Reformissionary

Keller Veritas Forum at Berkeley

Thanks to a couple of emailers I have found this 1 1/2 hour video of Keller at Berkeley. (Audio here.)

Lots-o-Links 3.2.08

Quick God Story: My family is still sick, sick, sick.  Unbelievable virus we are dealing with.  We were all feeling better and now most of us are getting symptoms back.  Our youngest now has 103+ temp again.  Ugh.  But all praise to God for this story.  Saturday afternoon my debilitating fever and aches stopped and I had tons of energy Saturday night and plenty for the task this morning.  I mean I went from the worst day so far on Saturday morning, and then full of energy and vigor Saturday evening.  Then soon after gathered worship today my fever came back as did my aches and terrible cough (I didn't cough once during the sermon).  There may be some medical explanation for why I had such a dramatic health hiccup, but I know WHO is getting the credit.  I was truly singing this morning, "How Great is Our God."

Speaking of how sick I am, it would really help me turn this frown upside-down if someone would present me something this awesome with Joe Thorn's likeness on it.  It would make my year! (HT)

When was the last time you wondered how Michael Foster would approach church planting differently?  Exactly.  And he promises to elaborate.  I'm demanding he gets on it asap.

You need to make your way to the Vintage Jesus Newsroom, where Steve Camp goes for his devotional time.

Poythress, The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses, online free.

PastorHacks is into Jott (and Pinger).  I've been using Jott for a while now with great success and productivity.  I think Joe Thorn told me about Jott (I had to say that because he will speak harshly to me this week if I don't mention it.  I don't like it when Hobbits get mean, especially when I'm sick.).

I may have mentioned this before, but Piper/Bethlehem's accountability stuff is worth checking out. 

You should check out Abraham Piper's crazy little experiment of a blog.  Alas, he is his father's son.  (Only four more words.)

Speaking of numbers, Baptist Reformed types will probably not like Scot McKnight's new article, "The 8 Marks of a Robust Gospel."  Why?  It's one short.  I actually haven't read it yet, but McKnight is always worth reading (even when tragically wrong!).  No heckling me please.  I'm sick.

Here's Eugene Peterson at the 2007 Writer's Symposium by the Sea (isn't that where George McFly first kissed that chick from Howard the Duck?).  The story he tells about Bono is worth the whole thing.  (HT)

Spiritual Combustion Cycle

Repentance and faith have been called the two dynamics of a “spiritual combustion cycle” that God means to be at work in our hearts at all times, changing us into the image of his Son. In order for us to experience the transforming power of the gospel in our lives, we must continually be repenting and believing in the gospel.

When this “spiritual combustion cycle” of ongoing repentance and faith is at work in the heart, there will be change. The reverse is also true. When there is no true change in the heart and life, it is certain that this cycle of ongoing repentance and faith is not taking place.

Steven Childers, "True Spirituality: The Transforming Power of the Gospel," p 4.

Keller Sermons on The Reason for God

On the Redeemer site are free sermons related to Tim Keller's book The Reason for God.  Enjoy!  And go look at the rest of my Tim Keller Resources. (via)

The Trouble with Christianity: Why it's so Hard to Believe it

Exclusivity: How an there be just one true religion?
Suffering: If God is good, why is there so much evil in the world?
Absolutism: Don't we all have to find truth for ourselves
Injustice: Hasn't Christianity been an instrument for oppression?
Hell: Isn't the God of Christianity an angry Judge?
Doubt: What should I do with my doubts?
Literalism: Isn't the Bible historically unreliable and regressive?

Wellum on Baptism

Justin Taylor interviews one of my favorite people in the world, Steve Wellum on baptism and the covenants.  Wellum's chapter in Believer's Baptism is "Baptism and the Relationship Between the Covenants."  Wellum was one of my best profs at SBTS.  We were at the same church, spent time in his home, and still occasionally have lunch when I get to Louisville.  Great guy.

Rohrmayer: 3 x 5 Rule Ideas

I've been sharing links to Gary Rohrmayer's helpful posts on Engaging in More Spiritual Conversations.  His newest addition provides "Ideas for Practicing the 3 x 5 Rule."  From the post...

The 3 by 5 rule is simple:  A leader seeks to find 5 contacts a day or 35 a week until they get 3 meetings or sit downs to either share the gospel or the vision of the church.  A contact is securing a person's name and contact information (a business card, phone number or email.) A sit down is a follow up appointment with one of the contacts you have generated.

The primary question generated by this rule is "How do you find 35 contacts a week?" There are three sources of contacts we will look at today. 1) Follow-up Contacts 2) Networking Contacts and 3) Cold Calling Contacts.

