Knowing Scripture October 29, 2007
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I was talking about this book to several of my students that I was meeting with last week and was recommending them to read through it. I started getting real excited by the end of the week and am now starting to reread it some and thought I would give a blog spot to it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who hasn’t read it before. If you are interested in buying it check it out at wtsbooks.com they have it for 25% off at $9.75. Below is an quick explanation of the book.
R. C. Sproul helps us dig out the meaning of Scripture for ourselves. He lays the groundwork by discussing why we should study the Bible and how our own personal study relates to interpretation. Then he presents in simple, basic terms the science of interpretation and gives practical guidelines for applying this science.
“Here is a basic book for both beginning Bible readers and those who have been at it for a long time. With his usual common sense and bubbling enthusiasm, Sproul explores why every Christian should study the Bible and why so many get discouraged. He then offers clear explanations of the basic steps of interpretation and gives simple how-to’s for using them. Excellent for beginning Bible readers. R.C. Sproul outlines the principles of textual interpretation of the Bible, offers guidelines for personal application, investigates the role of culture in biblical relevation, and discusses the use of paraphrases, concordances, commentaries, and expositions.”
Horton and Osteen on 60 Minutes October 16, 2007
Posted by Jeremy in Thoughts and Theology.3 comments
In case you missed 60 minutes Sunday night Joel Osteen was interviewed by Byron Pitts and then had Michael Horton, professor of theology at Westminster Seminary in California, offer his thought’s on Joel Osteen’s gospel. Here is an 11 minute clip from the interview. I thought it was a pretty good interview and enjoyed a lot of what Michael Horton had to say.
I also have a video from YouTube by Piper that was put together and has his thoughts on the propagation of the prosperity gospel in America and throughout the world. It’s about 3 minutes. Thought some of you might like to check this out as well. Enjoy.
My Thoughts October 14, 2007
Posted by Jeremy in IV Staff Development, Thoughts and Theology.add a comment
Some of you asked how I liked the book and why I didn’t really post anything about my thoughts. So I decided to put up some of my thoughts about Gordon Macdonald’s book Ordering Your Private World. (refer to previous post to get overview of book)
As you can see I give this book 2 stars. Even though I am giving it only 2 stars, I do want to add that there are several parts of this book that I enjoyed a lot and that I was able some good idea. There is a lot of truth in this book that can be pretty convicting. My main complaint about this is that it seems to emphasis the importance of budgeting time, prayer, journaling, reading (any books), meditation much more so then it does spending time in scripture and learning about who God is and our need for Him. I don’t think that any of the things he lists in his book are bad necessarily but when they are where you are placing your hope for order then there, in my mind, is a problem. Because the main catalyst for change that you are holding onto is in things that you are doing not in the God’s work in your heart. Another reason I have trouble reading/applying this book was that Gordon Macdonald ended up having an affair in the mid 80’s and in turn stepped down from his pastoral role at his church. I didn’t end up finding this out till several weeks after reading his book. (this just solidified some of my thoughts about this book). I have trouble listening to a man who for most of his ministry has been studying and encouraging people that his idea of ordering your private world in the ways he mentions in his book will keep your world from being in disorder. I could post more but I think this will suffice.
Study Program October 7, 2007
Posted by Jeremy in IV Staff Development, Thoughts and Theology.add a comment
Part of my internship with InterVarsity is a study program that consists of me writing 5 papers. In preparation for these papers I will be reading usually three books and listening to speakers/sermons on the topics and checking out various articles.
My first paper is on discipleship. The first book that I read was called Ordering Your Private World by Gordon Macdonald. He writes the book from his own experiences throughout his life and lessons he has learned along the way. The book addresses the concept of living a driven vs. called life. He is very much a driven person (admitted as much in his book). MacDonald divides the book into five categories: motivation, use of time, wisdom and knowledge, spiritual strength, and restoration. What he mainly attacks is the western values that is seemingly embedded into many of us (our tendencies to get consumed in busyness and overworking while neglecting other more important things, wife, personal growth, kids, etc.). He focuses much of the book on the importance of developing spiritual disciples in our lives and how important this is. His premise is that if you don’t develop inner discipline, you will eventually need it and discover that you lack it. Leaving aside traumas and disasters, the regular grind of day-to-day life will eventually expose you as a hollow man. His suggestion is to put your heart, mind, and spirit into “order”. He suggests prayer, Bible study, journaling, and budgeting your time.
