I'm really looking forward to reading Tim Keller's new book: Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters I've heard Keller speak on this topic lots and always have my heart sins exposed, and pointed to Christ. Here is a short video of Keller explaining his book:



Tim Challies reviews the book here.

David Letterman and the Gospel

In my sermon this past Sunday I told the story of David Letterman's blackmailer and what it teaches us about the gospel. While Letterman found it chilling that, a) someone knew many of the horrible things he's done, and, b) he held in his hands a catalog of many bad things he's really done, I said that on the day of judgment, our deeds will be made public before a holy God and a watching world, and we will be judged for them. It was a powerful time of reflecting on the severity of sin before a holy God. I thought I'd link to the article by Russell Moore that first showed me this connection with Letterman. I also thought I'd post the 10 minute clip of Letterman outlining the details of the extortion attempt. Notice the way he makes jokes, even when he's feeling very heavy!
Note: I don't think the video was embedded properly. If you don't see it, follow this link.

Worth Watching - How the World is Changing

This video is worth 4 mins and 46 seconds of your time. Some of these stats absolutely shocked me! HT: JT

A 10 Minute Introduction to John Owen

One of my favourite contemporary authors is Carl Trueman. One of my favourite historical theologians is John Owen. Here is a short video introduction about Owen by Trueman. Why is Owen significant? Trueman explains. . .



HT: JT

Videos: Why Is John Calvin Important For The Church Today?

I just watched these two minute video clips from those slotted to speak at the upcoming Desiring God conference on John Calvin. In the clips, each conference speaker explains the aspect of Calvin he thinks the church can learn most from today. Although I think Piper hit the nail on the head, all of the men had helpful insights.

If you've noticed a seeming inordinate amount of attention given to John Calvin lately and wondered why, you'll be happy to know that this year he turns 500. Calvin lived from 1509-1564. In honour of this birthday, there are a lot of Calvin conferences going on and books being published. For my own part, I've taken 2009 as a chance to read through Calvin's monumental book of systematic theology, 'The Institutes of the Christian Religion" using this one year reading plan. I'm half way done and it's been well worth the effort thus far. If you are interested in starting this plan, just ignore the dates and jump in! I'd love to learn together by chatting about what we learn. (Note: the Latin word 'Institutio' simply means 'instruction'. Perhaps a more accurate English title would be 'Instruction in the Christian Religion.) Calvin's work is rich in its mining of the Bible. He also had a talent for being both succinct and readable (a combo I wish I had). The 1800 page book was originally published as a primer to help people read the Bible better; kind of a brief introduction to the Bible for beginners in 1800 pages or less!

Also on the Calvin note, Covenant Seminary has lectures on Calvin available for free on iTunes. I've listened to 9 out of 26 and they are very helpful so far (though a bit monotone). To find them open iTunes (if you have it), click on 'iTunes store' and do a search on 'Calvin's Institutes'. You'll find the lectures under iTunes University with a Covenant Seminary Logo. Regent Seminary sells lectures by my old prof, Dr. Victor Shepherd, and I found them really helpful when I audited the course back in 2003.

What is a 'De-Churched' Person?

In this two minute video, Matt Chandler explains what a de-churched person is. I was really helped by his insight. If you are not familiar with Chandler's ministry, he pastors the fastest growing church in the USA (about 1000 new people a year for over seven years). He's an expository preacher, gifted at penetrating application, and pastors in Dallas, Texas. His greatest burden is for the people who attend church regularly, think they are saved, but do not really know Christ. Very often baptismal testimonies at his church go like this: "I've been a part of church all my life, but now I realize I never really knew Christ until recently. . .". A close friend of my wife is a member of his church and really appreciates his ministry. Take a look at the video and be blessed.

If anyone knows how to upload YouTube videos right not a blog post, do you mind letting me know in the comments? That would really help this recovering Luddite.

Watch On-Line - Christianity in China

When I was at the 'Basics' conference for pastors a few weeks ago, John Piper talked about a series of DVD's called, 'The Cross: Christianity in China' that he and his wife had watched a few years earlier. He mentioned the web site where they could be streamed for free and talked about how often talk of joy came up as men and women described horrendous persecution. I was at home alone tonight, so over supper I watched the first one, and was blessed! I am a wimpy westerner who views comfort as a basic right. These men and women had joy as they suffered for Jesus. I need more of this. You can find these videos here (scroll down to find the four part series called, 'the cross: Christianity in China').