Andy Naselli

Thoughts on Theology

church

A Popular Primer on the Church

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Mark Dever. The Church: The Gospel Made Visible. 9Marks. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2012. 16-page sample PDF.

This book is intended as a popular primer on the doctrine of the church, especially for Baptists but also, in so far as the arguments are convincing, for all of those who see Scripture alone to be the sufficient authority for the doctrine and life of the local church.

The book grew out of a chapter I wrote almost a decade ago on the doctrine of the church. [Note 8: Daniel Akin, ed., A Theology for the Church (Nashville: B&H, 2007); see chap. 13, “The Church,” 766–856.] The volume containing that chapter imposed a certain structure that is retained here. (p. xii) [Read more…] about A Popular Primer on the Church

22 Mistakes Pastors Make in Practicing Church Discipline

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Jonathan Leeman, “Appendix: Mistakes Pastors Make in Practicing Discipline,” Church Discipline: How the Church Protects the Name of Jesus (9Marks; Wheaton: Crossway, 2012), 139–40:

Pastors sometimes make the following mistakes regarding formal church discipline.

  1. They fail to teach their congregation what church discipline is and why they should practice it.
  2. They fail to practice meaningful membership, which includes (1) teaching people what membership entails before they join; (2) encouraging casual attenders to join; (3) carefully interviewing everyone who wants to join; (4) giving regular oversight to all the flock; and (5) maintaining an up-to-date membership list that accurately reflects who is present at the weekly gathering. [Read more…] about 22 Mistakes Pastors Make in Practicing Church Discipline

Diagnostic Questions for Aspiring Pastors

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Dave Harvey, Am I Called? The Summons to Pastoral Ministry  (Wheaton: Crossway, 2012), 63–64:

[E]verything we’ll talk about presupposes that your sense of call is focused more on serving the church than on fulfilling a dream.

Here are some questions you should think about now, because they’re going to make a big difference later.

What’s your present involvement in a local church? If you were a pastor, would you be any more committed to the church than you already are? What does your answer say about you? [Read more…] about Diagnostic Questions for Aspiring Pastors

Don’t Be a Loner

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Paul writes Timothy in 2 Tim 2:22,

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (NIV)

But keep away from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, in company with others who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (NET)

Ray Van Neste observes in the ESV Study Bible,

The pursuit of right is not to be done alone but along with other believers. Connection with the community of faith is essential for both progress in sanctification and perseverance in the faith.

Similarly, the NET Bible note observes,

In company with others who call on the Lord from a pure heart alludes to the value of the community of believers for the development of Christian virtues.

Related:

  1. Accountability
  2. Pitfalls and Benefits of Small Group Bible Study

Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons

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This book came out this month:

Thabiti M. Anyabwile. Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons. 9Marks. Wheaton: Crossway, 2012. 173 pp.

It’s excellent. Although its primary goal is to help pastors cultivate and select leaders in the church, it’s an edifying read not just for people currently serving as pastors or deacons but for

  • people who may in the future or
  • any Christian since the qualifications for elders (except for the ability to teach) are qualities that should characterize all Christians.

It’s simple, clear, accessible, and wise.

Here’s what Mike Bullmore says about it:

As a member of a pastoral team that is always at some point in the process of identifying, developing, and affirming elders and deacons, I welcome this helpful book by Thabiti Anyabwile. Right from the start, with the simple clarity and conviction of its opening sentences, this book is marked by sound biblical teaching. The consistent transition into the practical counsel at the end of each chapter, however, is where this book really proves its worth. Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons will be a most useful primer for all those who are committed to doing church leadership by the Bible.

[Read more…] about Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons

The Church’s Mission

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I read this book several months ago, and I’ve enjoyed subsequent discussions about it:

Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert. What Is the Mission of the Church? Making Sense of Social Justice, Shalom, and the Great Commission. Wheaton: Crossway, 2011.

Here’s how D. A. Carson recommends it:

Among the many books that have recently appeared on mission, this is the best one if you are looking for sensible definitions, clear thinking, readable writing, and the ability to handle the Bible in more than proof-texting ways. I pray that God will use it to bring many to a renewed grasp of what the gospel is and how that gospel relates, on the one hand, to biblical theology and, on the other, to what we are called to do.

Ed Stetzer’s Themelios review is critical, but I generally agree with DeYoung and Gilbert on this one.

Related:

1. TGC discussion (11:43)

2. Desiring God interview with Scott Anderson (1:44:55)

3. 9 Marks interviews with Mark Dever

4. Crossway blog interview

5. Review by John Starke

6. Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert, “Some Answers to Some Nagging Questions”

7. Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert, “One More Time on Good Works and the Mission of the Church”

8. Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert, “A Response to Ed Stetzer’s Review of ‘What Is the Mission of the Church?’”

9. Justin Taylor, “Responding to Stetzer and Critics on the Mission of the Church”

10. Kevin DeYoung, “The Mission of the Church in Living Color”

11. Collin Hansen, “Mission Critical”