Bravo Ligonier

In light of the tragic deaths at Virginia Tech, Ligonier Ministries is making their current issue of TableTalk Magazine available online for free. The theme of the current issue is Grief. This is gracious of them and timely.

Download Reformed Confessions

I love Reformed Theology! You probably already know that. I love you. Therefore, I would love for you to love Reformed Theology too. One of the reasons that I love Reformed Theology is because it is not new. Reformed truth is biblical truth that has stood the test of time. And one of ways it has stood this test is by having its truths codified in creeds, confessions and catechisms. If you are not familiar with these creeds, do yourself a favor and get familiar with them, and find yourself falling in love with the confessions and hopefully with me. Here is a link to where you can download the historic creeds, confessions, and catechisms. Download them and then bathe in their biblical and historical richness.

As We Do Unto Women

There is much talk around about the treatment of women in our society today. Don Imus' remarks have sparked much debate concerning how we regard women, particularly in popular entertainment. The discussion is particularly sharp among African-Americans. In light of the recent discussion, here is a quote from John Adams, the second president of the United States, that should give us pause and even give us some insight in to the degradation and the loss of virtue in our culture today. Perhaps Adams was speaking prophetically of America, in general, and African-Americans in particular when he wrote:

From all that I have read of history and government and human life and manners, I have drawn this conclusion: That the manners of women were the most infallible barometer to ascertain the degree of morality and virtue of a nation. The Jews, the Greeks, the Romans, the Swiss, the Dutch, all lost their public spirit and their republican forms of government when they lost the modesty and domestic virtues of their women.

Books for a Buck

Doxa Digital Press is offering 27 books for $27. This collection contains books worthy of your digital library. You will find that you may have many, if not most, of these books already on your shelves. However, I find it most convenient to travel with books and commentaries on my laptop than to have them in book bags slung over my shoulder (if you know what I mean). Also, when writing, it is much easier quoting from digital text with cutting and pasting, than it is the old fashion way of transcribing text from the book.

If you have not started a digital library, now is a good time to do it. With a small investment of 27 bucks, you can have 27 good books. I have already added them to my digital library. Take advantage of this good deal!

(HT: Challies)

Jackie Robinson Day

In Major League Baseball parks around the country today is Jackie Robinson Day. It is the day that MLB has decided to celebrate and commemorate Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball 60 years ago. Jackie Robinson is one of my heroes. I am a huge baseball fan. I played baseball in high school and college. And without a doubt Jackie was one of the best to ever play the game. And when you consider all that he had to endure and the path he had to blaze, it could be argued that he was the best man every to step between the lines. Martin Luther King, Jr. is remembered for his role as the spiritual and emotional leader of the Civil Rights Movement. Yet, before the nation had ever heard of M.L. King, it was Jackie who carried the banner for equality, justice, and Civil Rights. When America looked a true American to demonstrate what the ideals of America really were, it found him among the Boys of Summer, playing a boys game with a manly, godly dignity and grace. If there are two words that I would use to describe Jackie, the words would be dignity and grace. Grace on the field and dignity off of it. I could go on and on about Jackie. He is without a doubt one of the finest men this county has known. If you are interested (and you should be), a wonderful biography is Jackie Robinson: A Biography. Read it and thank God that there have been giants, true giants among us. THANK YOU, MR. ROBINSON!

In Defense of Christ

Our brother Thabiti represented the Kingdom of God with truth and grace during an Inter-faith Dialogue conducted in Dubai. Here is a video presentation of the dialogue. Check it out and be encouraged that God's word does not go forth void. We thank God for faithful and able men like Thabiti.

The True Enemy

I am not normally a fan of Jason Whitlock's sports editorial. Yet, this time he has raised the real legitimate questions in light of the recent Don Imus remarks concerning Rutgers Women's Basketball Team. Whitlock says "Imus Isn't the Real Bad Guy."

I would say that Imus is a real bad guy. He's just not the most detrimental or nefarious in African-American life.

