On the prosperity gospel

The good folks at 9Marks have dedicated the most recent issue of the 9Marks Journal to the prosperity gospel. There are some really helpful articles and book reviews in this issue.

It would be wonderful to toss this particular heresy on history's trash heap. But the prosperity gospel has tremendous resilience. Not only has it survived being clearly contrary to the Scriptures but it has also survived being verifiably untrue in actual experience.

9 Marks Journal

The new 9 Marks Journal is focused on the topic of the sufficiency of Scripture. Specifically the writers deal with whether or not the Scriptures are sufficient to govern the polity and worship of the church.

Why New Testament Polity is Prescriptive by Bobby Jamieson

Contextualizing Ecclesiology by Ed Roberts

I Was A Pragmatist by Jeramie Rinne

The Sufficiency of Scripture by Carl Trueman

When Is Pragmatism Prudent by Jamie Dunlop

The Twin Temptations of Pragmatism and Authoritarianism by Jonathan Leeman

Regulative Like Jazz by Jonathan Leeman

Must All Regulative Principle Churches Look The Same? by Tripp Lee

What About Movie Clips?  by Aaron Menikoff

Does The Regulative Principle Demand Exclusive Psalmody? by Robert Letham

Nine Marks Journal

The newest edition of the 9 Marks Journal is dedicated to the doctrine and implications of conversion. There are some excellent articles here folks. Check it out.

The Beauty of Conversion by Jared Wilson
To many, the Christian doctrine of conversion appears anything but beautiful. They say it’s coercive—“No one will force their beliefs on me!” Or it’s offensive—“Who are you to say that what I believe and how I live is wrong?”

His Arm Is Strong to Save: A Trajectory of Conversion in America by Owen Strachan
Historical changes in America’s doctrine of conversion show up in all sorts of interesting places.

Conversion and the Story of Israel by Thomas R. Schreiner
The New Testament doctrine of conversion doesn’t come out of nowhere. It’s anticipated in the Old Testament story of Israel.

Conversion in the New Testament by Thomas R. Schreiner
The promise of redemption becomes a reality in the New Testament—a reality that includes a new covenant, a new exodus, new hearts, and a new creation.

Conversion, God, and the Whole Self by Stephen J. Wellum
Conversion is absolutely necessary for salvation. Why? Because of what our problem is, who God is, and what the gospel demands.

The Corporate Component of Conversion by Jonathan Leeman
Does your doctrine of conversion include the body of Christ? If not, it may be time to rethink it.

Book Review: Revival and Revivalism

The Underestimated Pastoral Power of a Proper Doctrine of Conversion by Jonathan Leeman
Conversion unleashes the power of a new creation life, which is the power our people need.

Conversion and Your Church’s Architecture by Jeramie Rinne
Here’s what one pastor learned through a blocked building project about the link between doctrine and practice.

How “Belonging before Believing” Redefines the Church by Michael Lawrence
“Belonging before believing” is an attractive and seemingly effective idea, yet it fundamentally redefines the church. This article offers a better, more biblical way.

Concepts of Conversion in the Inner City by Shai Linne
From the Nation of Islam to mainline churches to the beginnings of a theological rebirth, this article canvasses concepts of conversion in the inner cities of America.

Testimonies of the Underestimated Gospel
9Marks asked all the T4G plenary and break-out speakers and panelists to provide us with a one sentence answer to this question: What were the human means and instruments of your conversion?

Six Ways to Give Your People False Assurance by Michael McKinley
Many people in our churches have a firm but unfounded belief that they are genuinely converted. Here are six ways pastors contribute to that problem.

Book Review: Finally Alive

Nine Marks Journal

The latest edition of the Nine Marks Journal is outstanding. The theme is church revitalization and will be particularly helpful for those who help to lead churches struggling with a significant need for greater health or even reform.

on-line version

PDF

Nine Marks Journal

The latest edition of the 9 Marks Journal is now online.

The theme is the relationship between pastor and staff.

Articles:
The Obvious and Not-So-Obvious of Staff Managment by Mark Dever
Senior Pastor as Servant's Servant's Servant by Jeremie Rinnie
Do You Disciple Your Staff by Mark Mullery & Vince Hinders
Dear Senior Pastor, Sincerely, the Associate Pastor by Andy Johnson
Dear Associate Pastor, Sincerly, a Former Associate Pastor by Michael Lawrence
Dear Staff, Sincerely the Senior Pastor by Jeramie Rinnie

Should you join a church?

