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FeaturesChrist’s death, God’s wrath: the vital connection
Jul 30, 2009 Are you missing the point of Scripture passages? Jul 21, 2009 Modeling misjudgments: Clothing, contradictions and Miss California May 14, 2009 Exploring The Last Battle’s Emeth element May 11, 2009 MacArthur on sex and the sacredness of the Song Apr 14, 2009 Heaven and Earth, part 1 — Fixing our eyes away from the lies Apr 13, 2009 Fighting on broader battlefields of Biblical spiritual warfare Apr 11, 2009 Keeping the Cross in focus this Good Friday Apr 10, 2009 An open letter to Jennie Chancey from the Devil Mar 12, 2009 Capitalism, socialism and critics’ Rush to judgment Mar 10, 2009 |
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Al Mohler: Bible Q and A |
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by
Dr Ransom
at
03:44 PM ET
,
Friday, Jun 20, 2008
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| Categories: Columns, Deep Doctrine Magic: Biblical Theology, Cross Firings, Life Applications, New Attitude | |||
 For New Attitude 2006 in Louisville, Ky., Dr. Al Mohler, author/pastor/blogger/talk-radio host/president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, had somehow managed to clear out time from all that to host only one of several separate break-out sessions at the conference. During New Attitude 2007 — well, I’m not quite sure what he may have talked about or did there, because I was absent for it. But for New Attitude 2008, Mohler was back, and this time a headliner speaker, for the main message of the midafternoon Sunday session, May 25. When I saw the title — Bible Q and A — I wondered briefly whether that meant Mohler might be winging it, literally taking questions from the audience and offering ad-libbed answers from the platform. But no, that’s probably not it, I thought; instead, he’ll likely be talking about the predetermined “most-asked questions of the Bible” or something like that. Actually, it turns out I was right the first time. Indeed Mohler winged it, in an hour-plus-long session introduced and aided by Josh Harris, and sourced by questions from two long queues of questioners in the audience — most of whom stood in line during the whole thing and ultimately didn’t get to ask. Harris praised Mohler, saying the seminary president was the only one who could do such a thing at New Attitude. He heartily recommended Mohler’s blog about theological, cultural and political issues, AlMohler.com, adding, “How does God’s word speak to a different topic? Go to Dr. Mohler, search the topic. “He’s got a strong commitment to the truth,” Harris said. “But he always does it with a love for others.” Mohler practices “humble orthodoxy,” the focus of New Attitude conferences, Harris continued. For example, recently Mohler was at Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland, which Harris pastors, at about the time Mohler debated a homosexual about homosexuality. “It wasn’t just a debate, it wasn’t just an issue to be talked about,” for Mohler, Harris said. “He loved this person and cared about this person, because he viewed this person as someone created in the image of God. … He loves the lost and about the culture that we engage with.” Harris then invited Mohler to the platform, asked that the lights be turned higher, then raised some firm requirements for the procedure beforehand. Different types of questions are welcome. “But we do believe in dumb questions here at New Attitude,” he said. “Yes, there are dumb questions. They do exist.” Thus, the hosts may need to say that lovingly, or perhaps not so lovingly, to a troublesome questioner — then redirect the conversation, he said. “We don’t want to turn this into a Bible Answer Man, Stump-Dr.-Mohler Moment,” with questions such as, “Did Adam have a belly button?” Harris added. (For the answer, by the way: here.) Instead, we want to have good, focused questions, Harris said, then asked Mohler what types of questions he would prefer. “The kinds of questions that give you the most trouble, trying to talk to the types of people you meet,” trying to share the Gospel, Mohler answered. And by the way, Harris added, “This is not your testimony time, all right? … We don’t want your comments!” That resulted in laughter; then the two lines formed, in the two aisles, and Eric Simmons and at least one another conference host got to work finding what they felt were the best questions. Those covered a total of eight topics, as follows:
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New Attitude aftermath: books and more |
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by
Dr Ransom
at
03:36 PM ET
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Monday, Jun 09, 2008
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| Categories: Columns, Media: Books, Deep Doctrine Magic: Biblical Theology, Life Applications, New Attitude | |||