Fresh Blogs

Here are couple of good blogs that have been brought to my attention recently. These brothers seem to be on top of the game. Check them out:

Black and Reformed (I like that title :-)
Reformed Evangelist (Paul Kaiser)

The Master at the Masters

In case you have not heard, Zach Johnson won the Masters Tournament yesterday. While we all would have liked to see Tiger win, Zach is a good guy, a good golfer, and a worthwile champion. Most importantly, however, is that he and his wife appear to be Christians. And on the day in which we remember the Resurrection of our Master, Zach Johnson took home the winners trophy and check at the Masters. And was moved to have done it on the Day of Days with Faith and Family so close. Tiger would have given us better entertainment, but he would not have given Christ glory. I suppose if you are going to work on the Lord's Day, you should at least give him glory in the process. Congratulations Zach!

Separate, But Equal?

I thought that the historical Brown v. Board of Education (1954) put to rest the silly notion of separate but equal. Apparently, someone down in Florida has not gotten the news. The idea of a Men-Only Church is rather mind boggling and scary. I searched for an intelligent word to describe this type of thing, and I could only come up with one...stupid (excuse my French). Do you have a better word for it? I'm open.

(HT: Challies)

"Father forgive them..."

Our Good Friday Service is "The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross." My contribution is the first word, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34):

As the curtain lifts on Christ on the cross, we see humanity at its worse. We see the Son of God at his best. The world had done all they could to him. They beat him. They spit upon him. They humiliated and disgraced him. They mocked and abused him. They did everything they could, except what they should and that was to worship him. And in light of all the unwarranted abuse, we must stand amazed, in awe, and even ashamed at our Lord’s response.

The first word Jesus speaks on the cross is not a word of rebuke toward his captors. It was not a word of correction to his accusers. It was not even a word of reproof for his tormentors. Instead of cursing those who curse him, He blessed them. Instead of accusing them, He pleads for their souls. Instead of destroying those who sought to destroy him, He prayed for them.

This is a most remarkable word in light of the surrounding circumstances. Who would have begrudged Jesus for a word of vindication or malice? Who would have thought wrong of him if he had decided to curse these ungrateful sinners? Surely the Lord of glory, the one who gives breath and life, would be right and just to take the life and breathe of those who curse and mock him rather than worship him.

And yet, instead of what the world would expect him to do, he prayed. At the time of his agony, he prayed. At the time of his torture, he prayed. At the time of his pain, he prayed. He prayed not for himself. He prayed for those who sinned against him. He prayed for the mob who said, “Crucify him!” He prayed for those who caused his pain. He prayed for the authorities who plotted to kill him. He prayed for those who spit on him. He prayed for the soldiers who hammered the nails. He prayed for those who knew not who he was nor knew not what they did.

Is that not you and me? How many of us have acted in this life as if we did not know the Lord of glory? Have you mocked his word this day? Have you behaved in such a way as to disrespect his love for you and his word to his people? Have you sinned against Christ and brought the crucified one all the more pain this day? Might I say that he is today, saying as he said then, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

In dying he made intercession for sinners. In living, the writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 7:25, “…He ever lives to make intercession for us.” This night we are reminded that as we look at the cross and the pain and agony that our sins caused the perfect Son of God, brothers and sisters, let us sin not. But if anyone does sin, let us know that we have an advocate, one who pleads our case before the Father; he is Jesus Christ, the righteous (1John 2:1). He says today, at the right hand of the Father, the same as he said then hanging, bleeding on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

I’m not only glad he stayed on the cross, for my sins. I am also glad he prayed on the cross for my sins. Aren’t you?

More Reformed Brothers on the Web

Though he does not have his sermons on the web, you can get a taste of the preaching of Ken Jones, pastor of Greater Union Baptist Church, at Sermon Audio.

Reformed Listing Updates

Somehow I forgot to list Eric Mason and William "Duce" Branch at Epiphany Fellowship in North Philadelphia, PA. Check out these brothers when you get a chance.

Church Reformer Interview

Over at Pure Church, our brother Thabiti has interviewed a good friend and pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church, Eric Redmond. Eric comments on the nature of gospel reform in his own life and the life of Hillcrest Baptist Church. Check it out.

