"The Best of the 80's" -Brings out the "WOW"

This morning I watched, Mike & Mike in the Morning. It is an ESPN radio program that talks about sports. This morning the program's theme was, "Best of  the 80's".

 They interviewed some of the greatest athletes in the 80's such as Larry Bird, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Jim McMahon. They wanted to draw us back to all things in the 80's. They did a fantastic job of bringing my heart back to my childhood. They talked about the best actors, best movies, best songs, best fashions, best sports moments, best teams, best sports calls and the best athletes of the 80's. Since the program is primarily a sports program they drew my in to some great memories. I felt a level of awe of the 80's. There was a short clip of the NBA Dunk Contest. The final 2 of the contest were Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins. They had some spectacular dunks. However, I'll never forget the dunk that won it. It was Michael Jordan jumping from the free throw line to dunk the ball. Every time I watch it I am amazed. It is such a "WOW" I wish I could do that moment. I was full of awe. It seemed like Michael Jordan was in the air for like 5 minutes. He had the opportunity to draw people into his greatness.

That brings me to aim of this article. Today the church has lost the "WOW" of Jesus Christ. We have forgotten that when we walk into sanctuary that we are collectively in the presence of True Greatness. The Pastor needs to remember that he is to draw people to realize that they are in the presence of the Greatest Person in all of History. There is no one more preeminent in history than Jesus Christ. Let us return to the "WOW" of Jesus Christ! Amen?

WHAT IS THE DIARY OF YOUR BIBLE?

* January 15-Been resting for a week. A few nights after the first of the year, my owner opened me, but no more. Another New Year's resolution gone wrong.

* February 3-Owner picked me up and rushed off to Sunday school.

*February 23-Cleaning day. Dusted and put back in my place.

*April 2-Busy day. Owner had to present the lesson at Sunday School. Quickly look up a lot of references.

*May 5-Grandma's in town. Back in her lap. A very comfortable place.

* may 9-She let a tear fall on John 14.

*May 20- Baby born. they wrote his name on one of my pages.

* July 1-Packed in a suitcase. Off for a vacation.

* July 20-Still in the Suitcase. Almost everything else taken out.

* July 25-Home again. Quite a trip. Although I am not sure why I went.

* August 16-Dusted again and put in a prominent place. The Pastor is coming over for dinner.

* August 20- Owner wrote Grandma's death in the Family Record. He left his extra pair of glasses between my pages.

* December 31-Owner just found his glasses. I wonder if he will make any new resolutions this year about me.

IF YOUR BIBLE COULD WRITE A DIARY ABOUT YOU THIS LAST YEAR, WHAT WOULD IT SAY?

"Who's laughing now, Voltaire?"

There was this French infidel named Voltaire who lived in the 1700's. He really wasn't to keen on the Bible. He really did not enjoy the Bible. He really had a big-time issue with the Bible. He predicted that within a 100 years of his lifetime that the only place that you would find a Bible would be in a museum. The point he was trying to make is that the Bible's message would no longer be vogue, or that it would be totally yesterday's news. People would move on, and move on to more current and helpful spirituality. 

However, Jesus so has a profound sense of humor, and He was going to personally prove it. Instead within 50 years of Voltaire's death, in 1778, the Geneva Bible Society purchased Voltaire's home for a printing press. They used his printing press to print Bibles. Jesus certainly had the last Word on the issue. Isaiah writes, "The Grass withers, The flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8). No matter what man says or does, he cannot thwart God's unalterable purposes. The testimony of the Word of Jesus Christ is such a confidence booster. It's internal evidence gets Voltaire. The Bible is inspired by God (II Timothy 3:15-16). Think about this. God breathed His Word into 40 people. These 40 people could not be more diverse. Some were shepherds, some were political leaders, doctors, tax collectors, religious leaders and fishermen. These people lived over a period of about 1,500 years. The writers had absolutely zero contradictions in their books, and they all were connected to and by Jesus Christ. The ability for us to get 40 different authors from various walks of life over period of 1,500 years and have no contradictions. If I were to take 4 people and have them watch a car accident, and I promise you that they will have inconsistencies. It would be impossible for me to do this. Oh yes, but with Jesus all things are possible. It was not difficult for Jesus at all. Voltaire is one man that tried to attack the greatness of the Bible, and he mocked the Bible. Who's laughing now Voltaire? "He Who sits in the heavens laughs: the Lord hods them in derision"(Psalm 2:4). Thank you Jesus for proving Voltaire wrong, and for graciously saving me!