The short answer is "Yes!"

Take time to check out the latest 9Marks ejournal. The theme this month is church membership. Is it biblical? What does membership mean? What are the costs of meaningless membership?

Is Church Membership Biblical by Matt Chandler

Joining a Church the Ancient Way by Michael Haykin

Church Membership and Contextualization by Ed Roberts

Meaningless Membership by Al Jackson

Twelve Reasons Why Membership Matters by Jonathan Leeman

Check out the entire issue HERE.

Nine Marks Journal

The Latest Nine Marks Journal is available. The theme of this issue is the relationship between the church and the parachurch.

• J. Mack Stiles, Nine Marks of a Healthy Parachurch Ministry. A longtime parachurch veteran lays out nine things that should keep a parachurch ministry faithful to the gospel.
• Carl Trueman, How Parachurch Ministries Go Off the Rails. Parachurch ministries often go wrong because they sideline important doctrines and lack proper accountability.
• Aaron Menikoff, Are Parachurch Ministries Evil? Bad and Good Arguments for the Parachurch. This article critiques common arguments in favor of parachurch ministries; then it offers surer footing for their biblical legitimacy and practical usefulness.
• Byron Straughn, For the Parachurch: Know the Difference Between Families & Soccer Teams. Too many parachurch workers are only casually connected to a church. But this parachurch worker says they should reconsider this stance—for their good and the good of their ministries.
• Andy Johnson, For the Church: Which Parachurch Ministries Should You Support? Pastors are flooded with requests for parachurch support. Here are a few principles to help you decide whom to get behind.
• Jeramie Rinne, For the Church: How Can You Support Parachurch Ministries? How can the local church support parachurch ministries? This pastor says by attending to your church’s health, by providing accountability, and by promoting their work.
• D. A. Carson, Praying for Parachurch Ministries. A seasoned saint, scholar, and parachurch leader offers six reflections on praying for parachurch ministries.
• Jonathan Leeman, How Church Discipline Will Save the Parachurch. Imagine what the evangelical landscape would look like if local churches did more to correct sin. Might the landscape become crowded with healthy parachurch ministries?

HELL

That is the subject of the latest issue of the Nine Marks Journal.

Contents:

Pastoral Perspectives on Hell

Mark Dever, Pastoral Fearmongering, Manipulation, and Hell
Our culture sneers at fear, as if there really is nothing to fear but fear itself. Yet Jesus told people to fear hell, and pastors today should do the same.

Kevin DeYoung, There’s Something Worse than Death
The doctrine of hell is ballast for our ministries, which will help us sail straight toward our most urgent task: proclaiming the gospel.

Sinclair Ferguson, What Then Shall We Preach on Hell?
Hell is an awful and overwhelming reality. Yet where Scripture speaks, pastors must not be silent. Here’s some practical help for this demanding calling.

Hell in Biblical and Theological Perspective

Greg Gilbert, Why Hell Is Integral to the Gospel
Some think that by minimizing or ignoring hell, they are making God more glorious and more loving. Far from it! The horror of what we have been saved from only intensifies the glory and wonder of our salvation.

Andrew David Naselli, Hellfire and Brimstone: Interpreting the New Testament’s Descriptions of Hell
The New Testament graphically and horrifically describes hell, which raises a thorny question: how should we interpret those dreadful images?

James M. Hamilton Jr., How Does Hell Glorify God?
Hell glorifies God by vindicating his holiness and faithfulness to his word, demonstrating his infinite worth, and magnifying his mercy and love toward the redeemed.

Gavin Ortlund, An Annotated Bibliography on Hell

Nine Marks Journal

The Jan/Feb edition of the Nine Marks Journal is not online (pdf).

The theme of this edition is "The Mindset of the New Evangelical Liberalism." This is a timely subject indeed. There are some outstanding articles here and I encourage you to take time to read and reflect.

Michael Lawrence - How to become a liberal without attending Harvard Divinity School

Carl Trueman - The Real Scandal of the Evangelical Mind

Al Mohler - Air Conditioning Hell: How Liberalism Happens

Phil Johnson - The Neo-Liberal Stealth Offensive

J. Mack Stiles - What's Happening to InterVarsity?

Jonathan Leeman - Is the God of the Missional Gospel Too Small?