New Audio Download Links
June 29, 2008
The most consistently popular post on any of my blogs is my list of links to free online audio downloads of Lectures, Seminars, Sermons, & Debates. I have recently added to this list two new links that I would like to draw to your attention. Currently, there are more than 5,000 downloads a month from the sermon archives at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship. And, Barry Creamer has returned to the World of Blog and has up links to download his radio broadcasts on Jerry Johnson Live and some of his most recent sermons. Both are excellent resources. Check them out.
The MP3 sermon archive from Bent Tree Bible Fellowship featuring sermons by Pete Briscoe, Stuart Briscoe, Steve Pruitt, Scott Dyer, and others.
Check out both his sermons and radio broadcasts. Barry teaches Humanities at Criswell College and Philosophy at other local Universities. I consider him to be one of the greatest preachers I know.
Paradise & Gehenna According To The Talmud and Midrash
June 28, 2008
There is a place in Eden and in Gehenna for every soul. The Zaddik receives his place and the place of a wicked man as well. By the same token, the wicked man receives his own place and the place of a Zaddik.
~ Hagigah, 15
No on partakes of the enjoyments of the World-to-Come because of his father’s merits.
~ Midrash Tehillim, 146, 2
Rejection Of A Jealous God
June 27, 2008
In the video at the bottom of this post you will see Oprah Winfrey explaining that her rejection of the Christian God and the initiation of her search for something else began when she heard her Baptist preacher say that God is a jealous God. Something about that didn’t set well with her.
Was her concern justified? Is God really self-centered? The below text is an excerpt from J.I. Packer’s book Hot Tub Religion
Aimee Semple McPherson
June 15, 2008
I contributed the following article on Aimee Semple McPherson to the American National Biography
.
* * * * * * *McPherson, Aimee Elizabeth Semple (9 October 1890-27 September 1944), evangelist and founder of The Church of the Foursquare Gospel, was born in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of James Morgan Kennedy, Methodist farmer, and Mildred “Minnie” Pearce, Salvation Army volunteer.
Who Was Jesus Of Nazareth? - Select Quotes
June 15, 2008
The most important questions that will ever be asked in this world are those regarding the identity of Jesus of Nazareth. Who was he? What was his mission? Why did he die? Was he resurrected?
Jesus, himself, asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” Below you will find some of the answers that have been offered;
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Truth - Select Quotes
June 8, 2008
Seek the truth
Listen to the truth
Teach the truth
Love the truth
Abide by the truth
And defend the truth
Unto death.
~ John HusPreacher or Husband / Father?
June 3, 2008
I plead guilty. Like most preachers I don’t do as good a job as I could of keeping my family’s life private. My wife and kids appear as characters in far too many of my sermon illustrations (and blog posts). It is tough enough to live in a glass house without your husband / father exposing you further. I heard one pastor say that he always asks his family members for permission before including them in a narrative. That is probably good advice.
And, now for those of you who just don’t get it, here is an educational video:
Slowing Down Your Church
May 31, 2008
Planning another big event at your church will probably make your people more active and bring in more people, but is it really what is best for your church? Consider the following paragraph from W. R. Greg’s Life at High Pressure.
Beyond doubt, the most salient characteristic of life in this latter portion of the 19th century is its SPEED, — what we may call its hurry, the rate at which we move, the high-pressure at which we work;– and the question to be considered is, first, whether this rapid rate is in itself a good; and, next, whether it is worth the price we pay for it–a price rarely reckoned up, and not very easy thoroughly to ascertain. Unquestionably, life seems fuller and longer for this speed–is it truly ricer and more effective? No doubt we can do more in our seventy years for the pace at which we travel; but are the extra things we can do always worth doing? No doubt, we can do more; but is “doing” everything, and “being” nothing.
That was written in the 19th century. How much more might it apply in the 21st century?
The Eschatology of Jonathan Edwards
May 31, 2008
Here is is another article that I contributed to the Dictionary of Premillennial Theology . As with the previous articles, I would change some things in this material if contributing to this or a similar compilation. Nevertheless, I believe the following to be both accurate and helpful.
* * * * * * * * * *
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) is generally recognized as America’s greatest theologian and philosopher. At the time of Edwards’ ministry most of Protestant theology, being heir to the amillennialism of Augustine and Calvin, spiritualized the Scripture’s teaching concerning the millennium. Edwards, on the other hand, was innovative in the development of a postmillennial eschatological vision. Edwards saw the millennium as a literal historical reality which was the telos toward which history had been progressing since the fall of Adam. He thought it probable that this latter-day glory would begin in America. His millennial expectation is often considered to have been a major factor in the social movement resulting in the American Revolution.
Edwards interpreted tribulational passages as predictions of the apostasy of the Roman Catholic Church and the suppression of true religion. He believed that the Reformation marked the shortening of days (Matt. 24:22), which is to be identified with the restricting of the powers of spiritual Rome and the papal Antichrist. Applying the year-day theory of interpretation to the twelfth chapter of Revelation, Edwards proposed that the millennium would arrive approximately 1260 years after 606 A.D., when the Bishop of Rome was recognized as having universal authority. Thus, the millennium was imminent and the revival fires of the Great Awakening could very well be harbingers of the coming age when great progress in technology would free mankind from material concerns to engage more fully in the noble exercises of mind and vital religion. At this time the kingdom of Antichrist will be utterly overthrown and there will be a national conversion of the Jews. Following the millennium will come a period of great apostasy and tribulation, which will be superseded by the personal Second Coming of Jesus Christ in infinite majesty. The saints will be gathered unto their Head, forever to be in his presence, and the wicked will be summoned before the judgement-seat of Christ. (Kevin Stilley )
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Jonathan Edwards, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, general editors Perry Miller and John E. Smith, 10 volumes (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1957-1993); ______, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, reprint 1992, 2 volumes (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Press, 1834).
Are Professors Being Expelled
May 30, 2008
“Professors aren’t being fired because they support intelligent design, they are being fired for lots of other reasons and then they have to justify their firing to other people and say it was because they advocated ID, rather than admit they were in some other way inadequate.”
That is what I was recently told by a cheeky fellow who was trying to cast an aura of confidence and disdain.