Read more...

"Engaging in More Spiritual Conversations" (Part 1, 2, 3, & 3x5 Ideas)

Derek Webb Interview

I really enjoyed Said at Southern's two-part podcast interview with Derek Webb (one, two) and encourage you to give it a listen.

One thing I love about Webb is his musical and creative progress, as well as his theological progress over the years from the gospel to the implications of the gospel.  His Caedmon's and early solo writing is more gospel and his current stuff is more implications.  This is how we all should progress, right?  Some think that an album like Mockingbird shows gospel changes in Webb, but I think that's a steaming pile.  His second interview shows that his thinking on the gospel hasn't changed except that he has actually tried to work out the implications of the gospel. 

I also love the discussion on labels (they ask him several very good questions) and how hard Webb tries to avoid them and why.  Even as the first half of this interview drew fire from the more reformed crowd, Webb proves himself more humble and more thoughtful and more generous than that crowd in the second interview (which was obviously recorded at the same time as the first and before he knew the response). 

Some don't like Webb for his thoughts on politics, or friendship with Don Miller or Jim Wallis, but these interviews show that Webb is one of the most thoughtful, helpful, dynamic, engaging and self-aware artists out there.  He personifies what it means to be able to hold tight to truth and theology while still listening to other voices. 

Congrats to Tony and the Said at Southern folk.  It was not only a good interview, but it challenged me to think about the gospel, faithfulness, music, and more.  And I love the fact that this interview is done by a website that includes the name of Southern Seminary even as the interview brought fire on Webb from SBTS alumni.  Funny...and sad.

Baptism, the Lord's Supper, and Some Dudes

Sam Storms' response to the whole baptism and the Lord's Supper thing that has been buzzing around online: "Piper, Grudem, Dever, et al, on Baptism, the Lord's Table, and Church Membership (just how "Together for the Gospel" are we?)"

I read the article this morning but with no direct link available (and some grocery shopping to do) I left it alone.  In the mean time Glenn Lucke wrote a great post and Abraham Piper quoted some Storms.

You need to read the whole Storm's article for context, but I agree with him and loved this paragraph...

My question...is this: How can we claim to be "together" or "united" for the sake of the gospel and turn away a brother or sister from the very expression and proclamation of that gospel that is so central to the life and testimony of the church? What does this prohibition say to the world around us? What must they think of our professed "togetherness" or "unity" when the elements of the Eucharist would be withheld from a brother such as Ligon Duncan?

John Piper Seminars

From Tyler at the Desiring God blog...

Every two years John Piper completes a rotation of weekend seminars on different aspects of Christian doctrine and practice. These seminars include:

• Biblical Eldership
• Desiring God
• Future Grace
• Gravity and Gladness on Sunday Morning: The Pursuit of God in Corporate Worship
• Prayer, Meditation, and Fasting
• Sexual Complementarity: The Pursuit of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
• Suffering for the Sake of the Body: The Pursuit of People Through Pain
• TULIP
• Why We Believe the Bible

The  audio for each of these seminars is now online. Complete course notes are also available so that you can follow along.

Packer's Death of Death Intro

This is online elsewhere, but The Gospel Coalition has now put up J.I. Packer's introduction to John Owen's The Death of Death in the Death of Christ.  Good reading. (HT)

Piper on the Bridge Collapse

John Piper reflects on the bridge collapse in Minneapolis today.  For some reason this paragraph (near the end) stood out to me...

The word “bridge” does not occur in the Bible. There may be two reasons. One is that God doesn’t build bridges, he divides seas. The other is that usually his people must pass through the deadly currents of suffering and death, not simply ride over them. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you” (Isaiah 43:2). They may drown you. But I will be with you in life and death.

Two Keller Sermons

Thanks to an email from James I can offer you two links to new Tim Keller sermons preached at St. George's-Tron Church in Glasgow.  Enjoy.

The Prodigal Sons
Jesus, the Church, and the City

Gospel Coalition: Tim Keller Interviews

The Gospel Coalition website (which has gone from a little helpful toward really helpful in a short period of time) has a number of short video interviews (linkable) with key players: Don Carson, John Piper, Mark Driscoll, and yes, Tim Keller.  As you could have guessed, I'm linking the Keller (and Carson/Keller) ones here for you.  To see them more quickly, just go to the interviews page and scroll to them.  And don't forget to visit my Tim Keller Resources page.

