In the final analysis, the ultimate authority for preaching is the authority of the Bible as the Word of God. Without this authority, the preacher stands naked and silent before the congregation and the watching world.  If the Bible is not the Word of God, the preacher is involved in an act of self-delusion or professional pretension.  Standing on the authority of Scripture, the preacher declares a truth received, not a message invented.  The teaching office is not an advisory role based in religious expertise but a prophetic function whereby God speaks to His people.

-Source: R. Albert Mohler, Jr, He is Not Silent, p. 72

Kevin DeYoung writes at Ligonier about the value of plodding along in the church, faithfully taking risks that bring glory to God and not to ourselves.

Until we are content with being one of the million nameless, faceless church members and not the next globe-trotting rock star, we aren’t ready to be a part of the church. In the grand scheme of things, most of us are going to be more of an Ampliatus (Rom. 16:8) or Phlegon (v. 14) than an apostle Paul. And maybe that’s why so many Christians are getting tired of the church. We haven’t learned how to be part of the crowd. We haven’t learned to be ordinary.

I just can’t help but wonder if Paul had something like this in mind when he wrote about order in 1 Corinthians 14:26-40.  I really don’t have the words to describe this video.

Parents should be keeping an eye on the textbook debate/battle in Texas.  Their decision could affect public education across the country. Some of the things being considered are listed below.

1. Contrast what the Founding Fathers meant by separation of church and state vs. how it is practiced by government today

2. Analyze the cause and effect of eugenics:  Early in the 20th Century, 60,000 poor and mostly minority Americans were  sterilized against their will because they were considered genetically inferior…

3. Evaluate efforts by the United Nations to undermine U.S. sovereignty including a gun ban and the redistribution of American wealth

4. Discuss the fiscal health of Social Security and Medicare

5. Discuss government abuse of property rights and the taking of land w/o compensation – and the adverse impact of affirmative action on when more qualified workers are passed over by minority applicants

Albert Mohler has written a good article on the Jesus Seminar and a recent article by Adam Gopnik.

This much is clear — Jesus Christ just will not be ignored. Even the most secularized classes, those whom Friedrich Schleiermacher called the “cultured despisers of religion,” cannot leave Jesus alone. Not even The New Yorker.

1. Internet Monk likes Matt Chandler and Eugene Peterson. He also apparently loves pastoring and has some insight on contemporary stereotypes of pastoring that I have been struggling with myself. I encourage you to read the Monk’s great article here.

2. Ed Stetzer is doing wonderful things for Christendom with his research and writing, especially in the areas of church planting and the young unchurched. In a recent article on cohabitation, Stetzer reveals some interesting insights on the relationship between church dropouts and cohabitation.

It is probably not a surprise that those who are cohabiting are also more likely to be dropouts, but it does speak to some of the challenges in reaching adults in our culture.

3. My recent article from the Baptist Courier (The SC Baptist Newspaper) on the need for change in SCBC structures to accomplish the Great Commission.

For too long we have feigned good health while slowly decaying and dying, yet we continue to perpetuate unhealthy practices because it is the will of some without questioning whether it is the will of The One.

4. Al Mohler on why he has hope in young pastors.

5. John Meade wrestling with the question: Would The Apostles Endorse Multi-Site Church?

6. Trevin Wax with a few book recommendations.