In his fascinating book The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century author Thomas Friedman decries how American students have fallen behind other nations in such fields as math and engineering. At the same time students in the U.S. have excelled at becoming couch potatoes: 65% of Americans are overweight, but this trend has become an epidemic among young people. “We are literally killing ourselves,” John Ratey says in his book Spark, … [Read More]
Q&A 16 (Part 1): What are your five or six favorite living preachers?
Question: Who are your five or six favorite living preachers? Why? What can we learn from them?
Reply:
Let me begin by saying I am going to answer a question that was not raised: who are my favorite preachers living or dead? I simply cannot resist. Three of my favorite preachers of all time are now with the Lord. That would be W.A. Criswell, Adrian Rogers and Stephen Olford. Each of these men were anointed by God … [Read More]
Q&A 15: What are your thoughts about perserverance of the saints?
Question: What are your thoughts about perseverance of the saints?
Reply:
This is the one area where all Southern Baptists agree! PTL! The doctrine affirms that those that God saves He protects and preserves their salvation to the very end. Sometimes this doctrine is also known by the phrase “eternal security.” There are many scriptures I believe that affirm this. Perhaps the clearest is John 10:27-29 which states, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know … [Read More]
“Ministry By His Grace and For His Glory” by Nathan Finn
You’ve been waiting for the most recent publication from the pen of the talented and prolific Nathan Finn, and I’m happy to announce that the wait is over. Dr. Finn, who is Associate Professor of Historical Theology and Baptist Studies here at Southeastern, and co-editor Tom Ascol have provided a collection of essays honoring Dr. Tom Nettles for his years of service in his writing and teaching ministry. SEBTS President Danny Akin also contributed a … [Read More]
Q&A 14: What are your thoughts about irresistable grace?
Question: What are your thoughts about irresistible grace?
Reply:
“Irresistible grace” is as unfortunate a term as is “limited atonement.” A far better way to describe this teaching is “effectual calling.” Those who affirm effectual calling believe that those who are predestined by God to be saved are effectually/effectively called to salvation. This seems to be the clear teaching of Romans 8:28-30 for example. They are not forced to come but they freely and willingly do … [Read More]
Q&A 13: What do you think about limited atonement?
Question: What do you think about limited atonement?
Reply:
This is the issue within Calvinism that causes the strongest emotional response. And, that is easy to understand. Let me say first of all that the phrase “limited atonement” is unfortunate. A far better way of identifying what classic Calvinist mean by this doctrine is “particular redemption” (or “definite atonement”). I have never been persuaded for the truth of this position though I do understand and respect the … [Read More]
Reinventing Student Ministry
Recently I had the honor of participating in the ReInventing Youth Ministry Conference at Southern Seminary. I enjoyed catching up with old friends, including some phenomenal student pastors and Dr. Troy Temple, who teaches at SBTS. I finally met in the flesh Dr. Dave Adams, a legend in student ministry.
Wherever I go, whether I am speaking with a local church and its leaders or a gathering of student pastors, one thing is clear in all … [Read More]
Book Notice: “Taking Christian Moral Thought Seriously” by Jeremy Evans
It has been said that the title of philosopher is easily earned by anyone with a credibly furrowed brow who speaks, writes, and otherwise publicly bloviates about the big, big questions. It has also been said that philosophy departments are full of pervicacious malaperts who overestimate their own brilliance, gazing condescendingly on the ignorant masses who believe in such fantasies as the virgin birth and resurrection.
Not so at Southeastern, where our faculty are not only … [Read More]
Question 12: How do I contextualize a biblical truth?
It is not possible to not contextualize. Every Christian is actively contextualizing all the time, and is either doing it well or doing it badly. Gospel proclamation, church life, and theology are always contextual. As Hiebert points out, “On the one hand, the gospel belongs to no culture. It is God’s revelation of himself and his acts to all people. On the other hand, it must always be understood and expressed within human cultural forms” … [Read More]
The Top 25 (Or So) Books for a Young Theologian to Own (And Read)
If ever in history there were a non-event, this is it: my top 25 (or so) books for a young theologian to own (and read). A few weeks ago, a friend of mine sent me his list of twenty-five books and it “got me to thinkin.” So here’s my list, but before I give the list, allow me to make several comments.
First, I’ve focused this list mainly on Christian doctrine and systematic theology, and certain … [Read More]
