To start things off, I should note that Episode 6 of Crossway Connected (my church’s monthly podcast) hit the net this week. This month, the episode is thematic, focused on all things related to the Southern Baptist Convention. Doug Brubaker always produces an excellent show. Check it out.
Speaking of Southern Baptists, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary hosted their now annual Expositors Summit. Featuring Albert Mohler, Alistair Begg, and H.B. Charles, Jr. (and multiple breakout sessions), you can find the audio and video here (more will be up soon). Whether you preach or listen to preaching, these are worth your time.
The discussion and debate about the Strange Fire conference and book continues on this week. Thomas Schreiner (professor of New Testament at SBTS) offered an excellent, balanced review of the book while Adrian Warnock attempts a rebuttal to all of the cessationist arguments (part 1, part 2, part 3). I’m not sure he has succeeded. Finally, Mark Driscoll offered an open letter to John MacArthur, which offered some sort of explanation for his shenanigans in the parking lot of the conference.
On a sad note, Doug Phillips just announced that he will be resigning as the president of Vision Forum because of an inappropriate emotional relationship with a woman. This is especially tragic as his entire ministry has been built around strengthening the family. If there is anything positive about this, it is that Phillips has been open about his sin as sin, publicly repented, and has taken the steps to reconcile fully with this family rather than justify his actions in some way.
November is now generally recognized as a time for churches to remember their persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. To jump into the reality of Christian persecution today, check out Joe Carter’s article “9 Things You Should Know About Persecution of Christians in 2013.” You can find more in-depth information on persecution as well as a prayer guide from Voice of the Martyrs.
Jean Williams reminds us that “A Visit Means More than a Text.” In an age of increasingly disconnected relationships, this is a helpful testimony.
From the culture side of things, the government website for signing up for insurance exchanges provided by Affordable Care Act (AKA Obamacare) has been a disaster. If you’re confused by how it works or how it failed, here is an infographic by the New York Times giving some explanation. More than that, they have another graphic showing why some will not be able to keep their current insurance plans.
There were lots of good book deals for Kindle this week. Here are some that are still active along with some new ones: 10 Who Changed the World by Daniel Akin ($2.99); Historical Theology by Gregg Allison ($5.99); The Gagging of God by D. A. Carson ($6.99); Telling the Truth edited by D. A. Carson ($2.99); Worship by the Book by D. A. Carson ($2.99); The Hardest Sermons You’ll Ever Have to Preach by Bryan Chapell ($2.99); Praying Backwards by Bryan Chapell ($2.99); The Word Became Fresh by Dale Ralph Davis ($3.99); PTW: Deuteronomy by Ajith Fernando ($3.99); Breaking the Islam Code by J. D. Greear ($1.99); Christian Beliefs by Wayne Grudem ($3.99); A God-Sized Vision by Collin Hansen & John Woodbridge ($3.79); Center Church by Tim Keller ($8.99); Unleashing the Word by Max McLean ($2.99); Preaching and Preachers by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones ($3.79); PTW: The Song of Solomon by Douglas Sean O’Donnell ($3.99); PTW: Proverbs by Raymond C. Ortlund, Jr ($3.99); Reading the Gospels Wisely by Jonathan Pennington ($4.39); A Walk with God by R. C. Sproul ($4.99); Gospel Coach by Scott Thomas & Tom Wood ($2.99); Broken Down House by Paul David Tripp ($1.99); How to Read the Bible Through the Jesus Lens by Michael James Williams ($2.99).
Finally, Beautiful Eulogy’s new album dropped this week. Called, Instruments of Mercy, it’s an amazingly unique sounding hip-hop album with lyrics that run deep into biblical theology. Get it free through Bandcamp. Here’s a little taste:
MAGNIFY CHRIST 