Common Sense by Glenn Beck

Glenn Beck is a program that is on Fox news Monday through Friday (4-5pm CST).  I'm reading his book titled, Glenn Beck's Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-Of-Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine. It is a good read. It is #1 on New York Times Best Seller's List. He has help me realize how out of control our Government is. He did a survey of several key issues. First, the goal of our politicians is not that they work for us, but that they will do whatever it takes to stay in office. Second, I learned that our President's 2009 spending was projected to produce a deficit of $1,700,000,000,000, that is $4.657 billion every day, to break that down even more that is $53,906.64 per second. That is a lot of money! I will not make that much in a year. It just shows how out of control the spending of our Government really is, and that is incredible! Get the book, read it! But remember, the follower of Jesus Christ is sovereign. He is way above our Government. AMEN!

God Wrote A Book

I want to challenge you to read this book. Mark Barlow and myself challenged Mark Driscoll to read this book and now it is his top books for Hermeneutics. Please read this book if you truly love the Bible. To love the Bible is to love Jesus Christ. James MacDonald does a wonderful, witty, engaging and humorous job in this book. I have given a few links below for further information.

Walk In The Word's Website (James MacDonald) 

Book Link:

(http://store.walkintheword.com/p-707-god-wrote-a-book.aspx)

God wrote a book. There’s something very powerful in that simple statement---especially when you realize He wrote it to you and me, sharing His thoughts and His heart with each one of us.

But not everyone believes that. In fact, you’ve probably been asked why you are so bent on following God’s book . . . believing it and doing what it says. For those times, here’s affirmation to bolster your faith and a reasonable response for you to give to others who are asking legitimate, intelligent questions about what the Bible is and what it can do for them.

Audio Sermon Series Link:

(http://store.walkintheword.com/p-1070-god-wrote-a-book-how-to-study-trust-and-defend-the-bible.aspx  )

CD Series Details:

God wrote a book...to you and me. Isn't that incredible? The Creator of the universe, the Lord of life sharing His thoughts and His heart with each one of us who seeks the treasures of His Word. How often we neglect to do that! This series gives us confidence in the origin of the Bible and why the application of its truths is all we need to live our day to day lives successfully. It also provides clear answers to those who ask why we depend on God's Word for the answers we need. 

Messages in this series:

Why I Believe in the Bible	Isaiah 40:8
Where Did the Bible Come From?	Various
What is the Bible Good For?	Psalm 19:7-11
How to Benefit From the Bible	Jeremiah 15:16

The Resurgence Website (Mark Driscoll) (http://theresurgence.com/Great_Books_Bible_Study_and_Theology)

Grace and I have personally benefited from the following books; they are easy to read and are among the best in their areas of instruction. We have recommended these books many times over the years and have purchased many copies for our friends.

Bibles and Bible Study

Children's Bible
The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name (Zondervan, 2007) by Sally Lloyd-Jones

Inerrancy
God Wrote a Book (Crossway, 2004) by James MacDonald

I Don't Get It?

What is up with this huge affection for the "Church Fathers"? I appreciate John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards and many others. They are out of this world I wish I could be like that kind of a guy. However, they had their time. We have ours! I was not born in 1509 like John Calvin. I was born in 1977. I live in a world that is so not like John Calvin and Jonathan Edwards. My fear is that we are developing an unhealthy admiration for these men. I do not believe that Jonathan Edwards is the greatest American mind in the history of evangelicalism. My thought is this. Instead of reading his giant two-volume work. I did read it, and it took me two years to work through it. Get your nose into the Text. The reformation is over. We live in an anti-doctrinal age, more importantly an anti-Biblical age. So instead of reading 1500's let us live in 2008.

I want to challenge you. Do a word search in the Bible, and I guarantee you will not find the name John Calvins or Jonathan Edwards in the Bible. I am not against "Reformed Theology" or "Calvinism". Why do we have to label ourselves as "Reformed" or "Calvinistic". I heard John Piper say that the value of being a Reformed person is that, "Not a bird falls from the sky without your heavenly father knowing it". That is a value that is achieved from being a student of God's word. I believe that everything is ordained by a Sovereign God! That does not make me Reformed, but Exegetical.

