Blogs

The Character of the Christian: Gentle | Tim Challies
“To be gentle is to be tender, humble, and fair, to know what posture and response is fitting for any occasion. It indicates a graciousness, a desire to extend mercy to others, and a desire to yield to both the will of God and the preferences of other people. Such gentleness will be expressed first in the home and only subsequently in the church. It is a rare trait, but one we know and love when we see and experience it.”

Sanctification By Faith | Patrick Ramsey, Meet the Puritans
“Doubt concerning the sanctifying power of God is a spiritual killer. If a marathon runner doubts he will be able to make it to the finish line then there is a good chance he will quit the race when it is hard. Likewise, if a Christian husband doubts he can love his wife, then there is a good chance that he will eventually give up trying. Faith in Christ for sanctification needs to kick into high gear when running the Christian race is hard. Christians need to believe that they are able to obey the Lord in order to obey the Lord. ”

Handling Old Testament Quotes in Preaching – Part 2 | Peter Mead, Biblical Preaching
“Yesterday we started with two basic, but important, points – read the Old Testament a lot, and go back to check the source of the quote (don’t just assume you get what is going on).  Let’s build on that with some exegetical thoughts for our benefit, then next time we can ponder how to preach these passages…”

Today’s Lessons from Yesterday’s Reformation | Harry Reeder, In Perspective
“One of the reasons I enjoy taking people on historical tours is the experience of watching them ‘getting insight while they are onsite.’ On previous Reformation Tours three ‘insights’ while being ‘onsite’ not only captured my attention but subsequently influenced my approach to ministry and have actually become even more influential in the challenge of doing Gospel ministry in today’s world. First I need to document five observations to frame these ‘insights’ from yesterday to affirm their ‘onsite’ importance for today.”

The Development of the Bible: An Interview with Michael Kruger | Ligonier.org
“As president of a Reformed seminary, what do you consider to be the greatest spiritual challenges that future pastors face in the United States and in the world? How can they prepare for those challenges?”

Seven Reasons Men Have a Right to Speak Out Against Abortion | Daniel Hoffman, Desiring God
“In the fight over abortion, some claim that men have no right to an opinion on the matter. This is about a woman’s choice and health, they say; men have no grounds to speak into the issue like women.”

The New Mandate of Allowing Women in All Combat Units – Part 1 | Harry Reeder, In Perspective
“Responding to the immorality, tragic insanity, and irrational absurdity of sending our wives and daughters into combat and three egalitarian myths.”

Kindle Deals

Hell Is Real (But I Hate to Admit It) by Brian Jones (Free). By a pastor who used to deny the existence of hell.

8 Crucial Realities by Lissa Raines ($0.99)

Praying Backwards: Transform Your Prayer Life by Beginning in Jesus’ Name by Bryan Chapell ($1.99)

Tributes to John Calvin: A Celebration of His Quincentenary (Calvin 500) by David Hall ($1.99)

The Faith of Ronald Reagan by Mary Beth Brown ($1.99)

Video

The Old Testament Told in Only 5 Minutes

Jesus said, “If you ask anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14:14). 

That cannot mean that if we attach “in Jesus’ name” to any prayer request we are guaranteed to get it – it’s not a magic spell.

Neither can it mean that if we neglect to say “in Jesus’ name” our prayers will not be answered – no prayer in the Bible contains these specific words.

So what does it mean? We use it often enough at the close of most of our prayers, and yet do we know what we’re saying?

1. It is to pray as a believer in Christ’s name

The words immediately preceding the promises in verses 13-14 are addressed to believers:

“Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me, or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves” (v. 11)

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in me, the works that I do he will do also (v. 12).

Jesus gives the promises of verses 13-14 to those who believe in His name, who see His name as the only one under heaven that can save them.

2. It is to pray as someone who honors Christ’s name

The sons of Sceva used Christ’s name without loving Christ’s name. They used it in a careless and irreverent way, and suffered painful and embarrassing consequences (Acts 19:11-20). To me it’s a miracle we don’t see today’s “Prosperity  Gospel” preachers stripped bare before their churches as they abuse Christ’s name for their own gain.

Those who truly pray in Christ’s name, count it more valuable and worthy than any other name in the world.

3. It is to pray for what would increase Christ’s fame

“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13).

To pray in Christ’s name is to pray for whatever would increase the fame of Christ.

4. It is to pray in communion with Christ

The words that follow the promises of John 14:13-14 describe those who are living in communion with Christ – He in them and they in Him. In the next chapter the need for living communion with Christ is again underlined in connection with prayer:

“If you abide in Me….you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7).

5. It is to pray as if Christ was doing the asking

“…if my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7).

What’s envisaged here is that Christ’s words have percolated so deeply into the soul, that they become the believers words. The believer is so conditioned and controlled by Christ’s Word that he or she can hardly help but pray Christ’s words back to Him. Praying in Christ’s name is coming to Christ with Christ’s own desires.

