sola gratia

“Themelios is an international evangelical theological journal that expounds and defends the historic Christian faith. Its primary audience is theological students and pastors, though scholars read it as well. It was formerly a print journal operated by RTSF/UCCF in the UK, and it became a digital journal operated by The Gospel Coalition in 2008.”

The Gospel Coalition

Contents of Volume 33, Issue 1:

“Why Should Thoughtful Evangelicals Read the Medieval Classics” by Carl Trueman

“An Augustinian Mindet” by Peter Sanlon

“Mission: A Problem of Definition” by Keith Ferdinando

“How a Mega-Church is Rediscovering the Gospel” by Joe Coffey

and many more…

July 10, 1509, is the birthdate of Jean Cauvin (Chauvin), known as Calvinus in Latin or John Calvin. Next year will be the “quincentenary” tribute-celebration of the well-known theologian of the Spirit and author of the Institutes. Preparations for this tribute to Calvin are going on around the world. A few websites of on-going preparations are worthy of mention:

Anniversary Conferences are undergoing preparations here: Calvin 500 - A Quincentenary

Bulletin-inserts in color

Calvin Jubilee 2009: calvin09.org

Calvin College and Seminary: H. Henry Meeter Center for Calvin Studies

I will try to update more celebrations and conferences soon. How good it will be to be avaible to join one of those conferences.

Derek Brown has very insightful thoughts for theological students. It made me think twice and in my own opinion, I could not say them any better. Read them yourself: “How to Waste Your Theological Education.”

A few of them:

25. Spend more time blogging than studying.

31. Master Calvin, Owen, and Edwards, but not the Law, Prophets, and Apostles.

43. Become angry, resentful and devastated when you receive something less than an A.

Listen to this discussion with Collin Hansen at the Carl F. H. Center for Theological Understanding.

Browse through the Henry Center Media.

According to the Jesuit director of the Vatican observatory, a belief in alien life form does not contradict the Bible nor faith in God. In other words, alien life form may be part of God’s creative activity. A quote from Funes (”It’s OK to believe in aliens”): “How can we rule out that life may have developed elsewhere? Just as we consider earthly creatures as ‘a brother,’ and ’sister,’ why should we not talk about an ‘extraterrestrial brother’? It would still be part of creation.”

What do you think?

These are sermons related to the book by Tim Keller. Very good resources.

Titles in the series include the following:

“Exclusivity: How can there be just one true religion?”

“Suffering: if God is good, why is there so much evil in the world?”

“Absolutism: Don’t we all have to find truth for ourselves?” and many more!

HT: Redeemer Presbyterian Church

Rev. Lee is the general secretary of CCCOWE, who is serving as speaker at the 5th CCOWE Philippines Congress. The following are excepts from his message on Matthew 28:16-20.

He mentioned about the relationships of the pronouns found in the Great Commission: I, you, them. “I” refers to Christ who gave the command to the disciples. “You” refers to the disciples who were to bring about the mandate. and “them” are those who will respond to the gospel message, and in return follow Christ. According to Rev. Lee. we can never take the place of the “I” which only refers to the Lord.

A thought on what a “command” is, whenever a command is given the natural response is submission; on the other hand a command also challenges. It is then a contradiction to say, just as Peter said, “Lord” but refused to obey.

Prior to Jesus’ mandate, Matthew mentioned that the disciples worshiped Him but some doubted. Rev. Lee says that command and obedience should be an outflow of worship. He mentions that in a certain church he visited once, the praise and worship time lasted as long as 45 minutes, and to speak another 45 minutes would be a punishment. When he mentioned this to the pastor, he remarked, “why don’t you shorten your message.” Worship, according to him should be a two-way traffic. Singing and praise is our way to express our love and dedication to God; the preaching of the Word is God’s way of communicating to us. The preaching of the Word must not be diminished (!). (emphasis mine)

Finally, we’ve heard of Christians praying “Lord be with us.” In his reflection regarding this theological issue, he looks at it in Matthew’s way of presenting Christ’s presence among his disciples. In an inclusivo manner, Matthew in chapter 1 refers to Christ as the Immanuel, “God with us” and ends in chapter 28 referring to His being us always to the end of the age. Hence it is better not to pray that God to be present with us because Christ is always with us. He suggests four ways to improve our prayer: (1) we feel his presence, (2) to enjoy his presence, (3) to testify and lastly, (4) to proclaim his presence.

SDG

Why not celebrate Creation Sunday or weekend? For the past two years, scientists, educators and theologians (liberal) had brought Darwin’s theory of evolution to the church. This year, to coincide with Darwin’s birth anniversary on February 12, vigorous plans are taking place for an “evolution sunday” again. Resources like articles and Sunday messages are posted in the internet for use during this weekend. Titles like: “Three Reasons Christians Should Embrace Evolution,” “Use Bible to Teach God’s Word, Not Scientific Principles,” and many more.

History has shown that teaching and holding to a creationist view of the universe by fiat is somewhat absurd and outdated. Just a perusal of high school textbooks evinces this trend of embracing evolutionary theories. A few years ago the a group of Christian educators advancing the notion of “Intelligent Design” (ID) has been debunked as unscientific. And now, we have evolution weekend.

Where do we stand?

We categorically stand by the inerrant teaching of Scriptures regarding the record of the creation accounts in Genesis.

God is the Creator of the universe, the heavens and the earth, as well as the creatures of the earth, and human beings.

The purpose of this creation is for God’s glory alone. (Colossians 1:15-17)

We are moral beings, and the Scriptures teach that as a result of the Fall, we have fallen from grace and in need of salvation. We are sinners, and the Bible has shown the only way to a life of righteousness.

We’re not that bad, right?

More contemporary reformers for you to guess.