Tim Keller Interview – Reason for God? Belief in an Age of Skepticism

Posted on March 8, 2012 by PS

Martin Bashir interviews Tim Keller about the book the Reason for God.  The video time, question and a brief summary of Keller’s answer is captured after the video.

  • Why did Keller think it necessary to write a book about the reason for God? (0:15)  A: It’s a common question that people ask and it needs to be answered
  • How can religious belief be about empirical science rather than faith? (2:30)  A: It takes more reason and faith to disbelieve as it does to believe
  • Isn’t it true that the notion of God is just a projection of our own cultural circumstances? (5:35) A: The belief of the questioner is also ‘socially constructed’, so we must still make a decision about which of the cultural claims is true.  The reasons for there not to be a God is just as strong as the reasons to believe in God, so denial can be constructed as well
  • Do you believe that there’s only one God and one way to approach God? (11:45) A: Yes, if what Jesus claims is true then there has to be one way to God.
  • What happens to Muslims, Jews and others who don’t believe in Jesus? (13:30)  A: All I know is that God says that we need Jesus.  Beyond that I don’t know how God will dealth with them
  • Does this mean that these people will go to hell? (15:10)  A: Everyone makes a choice to either put hope in the grace of God or your ownself and your own performance.  Many people in churches will also find that they were depending on their own performance rather than God to go to heaven.  Beyond this I don’t know.
  • You build your arguments on the credibility of the witnesses in the New Testament.  How should we think about some of the stranger parts of the Bible like the book of Revelation? (18:35)  A: If you decide that Jesus is who he says that he is, and Jesus looks at the rest of the Bible as credible, so you deal with the whole Bible as authoritatively too
  • Does the behavior of Christians over the centuries deny a God of love? If it’s true, why is it so hard to live out? (24:00)  A: This is the strongest objection to Christianity, but Christianity is self critical.  Jesus criticized the religious leaders of the day.  It’s about getting to the roots of what real Christianity is and how it should be lived based on the Biblical teaching.  Those acting against the heart of Christianity have no idea what it’s about.
  • Are you convinced that Christianity is true? (31:00) A: Yes, more than ever
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Critical Thinking Introduction Videos

Posted on March 6, 2012 by PS

Here’s a nice set of short (2 minute) videos about critical thinking targeted at high school students, but we can all benefit from brushing up on logical thinking skills:

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What Christians Can Learn from Mormons

Posted on March 5, 2012 by PS

In a previous post titled What Christians Can Learn from Muslims, the topics of honoring the name of God, His Word and the disciplines of prayer and fasting were compared with common evangelical practices.  Today consider what we can learn looking at the life of Mormons.  Once again, it should be made clear that they have a different God and a different Gospel, but nonetheless still follow similar practices as Christians.  Just as with Muslims, their works based salvation drives most of the difference, but this is still problematic because our grateful response to God’s grace should drive us to greater love and obedience than is seen in other religions.  Ponder these four points:

  1. Unity in the church.  The LDS church is unified, at least in appearance, across the world.  Its schisms are limited, so the teaching is more consistent country-to-country.  This is not to say that Mormon doctrine hasn’t changed, because it has and does, but that splits don’t result.  This is because salvation is found through the LDS church and its ‘authority’, rather than salvation individually and separate from the church in Christianity
  2. Giving to God.  Mormons give more than the average Christian.  This is driven a requirement to contribute 10% to participate in temple ceremonies and because they are held accountable for the contribution by their leaders.  For Christians, the exact 10% number isn’t the issue as much as the idea that all things are God’s and we should cheerfully contribute to support “making disciples of all nations” to a greater degree than we do today
  3. Family is central and training children in the doctrines of the church is focused upon in the home.  The eternality of the family is a core belief in Mormonism, which isn’t Biblical, drives much of this effort.  Nevertheless, Mormon take seriously their responsiblity to pass their beliefs down to the next generation while many Christians seem to outsource this role to the church.  The historic Christian practice of catechism in the home has passed away.  Kids have no training on a Christian worldview and appear to frequently abandon the faith
  4. Seriousness of missions and missions training.  If you flip through this ‘article’ about Mormon missions training, you’ll begin to see how seriously the LDS church takes preparing missionaries.  Their missions book provides more detail about how much they structure their outreach effort.  Nearly all young adults commit two years of their life to the mission field.  In the Christian church, missions rarely goes beyond a spring break trip to the inner city.