In conclusion, I am so thankful for John Calvin, Edwards and others. I am just concerned for a lot today that hold too tightly to their words, and not the Holy Text. My aim is to help us question our love for the Text. Let us be better students of the Word and not man!

Michael Jackson is gone, and so are some Christians!!!

We have all heard that Michael Jackson has died. The King of Pop is gone. America has lost another icon. One of the thoughts that I cannot get out of my mind is where will he be for eternity. Amy and I put on our facebook status to pray for the Jackson family. That comment brought out a lot of comments and most were very sinful because they lacked love. The scripture is clear that when we lack love sin is our motivation. The comments made me ashamed of the statements of these Christians. A lot of pious comments like, "Good, the child molester deserved to die." I was appalled by those comments. I thought, "Without the grace of God we would all be finished!" The only difference between Michael Jackson and the follower of Jesus Christ is grace. Not only that... We don't know if he ever gave his life to Jesus Christ. Only Jesus Christ knows, and we need to pray for his family. That maybe by his death, that Jesus Christ would draw some of them to Himself.

Michael Jackson is arguably one of the most well know figures in the history of the world. He was also a very troubled individual. He had very few people in his life that actually cared for him. When I watched him, I noticed that he seemed a lot like a child. There seemed to be a lot of layers to his personhood. He seemed different from your average Joe. He was creative, talented, gifted and a world icon. However, he died at 50 years old. He has not lived a day longer or shorter according to the sovereign plan of Jesus Christ. He has gone on into eternity.

To us Christians who are cheering about his death... Shame on us, period! He is just like us, and he desperately needed the grace of Jesus Christ. Have we left our reason for why we were saved? Grace! Read Ephesians 2:8-10, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." That is the reason why we are Christians or followers of Jesus Christ. Do not judge Michael Jackson. The key between a follower of Jesus Christ and Michael Jackson... GRACE! So let us get over ourselves, and if we can't then we are gone, period!

Temple Worship! Redemptively Speaking! Questions That I am thinking of from the Gospel of John.

What is temple worship? How does temple worship flow in the metanarrative in the Bible? How does temple worship flow from the Father to the Son? How does the Spirit make the disciples the new locus of temple worship? Lastly, what are the applicable truths of the believers being the locus of temple worship?  If you have any thoughts, PLEASE COMMENT!!! THE TEXT IS TOO IMPORTANT TO NOT QUERY IT!!! AMEN!?

Remember The Rowboats

Your marriage, like two rowboats meant to be together, will slowly and subtly drift apart unless you are well anchored. Tying your boats together with the bonds of commitment, togetherness, and well planned love will also help to drift proof your marriage. Please join us! Become one of the Lord's marriages that will go the distance and make a difference in the lives of those who know you. This book includes both small group discussion questions after each chapter and a personal journal at the end of the book. The book and its format are excellent for small group friendship building and growth, for couple to couple mentoring, for pastoral counseling, and pre-marital training.

"Jim and Barbara are seasoned in their love for God and how that translates to their marriage relationship. Remember the Rowboats book is a living testament to their passion and calling to deepen and enrich Godly marriages." 
- Josh McDowell

"If you're looking for a book on building your marriage that is forged out of the fire of personal experience, Remember the Rowboats is for you. It's solid, helpful, practical, biblical advice on keeping it all together when everything is falling apart. The chapter "Oars and Life Jackets" is worth the whole book."
- Dr. Woodrow Kroll 
President and senior bible teacher of Back to the Bible 

"If you're looking for an authentic book about marriage and family, you've found it. Jim and Barbara peal back the veneer and give it to you straight - real people living real life, but with real solutions.
- Dennis Rainey, President of Family Life 

Big Truths for Young Hearts: Teaching and Learning the Greatness of God by Dr. Bruce Ware

Big Truths for Young Hearts is a needful book for the Christian Parent that wants to raise his/her child with some depth in the Word of God. This book is also great for anyone who wants to get the basics down for Christian Theology.  Dr. Bruce Ware loved to hunt when he was younger. He and his wife had two daughters and no sons. So he decided to sell his guns to give his daughter what matters most. A theological foundation! He would teach his daughters in the car, at bedtime and whenever he found time to teach them what he loved most. This should infuse in each of us to look at our priorities to see what is most valuable. The Word of Jesus Christ or our hobbies? With that in mind, I want to wholeheartedly recommend this book to you.

