What They're Saying 08.04.11

Monergism Takes a Look At Presuppositional Apologetics

'In defending the Christian faith, the most important question before us is "What sort of defense will best glorify our God (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:31)?" God forbid that in seeking to defend the faith before others we should in that very act compromise it. The so-called "presuppositional" school of apologetics is concerned above all with answering this question. Among all the sources of divine revelation (including nature, history, human beings in God's image), Scripture plays a central role.'

Did Adam and Eve Really Exist? - A Book Review

'His final chapter addresses the relationship between science, faith and the historicity of Genesis. Can science help us pinpoint Adam and Eve? This is the chapter over which I believe many who hold to the traditional view will have the most contention if for no other reason that it’s kind of messy. While I couldn’t tell for certain, it appeared as if he was arguing for an old-earth view of creation (based on the fossil record in particular) with the possibility of there having been more than one man and one woman being created. In the end, it’s a view filled with a number of uncertainties, although Collins believes that these uncertainties “in no way undermine our right to hold fast to the Biblical story line with full confidence. In fact, this holding fast actually helps us to think well about the scientific questions” (p. 131).'

Jared Wilson: 'Don't Waste Your Calvinism'

'A joyless Calvinist knows the mechanics of salvation (probably). But he is like a guy who knows the ins and outs of a car engine and how the car runs. He can take it apart and put it back together. He knows what each part does and how it does it. He knows how a car works... but he has never driven through the countryside in the warm spring air with the top down and the wind blowing through his hair. Gospel wakefulness changes theological pursuit. It reorients knowledge to become the means to knowing God, not knowing stuff. It exults in God, not merely in thoughts about God.'

Donald Miller: How To Live A Great Love Story (For Men)

'A woman loves a man who can be tender with her, but believe me, while you’re holding her in your arms and she’s being comforted about her hard day, you’d better have a baseball bat behind your back, ready to obliterate anybody who tries to hurt her. Be tender to her, but be absolutely ferocious with anybody who takes advantage of her. If you aren’t a strong man, practice. Take stands, don’t be a pushover, protect the ones you love, and be willing to make a few enemies. Okay, so what does this have to do with telling a good love story. Well, it has everything to do with telling a good love story. Women don’t just fall in love with flowers and chocolate. All that crap is fine. But what they fall in love with is dependability, strength, kindness, community, structure, strength and character. Being the leading man in a love story is, basically, about being just that, a man that leads.'

Jen Smidt Says, 'Guard Your Heart'

'When I was 10 years old, I almost died. A very serious viral infection constricted my heart and left permanent scar tissue. When I was an even younger girl, my heart was damaged in a different way; early childhood sexual abuse left me scared, alone, and ashamed. The resulting scars left their mark also.'