Mormon motivation for each of these points is different from what the Bible teaches.  They are working their way into heaven and obedience is driven by this factor.  Christians have heaven and, while we remain on earth, are motivated by their love for God and thankfulness for Jesus’ sacrifice.  Yet, we should pause and consider why we don’t give more, evangelize more, pass our beliefs on generationally and show more unity.  Does our freedom in Christ give make us too comfortable such that we don’t run the race to win?

If you’d like to learn more about how Mormonism differs from Christianity see Problems with Mormonism and MormonInfo

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Parential Responsibility for Education and Its Eternal Consequences

Posted on March 3, 2012 by PS

Douglas Wilson provides his view of parental responsibility in educating children rather than relying on a church or school:

How does the Bible’s teaching on humanity’s sinful condition apply when we come to the education of our children? Children are not free from the inheritance of sin from our father Adam.  In the Scripture, we do not find a contrast between innocent children on the one hand and sinful adults on the other.  Rather, the contrast is between immature sin in the child and mature sin in the adult….

The effects of the fall are clearly visible in young children…What does education do when human sinfulness is overlooked?  What do you get when you educate sinners?  The answer is simple enough – clever sinners.  Knowledge by itself, does not make people better; it may make them worse (Romans 3:20, 5:20).

Some of the most tragic stories in the Bible concern parental failure.  1 Kings 1:5-6 states that Adonijah had unduly exalted himself in aspiring to the throne.  It says also that” …his father had never interfered with him by asking, ‘Why do you behave as you do?'”  David also failed as a father with Absalom, and his son lost his life.  It was the same with Eli and his sons.  They were evil, and Eli did not restrain them (1 Samuel 3:13).  They too lost their lives.  Samuel, who had been used by God to rebuke Eli for being a poor father, failed in the same area himself.  His sons took bribes and perverted justice (1 Samuel 8:3)

Such examples show us that just being around godly people is insufficient.  There is no such thing as an automatic transfer of wisdom.  The children of Christians have great privileges (1 Corinthians 7:14), but it is crucial that we understand the nature of those privileges.  To belive that children can be spiritually changed by their environment alone is behaviorism, not Christianity.  Parents are held accountable by God for how their children turn out.  For example, elders of Christian churches are required to have well-disciplined and believing children (1 Timothy 3:4-5, Titus 1:6).  But that responsibility cannot be exercised well if parents persist in acting as though education and environment alone are capable of transforming the sinful heart of a child.

Children, like the rest of us, are by nature objects of wrath (Ephesians 2:3).  Those who discipline and teach them need to understand this fact, and they must recognize that how a child is brought up has eternal consequences (Proverbs 23:14).  In addition, a child’s upbringing has temporal consequences (Ephesians 6:1-4).  That is, how a child is brought up affects his life here on earth.  It is up to the parents to require the child’s obedience, which in turn is blessed by God.

(Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning, pp. 71-72)

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Alternative Small Group Bible Study Method

Posted on March 1, 2012 by PS

If you’re struggling with your Bible study small group because you can’t agree upon a topic or the nature of the study isn’t motivating (e.g., looking up verses and filling in blanks), consider a new approach that provides your group with more flexibility and hopefully better motivates each participant.  The format is like this:

  • Each person chooses their own topic to study throughout the week.  They can study a book of the Bible, a systematic theology subject, a character study or an outside book like Knowledge of the Holy.  Providing the flexibility of choice ensures that everyone is working on something that they find relevant and in a format that they can best learn from
  • During the small group time, each individual must summarize what s/he learned from his/her study over the past week , draw practical implications and share it with the whole group in under ten minutes (or a time of your choosing).  The idea here is to force each person to distill their study into a few key point in order to reinforce their learning from the previous week and teach it to others about in a concise manner.  It’s therefore more likely to be remembered and packaged in a way that can be communicated again if the topic should arise at a later time
  • Warning: This could devolve into a member reading large chunks of commentaries or other material.  If this occurs, it will be painful for the group and should be quickly corrected.  The idea is to internalize and communicate the learnings rather than regurgitating someone else’s words.  Quoting some key passages is okay, but it should be limited
  • Following an individual’s ten minute time, the other group members spend a couple of minutes asking questions, offering suggestions for how the study could have been better communicated or correcting misinterpretations of Scripture if they arise.  This time closes the loop and facilitates discipleship where necessary
  • Move on to the next person until everyone’s had their turn

There are several benefits to this method beyond what’s already been pointed out. 

