Sunday, December 26, 2010
Last words of James Renwick
James Renwick was known as the last of the martyred Covenanters of the late 17th century in Scotland. Renwick's final testimony was: "Farewell, beloved sufferers and followers of the Lamb; farewell, night wanderings, cold and weariness for Christ . . . Welcome scaffold for precious Christ; welcome heavenly Jerusalem; welcome O thou blessed Trinity and one God! O eternal One! I commit my soul into thy eternal rest."
Friday, December 24, 2010
Spurgeon on the Power of Preaching
"My experience goes to show that there have been persons converted to God by doctrines that some might have thought altogether unlikely to produce that result. I have known the doctrine of the resurrection to bring sinners to Christ; I have heard of scores brought to the Savior by a discourse upon election, -- the very sort of people who, as far as I can see, would never have been reached if that truth had not happened to be an angular doctrine that just struck their heart in the right place, and fitted into the crevices of their nature. I have often preached a terrible sermon upon the law, and afterwards found that sinners had been comforted by it. God frequently blesses the Word in the very opposite manner to that in which I thought it would be blessed, and He brings very, very many, to know their state by nature by doctrines which I should have thought would rather have comforted believers than awakened the unconverted" Charles Spurgeon
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Cure for Owen's Depression
The great reformer John Owen dealt with spiritual depression in the early years of his walk with Christ. The following description by A. Thomson tells of the cure:
"Dr. Edmund Calamy was at this time minister in Aldermanbury Chapel, and attracted multitudes by his manly eloquence. Owen had gone one Sabbath morning to hear the celebrated Presbyterian preacher, and was much disappointed when he saw an unknown stranger from the country enter the pulpit. His companion suggested that they should leave the chapel, and hasten to the place of worship of another celebrated preacher; but Owen's strength being already exhausted, he determined to remain. After a prayer of simple earnestness, the text was announced in these words of Matt. viii 26, 'Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?' Immediately it arrested the thoughts of Owen as appropriate to his present state of mind, and he breathed an inward prayer that God would be pleased by that minister to speak to his condition. The prayer was heard, for the preacher stated and answered the very doubts that had long perplexed Owen's mind; and by the time that the discourse was ended, had succeeded in leading him forth into the sunshine of a settled peace. The most diligent efforts were used by Owen to discover the name of the preacher who had thus been to him 'as an angel of God,' but without success."
"Dr. Edmund Calamy was at this time minister in Aldermanbury Chapel, and attracted multitudes by his manly eloquence. Owen had gone one Sabbath morning to hear the celebrated Presbyterian preacher, and was much disappointed when he saw an unknown stranger from the country enter the pulpit. His companion suggested that they should leave the chapel, and hasten to the place of worship of another celebrated preacher; but Owen's strength being already exhausted, he determined to remain. After a prayer of simple earnestness, the text was announced in these words of Matt. viii 26, 'Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?' Immediately it arrested the thoughts of Owen as appropriate to his present state of mind, and he breathed an inward prayer that God would be pleased by that minister to speak to his condition. The prayer was heard, for the preacher stated and answered the very doubts that had long perplexed Owen's mind; and by the time that the discourse was ended, had succeeded in leading him forth into the sunshine of a settled peace. The most diligent efforts were used by Owen to discover the name of the preacher who had thus been to him 'as an angel of God,' but without success."
Friday, December 17, 2010
Perfectionism
John Wesley's views on perfectionism had a great impact on 18th century England. William Grimshaw, curate of Haworth, responded to those in his Yorkshire parish who agreed with Wesley: "I wish they knew their own hearts . . . my perfection is to see my imperfection."
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
A. J. Gordon
Adoniram Judson Gordon 1836–1895
A. J. Gordon was born in tiny New Hampton, New Hampshire on April 19, 1836 to devout Christian parents. At about 15 years of age, Adoniram had a conversion experience and was baptized in his father's mill stream. One year later, he openly confessed in a church meeting his desire and determination to prepare for Christian ministry.
In 1856, at age 20, he entered Brown University as a Classics major, where he met his future wife, Maria Hale. In 1860 he entered the Newton Theological Institution. Upon graduation in 1863, he accepted a call to become pastor of the Jamaica Plain Baptist Church, near Boston. In this time frame, he also married Maria Hale. After six successful years there, he accepted the pastorate of the Clarendon Street Baptist Church in Boston, the church where his ministry would have its broad impact.
