Tim Keller: Hints for Preaching Christ In The Old Testament

I've been finding a series of lectures by Tim Keller and Edmund Clowney very interesting and beneficial. The topic of the lectures is "Preaching Christ In A Post-Modern World." You can find the lectures on ITunes for free.

The topic I listened to most recently was on preaching Christ from the Old Testament, and Keller was answering the question "What commentaries present a redemptive-historical orientation on the Old Testament?" Keller answered with this gem:

Sometimes the New Testament scholars today are more sensitive to the Old Testament backgrounds than the Old Testament scholars feel free to move forward...

I do think the most recent commentators on the gospels are feeling very free to look back, and they recognize the enormous number of allusions that are really there. Look in the scripture index in the back of your New Testament commentaries when you're preaching on Isaiah or Exodus or Chronicles.

We have a tendency to say "Okay, I'm preaching on Chronicles" and you look at your [bookshelves] "O gosh, I don't have any commentaries on Chronicles!" You order some, you go to the library.

Maybe you better look in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John -- all your commentaries on the gospels -- and look back for allusions to your passage in 2 Chronicles. And to your surprise, you'll find sermon-breaking comments: exegetical insights that just break open the whole thing for you as a preacher on your Old Testament texts in your New Testament commentaries. I do that all the time.

ESV Study Bible is coming . . .

Terrible Bible Teaching for Kids!

A great article by John Walton (who teaches Old Testament at Wheaton College Graduate School) over at Koinonia (which is about to make my "LINKS" list) on the five basic fallacies that appear repeatedly in biblical children's curriculum.

I'm going to paste in the fallacies and one sentence, but if this piques your interest, please READ THE WHOLE THING.

The fallacies (and brief descriptions) are

1. Promotion of the Trivial: The lesson is based on what is a passing comment in the text (Josh 9:13, they did not consult the Lord), a casual observation about the text (Moses persevered in going back before Pharaoh over and over) or even a deduction supplied in the text (Joshua and Caleb were brave and strong).

2. Illegitimate extrapolation: The lesson is improperly expanded from a specific situation to all general situations (God helped Moses do a hard thing, so God will help you do a hard thing. But the hard thing Moses was doing was something commanded by God whereas in the lesson the hard thing becomes anything the child wants to achieve).

3. Reading Between the Lines: This occurs when teachers or students are asked to analyze what the characters are thinking, speculate on their motives, or fill in details of the plot that the story does not give.

4. Missing important nuance: This occurs when the curriculum pinpoints an appropriate lesson but misses a connection that should be made to drive the point home accurately.

5. Focus on people rather than God: If in the end, the final point is “We should/shouldn’t be like X (= some biblical character)” there is probably a problem unless the “X” is Jesus or God. Better is “we can learn through X’s story that God . . .”

I thought this sentence serves as a great summery:

If we are negligent of sound hermeneutics when we teach Bible to children, should it be any wonder that when they get into youth groups, Bible studies and become adults in the church, that they do not know how to derive the authoritative teaching from the text?

Luke 8:39 - Did you read that too fast?

Jesus speaking to the demon-possessed man He had just healed.

"Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

Don't read it too fast. Read it one more time to see if you get it.

"Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

There's a parallel in the two sentences. Let me show you with some formatting:

"Return to your home,
and declare
how much
God
has done for you."

And he went away,
proclaiming throughout the whole city
how much
Jesus
had done for him.

Return to your home = went away
declare = proclaiming
how much = how much
GOD = JESUS
has done for you = had done for him

It's a great little signal flare from Luke, telling us of the divinity of Jesus. But you miss it if you read too quickly.

Buy a bible, train a pastor!

Do you want to buy the new ESV Study Bible? Are you sad that you missed out on the 35% discount? Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people that I read at C.J. Mahaney's blog:

35% Pre-Order Discount

From now until July 31, friends of Sovereign Grace Ministries are invited to pre-order the Study Bible at a 35 percent discount. Simultaneously, Crossway will donate five percent of these purchases to Sovereign Grace Ministries. These donations will be used to support families who are training at the Pastors College. The Pastors College exists to train men to serve, lead, and plant Sovereign Grace Ministries churches and to support men currently serving as pastors within Sovereign Grace.

To receive the discount—and support men in the PC—simply click here. You will be directed to a customized webpage where you can see an overview of the Study Bible and place your order.

Click here for more.

(Note: This offer does not apply to other Crossway products.)

Reading Scripture the Way Jesus Did—Aloud!