  1. Having to summarize learnings and verbalize them gives us practice in communicating God’s message in a safe environment and hopefully prepares us to be more articulate over time.  More importantly it helps train people to fulfill Hebrews 5:12 because the ability to teach is a sign of maturity: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food”
  2. It allows the more mature members to ‘pull up’ the younger members through an exposure to more difficult material than the average Bible study book covers, while keeping the newer members at an appropriate level for their own investment of time
  3. It solves part of the common issue of having one or two members taking most of the air time. (team interaction studies show that the most talkative person accounts for ~40% of the time and the next person ~25% in groups of six to eight people).  Conversely, it gives the quieter members an equal say and draws them out
  4. Everyone in the group gets to hear multiple mini ‘sermons’ and this rapid fire approach results in many unexpected gems from Scripture that we had forgotten or hadn’t considered in many years 

One warning about this approach…it’s doesn’t work very well for Christians not motivated to put the time or effort into a study.  Participants can hide by making off the cuff comments during a group study, but their lack of preparation will be immediately evident (and embarrassing) with this method.

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Top 10 Bible Verses

Posted on February 29, 2012 by PS

The following verses are the top ten most highlighted in the ESV Bible for Kindle:

10) Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.  (Philippians 4:11-13)

9) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.  (Matthew 6:33-34)

8) For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  (Ephesians 2:8-10)

7) For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

6) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  (Romans 8:28)

5) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  (Galatians 5:22-23)

4) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

3) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

2) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

1) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Leave a comment with your favorite Bible verse.

If you like this list, try verses that summarize the Gospel, verses about Jesus, verses about God’s control of the world and verses about what Jesus taught

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Shallow Small Group Video

Posted on February 26, 2012 by PS

This video does a great job of encapsulating how not to run a small group Bible study at your church.  Watch it and laugh together, so you don’t have a shallow time:

Learn more about James’ Mirror, become a fan of the Follower of Jesus Facebook page, @JamesMirror on Twitter and find discipleship resources and accountability questions to make your study time more effective

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Guidance for Parents to Raise Godly Children

Posted on February 25, 2012 by PS

A.W. Pink provided guidance to parents for raising godly children through instruction, example, discipline and prayer in A Word to Parents.  The key section of his message are captured in the quotes below.

God has entrusted to parents a most solemn and yet a most precious privilege. It is not too much to say that in their hands are deposited the hope and blessing—or else the curse and plague of the next generation….How prayerfully and carefully should they discharge their trust….The character of parents is to be a very large degree reproduced in their offspring…Most assuredly God will require an account of the children from the parents’ hands, for they are His, and only lent to their care and keeping.

1) Instruct your children in three ways.  First, instruct the consistently day after day.  Second, instruct them systematically about the doctrines of God starting early.  Third, use the question and answer format of a catechism to make the teaching more effective.  Pink’s comments are below:

Instruction should not be an occasional or sporadic thing, but one that is to have constant attention. The glorious character of God, the requirements of His holy law, the exceeding sinfulness of sin, the wondrous gift of His Son, and the fearful doom which is the certain portion of all who despise and reject Him, are to be brought repeatedly before the minds of the little ones. “They are too young to understand such things” is the devil’s argument to deter you from discharging your duty.

This instruction is to be given by reading to them the Holy Scriptures and expounding upon those things suitable for their age. This should be followed by catechizing them. A continued discourse to the young is not nearly so effective as when it is diversified by questions and answers. If they know they will be questioned on what you read, they will listen more closely—the formulating of answers teaches them to think for themselves. Such a method is also found to make the memory more retentive, for answering definite questions fixes more specific ideas in the mind. Observe how often Christ asked His disciples questions.

2) Be a good example to your children because you’ll otherwise invalidate everything you’re trying to each about God.  If you teach them that God wants them to pray, model praying when they’re watching and when they’re not.  If you read a Bible passage about forgiveness, be sure to ask their forgiveness when you sin against them.  Pink explains:

 It is at this point parents need to be most on their faces before God, daily seeking from Him that grace which they so severely need and which He alone can supply. What care they need to take lest they say or do anything before their children which would tend to corrupt their minds or be of evil consequence for them to follow! How they need to be constantly on their guard against anything which might render them contemptible in the eyes of those who should respect and revere them!  The parent is not only to instruct his children in the ways of holiness, but is himself to walk before them in those ways, and show by his practice and demeanor what a pleasant and profitable thing it is to be regulated by the divine law.

