You've Got a Text Message from the Pope, and Other Stuff from Around the Web

So, even though Jeremiah Wright's political rants are offensive, I can't judge him, because he's my "brother in Christ" . . .   Wait a minute!  Wright's politics are one thing--and I for one, really don't care what his political views are.  But shouldn't I determine what he "confesses" about Christ before declaring him "my brother."  There's a step missing here somewhere.   Click here: Jeremiah Wright, Evangelicals' Brother in Christ | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

Talk about the ultimate nanny state . . .  Can you imagine living in a nation ruled by Islamic clerics?  But in this case, the Islamic clerics are actually the sane(r) ones, as they pressure their apocalytpic President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to back off in his devotion to the Mahdi (the "hidden Imam") whom Ahmadinejad believes is secretly directing Iran while still hidden in a well.  Click here: Iran clerics rebuke Ahmadinejad over 'hidden imam'

Sorry, but the church is not a family business.  We have the Osteens, the Schullers, and now the Falwells.  Come to think of it, since these are "ministries" and not churches, maybe the family business model does work.  This is what happens when a "ministry" is built on personalities, and the founder either dies, or gets too long in the tooth to continue.  Junior must step up, and take dad's place to keep the ministry going.  That's how family businesses work.  Click here: RNS Feature: "A year later, Falwell sons assume father’s mantle"

 Yup, the Vatican has gone high tech.  Now, you can get your very own text message from Pope Benedict XVI.  Click here: Pope goes digital to better connect with youth | Technology | Reuters

Bibliography for the Study of the Book of Revelation -- Amillennialism 101

Select Bibliography for the Book of Revelation

Introductory Guides to the Book of Revelation

Vern S. Poythress, The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of Revelation (P & R) -- Highly recommended basic guide.  Good background material, theological content.  Best place to start.

Michael Wilcock. The Message of Revelation, The Bible Speaks Today (IVP) -- Part of the IVP “Bible Speaks” series.  Good for personal study.  Includes study/discussion questions.

Commentaries on Revelation

Simon J. Kistemaker, Revelation (Baker) -- Solid Reformed amillennial approach to the text, part of the series of commentaries begun by William Hendricksen.

G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text (Eerdmans) -- The best academic commentary on Revelation in print, period!  But it is for advanced readers and quite expensive.

William Hendricksen, More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation (Baker) -- For many years the Reformed standard, now outdated.

Dennis E. Johnson, Triumph of the Lamb: A Commentary on Revelation (P & R) -- The best all-around commentary on Revelation.  If you plan to buy only one book on Revelation, this should be it.

Specialized Studies

Richard Bauckham, The Theology of the Book of Revelation (Cambridge) --  Very good topical treatment of the major themes running throughout Revelation.

Richard Bauckham, The Climax of Prophecy (T & T Clark) -- For advanced students, very insightful look at some of the structural and theological issues facing the interpreter of Revelation.

Colin Hemer, The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia: In Their Local Settings (Eerdmans) -- Background information on the seven churches.  Updates and replaces Ramsey

Mark Wilson, Charts on the Book of Revelation: Literary, Historical, and Theological Perspectives (Kregel) -- Very helpful material, indeed invaluable.

"Glorious Freedom" -- Romans 8:18-27

The Twenty-Second in a Series of Sermons on Paul's Epistle to the Romans

God will not only save all of those whom he has chosen in Christ, he will also save all creation from the horrible effects of the fall of the human race into sin.  In Romans 8:18-25, Paul’s focus moves from the individual dimension of sanctification to the cosmic dimension.  In the last few sermons, we have seen how God redeems his people “in Christ” by removing from them the curse, condemnation, and bondage to sin.  Now we will see how “in Christ” God redeems all of creation, thereby ensuring glorious freedom for all of God’s people, and all that God has made.

Once again, this section of Romans must be viewed against the backdrop of Paul’s eschatological contrast between the “already/not yet,” between “this age,” and the “age to come,” what we are “in Christ” vs. what we were “in Adam.”  As we saw last time, in Romans 8:17 when Paul wrote–“Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory”–the apostle begins to contrast the suffering associated with this present age with the glory of the age to come.  As believers share in Christ’s suffering, so too, creation groans under our feet.  But for all those in Christ, present suffering will give way to eschatological glory and the creation itself will be liberated from the principle of decay.  God will save his people and God will renew his creation.

A number of commentators point out that according to Paul’s eschatological categories, suffering belongs to “this present evil age” while glory belongs to the “age to come.”  Because of the fall of the human race into sin, suffering is one characteristic of “the already,” while glorification in Christ is the mark of the “not yet.”  Since our suffering will finally come to an end at the second coming of Christ, the Christian’s unquenchable hope in the midst of present suffering is that the glories of the age to come will become a reality on the Day of Christ Jesus.  And yet, Paul’s point is that even in the midst of our sufferings which we must endure in this present evil age, even now, in some way, we participate in the glories of the “not yet” through word and sacrament.  Therefore, the theme of glory and how we participate in it now and how it gives us hope for the future, dominates the balance of this entire chapter.

