New Life from Antigua

This past weekend was the annual New Life Bible Conference sponsored by New Life Fellowship Church. I know we are given to hyperbole when it comes to these things, but I must say that this year was the most encouraging. The preached word was effectual and my heart was warmed with every message. The subject was of the utmost importance - What Difference Does the Gospel Make - and the brothers handled it with clarity, passion, and reverence. It would have been enough just to sit for those three days and hear the word of God expounded and applied. But those of us who were able to stay over for the Lord's Day Worship on Sunday at New Life were even more blessed to hear the fiery and faithful preaching Dr. Hensworth Jonas from Central Baptist Church in Antigua.

If you are not familiar with Dr. Jonas and the good work they are doing at Central Baptist Church, I want to strongly encourage you to become familiar with him. He is truly a renaissance man and has an unashamed heart for all things gospel. His church and ministry are reaching many throughout Antigua and Barbuda. You can hear his sermons, watch some of their television broadcast and latest video, and read all about the work of East Caribbean Baptist Mission.

Dr. Jonas is a refreshing reminder that God's glorious work of reformation is not unique to the United States. But Christians of African descent are preaching and experiencing these truths all over the world. Thank God for men like Hensworth Jonas.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Traces of the Trade

There is a new documentary set to run on PBS this week titled "Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North." In it, a woman reveals that her New England family's wealth and prestige was in the trafficking of human beings (you can view the trailer here).

According to the official synopsis:

In the feature documentary Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North, filmmaker Katrina Browne discovers that her New England ancestors were the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history. She and nine cousins retrace the Triangle Trade and gain a powerful new perspective on the black/white divide... From 1769 to 1820, DeWolf fathers, sons and grandsons trafficked in human beings. They sailed their ships from Bristol, Rhode Island to West Africa with rum to trade for African men, women and children. Captives were taken to plantations that the DeWolfs owned in Cuba or were sold at auction in such ports as Havana and Charleston. Sugar and molasses were then brought from Cuba to the family-owned rum distilleries in Bristol. Over the generations, the family owned 47 ships that transported thousands of Africans across the Middle Passage into slavery. They amassed an enormous fortune. By the end of his life, James DeWolf had been a U.S. Senator and was reportedly the second richest man in the United States. (Read more).

This looks to be interesting. Check your local PBS listing for air times.

WTSBooks' New Category

Westminster Books has a new category. It is books dealing with the African-American Church. Check it out.

More Blessed to Give...

Apparently someone believes in it being Christmas all year long. Our brother Lance is giving away copies of some good books. To find out how you can get them, go here.

New Life Opened Last Night!

The 2008 New Life Bible Conference finally began last evening and man, are we glad. Every year we highly anticipate the coming of June and the start of the conference and every year we are not disappointed. This year was no exception. We began our probe through the Epistle to the Galatians by examining "What Difference Does the Gospel Make." Louis Love opened with an introductory message giving an overview and the background to Galatians and delivering introductory remarks about the chosen theme. I had the pleasure and privilege of examining chapter 1 and encouraging the people with the Gospel-centered beginnings of Paul's letter. Tonight we will hear Galatians 2 with Stephen Love, and Galatians 3 with Thabiti Anyabwile.

If you have never been to a New Life Bible Conference, all I can say is that you must come and see. I don't just say that because I am a yearly participant. Rather I confidently say it based upon the testimonies of others who have come. Consider the testimony of Steven Renkema.

Steve came to the conference for the first time last year. He came as a representative of Reformation Heritage Books, who was gracious in providing a book table for the conference. Steve came to the conference as the primary book vendor. He left as a friend and a gratefully encouraged and challenged attendee. This year he is back and has expressed the same anticipation that I did in the beginning of this post. At the Reformation Heritage Book Blog, Steve wrote:

But of all the conferences that I attended last year my favorite, by far, was the “Godly Life” conference hosted by New Life Fellowship Church just north of Chicago.

You must read the entire post by Steve. You can do so here.

