Piper on Humbly Being Light in the World
John Piper has been blogging about how we ought to use our “economic stimulus checks” in some Christ-glorifying way, which has led to a very good discussion about balancing the tension between the following two Biblical commands:
Matthew 5:14-1614 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (ESV)
Matthew 6:16:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (ESV)
Gerstner: Everyone Must Be a Theologian
Ligonier Ministries is publishing, through their blog, an out-of-print book by the late John Gerstner, Theology for Everyman:
Is it not clear why a layman must necessarily be a theologian? Is there anyone, layman or otherwise, who does not need to know God? Does the Scripture not say, “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent” (John 17:3)? It is no mere option, then, with a layman whether or not he will be a theologian, or whether he will have eternal life or not; it is not an option with him whether he will know God or not. The knowledge of God is necessary to eternal life. And if eternal life is necessary for every man, then theology is also necessary for every man.
More here.
John Mark Reynolds: Five Things You Should Know About Protestant Evangelicals
Whew, and I thought the Puritans were into long titles…
1. Evangelicals are not just white, despite media perceptions.
2. Evangelicals (in general) hate anti-Semitism.
3. Evangelical culture values education highly.
4. Evangelicals help the poor.
5. Conversion to Evangelical Christianity has saved many people from destruction in the here and now. That is a good thing whatever your view of the afterlife.
More here.
Dever (Again)
I blogged the other day on Dever on Dangerous Gospels, and it appears that now, he is posting transcripts of his T4G talk on his own blog. You can find Part 1, “Make the Gospel Public,” here.
Studying with My Daughter
Last night, McKaylyn was practicing handwriting while I worked on the workbook exercises for my study of Greek. I just thought I’d share this little snippet of conversation…
Me: ??? ???????? ???? ????? ????? ?? ???????? ???? ?? ???????? ????. Do you know what that means?
Her: Nope.
Me: It means, “I baptized you by water, but He will baptize you by the Holy Spirit.”
Her: That’s John talking.
Me: Which John? John the Apostle?
Her: No, John the Baptist.
Me: Very good! Who was he talking about?
Her: Jesus.
I sure do love my little girl!
Follow Me!