Tim Keller - What do you see yourself doing in The Gospel Coalition? | m4v

Tim Keller - What is the state of the pulpit in America today?| m4v

Tim Keller - How does preaching affect how christians see culture?| m4v

Tim Keller - What do you tell pastors about their family life? | m4v

Tim Keller - What ways can people learn from your teachings | m4v

Don Carson & Tim Keller - What started The Gospel Coalition? | m4v

Don Carson & Tim Keller - What makes The Gospel Coalition different? | m4v

Don Carson & Tim Keller - Assessing The Gospel Coalition | m4v

Don Carson & Tim Keller - How were the leaders of The Gospel Coalition gathered?| m4v

Don Carson & Tim Keller - What is the future of The Gospel Coalition? | m4v

Don Carson & Tim Keller - What threats and challenges face The Gospel Coalition? | m4v

Don Carson & Tim Keller - What causes fragmentation in evangelicalism today? | m4v

Mark DeVine on Emerging Church

Here's Mark DeVine's talk on the emerging church from the Gospel, Church & Culture meetings.

Gospel, Church & Culture: Darrin Patrick

Darrin Patrick speaks on Gospel, Church & Culture from a St. Louis Metro Church Planting meeting.  There should be more audio coming, including some from Mark DeVine.

Keller on Idolatry

(New link to Keller's "Talking About Idolatry in a Postmodern Age.")

I can't find a way to link to it directly, but you can read Tim Keller's "Talking About Idolatry in a Postmodern Age" at the Gospel Coalition site.  I don't think I have it linked elsewhere.

Start on the Gospel Coalition articles page, click on "authors," click on "Tim Keller" under the "Contemporary Authors" section.

Personally, I don't understand why sites are built so you can't link directly to everything.  But at least it's there.  Maybe they will eventually add permalinks to everything.

UPDATE: They have added url's to all the articles. Good work guys. "Talking About Idolatry in a Postmodern Age."

Gopsel Coalition Site is Online

The Gospel Coalition

Keller @ Gospel Coalition Conference

Here's Tim Keller's Gospel Coalition Conference message: "Gospel-Centered Ministry" (also video). You should already have it if you subscribe to the Resurgence podcast.  Check out the rest of my Tim Keller resources.

(via)

The Gospel Coalition: Foundational Documents

I got this from Justin Taylor, and I understand it to be the final version of The Gospel Coalition's Foundational Documents.  I have made it into a pdf file and hosted it on my blog.  I have compared it to other copies that have been online for a couple of days and there are some changes, though they appear minor.

Keller: Questions for Expositors

Colin Adams (Unashamed Workman) has started a series of posts called "Ten Questions for Expositors."  His first interview is with Tim Keller. 

Rapping and Responding to Criticism

I'm copying Mark Moore's post rather than rewriting it...

Justin Taylor has posted a link to an article about a Christian rapper who performed at John Piper's church.  Taylor's post simply read:

Curtis ("Voice") Allen writes in Boundless about the fallout of his rapping at Bethlehem Baptist church. I pray that God would give me a similar sort of humility and graciousness.

Allow me to be honest. I thought to myself, "Oh great! A bunch of Baptists upset over something else." With that thought in mind, I clicked the link to read the article and find out what the griping was all about--assuming that it had to do with thumping beats and dancing. The first part of the article confirmed my suspicion. The second part of the article humbled me and moved me almost to tears. I have never seen such cross-centered humility.

If you want to know how to deal with criticism in a way that is gospel-centered and boasts in the cross, then I highly recommend you read this article called An Emcee's Gentle Word.

I read it and agree in full.  Great article and response to criticism.

Cutting Edge Keller

I first heard through Charlie Pharis that Tim Keller (Tim Keller Resources) has an article in the Cutting Edge, a Vineyard church planting publication, but it wasn't online.  Now it is.   Read Keller's article on "Our New Global Culture: Ministry in Major City-Centers."  Looks like some other good articles there too, and Cawley has a list of Keller's points.

Knowing Mark Driscoll

Ed Stetzer interviews Mark Driscoll for the Exponential Conference (National New Church Conference) podcast.  Want to know more about "the cussing pastor?"  Want to know more about Driscoll's church, prayer life, struggles with sin, history with Emergent guys, or preaching?  This is a great way to find out from the horse's mouth instead of the latest blog gossip.  Great info.  Very encouraging. 

Grab it at the Exponential site, or on iTunes.  The whole series of podcasts has been helpful.

A Calvinist Faces Death

Time Magazine interviews Al Mohler about his Calvinism in relation to his health: "A Calvinist Faces Death."

(HT: JT)

More Tim Keller Audio

More Tim Keller stuff is up at the Christian Life Conference site. 

How the Cross Converts Us
How the Cross Changes Us
How the Cross Unites Us

I linked yesterday to The Cross and Suffering

FYI, the DA Carson and Walt Kaiser audio is from the conference last year, as the dates show.

