KevinPierpont.com

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.