Friday, June 28, 2013

Mortification Of Spin


The latest edition of the Mortification Of Spin is up and running.
Is there such a thing as a tan Englishman? Todd and Carl debate the issue momentarily before focusing their attention on the recent news surrounded Pope Francis' universalist comments. If you're not familiar with the term "anonymous Christian" (don't worry...we weren't either), listen in and learn how the Pope's flawed theology has been plaguing the church from Justin Martyr in the 2nd century to misguided modern day teachers like Rob Bell. Is there a difference between universalism and inclusivism? What's the real problem with the Roman Catholic Church? Our hosts will answer these questions and more in this "no guest needed" edition of your favorite reformed podcast!
Check it out HERE.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

CREDO


If you are not familiar with the website/magazine/blog CREDO then you ought to be. It is an excellent resource for Christians who want to grow in the knowledge of the Scriptures and the Faith once for all delivered to the saints.

Each edition of the webzine is given to a particular topic. The most recent issue is dedicated to the doctrine of the Trinity. Check out the article by Michael Reeves entitled Why A Triune God is Better Than Any Other.

Sunday's Sermon


I am currently preaching through the epistle of Jude. The series is entitled The Alert Christian. Here is where we stand so far:

Part 1 - "Slaves of Christ Loved by God" (vv.1-2)

Part 2 - "Contend For The Faith" (vv. 3-4)

Part 3 - "The Most Unpopular Message in the World" (vv. 5-16)

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

The Constant Reader


Here are a few new titles worth checking out...


Living in the Light of Inextinguishable Hope
by Iain Duguid
The latest volume in the outstanding series The Gospel According to the Old Testament


Journey To Joy: The Psalms of Ascent
by Josh Moody


Rebels Rescued
by Brian Cosby
I really enjoy Cosby's writing. This is an excellent book to get into the hands of older high schoolers or university students.


66 Books, One Story: A Family Guide to Every Book of the Bible
by Paul Reynolds

SCOTUS on DOMA




History was made today by the Supreme Court of the United States. The door is now fully open to require all 50 states to recognize homosexual marriage. Time will tell how this will further our decline as a society. But in the short run it will certainly speed the rate at which Christians are dismissed as bigots and haters. There is nothing new about that. The tricky difference is that very soon pastors and churches will be faced with the fall out of standing against state and federal law. We must be ready for the new challenges this will present.

We also must keep in mind that the state is not the church. The state does not bear the same responsibilities nor exist for the same purpose as does the church. However, this does not lessen the state's obligation to God Almighty. His laws are not rendered irrelevant outside the church or Christian home. Sin is a blight on any nation. And we should expect dire consequences as a nation when we affirm and celebrate what God abominates.

Earlier today, Al Mohler offered an initial reaction to the SCOTUS decision:
Even though the Court did not rule today that all states must legally recognize and allow for same-sex marriages, the handwriting is on the wall. Justice Kennedy’s majority opinion implicitly invites any citizen who resides in a state that does not allow for same-sex marriage to claim that his or her constitutional rights are violated on the basis of the Court’s opinion handed down today. You can count on a challenge of this form arising in short order.

As Justice Scalia noted in his dissent today, “As far as this Court is concerned, no one should be fooled; it is just a matter of listening and waiting for the other shoe.”

The Court’s majority did not want to pay the political price that a decision as immediately sweeping as Roe v. Wade would have cost. Instead, the majority decided to send a clear signal that such a case will now be well received. It struck down DOMA by employing a logic that, as Scalia noted, cannot stop with the striking down of DOMA. It can only stop with the full legalization of same-sex marriage in all fifty states by judicial fiat.

But wait, for there are more shoes to drop...Continue Reading

The Doctrine of Christ and Contemporary Challenges

The following panel discussion was hosted by Ligonier Ministries at the 2013 PCA General Assembly, with Sinclair Ferguson, Robert Godfrey, Ligon Duncan, Richard Pratt, and R.C. Sproul, moderated by Steve Nichols. It's well worth a watch: