MOVE THE AFFECTIONS!!!

"If it be so that true religion lies much in the affections, hence we may infer that such means are to be desired as have much of a tendency to move the affections." (Jonathan Edwards, RA, 50)

Interesting quote, don't you think? What means should we use in the church to communicate the Gospel? "Such means...as have much of a tendency to move the affections." Hmm. Sounds like someone interested in spreading the Gospel, deeper and further. You know, this guy's alright.

Maybe you like more reading, yes? Sinners in the Hands of the Emergent Church.
Tall Skinny Kiwi offers thought-provoking suggestion. Hmm.

Church-Seminary conversation

Many young pastors and young seminarians (like me) struggle with relating the Church with the Seminary.
Here are some helpful thoughts from Will Willimon, author writing in From Midterms to Ministry (at Amazon and Google Books), reproduced on William Willimon's blog:
Advice for New Pastors,
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Food, etc.

What? You don't have enough to worry about?
Seriously though, the following resources have changed the way I view economics/food/environmental issues.

The Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan
In Defense of Food, Michael Pollan
Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser
The Future of Food on Hulu
and trailer for Food, Inc.

At the end of the day, there is good and there is not good.

John Calvin's Birthday

I'll be honest: I don't really know a lot about Calvin. From all accounts, he's one of the most helpful Bible scholars in the history of the Church. Even apart from the theology bearing his name, his handling of individual texts (in his commentary series) still gets discussed in modern commentaries.
But here's a different angle on the celebration: Thinking of Servetus on Calvin's Birthday. Basically, Calvin had this theological opponent arrested and killed for...his theology!

What did we learn today, children? Um, people are goofy? I mean, screwed? That's right.

It is entirely possible, friends, to be deeply pious, personally holy, biblically faithful, and Spirit-gifted and still kill people, literally (not "in your heart"). Like, murder. For real.
Well, may we all be so blessed to have a legacy of helping the church that far outweighs our contributions to the fall and the spread of the curse.

sadness and prayer

Friends, should anyone read this post, please whisper a prayer for Curtis Bergman and their three kids. Mommy just went to be with Jesus: Joanna.

neo- who?

Extremely helpful, nuanced distinction between great, helpful strands of modern evangelicalism:

Deciphering the Nuanced Differences Between Neopuritanism and Neocalvinism
John Piper and Tim Keller
Jonathan Edwards and Abraham Kuyper
Passion Conference and Jubilee Conference
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Calvin College
Mark Driscoll and Gabe Lyons

no further

"Men will trust in God no further than they know Him." (Religious Affections, Edwards, 104)