Monday began with a great little benefit this morning when I came into my office and found that my new Amazon.com-ordered books had arrived. Most of these I'd hoped to purchase at the end of the New Attitude conference late last month. However, people around there simply do far too much in-depth reading, the result being everything was gone except a few copies of J.I. Packer's and Carolyn Nystrom's Lead Us, Guide Us (which I already have) and a few $10 bookmarks sold with the benefits of purchasing Bibles for needy Ugandan villagers (and others). So I had to come home and order elsewhere, and here is today's total of New Attitude-available books I now own: 1. Young, Restless, Reformed  This is a fuller-length treatment of the “new Calvinists” and the general re-popularity of Reformed doctrine by Christianity Today writer Collin Hansen, who originall explored the topic in a front-page CT article. (I wrote about it here.) Two chapters into the book, and already I've noted several fascinating details:1. Hansen does his homework; he has a great grasp of the Reformed “movement” and interview subjects. 2. He used the phrase “Piper cubs” to refer to author/pastor John Piper readers and devotees. Ha ha! I like that term. 3. Hansen himself is Reformed in his thinking, though he's so far doing great at presenting the other side(s) — “free willie-ism” — in an appreciative and respectful light. 4. John Piper himself, according to the end of Hanssen's second chapter, “openly worries that some people feel great affection for him but don't remember to thank God,” perhaps slipping into too strong a focus on his own personality and passion rather than the sovereign Lord Who has given him these gifts. Worshiping John Piper. What a bitter irony. Piper seems aware of the problem. “The test of whether you are seeing and savoring Christ or humanly drawn to me will now be put to the test,” Piper told his congregation when I visited shortly before he left on sabbatical. “My prayer and hope is that you will show in these next five months that your allegiance is not primarily to me. 2. Why We're Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be) |
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Thus far I've only skimmed through this book, by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck, but it's apparent to me that they are trying to beat the ”emergent church“ types at their own game. This isn't a negative reaction, either — the book cover is colorful, and readers will also find occasional grayish illustrations inside, accompanying text that's easy-to-read in both style and substance. The authors are quoting trendy ”emergent“ dudes such as Rob Bell, Brian McLaren, and what's-his-name who wrote Blue Like Jazz — Donald Miller. Their style is very informal, similar to the ”emergent“ dudes, and similar to my attempt in the last sentence when I wrote ”what's-his-name“ (see, I can do it too). And they're directly presenting doctrine and defense for Jesus Christ and real Truth in Christendom.
This is volume 1, and Carson had apparently just had volume 2 published. It was available and recommended at New Attitude; however, I had figured that I might as well purchase the first one first, then work my way around to the second.
Mark Dever: The Authority of Scripture |
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by
Dr Ransom
at
12:57 PM ET
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Thursday, Jun 05, 2008
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| Categories: Columns, Deep Doctrine Magic: Biblical Theology, Life Applications, New Attitude | |||
Sunday morning, May 25. Caffeine is having its desired effect, and I’m feeling like the very clichéd Twentysomething, consuming nothing but coffee in the morning (it was not from Starbucks, however) before heading out of the house and to downtown Louisville, Kentucky, for the second session of the four-day New Attitude Conference. Community Group L, and our family group, was great in the morning, as had been the previous night’s opening community group — which consisted of Deep Discussion and a “Rock, Paper, Scissors” contest. And that Biblical balance between head and heart, deep thought and deep emotions, just kept going. The worship was the usual for a New Attitude conference, which is to say, unusual. You won’t get traditional organ-and-piano hymns at these events. But neither will you get purely raucous, total-feelings-oriented, rah-rah-rah-for-Jesus-we’ll-love-Him-forever-He’s-Gr8 nonsense. Instead, worship leaders and musicians from Covenant Life Church (Sovereign Grace Ministries’ flagship congregation in Gaithersburg, Maryland) hybridized hymns and spiritual psalms, old and new, all Gospel-centered and Christ-directed, some fast and loud, some slow — and slightly less loud. Then came the introduction from that church’s co-pastor, Eric Simmons, before the morning message by Mark Dever, pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC, and founder of Nine Marks Ministries. Dever has all kinds of degrees, Simmons said, including a bachelor’s from Duke University, an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a Master of Theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. However, aside from Nine Marks and Dever’s authorship of Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, I was unfamiliar with Dever’s work and especially his life story. In this message, I not only received a great review — and new truths! — about “The Authority of Scripture,” but learned about this passionate Christ-follower’s background too. |
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Josh Harris: Ripping, Burning, Eating — A Right Response to God’s Word |
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by
Dr Ransom
at
11:35 AM ET
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Saturday, May 31, 2008
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| Categories: Columns, Deep Doctrine Magic: Life Applications, New Attitude | |||
