Blogroll

The Blogroll is a collection of blogs that are often of interest and help to SI readers. SharperIron does not create the content of these blogs and the views expressed in them are those of their respective writers.

Pensées (about)
Joe Former Fundy & The Elephant Room
Bob Bixby - 2/4/12 2:10 PM

James MacDonald is really popular in these parts with fundamentalists who have grievances with churches like, say, Bethel Baptist Church, a flagship fundamentalist church in the neighborhood of several of the Harvest Bible Chapel campuses. Some of these former fundamentalists talked to me only a few years ago in nervousness because I was left of their comfort zone. I was liberal. However, for most of them I had little hope that they’d be able to think for themselves and when they eventually jumped from one dying hero-worshiping center to another lively hero-worshiping center I knew it was merely a matter of the same tripe with a different flavor. I told Jennie often, “They don’t have substance in their angst; they just want to feel free.” I didn’t discourage it though.

Religious Affections (about)
Elephant Room 2, Biblicism, and the Importance of Tradition
Scott Aniol - 2/4/12 7:40 AM

If you aren’t at least somewhat familiar with the recent controversy over T. D. Jakes, James MacDonald, Mark Driscoll, and the Elephant Room, you’ve probably been hibernating in a cave somewhere.

Emeth Aletheia (about)
What I Read Online – 02/04/2012 (p.m.)
jfleener5 - 2/4/12 6:31 AM

Now Available: Messages from the Conference for Pastors – Desiring God Audio and video from the 2012 Conference for Pastors is now available for free streaming and download.     “Father Hunger” in Leading the Home Doug Wilson     Lessons on Biblical Manhood … Continue reading →

Emeth Aletheia (about)
What I Read Online – 02/04/2012 (a.m.)
jfleener5 - 2/3/12 6:35 PM

Carson and Keller on Jakes and the Elephant Room – The Gospel Coalition Blog But controversy can also provide a teaching moment, not least because the interest of many people is focused on the disputed issues. It is hard to … Continue reading →

Religious Affections (about)
The Analogy of Parental Piety
David de Bruyn - 2/3/12 8:00 AM

The first and greatest commandment is followed by a commandment to teach children to do the same (Deut 6:4-9). Our goal as Christian parents should be nothing less than to help shape our children so that they will, by grace, become ardent lovers of God. We have said this happens not merely by telling our children to love God, but by shaping the child’s imagination. Our concern in the next posts is how this imagination is shaped.

Probably one of the first analogies the child’s imagination receives is the analogy of his parents’ faith. This provides him with a picture of what it is like to be in a relationship with God.

Stuff Out Loud (about)
Ryle on Sanctification
Larry - 2/3/12 6:33 AM

This is a longish series of quotes (in order, but not consecutive), but IMO it is worth hearing in the modern day discussion about sanctification. They are from pp. xi-xv in the introduction to Ryle’s Holiness (which is Logos’ free book of the month this month).

I ask, in the first place, whether it is wise to speak of faith as the one thing needful, and the only thing required, as many seem to do now-a-days in handling the doctrine of sanctification?—Is it wise to proclaim in so bald, naked, and unqualified a way as many do, that the holiness of converted people is by faith only, and not at all by personal exertion? Is it according to the proportion of God’s Word? I doubt it.

Emeth Aletheia (about)
What I Read Online – 02/03/2012 (p.m.)
jfleener5 - 2/3/12 6:31 AM

How Much Is a Homemaker Worth? – The Gospel Coalition Blog If a homemaker’s job were salaried, it would draw, on average, $96,291 per year. Tasks accounted for in the study included private chef, house cleaner, child care provider, driver, … Continue reading →

Naselli's Theology Blog (about)
The Intolerance of Tolerance
Andy Naselli - 2/3/12 3:01 AM

This book has been in the works for a long time, and it’s scheduled to release at the end of the month:

D. A. Carson. The Intolerance of Tolerance. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2012. 186 pp.

It’s outstanding. I read it several times last year and enjoyed preparing the indexes.

