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Phil Johnson posts a challenging article on legalism noting that:

When it comes to the question of spiritual duties, where Scripture stops speaking, we should, too.

He concludes by saying:

If we add rules that Scripture doesn’t make—especially if we try to impose our manmade rules on other people’s consciences as a standard of spirituality—we are guilty of the same sin as the Pharisees and worthy of the same harsh rebukes Christ leveled at them.

You should read the whole post here.

Ray Ortland has me (and you) pegged. He’s describing me when he says:

Every Sunday I am a weak man preaching to weak people. Admonition has its place. But what weak people need, more than admonition, is help.

He also reminds me what I need and and the people I preach to need saying that:

Weak sinners, continually reassured by grace, will accomplish more for Christ than they would if continually confronted by demand.

It’s a short piece, read it here.

Justin Taylor summarizes an article all believers should give attention to by Gregory Koukl called Never Read a Bible Verse. Trust me — read Justin’s summary then click through and read the original article. I’ll be glad you did.

Many people struggle with questions like this. Here’s John Piper’s answer. He points helpfully to where your hope should be when thinking on these things.

Read the transcript here.

The study of God’s Word shouldn’t be something you fear or think you can’t do. You can study the Bible. Here’s a classic article by John MacArthur that will help you study the Bible for yourself.

MacArthur gives 5 steps to get you started:

• Step 1 – Reading
• Step 2 – Interpreting
• Step 3 – Evaluating
• Step 4 – Applying
• Step 5 – Correlating

So go read Simple Steps to Solid Study and re-read and use as a guide these simple steps and learn to love and grow by the study of God’s Word.

I would have loved to have been at T4G (Together for the Gospel) 2010. But fortunately for you and me video and audio of the main sessions is now online. The theme was The (Unadjusted) Gospel.

Have you ever pulled a common dictionary off the shelf to look up a biblical term? David Murray makes a valid point that the best Bible dictionary is the Old Testament. His explanation with examples is helpful.

Phil Johnson brings some clear thinking to the debate over John Piper’s invitation to Rick Warren to speak at the Desiring God 2010 National Conference in October. Phil also links to a few others who weigh in on the issue. They too will help you understand why this is an issue.

An article Al Mohler shared yesterday worthy of your time.

Here’s a nicely done video using the artwork from the Jesus Storybook Bible telling the resurrection story. Watch this with your kids.

Via Justin Taylor

I’m convinced that Christians should be readers. First, of course, we should be readers of God’s Word. It’s a shame how few of us really read the Bible for all it’s worth. We should also read books more than we do. I know watching TV is easier. But is it better? Tim Challies shares today some ideas on reading I’ll summarize here, but go read his full article: Read More, Read Better.

• Read – Start with the obvious: you need to read. If you want to be a good painter, you’ve got to paint; if you want to be a good runner, you’ve got to run.
• Read Widely – I’m convinced that one reason people do not read more is that they do not vary their reading enough.
• Read Deliberately – Similar to reading widely, ensure that you read deliberately. Choose your books carefully.
• Read Heavy Books – It can be intimidating to stare at some of those massive volumes or series of volumes sitting on your bookshelf, but be sure to make time to read some of those serious works.
• Read Light Books – While dense books should be a serious reader’s main diet, there is nothing wrong with pausing to enjoy the occasional novel or light read.
• Read New Books – Keep an eye on what is new and popular and consider reading what other people in your church or neighborhood are reading.
• Read Old Books – Do not read only new books. I cannot say this any better than C.S. Lewis: “It is a good rule, after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between.”
• Read What Your Heroes Read – We all have our heroes–men or women we want to be like.

Tim will have tips tomorrow on reading better.

Dr. Kevin Bauder, president of Central Baptist Theological Seminary, has written a powerful piece in defense of our Conservative evangelical brothers in Christ whom some would cast aside because they don’t fit their Fundamentalist mold.

Conservative evangelicals are the heavy artillery, under the shelter of whose barrage Fundamentalists have been able to find some measure of theological safety.

So let’s get clear on this.

Conservative evangelicals are not our enemies. They are not our opponents. Conservative evangelicals have proven themselves to be allies and even leaders in the defense of the faith.

This needed to be said and I’m thankful that Dr. Bauder said it.

You should read the whole thing.

Did you start a Bible reading plan at the beginning of the year? Tyler Kenney at DesiringGod.org encourages not to quit reading in Exodus since we need the Old Testament to in order to know the Gospel.

I so appreciate John MacArthur’s helpful answer to the question “How would you approach a congregation trapped in years of legalistic tradition?” See the nearly complete transcript and audio here.

Andy Naselli summarizes this way:

• Love them by not needlessly offending them
• Understand that convictions — whether right or wrong — inform the conscience
• Slowly re-educate their conscience by exalting Jesus

(Via: Justin Taylor)

See the video after the jump…
Read the rest of this article »

Do you make New Years resolutions? Some of us do and often they’re the kind of resolutions you make that aren’t a huge deal if you fail to follow through. Want to lose a few pounds during the next year, exercise more, watch less TV, or read more books? Those are good resolutions but I want to challenge you to set some loftier goals for yourself in the new year.

Jonathan Edwards knew something about resolutions and his weren’t focused on the beginning of a new year but were written over a period of about two years.

John Piper, in his book, Don’t Waste Your Life, says this about Jonathan Edwards…

I thank God that Edwards did not waste his life. It ended abruptly from a failed smallpox vaccination when he was fifty-four. But he had lived well. His life is inspiring because of his zeal not to waste it, and because of his passion for the supremacy of God.

Jonathan Edwards was a pretty serious maker of resolutions. He’d made a list of resolutions during the years 1722-1723, resolutions 1-21 were written in one sitting — if printed out they would likely be as long as my arm — seventy resolutions in all. Read the rest of this article »

Sharing the Gospel with your children is a privilege not to be taken lightly. As a follow-up to my post on Childhood Conversions last week let me point you to a two part series I greatly appreciate on evangelizing children from Shepherds Fellowship.

Here’s a brief overview:

Common Pitfalls in Evangelizing Children

1. Oversimplifying the Gospel of Christ
2. Coercing a Profession of Faith
3. Assuming the Reality of Regeneration
4. Assuring the Child of Salvation
5. Rushing the Ordinance of Baptism

Foundational Keys to Evangelizing Children

1. Setting a Consistent Example of Godliness
2. Proclaiming the Complete Gospel of Christ
3. Understanding the Biblical Evidences of Salvation
4. Encouraging Possible Signs of Conversion
5. Trusting the Absolute Sovereignty of God

Here’s the two part article:
Evangelizing Children (Part 1)
Evangelizing Children (Part 2)

What’s necessary for your child to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? Jim Elliff delivers some helpful thinking on Childhood Conversions — helpful thoughts for all parents, pastors and youth workers.