Michael Horton (one of my favorite authors and host of “The White Horse Inn”) has a new book coming out with the title Christless Christianity.  Check out this web site that highlights the book and upcoming DVD with a good video clip of Horton speaking to the issue.  Good stuff.

(HT:  The Riddleblog)

One of our commitments here at HLPC is to expository preaching.  This flows from our commitment to the inspiration and authority of the Bible.  J.I. Packer gives a great definition of what we mean by expository preaching that you can read HERE.

(HT:  ESV Blog)

Found HERE.

(HT:  James Grant)

I was recently alerted to a blog a friend of mine and fellow worshipper here at HLPC authors called “Semper Reformanda” (which of course means, “always reforming”).  It’s very good with great insights on the gospel.  Check it out when you have time!  You can find it HERE.

Most folks know I enjoy C.S. Lewis and J.RR. Tolkien a great deal- particularly Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia (I know, me and a few million others).  It was for this reason I was intrigued by the book series published by P&R Publications called “The Binding of the Blade” written by L.B. Graham.  Graham has an undergraduate degree from Wheaton College in Literature and an M.Div from Covenant Seminary (the PCA’s denominational seminary) and lives in St. Louis.  In this 5 book fantasy literature style series, Graham creates a world inhabited by talking Bear, Dragon, Giants, and of course, men

I just finished the final book in the series and enjoyed it very much.  Most of the books I couldn’t put down.  Graham has written a great story with lots of twists and turns and he succeeds in keeping the books relatively unpredictable.  Above all, he fills the work with imagery of the gospel’s promise to make all things new.

My only complaint was that at times I felt the books tended to drag with a little too much dialogue and inner thoughts of characters.  If you are looking for a good read and enjoy this kind of work with Christian imagery I’d give it a try.  HERE’s a link to the first book entitled Beyond the Summerland.

Rick Warren hosted the two presidential candidates this past weekend at a forum held at the church he pastors in California, Saddleback Church.  I have not read Warren’s books, nor have I participated in any of his “Days of Purpose” programs.  I don’t have a personal problem with him and I don’t know enough about the “40 Days” to criticize though I’m always a bit leery of something that seems to be viewed as the silver bullet by so many churches.

That being said, I do have a point to make.  I think his hosting of this forum has unfortunate consequences and was ill advised.  Not because he didn’t ask good questions.  Not because he seemed to favor one candidate over another, as did John Hagee.  The problem with this forum, in my opinion, was that it served to highlight the candidates’ desire to capture the “evangelical vote”.  This type of event only reinforced the idea that the Church is nothing more than a special interest group.

First- what Rick Warren did right.  He worked to keep this as non-partisan as possible.  He asked the same questions of both men.  I applaud his effort to remain as neutral as possible and I honestly appreciate his efforts at dialogue with both men.   That being said, what was the problem?

Warren has established himself as a leader in evangelicalism.  Senators Obama and McCain each made a pilgrimage to Saddleback to curry favor with him and those who think like him.  I’ve not watched the debate (we don’t have CNN) but it sure sounds like both men were there to make their best pitch for votes.

What should Warren have done instead?  Preach the gospel faithfully.  I’m not saying that he doesn’t do that now, but that should remain his focus.  Make the main thing the main thing.  Hold up the Scriptures as our only rule of faith and practice.  Speak prophetically to issues- not to parties or candidates.  I’m cringing as I read analysis after analysis speaking of the evangelical vote that was being pursued.  Again- the Church is being relegated to a sub-culture.  Of course, Christians do very little to fight that appearance as it is.

In light of the above, you may think the title should read “Warren and the White HOUSE”- not “Horse”.  That’s not a typo.  Those who know me and who may read this blog know I’m a fan of The White Horse Inn- the radio program of Dr. Michael Scott Horton.  This past week’s broadcast featured an interview with Steven Nichols who authored the book Jesus: Made in America. Nichols looks at the history of Christianity in America and makes some pointed comments about how American culture has shaped our view of Christ, the gospel, and politics.  It’s a thought provoking interview.  Check it out HERE.