We are thankful for Steve coming to the conference again. We are thankful for the wonderful
resources Reformation Heritage Books sends. Most of all we are thankful for the friendship and mutual encouragement we have been blessed to develop. We invite you to come and be encouraged as well.

"Experiencing the Truth" is Available

Experiencing the Truth: Bringing the Reformation to the African-American Church is available from Crossway Books. Take a look at some of the content and place your order here.
For those of you who are attending the New Life Bible Conference, this week there will be some copies available.

In case you're interested, here are some of the initial comments from some friends.

“Experiencing the Truth gives great acclamation to black (African-American) church worship, black preaching, and the black Christian experience, rightly showing the strength of Reformed theology for each of these traditions. It also provides a rapier diagnosis of a churchgoing people whose tryst with liberation theology has birthed a practice of Christianity that is too badly deformed to produce a kingdom of God-like presence in the African-American community. The authors offer a careful narrative of orthodox Christianity with a faithful and proper emphasis on the Reformed confessions, creeds, and solas so that African-American believers can find themselves tied to a pre-Middle Passage Christianity without sacrificing their own identities to the heroic personalities of the Reformation. I am excited about a book that would dare to suggest the “irrepressible urban beats” of Fred Hammons’s Bread of Life and van Dyke’s Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee sung to an arrangement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony could be used together to enhance our corporate worship experience! Carter, Jones, and Leach have wed the African-American Christian experience with the Reformation so graciously that that those proud to be the ethnic and religious descendants of Dubois, Douglas, and King can relish equally in their spiritual heritage from Calvin, Luther, and Edwards. The analysis, synthesis, and directives of this collaborative treatise may represent one of the most important works since the now classical observations of Frazier, Lincoln, and Mamiya, for in this work the authors call us to be a church where our need for God can be fulfilled rather than a religious organization that meets people’s self-serving desires. I hope Experiencing the Truth will be an impetus to move the African-American church from the self-deprecating darkness of theological liberalism into the divinely nourishing the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." —Rev. Eric C. Redmond, author of Where Are All the Brothers? Straight Answers to Men’s Questions about the Church.

“In the midst of so many socially driven critiques of the African-American church, finally we have a book that is theologically robust, historically engaging, and at the same time remarkably easy to read. The authors show no fear as they tackle the tough issues (i.e. preaching, singing, worship, to name a few) facing the African-American in particular and the evangelical church in general. Carter, Leach, and Jones demonstrate their in-depth knowledge of the African-American church and their doctrinal prowess by offering not only sobering critiques but substantial biblical solutions rooted in the historic doctrines of the church. It is not very often a book of this nature is published. I say get it, read it, and discuss it. Any serious conversation about the church of Jesus Christ will include many references to Experiencing Truth: Bringing the Reformation to the African-American Church.” —Louis C. Love Jr, Pastor of New Life Fellowship Church, Vernon Hills, Illinois

“A long line of people offer advice about the church—her ills, her hopes, her needs, and her prospects. But most diagnoses and prescriptions rely on the pundit’s own store of knowledge. In Experiencing the Truth, Carter, Leach, and Jones provide a biblical diagnosis and a biblical prescription for what ails the African-American church and much of the larger church world as well. From theology to preaching to worship and Christian spirituality, these veterans of the church and pulpit apply the scalpel of truth to every major area of church life. They helpful remove the diseased tissue and bandage the strong muscle of the church. Anyone who cares about seeing the cause of Christ advanced in the local church will delight in this volume and be helped in that cause.” —Thabiti Anyabwile, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Grand Cayman

Glory Road: Ken Jones

Ken Jones is the pastor of Greater Union Baptist Church. He also co-host of The White Horse Inn.