Dr. Gordon remained pastor of Clarendon Street Church for more than a quarter of a century. He wrote many books, including: In Christ, The Two-Fold Life, The Ministry of the Spirit, How Christ Came to Church, and many others. He set Monday mornings aside to publishing his own monthly, the Watchword, and focused on devotional enrichment. He saw the church completely transformed into one of the most spiritual and aggressive churches in America with an unsurpassed effort in missions.
A. J. Gordon poured his heart and energy into the work of foreign missions. He traveled, preached, wrote, and served with the passion of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide. In 1889, he founded Gordon College in Boston, Massachusetts, as a missionary training institute.
He continued as minister of the Clarendon Street Church until his death, due to influenza and bronchitis, on the morning of February 2, 1895, with "victory" as the last clearly audible word on his lips. (Gordon College)
A. J. Gordon was born in tiny New Hampton, New Hampshire on April 19, 1836 to devout Christian parents. At about 15 years of age, Adoniram had a conversion experience and was baptized in his father's mill stream. One year later, he openly confessed in a church meeting his desire and determination to prepare for Christian ministry.
In 1856, at age 20, he entered Brown University as a Classics major, where he met his future wife, Maria Hale. In 1860 he entered the Newton Theological Institution. Upon graduation in 1863, he accepted a call to become pastor of the Jamaica Plain Baptist Church, near Boston. In this time frame, he also married Maria Hale. After six successful years there, he accepted the pastorate of the Clarendon Street Baptist Church in Boston, the church where his ministry would have its broad impact.
Dr. Gordon remained pastor of Clarendon Street Church for more than a quarter of a century. He wrote many books, including: In Christ, The Two-Fold Life, The Ministry of the Spirit, How Christ Came to Church, and many others. He set Monday mornings aside to publishing his own monthly, the Watchword, and focused on devotional enrichment. He saw the church completely transformed into one of the most spiritual and aggressive churches in America with an unsurpassed effort in missions.
A. J. Gordon poured his heart and energy into the work of foreign missions. He traveled, preached, wrote, and served with the passion of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide. In 1889, he founded Gordon College in Boston, Massachusetts, as a missionary training institute.
He continued as minister of the Clarendon Street Church until his death, due to influenza and bronchitis, on the morning of February 2, 1895, with "victory" as the last clearly audible word on his lips. (Gordon College)
Monday, December 6, 2010
The Edwards' Diet
By a sparingness in diet, and eating as much as may be what is light and easy of digestion, I shall doubtless be able to think more clearly, and shall gain time; 1. By lengthening out my life; 2. Shall need less time for digestion, after meals; 3. Shall be able to study more closely, without injury to my health; 4. Shall need less time for sleep; 5. Shall more seldom be troubled with the head-ache. (Works, I, xxxv)
Sent by L. Larson
Sent by L. Larson
Top Ten Books of 2010
Köstenberger’s Guide to the Best of 2010
Publishers and authors have been at it again, and 2010 was a rich year for serious academic publishing in biblical and theological studies. As a matter of fact, I have made a tiny contribution to the deluge of materials myself by releasing The Heresy of Orthodoxy (Crossway, co-authored with Michael Kruger), the second edition of God, Marriage & Family (Crossway, with David Jones), and Entrusted with the Gospel (B&H Academic, co-edited with Terry Wilder), along with several smaller essays. That said, here is my list of “The Best of 2010.” Disclaimer: I haven’t read all these books cover to cover (yet), but have perused them sufficiently to be able to recommend them.
1. The ESV Bible Atlas by John D. Currid and David P. Barnett (Crossway): A truly magnificent achievement. You have to see this for yourself!
2. The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach by Michael R. Licona (InterVarsity): A very impressive treatment of the study of the question of Jesus’ resurrection.
3. Redeeming Singleness: How the storyline of Scripture affirms the single life by Barry Danylak (Crossway): The long-awaited biblical-theological treatment of singleness from this Ph.D. candidate at Cambridge University.
4. Who Chose the Gospels? by Charles E. Hill (Oxford University Press): The new mint standard on this vital topic. The subtitle of chapter 11 says it all: “Natural Selection: The Gospels that Imposed Themselves.”
