Author Archives: BetterThanSacrifice

The point of the ‘sheep and the goats’ passage is NOT that we should try harder to do good works

Tuesday, 12 January 2010 – 7:52 pm

During his Olivet discourse, Jesus tells His disciples of the coming day of judgement when He shall separate the sheep from the goats: 31When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32All the nations will be gathered [...]

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Am I wasting my time studying 2,000 year-old texts?

Tuesday, 12 January 2010 – 11:49 am

Someone called Bill left a comment on my previous post. Bill asks a good question, namely this: Is it worthwhile for us to spend significant amounts of time studying the Bible, the newest parts of which were written over 1,900 years ago? Yes! In every way. Why do I believe this?

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An exercise in paying close attention to the text – should elders be married and have children?

Sunday, 10 January 2010 – 5:52 pm

I’m guessing that your church’s elders/pastors/shepherds/overseers/bishops – Biblically, all the same office – are not required to have children, right? Given that opening question and the title of this article, you might be expecting me now to try and convince you that they should. Nope, that’s not it. I am going to make the argument [...]

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A listener’s guide to the pulpit

Monday, 4 January 2010 – 4:16 pm

‘Most of the preachers were dynamic, engaging, interesting and even entertaining. Most of their sermons were terrible.’ I’ve just come across this magnificent article (courtesy of Chris Rosebrough from Pirate Christian Radio), written by Todd Wilken of the Issues, Etc. radio program. It clearly shows the difference between a good and bad sermon. A listener’s [...]

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The challenge: give a talk on the birth of Christ as the fulfilment of prophecy. Oh, and keep it to 5 minutes

Tuesday, 29 December 2009 – 5:45 pm

I was asked to talk on this topic for a carol service at the local sheltered housing complex just before Christmas. What a great subject! But, how to do it justice in ‘about 5 minutes’? Give me an hour, and no problem. But a mere 300 seconds? That’s hard! And how in that short time [...]

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Combative, opinionated, and highly recommended – the Fighting for the Faith radio programme

Monday, 21 September 2009 – 4:54 pm

I consider Fighting for the Faith to be essential listening. Chris Rosebrough, the show’s host, examines the trends and fads of today’s church, comparing what people say in God’s name with what is taught by Scripture. Although entertainingly polemical, Chris doesn’t just poke holes. Rather, he equips his listeners to defend against error. He gives [...]

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How to diagnose a sermon

Monday, 21 September 2009 – 4:12 pm

The excellent Issues, Etc* radio programme has this very handy diagnostic for reviewing sermons: How often is Jesus mentioned? Keep a simple running tally. It’s a problem if He is mentioned only a few times, or tucked in at the beginning or the end. If He is mentioned, even only once, go on to step [...]

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‘The Calvin I Never Knew’ seminars by Dr Frank A. James III (audio)

Sunday, 26 April 2009 – 9:16 pm

I’d like to share with you another gem on iTunes U from the Reformed Theological Seminary. Dr Frank A. James III gives a refreshing, and perhaps unexpected, perspective on John Calvin. If you have iTunes installed, you can find the seminars here. Give them a try — you’ll be captivated.

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Does God have two wills?

Saturday, 22 March 2008 – 4:25 pm

If it is true that the Bible teaches that God unconditionally (i.e. not on the basis of foreseen faith) chooses those who are to be saved, and it does, does the Bible contradict itself when it says that God ‘desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth’ (1 [...]

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Paul Washer on the True Gospel

Saturday, 22 March 2008 – 3:35 pm

Crosstalk has a radio broadcast of a talk by Paul Washer, given in February 2008. Paul, in his usual uncompromising and clear way, presents the essence of the True Gospel of Jesus Christ. Well worth a listen. Listen (MP3) The Crosstalk site also offers this broadcast in RealAudio and Windows Media formats.

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