This is what the website at Crossway states about this new book by Dr. Bruce Ware and also some endorsements:

Equips parents to guide their young children through all major doctrines in an understandable, chapter-a-day format.

Sure, it’s easy to teach your children the essentials of Christian theology when you’re a theology professor. But what about the rest of us?

With Big Truths for Little Hearts, Bruce Ware, (you guessed it!) a theology professor, encourages and enables parents of children 6–14 years of age to teach through the whole of systematic theology at a level their children can understand. Parents can teach their children the great truths of the faith and shape their worldviews early, based on these truths.

The book covers ten topics of systematic theology, devoting several brief chapters to each subject, making it possible for parents to read one chapter per day with their children. With this non-intimidating format, parents will be emboldened to be their children’s primary faith trainers—and perhaps learn a few things themselves along the way.

---

“A theologically rich resource to aid parents in training their children. Anyone who wants to help children grow in their love for Jesus and understanding of the Bible needs this book.”
Mark Driscoll, Pastor of Mars Hill Church, Seattle; President of Acts 29 and The Resurgence

“This is a great book for children and their parents on the classic doctrines of the faith. I heartily recommend it to every parent!”
Dennis Rainey, President, FamilyLife 

“My conversion and discipleship as a young girl were significantly influenced by my parents reading to our family a book that taught biblical doctrine to children in a systematic way. The church today must be intentional in passing on to the next generation the core and precious beliefs on which our Christian faith rests. To neglect that responsibility is to leave those who come behind us vulnerable to every wind of (false) doctrine and to risk their rejecting our faith altogether. Big Truths for Young Hearts is a rich resource for parents, teachers, and others who care about helping the next generation know and love God and his ways. In addition to being a theology course for children and young people, it is also a great refresher course for adults.”
Nancy Leigh DeMoss, author; host of Revive Our Hearts radio broadcast

“Imagine a respected theologian devoting himself to training a new generation of pastors and scholars in the seminary classroom. Now imagine him driving home at night to teach that profound theology in simple terms to his children at their bedsides. Now imagine this father compiling those bedside conversations into a book available to all pastors, parents, and children alike. Imagine no more. My friend Dr. Bruce Ware has done it.”
C. J. Mahaney, Sovereign Grace Ministries 

“I praise God that this book has been written and that a person of Bruce Ware’s theological stature has taken seriously the potential of theological training in the first two decades of life. Although this tool can serve different instructional venues, I cannot help but see the gift this is to Christian parents and to dads in particular who are charged with the spiritual instruction of their children. The foreword alone is worth the price of this book and more than enough inspiration to follow Bruce’s example in the faithful instruction of his two daughters. What Christian father would not want to be remembered by his adult children as a man who loved the gospel and who faithfully imparted the truth on which they now firmly stand. Dear brothers, imagine the impact on future generations if our children could grasp what has taken some of us decades to understand. Take this beautifully written, Bible-saturated, God-centered, theologically comprehensive summary of the truth and teach it diligently to your children, and until your children leave your home talk of it when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.”
David Michael, Pastor for Parenting and Family Discipleship, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis

The Pack is Back!

Just a thought about my favorite sport and my favorite team. The Packers! Last year they lost a lot of close games that were very close. It was not because of the offense. They 2008 Green Bay Packers had an incredible offense. The defense couldn't stop anyone. This year they have transition from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 defense. I think that they will be vastly improved from last year. First they have 2 of the best shut-down corners, very solid safeties and a linebacker group that is getting deeper. They also drafted 2 first-rounders for the defensive side of the team. I believe that they will win the division, and if they can get this new 3-4 defensive scheme work. They can be a pretty tough team in the playoffs. 

Read Philip Graham Ryken's Commentaries!!!

I have to recommend these five commentaries. They are all written by Philip Graham Ryken. Two of them are in R. Kent Hughes series, Preaching the Word, and the other three are in the Reformed Expository Commentary series.  

