Puritan History

There is a lecture by Sinclair Ferguson at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (Grand Rapids, MI) upon the opening of their new Puritan Resource Center. This would be a great place to go for a family vacation.

Carson on Complementarianism

This post comes courtesy of Between Two Worlds a blog that I frequent daily:

Two talks by D.A. Carson at the CBMW's Different by Design 2009 conference in Minneapolis, co-sponsored by CBMW and the Fidelis Foundation:

• The Flow of Thought in 1 Timothy 2
• Is the Culture Shaping Us or Are We Shaping the Culture?

Who will be our modern day Martin Luther...

I could not believe what I was seeing this morning as I read the paper. Here is a quote from the article:

But considering the volume of unfamiliar faces the Rev. Thomas Wilson is seeing at All Saints Catholic Church in Lakeville, he says that indulgences are finding a widespread audience. "It's an important part of their spirituality."

That opinion is supported by postings on Internet blogs, where people write about finding "a sense of comfort, connection and renewed hope" and the security that comes from "reclaiming historical traditions in a time of uncertainty."

Read the whole thing here at the Minneapolis StarTribune :
Indulgences -- a rite in the Roman Catholic Church that harkens back to the Middle Ages and the Reformation -- are making a return.

This is absolutely amazing. This practice was so undeniably unbiblical that Martin Luther renounced his orientation to the Catholic religion and posted 95 theses on the doors of Wittenburg. I thank God for saints like Luther who stood bodly for the gospel.

I hope that many will come to know the truth during these times.

"The Blessing of a Faithful Witness"

John 10:39-42 Pastor Chad Degraff (03/15/09)
1. "Our mouths never stop!" - Serve Christ on Earth until your day comes. Do not stop your mouth from blessing, nor the work of Jesus just because of persecution. The Gospel will produce opposition and we need to expect it. Trust the message of the Gospel and His hand in bringing it to fulfillment.
2. Blessings come away from the noise - Jesus retreated across the Jordan after facing opposition. Retreat to refresh yourselves before returning back to the World. Make the effort to get into God's Word. This entails making time away from work and other requirements to give God time to grow your relationship with Him. Psalm 63:1 challenges us to earnestly seek God. Are you doing that? Do you seek Him like water in a dry and weary land? Grow in your relationship with Him. "Heaven is worth rearranging your schedule," (Pastor Chad).
3. The reminder of Baptism - Baptism reminds us to repent. We need healing from our spiritual disease more importantly than our physical disease(s). John the Baptist spoke the Truth about the Trinitarian God in his baptizing.
1. Jesus was the Son of God.
2. Jesus was the Lamb of God.
3. Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
We must sanctify ourselves and others with Jesus. Your sinfulness is on fire and you must "run" from the fire to the Cross.

Questions to consider:
1. How are you working for Jesus?
2. Do you rearrange your schedule for Jesus?
3. What are you doing to sanctify yourself and others?

Pray that Pastor Chad continues to give us Jesus.

Here is a simple rule to keep in mind: When D. A. Carson writes a book, buy it.

Albert Mohler reviews D.A. Carson's new book here.