The New Attitude 2008 conference in Louisville, Ky., began at 7:45 pm Saturday, May 24, with about a half-hour of songs, hymns and spiritual songs — as in previous conferences, hybridized and stylized to the point where I lost track of which was which. A new song might have words so doctrinally grounded that they seem antiquated; an old one might have new music, and/or a new chorus. And I’ve found I really like this sort of arrangement. It’s not about whether a song/hymn is “new” or “old” — but does it glorify God and His Truth and Grace? At New Attitude, hosted by Sovereign Grace Ministries, glorifying God is the goal. Eric Simmons, Covenant Life Church co-pastor and initiator behind New Attitude 2008, kicked off the conference’s speaking portion with a grand welcome to all, of course, and either facts for new attendees or review for previous ones. We’re all about humble orthodoxy. If you get lost, consult a Courtesy Ninja, he said — that is, half of a Young Married Couple with Sovereign Grace Ministries who is trained to offer help, and perhaps also coffee and donuts and perhaps pens and candies (and presumably limited martial arts skills). Also, you have with you this year’s New Attitude guide, which this year consisted of a single journal with maps around the conference center and city beyond, the conference schedules and space for notes. It was far too little space for notes, some including me observed, at least for messages of this magnitude! Speaking of which, the first message of magnitude was by Josh Harris, pastor and author (of both of the Mush Books, of course, along with Stop Dating the Church which actually isn’t about Mush). After a delay several years ago, Harris wanted to re-start the conferences, Harris said, and everyone here is benefiting from his vision and leadership. Thanks, Josh! Simmons said, leading to applause — and to Harris’s opening message on “Ripping, Burning, Eating — A Right Response to God’s Word.” |
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Looking back on New Attitude 2006 |
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by
Dr Ransom
at
12:50 PM ET
,
Thursday, May 29, 2008
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| Categories: Columns, Deep Doctrine Magic: Biblical Theology, Life Applications, New Attitude | |||
The New Attitude conference in Louisville, Ky., held by Sovereign Grace Ministries and with speakers including Josh Harris, John Piper and Al Mohler, concluded its four-day duration early Tuesday afternoon. On that day I returned home, with guests in tow, along with bountiful thoughts about the event's offerings regarding Scripture — specifically to me, the Biblical balance between meditating upon and delighting in God's Word. One is head, the other is heart. One is mental and thoughtful, the other, emotional. God's Word itself does not present any sort of dichotomy between them. It's “living in active” for both! Many, many other realizations and reactions will result from this conference, I'm sure. And I hope to share them on FaithFusion in the coming weeks, and perhaps even more quickly within the coming days. Unlike NA 2007 — during which I flamed out halfway through, based on depression, fatigue and other factors — I not only stayed during the whole conference, but I: 1) Didn't miss a community group or even part of a session; 2) Tackled the conference with multiple friends this time, some I'd known for a long time, and some new after the four-day event; 3) Took as many fastidious notes as I could, using either my often-low-battery-afflicted laptop, or actual paper and pen. Lest this seem bragging, please note that I'm still a bit depression at missing all the marvelousness last year. In response to the apparent success of this conference for me, I will certainly credit the Creator/Savior Who wrote the Word that inspired it — and secondly, the existing and new friends who made the constant “fellowship” time so amazing and enjoyable. 2006 'New' review It has occurred to me frequently during the past two years that finding previous New Attitude notes, heavily supplemented by my later editins, is difficult on this site. That's partly because several blog features are broken at present, including (last I checked) monthly archiving. Updates are definitely in order! |
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Josh Harris: Taking the New Attitude Back To Reality |
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by
Dr Ransom
at
07:54 AM ET
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Tuesday, Jun 06, 2006
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| Categories: Columns, Deep Doctrine Magic: Biblical Theology, Evangelism, Life Applications, New Attitude | |||
On the last morning, May 30, of the New Attitude 2006 singles conference in Louisville, Ky., author and pastor Josh Harris took to the podium for his second message, and laughed at himself. We need two podiums, he said — one for a short guy like me. A young woman from our church named Janelle recently told me, “‘You are so tiny but God is so big!’” and He’s using you anyway. Harris kept going, to continual laughter: “‘You’re like David, you’re small in stature, but you’re among giants!’” And by this point, I’m cracking up while listening to her, Harris said. “This is killing me, because I had no idea there were so many synonyms for short. A little shrimpy man for Jesus!” With that, the shrimpy man announced the formation of New Attitude 2007, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel. “We’re so thrilled that John Piper has agreed to come next year!” he shouted, to tremendous applause. “Finally, his schedule worked out. So finally, Piper, NA ‘07.” At this point, can you take any more messages containing so much? Harris asked. “There’s definitely been some truth gluttony that’s taking place, as we’re just packing it in, message after message. Some of you are like, If you share one more message with me, I’m just going to — whomph — barf, New Attitude, all over.” But we have one more to go, Harris said. This message will be a review “of all that we heard — not everything, but to grab most of the significant things and consider together what it means to take this home. And that’s what’s so important about all that we’ve done: it’s meaningless unless we take it home … apply it to our lives, work it into our lives, and review it.” |