Reformed Brothers on the Web

I thought it would be a great idea to remind some and inform others of those Reformed/Calvinistic African-American brothers whose sermons are available on the web. Take a listen to some of these when you get a chance:

Lance Lewis - Christian Liberation Fellowship, Philadelphia, PA
Michael Campbell - Redeemer Church, Jackson, MS
Reddit Andrews - Soaring Oaks Church, Elk Grove CA
Michael Higgins - Redemption Fellowship, Fayetteville, GA
Thabiti Anyabwile - First Baptist of Grand Cayman, Grand Cayman
John Coleman - Into The Word Ministries,
Roger Skepple - Berean Bible Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA
Jesse Gistand - Grace Bible Church, San Leandro, CA
Tony Arnold - Gaithersburg Community Church, Gaithersburg, MD
Eric Waldon - Mt. Hermon Baptist Church, Cleveland, OH
Grady Van Wright - Sovereign Grace Church, Pearland, TX
Yuri Solomon - New Life Baptist Church, Houston, TX
Howard Brown - Christ Central Church, Charlotte, NC
Emory Brown - Refreshing Springs Church, Buffalo, NY
Heshimu Colar - The Gospel Church, San Jose, CA
Michael Leach - All Saints Redeemer Church, Stone Mountain, GA

Are you aware of any others? There are plenty more Reformed/Calvinistic brothers preaching a faithful gospel, but who are not putting their sermons on the web. If that is you, what are you waiting for?

Treasuring God at Cedine

I had the pleasure of spending this past weekend in the mountains of eastern Tennessee at Cedine Bible Camp in Spring City, TN. I was the main speaker for their Spring Men's Retreat. Cedine is a camp that was started in 1947 by a white man and his family for the purpose of bringing the gospel to African-Americans. Today the mission has not changed. Though they are tucked away in the eastern mountains of Tennessee, they maintain their goal of reaching African-Americans with the gospel of Jesus Christ. You can read their fascinating story here.
The theme for this year's Spring Men's Retreat was Treasuring God. Men came from South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia to bathe in the beautiful climate of the Tennessee hills, to take in the glory of God's creation, and to most importantly be challenged by God's word. I for one can say I enjoyed all three aspects of my time there this weekend.

Most of the men came from traditional black baptist churches and had never considered some of the theological challenges I was setting before them. Nevertheless, they were very receptive and even encouraged to hear that God is an all-satisfying, eternally rewarded and rewarding God. I intentionally wanted to challenge their popular understanding of God, even as mine has been and continues to be challenged as I learn more Scripture (oh, I pray I would be more knowledgeable of the Bible).

Here is my opening salvo. I wanted to set up the weekend by letting them know that the God of the Bible is far bigger and better than is usually heard:

Fellas, I am here this weekend to challenge you to get a bigger, better, more biblical picture of God. One of the great handicaps of Christianity today is that in most of our hearts and minds God is too small. In far too many pulpits today God is nothing more than a deified Santa Claus. He is a celestial genie who if you say the right words or somehow rub your Bible the right way God will grant you anything you want.

And while far too many preachers teach this pseudo-Santa Claus understanding of God, and far too many of us have bought into it, the clear biblical picture of God is far greater, far more glorious and far more awe-inspiring that that.

Think about it. What’s the big deal about a God who wants to give you more money? What’s so great about a God who wants to give you a bigger house? Who wants to give you a fancier car? If that is the God you understand, if that is the God you preach, if that is the God you hear preached, then I suggest to you that you’d be better off with a genie in a bottle than a God in heaven.

And yet, this is the God that most of us hear and see preached on television and from most of the more popular pulpits today. This is the God that is sold in most of the bookstores. This is the God most popularly taught. This is the God that people spend millions of dollars each year to know. And in light of this overwhelming popularity of this God, I have a few days this weekend to convince you not to buy that teaching, not to purchase that God, not to spend money on that which does not satisfy.

I have but a couple of days to convince you that the biblical God is much greater, much more glorious, than some heavenly sugar daddy. Brothers, I am here this weekend to tell you and remind you that the God of the Bible is to be treasured, not because He gives us money, but because He gives us meaning.

Meaning, significance, and worth are not measured in your health or wealth. This is a lie that has been pawned off on our churches. This is a lie that has duped and deceived the church for too long, my brothers. Meaning is about treasure. But it is not treasuring treasure, it is about treasuring God.

