I was reading Scot McKnight’s blog this morning, and he offered some critiques of the 18 affirmations and denials recently signed by the fantastic four: Al Mohler, C.J. Mahaney, Ligon Duncan, and Mark Dever. Among other things, McKnight suggests that the statement leaves some important things out (e.g., second coming, Holy Spirit) while privileging Paul’s language over Jesus’ language. My aim here is not to critique line by line McKnight’s short piece. I do, however, want to add my assent to the”Together for the Gospel” statement and to say that I think it is an important affirmation of core Gospel truths that are without question being contested by voices both…
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The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World
What do John Piper, Mark Driscoll, D. A. Carson, David Wells, Tim Keller, and Voddie Baucham have in common? They are all preaching at the 2006 Desiring God National Conference (Sept. 29 – Oct. 1): “Above All Earthly Powers: The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World.â€Desiring God Ministries has produced a promotional trailer for the conference that is posted on their website. The promo is way cool. Beware of watching it. You’ll want to sign-up for the conference if you do. Click on the following link to download it: Promotional Trailer: “Above All Earthly Powers: The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World†(HT: Steve McCoy)
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Ehrman and Hays Debating “The DaVinci Code”
Two eminent scholars of the New Testament recently debated questions raised by The DaVinci Code. The debate was held at the new chapel at Duke Divinity School, and the discussion was meant to address questions raised by the bestselling book, soon to be released as a film. So Bart Ehrman and Richard Hays went at it for an hour and forty-six minutes. The reliability of portrayals of Jesus in the Bible and other ancient texts was among the topics addressed. Hays is definitely the more conservative of the two, though perhaps not conservative enough for some. In any case, this one will definitely be worth the time to download.You can…
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Possible Peace in Darfur?
The Associated Press has an anonymous source from a Darfur rebel group that says the rebel groups may be ready to accept a U.S. backed peace agreement with the Sudanese government. “A proposal drafted by the United States and Britain to help end the war in Sudan’s Darfur region meets key rebel demands and could set the stage for a peace accord, a rebel negotiator said Thursday. “A rebel negotiator, speaking on condition of anonymity because the parties involved had been asked not to reveal details of the proposal, said it called for thousands of rebels to be integrated into Sudanese security forces. “Sudanese government officials were not immediately available…
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Darfur rebels say no to deal on peace
“Rebels fighting in Sudan’s Darfur region yesterday refused to accept an African Union (AU) peace plan already agreed to by the Sudanese government, as another deadline set by mediators expired.â€(Click here to read the rest of the story.) (Click here to see my previous posts on the Darfur genocide.)
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“King of the Hill†on Mega-churches
I just couldn’t pass up this “King of the Hill†spoof on mega-churches. It’s pretty hillarious. Click on the following link to view it: “Hank Looks for a Church†Enjoy! (HT: Steve McCoy)
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Darfur Developments over the Weekend
This past weekend witnessed two major developments related to the genocide in Darfur. First, about 15,000 demonstrators from very diverse backgrounds descended on the mall in Washington D. C. in order to urge the U. S. government to do what it can to “Save Darfur.†The diversity of the demonstrators was reflected in the list of speakers who gave addresses. You had liberals like George Clooney and Al Sharpton on the one hand, and conservatives like Richard Land on the other. Liberals, conservatives, Jews, protestants, evangelicals, blacks, whites, and others all united in behalf of Darfur. The Washington Post reports:
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Interest in Darfur Crisis Heightens in U.S.
Last week, I wrote and hosted a radio show about the genocide in Darfur in the Sudan. There have been some good signs that the U.S. is beginning to take note of the crisis that is unfolding there.George Clooney and his father recently returned from a trip to Darfur, and are making the media rounds trying to focus the public’s attention on the what is happening. On Thursday, Clooney appeared with U.S. Senators Sam Brownback and Barack Obama at the National Press Club. The important thing about this appearance is that it brings together one of the most conservative Republicans in the Senate (Brownback) with a rising star on the…
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Lone Survivor of Mine Tragedy Speaks
The Associated Press (AP) is running a story on the lone survivor of last January’s Sago, mine disaster.The AP has released excerpts of a letter that survivor Randal McCloy, Jr. wrote to the families of his 11 co-workers who died in the accident. The letter not only reveals that four of the men’s airpacks were not working, but it also recalls the final moments of McCloy’s dying comrades. As time went on, I became very dizzy and lightheaded. Some drifted off into what appeared to be a deep sleep, and one person sitting near me collapsed and fell off his bucket, not moving. It was clear that there was nothing…
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Tony Snow To Be House-Trainer-in-Chief
Well, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. I’m a fan of Tony Snow, and I have high hopes that he will be great in this very difficult position of White House Press Secretary. I think he’ll be an improvement over McLellan.Truth be told, however, I don’t think he or anyone else will be able to make nice with the White House press corps. They are like a bunch of spoiled house pets that run around growling at and gnawing on anything they can sink their teeth into. They won’t put their fangs back into their mouths until a Democrat is in the White House. Until that time, Tony’s…