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More New Attitude 2006: The Gospel of the John |
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by
Dr Ransom
at
07:45 AM ET
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Sunday, Jun 04, 2006
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| Categories: Columns, Deep Doctrine Magic: Life Applications, New Attitude, Local News | |||
On Tuesday morning, between the last New Attitude singles conference “family group” and main session, this was overheard in a Kentucky International Convention Center men's room: PARTICIPANT 1 (from inside echoic restroom stall): How's it going? PARTICIPANT 2 (locked in adjacent restroom stall) (after loaded hesitance): Ah, going fairly well — considering. PARTCIPANT 1: Considering what? (Another pause.) PARTICIPANT 2: What I'm about to do. PARTICIPANT 1 (doesn't even laugh): Hey, nothing is hidden from God. Someday we won't have to do all this. We'll just be with Him, always, worshiping His Name and learning. PARTCIPANT 2: Yes. Very true. (About a minute later:) PARTICIPANT 2 (after exiting stall): Ah, Godspeed, man. PARTICIPANT 1 (still inside): You too, brother. A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. |
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Eric Simmons: Visualizing the Big Picture |
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by
Dr Ransom
at
07:46 AM ET
,
Saturday, Jun 03, 2006
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| Categories: Columns, Deep Doctrine Magic: Biblical Theology, Evangelism, Life Applications, New Attitude | |||
During the second-to-last session of the four-day New Attitude singles conference in Louisville, Ky., Eric Simmons, singles pastor at Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Md., began drawing the previous days’ imagery together into “the big picture.” It’s so easy to lapse into drudgery, lumping aspects of the Christian walk right along with menial daily tasks such as taking out the trash, and other menial chores, Simmons said. By doing this, they lose sight of joy. Their life in Christ becomes a list of gottas: I gotta read the Bible, I gotta go to church, etc. In the book of Colossians, Paul, even while sitting in a prison, writes how he was thrilled that the Gospel was advancing. “The Kingdom of Christ has come!” Simmons exclaimed. It bore fruit in the first century, and it’s bearing fruit now. Paul was thrilled, and so should we be. “If you’ve been saved by Grace within the past five years, please stand,” Simmons asked. About a half-dozen people rose. The previous night, the conference leaders, these strongly Grace-based, Reformed, conversion-method-avoiding Christ-followers had given a near-Baptist-style altar call. They made it clear to potential respondents that walking down an aisle won’t save you; repentance and responding to God’s call for redemption will. (And once upon a time, I almost thought Reformed theology was a natural barrier to evangelism.) The auditorium burst into applause. How must it feel, I wonder, to be a new Christ-follower in these circumstances? Does it at all seem as if you’re receiving too much attention? Or do the newly redeemed not even care about that, so lost that they are in Grace and community? Have a global vision, Simmons said. The Kingdom is here, and we get to help further its domain! |
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Justin Taylor: Evaluating the ‘Emerging Church’ movement |
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by
Dr Ransom
at
06:50 PM ET
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Friday, Jun 02, 2006
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| Categories: Columns, Deep Doctrine Magic: Biblical Theology, Cross Firings, Divergent Church, Evangelism, New Attitude | |||
Mass inner groans must have resulted after author and speaker Josh Harris announced the formation of seven “breakout sessions” at the New Attitude 2006 conference on May 30. Why? Because all seven sounded very interesting — and it just didn’t seem fair to have to choose only one. I myself was torn between a session with Dr. Al Mohler about Biblical worldview and sexual ethics, and another one hosted by Justin Taylor, editor, blogger and former research assistant to John Piper. Actually, speaker Eric Simmons said when introducing Taylor, he was former theological director to John Piper. “How did you direct John Piper?” Simmons asked. Taylor responded, “I didn’t.” Because I heard this exchange, it’s clear I finally opted for Taylor’s message — mostly because I’m less familiar with the “emergent church” movement (ECM) than I am with the Bible’s views on sex. (The latter is somewhat easier to learn, at least in theory. For example, one can easily skip all the don’ts and save time by simply proclaiming the Bible’s dos in simplified summary: wait until marriage, then sure, have at it, and have fun.) Taylor has edited several books by John Piper, Simmons said, including Reclaiming the Center and Sex and the Supremacy of God. Regarding the latter, Simmons quickly amended for the crowd of singles — “Well, they can read it later. “He is trying to bring sound doctrine to a level that’s readable to people like us,” Simmons said. And Taylor blessedly evenhanded about the ECM, Simmons added — he’ll outline not only its problems, but the very legitimate questions their leaders have raised about the effectiveness of the American Church in today’s culture. “My hope today is that Justin would give you some Biblical discernment about certain twisted truths that leaders of the emerging church movement want to get out there,” Simmons said. “I hope people become equipped to represent humble orthodoxy. We’ve only received these truths through God and past generations.” |
