "A 'Zoomable' Bible Commentary."  Next it was my turn.  I presented on "The Gospels, Josephus and the Place of Precision in Ancient Historical Accounts."  I had two fears: that no one would show up and that I would be asked a question about something I had never thought about.  Both fears were unfounded.  Everything went fine and I appreciate everyone's prayers and encouragement.
After lunch there was a time of worship.  It was wonderful to be able to worship together with people of many different backgrounds.  Afterwards there was another ETS plenary session with Frank Thielman speaking on "God's Righteousness as God's Fairness in Romans: The Oldest Perspective on Paul."  I then attended the EPS plenary session with renowned philosopher Alvin Plantinga who spoke on "A New Argument Against Materialism."  It was way over my head, but thankfully I have been listening to a philosophy podcast dealing with the same subject and so I at least was familiar with the terms.
I must confess that I skipped the rest of the afternoon's and evening's sessions.  I had a very good workout and decided to have some quality time with a book.  At the last minute I decide to go down for a coffee.  I ended up bumping into a friend from my time at the Arrow Leadership Program, named Ross Blackburn.  Ross is presenting tomorrow at ETS.  It was good to see him again.  All in all, a good day.  However, the best part is that tomorrow I get to see Amanda!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today (Nov. 18) would have been my dad's eighty-first birthday.  Unfortunately, he left this world a number of years ago.  At the same time, his presence remains.  Justus is extremely interested in my dad, even though they never met.  He is always asking about him.  It helps that Justus loves tools and my tools came from my dad.  My dad was far from perfect.  There were times that I could not handle him.  But looking back in relative maturity, I can see that I was extremely blessed with my dad.  He did show his love in his own way.  He was proud of me, even if those words were hard for him.  I am proud of him as well.  That is for a number of reasons, but most of all for praying to accept Christ just weeks before he died.  That was one of the happiest days of my life.  My dad, George Bedard, was a great man and he is very much missed.  Happy Birthday Dad!

ETS Day Two

The first full day of ETS is now finished (sort of).  I started the day of with a couple of lectures on the Trinity.  I heard from Rob Price on "Divine Obedience and the Trinity of Revelation in Barth" and Jason Sexton on "The State of the Recent Evangelical Trinitarian Resurgence."  I then switched over to a session sponsored by the Evangelical Philosophical Society where I heard J.P Moreland on "Graham Oppy on the Argument from Consciousness."  I finished off the morning with a lecture by Gregg Allison on "Theological Interpretation of Scripture: Promises and Pitfalls for Evangelical Appropriation."
There was a good amount of time for lunch and so I went to the gym after lunch.  In the afternoon I went to a session dealing with Andreas Kostenberger's A Theology of John's Gospels and Letters with responses by Stanley Porter, Craig Blomberg, Craig Keener, Jeannine Brown and Andreas Kostenberger.  Afterwards I caught another EPS lecture with James Spiegel on "The Virtue of Open-Mindedness."
After supper was the plenary session with Thomas Schreiner on "Justification: The Saving Righteousness of God in Christ."
My plan for the rest of tonight is to go over my paper that I am presenting on Thursday at 11:00 am.  Prayers are welcome.

The Me I Want to Be

There are plenty of self-help books out there.  Some would say that we can be anything we want to be.  That is not true.  I am never going be a professional football player or opera singer.  But that does not mean that we have to stay exactly the way we are.  God has made us with certain gifts, abilities and passions and our current situation does not always line up with that.  John Ortberg helps us to work through these issues in his book The Me I Want to Be.  Ortberg challenges and encourages us to to self-reflect and to seek God and discover the "me" that we are supposed to be.  Ortberg has a great style that is filled humor, personal illustrations and most of all biblical support.  I highly recommend this book.  You can purchase it at the link below.

The Me I Want to Be By John Ortberg / Zondervan Discover the great task---and joy---of becoming God's best version of yourself! Best-selling author and pastor Ortberg explains that Christ's vision for each of us is to grow spiritually toward a life in which his Spirit flows like a river---and assures us that this is God's project, not our own. Please note: The Me I Want to Be is available with 4 different colored dust-jackets--brown, blue, pink and lime-green. However, CBD cannot guarantee which color will be sent in your shipment.

