Archive for June, 2013


Jun 27

God’s Restraining Grace in the Division of Languages

2013 | by Trent Hunter | Category: Sermon Follow-Up

At last night’s Lord’s Supper service, we looked at a familiar story from Genesis 11:1-9, in the sermon, “The Tower of Babel and the Triumph of Christ.”

Here’s an interesting insight from John Piper on God’s restraining grace in the division of language:

God’s division of the world into different languages hinders the rise of a global, monolithic anti-Christian state that would have the power to simply wipe out all Christians. We often think that the diversity of languages and cultures and peoples and political states is a hindrance to world evangelization—the spread of Christ’s glory. That’s not the way God sees it. God is more concerned about the dangers of human uniformity than he is about human diversity. We humans are far too evil to be allowed to unite in one language or one government. The gospel of the glory of Christ spreads better and flourishes more becauseof 6,500 languages, not just in spite of it.

Jun 24

Texting Parents, Christianity at College, and Christian Adoption (The Link List, 6/24/13)

2013 | by Trent Hunter | Category: Link List

Christian Adoption: Disavowals and Affirmations,” John Piper

Evangelical adoption been the subject in the news of late. Here are some important commitments that Christian adoption advocates should embrace and relate.

9 Things You Should Know About the Bible,” by Joe Carter

For as much as we hold, hear, and read this book, here are some good things to know about the Bible.

What to Expect When No One’s Expecting,” Kevin DeYoung

Kevin DeYoung shares some thoughts on an important book outlining some of what we can expect in the years ahead, given current reproductive rates among Americans and westerners in general.

Matt and Lauren Chandler on Stability amid Difficulty,” The Gospel Coalition

A faithful pastor and his wife share about growth through the trial.

FactChecker: Does College Cause Young Adults to Lose Their Faith?,” Glenn Stanton

 Here’s a reason for encouragement.

Papa, Don’t Text: The Perils of Distracted Parenting,” The Atlantic

One of God’s gifts to children is parents who will talk not only to but with them from a very young age. Here’s an analysis of how new technologies may complicate the normal and important process of learning for children.

The Sufficiency of Scripture,” Carl Trueman

The always helpful and always clear, Carl Trueman, helps us think through an important doctrine.

Mission Accomplished! – Barreras Enjoying Their Renovated Home,” DSC Missions Blog

Here’s a post from the DSC Missions Blog on the arrival of the beloved Barreras to their home in Wyoming, recently renovated by a group from DSC.

Jun 20

Some Links for the Men

2013 | by Trent Hunter | Category: Books

This past Sunday was Father’s Day. In the providence of God, we also happened to land on one of the New Testament’s most direct and dense verses concerning the role of husbands, 1 Peter 3:7: “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”

There’s no throw away line in the Bible, and each part of that verse is worth chewing on, and not just for husbands but for all of us. For help in doing so, here’s the video from Sunday’s message, “Help for Husbands“:

[RSS and email readers, click here to view this video]

In the spirit of the week after Father’s Day, here are a few links for the men:

Jun 14

Some Words about Wives

2013 | by Trent Hunter | Category: Sermon Follow-Up

In Sunday’s sermon, “A Word to the Wives,” Ryan preached from 1 Peter 3:1-6, a passage with important instructions concerning the privileges and responsibilities that God has invested in wives.

Some sermons raise questions and issues that can’t be unpacked in full in the course of the sermon. Well, that’s most sermons, but some sermons are especially dense with issues that could be clarified and explored further, given more time. Sunday’s sermon was one of those.

So, here are some great resources in follow up to Sunday:

Jun 7

A Former Tank Commander to the Men

2013 | by Trent Hunter | Category: Books

Update: At least for now, The Masculine Mandate is available for free as an Amazon Kindle download.

••••

Here’s a book to keep in mind for Father’s Day: The Masculine Mandate: God’s Calling to Men, by Rick Phillips. Phillips, a former tank commander and a careful student of God’s Word, has written a very fine book for men.

Here’s the publisher’s description:

There is a crying need in the church today for men to be men. But competing visions for what a man is to be some growing out of popular culture and others arising from flawed teaching in the church are exacerbating the problem. Richard Phillips believes it is possible to cut through all of this confusion by consulting the Bible. Only in the pages of Scripture, he asserts, can men find a clear explanation of their God-given roles as leaders, husbands, fathers, and churchmen.

Beginning in Genesis, Phillips shows that God commissioned Adam to work and tend the Garden of Eden. In these twin tasks, he perceives a template for manhood, one that, when carried out with diligence, provides dignity to men, service to mankind, and glory to God. He then goes on to show that men are called to lead, to love their wives, to discipline their children, and to serve the church of Jesus Christ. Here is biblical exposition of the most practical sort teaching that reveals not only what men are to think but what they are to be.

Jonathan Leeman offers this comment and brief description in his review of Phillips’ book:

At the risk of undermining the reader’s confidence in my objectivity, I have to admit that I have nothing negative to say about the book. I believe that it provides a compelling, balanced, and pastorally-wise picture of biblical manhood.

  • He captures why a biblical theology of work—a hot topic these days—should make distinctions between men and women.
  • He explains how a father should conceive of his parental role differently than a mother, and what it means to give your heart to your children before asking them to give theirs to you.
  • He discusses how a husband should labor to understand his wife before he can lead her well.
  • He tells men to befriend one another, not just over beer and football, but like Jonathan did when giving his royal robe to David.

Here are some pastoral plans I have for Phillips’ book:

  • Read it with a couple of men I’m discipling.
  • Request that it be placed on our church’s bookstall.
  • Recommend that it be added to the four or five books we ask couples to read in our newly-married small groups, which couples join for the first two years of marriage.
  • Apply some of his lessons in my own life, particularly his advice to be more deliberate about what kind of time I’m spending with my children (he advises four things: read, pray, work, and play).

This book, along with other books for men, is available at the Book Nook and on Amazon.