Gospel Growth through People Growth

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For more than 50 years there has been a lot of attention given to church growth models.  The rise of youth programs, ministries to single people, and church outreach events are just a few of the many approaches designed to get people into our churches.

However in recent years, many have realized that something more is needed.  Last week a conference was held at Trinity International University that equated true gospel growth with people growth.

Guests include:

Tony Payne, Publishing Director for Matthias Media
Phillip Jensen, Dean of Sydney and Senior Minister at the St. Andrews Cathedral in Sydney, Australia.
David Helm, Lead Pastor of the Hyde Park congregation of Holy Trinity Church in Chicago

 

Death of a pro-life advocate in MI

Jim Pouillon

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This summer has seen a number of violent deaths in both the pro-life and pro-abortion advocate communities. This conversation with Joe Scheidler and Eric Scheidler of the Pro-Life Action League looks at this most recent murder as well as the impact these events are having on the ongoing national debate over abortion.

For more information about ordering the free 96-page booklet: Sharing the Pro-Life Message, click here.

If you’d like to support the work of the Pro-Life Action League, click here.

 

Psalm 104

“Noah’s Flood” courtesy of Answers in Genesis

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Throughout the history of God’s people, the Psalms have been a wonderful tool for expressing praise, confessing sin and presenting our cares to God; but the Psalms are more than just good devotional reading–they also tell us much about God and the world He created. One such psalm is Psalm 104.

Dr. David Barker, the W.H. MacBain Professor of Pastoral Studies at Heritage Theological Seminary, helps us take a look at this Psalm in order to understand the contention over what it is speaking about: the creation week, the flood or both.

If you’d like to read Dr. Barker’s 1986 article entitled: The Waters of the Earth: An Exigetical Study of Psalm 104:1-9, originally published in the “Grace Theological Journal” (7.1, 57-80), click here.

 

Lessons from Waco, TX

 
Branch Davidian Compound

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10 years ago today, Attorney General Janet Reno announced the formation of an independent investigation into the events surrounding the fiery conclusion of the 1993 standoff with David Koresh. What are the important lessons for us to remember from this event 16 years later? How should the government relate with fringe religious groups to protect public safety yet guarantee religious freedom?

This feature looks at a few of these questions with Timothy Lynch, Director of the Cato Institute’s Project on Criminal Justice, and Dr. Darrell Bock, Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Professor of Spiritual Development and Culture for Dallas Theological Seminary.

Timothy Lynch’s article examining Sen Danforth’s report is available from Cato’s website.

 

A Theology of Work

photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

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The scriptures have a lot to say about work, both directly and indirectly. In Genesis 2 we see God resting from His work on the seventh day and later commanding His children to follow his example. In the New Testament Jesus tells many parables using workers and their wages and the apostles later instruct us “that one who refuses to work shall not eat.” On this Labor Day, how should we as Christians look at work?

Today’s guest is Dr. Michael Orr, Professor of Communications at the Moody Bible Institute in Spokane, WA.

 

HSLDA

 

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According to the National Center for Education, there are more than 2 million children educated at home in the US today. While homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, there are ongoing legal and legislative battles; like the well known case which occurred last year in California when the Second Appellate District Court of Appeals in Los Angeles effectively banned homeschooling in that state by requiring teaching certificates for any parents involved in the home education of their children.

The California decision was later reversed, but there are still dozens of other regulatory challenges facing the home school community in the US. This conversation with Home School Legal Defense Association President Michael Smith looks at some of these cases as well provides some advice for new homeschooling famlies.

HSLDA has a website just for new homeschoolers: www.youcanhomeschool.org

 

40th Anniversary of Apollo 11

photo courtesy of Nasa

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July 16th marks the 40th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 11.  July 20th marks the anniversary of the lunar landing.  

Apollo 11 was the mission that brought man to the surface of the moon for the first time. This feature takes a look at this historic event with Space Historian Andrew Chaikin and Space Enthusiast David Coppedge.

To commemorate this significant event, Andrew Chaikin has published two books, both available through his website:

1. Voices from the Moon. Viking Studio, 2009

2. Mission Control, This is Apollo.  Viking Children, 2009.

 

Rembrandt

“Denial of Peter”
courtesy of artbible.info

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The works of 17th century Dutch master Rembrandt hang in many of the world’s most prestigious institutions and museums. He is considered by most art historians to be one of the greatest painters in European history. Today is the anniversary of his birth so I took a trip down to the Art Institute of Chicago to learn about this famous painter with Dr. John Walford, Professor of Art History at Wheaton College.

If you’d like to hear the complete 45 minute conversation, click here:

 

Adults and Reading

 

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In 2002 the National Endowment for the Arts conducted a study that looked at the reading habits of Americans. They found that the number of adults reading literary books had fallen to a 20 year low—to less than 47%.

Lasyt year, the NEA conducted a follow-up study and recently released the results.  This piece takes a look at the report with Sunil Iyengar, Director of the Office of Research and Analysis for the National Endowment for the Arts.

Also included in this feature is a conversation with Dr. Grant Horner, Associate Professor of English at Masters College in Santa Clarita, CA, on why the reading of great literature is important for us as adults.

 

Vindiciae Contra Tyrannos (The Vindication of Liberty Against Tyrants)

photo courtesy of gunpowderplot.paliment.uk 

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In light of the July 4th holiday and the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this piece features a conversation with Dr. Joseph Morecraft, pastor of Chalcedon Presbyterian Church in Cumming, GA, and looks at one of the most influential books in the American Colonies in 1776: Vindiciae Contra Tyrannos.

Constitution.com has an online version of the book available here.

I have produced a limited number of paperback versions of the book (101 pages) with footnotes which are available for $15 plus postage.  If interested, email me at: paul.butler@moody.edu and include your address.

Earlier this year Dr. Morecraft and Joe Frazer joined me for a conversation about the French Huguenots, click here to listen:

Also, Dr. Morecraft has offered a free copy of his book: The Reformation of the West: From the 1st Century to the 18th. You can reach Chalcedon Presbyterian Church at (770)205-9390 and request your copy.