2009-01-14

Turk revisits his point that the miracle one really needs to accept for salvation is the resurrection (at first), and that therefore it should be the focus, not arguing for OT miracles. He makes these points: 1) There is a difference between accepting the whole Bible as inerrant and sufficient and believing and repenting. The latter will lead to the former, but the former is not required for the latter. 2) There is a difference between accepting the authority of the Bible and knowing for certain that Jesus is both Lord and Christ. The former is a consequence of the latter. He then goes to Acts 17 to make his point. "The necessary miracle of the faith Paul was evangelizing to was this resurrection from the dead by a man named Jesus. See: the Greeks demand an argument, but Paul didn't give them their idolatrous worship at an intellectual altar. He gave them the only miracle necessary to be saved from the coming judgment."  Assurance to all

Phillips quotes Spurgeon on the burdens a church will place on a pastor's wife and how, no matter what, some are always displeased. "Still, I think, that if I was a Christian young woman, I would marry a Christian minister if I could, because there is an opportunity of doing so much good in helping him in his service for Christ. It is a great assistance to the cause of God to keep the minister himself in good order for his work. It is his wife's duty to see that he is not uncomfortable at home; for, if everything there is happy, and free from care, he can give all his thoughts to his preparation for the pulpit; and the godly woman, who thus helps her husband to preach better, is herself a preacher though she never speaks in public, and she becomes to the highest degree useful to that portion of the Church of Christ which is committed to her husband's charge.'" Spurgeon (and sanity) on pastor's wives

Solapanel: This post has a good reminder to not reduce Bible reading to self-help, but to go to the Scriptures to see and hear God's word - to know God. The author suggests that such an approach will translate into a self-surpassing prayer life, absorbed with God's goals and purpose in the world. "e.g. We have bought the world's agenda: we keep pretending that intimacy with God is found in our personal piety and worship. But the God who made and loves me shows himself to me every time I read his word." Who are you listening to-

Solapanel: A reminder that our conversion experience is not the basis for our eternal security and assurance. "it is vitally important to grasp that our conversion experience is not the basis of our eternal salvation. We are not saved by being converted; we are justified and saved, as Paul says in Titus 3:4-7, through the “goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior”, through “the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit”." "our confidence for eternal salvation does not have measurable effects in our experience. Instead, our confidence lies in the goodness of God, who himself regenerates us, justifying us by his grace so that “we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:7)." Conversion, regeneration and getting things done

Solapanel: This post contains a warning against taking a pre-emptive approach to avoiding the shame of your sin, e.g., after a sharp message or sermon, deliberately being the first to talk about so that no one else will dig deeper, and just openly declaring your sin before all, or talking about the effect of your sin, so at to avoid scrutiny. Turning your shame into your glory. On the other hand, shamelessly proclaim the cross of Christ The best defence is a good offence