He gave the following answers:

1. What was the first book you read that introduced you to Reformed Theology? Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin

2. List the five most influential books in your Reformed theological journey. The Institutes of Christian Religion, John Calvin; Death of the Death in the Death of Christ, John Owen; Knowing God, J.I. Packer; On the Existence and Attributes of God, Stephen Charnock; Chosen By God, R.C. Sproul

3. List three preachers and/or teachers who were most influential in you journey.
Michael Horton
Rod Rosenbladt
Kim Riddlebarger
James Montgomery Boice
R.C. Sproul

4. If you could give one book to someone interested in Reformed theology, what book would you give? The Death of Death in the Death of Christ, John Owen

5. What doctrine distinquishes Reformed Theology? The Sovereignty of God

Fiction is Dead

In 1951 no one thought the New York Giants could ever catch, much less beat the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Giants won an unbelievable 37 of their last 44 games. They had to do this in order to force a three game playoff with the mighty Dodgers for the National League pennant. They split the first two games, with the Dodgers winning game two by the score of 10 - 0. The third came saw more of the Dodger domination. Going into the bottom of the ninth, the Dodgers held a 4 - 1 lead. Then the history of baseball changed for ever, as Bobby Thompson hit what some have called the greatest and most improbable homerun in Major League history. In the bottom of the ninth with one out and two men on base, Bobby Thompson hit what is known as "the shot heard 'round the world." A three run homerun and as legendary announcer Russ Hodges said, "THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT!!! THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT!!!"

Afterward, the sportswriter Red Smith wrote in description of the event, "Now it is done. Now the story ends. And there is no way to tell it. The art of fiction is dead. Reality has strangled invention. Only the utterly impossible, the inexpressibly fantastic, can ever be plausible again."

Last night, as I watched Barack Obama win the Democratic Nomination for President of the United States, I could hear Russ Hodges say, "Obama wins the Nomination! Obama wins the Nomination!" I also could not help but think that for the first time in my life we can say the art of fiction is dead. An African-American has a serious chance at winning the White House. What we thought was impossible and fantastic has become reality. This morning as I read Thabiti's blog (a must read today), I was also reminded that we have come a long ways in this country. And though you may not agree with the politics of Obama, you should at least smile that our country is learning to live out its creed.

Experience the Truth Interview

By Faith Magazine has an interview with me on our book Experiencing the Truth: Bringing the Reformation to the African-American Church, which is due out next month. You can read the interview here.

Glory Road: Sherard Burns

Sherard is the Pastor for Christian Education at Glendale Baptist Church in Miami, FL. His survey questions were answered as follows:

1. What was the first book you read that introduced you to Reformed Theology? Chosen By God, R.C. Sproul

2. List the five most influential books in your Reformed Theological journey: Chosen By God, R.C. Sproul; The Institutes of Christian Religion, John Calvin; Reformation Thought, Alistair McGrath; The Death of Death in the Death of Christ, John Owen; Christ of the Covenant, O. Palmer Robertson

3. List three preachers and/or teachers who were most influential in your journey. Lehman D. Bates, R.C. Sproul, John Piper

4. If you could give one book to someone interested in Reformed theology, what book would you give? Chosen By God, Sproul

5. What doctrine would you say distinquishes Reformed theology? The doctrine of God's atoning work - Limited Atonement

Glory Road: Anthony Bradley

Anthony Bradley is Assistant Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. He is also a Research Fellow for the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty in Grand Rapids, MI. He can also be found sharing his thoughts on his popular blog The Institute.

And his survey answers said:

1. What was the first book you read that introduced you to Reformed Theology? Putting Amazing Back Into Grace, Michael Horton

2. List the five most influential books in your Reformed Theological journey: The Institutes of Christian Religion, John Calvin; Puritan Race, Virtue, Vice, and Value 1620-1820: Original Calvinists' True Believers Enduring Faith and Ethics Race Claims, Joseph R. Washington, Jr.; From Creation to Consummation, Gerard Van Groningen; Christ-Centered Preaching, Bryan Chapell; Van Til's Apologetics: Readings and Analysis, Greg Bahnsen

3. List three preachers and/or teachers who were most influential in your journey. Cornelius Henderson, David C. Jones, Gerard Van Groningen

4. If you could give one book to someone interested in Reformed theology, what book would you give? As Far as the Curse is Found, Michael Williams

5. What doctrine would you say distinquishes Reformed theology? The doctrine of Creation, with emphasis on the covenant story of God's sovereign redemption of all creation.