ETS Day One

I am going to attempt to blog each day that I am in Atlanta for the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) and Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) meetings.  I left Meaford fairly early this morning to head out to the Toronto airport.  It is never easy to leave Amanda and the kids.  Apparently Emma was said that she could not come with me on a plane.  I am not sure if it is me that she misses or the chance to be on a plane. I flew from Toronto to Charlotte, North Carolina.  I both like and do not like flying.  I do not like it because I am not excited about high up we are (i.e. I am afraid of heights).  I do like it because I can get caught up on reading.  I was able to get about halfway through Michael Licona's The Resurrection of Jesus.  After a stopover in Charlotte, I flew to Atlanta.  This is my first time in Atlanta.  I joke with myself that I am staying in the King James Suite because my room is 1611.  If you don't get that, don't worry about it.  I now have my name tag and other materials and have had a chance to check out the hotel a bit.  One of my goals for this week is to get into physical shape as well as intellectual shape.  My physical test to join the army reserves is just a couple of days after I get back home.  They have a 24 hour gym and I will try to do the stairs (yes 16 floors) whenever it does not matter how sweaty I get.

History of the Jewish People in the Time of Jesus Christ

Although this book has been updated (the newer version is significantly more expensive), Emil Schurer's original work is still extremely valuable.  It is vital to understand the first century Jewish context in order to interpret the New Testament correctly.  At only $29.99 for five hard covers, this is an extremely good deal.

A History of the Jewish People in the Time of Jesus Christ By Emil Schurer / Hendrickson Publishers Now you can own Schurer's original landmark work. This edition gives you extensive essays on the Roman political system and its leaders, Jewish political and religious parties, messianic movements, and pertinent Greek and Jewish literature (including the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha) from the centuries before and after Christ. Five convenient volumes that include the original index (formerly a separate volume). 2144 pages total, hardcovers from Hendrickson.

ETS & SBL ASAP

Next week I will be heading out to Atlanta, Georgia.  This is not just a vacation but to attend two different conferences.  The first half of the week will be attending the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS).  This is a gathering of some of the top evangelical theologians and biblical scholars.  I will be presenting a paper myself (not that I am a top scholar!).  I will be comparing the four accounts of the passion and resurrection in the Gospels with the overlap between Josephus' War and Antiquities.  The plan is to demonstrate the level of precision in first century historiography.  I will be presenting on Thursday, November 18 in the morning and prayers are welcome.  Since that day would have been my dad's eighty-first birthday, I am dedicating the paper to him.  Amanda will be joining me for the second half for the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL).  This also will be a gathering of top scholars, but from a wider spectrum.  This will not be just evangelicals, but main-line Christians, Mormons, Jews, agnostics, atheists and just about everyone else.  This will be my second time attending SBL.  I am looking forward to both conferences.  

Remembering

Today is Remembrance Day.  It is a day for us to remember the service of men and women who sacrificed for us to have freedom.  We remember those who have fallen and we remember those who returned.  We remember those with physical injuries and those with emotional injuries.  We remember the family who waited and who helped the war effort at home.  I have talked with veterans in my church who have served during World War Two and I have family that have gone to Afghanistan.  They are all heroes.  We remember.  As we remember, let us not forget the forgotten war.  The media will speak of the first two world wars and they will speak of Afghanistan, but rarely do we hear of the Korean Conflict.  Canada's casualties in this war totaled 1,558 including 516 who died.  You can find out more about the Korean Conflict and Canada's role here.  Thanks go to all who have served in all of these wars.  You are our heroes!
 

Walking With Our Troops

I had an incredible experience today.  The padres at our local army base planned a prayer walk.  If you know our area, it was from the base just outside of Meaford to Thornbury.  This worked out to be almost exactly 25 km.  It was a beautiful day for a walk.  We stopped five times during the walk for prayers, the reading of the names of Canadian soldiers who have fallen in Afghanistan and for silence.  It was powerful.  I appreciate the hard work of Maj. Michael Allen and Capt. Glen Eagleson for organizing this event.  It was physically exhausting but spiritually exhilarating.  What a way to prepare for Remembrance Day.  