6. It is to pray with confidence in Christ’s name

When we pray in Christ’s name, we are saying, “I have no confidence in my own name, my own character, my own merits.” We are saying, “We have complete confidence in Christ’s name to give us access and authority in prayer.”

“In Jesus’ name” is more than a full stop or a comma. It’s a phrase freighted with significance and power. Let’s use it more knowledgeably, reverently, and confidently.

One of the privileges of working at PRTS is the weekly arrival of new books to supplement our library of 70,000+ books. Here are the new picks this week.

Inclusion in the library does not necessarily mean endorsement of contents. We often have to buy books to help students with specialist theses and also to train students to think critically. Also note that new to the library does not mean a new book on the market.

Defenders of the Unborn: The Pro-Life Movement before Roe v. Wade by Daniel K. Williams

“In Defenders of the Unborn, Daniel K. Williams reveals the hidden history of the pro-life movement in America, showing that a cause that many see as reactionary and anti-feminist began as a liberal crusade for human rights. ”

Proven Men: The 12-Week Study to a Proven Path to Sexual Integrity by Joel Hesch

Companion study guide to Proven Men: A Proven Path to Sexual Integrity; Help with Pornography, Masturbation or Sex Addiction from a Biblical Perspective.

The Power of God: A Jonathan Edwards Commentary on the Book of Romans edited by Lovi and Westerhoff

“…nearly everything the great American puritan Jonathan Edwards (1703–58) ever wrote on the book of Romans. It is collated into a verse-by-verse Bible commentary. Pastors, theologians, historians, and Bible study leaders will find a treasure of biblical insight along with practical application, as one of the great theologians of the Christian church expounds the book that Martin Luther called the ‘most important piece in the New Testament.’”

Church with Jesus as the Hero by David E. Prince and Ashland Staff

“The goal of this simple book is to help Christians gain a Jesus-centered, gospel-focused mentality while reading and applying the Scripture and living together in the community of the church. Consider the book a quick start guide to help create a Christ-centered life and ministry trajectory.”

The Allure of Gentleness: Defending the Faith in the Manner of Jesus by Dallas Willard

“When Christians share their faith, they often appeal to reason, logic, and the truth of doctrine. But these tactics often are not effective. A better approach to spread Christ’s word, Dallas Willard suggests, is to use the example of our own lives. To demonstrate Jesus’s message, we must be transformed people living out a life reflective of Jesus himself, a life of love, humility, and gentleness.”

The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance—Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters by Sinclair Ferguson

“Since the days of the early church, Christians have wrestled with the relationship between law and gospel. If, as the apostle Paul says, salvation is by grace and the law cannot save, what relevance does the law have for Christians today?”

The Eyes of Your Heart: Literary and Theological Trajectories of Imagining Biblically (Paternoster Theological Monographs) by Alison Searle

“This book develops a theory of imagining biblically that explores the contributions scripture can make to a new way of thinking about creativity, reading, interpretation, and criticism.”

Jonathan Edwards’s Vision of Reality: The Relationship of God to the World, Redemption History, and the Reprobate by John J. Bombaro

“Jonathan Edwards’s Vision of Reality substantiates that Edwards, in an effort to combat deistic and materialistic Enlightenment paradigms, employs dispositions in his philosophy, but that his radical theocentrism and Calvinistic particularism established its boundaries within his apologetical reconsideration of spatiotemporal and metaphysical reality.”

Literal Figures: Puritan Allegory and the Reformation Crisis in Representation by Thomas H. Luxon

“Literal Figures is the most important work on John Bunyan to appear in many years, and a significant contribution to the history and theory of representation… Thomas Luxon presents detailed analyses of key moments in the Reformation crisis of representation.”

Adoptive Youth Ministry (Youth, Family, and Culture): Integrating Emerging Generations into the Family of Faith edited by Chap Clark

“Chap Clark, one of the leading voices in youth ministry today, brings together twenty-four experts from a variety of denominations and traditions to offer a comprehensive introduction to adoptive youth ministry, a theologically driven, academically grounded, and practical youth ministry model.”

A Question of Consensus: The Doctrine of Assurance after the Westminster Confession by Jonathan Master

“From the very earliest days after its completion in 1646, the Westminster Confession’s position on assurance has been a subject of controversy. In this exciting new work, Jonathan Master considers the Westminster Confession’s statements on assurance as a position of consensus among a diversity of viewpoints.”