Leadership Journal has an article on the team of scripture readers at Redeemer Presbyterian in New York, which is led by Max McLean.

The opening paragraph starts:

Actors Needed – To serve as Scripture readers for our morning worship services. Audition required. Please send acting resume to persons-name @ redeemer.com.

When this ad ran in the bulletin at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, New York, more than one worshiper wondered why the church wanted entertainers to read God's Word. Or why people had to audition.

Six years later, the jury's verdict is long in, and the comments are heavily affirming.

[ht: h&v]

"How Great Is Your Blood"

I recently composed a song (called "The Sacrifice") which included the lyric "How Great Is Your Blood". Wanting to make sure I could justify that, I did some research.

"How great is Your blood!"

Definitions of “Great”
* unusual or considerable in degree, power, intensity, etc.: great pain.
* wonderful; first-rate; very good: We had a great time. That's great!
* being such in an extreme or notable degree: great friends; a great talker.
* notable; remarkable; exceptionally outstanding: a great occasion.
* important; highly significant or consequential: the great issues in American history.
* distinguished; famous: a great inventor.
* of noble or lofty character: great thoughts.
* of extraordinary powers; having unusual merit; very admirable: a great statesman.


The Blood of Christ . . .
1. was poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Mt. 26:28
2. must be drunk in order to abide in Christ and have eternal life. John 6:53-56
3. is how God obtained the church. Acts 20:28
4. shows God’s righteousness regarding sin before Christ. Romans 3:25
5. is a term to show participation in the life of Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:16
6. is the means by which the believer is redeemed. Ephesians 1:7
7. is the means by which all things are reconciled to Christ. Colossians 1:20
8. secures an eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:12
9. is superior to the blood of goats and bulls. Hebrews 9:13
10. purifies our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Hebrews 9:14
11. was needed to forgive sins. Hebrews 9:22
12. is superior so as to only be offered once. Hebrews 9:25
13. gives the believer confidence to enter the holy places. Hebrews 10:19
14. when profaned, outrages the Spirit of Grace. Hebrews 10:29
15. is superior to the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:24
16. is superior to silver and gold. 1 Peter 1:18
17. is the ransom that was paid to win believers back from futile ways. 1 Peter 1:18-19
18. is precious. 1 Peter 1:19
19. cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
20. testifies to the authenticity of Christ Himself. 1 John 5:6-8
21. frees us from our sins. Revelation 1:5
22. ransomed people from every tribe, language, people and nation. Revelation 5:9
23. wash and make white the robes of those who come out of the great tribulation. Revelation 7:14
24. gives believers the power to eventually conquer Satan his demonic host. Revelation 12:11.

Westerholm Kids' Summer Bible Curriculum

My boys (Ethan, almost 6 and Owen, almost 4) are getting done with school and are going to be home for a 13-week summer vacation. My wife and I sat down last night and came up with a plan for some summer bible teaching.

The Books:

Big Picture Story Bible - by David R. Helm (Author), Gail Schoonmaker (Illustrator)
Big Book of Questions and Answers - by Sinclair Ferguson
The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name - by Sally Lloyd-Jones (Author), Jago (Illustrator)

The Plan:

Week 1: Creation- Memory verse Genesis 1:1
Day 1-Big Picture Bible; Part 1
Day 2-Big Picture Bible; part 2
Day 3-Big Book of Questions & Answers #5 (Why did God create the world?)
Day 4-Jesus Storybook Bible; The Beginning
Day 5-Jesus Storybook Bible; The Terrible Lie

Week 2: Flood and sin- Memory verse Psalm 1:6
Day 1-BPB; Part 3
Day 2-JSB; The New Beginning
Day 3-BBoQ&A #10 (What is Sin?)
Day 4- BBoQ&A #11 (What happens to us because of sin?)
Day 5- BBoQ&A #12 (What does our sin deserve?)

Week 3: Abraham’s faith & Joseph’s forgiveness- Memory verse Prov. 3:5, Rom. 12:17a
Day 1-BPB; part 4
Day 2-JSB; Son of Laughter
Day 3-JSB; The Present
Day 4-BPB; Part 5
Day 5-JSB; The Forgiving Prince

Week 4: Moses and God’s Commands- Memory verse Deut. 6:5
Day 1- BPB; part 6,7
Day 2-JSB; God to the Rescue
Day 3-JSB; God Makes a Way
Day 4-JSB; 10 ways to be perfect, BBQ&A #41 What is the first commandment?
Day 5-BBQ&A #51 How Does God help me keep his commandments?