Institute for Nouthetic Studies Blog (about)
Believing By Searching
Jay Adams - 2/2/12 11:00 PM

Luke makes it clear that the reason why more Jews in Berea believed than those in Thessalonica is because, being noble in their attitudes, instead of arguing, they searched the Scriptures daily to see whether the things that Paul said were true (Acts 17:11-12).

This is an important fact that every Christian should remember—whenever you can get people to earnestly search the Scriptures as the Bereans did to see if the message you present is true, you will probably begin to see converts .

Don’t settle for telling people about your experience; get them checking up on what you say in their Bibles. It is the through the hearing of the Word that people are saved.

Urban Missional (about)
Grace Church of Philly – North Philly Replant Update
Steve Davis - 2/2/12 7:45 PM

God has been gracious at the replant of Grace Church - Feltonville which began two months ago. This church is in the neighborhood where my I grew up in North Philly and where I became a Christian in 1973. As you will see in this music video from last Sunday the Lord is bringing together people to worship. The diversity is encouraging and representative of the community.

Whirled Views (about)
Lonely People in Church Pews
Dan Burrell - 2/2/12 7:32 PM

My dear friend, Charles Wood (catch his blog, “The Woodchuck’s Den” in my sidebar of recommended blogs) wrote a thought-provoking and emotional article recently that I thought I’d share with my readers.  I hope it changes the way we view people in our own churches.

Emeth Aletheia (about)
What I Read Online – 02/03/2012 (a.m.)
jfleener5 - 2/2/12 6:35 PM

Interpreting the Parables in the Gospel of Mark – Justin Taylor Interpreting the Parables in the Gospel of Mark “Not tonight dear” … Men Rejected | CCEF A husband is in a very vulnerable spot every time he asks his … Continue reading →

paleoevangelical (about)
If It's True for Dogs . . .
Ben - 2/2/12 4:13 PM

My hopes were never particularly high for the first Elephant Room, let alone the second. From the beginning of its promotion, I felt vibes that raised some concerns, which I believe have proven to be justifiable, without exception.

My Two Cents (about)
Broncos 1, Elephants 0
Chris - 2/2/12 1:29 PM

You know things are weird when a star QB exercises more spiritual discernment than well-known evangelical leaders.

(Does this make him a hater?)

Emeth Aletheia (about)
What I Read Online – 02/02/2012 (p.m.)
jfleener5 - 2/2/12 6:31 AM

Watch Your Conjunctions in Parenting – The Gospel Coalition Blog Using but may be communicating something we don’t want to say—namely, that there is some kind of conceptual opposition between “I love you” and “You need to obey.” I grow … Continue reading →

Religious Affections (about)
A. W. Tozer on the Church in His Day
David Oestreich - 2/2/12 6:10 AM

I’m currently reading Tozer’s The Knowledge of the Holy and plan to share some quotes over the coming weeks. From the preface, here is the first.

Emeth Aletheia (about)
What I Read Online – 02/02/2012 (a.m.)
jfleener5 - 2/1/12 6:37 PM

Elders, Protect Your Pastor | 9Marks At a recent gathering, Carl Trueman was asked what churches could do to stem the tide of men leaving the pastorate.  His answer was that elders of the church needed to do a good … Continue reading →

My Two Cents (about)
Free Audio Book: Bridges’ “Trusting God”
Chris - 2/1/12 9:46 AM

I’ve been listening to J. I. Packer’s classic book Knowing God recently—while jogging, driving, etc. It’s been a huge blessing. I enjoy listening to sermons, but books have the advantage of precision that sermons usually don’t. And if they’re read well (as this one is), they can still communicate with passion.

All that to say, ChristianAudio is making Jerry Bridges’ book Trusting God available for free for a limited time. I’ve benefited much from reading it and am glad for the opportunity to hear it. My copy is downloading even as I type. I commend it to you.