1. Exodus (Preaching the Word)

     -Ryken does an incredible job of connecting the Passover to Jesus Christ. You can't help but t        to fall in love with Jesus Christ in this commentary. It is clear and easy to follow

2. Jeremiah and Lamentations (Preaching the Word)

     -In his commentary, Ryken show the connection of the book of Jeremiah and the book of             John. You can't help but to see the Old Testament Shepherd VS. the New Testament                     Shepherd.

3. Luke 2 Volumes (Reformed Expository Commentary)-Great Literary Themes!

4. Galatians (Reformed Expository Commentary)-Theologically Solid.

5. I Timothy (Reformed Expository Commentary)-Very Pastoral

*I may be biased! But I find his commentaries very helpful for a pastor who love the Word and has a Theological mind. Also for the student of God's Word, who wants to see how the Bible connects to everyday life.

Some More Book Recommendations!!!

1. Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ, By John Piper.

-This is a must read! Especially the chapter on the Lion-Lamb aspects of the Person of Jesus Christ! This book will take you profoundly into the excellencies of Jesus Christ. 

Influential books

Casey O'Dell's Top Books:

A. Theology

1. Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem

2. Abraham's Four Seeds, John Reisinger

3. Christ in the Shadow of the Law of Moses, Vern S. Poythress

4. New Covenant Theology, Steve Lehrer

5. Christ For Real, Charles Price

6. Gripped by the Greatness of God, James MacDonald

7. Knowing God, J.I. Packer

8. The Holiness of God, R.C. Sproul

9. Foundations of The Christian Faith, James M. Boice

10. Concise Theology, J.I. Packer

11. The Unfolding Mystery, Edmund Clowney

12. According to Plan, Graeme Goldsworthy

13. The Doctrines That Divide, Erwin Lutzer

14. The Doctrine of God, John Frame

15. Symphonic Theology, Vern Poythress

16. Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility, D.A. Carson

17. Chosen For Life, Sam Storms

18. Interpreting the Pauline Epistles, Thomas Schreiner

19. Now That's a Good Question, R.C. Sproul

20. The Cross and Salvation, Bruce Demarest

21. Christian Theology, Millard Erickson

22. The Holy Spirit, Donald Bloesch

23. Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, Bruce Ware

24. Him We Proclaim, Dennis Johnson

25. The Doctrines of Grace, Ryken and Boice

B. Christian Living

1. Don't Waste Your Life, John Piper

2. I am not but I know I Am, Louie Giglio

3. I Really Want to Change...So Help Me God, James MacDonald

4. Jesus on Trial, Boice and Ryken

5. Loving Christ, Joseph Stowell

6. The Great Work of The Gospel, John Ensor

7. Holiness By Grace, Bryan Chapell

8. The Gospel for Real Life, Jerry Bridges

9. Can God Bless America, John MacArthur

10. Simply Jesus And You, Joseph Stowell

11. In Light of Eternity, Randy Alcorn

12. Life is a Vapor, John Piper

13. The Cross Centered Life, C.J. Mahaney

14. Christ Our Mediator, C.J. Mahaney

15. Saved From What?, R.C. Sproul

16. The Grace and Truth Paradox, Randy Alcorn

17. Convergence, Sam Storms

18. The Singing of God, Sam Storms

19. What Angels Wish They Knew, Alistair Begg

20. Credo, Ray Pritchard

21. Trusting God, Jerry Bridges

22. Our Sufficiency In Christ, John MacArthur

23. The Weight of Your Words, Joseph Stowell

24. Too Good To Be True, Michael S. Horton

25. Classic Christianity, Bob George

C. Commentaries

1. NINCT The Epistles To The Romans, Douglas Moo

2. Preaching The Word Commentary on Exodus, Philip Graham Ryken

3. Triumph of the Lamb, Dennis Johnson

4. Preaching The Word Commentary on Genesis, R. Kent Hughes

5. The Gospel According To John, D.A. Carson

6. The Justification of God, John Piper

7. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries Colossians and Philemon, N.T. Wright

8. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries I Peter, Wayne Grudem