Week 5: David- Memory verse Phil. 4:13
Day 1-BPB; Part 8
Day 2-BPB; Part 9
Day 3-JSB; Teeny Weenie… True King
Day 4-JSB; Young Hero and Horrible Giant
Day 5-JSB; The Good Shepherd

Week 6: Prophets- Memory verse Matt 6:24
Day 1- BPB; Part 10, BBQ&A #42 What is the second commandment?
Day 2-JSB; Daniel and the scary sleepover
Day 3-JSB; Operation no more tears, BBQ&A #15 How did God prepare the way for the Savior?
Day 4- JSB; Get Ready
Day 5- BPB; Part 11

Week 7: The Nativity- Memory verse Phil 2:7
Day 1-BPB; part 12,13
Day 2-BBQ&A; #17 How did Jesus come into the world?
Day 3-BPB; part 14
Day 4-JSB; He’s Here
Day 5-JSB; Light of the World, King of all Kings

Week 8: Jesus’ Teachings/ Prayer- Memory verse Matt 7:7
Day 1-BPB; part 17,
Day 2- JSB; The Singer, Treasure Hunt
Day 3-JSB; Running Away, The Servant King
Day 4-JSB; How to Pray, BBQ&A; #55 What is Prayer?, #56 How can we learn to pray?
Day 5-BBQ&A; #63 How can I be sure that God hears my prayers?, #64 Will God always answer me when I pray?

Week 9: Jesus’ Miracles- Memory verse Luke 18:27
Day 1- BPB; part 18
Day 2- BPB; part 19
Day 3- JSB; Little girl…
Day 4- JSB; Captian of the Storm
Day 5- JSB; Filled full

Week 10: The Cross- Memory verse 1 Tim. 1:15
Day 1-JSB; Sun Stops Shining,
Day 2- BBQ&A; #21 What was the most important thing that Jesus came to do
Day 3- BPB; part 20
Day 4- BPB; part 21
Day 5-BBQ&A; #22 How does Jesus save us?

Week 11: The Resurrection and Ascension- Memory verse 1 Cor. 15:22
Day 1-BBQ&A; #23 Is Jesus Still Dead?
Day 2-BPB; Part 22, 23
Day 3-JSB; God’s Wonderful Surprise
Day 4-BBQ&A; #24 Where is Jesus Now?, JSB; Going Home
Day 5-BBQ&A; #26 Can Jesus be my Savior?

Week 12: Apostles and Early Church- Memory verse 2 Cor. 4:5
Day 1-BPB; part 24
Day 2-BPB; part 25
Day 3-JSB; God Sends Help
Day 4-JSB; A New Way to See
Day 5-BBQ&A; #65 What is church?, #66 What is church for?

Week 13: Jesus Coming Again- Memory verse John 14:3
Day 1-BPB; part 26
Day 2-BBQ&A; #75 What will happen when Jesus comes back?
Day 3-JSB; A Dream of Heaven
Day 4-BBQ&A; #77 What will it be like to be with Jesus forever?
Day 5-

Study Bible BATTLE! Part 1: Editorial Boards

Last week, Crossway publishers announced they would release a new study bible for the ESV. Ligonier Ministry released their Reformation Study Bible in 2005.

There's been a lot (o.k. -- maybe just some) people looking to judge which study bible is better. Well, there's several months before we know for sure, so [Now entering extremely absurd sarcasm] LET'S SPECULATE!!!

Let's start (and perhaps finish) with the Editorial Boards!

All pairing are listed in ESVSB vs. RSB order.

<><><><><><><><><>

Executive Editors: Lane Dennis vs. NONE
Advantage: none.
NOTES: There is no advantage in an executive editor. As long as someone is generally editing the study bible, things should stay on course. Which brings us to . . .

General Editors: Wayne Grudem vs. R. C. Sproul
Advantage: draw.
NOTES: Sure, Grudem has degrees from Harvard and Cambridge on his resume. But Sproul taught at Gordon AND Conwell seperately before they joined to form . . . Voltron.

Theological Editors: J.I. Packer vs. NONE
Advantage: ESVSB
NOTES: J.I. Packer is almost always better than nobody.

Old Testament Editors: C. John Collins vs. Bruce Waltke
Advantage: RSB
NOTES: C. John Collins isn't even the most decorated Old Testament scholar NAMED John Collins. And let me ask you this, which Bruce Waltke knows the Old Testament better than Bruce Waltke? This just in: I just received a list of the translators for the NIV, and it appears . . . TIMES UP!