Singing and the Imagination of Devotion: Vocal Aesthetics in Early English (Studies in Christian History and Thought) by Susan Brown

“Singing and the Imagination of Devotion examines a common activity-singing-which is often taken for granted. This study reveals a previously unexplored source of aesthetic theory for anyone interested in music, worship, and the interface of Christianity and the arts…”

J. I. Packer: An Evangelical Life by Leland Ryken

“Over the last sixty years, J. I. Packer has exerted a steady and remarkable influence on evangelicalism. In this biography, well-known scholar Leland Ryken acquaints us with Packer’s life, heart, and mind, tracing the outworking of God’s sovereign plan through his childhood, intellectual pursuits, and professional life.”

Lifting Hearts to the Lord: Worship with John Calvin in Sixteenth-Century Geneva by Karin Maag

“Bringing together a rich range of primary sources — images, liturgies, sermons, letters, eyewitness accounts, and Genevan consistory records — this book examines worship as it was taught and practiced in John Calvin’s Geneva.”

The Pastor and Counseling: The Basics of Shepherding Members in Need by Jeremy Pierre and Deepak Reju

“Written to help pastors and church leaders understand the basics of biblical counseling, this book provides an overview of the counseling process from the initial meeting to the final session. It also includes suggestions for cultivating a culture of discipleship within a church and four appendixes featuring a quick checklist, tips for taking notes, and more.”

Blogs

Marriage and Ministry | Ed Stetzer, The Exchange
“Although most of the doomsday stats about pastors are not true (that they all hate the ministry and want to quit), ministry does put stress on a marriage. In my most stream-of-consciousness column ever, allow my to share a few things that Donna and I have seen after almost thirty years of a ministry marriage.”

Do Christian Parents Flirt with the Idol of Education? | Chelsea Kingston, TGC
“And parents, you can dethrone this idol in your home by asking God to help you discern what it means to rightly order your child’s academic performance in light of the values of his kingdom.”

Death, the Prosperity Gospel and Me | Kate Bowler, The New York Times
A Prosperity Gospel researcher is diagnosed with cancer aged 35.

There’s a Proven Link Between Effective Leadership and Getting Enough Sleep | Nick van Dam and Els van der Helm, Harvard Business Review
“In our hyper-connected, 24/7 world, many of us are losing sleep – literally. Our own survey of more than 180 business leaders found that four out of 10 (43%) say they do not get enough sleep at least four nights a week. Such sleep deficiencies can undermine important forms of leadership behavior and eventually hurt financial performance. This article will explore the link between sleep and leadership before discussing solutions that can improve both individual well-being and organizational efficiency and effectiveness.”

The First Four Things You Should Do Every Workday | Elana Gross, Fast Company
“Grab some coffee and make these four things a staple in your morning work routine…”

Kindle Deals

The Christian Parenting Handbook: 50 Heart-Based Strategies for All the Stages of Your Child’s Life by Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller ($1.99)

Interpreting Gospel Narratives by Timothy Wiarda ($2.99)

Adopting The Minimalist Mindset: How To Live With Less, Downsize, And Get More Fulfillment From Life by Ben Night (FREE)

Surgeon in Blue: Jonathan Letterman, the Civil War Doctor Who Pioneered Battlefield Care by Scott McGaugh ($1.99)

It All Changed in an Instant: More Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure edited by Smith Magazine ($0.99)

Video

This Is What Happens to Your Body the Longer You Go Without Sleep
Few of us go with no sleep, but many of us are trying to live with much less sleep than we need with proportionate consequences.

Blogs

What Are We Aiming At? | Pat Quinn, TGC
“‘What are we aiming at in the people we minister to?’ Four biblical verbs–know, pray, trust, walk–came to mind that seemed to capture what all biblical counseling, preaching, teaching, evangelism, and discipling aim at leading people to do in their process of spiritual growth. Notice that these four verbs are not so much our ministry methodology but our ministry outcomes.”

The Blessing of Teaching the Children | Nick Batzig, The Christward Collective
“Several months ago, I began teaching some of the 7-12 year olds at New Covenant through The Westminster Shorter Catechism. As I have done so, I have been reminded of the multitude of blessings that accrue from teaching the children of the church the precious doctrines of the Christian faith. Here are four of the blessings that pastors and congregants can glean from working to bring the deep truths of the Scriptures to the ears of the next generation of those in the church.”

Puritan Preaching: Westminster’s Directory  | Bob McKelvey, Meet the Puritans
“While the Directory was not intended to be an exhaustive guide to homiletics (the art and science of preaching), it still provides helpful guidance for the preacher in the twenty-first century. ”

On My Shelf: Life and Books with Marvin Olasky | TGC
“On My Shelf helps you get to know various writers through a behind-the-scences glimpse into their lives as readers. ”

50 Years of Sex Changes, Mental Disorders, and Too Many Suicides | Walt Heyer, Public Discourse
“Early pioneers in gender-reassignment surgery and recent clinical studies agree that a majority of transgender people suffer from co-occurring psychological disorders, leading tragically high numbers to commit suicide. Outlawing psychotherapy for transgender people may be politically correct, but it shows a reckless disregard for human lives.”

