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Showing posts from August 18, 2019

"Don't Be Stupid" by Joshua Beck. A Review.

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Don't Be Stupid.: A Call for Christians to Believe and Live an Intelligent Faith by Joshua M Beck My rating: 5 of 5 stars "It's about clearing away the stupid in the Christian image so our world can see Christ" (151). That's how Joshua Beck ends his little 163 page paperback "Don't Be Stupid: A Call for Christians to Believe and Live an Intelligent Faith". Beck is a teacher of Apologetics and Ethics at a local Christian High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as well as a writer and podcaster. The book is written in a straightforwardly conversational style that is laid back and comfortable. Almost like sitting down and chatting with the author at a coffee shop. Primarily, the book is not a defense of the Christian faith, but more how to smartly defend what we believe. Yet that description doesn't quite get to the point. It's not about putting on airs, getting all uppity and egg-heady; "The idea...is not simply to be smart. It's

"Divine Impassibility" edited by Matz and Thornhill. A Review

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Divine Impassibility: Four Views of God's Emotions and Suffering by Robert J. Matz My rating: 4 of 5 stars On rounding the corner in the hallway, I came on a huddle of men deep in the middle of a conversation. At first, there would pop up snatches of words from their muffled chatter until I finally came up close and could hear more clearly. That’s when I quickly realized they were deep in the middle of a technical discussion, using important guild language they all easily understood. It took some time to catch up to speed and get into the dialog. Something like this is how I felt as I dove into the 200 page softback “Divine Impassibility: Four Views of God’s Emotions and Suffering” edited and refereed by Robert J. Matz, assistant director of online studies and institutional effectiveness and assistant professor of Christian studies at Midwestern Baptist , Seminary and A. Chadwick Thornhill, chair of theological studies for Liberty University School of Divinity and an assistant

"I Will Give Thanks to the LORD..." Congregational Prayer - 18 August 2019

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Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them . Almighty God, we pray for your Church worldwide, including Fellowship Church, Hope Church, Life Changing Church and Life Church, as well as this congregation. Grant grace to be courageously committed to you; supply all that is lacking, whether valor, assets, good leaders, laborers or open doors. For the shepherds of your church, help us to maintain true doctrine and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and may we be truly holy, all for the good of your Church and your glory. And for those in the ministry who are atheists, agnostics, predators, pedophiles, or wolves in sheep’s clothing, convert them, and where necessary, remove them and prosecute them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is graci