1. Who or What Defines Reformed?

2. Calvinism Old and New

3. For Those Just Tuning In: What is the Federal Vision?

4. A Word to Students in the Midst of Controversy

5. Thinking About the Confederation of Reformed Evangelicals?

6. Covenant Theology is Not Replacement Theology

From Atheism Sucks

I can’t recommend the debate between Kyle Butt and Dan Barker enough. What I like about Kyle is the fact that he actually did his homework on Barker’s past debates and books – and it shows! The result? Kyle read Barker like a book. As much as Barker tried to refute Kyle with an onslaught of alleged Bible contradictions, moral atrocities done in the name of God, etc., he couldn’t break Kyle. Barker was forceful in his presentation (so forceful as a matter of fact that it made him look desperate), but Kyle exhibited grace, patience, and coolness. Consequently, this made Barker look insecure. Kyle lived up to a Christian example, and his generosity made you proud to be a Christian. This was an easy victory for Kyle.

By far, my favorite part in the debate was when Kyle cross-examined Barker and questioned him about morality and rape. Barker has mentioned on occasions that rape could be a moral act (we mentioned that here; heck, Richard Dawkins says rape is morally arbitrary). Kyle exposed this and showed that his moral justification is similar to the Nazis. Check it out:

Interview with William Young

Here is an interview with The Shack author William Young. In it he flatly denies the substitutionary atonement (which was one of the questions many people had as they read the book).

Preachin’ Dirty

Phil Johnson begins to answer critics of his talk dealing with “Sound Doctrine, Sound Words.” To this point it seems a very grace-filled discussion.

If Galatians was Published in Christianity Today

The Sacred Sandwich imagines what would happen if Paul’s letter was to be written and published today.

• Every academic discipline has its intellectual gate keepers, who undertake to determine who is in and who is out. The field of biblical studies is no different in this respect. Where it does differ is in the reality that its subject matter is considered by huge numbers of people to be sacred writ and the very Word of God. This poses difficulties to those for whom a certain conception of science demands that this Word be treated like every other word. The ensuing controversy can be traced through this recent exchange. First, R. R. Reno: Recovering the Bible. Second, John W. Martens: No Country for Biblical Scholars. And finally, Reno again: Whither Historical Criticism? Is it possible to bridge the peculiarly modern and postmodern cleavage between those who explore the historical settings of the biblical texts and those who focus on the redemptive meaning of Scripture as a whole?

• Reading Leviticus

Julian Freeman: “If you’re on my Bible reading plan (there are at least two of you that I know of ) or any other similar plan, there’s a good chance you’re finding yourself smack-dab in the middle of Leviticus right now. That’s not an easy place to be.” He gives three helpful tips for enjoying Leviticus.

::

Some have tried to draw parallels between Calvinism and Islam, but Paul Manata refutes that notion.

• Ex-President Bill Clinton doesn’t want to be a “house husband.” He said, “I’m too much of a Calvinist. If I don’t work everyday I get nervous.” See the video here.

Five Reasons You Need to Study Theology
“There are many reasons why Christian’s need to study theology. In no particular order here are five reasons you need to study theology, and hopefully some of these you won’t have considered before.”

::

Another Five Reasons to Study Theology Here’s a follow-up list

::

“Rabbi” Duncan
On the anniversary of “Rabbi” Duncan’s death, Fred Sanders offers a few of his best aphorisms. Example: “I have a great liking for many of Wesley’s Hymns; but when I read some of them, I ask, ‘What’s become of your Free-will now, friend?’”

• TIME Magazine presents 10 Ideas Changing the World Right Now. Number three on the list: Calvinism.
• Mark Driscoll weighs in on the TIME article here and here.
• The Wittenberg Door features a Q & A on the topic of total depravity.
• John Calvin on common grace.
• Contrary to what you may have heard, it is possible to be a five-point, evangelistic Calvinist.

·         Theories about what happened to the ten lost tribes of Israel. This link is to the first of a 3-part article, so be sure to click on to read the other 2 parts… very interesting to think about! (I think the 3rd part– about Japan & Ethiopia– is the most fascinating.)

·         How does a secular scientist become a believer in creation according to the Bible?

·         Thoughts from another mom searching out biblical truth and God’s will concerning birth control & family size.

·         They Paused. One woman’s experience as a sidewalk counselor at an abortion clinic.

·         Former abortion clinic manager shares how she became pro-life.

·         What happens to the body parts and little bodies of the murdered babies?

Crossway is pleased to make the ESV Online Study Bible available free–for anyone and everyone–for a limited time beginning today, March 2 through March 31, 2009.

As many of you have already experienced, the the ESV Online Study Bible provides numerous interactive features in addition to those found in the print edition, enabling readers to:

• Record personal notes, reflections, and links
• Click hyperlinked cross references
• Search by verse, topic, or keyword
• Digitally highlight Bible passages or key words with various colors
• Listen to audio of passages

For full access and free trial use of these features for one month, users can create a login and password at www.esvstudybible.org/online. Email information will not be shared, nor will there be any obligation to purchase

• Stephen Baldwin’s Video Testimony: “I Am Second”
• Some “One Another”s you won’t find in the Bible.
• Tired? Worn to a frazzle? Perhaps you could incorporate a more intentional “Sabbath rest” into your life.
• This has always been something that drives me crazy too– self-centered praise music (talk about a contradiction! )
• Here’s the 2009 list of the most persecuted countries around the world
• Jesus said not “if”, but “when you fast”
• Here’s a bio of author, Randy Alcorn: The Pastor Without a Paycheck

 I wish I remember what blog I got this list from, but the links are good and will make you think

• Nathan Eshleman at Presbyterian Thoughts raises a provocative question about how the Church and Illegal Immigrants.  Having personally been involved in the immigrant community, and where my church is unable to send a mission team overseas, this question is personal.  The Church needs to get involved in the just treatment and compassionate care for immigrants.
• Eric Jones compiles a list of questions about raising mission minded children.
• Here’s an article about “downsizing” the Sunday service for the sake of mission.  Reduce the time and effort that needs to be put into the Sunday service in order to allow more time for leaders to “rub shoulders” with non-Christians during the week.  (Thanks to Benjamin Sternke).
• Confessing Evangelical writes a great post about evangelism methods and techniques, with a great quote from a speaker he writes about:

“Is your life the sort of life that makes people ask questions about God, and is your conversation the sort of conversation that answers them?”

Touchstone editor James Kushiner passes along a list of 10 books recommended by Mars Hill Audio’s Ken Myers for understanding culture:

Five “Thinner” Books:

1. C. S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man (1943)
2. Wendell Berry, Life Is a Miracle: An Essay Against Modern Superstition (2000)
3. Colin Gunton, Enlightenment and Alienation: An Essay Towards a Trinitarian Theology (1985)
4. George Parkin Grant, English-Speaking Justice (1985)
5. Richard Weaver, Ideas Have Consequences (1948)

Five “Thicker” Books:

1. John McWhorter, Doing Our Own Thing: The Degradation of Language and Music and Why We Should, Like, Care (2003)
2. Jacques Barzun, The Use and Abuse of Art (1974)
3. David Thomson, The Whole Equation: A History of Hollywood (2004)
4. Julian Johnson, Who Needs Classical Music?: Cultural Choice and Musical Value (2002)
5. Langdon Winner, Autonomous Technology: Technics-out-of-Control as a Theme in Political Thought (1977)

HT: James Grant