9. The NIV Application Commentary, 2 Peter and Jude, Douglas Moo

10. The Cross and the Christian Ministry, D.A. Carson

11. Commentary On The New Testament Use Of The Old Testament, Leale & Carson

12. Reformed Expositor's Commentary, Galatians, Philip Graham Ryken

13. The Letter of James, Douglas Moo

14. Basic for Believers, D.A. Carson

15. Holman Old Testament Commentary on Job, Steven J. Lawson

16. Holman Old Testament Commentary on Psalms (2 Volumes), Steven J. Lawson

17. That You May Believe, Skip Ryan

18. The Battle for The Beginning, John MacArthur

19. The Hope of Glory (A Devotional Commentary on Colossians), Sam Storms

20. The Message of The Old Testament, Mark Dever

21. The Message of The New Testament, Mark Dever

22. Studies In The Sermon On The Mount, Martin Lloyed Jones

23. Poet & Peasant And Through Peasant Eyes (A Literary- Cultural Approach to The Parables in Luke)Kenneth E. Bailey

24. The Expositor's Bible Commentary on Matthew, D.A. Carson

25. Reformed Expositor's Commentary on Hebrews, Richard D. Philips

E. Preaching and Pastoral Ministry

1. Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, John Piper

2. Pastoral Ministry, John MacArthur

3. Preaching, John MacArthur

4. Counseling, John MacArthur

5. Preach the Word, Leland Ryken

6. Shepherding the Church in the 21st Century, Joseph Stowell

7. Christ-Centered Preaching, Bryan Chapell

8. Biblical Preaching, Haddon Robinson

9. The Expository Genius of John Calvin, Steven J. Lawson

10. Famine In The Land, Steven J. Lawson

11. The Supremacy of God in Preaching, John Piper

12. Feed my Sheep, Various authors

13. On Being a Pastor, Alistair Begg

14. Preaching the Cross, Mark Dever and various authors

15. From the Front Lines, Joseph Stowell

F. Books on Marriage and the Family

1. Courageous Parenting, Jack Graham

2. Shepherding a Child's Heart, Tedd Tripp

3. Never Walk Away, Crawford Loritts

4. Building Strong Families, Dennis Rainey

5. Seven Words to Change Family... Before it is Too Late, James MacDonald

6. Family Driven Faith, Voddie Bauchman Jr.

7. The Legacy, Steven J. Lawson

8. Family Survival In An X-Rated World, Adrian Rogers

9. The Most Important Place on Earth, Robert Wolgemuth

10. Lasting Love, Alistair Begg

11. Different by Design, John MacArthur

12. Love that Lasts, Gary & Betsy Ricucci

13. Each For The Other, Bryan Chapell

14. Marriage Connection, Greg Laurie

15. Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart, John Ensor

16. Sex God, Rob Bell

17. Intimate Marriage, R.C. Sproul

18. Love, Sex, and lasting Relationships, Chip Ingram

19. I, Isaac, Take Thee, Rebekah, Ravi Zacharias

20. The Purity Principle, Randy Alcorn

G. Hermeneutics

1. God Wrote a Book, James MacDonald

2. Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics, Graeme Goldsworthy

3. The Cannon of Scripture, F.F. Bruce

4. Scripture and Truth, Carson and Woodbridge

5. God's Word, J.I. Packer

6. Interpreting the New Testament, Darrel Bock

7. Can We Trust The Gospels, Mark D. Roberts

8. Exegetical Fallacies, D.A. Carson

9. Translating Truth, Wayne Grudem

10. Pierced by the Word, John Piper

11. How To Study The Bible, John MacArthur

H. Books on the Church

1. The Deliberate Church, Mark Dever

2. Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, Mark Dever

3. Stop Dating the Church, Joshua Harris

4. The Church, Edmund Clowney

5. City on a Hill, Philip Graham Ryken

6. From Sabbath to Lord's Day, D.A. Carson

7. The Master's Plan for The Church, John MacArthur

8. Recruiting Volunteers in Church, Mark Senter

9. Fan the Flame, Joseph Stowell

10. The Church: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic, Philip Graham Ryken and Mark Dever

I. Apologetics and Culture

1. Think Biblically, John MacArthur

2. The Gagging of God, D.A. Carson

3. Culture Shift, R. Albert Mohler

4. Beyond Opinion, Ravi Zacharias

5. The Trouble with Jesus, Joseph M. Stowell

6. How should We Then Live, Francis Schaeffer

7. No Place for Truth, David Wells

8. God in The Wastelands, David Wells

9. Losing our Virtues, David Wells

10. Above All Earthly Pow'rs, David Wells

11. Truth War, John MacArthur

12. Velvet Elvis, Rob Bell
J. Top Study Bibles and Translations
----Study Bibles:
1. The ESV Study Bible
2. The Reformation Study Bible
3. The MacArthur Study Bible
4. The Literary Study Bible

