Practical Theology

“Preach the Word”: A Festschrift for R. Kent Hughes

November 18, 2007 by Andy Naselli

Crossway just released a superb book on preaching in honor of Kent Hughes:

Leland Ryken and Todd A. Wilson, eds. Preach the Word: Essays on Expository Preaching: In Honor of R. Kent Hughes. Wheaton: Crossway, 2007.

See Crossway’s description of the book as well as its contents, introduction and chapter 1 as a PDF, and back cover.
You can read the entire book online here.
D. A. Carson‘s “Challenges for the Twenty-first-century Pulpit” (pp. 172–89) is exceptionally insightful.

“The Rightward-Most Viable Candidate”

October 19, 2007 by Andy Naselli

There’s a lot of wisdom in William F. Buckley Jr.‘s famous rule of thumb for voting: “the rightward-most viable candidate.”

HT: my Dad (who has repeatedly explained this strategy to me over the last couple decades!)

Wayne Grudem Endorses Mitt Romney

October 18, 2007 by Andy Naselli

Today Wayne Grudem published an article and participated in an interview in which he makes a strong case that conservative evangelicals should back Mitt Romney.

“Why Evangelicals Should Support Mitt Romney,” by Wayne Grudem.
“Dr. Wayne Grudem on another Evangelical endorsement of Mitt Romney,” interviewed by Hugh Hewitt.

Related: “Mitt Romney vs. Rudy Giuliani” and “Bob Jones Endorses Mitt Romney“

Bob Jones Endorses Mitt Romney

October 17, 2007 by Andy Naselli

In light of my recent post on Mitt Romney, this news is especially interesting!

“Bob Jones Dean Endorses . . . Romney!” The Wall Street Journal Online.
“Bob Jones III endorses Romney for president,” The Greenville News (today’s lead story: the top headline on the front page).
“Romney nabs two nice names,” In the News at MittRomney.com.
“BJU Statement on Political Endorsements” (currently listed on the front page of www.bju.edu): “Bob Jones University has never officially endorsed political candidates and that policy has not changed. In endorsing Gov. Mitt Romney for president, Dr. Bob Jones III and Bob Taylor are speaking personally. As private citizens, we all have the privilege and responsibility to examine the options and come to a choice of conscience. It is in this role that these administrators have chosen to endorse Gov. Romney. Dr. Jones III’s and Dr. Taylor’s statements reflect their views as private citizens and not the view of Bob Jones University as an organization.”
“Dr. Albert Mohler On The Significance Of Bob Jones III’s Endorsement Of Mitt Romney,” interviewed by Hugh Hewitt.
“Why Evangelicals Should Support Mitt Romney,” by Wayne Grudem.
“Dr. Wayne Grudem on another Evangelical endorsement of Mitt Romney,” interviewed by Hugh Hewitt.

Mitt Romney vs. Rudy Giuliani

October 11, 2007 by Andy Naselli

This morning Hugh Hewitt posted on his blog a “Memo to Evangelicals” from Mark DeMoss. DeMoss makes a fairly strong case why the GOP should choose Mitt Romney rather than Rudy Giuliani or one of the other candidates.

An Illustration of Eisegetical, Manipulative Evangelism

October 1, 2007 by Andy Naselli

tract

I was reminded of this tract today while re-reading George Mish Marsden‘s Fundamentalism and American Culture: The Shaping of Twentieth-Century Evangelicalism: 1870-1925 (2d ed.; New York: Oxford, 2006), p. 100. (It also occurs on p. 100 in the 1980 edition.) I spent a while searching for an image of it and finally found one on Timmy Brister’s blog.

Although no doubt well intentioned, this tract illustrates (1) evangelism that is both eisegetical and manipulative and (2) yet another reason that theology matters.

A Future Church Plant Worth Supporting

September 26, 2007 by Andy Naselli

Below is a picture of the Eric True family. Eric is my brother-in-law, and his wife, Alicia, is my older sister. (I’m the second of seven children.) Their two boys are Brandon (age 4) and Jonathan (age 2).

God has burdened Eric to glorify Him by serving as a pastor in Southern California. Check out their . . .

background and burden (including more pictures)
basic plan for church planting starting with fall 2007

Eric’s plan is to begin by spending about two years serving at Grace Bible Church of Menifee, pastored by Tim Lovegrove.

Tim planted GBC of Menifee about four years ago with the support of Heritage Bible Church in Greer, SC.
GBC of Menifee is now self-supporting, and Tim recently posted a short video in which he explains his church’s burden to initiate “a vibrant church planting movement.” The text for this short video is available here.
Tim has also prepared a slide show that explains this burden.

I’ve known Eric well since about 2001, and I couldn’t dream of a better brother-in-law. He is above reproach. He’s perfect for my sister, and God has gifted him with outstanding pastoral gifts such as teaching, leadership, and overall people skills. Also, from my perspective, his theology is rock solid. And since Eric is a native of Southern California, it’s hard to think of a better fit for church planting. (Can you tell that I’m excited about this?!)

What can you do?