Taking Another Step

I received an important phone call today.  It was my call to go for a physical test to join the army.  What?!  I am joining the army reserves as a chaplain and this is the next major step in the process.  Why would I do such a thing?  Am I not busy enough?  Actually, I do not see this as taking time away from my pastoral ministry but rather as integral part of my current ministry.  Part of being a pastor is to minister to the people outside of the local congregation.  There is a wonderful bunch of men and women in the reserve unit known as the Grey & Simcoe Foresters based in Owen Sound.  My desire is to support them in their important role of taking time to train and serve while working other jobs.  I have an incredible respect for all of the military and my prayer is that all will go well in this process and that I will soon be their chaplain.  Prayers for my physical test on Nov. 25 are welcome.  

Jonathan Edwards

Jonathan Edwards was one of those rare Christian leaders that were able to blend evangelism, scholarship and a pastoral heart.  Edwards changed the shape of American religion and he continues to influence people today.  Taking the time to read the works of Jonathan Edwards is well worth the effort.

The Works of Jonathan Edwards, 2 Volumes By Jonathan Edwards / Hendrickson Publishers Discover why the fiery sermons of Jonathan Edwards sparked the Great Awakening of 1740! This 2-volume set features Edwards's most celebrated expositions, including The Freedom of the Will and The Religious Affections, plus Henry Rogers's Essay on the Genius and Writings of Jonathan Edwards---a work you won't find in any other Edwards collection. 1958 pages total, hardcovers from Hendrickson.

Hmmmm... Hymns

I was brought up in a traditional Anglican church that worshipped only with hymns.  In my twenties I switched to a Pentecostal church that sang mostly choruses.  At the time it felt freeing to be away from the boring old hymns and to be able to sing something more contemporary.  Having worked at a Christian music distributor, I was able to have access to much of the new music.  I have dozens and dozens of contemporary worship CDs.

Now that I am in my early forties, I find my tastes changing.  The songs that I find myself singing are usually the old hymns.  Now I have to make a few clarifications.  It is not just a nostalgia for the old hymns.  There are plenty of hymns that I find cheezy and painful to listen to.  It is also not just a manner of preferring the old to the new.  There are plenty of new worship songs that I enjoy, but most of them are written in the style of hymns.  What I find is that I prefer the theological depth and the reflection of faith that I find in hymn type worship.  A few catchy words are nice, but I am drawn to the deeper songs that proclaim theological truth in beautiful and worshipful ways.  I never thought I would be saying this.  However, I am not making judgment calls or entering into "worship wars."  My policy continues to take the best worship of every generation.  It is simply that my opinion of what is the best is continuing to develop.

Tyndale New Testament Commentaries

The Tyndale commentaries were one of the first series of commentaries that I ever encountered.  They are written by good evangelical scholars who are familiar with the scholarly issues but are also committed to a high view of Scripture.  One of the great things about the Tyndale commentaries is that they have a wide range of use.  They are appropriate for Bible study leaders in a local church and are worth quoting in seminary papers or journal articles.  There has been a recent update in the Tyndale series and that means that the previous set is now available at an extremely good price.  These volumes are available at Christian Book Distributors at the current time for only $4.99 each!

The Pastoral Epistles: Tyndale New Testament Commentary By Donald Guthrie / IVP Academic The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries are evangelical, scholarly treatments of the Scriptures. This work on the Pastoral Epistles of Paul is written by Donald Guthrie. It begins with an introductory section discussing authorship, dating, the place of authorship, the message of the epistles and the historical setting. The commentary itself draws on linguistic and historic elements to bring out the theological meaning in the Epistles. Good for pastors and informed lay people.

Philippians: Tyndale New Testament Commentary By Ralph P. Martin / IVP Academic The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries are evangelical, scholarly, and readable treatments of the Scriptures. This volume on Philippians begins with an introductory section discussing the date, place of origin, authenticity and unity, as well as occasion and purpose of the letter. The commentary itself covers the book chapter by chapter, giving an in-depth look at the message of this epistle. Good for pastors and lay people.