Glory Road: Thabiti Anyabwile

Thabiti Anyabwile is the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands. He is also blogger at Pure Church, where he goes by the name Fellow Elder. These are his answers:

1. What was the first book you read that introduced you to Reformed Theology? Knowing God, J.I. Packer and Great Doctrines of the Bible, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

2. List the five most influential books in your Reformed Theological journey.
Knowing God, J.I. Packer; Great Doctrines of the Bible, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones; Bondage of the Will, Martin Luther; What Is Reformed Theology (previously Grace Unknown), R.C. Sproul; Chosen But Free, Norman Geisler (I read as a defense of the non-Reformed view. Its weaknesses pushed me more conclusively to a Reformed understanding)

3. List three preachers and/or teachers who were most influential in you journey.
R.C. Sproul
John MacArthur
Mark Dever

4. If you could give one book to someone interested in Reformed theology, what book would you give? What is Reformed Theology, R.C. Sproul

5. What doctrine would you say distinguishes Reformed theology?
The centrality of the doctrine of God sets Reformed theology apart from other perspectives. It’s not that the glory, sovereignty and centrality of God are somehow unique ideas to Reformed theology, for other systems would in their own ways acknowledge these issues. And it’s not as though Reformed theology has found an inventive niche here that makes this a marketing advantage. Rather, God is central in the entire body of Scripture and Reformed theology most accurately perceives that truth and puts God at the center of its theological outlook.

Glory Road: Reddit Andrews

Reddit Andrews III is the Senior Pastor of Soaring Oaks Presbyterian Church in Elk Grove, CA. His answer to the aforementioned questions are:

1. What was the first book you read that introduced you to Reformed Theology? Lectures to My Students, C. H. Spurgeon

2. List the five most influential books in your Reformed Theological journey.
Knowing God, J. I. Packer.
Systematic Theology, Louis Berkhof.
The Biography of D. Martyn Lloyd Jones, Ian Murray.
The Works of Jonathan Edwards
Our Reasonable Faith, Herman Bavinck.

3. List three preachers and/or teachers who were most influential in you journey.
Leroy Bailey, Jr.
Gary Cohen
D. Martyn Lloyd Jones
John Piper
Allan Joseph

4. If you could give one book to someone interested in Reformed theology, what book would you give? Systematic Theology, Louis Berkhof.

5. What doctrine would you say distinguishes Reformed theology?

The Glory of the Sovereign God, as opposed to the supposed free will of man.

Glory Road

I currently have the pleasure of working on a new book project entitled Glory Road: Our Journeys into Reformed Christianity. It is a wonderful project and we are eagerly anticipating its publication in the near future. I say "we" because I have enlisted the help of some good friends and faithful co-laborers in the gospel. These men have agreed to contribute to this book and I for one could not be more happy and excited. As I have been editing the chapters, I found myself strengthen and challenged as they shared their unique insights and perspectives on Reformed Theology. I believe this book will be a must read, not because I am editing it but because of the men who are contributing to it.

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls...(Jer. 6:16).

Part of their contributions has been the answering of a few survey questions. The questions were as follows:

1. What was the first book you read that introduced you to Reformed Theology?
2. Besides the Bible, list the five most influential books in your Reformed theological journey
3. List three preachers and/or teachers who were most influential in your journey?
4. If you could give one book to someone interested in Reformed theology, what book would you give them?
5. What doctrine would you say distinguishes Reformed Theology?

Over the next few days I hope to post their responses.

Character not Color

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's now famous dream, that we would be judged, "not by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character" apparently has come home to roost at his alma mater. This year the esteemed Morehouse College will graduate for the first time a white student as valedictorian.

From his first day at Morehouse College — the country's only institution of higher learning dedicated to the education of black men — Joshua Packwood has been a standout. Read more.

