Fine style does not make something true, nor has a man a wise soul because he has a handsome face and well-chosen eloquence.
Augustine, Confessions
Style vs. Substance
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Author Archives: Ryan
All in Christ
Martyn Lloyd-Jones commenting on Philippians 3:3:
There is nothing that the soul of man can need in time or eternity but that it is all in Christ. You need pardon? There it is. You need reconciliation to God? The man Christ Jesus is the one and only mediator between God and man. You need new life and a new nature? You receive it from him. You need strength and power? He sent the Holy Spirit that you might have it. You need an Advocate with the Father? There he is, seated at the right hand of God. You tremble at the thought of death and of going to face God in the judgment? You are assured that you will be clothed with his righteousness and he will present you spotless. What else do you need? He is everything: Prophet, Priest and King, the All in all.
The Life of Joy and Peace: An Exposition of Philippians (Grand Rapids:Baker, 1999), 273-274.
Look What the Mailman Delivered
Reading About Hudson Taylor
I love biographies. I’m especially fond of biographies of Christian missionaries and pastors. I knew of Hudson Taylor and his work in China in the 19th century, but I had yet to read anything about him; until this week.
My wife recommended I read a brief account of Hudson and Maria Taylor’s marriage and ministry. Hudson Taylor & Maria: A Match Made in Heaven is a quick read and gives the reader a glimpse into the Taylors’ faith in a wise and sovereign God as they labored to spread the gospel throughout inland China.
Pick up a copy. You won’t be disappointed.
Getting to the Heart of Parenting
My home group has been watching and really enjoying a DVD series on parenting by Paul Tripp. You can watch a preview below.
The series can be purchased from Westminster Bookstore.
Calvin on the Theologian's Task
More Christians ought to read Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion. Many people assume Calvin’s writings will be dry, abstract, and difficult to understand. What you’ll discover when you dive in to the Institutes is that Calvin is very accessible and edifying. I think that Calvin’s ability to teach biblical truth in a clear and engaging manner is due, in part, to his understanding of the theologian’s task.
The theologian’s task is not to divert the ears with chatter, but to strengthen consciences by teaching things true, sure, and profitable (1.14.4).
If you’d like to get a feel for Calvin’s writings you can read the Institutes online at CCEL.
Kindle: Two Months Later
In January I received a Kindle (3G + WiFi) as a birthday present. I was very excited about this gift since I love to read and already owned several Kindle books (the Kindle software for PC and iPhone substituted for an actual device). I immediately downloaded a number of free classic books and dove in. Now that I’ve used the Kindle for close to two months I feel like I can speak to what I enjoy about it and what I don’t.
What I enjoy about the Kindle
1. Free books – There are many public domain works available in the Kindle store. In addition, you can find more free Kindle format ebooks at websites like Archive.org and Project Gutenberg. I rarely read fiction that is younger than I am so the availability of classic works is a big selling point for me.
2. Highlights and notes – I mark up my physical books quite a bit. The Kindle allows me to highlight passages and add notes. I can then access my highlights and notes via the Kindle website.
3. Synchronization – With the Kindle software for PC and iPhone I have access to my ebooks from virtually anywhere. The ebooks, last location, highlights, and notes are synced across the various devices.
4. Easy on the eyes – The thought of staring at the screen of an electronic device for more than a few minutes isn’t too appealing to me. However, the Kindle display is very easy on the eyes. It isn’t backlit like a computer screen so my eyes don’t tire the way they would if I were reading something on my laptop.
What I don’t enjoy about the Kindle
1. Ebooks are ebooks – Obvious, I know. There’s something about holding a book in my hand that I really enjoy. In my opinion, the reading experience on a Kindle just can’t compare with reading a physical book.
2. Can’t export highlights – I use the highlighting feature a lot. The Kindle website enables me to copy and paste those highlights into a word processor, but I’d really like to see a simple 1-click export feature.
Overall I really enjoy the Kindle. It’s a device I plan to use for years to come. If you’re a reader I recommend you give the Kindle a try.
Prayer and the Gospel
I’m really enjoying A Praying Life by Paul Miller. In a chapter titled Learning to Be Helpless Miller connects the gospel to our prayer life.
Prayer mirrors the gospel. In the gospel, the Father takes us as we are because of Jesus and gives us his gift of salvation. In prayer, the Father receives us as we are because of Jesus and gives us his gift of help. We look at the inadequacy of our praying and give up, thinking something is wrong with us. God looks at the adequacy of his Son and delights in our sloppy, meandering prayers.
Great stuff!
IBCD Spring Seminar – Money Matters
IBCD, the biblical counseling ministry of our church, is putting on a one day seminar on March 12th in Escondido, CA. The title of this year’s seminar is “Money Matters: Biblical Wisdom in Troubled Times”. Jim Newheiser, the director of IBCD, will be the speaker.
Jim will cover:
- General Principals & Acquiring Wealth Wisely
- Spending Money Wisely
- Getting Out of Debt
- Preparing for Your Financial Future
If you register before March 1st the cost is only $10! More information about the seminar is available on the IBCD website.
The Growth of the Church in the Book of Acts
Whenever I read through the book of Acts I’m struck with the number of times Luke comments on the growth of the church. The early church was a growing church. The language of growth in Acts can be grouped into two broad categories: 1) texts that speak of the word of God increasing or spreading 2) texts that speak of the number of disciples increasing.
The Word of God Increased
Acts 6:7 – And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
Acts 12:24 – But the word of God increased and multiplied.
Acts 13:49 – And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.
Acts 19:20 – So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.
The Number of Disciples Increased
Acts 2:41 – So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Acts 2:47 – And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 5:14 – And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.
Acts 6:1 – Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
Acts 9:31 – So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
Acts 11:24 – for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
Acts 16:5 – So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