Russia invades Georgia (thankfully for me, not the state) on a pretext.  Apparently, Georgia’s pro-western stance has Russia irritated to say the least.  Ukraine is not on Russia’s list of favorite nations for the same reason.  They may have been behind the attempted poisoning of the Ukrainian president that occurred a few years ago.

These are troubled times.  My thoughts and attention have been drawn to that part of the world quite often.  Having visited Ukraine twice, I have a special interest in the work of the gospel there.  Our church supports a missionary couple in Odessa with whom we are good friends.  I keep a picture in my office of the Reformed church in Odessa that was given back to the church after the fall of communism.  My prayer is for peace for Georgia and that region and the ceasing of violence.  I pray our nation will take the appropriate posture towards Russia that communicates our deep dissatisfaction at this aggression.

Russia and China- two nations (like our own) that need our prayers.  May God protect His people in Georgia, Ukraine, and in China.

As noted in an earlier post the Voice of the Martyrs, a ministry dedicated to raising awareness for the persecuted church, is calling Christians to pray for the Church in China as our attention is drawn there due to the Olympics.  They have been issuing Olympic prayer bands that people can wear as a daily reminder.  President Bush was presented with one.  My wife, Connie, received the following info in an e-mail today:

Pastor Zhang “Bike” Mingxuan, known for traveling across China on a bicycle to evangelize, was arrested by Chinese police just two days before the Olympics began. Pastor Bike was the inspiration for the recent partnership between The Voice of the Martyrs and China Aid Association to create the Olympic Prayer Band.

I’m enjoying the Olympic coverage.  I’ve swallowed the Michael Phelps hype and have been watching eagerly to see if he will break the medal record set by Mark Spitz in ‘72.  I’m enjoying the swimming and look forward to the track and field events to come.

I’ve also enjoyed the coverage given to the history and culture of China .  It’s so foreign that it feels as if the reports are coming from another plant.  All this China emphasis sent me to Wikipedia to read about Chairman Mao whose picture dominates Tienamen Square.  All I could come away with after reading of his barbaric rule was how much the people of China have suffered.  Along with the people of the former Soviet Union, both nations experienced great hardship as millions and millions have died under Communism.  I know one critique of skeptics against Christianity is the charge of persecution by Christians in the Crusades and in the Inquisition.  While there is no defense for such actions, there is NO, repeat NO comparison to the death tolls that have arisen under atheistic communism.  Mao and Stalin starved millions and millions of their own people to death.  Their worldview allowed them to do so with no remorse.  Their people have suffered.  The recent events in the nation of Georgia have underscored the painful past.

The people of China need the gospel.  As we keep hearing, one-fifth of the world’s population lives there.  That’s incredible.  The underground church needs the freedom of worship and ministry.  Let’s keep praying for the church in China.

Once again the Olympics are upon us!  I love the Olympics.  Maybe because I was an old track and field guy (that’s  what you do when you have no hand/eye coordination- you run).    For two weeks I’ll be following the events in China.  Can Michael Phelps beat the record of 7 swimming golds set by Mark Spitz?  (I’m old enough to remember him- a joke back in that day was, “How does Mark Spitz fill a swimming pool?  The answer:  Mark Spitz.”)  Can Ryan Hall be a legitimate marathon medalist for the USA after a long drought?

Connie ordered some Olympic prayer bands from the organization “Voice of the Martyrs” that are to serve as a reminder for us to pray for the persecuted church in China while our attention is on that land during the Olympic games.   Let’s remember to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are right now suffering for their faith in China.

As an aside, I’ve always been irritated by eschatological debates on whether Christians will go through “the Great Tribulation”.  I’m sure our brothers and sisters in Rwanda, the Sudan, Islamic nations, and China find comfort in knowing they’ll miss it (note heavy use of sarcasm).