5. After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters by N. T. Wright (HarperCollins): Despite some negative reviews, Wright’s book deserves serious consideration. I found this to be very stimulating reading in my work on a forthcoming project on academic excellence.
6. Politics according to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture by Wayne Grudem (Zondervan): Another encyclopedic resource by this prolific author who does not shy away from addressing critical matters such as Christian influence on government and economic issues.
7. The Glory of God, ed. Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson (Crossway): A nurturing study of this important biblical theme in the Theology in Community series (disclaimer: I wrote the essay on God’s glory in John for this volume).
8. Keeping God’s Earth: The Global Environment in Biblical Perspective, ed. Noah J. Toly and Daniel I. Block (InterVarsity): A responsible treatment of a subject often neglected by evangelicals, with important essays by Douglas Moo and Daniel Block, among others.
9. The Legacy of John: Second-Century Reception of the Fourth Gospel, ed. Tuomas Rasimus (Brill). A fascinating collection with essays by Charles Hill and Nicholas Perrin, among others.
10. The Trials of Theology: Becoming a ‘Proven Worker’ in a Dangerous Business, ed. Andrew J. B. Cameron and Brian S. Rosner (Christian Focus). A helpful reader for theology students, with selections by Luther, Spurgeon, Warfield, and others and essays by D. A. Carson, Carl Trueman, and others.
Andreas Kostenberge, Prof. of NT
Publishers and authors have been at it again, and 2010 was a rich year for serious academic publishing in biblical and theological studies. As a matter of fact, I have made a tiny contribution to the deluge of materials myself by releasing The Heresy of Orthodoxy (Crossway, co-authored with Michael Kruger), the second edition of God, Marriage & Family (Crossway, with David Jones), and Entrusted with the Gospel (B&H Academic, co-edited with Terry Wilder), along with several smaller essays. That said, here is my list of “The Best of 2010.” Disclaimer: I haven’t read all these books cover to cover (yet), but have perused them sufficiently to be able to recommend them.
1. The ESV Bible Atlas by John D. Currid and David P. Barnett (Crossway): A truly magnificent achievement. You have to see this for yourself!
2. The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach by Michael R. Licona (InterVarsity): A very impressive treatment of the study of the question of Jesus’ resurrection.
3. Redeeming Singleness: How the storyline of Scripture affirms the single life by Barry Danylak (Crossway): The long-awaited biblical-theological treatment of singleness from this Ph.D. candidate at Cambridge University.
4. Who Chose the Gospels? by Charles E. Hill (Oxford University Press): The new mint standard on this vital topic. The subtitle of chapter 11 says it all: “Natural Selection: The Gospels that Imposed Themselves.”
5. After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters by N. T. Wright (HarperCollins): Despite some negative reviews, Wright’s book deserves serious consideration. I found this to be very stimulating reading in my work on a forthcoming project on academic excellence.
6. Politics according to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture by Wayne Grudem (Zondervan): Another encyclopedic resource by this prolific author who does not shy away from addressing critical matters such as Christian influence on government and economic issues.
7. The Glory of God, ed. Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson (Crossway): A nurturing study of this important biblical theme in the Theology in Community series (disclaimer: I wrote the essay on God’s glory in John for this volume).
8. Keeping God’s Earth: The Global Environment in Biblical Perspective, ed. Noah J. Toly and Daniel I. Block (InterVarsity): A responsible treatment of a subject often neglected by evangelicals, with important essays by Douglas Moo and Daniel Block, among others.
9. The Legacy of John: Second-Century Reception of the Fourth Gospel, ed. Tuomas Rasimus (Brill). A fascinating collection with essays by Charles Hill and Nicholas Perrin, among others.
10. The Trials of Theology: Becoming a ‘Proven Worker’ in a Dangerous Business, ed. Andrew J. B. Cameron and Brian S. Rosner (Christian Focus). A helpful reader for theology students, with selections by Luther, Spurgeon, Warfield, and others and essays by D. A. Carson, Carl Trueman, and others.
Andreas Kostenberge, Prof. of NT
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Hymn by McCheyne
When this passing world is done,
When has sunk yon flaming sun,
When I stand with Christ in glory,
Looking back upon life's story,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.
Robert Murray McCheyne
When has sunk yon flaming sun,
When I stand with Christ in glory,
Looking back upon life's story,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.
Robert Murray McCheyne
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