Congrats to Joshua Packwood for a job well done.

It's Going Down!

I want to thank Collin Hansen for his recent and much-anticipated book Young Restless and Reformed. In it he detailed the rise and impact of Reformed theology among a new and energetic generation of evangelicals. Colin detailed the impact of such men as John Piper, RC Sproul, CJ Mahaney, Mark Dever and others. Surely we can not truly assess the contributions of these men to the growth of reformed theology in our time. Their impact on me alone has been tremendous. I enjoyed reading Collin's well written account of how Reformational truth is spreading. However, if you read Collin's book you would get the impression that the impact is on young white evangelicals and very little impact is being made among other cultures and ethnic groups. Yet, I for one want to say without fear of contradiction that there is a growing move among young (and older) African-Americans toward the historical and biblical truths of Reformed theology. No, it is not a tidal wave. We won't expect CNN to do an expose on Young, Restless, Black, and Reformed (we'll leave that to Lionel Woods). Nevertheless, all evidence points to the reality that Reformed theology is growing among African-Americans, and I for one could not be more pleased, grateful, encouraged, and challenged.

Brothers and sisters, I honestly believe that a move of God is going down among African-Americans and I am challenged by our responsibilities to be faithful stewards of this move. Our calling is to do all we can to make sure this move does not end with this generation, but is faithfully and emphatically passed on to the next. How do we do this? What are some of the ways in which we can be faithful stewards of this dispensation of God's grace? Here are four ways (I am sure there are many more):

1. Write. As Reformed African-Americans we must write books, articles, booklets, songs, and testimonies on who we are and what God has done and is doing. We must not fear writing on theological subjects that have already been covered by our esteemed brothers of lighter skin tone. Most truth is worthy of being said again. Besides, the historic reformed truths need to be stated in our voice so as to demonstrate that they don't belong to just one ethnic group. Also, surely God desires to testify to the whole body of Christ the glories of his grace through us and thereby encourage our brothers and sisters of different cultures. Unfortunately, we didn't have a large corpus of theological and pastoral material, which was passed down to us. Yet, let not that be said by the generation that comes after us. We must write. To this end, at the New Life Bible Conference in June (I will have more to say about this later), I hear that there will be quite a few offerings from the brothers:

On Being Black and Reformed

Faithful Preacher by Thabiti Anyabwile

The Decline of African-American Theology by Thabiti Anyabwile

Experiencing the Truth by Anthony Carter (with Michael Leach and Ken Jones)

What is a Healthy Church Member by Thabiti Anyabwile

Where Are All the Brothers by Eric Redmond

And I hear more is on the way. Praise God!

2. Plant and Reform Churches. Church planting continues to be God's means of spreading the message and impact of the gospel. A movement that does establish faithful churches is a movement destined for extinction. So we must plant churches. To this end, here in Atlanta I am leading a team of people in the planting of East Point Church. In fact, this evening we are having our first public meeting in which we are inviting all to come out and hear our vision for a church in the city with a passion for gospel truth and gospel living. Also in Atlanta there is planned the Issachar Fellowship, led my man Dhati Lewis. Prayerfully this church plant will be coming to our fair city in the next year or two. This is exciting news! We need more. Yet, not only must we plant churches, but we must also be willing to assume existing churches and do the work of bringing reform to them. This is being illustrated to us by such men as Eric Redmond at Hillcrest Baptist Church and Roger Skepple at Berean Bible Baptist Church. These men are not alone in there reforming efforts. I know there are many others around the country doing the same. We must make sure we continue this labor.

3. Hold Conferences. The gathering of a people for mutual challenge, encouragement, and edification is not only necessary, it is also biblical (Heb. 10:25). One of the ways in which we can fulfill this command is the regular holding of Church and Bible Conferences. Not only does it continue the integrity and accountability of theology, but it encourages the brothers and sisters to know that they are not alone. We already have some good ones going, namely New Life Bible Conference in the Chicago area and the Miami Pastors' Conference in Miami, FL. Both of these are quickly establishing themselves as bulwarks in the movement. Let us remember to attend and support them. Also, let us plan more around the country. Surely the west coast and Texas can use some.

