9 Marks Interview

After over a month of "blogging silence," I would like to point your attention to the issue of separation. I have had several classes at my fundamentalist school that have presented a fundamentalist's position on it. The following interview has been cited on several blogs recently and I echo their interest in the issues presented. It is worth listening to.

Mark Dever and Mark Minnick

Review

I know I have already posted links to these items, but they are hard to find by now and I think they are helpful so I will post them again. I don't want to give the idea that John Piper builds his theology on two verses. In order to understand where he's coming from, as well as what he is suggesting be our motive for seeking Christ, you need to read some of his work, and listen to some of his sermons. Each of you will have to come to your own conclusions about Christian Hedonism, just be careful to save your conclusions until you've gained a decent understanding of it. Here are links to some books, and an introductory message that outlines his philosophy a little. I hope this will help.

Desiring God - Book
Let your passion be single - conference message
Future Grace - book

Motivation

There is a difference between admitting that God is the only giver of satisfaction, and living the Christian life for that satisfaction. This difference is discussed in Jeremiah 2:12-13. Piper practically builds His theology on this difference. Is the latter sinful? That is the question that must be answered when discussing Piper. Does Hebrews 12:1-2 relate to this? What was the joy that was set before Christ? What was so valuable to Him that he endured the suffering at Calvary? The answers to these questions hold the key to the gospel. What was the motivation behind the cross? What is the motive behind my life? Your comments would be appreciated...

Christianity and Legalism

Thought for the day: If you're a company that's selling a product and another comes selling product with your label which is far inferior to your own. What's your chief concern? To out sell them by focusing on a positive campaign? Or is it rather to viciously attack the credibility of the impostor? Legalists are impostors who need to be exposed. They're Catholics hiding behind a protestant confession, maybe worse; they are spitting on the grace of God (albeit practically) by plowing ahead on their own. And the world will never buy a "gospel" that is characterized by human effort of will. Curse that "gospel."

Matthew LaPine

p.s. the title was supposed to be a not so veiled reference to Machen's Christianity and Liberalism, but I supposed most people reading this wouldn't get it so I thought I'd explain.

Battling Unbelief

One book that has greatly changed my perspective on the battle of sin has been Battling Unbelief by John Piper. It can be read as a book, or you can watch it as a DVD series and fill out a study guide. Let me encourage you to either purchase this or to find it and check it out. Whether you agree with Piper or not, this book of his has some good things to say and stirs up a lot of thought. In response to Joel... I do have these books or at least know someone who does...
Enjoy!









link

Preaching the Cross

Matt recommended this book to me and it was very applicable. Anyone who is planning on having a preaching ministry of any kind can benefit from this book. Check it out!










Link

Spiritual Freedom

Piper's message on Romans 12:2 initiated change in my understanding of sanctification. I hope that you can learn from this message also. It is only one of several messages he has preached on the beginning of Romans 12, but for some reason this one really helped me. I encourage you to check it out.

Link: The Renewed Mind and How to Have it
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/2004/178_The_Renewed_Mind_and_How_to_Have_It/

The Reason For God

Click the image to view the site.


I would recommend downloading Keller's message on exclusivity.

Gospel & Sanctification...?

"How much does the gospel have to do with my progressive sanctification?" This question has come to mind a lot recently. Steven L. Childers says:

The Gospel is not just a gate I must pass through one time, but a path I should walk each day of my life.

Jerry Bridges has some good things to say about this in his article titled Gospel-Driven Sanctification. Let me know what you think...

Link

Helpful Book...

Jerry Bridges' book The Joy of Fearing God was instrumental in my life. It helped to re-shape my idea of what "fearing God" really means, and how it effects my life. Some of the book seems to be more practical, but the sections that really helped me were the beginning chapters as they shaped the idea of "fearing God" and the end chapters which break down the implications of "fearing God." I highly recommend it to all of you.

Bill Piper: Fundamentalist Full of Grace and Joy

This is worth watching or listening to. LINK

A Foundation to Build On...

My perspective on Christianity has been greatly influenced in the last few years by several men, one of those being John Piper. Having said that, let me say that my goal is not to make disciples of John Piper; I would simply like you to have the same opportunities that I have had to grow through his ministry.
If you want to understand John Piper you must understand Christian Hedonism and this message will help:
Let Your Passion Be Single

When I first listened to it I had very strong objections, but as I prayed about it I began to give it some open-minded thought, and I became convinced that Piper's philosophy was not only correct, but that it had very large implications in my life. I encourage you to listen to this message, and even read some of his books...

I'm a blogger?!?

Here goes nothing... I'm attempting to become a blogger, whatever that means.

Hopefully this blog can be somehow used to awaken the affections of the soul to its creator. I may end up being the only human to ever read these posts. If so, this can just function as an outlet for my thoughts, yet I would like to have interaction with others of you who have any desire whatsoever to see passion-driven, gospel-centered, culture-reaching Christianity among conservative circles! Please share what you've been learning, reading, or thinking!