What the Church Can Learn From Justice Scalia’s Life | Russell Moore, Reformation21 Blog
“Justice Scalia stood up persistently for the permanent things. Moreover, there are aspects of his life that even those who completely disagree with him legally or politically could do well to emulate. Most of us will not serve as justices or judges or attorneys, but we can still glean some lessons from this life. Here are a few of them.”

Kindle Deals

A Biblical Home Education: Building Your Homeschool on the Foundation of God’s Word by Ruth Beechick ($2.99)

Homeschooling Methods: Seasoned Advice on Learning Styles by Paul and Gena Suarez ($0.99)

NKJV, The Chronological Study Bible, eBook published by Thomas Nelson ($4.99)

B & H Perspectives Series on sale ranging from $0.99 to $2.99. Titles such as Perspectives on Israel and the Church, Perspectives on Tithing, and Perspectives on Family Ministry.

The Test Of Courage: Michel Thomas: A Biography Of The Holocaust Survivor And Nazi-Hunter by Christopher Robbins ($0.99)

Video

Air France 747 Forever – Two jewels of French aviation fly side by side over France

Here’s a selection of articles on biblical exegesis that I’ve gathered over the years from various blogs and websites. Please feel free to suggest more and I’ll add them. For more resource lists on various subjects click here.

Diagramming

How to Quickly Diagram a Biblical Passage | LogosTalk

Phrasing: My Favorite Way to Trace an Argument ‘ Andy Naselli

Chiasms on the Brain? | For His Renown

Women Weeping Over Diagrammed Sentences | The Gospel Coalition Blog

Greek and Hebrew

Do You Break These Rules for Greek and Hebrew Study? | LogosTalk

Is It a Waste of Time for Seminary Students (and Pastors) to Learn the Biblical Languages? | Canon Fodder

How to Search the Original Languages with Logos | LogosTalk

Why It Is Beneficial to Learn Greek and Hebrew Even if You Lose It | Ad Fontes

Tools for Studying the Hebrew Bible

My Advice to Students — Van Pelt Shares Solid Languages Advice He Got and Wished He Got

Encouraging reason to learn Greek | Scripture Zealot

ESV GreekTools | Justin Taylor

Word Studies

You Should Probably Stop Using Lexicons | LogosTalk

7 Ways to Do a BAD Word Study by Nicholas McDonald -SermonCentral.com

Word Studies: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

Do You Make These 5 Common Word Study Mistakes? | Pastoralized

Word Studies – Christian Leadership

Questions

The Power of Slowing Down Your Bible Study | LogosTalk

Questions to Ask the Text — DASH/HOUSE

ABC Study | Gentle Reformation

11 Questions Every Pastor Should Ask | TGC

40 Questions about Interpreting the Bible – Justin Taylor

11 Questions Every Pastor Should Ask : Kingdom People

Three Questions with Gerald Bray: On Three Questions to Ask of Biblical Texts – Justin Taylor

Questions to Ask in a Theological Exposition of Biblical Narrative – Justin Taylor

A life-long debt of gratitude – Bruce Waltke’s Questions | TGC

Context

God’s Word is most powerful in context | The Briefing

Reading and Preaching the Text in Context – Feeding on Christ

Background in Biblical Interpretation: Part 1 – Reformation 21

Background in Biblical Interpretation: Part 2 – Reformation21

Do Not Muzzle the Ox: Does Paul Quote Moses Out of Context? – Justin Taylor

So What Is “Theological Interpretation of Scripture”? – Justin Taylor

Your Theological System Should Tell You How to Exegete – Kevin DeYoung

Other Resource Lists

Online Theological Resources – The Master’s Seminary

Exegetical Tools Quarterly | exegetical.tools

Denver Seminary: Annotated Old Testament Bibliography – 2009

Christ in the Old Testament

Fight the Text Before You Flee to Christ – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Can That Be Right? The New Testament’s Use of Old Testament Prophecy – Kevin DeYoung

Top 200 Online Resources on Christ in the Old Testament

General

The Importance of Sound Exegesis and Preaching

Carson Explains What Makes a Good Commentary – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Writing Exegetical Papers on Vimeo

A Hermeneutics of the Open Ear | First Things

Credo Magazine » D. A. Carson on Biblical Exegesis

Poythress on Grammatical-Historical Exegesis | Ad Fontes 

A Parody of Over-Interpreting the Bible – Justin Taylor

BibleX: The Exegetical Habit 

Practical Tips for Expository Preachers | Crossway

More on Quality Exegesis « Reading Acts

Feeding on Christ » Blog Archive » The Puritan Exegesis Project: William Cowper on 2 Cor. 5:5

Plummer’s Primer to Hermeneutics: A Must-Have : Kingdom People

Stand to Reason: Never Read a Bible Verse