1 & 2 Thessalonians: Tyndale New Testament Commentary By Leon Morris / IVP Academic "No other writings of Paul provide a greater insight into his missionary methods and message as 1 and 2 Thessalonians," says Leon Morris. "Here we see Paul the missionary and Paul the pastor, faithfully proclaiming the gospel of God, concerned for the welfare of his converts, scolding them, praising them, guiding them, exhorting them, teaching them; thrilled with their progress, disappointed in their slowness . . . Especially important is the teaching of these Epistles on eschatology." The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries have long been a trusted resource for Bible study. Written by some of the world's most distinguished evangelical scholars, these twenty volumes offer clear, reliable, and relevant explanations of every book in the New Testament. Leon Morris (1914-2006), one of the leading evangelical scholars of the twentieth century, served as principal of Ridley College in Melbourne, Australia. He is the author of more than forty books, including The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross, The Atonement, and comprehensive scholarly studies on Matthew, Luke, John, and Romans.

Revelation: Tyndale New Testament Commentary By Leon Morris / IVP Academic "The book of Revelation is, I fear, a very neglected book. Its symbolism belongs to the first century, not to our own age," says Leon Morris in the preface to his commentary on Revelations. In this commentary he tries to explain the significance of the symbolism and to show the bearing of the message of Revelation on the problems of the day. Leon Morris (1914-2006), one of the leading evangelical New Testament scholars of the twentieth century, served as principal of Ridley College in Melbourne, Australia.

Hebrews: Tyndale New Testament Commentary By Donald Guthrie / IVP Academic

Matthew: Tyndale New Testament Commentary By R. T. France / IVP Academic The Tyndale New Testament Commentary series is a conservative and scholarly treatment of Scripture. This work by R.T. France begins with an introduction discussing the origin, dating, structure, theology and synoptic aspects of Matthew. The following commentary discusses the text section by section looking at the historical, linguistic and theological aspects of the work, drawing out the meaning and story of Jesus as found in Matthew.

Luke: Tyndale New Testament Commentary By Leon Morris / IVP Academic

Galatians: Tyndale New Testament Commentary By R. Alan Cole / IVP Academic The Tyndale New Testament Commentary series is an evangelical and scholarly treatment of the Scriptures. This volume on Galatians, by Alan Cole, begins with a discussion concerning the place, time and setting of the book. Cole looks at the theology of the book drawing on the central themes of Paul's letter. The commentary then looks at the events and ideas on a verse-by-verse basis. A good commentary for preachers and lay people.

2 Corinthians: Tyndale New Testament Commentary By Colin Kruse / IVP Academic Colin G. Kruse offers comment on the book of 2 Corinthians, including historical reconstructions, the nature of Paul's complicated relationship with the Corinthians, and the number of letters Paul wrote to Corinth. Fascinating and enlightening reading for anyone interested in this epistle.

2 Peter and Jude: Tyndale New Testament Commentary By Michael Green / IVP Academic This commentary is designed to help the reader of the Bible understand what the text actually says and what it means. The introduction to each book gives a concise but thorough treatment of questions of authorship and date. The commentary itself takes the book section-by-section, drawing out its main themes. It also comments on individual verses and faces up to problems of interpretation. The aim throughout is to get at the true meaning of the text of the Bible and to make its message plain.

Reformation Study Bible

Looking for a good Bible?  Consider the Reformation Study Bible.  It is now available in the English Standard Version (ESV).  ESV has quickly become one of my favorite translations as it blends both a literal translation good for study and readability.  You can purchase it from Ligonier Ministries from the link below.

This Week at Woodford and First Baptist Church Meaford

I am excited about this Sunday as Amanda will be preaching at both Woodford Baptist Church and First Baptist Church Meaford.  I must confess that I really enjoy Amanda's preaching.  It is not just because she is my wife, it is because she comes to the Bible with a fresh perspective.  She finds powerful images in familiar texts.  Amanda is really a natural at preaching.  She has practiced on me and so I know that both congregations are going to hear great encouragement for God's Word.  If you are in the area, feel free to join us at Woodford Baptist Church at 9:30 am and First Baptist Church Meaford at 11:00 am.

The reason that Amanda is preaching for me is that I have been on a study leave this week.  I have been working on two projects.  One I will give more information on at a later date.  The other is a paper I am working on to present at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society in Atlanta next week.  I am thankful for Amanda's help in allowing me to have the time to do this.  

Summa Theologica

One of the greatest minds of the Christian church was that of Thomas Aquinas.  His greatest work is that of the Summa Theologica.  This is a must for those serious about Christian theology or philosophy.

Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas, 5 Vols. By St. Thomas Aquinas, translated by English Dominicans / Ave Maria Press Constructed idea upon idea like a magnificent gothic cathedral, Aquinas's attempt to summarize all that was knowable about God and his relations with man offers a brilliant synthesis of medieval Christian thought. Consisting of 38 tracts, 631 questions, nearly 3,000 articles, and 10,000 objections with answers, it represents the full flowering of scholastic theology. 3020 pages total, five hardcovers from Ave Maria.

Book Recommendation

The Christian faith is firmly based in the resurrection of Jesus.  If Jesus did not rise from the dead, we might as well sleep in on Sunday mornings.  But how can we know that such an event took place.  There are some great resources out there.  One I would like to recommend is Mike Licona's new book The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach.

 

Resources From Ligonier Ministries

Buy R.C. Sproul's "Chosen By God" for $10.40. Shop Today!

Buy "The Last Days According to Jesus" from R.C. Sproul. Shop Now!

Buy R.C. Sproul's "The Consequences of Ideas" for only $12.80. Shop Now!

Buy "The Prince's Poison Cup" children novel by R.C. Sproul. Shop now!

Buy "Dust To Glory" by R.C.Sproul. Shop Now!

Buy "The Prince's Poison Cup" DVD by Dr. R.C. Sproul. Shop Now!

Buy "Providence: God in Control" in audio. Shop Now!

Buy R.C. Sproul's "Surprised by Suffering" Hardcover for only $12.00. Shop Now!

Funny How Things Work Out

Yesterday I received my third speeding ticket ever.  I was not that happy about it.  I noticed I was going a bit fast and soon as I hit the brakes, I saw the lights.  We are saving up for our trip to Atlanta and so a speeding ticket was not what we were hoping for.  When I arrived home, I found Justus very upset and being consoled by Amanda.  Justus is a very sensitive kid.  He got in trouble at school for running with scissors and was devastated.  He was ready to drop out of junior kindergarten!  I was able to pull out my speeding ticket and say "Look, daddy got in trouble today too."  I explained why I got in trouble and that the police officer wanted to protect me and other people.  In the same way, Justus' teacher wanted to protect him and the other children.  I assured Justus that I was not going to quit driving just because I got a ticket and he should not quit school for getting in trouble.  It was a nice moment as I felt that Justus understood what I was saying and he felt that I understand what he felt.  It is funny how things work out.  I don't think I got a speeding ticket just to help out Justus, but I do believe we need to watch for how we can use our circumstances to help another.

Professors I Have Studied Under

Here are a selection of books by professors I have studied under.

Flame Of Love By Clark H. Pinnock / Inter-varsity Press This magnum opus from one of evangelicalism's most stimulating theologians. Pinnock's systematic theology examines the centrality of the Holy Spirit to the church's life and witness, and invites us to move beyond rationalism to recover "intimacy and immediacy" with God. A theological bridge of mainstream, evangelical, and charismatic thought. 280 pages, softcover from InterVarsity.

Christology in the New Testament By Richard N. Longenecker / Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. This excellent volume explores the Christology of the New Testament from critical, historical, exegetical, and theological perspectives. Covering all of the Christian scriptures from the Gospels to Revelation, the book presents a detailed portrait of the person and work of Jesus. While written by first-class biblical scholars, Contours of Christology in the New Testament is nonetheless immediately accessible to general readers and relevant to everyday life. In addition to steeping readers in the biblical texts, these studies show how a proper understanding of New Testament Christology can help us to think and act more Christianly in the church and the world today.

Paul in Acts By Stanley Porter / Hendrickson Publishers Enriching our portrait of the Apostle to the Gentiles, Porter examines Paul through the lens of Acts. Employing literary-critical, rhetorical, and theological approaches, the coeditor of the acclaimed Dictionary of New Testament Background discusses such issues as the "we" passages; Paul as epistolographer vs. rhetorician; the missionary and apologetic speeches; Paul and pneumatology; and more. 233 pages, softcover from Hendrickson.

Baptist Life and Thought By Judson Press Baptist Life and Thought: A Source Book, Revised Edition. Spanning from 1600 through the end of the twentieth century, Baptist Life and Thought answers many questions surrounding this important stream of Christianity. A definitive resource, this updated version contains well known, seminal historial documents, as well as lesser known, previously unpublished works providing insights into the development and identity of Baptists.

