I used to watch “Schoolhouse Rock” every Saturday morning. Through this program, a whole generation learned about manifest destiny (“Elbow Room”), English grammar (“Conjunction Junction”), how a bill becomes a law (“I’m just a bill”), and much more. So here is my annual 4th of July tribute to Schoolhouse Rock’s videos on the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution.
-
-
What Christians Have To Offer
‘What we offer the world is not ourselves or our moral example or our spiritual integrity. What we offer the world is our broken lives, saying, “We are sinners saved by grace.” What we offer the world is Jesus Christ and him crucified.’ –Mark Galli, Christianity Today
-
Sojourn Music: The Hymns of Isaac Watts
Mike Cosper and Sojourn Music have just released another CD, and it is a block-buster: “Over The Grave: The Hymns Of Isaac Watts, volume one.” I heard these guys play live last week at the Baptist21 meeting held at Sojourn Community Church, and that is where I first heard the song that is my favorite on the album, “Only Your Blood Is Enough.” You can preview this and other songs from the album on their MySpace or Facebook pages. This is a great album, and I think you should buy it. The music and production value are excellent, and the lyrics are all from Isaac Watts. How can you go…
-
Danny Akin’s Reflections on the SBC
I just finished reading Danny Akin’s reflections on the recent SBC meeting. Not only does he explain why he is encouraged about what happened in Louisville, he also answers questions about Mark Driscoll and Acts29. He writes: “It is possible years from now that we will look back on the 2009 SBC in Louisville and see it as a historic watershed moment in our history. It is possible that on the 30th anniversary of the beginning of the Conservative Resurgence (CR), we will have witnessed the natural and hoped for outcome of the CR in the genesis of a new movement of God among His people in a Great Commission…
-
Thoughts on Obama’s Remarks at the LGBT Reception
President Obama hosted hundreds of gay and lesbian leaders in the White House yesterday for a “LGBT Gay Pride Month” reception. I want to comment briefly on three excerpts from the President’s remarks and conclude with some final thoughts at the end.
-
All I Really Wanted Was a Dad
“Through the grace of God, I have been fortunate to have achieved many of my artistic and professional aspirations realized early in my lifetime. But these, friends are accomplishments, and accomplishments alone are not synonymous with who I am. Indeed, the cheery five-year-old who belted out Rockin’ Robin and Ben to adoring crowds was not indicative of the boy behind the smile. . . I am the product of a lack of a childhood. . . when I was young I wanted more than anything else to be a typical little boy. I wanted to build tree houses, have water balloon fights, and play hide and seek with my friends.…
-
CT Covers Piper vs. Wright
Trevin Wax has compiled a helpful piece for Christianity Today in which he sets in parallel the contrasting views of John Piper and N. T. Wright on the topic of justification. There is an HTML version that you can read, or you can download a PDF of the article as it appeared on the pages of CT.
-
Why there’s a buzz about the SBC Annual Meeting
This year’s meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) in Louisville, Kentucky was nothing short of amazing. For me, the totally unexpected happened. I came away feeling more optimistic about the SBC than I ever have before. Why did I feel this way? 1. The Great Commission Resurgence (GCR). Danny Akin first cast his vision for a “Great Commission Resurgence” at the “Building Bridges” conference back in 2007. If you have not ever listened to this sermon, I encourage you to do so (audio below). It was prophetic, timely, and courageous.
-
Do dead people praise God?
Do dead people praise God? The Psalmist says that they don’t. Read for yourself the last two verses from Psalm 115: The dead do not praise the LORD,Nor do any who go down into silence;But as for us, we will bless the LORDFrom this time forth and forever.Praise the LORD! I wonder how many of you readers are shocked to learn that Holy Scripture says the “dead do not praise the Lord.” For those of us grew up in evangelical churches that teach about saints praising God in the afterlife, this text can come across as quite a jolt.
-
Come meet Southern Seminary Authors
In my last post, I noted that Russell Moore will be signing books next week in the SBTS booth at the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). In fact, SBTS will be hosting a number of its authors for book-signings. The full schedule for the SBTS booth is below, and I hope to see you there!