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Court is in session |
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by
Dr Ransom
at
09:35 AM ET
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Wednesday, May 31, 2006
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| Categories: Deep Doctrine Magic: Life Applications, New Attitude, Local News | |||||
Yesterday morning, Harris wrapped up the New Attitude 2006 conference in Louisville, Ky. by finally mentioning something about courtship. The conference's themes, of course, were Embrace a Humble Orthodoxy and Forget Reinvention — meaning, stop trying to find something new, Christ-followers, and go back to what is “old” and what worked before! Thus, the positions of courtship and sheep's eyes and such were almost taken as a given among the audience. “I have to say this,” Harris said, “because everybody knows, I've written the books, I know about relationships; I'm the Love Doctor.” Everyone burst out laughing. Aha, I thought. I thought so. He probably got very tired of being treated like that, very fast. This conference has been focused on Christ, Harris continued. But here's a prophecy I can give, and I know it's true for at least some of you. Because another goal has been to get all of you brothers and sisters in the faith together, and I know that as you've been here, interacting with others, you are thinking, Oh, there's a brother, or, Oh -- there's a sister. Don't dismiss that, Harris said — likely because, as I've found, in one's local territory, it's so hard to find a good possible helpmate these days. “Guys,” Harris continued, “you need to take the initiative here. ”You might want to go to that person,“ Harris suggested, ”tell her that you really enjoyed getting to know her, and say that you would really, really — like to get her dad's email address." |
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Jeff Purswell: Desiring the Holy Spirit |
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by
Dr Ransom
at
10:09 AM ET
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Tuesday, May 30, 2006
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| Categories: Columns, Deep Doctrine Magic: Biblical Theology, Life Applications, New Attitude | |||
Jeff Purswell, a pastor and teacher of not only Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Md., but also of other pastors, began his message in the late morning, of the New Attitude 2006 conference day three. Of the seven general sessions, this one may prove to be the most “controversial,” if that term applies — perhaps more so only when compared with the other messages. For Purswell leans charismatic and is open to gifts of prophecy and of tongues remaining in the present time — he sees no Scriptural evidence that they’ve ceased any more than the other spiritual gifts. Yet his message seemed balanced. Only briefly did he mention tongues and such. His main point — desiring the Spirit’s work in your life, and discerning how He works in not just spectacular emotional displays but especially in the seemingly “little” and mundane things — can likely be agreed upon by all. |
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C.J. Mahaney: The God Who Crushed His Son (condensed) |
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by
Dr Ransom
at
05:04 PM ET
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Monday, May 29, 2006
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| Categories: Deep Doctrine Magic: New Attitude | |||
Former pastor and current leader of Sovereign Grace Ministries C.J. Mahaney introduced his evening message for the New Attitude conference last night with a story summary undoubtedly familiar to many in his audience. My grandson Andrew has been captivated by The Chronicles of Narnia, Mahaney said. When reading the book or watching the film, he said, “he provided a running commentary throughout.” And all the adults who have read the work know Andrew’s excitement. As the previous speaker ended with a reference to The Last Battle, Manahey said, “I will begin my message this evening with a brief synopsis of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” He provided the summary: four children find a magical land in a wardrobe, discovery they're destined to fulfill a prophecy and free the land from the 100-year winter of the evil White Witch. When one child betrays the rest, Aslan, Narnia's Creator and rightful King, sacrifices himself in the traitor's stead. Mahaney lapsed into reading the account of Aslan's resurrection, ending with Susan's question to the Lion: “‘But what does it all mean?’ A more important question does not exist,“ Mahaney said. ”What is the meaning of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ? … This evening, the prophet Isaiah will tell us what it all means." With that, Mahaney launched into an hour-long, expositional account of most of Isaiah 53, arguably the most direct of the Old Testament's prophesies of Christ. I may provide a more-detailed version of his key points later. |