The Folly of Preaching: Models and Methods By Edited by Michael Knowles / Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Talk about a gathering of luminaries! Knowles has pulled together this extraordinary banquet of sermons and essays on preaching from the Gladstone Festival at McMaster Divinity School in Hamilton, Ontario. There's Buttrick, Campolo, Long, Marty, Stott, Farris, Achtemeier, Robinson, etc. 264 pages, softcover. Eerdmans.

Understanding Paul, Second Edition By Stephen Westerholm / Baker Two millennia after his death, the apostle Paul remains one of antiquity's most compelling figures. Westerholm examines the major components of Paul's worldview as evidenced by the themes of Romans. He also delves into Old Testament writings that influenced Paul and prompts thought-provoking consideration of contemporary assumptions about faith, theology, and ethics.

The Dead Sea Scrolls: What Have We Learned? By Eileen M. Schuller / Westminster John Knox Press In this accessible and illuminating work, one of the world's foremost Dead Sea Scrolls scholars-and one of the first women to actually see the documents-reflects on the most significant learnings about these ancient documents of faith. How have minds of scholars changed as their understanding of the scrolls has expanded over the decades? How have the scrolls influenced our understanding of Scripture? What have we learned about the worship practices of the Qumran community? And what can the scrolls teach us about the role of women in early Judaism? Inviting her readers into the many controversies that have surrounded the scrolls and their publication, Eileen Schuller provides an authoritative overview to how the discovery and study of the Dead Sea Scrolls have sharpened our understanding of the early Jewish faith, including the Jewish religion that served as the foundation for early Christianity. Eileen M. Schuller is Professor of Religious Studies at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. One of the leaders in translating, editing, and publishing the Dead Sea Scrolls over the past twenty-five years, she is associate editor of The Encyclopedia of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Ancient Texts for the Study of the Hebrew Bible: A Guide to the Background Literature By Kenton L. Sparks / Hendrickson Publishers The Hebrew Bible represents no mere collection of books but a stunning array of literary genres. To fully illuminate the history and culture of the Old Testament, it is necessary to compare these ancient writings to similar texts written concurrently by Israel's neighbors. Beginning with an overview of the important literary archives of the ancient Near East, Kenton L. Sparks provides exhaustive references to the ancient literary counterparts to the Hebrew Bible's major genres. Surveying the ancient writings found throughout Egypt, Mesopotamia, Anatolia, and Palestine, Sparks provides a brief summary of each text discussed, translating brief portions and linking them to literarily similar biblical passages. Exploring over 30 genres: wisdom, hymns, love poetry, rituals, prophecy, apocalyptic, novella, epic legend, myth, genealogy, history, law, treaty, epigraphic materials, and others it offers an exemplary guide to the fertile literary environment from which the canonical writings sprung. Rich with bibliographic material, this invaluable catalog enables the reader to locate not only the published texts in their original ancient languages but to find suitable English translations and commentary bearing on these ancient texts. A number of helpful indexes round out this outstanding resource and provide students with a thorough introduction to the literature of the ancient Near East, and time-pressed scholars with an admirably up-to-date research tool.

Adolescents in Crisis: A Guidebook for Parents, Teachers, Ministers, & Counselors By G. Wade Rowatt, Jr. / Westminster John Knox Press In a world where violence among young people is becoming increasingly prevalent, G. Wade Rowatt offers solid direction for solutions to many of the issues adolescents face, including sexual promiscuity, substance abuse, depression, and suicide, as well as their sometimes violent tendencies. Integrating not only clinical research and experience, but biblical insights as well, Adolescents in Crisis provides ready help for parents, teachers, and all those who care for youth.

Galatians New International Biblical Commentary By L. Ann Jervis / Hendrickson Publishers Paul's letter to the Galatian churches is among the most riveting, personal, and rich of the apostle's writings. It arose in the midst of a crisis situation in which Paul is battling with "Judaizers" over the loyalty and doctrine of the Gentile Galatians. Ann Jervis provides delightful insights into the nuances of this battle. She shows how important Paul's gospel is to him both by detailing the many ways he asserts its truthfulness and by pointing out his adamant opposition to the gospel of his adversaries.