Tim Keller: Cross & Suffering

Hear Tim Keller's message "The Cross and Suffering," just fresh up on the web.  The Christian Life Conference is going on there as I type.  They will put up other audio here. 

Find more Keller stuff on my Tim Keller Resource page.

Favorite Preachers of 2006

As I was listening to a sermon by one of my favorite living preachers tonight, I thought I should give a short list of my favorite preachers of 2006.  As a preacher I get great reward from hearing the preaching of others.  Not only because it helps me learn what good preachers do and say, but because I get the Gospel over and over again. 

These five preachers have been my Gospel teachers over the past year more than anyone else.  I subscribe to their sermons and/or podcasts.  They are in no particular order (except for the first one).

Tim Keller

The sermons of Dr. Timothy Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC, have haunted me for a couple of years now, but never so much as in 2006.  He has a number of free sermons on the web that I link to on my Tim Keller Resources page.  I also have a paid subscription to the weekly preaching at Redeemer, which includes mostly Keller sermons but others as well at Redeemer. 

Keller's sermons are intellectual, a little more sedated than I normally like, and very reasonable.  What is best about Keller's preaching is his simple explanation of the Gospel and truth.  My Gospel vernacular is forever changed because of his sermons.

Bottom line: there is no other sermon resource that has so deeply challenged and changed me.  Get on board.

Rick McKinley

Rick McKinley is the pastor of Imago Dei in Portland.  On the surface Rick awakens my inner surfer.  Is that an accent?  Whatever it is, it works.  McKinley is great on Kingdom and Gospel issues.  He also speaks both practically and pastorally about simple and difficult issues alike.  I rarely hear him preach without feeling compelled to get up and love my neighbor. 

You can grab his podcast or find his stuff at Sermon Cloud or Imago Dei.

Matt Chandler

Matt Chandler is pastor of The Village Church near Dallas.  He is a passionate guy with a solid handle on Scripture, quick wit, and compelling application.  His sermon, "Gravity," is easily the most important message I heard in 2006 (video here).  Matt is my wife's second favorite preacher next to me (I have to say that, don't I?). 

Check out the sermon database for Chandler's sermons or find his podcast at iTunes.

Mark Driscoll

Mark Driscoll, a little known pastor in Seattle (Mars Hill Church), has been a life-changer for me.  Mark preached to my wife and me at least once a week in the first half of 2006.  We would put on one of his sermons while doing "sabbath" on Mondays in my home. 

Driscoll keeps you listening though his humor (which is sometimes over the top), but his content and theology are what feeds.  What he often does best is kick your butt with the truth and open your eyes to the grace of Christ.  We have been so thankful for what we have learned through Mark.

Find his sermons at the MHC site, get his podcast, watch his sermons.

Rob Bell

Rob Bell is pastor of Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids.  Bell is a great communicator and may be better known for his Nooma videos. 

I'm sure a few people will gasp at my listing of Bell in my favorite preachers of 2006.  Doesn't he have theological issues?  Doesn't he waver on hell and love McLaren (which for some is essentially the same as wavering on hell)? 

I don't agree with everything I've heard in Rob Bell's sermons (same goes for any preacher).  But I've listened enough to know this guy loves Jesus, strives for Scripturally accurate sermons, and aches to see lives changed by the Gospel.  So even if Bell hiccups on occasion, I can't help but be challenged and compelled to faithfulness through his preaching.

Find his sermons and podcast feed at the MHC site.

Keller at Desiring God

I don't know if I've linked this before, but just in case here's Tim Keller's message at the Desiring God Conference, "The Supremacy of Christ and the Gospel in the Postmodern World."

Missionary Work in Suburbia

Hamo (Andrew Hamilton) over at Backyard Missionary has some good thoughts (not earth shattering, but good) in his three part series, "Some Thoughts on Missionary Work in Suburbia."  He discusses six building blocks.

Post 1...
    1. Proximity - being near people
    2. Regularity - spending significant time together
Post 2...
    3. Depth - going beyond the fluff in relationships
    4. Conflict - being prepared to disagree and realise that’s ok and necessary
Post 3...
    5. The Message - we need to speak about who we are, and why
    6. The Supernatural - ultimately it still comes down to a work of God
Post 4...
    Going a little deeper with the above six points

McKnight on The Emerging Church

I finally got around to reading Scot McKnight's 30 page paper on the Emerging Church, "What is the Emerging Church?," that he presented at WTS.  It once again proves that McKnight is one of the most important voices speaking about (and within) the Emerging Church.  I highly recommend you read it if you any interest in understanding the EC.