----Bible Translations:
1. The English Standard Version of the Bible
2. The New American Standard Version of the Bible
3. The New King James Version of the Bible
4. The King James Version of the Bible
5. The Holman Christian Standard Version of the Bible

ESV Translation Principles

Translation Philosophy

The ESV is an “essentially literal” translation that seeks as far as possible to capture the precise wording of the original text and the personal style of each Bible writer. As such, its emphasis is on “word-for-word” correspondence, at the same time taking into account differences of grammar, syntax, and idiom between current literary English and the original languages. Thus it seeks to betransparent to the original text, letting the reader see as directly as possible the structure and meaning of the original.

In contrast to the ESV, some Bible versions have followed a “thought-for-thought” rather than “word-for-word” translation philosophy, emphasizing “dynamic equivalence” rather than the “essentially literal” meaning of the original. A “thought-for-thought” translation is of necessity more inclined to reflect the interpretive opinions of the translator and the influences of contemporary culture.

Every translation is at many points a trade-off between literal precision and readability, between “formal equivalence” in expression and “functional equivalence” in communication, and the ESV is no exception. Within this framework we have sought to be “as literal as possible” while maintaining clarity of expression and literary excellence.

Therefore, to the extent that plain English permits and the meaning in each case allows, we have sought to use the same English word for important recurring words in the original; and, as far as grammar and syntax allow, we have rendered Old Testament passages cited in the New in ways that show their correspondence. Thus in each of these areas, as well as throughout the Bible as a whole, we have sought to capture the echoes and overtones of meaning that are so abundantly present in the original texts.

As an essentially literal translation, then, the ESV seeks to carry over every possible nuance of meaning in the original words of Scripture into our own language. As such, it is ideally suited for in-depth study of the Bible. Indeed, with its emphasis on literary excellence, the ESV is equally suited for public reading and preaching, for private reading and reflection, for both academic and devotional study, and for Scripture memorization.

What is the Blessing behind the Veil that is being Lifted in Revelation 1:1-3?

How is the book of Revelation to be interpreted? Is it to be interpreted in a order of chronology? A book of Worship? Is it a book of eschatology? One thing that we do know with absolute certainty is that the book of Revelation is about the Unveiling of Jesus Christ. If we get out our rapture charts and are Eschatological grids, then we have missed the point of the book of Revelation, thus making our Hermeneutical-motivation wrong. The point I'm trying to make is that if we come to the book of Revelation trying to prove our Eschatological Interpretaion then we have been duped into a wrong understanding of Revelation. My prayer is that we do Luke 24:44-45, "Then He said to them, 'These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.' My fear is that many of you will say, I agree with you. Then, you go back to Revelation and still try to fill out your brackets like you do during March Madness.

My prayers is for us all to have our minds opened up to understand that the Bible is all about unveiling the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. Let's remember that He is the focal point of the Scriptures. Since the point of the Bible is to unveil Jesus Christ in every part. Then, Revelation (Whatever else it is) is the culmination of unveiling Jesus Christ, and that is why we are blessed when we read it. The difficulty of understand the book as the Apostle John says is not rooted in figuring out our eschatology brackets and charts. The blessing (1:3) is not based on getting your chart filled out, but your heart opened as Jesus removes the veil of All that He is. Paul elucidates this point in his first letter to the Church at Corinth when he says, "For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away... For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known" (I Corinthians 13:9-10, 12). The blessing that John is telling us is that Jesus will be 100% unveiled and He will be fully known. We will see Him face to face. At that time we will get it. We will know fully what John was trying to tell us in Revelation. We will see His nail pierced hands as a constant reminder that all of our sins have been atoned for. That is the blessing in Revelation. Really it is the blessing of the entire narrative in the Bible. Jesus is the culmination of Genesis 1:1 and here is the blessing, "Surely I am coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen." WOW!