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Mike Bullmore: The Omni-relevance of the Gospel |
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by
Dr Ransom
at
10:15 AM ET
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Monday, May 29, 2006
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| Categories: Columns, Deep Doctrine Magic: New Attitude | |||
Mike Bullmore, senior pastor of Crossway Community Church, began his mid-afternoon message at the New Attitude conference on May 28 by remarking upon his own reaction to the conference setup. When I first came in, it was very dark in here, Bullmore said. The stage bristled with rather loud music, accompanied by steel-grid, wheel-shaped structures bearing the words of the songs and often other simple visuals, flanking the stage. Said Bullmore, I turned to the man with me and said, “Brother, we’re not in Kansas anymore.” Yet this is indeed a privilege to be here, he said. And it isn’t just a privilege; it’s a stewardship. “Think about your life,” Bullmore said. “You were made by God, you were made like God and you were made for God.” You can work and be productive. You can love and have relationships. You can long for goodness and justice. You have emotional, physical and spiritual energy. “But, let me tell you — not one of those areas,” he said, “not one of them is sitting in Neutral.” He quoted C.S. Lewis, who as of Monday morning has a record of three quotes by speakers, in as many sessions: “ ‘There is no neutral ground. Every square inch, every split second of your life is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan.’ ” We are constantly in danger of doing something less than reflecting God’s glory, Bullmore said. And similarly, we’re always at risk of losing sight of the Gospel. Maybe you think that in two days, I go back to real life. “Yeah, I can use the word Gospel in conversations. But, help me. How really does the Gospel connect to and shape my life?” You work, Bullmore said. You may like your job. But how does the Gospel speak to those tasks? How does the Gospel connect to being single? Or searching for someone with whom you hope not to be single anymore? I want to say this gently and carefully, Bullmore said: “The Gospel speaks to everything.” With careful enunciation he added, “The Gospel speaks to every dimension of our lives.” It’s almost the mark of Christian growth, he said: “the ability to see the connections,” between the Gospel and seemingly unrelated aspects of our lives. We need to discover and continually rediscover how what Jesus has done continues to influence and shape every aspect of our lives. For in some ways, Bullmore said, “All our problems come from a failure to apply the Gospel.” |
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Mark Dever: Summary of Scripture |
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by
Dr Ransom
at
03:05 PM ET
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Sunday, May 28, 2006
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| Categories: Columns, Deep Doctrine Magic: Biblical Theology, Life Applications, New Attitude | |||
Author and speaker Josh Harris introduced Mark Dever, pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., for the second session of the once-again annual four-day New Attitude singles conference in Louisville, Ky. this morning. Dever would talk about the whole Bible, going from Genesis to Revelation in one hour, he said. “I normally take about 60 minutes or so to preach about a few verses of the Bible,” Dever said. But this time, I may be preaching for a while today, he added. “I will trust the Lord will see us through.” Many people have varying opinions on Scripture, he said. Recall that Voltaire said the Bible would vanish — 200 years ago. “In the 20th century, great sections of the world became officially skeptical of the Bible,” Dever continued. At one point, the Soviet government’s dictionary defined the Bible as full of legends, a collection of myths that are self-contradictory but nevertheless used by the churches. Many very-educated people have trusted the Bible, of course. And “this book inspires hit movies, from The Prince of Egypt to The Passion of the Christ to The Da Vinci Code — not like all these movies are accurate. “Surely, the Bible is more often purchased than read,” Dever continued. Polls and surveys show that four out of five Americans say they believe the Bible, but they often don’t know basics like who preached the Sermon on the Mount or what the different Ten Commandments are. The Word contains 66 separate books from 30 different writers, scattered over a period of 1300 years — many of whom never knew any of the other writers. “But they fit together surprisingly well.” Many churches look at the Bible more specifically than others, preaching from specific chapters or books such as 1 Peter. “We should study it with all the other books in mind … thinking about, What is the message of the whole?” Dever said. “It is the most important message in all of the world for everybody, without exception — including you, here, this morning. “Martin Luther said, ‘The Bible is alive. It speak to me. It has feet; it runs after me. It has hands; it lays hold of me.’” And it should lay hold of all of us, Dever said. |
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