Treasuring God is seeing God as the most desirable, delightful, all-satisfying pursuit in the universe. And then, selling all that you have and all that you are to buy it.

This is Good!

Yesterday, Tim Challies wrote that this was one of the best things he has ever read from John Piper. Well, like Challies, I have read some really good and impactful stuff from Piper, but I must agree, this may be the best short essay I have read from John: The Morning I Heard the Voice of God. This is Good!

Update: Here is a link to Piper reading the above article.

A Question of True Humility

I have a question.

Recently in our Men's Ministry we read and discussed CJ Mahaney's book "True Humility." It is proving to be challenging eye-opener to areas of pride in my life, subtle areas that for the most part go unnoticed and unchallenged. Today, I read an article by the Christian rapper, Curtis "Voice" Allen entitled "An Emcee's Gentle World." In the article Allen tells how he came to perform at the worship service of Bethlehem Baptist Church last year. It proved to be a most encouraging time for him and his ministry. However, after the news of his performance at Bethlehem spread, so to did the criticism of him, Christian rap, and Bethlehem. Obviously, such criticism hurt Allen, as it would anyone. And yet, in responding to the criticism, Allen tells us that he took the high road and returned good for evil (supposed).

The article is well written. The point of the article is clear and well made. And having spoken with Allen on occasion, I know he has a heart for God and the ministry. So, my question is not a criticism of Allen, only a question of understanding for my own heart and mind. In the article Allen makes the point that he was humble and responded to the criticism with humility. My question is: "Can you say that you were humble and still be humble? Is humility something we see in others and pray that others see in us? Or can we point it out in our own actions for others to take note of? Can we commend our own humility or do we allow others to commend it for us?

I am sure, Allen seeks to be a humble brother. However, I did feel a bit awkward with his telling me how humble he was.

What do you think?

(HT: Challies)

The Faithful Preacher

Today I received my copy of Thabiti's book "The Faithful Preacher: Recapturing the Vision of Three Pioneering African-American Pastors." You may recall back in August I mentioned that I had the pleasure and privilege of reading this book in manuscript form and writing an endorsement for it (then again you probably don't remember that). Anyway, I received the book in the mail, and I must say how encouraged I am in going back over it. Thabiti has done us all a favor and has done so to God's glory. I thank my brother for this labor of love. And may God gladden the hearts of his people through this wonderful read.

If you have not already, please place an order for this book today. You'll be glad you did. On the back of the book you will read a small portion of my endorsement. Here it is in full:

From the first time I met Thabiti, I felt he was a brother of like-mind and passion. When I found out he had written on Lemuel Haynes, Daniel Payne, and Francis Grimke, my feelings were confirmed. In The Faithful Preacher, Thabiti has reminded us that God has, with diversity and glory, given to His church throughout history faithful under-shepherds to feed and guide His sheep. With biblical and historical insight, and intellectual and theological credibility, Thabiti would have us to know, admire, and thank God for the labors and lives of Haynes, Payne, and Grimke. And while some may refer to these men as lesser luminaries in comparison to their more noted white evangelical contemporaries, they are only lesser in the same sense that the minor prophets of the Bible are actually minor. In these three men we have clear demonstrations of what the pastoral ministry should be, regardless of race, color, or nationality. In reading The Faithful Preacher I was reminded of the saying, “It takes one to know one.” Thabiti knows these men to be faithful pastors because he strives to be one himself.”

Do You Know This Guy?

Today I listened to an interview on xmradio where Bob Edwards interviewed renown astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. Dr. Tyson is an intelligent man (to say the least), and yet one can only lament that such brilliance has not lead him to the intelligence of his hero, Isaac Newton and Newton's conviction of intelligent design. Tyson desires to popularize science, and yet not just science, but atheism as well. If you did not think that there is a intellectual elite designing to secularize society, here is the proof. If you are interested, watch this lecture by Tyson, and the panel discussion that follows. Click on session two with Neil DeGrasse Tyson. This is staggering, amazing, and enlightening. How would you answer them? Would you answer them at all?