4. Train Disciples. The health and strength of any movement ultimately lies in its ability to disciple the next generation. We must make sure we are developing ways and means by which we are introducing others, particularly those younger, to the faith we profess. If we are not successful in passing the torch of theology and faith to our sons and daughters, we can not - we must not - claim success or faithfulness at all. Therefore, we must identify those among us who have giftedness and a heart for the ministry. And once identified, we must encourage them, train them, and provide them opportunities to serve and to hone their gifts. Let us never begrudge the younger minds or doubt their sincerity, as it too often happened to some of us. But let us strongly encourage them and challenge them to go above and beyond what we are doing.

Brothers and sisters, it's going down! I pray we will be faithful stewards and that future generations will look upon this time and thank God for our labors and be challenged to labor all the more.

Books I'm Reading (or have recently read)

I have been reminded that I have not listed a current reading list lately. Actually my overall blogging has been slow because of my preoccupation with church and writing responsibilities. Yet, my continuing education continues. A couple of books that have recently contributed to that education are:

Questioning Evangelism: Engaging People's Heart the Way Jesus Did by Randy Newman. I really like Newman's approach. Admittedly, it is not for everyone because not everyone is as engaging as Newman. But for those who can be, this is an excellent resource.

For Us and Our Salvation: The Doctrine of Christ in the Early Church by Stephen Nichols. Nichols is one of my favorite writers. I tend to read all that I can by him.

Galatians by Philip Graham Ryken. Ryken is a good writer and preacher. With the New Life Conference quickly approaching, books on Galatians are at the top of my list. (BTW: Do all the pastors at Tenth Presbyterian Church have to use their middle name? Just wondering.)

Doctrine that Dances: Bring Doctrinal Preaching and Teaching to Life by Robert Smith. This is my casual reading. I am slowly but rewardingly making my way through this one.

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Lincoln once said, "How do you destroy an enemy? You make him your friend." Lincoln embodied this and it is what set him apart as a politician and a man. I love reading and learning about Lincoln.

An African-American Vision in the PCA

Let me say this, "I am not a member of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)." I say that because it is frequently assumed that I am in the PCA. This is probably because I have some good friends in the PCA and my theology is probably more closely related to that of the PCA than any other group. I find there is much in the PCA to commend and would not hesitate recommending them as a faithful gospel preaching denomination. The PCA also has some good African-American preachers seeking to contextualize the gospel without losing the gospel. In fact, within the PCA is an African-American Ministry, which seeks to promote reformed theology and the PCA among African-Americans. The ministry has a vision. Take a look.

Remembering Elder DJ Ward

For a copy of the Program from the funeral of Elder Ward, click here. He was truly a unique, gifted, and faithful preacher of the gospel. He will be missed.

Doctrine that Dances

Here are a couple of good quotes from a book I am reading entitled Doctrine that Dances: Bringing Doctrinal Preaching and Teaching to Life. It is written by Dr. Robert Smith, professor of preaching at Beeson Divinity School (a couple of years ago I mentioned Dr. Smith here). The quotes are seeking to define what doctrinal preaching is:

As Jesus admonished that the Scriptures be searched because they testify of Him (John 5:39), preachers of Christian doctrine make Christ the heart of their preaching. If the Bible is read backwards, one will see that Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, was slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8). This means that in the mind of God, Calvary was a forethought and not an afterthought. God did not react to the fall of Adam and Eve, but rather He pre-acted before the the fall of Adam and Eve. The Old Testament proclaimed that Christ is coming. The New Testament announced that Christ has come and will come again (p. 23)

Doctrinal preaching must have an object. We cannot have faith in faith; we do not worship worship; and doctrine does not exist fro doctrine's sake. Doctrinal preaching carries out the mission of magnifying Jesus Christ (p. 25).

The book is so far so good. I am enjoying the read. You may want to consider the investment.