Randy Alcorn: Building a Biblical Worldview

Now, if I’m immersed in God’s Word and biblically based literature, then and only then am I able to discern from the newspaper and Time and Hemingway and movies what values are being communicated and whether or not those values are true. Scripture becomes my grid, my moral filter by which I judge all other claims to truth. I can now pick and choose what is right based on my knowledge of God’s Word.

But If I do not spend sufficient time in Scripture, or if I fail to realize the essential authoritative difference of Scripture and all else, or if I interpret Scripture in light of Seinfeld or Hemingway or Gladiator, then I will be led astray. If I am biblically grounded I can read the Book of Mormon and a book by the Dalai Lama and evaluate it appropriately. If I’m not, by reading such things I run the risk of believing untruths and being sucked into anti-Christian heresy.

via Eternal Perspectives (Randy Alcorn’s blog): Building a Biblical Worldview.

DeYoung, Restless, and Reformed: Social Justice and the Poor (2)

Kevin DeYoung continues his series on social just and the Bible:

My contention, and I am willing to prove myself wrong as I work through several other texts, is that social justice in the Bible is not an achieved result but equal treatment and a fair process. No bribes. No backroom deals. No slanderous judgments. No breaking your promises. No taking advantage of the weak. That’s what the Bible means by social justice. Ideally, justice is blind. That’s why Lady Justice on our courthouses has her eyes covered. That’s why the U.S. Supreme Court building has inscribed on it the words “Equal Justice Under Law.” Justice means there is one law for everyone, not different rules for different kinds of people.

via DeYoung, Restless, and Reformed: Social Justice and the Poor (2).

DeYoung, Restless, and Reformed: Social Justice and the Poor (1)

Kevin DeYoung begins a new series today on social justice, and today’s entry is very thought-provoking:

I’m starting a blog series today and I don’t know how long it will go or how often I will do it. But I do know what it will be about. I want to take a look at what the Bible says about social justice and the poor. I imagine that this series will last a couple months, with probably a post a week on the subject.

via DeYoung, Restless, and Reformed: Social Justice and the Poor (1).

(HT: Challies)

Grudem’s Christian Essentials on iTunes « Faith by Hearing

I’m about 40 sessions into this, myself (October 08, 2006 – Chapter 15: The Doctrine of Creation, Pt. 4 of 4). It’s excellent for my morning commute, especially at 2x speed. Dr. Grudem sound very excited indeed about theology at that speed.

Incidentally, I highly recommend the October 1, 2006 session (The Doctrine of Creation, Part 3 of 4), where Dr. Grudem analyzes Darwinian evolution.

Grudem’s Christian Essentials on iTunesAugust 16, 2009 at 6:00 am · Filed under Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem Wayne Grudem’s entire Christian Essentials class is now on iTunes. This is five years of lectures going through his excellent Systematic Theology book.I’ve recommended this book more than any other book. It truly is a helpful work that is accessible, easy to read, and thorough.

via Grudem’s Christian Essentials on iTunes « Faith by Hearing.

Strong Words From Pastor Piper « The Responsible Puppet

You know them at work, they’re you’re friends for goodness sake, and you want them to be. And when they ask you: “So, you’re saying . . . if I don’t embrace your Jesus, you think I’m going to go to hell?”

What are you going to say right there? “Well, it’s kind of complex and there are disagreements in the church and there are a lot of scholars and a lot of opinions and . . .” Weasel, weasel, weasel!

read more at Strong Words From Pastor Piper « The Responsible Puppet.

Book Review: Multi-Site Churches – 9Marks

Bobby Jamieson at 9Marks reviews Scott McConnell’s book Multi-Site Churches: Guidance for the Movement’s Next Generation:

Me reviewing this book is like a PETA employee reviewing a hunting manual.

Let me explain. I don’t think churches should be multi-site. I think that the New Testament church’s example, the meaning and use of the word ekklesia, and the nature of congregational authority all indicate that a church is by definition, and therefore should only be, a single assembly that meets in one place. Strictly speaking, I don’t think that multi-site churches even exist. I think that each site or campus or venue is by definition a separate church, at least if we use the word “church” the way the New Testament does.

via Book Review: Multi-Site Churches – 9Marks.