In yesterday’s New York Times, the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, called on religious believers of all stripes to “respect, admire and appreciate other traditions.” In doing so, he explained how he has learned from and been inspired by Christianity. He writes: “In my readings of the New Testament, I find myself inspired by Jesus’ acts of compassion. His miracle of the loaves and fishes, his healing and his teaching are all motivated by the desire to relieve suffering.”
-
-
DeYoung Reviews “Radical”
The Gospel Coalition has published an interesting exchange between Kevin DeYoung and David Platt about Platt’s new book Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream. DeYoung provides a critical review of the book, and then Platt follows with his response. Here’s an excerpt to give you an idea of DeYoung’s approach:
-
CT on ‘Lost’
The series finale of “Lost” will air on Sunday night, and Christianity Today has an interview about it with Jeff Jensen, uber-fan and writer for Entertainment Weekly. The discussion focuses on the meaning of the “Lost” series, and I was especially intrigued by this exchange: CT: If we get to the end of the show and we don’t know exactly who is good, who is evil, won’t that be disappointing?
-
The Quotable Rob Plummer
I’m reading Rob Plummer’s excellent new hermeneutics primer, and I’m planning to post a full review after I’m finished. But I just came across a line that was so good that I had to share it now. Every preacher needs to hear this one: “I tell my students to hold onto the biblical text like a rider in a rodeo holds onto a bull. And, I also warn them that the only persons in the rodeo ring not on bulls are clowns.” –40 Questions about Interpreting the Bible, p. 105
-
The Good News We Almost Forgot
I’ve been enjoying Kevin DeYoung’s popular introduction and commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism. The book is titled The Good News We Almost Forgot: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism, and it is a gem. After a brief introduction, the book is divided into fifty-two chapters, corresponding to the Catechism’s own weekly schedule for mastering its 129 questions and answers. Each chapter begins with that week’s Questions and Answers from the Catechism and then is followed by DeYoung’s brief commentary on that reading. The last chapter is followed by a warm-hearted epilogue, calling on Christians to love theology and experience—i.e., to reject the false dichotomy between the “head” and…
-
D3 Youth Conference (June 28-July 1)
Watch the video. Sign-up here.
-
D3 Conference
Early registration closes today for Boyce College’s D3 Conference, a youth camp this summer that is unlike anything you have seen before. It is called “D3: Leadership, Worldview, Missions.” Here’s a brief description:
-
Can You Be Christian and Gay?
Here is the video of Jennifer Knapp’s appearance on “Larry King Live” last night. The video above is a short excerpt. The video below (which may take some time to load) is a longer version available on the “Larry King Live” podcast. Unfortunately, neither of these has the entire program, and both are missing Ted Haggard’s remarks. A transcript of the entire show can be found here. King wanted to discuss the question, “Can you be Christian and gay?” King asked Knapp if she was still a Christian, and she said that she was a “person of faith.” She also said that there’s no contradiction with being a Christian and…
-
Tom Schreiner and N. T. Wright at ETS
As many of you have read, John Piper is taking an eight-month leave of absence from his ministry beginning in May. His leave will take him away from most of his scheduled appearances for the rest of the year, and that includes the debate with N.T. Wright scheduled to take place at ETS in November in Atlanta. I just got confirmation, however, that Tom Schreiner will be stepping-in to take Piper’s place at the ETS meeting with Wright. This is happy news, and I will be praying for a fruitful dialogue this November.
-
Should I Tell My Child He Was Conceived in Rape?
This advice is wise and biblical, and I can’t help but think that it might be helpful to some of you. Russell Moore answers the question, “Should I Tell My Child He Was Conceived in Rape?” His short answer is “yes,” but a short answer won’t do. You have to read the whole thing. Here’s an excerpt: ‘Yes, you must be honest. God honestly speaks to his children about the circumstances of their backgrounds, whether back there in Ur or back there in Egypt or back there in the “power of the air.” You must not hide this from your son. Imagine what it would be like if he were…