To read the rest of this sermon,  click here
 

John Hagee, John McCain, and Other Interesting Stuff from Around the Web

I wonder if John McCain would like to rethink getting chummy with John Hagee.  It is bad enough when politicians pander to preachers.  It is far worse when ministers see themselves as political power brokers.  Hagee sure does.   Click here: A Turbulent Pastor | Newsweek Politics: Campaign 2008 | Newsweek.com

Another Bible-based theme park is going to open, this time in Tennessee.  One of the backers is a former photographer for Penthouse Magazine.   Lets hope the other backers don't let this guy design the Garden of Eden portion of the theme park.  Click here: Bible Theme Park backer photographed women for adult magazines | Nashville is Talking

Some things are just wrong.  Neil Diamond wants to be in the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame"?  For "Sweet Caroline?"  Yeah, and Barry Manilow belongs in there as well.   And why hasn't Grand Funk Railroad been inducted?   Click here: NEIL DIAMOND - DIAMOND WANTS HALL OF FAME ACCOLADE

Speaking of music . . .  Be careful not to have coffee or other liquids in your mouth when you scroll through this slide show--the fifty worst album covers of all time.   Posting some of these is just plain cruel.   My vote for the best album cover is ZZ Top's Tres Hombres.   How can you look at the inside of that album cover and not rush out to the local Mexican food establishment for some beans, rice, enchiladas and a cold one?  If you've seen it, and if you remember it, I'll bet you have Mexican for dinner!   Click here: Worst album cover ever? Vote for your least favorite and add some comments -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel.co

Audio from Ken Samples' Academy Lecture Posted

Here's the link to Ken Samples' latest Academy lecture (Friday, May 2). The lecture is entitled, "Man and Animals (Part Two)," and is part of a series on the Image of God.

Here's the MP3 version -- http://links.christreformed.org/realaudio/A20080502-ViewOfMan.mp3

Here's the streaming version -- http://links.christreformed.org/real/20080502.m3u

Who Said That?

"It also seemed good that the Eucharist should not be given to the bodies of the dead.  For it is written:  Take, Eat, but the bodies of the dead can neither take nor eat.  Nor let the ignorance of the presbyters baptize those who are dead."

Leave your guess in the comments section below.  Please, no google searches. 

Update on Sunday, May 4, 2008 at 05:13PM by Kim Riddlebarger

This comes from the Council of Carthage (A. D. 419), Canon XX (Gk).  As some of you noted, Augustine was present.

A Sermon on the Ascension

Here's today's sermon on the Ascension (texts -- Acts 1:1-11 and Daniel 7:9-14)

http://links.christreformed.org/realaudio/KR20080504-Ascension.mp3

The "Evangelical Manifesto" and Other Stuff from Around the Web

From the recent discussion going on over at Augsburg 1530, it sure doesn't look like the LCMS will be bringing back Todd Wilken and Jeff Schwarz.  In fact, the replacement LCMS/KFUO host has been talking about a sermon series on sex (given during Lent).  Boggles the mind. 

Lets hope Todd and Jeff reappear soon with a listener-sponsored program which is no longer beholden to the LCMS/ABlaze folk.  To read all about it,  Click here: Augsburg1530

Be forewarned, the "Evangelical Manifesto" is coming next week.  According to a news release, "the declaration, scheduled to be released Wednesday in Washington, encourages Christians to be politically engaged and uphold teachings such as traditional marriage. But the drafters say evangelicals have often expressed `truth without love,' helping create a backlash against religion during a `generation of culture warring.'  `All too often we have attacked the evils and injustices of others,' they wrote, `while we have condoned our own sins.' They argue, `we must reform our own behavior.'"  We'll see who signs it, and whether or not it is clear about the two kingdoms.  I won't get my hopes up.  Click here: 'Evangelical Manifesto' Ponders Politics - AOL News

Here's a great review of Rev. Danny Hyde's latest book on the Belgic Confession, With Heart and Mouth.   Click here: With Heart and Mouth « Green Baggins

The URCNA finally has its own website.  Not much to look at, but sure better than nothing!  Click here: URCNA.ORG

Finally, the proprietor of this blog has been known to enjoy a good beer on occasion.  That is why I appreciate lists such as the one which can be found here.  Nothing better than a good beer.  Nothing worse than a bad one.  Click here: The world's 10 most disgusting beers - St. Petersburg Times

There's a Blood Moon Coming and Other Interesting Links

Everybody panic!  There's a blood moon a-coming!  Must mean that Jesus is coming back in 2015.  That year solar and lunar eclipses will occur about the same time, near the fall Jewish feast days.  That will keep all the prophecy pundits busy.  Click here: Blood moon eclipses: 2nd Coming in 2015?

Here is a very helpful (and rather long) list of biblical passages which fly in the face of dispensationalism.   Thanks to Monergism for posting this.  Too bad the list is not taken from the ESV--its KJV!  Nevetheless, this is great to give to someone re-thinking their eschatology.   Click here: DISPENSATIONALISM – CATEGORIZED SCRIPTURE LIST

National Geographic recently published a very nice pictorial book on Bible history--apparently, it is quite beautiful.  Too bad they got Genesis 22 wrong.   I didn't know that Eid al-Adha is a "biblical holiday."  You know . . .  the day when Abraham sacrificed Ishamael on Mount Moriah.  Have to add that one to the church calendar.   Click here: The Washington Times, America's Newspaper

No surprise that Muslim converts to Christianity face great pressure and are often persecuted--even in the UK.  Usually, they are not persecuted by the police called to protect them.  But in this case it was the police who called the ex-Muslim a "crusader" and then ordered him to stop calling them.  Meanwhile, the vacant house next door burned down.   Now the UN is involved.  Oh, that will fix everything!  Click here: British Muslim 'bullied' for converting to Christianity -Times Online  

Tonight's Academy Lecture

Ken Samples continues his Academy series entitled: "A Little Lower than the Angels:  The Christian View of Man."  Ken's lecture will be entitled, "The Enigma of Man."

The Academy is held @ Christ Reformed Church in Anaheim, the lecture is free of charge,  and begins @ 7:30 PM.  For more information, Click here: Christ Reformed Info - The Latest News