The Internet is everywhere in our lives these days. Whether it be at home, school, restaurants, bookstores ÂÂÂor even in our churches, people have come to rely on having fast, stable access to the Internet.ÂÂ Recently, I began looking for a way to extend my high-speed internet connection at home out to the far edges of my home. Like many, our internet connection is brought into our home at one corner of the house and the speed and stability of the connection degrades the further away you get from the Wi-Fi router.
Continue ReadingReviews
Books That Changed My Thinking, #3
Like many others, I was affected and convicted deeply many years ago by a little novel written in 1896 by Charles Sheldon entitled, In His Steps. In it he imagined how Christians might act differently if, in any given situation, they would ask themselves, “What would Jesus do?” Even today we encounter the “WWJD” thinking. But that novel left a big question in my mind at the time – “How can I really know what Jesus would do?” This led me to the following title which has had an even greater impact on my understanding, life and teaching than In His Steps. It is a book which actually answers in large part the central question raised by In His Steps.
Continue ReadingBooks That Changed My Thinking, #2
My parents were baptized and became New Testament Christians when I was five years old. From that time on I was (and have been) in Sunday School and worship assemblies without fail. Being constantly exposed to Bible teaching is one thing. Knowing how to study on my own was quite another.
At Florida College I was required to take a course called Hermeneutics, taught by Roy Cogdill. I do not believe I had ever heard the word “hermeneutics” before that time. But that course and its textbook completely changed my understanding of the Bible and how to study it.
Continue ReadingPodcast Review: Three Chords and the Truth
This is the first of what will be an ongoing series of podcast reviews. These reviews will focus on podcasts that we have discovered that offer something that we believe our readers will find useful, enriching, or at the very least, entertaining.
Podcasts, for those who are not aware, are essentially audio shows that can be listened to “on-demand” via most phones, tablets and computers. There are a vast number of different podcasts available covering just about any topic that can be imagined. The show that I would like to introduce you to today is called Three Chords and the Truth: The Apologetics Podcast.
Continue ReadingBooks That Changed My Thinking, #1
As I look back over 50+ years of Bible-based training, studying and ministry, there are a few books that have had a profound effect on my thinking. This is the first of several posts on some of those books, and why they impacted me. Note that EBS may earn a small commission off any merchandise purchased through links on this page.
Evidence That Demands a Verdict, by Josh McDowell. This was not the first book on Christian evidences I bought, but it was the most comprehensive and logically compelling. The foundation tenets of the Christian faith are rooted in history. While some appeal to “science” as if it is the be all and answer to all, much of what we all know and/or believe is rooted not in science (a fairly recent invention as we know it), but in history – evidences, eyewitnesses, documents, monuments, etc.
Book Review: “Why Good Arguments Often Fail”
Why Good Arguments Often Fail: Making a More Persuasive Case for Christ, by James W. Sire. Published by IVP Press.
“You made the best case you knew how, and your friend still wasn’t persuaded to follow Christ. Why is it that solid, rational arguments for the Christian faith often fail?” – James Sire
Rather than focusing on the various arguments which constitute the broad topic of “Christian Evidences,” James Sire devotes most of his book to the topics of logic and why people are (or are not) persuaded to accept a different point of view.
Continue ReadingMedia Review: “Drive Thru History” with Dave Stotts
A wonderful set of DVD videos which present the historical world of the Bible is “Drive Thru History” with Dave Stotts. Sponsored by Focus on the Family and produced by Coldwater Media, this a technically well done series. DVD sets are available covering Ancient Rome, Turkey, Greece. A great series of DVDs on the Gospels and another set covering Acts Thru Revelation are both very good. A subscription service is also available allowing all of the videos to be accessed over the internet.
Designed for use in home schooling, Christian schools, or Bible classes, the intended audience seems to be high school age and above. Continue Reading
Book Review: “The View from Mount Calvary”
As I read through the Scriptures, I am struck by how often the cross is pre-figured in the Old Testament, and how often the results it accomplished are emphasized in the New Testament. While I have preached on this subject in “bits and pieces” over the years, it was when I discovered The View from Mount Calvary by John Phillips that I realized the fullness and impact of the subject. His subtitle gives us a clue: “24 Portraits of the Cross Throughout Scripture.”
This is a powerful and persuasive way to preach the gospel of Christ, both to believers and seekers. The 24 “portraits” are divided into seven sections:Continue Reading
Responding to Attacks on the New Testament Documents
The Christian community and western culture in general have been pummeled lately with books, magazine articles, movies and television specials purporting to expose the faulty foundations of the New Testament and Christian faith. Examples include The Da Vinci Code (book and movie), the Gospel of Judas (book and TV), various theories about the gnostics and their writings, Mary Magdalene, Brad Ehrman’s Misquoting Jesus, and many more! Invariably, a stream of men and women with D.D.s and Ph.D.s after their names from prestigious universities are presenting claims that the original New Testament documents are corrupted, other documents have been suppressed, that ugly truths about Jesus or others have been kept hidden, etc.
Believers may feel both assaulted and helpless in the face of such “firepower” and media blasts. Here are four suggestions:Continue Reading
Media Review: “Faith Lessons,” by Ray Vander Laan
Having a deep personal interest in the land and culture of the Bible, I am always on the lookout for new resources useful for teaching in these areas. One of the best I have found is the 7 set video series entitled, “Faith Lessons,” by Ray Vander Laan.
Each set is available in either VHS or DVD, and consists of six to ten 15-20 minute videos recorded live at significant archeological sites connected to the Scriptures. Continue Reading
Website Review: “www.ExecutableOutlines.com”
As a preacher and teacher, my research and preparation is wide-ranging. . . including basic Bible study, gathering background information, original languages research, and so forth. One need which often comes up is the best way to present material on a certain subject. At those times I often resort to my print library and the internet to discover how others have already arranged the same material. In other words, I try to establish what “outline” would be most beneficial to my hearers. My favorite site online for such lesson arrangements is Executable Outlines by Mark Copeland.Continue Reading
Website Review: “www.Bible.org”
The www.bible.org website is a treasure for those who can take advantage of what it has to offer. Now, I am amazed they were able to actually get the “bible.org” name! Beyond the name, their homepage claims to have over 40,000 pages of free content for Bible students, ministers, missionaries, etc. While I can’t verify the specific quantity, I know from extensive use there is a tremendous amount of content in the form of articles, audio and video, course materials, and access to the text of the NET Bible (more below).Continue Reading