Does Sanctification Require Effort?
There has been a quite a vigorous debate in Reformed denominations over the last number of years regarding the nature of sanctification and the role of our own efforts in that process. Some have insisted that sanctification is really only about coming to grips with our justification. Others have given the impression that if we preach sermons about Christian obedience (what some call “do” sermons) then we are merely preaching moralism and not preaching Christ.
However, I think many of these trends miss the radical call of discipleship that Christ so plainly offers. For this reason, I was grateful to Mark Dever who recently gave the Harold O.J. Brown Lectures… Continue reading...
The Book of Revelation: How Difficult Was Its Journey into the Canon?
The story of the New Testament canon is a fascinating one, with many twists and turns. There are books that were accepted very quickly, almost from the start (e.g., the four gospels), and there are other books that struggled to find a home (e.g., 2 Peter).
And then there is the book of Revelation.
Few today would contest the claim that the book of Revelation stands as … Continue reading...
Bible Secrets Revealed: The Complete Series
For the last few months I have been working through the various episodes of Bible Secrets Revealed from the History Channel. This series challenges a number of popular beliefs and conceptions that people hold about the Bible, and raises questions about the integrity and reliability of the Scriptures. In each of the posts below, I summarize the main content of each episode and offer an evaluation and response.
This entire series has reminded me of two critical truths:
1. Our popular culture is prone to distort and misrepresent the teachings of the Bible. I was struck again by how sensationalistic and misleading popular-level programming can actually be when it … Continue reading...
Mark Dever Giving the Harold O.J. Brown Lectures at RTS Charlotte
Two years ago we began our annual Harold O.J. Brown lecture series here at RTS Charlotte. This lecture series honors Dr. Brown not only because he was a faculty member here in Charlotte for the final decade of his career (and much loved by the students), but because of his larger and wider impact one evangelicalism in the United States. In addition to publishing many important books, Dr. Brown (along with C. Everett Koop) had a tremendous influence on the pro-life movement in the United States.
When Dr. Brown passed away in 2007, I gave an interview to Christianity Today about his career and legacy. See here for that interview … Continue reading...
One of the Best Apologetics Books in Years
Every once in a while a book is published that is so helpful, so original, and so needed, that it makes one wonder, Why was this book not written before now? James Anderson, associate professor of theology and philosophy here at RTS Charlotte, has written such a book: What’s Your Worldview? An Interactive Approach to Life’s Big Questions (Crossway, 2o14).
This is a wonderful little book for a number of reasons. (1) Target audience. Although this book is certainly for Christians, it has a strong evangelistic thrust to it. It is designed to be given to non-Christians. (2) Methodology: Anderson has written this book from a presuppositional … Continue reading...