New Testament Editors: Moise Silva vs. Thomas R. Schreiner
Advantage: ESVSB
NOTES: Intially, I was at a loss to compare these two fantastic New Testament scholars. Then I thought, ANAGRAM WAR! Dr. Silva's anagram is "Massive Soil" while Thomas R. Schreiner's anagram is "Sir North Cashmire". Schreiner wins hands down!

Associate Editors: NONE vs. James Boice/Edmund Clowney/Roger Nicole/J.I.Packer
Advantage: RSB
NOTES: You would hope that the ESVSB would be able to defeat a team of people consisting of three deceased theologians, but to again follow the airtight logic of our previous thoughts, J.I. Packer is almost always better than nobody.

Managing Editor/Assitant Editors: Justin Taylor vs. William Evans and John Mason
Advantage: ESVSB
NOTES: No contest. When I saw Justin Taylor has a discreet adoption fund, I thought "if any child would be deeply blessed to have that man as his father, how much more would he be blessed to have that man as the Managing Editor of his study bible."

<><><><><><><><><>

NEXT: a comparison of articles and features!

GASP! ESV STUDY BIBLE!

Looks amazing.

Thank you, Justin Taylor. And Jesus. Not in that order.

The new ESV Study Bible is "Filthy and Sick"

You have to read the whole thing to understand.

ht: jt

Morning Devotions With CJ Mahaney

A great quote from one of Christ's servants, C.J. Mahaney on morning devotions.

Actually, I would say that the initial challenge is just getting out of bed. That is why I would recommend for all who are listening to set your radio alarm across the room. Here has what’s helped me in the past: place the radio alarm across the room and set it to a country radio station. That motivates me out of bed.

But the point here is that we must have these practical strategies. I have people approach me at times who seem to assume that if one is called to pastoral ministry there is some special provision from God.

No, in my flesh, in your flesh, these battles take place. Take great comfort. If you watched me in the morning, you would not be amazed. There is no incredible display of giftedness present because I am called to ministry. No. I am a guy hearing these same protesting voices every morning as I get out of bed, making his way downstairs, eventually to his Bible, accompanied by a hot drink and a power bar.

And there I don’t have any angelic visitations. I am aware of numerous things in terms of distraction and aging and aches and pains, and certainly the day in front of me is seeking to rush in and interrupt me right now from what I am doing.

Get the full thing here.

Verse of The Week: Philippians 4:6-8

special treat: this bible is probably the first one ever printed with verse numbers.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Affirmations of Faith

I've been gathering statements of faith from different church groups.

Desiring God Affirmation of Faith
Gospel Coalition Foundational Documents
Together for The Gospel Affirmations and Denials

This post is mostly for me, so I can find all of these in the same place.

Inductive Bible Study

Rick Phillips from the Ref21 Blog.

The inductive Bible study is a purely post-modern practice, and one of the effects of post-modern spirituality will be the flight of its refugees to the false order and authority of Rome.

Get comfortable with mystery

A great video from C.J. Mahaney.

Verse of the Week

Colossians 3:1-3

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden in Christ with God.

Verse of the Week: 2 Chronicles 16:9a

2 Chronicles 16:9a

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and from throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blamesless toward Him."

How To Understand the Old Testament, Nicky Gumble

Holy Trinity Brompton is a vibrant Anglican church in Knightsbridge, London. The following quote is from the sermon, "How To Understand the Old Testament", by vicar Nicky Gumble.

The place to start are the bits that we CAN understand. But what about bits we can't? What do we do with that? We wrestle with them. It's a bit like doing a crossword. When you're doing a crossword, you come to a clue, and you don't know the answer to that one. What do you do with it? You leave it – for a moment. You go on to the ones that you CAN do, and when you've put in the ones that you CAN do, that gives you clues to the ones that you CAN'T do. So as you start with the bits of the Bible that you can understand, it makes it a lot easier to deal with the bits that are more difficult.

Ultimate Bible Quiz

I just took this quiz. I did pretty well, but don't be too impressed - it wasn't that tricky. Take it yourself if you want.

You know the Bible 100%!

Wow! You are awesome! You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic!

There's gotta be a better bible quiz than this...

Oh, wait. There is.

It's called everyday life, and the questions are far trickier. They display not how much you KNOW, but how much you LIVE. That is far better. God help us!