3) Enforce consistent, fair discipline with your family.

In Genesis 18:19, Abraham did more than offer good advice—he enforced law and order in his household. The rules he administered had for their design the keeping of the “way of the Lord”—that which was right in His sight…Rules should be simple, clear, reasonable and flexible like the Ten Commandments—a few great moral rules, instead of a multitude of petty restrictions…The parent is to punish a disobedient child not because he is angry, but because he is right—because God requires it, and the welfare of the child demands it.

4) Pray for your children daily.

The Throne of Grace is to be earnestly implored that your efforts to bring up your children for God may be crowned with success…A prayerful atmosphere should pervade the home and be breathed by all who share it.

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John MacArthur Interview about Theology and Ministry

Posted on February 24, 2012 by PS

John MacArthur answers questions about theology and ministry.  The session transcript can be found at Theology and Ministry.

MacArthur covered the following topics:

  • The Charismatic Movement (10:15).  One of the articles he references is The Unholy Trinity about Paul Crouch, Benny Hinn, Crefo Dollar and TD Jakes
  • Cessation of the spiritual gifts (18:00)
  • Proof texts and Biblical theology (22:30)
  • Reexamining doctrines over time and the value of seminary for developing foundational doctrine (26:55)
  • The defense of the Gospel (34:00)
  • Favorite book – Slave (35:30)
  • Biologos, evolution and Genesis as a myth (42:05)
  • How do we define essentials of the faith to fight for? (49:20)

There is also a MacArthur question and answer interview about the local church

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The Last Will Be First and the First Last

Posted on February 24, 2012 by PS

“The last will be first and the first will be last.”  That’s a familiar message from Jesus, but have you considered how central it was to His teaching?  Consider these passages:

In Matthew 20:20-28, James and John’s mother approached Jesus and boldly asked Him for something astounding.  She requested that they sit at the right and left hand of His throne meaning that they would be the second and third greatest after the King of the Universe Himself.  With that kind of audacity, she might as well have asked for the sun, moon and stars.  Now look at Jesus response.

But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,  and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,  even as the Son of Man came not to be served but  to serve, and  to give his life as a ransom for  man.

He’s using similar words to say the last will be first and the first will be last.   This story is also repeated in Mark 10:35-45 with James and John as the ones asking.  A similar discussion occurs in Mark 9:33-37 and Luke 22:24-27 among the disciples, with them debating who is the greatest among them.  Jesus inquires about the discussion and responds by saying, ““If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

Third, Jesus is approached by the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-30.  After the ruler walks away disappointed because he must give away all that he has to have eternal life, Peter asks what he’ll receive because of giving up everything for Jesus.  Jesus responds:

Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me  will also sit on twelve thrones,  judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfoldand will  inherit eternal life. But  many who are  first will be last, and the last first.

We see that those who sacrifice are moved to the front of the line, which in this case is the disciples.  Those who are wealthy in things of this world like the rich ruler will end up in the back in eternity.  Mark 10:17-30 echoes this story.

Next, there’s the parable of the vineyard workers in Matthew 20:1-16.  At the end of the story, the workers who were employed for the whole day were upset because they didn’t receive more pay than those who worked a partial day.  Jesus completes his message by saying, “the last will be first and the first last.”

Lastly is Jesus reference to the narrow door in Luke 13:22-30.  The central teaching in the passage is that many who think they know God and expect to go to heaven are surprised to find out that they don’t and they won’t.  Jesus once again uses the first and last phrase.

To summarize, there are five different passages that end with the idea of the first on earth becoming the last in heaven.  The idea is used by Matthew three times, Mark three times and Luke twice.  John doesn’t specifically use the phrase, but does say something similar in John 13:16, ” Truly, truly, I say to you,  a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”

Now that you’ve seen the prevalence of this teaching of Jesus across the Gospels what are you going to do about it?  What will you pursue with your life?  This things of this world that rust and can be stolen or the things of next through service and sacrifice?

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