Andy Naselli

Thoughts on Theology

Evangelical Unity and Denominational Diversity

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chuteChute, Anthony L., Christopher W. Morgan, and Robert A. Peterson, eds. Why We Belong: Evangelical Unity and Denominational Diversity. Wheaton: Crossway, 2013. 251 pp.

My endorsement:

This book promotes a healthy Christian unity by showing how and why God’s family is much larger than any one denomination. [Read more…] about Evangelical Unity and Denominational Diversity

The Best Book on Sexual Purity

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freeThis is by far the single most helpful book on sexual purity for men that I’m aware of:

Heath Lambert. Finally Free: Fighting for Purity with the Power of Grace. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013. 176 pp. 23-page sample PDF.

It’s clear, direct, practical, and grace-giving.

I highly recommended this for men who are fighting lust or wallowing in it. I pray that God will use this book to help thousands of men be “finally free.”

[Read more…] about The Best Book on Sexual Purity

The Poverty of Nations: A Sustainable Solution

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grudemThis book is scheduled to release at the end of the month:

Wayne Grudem and Barry Asmus. The Poverty of Nations: A Sustainable Solution. Wheaton: Crossway, 2013. 398 pp.

I’ve skimmed it, and it’s what I expected from Grudem: well-organized, clear, comprehensive, and compelling. It’s helpful to start by carefully reading the detailed version of the contents (pp. 11–18). [Read more…] about The Poverty of Nations: A Sustainable Solution

Lloyd-Jones: “I prefer to call myself a conservative evangelical”

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From a rare interview with Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (see 5:45–7:18):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Z-MBHKREsS8&start=345s

Question [at 6:07 in the video]: Are you a fundamentalist?

Lloyd-Jones’s answer: Like many others I don’t like the term. I prefer to call myself a conservative evangelical. [Read more…] about Lloyd-Jones: “I prefer to call myself a conservative evangelical”

Diabolical Ventriloquism: A 1-Sentence Summary of Each of Screwtape’s Letters

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In The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis masterfully “teaches in reverse” by wryly using demonic points of view to enforce a biblical one. He calls it “diabolical ventriloquism.” Here is a one-sentence summary of each of Screwtape’s thirty-one letters that advise Wormwood how to tempt his “patient” (who becomes a Christian between letters one and two):

  1. Make him preoccupied with ordinary, “real” life—not arguments or science.
  2. Make him disillusioned with the church by highlighting people he self-righteously thinks are strange or hypocritical.
  3. Annoy him with “daily pinpricks” from his mother. [Read more…] about Diabolical Ventriloquism: A 1-Sentence Summary of Each of Screwtape’s Letters

Is ‘Background Information’ Ever Necessary to Understand the Bible?

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I attempt to answer that question on TGC’s blog.

Outline:

  1. Dangers If You Answer Yes
  2. Dangers If You Answer No
  3. Illustration: Wayne Grudem Answers No
  4. Does that Mean that the Bible Isn’t Sufficiently Clear?

Update:

  1. Mike Bird reflects on the question.
  2. Don Carson and John Piper discuss the merits of studying hermeneutics and how much time teachers should spend investigating extrabiblical sources: