Chapter two is a helpful and revealing chapter called rules of engagement. Much of what Wright says here is prudent and wise, and it is clear that he and Piper are not really disagreeing at those points, but rather just leaning against one another — trying to guard against abuse in the opposite direction. A …
A Magnificent Theater
Book 1/Chapter 14 Victory (section 18) 1. What impact do the devils have on believers? 2. On unbelievers? 3. Can believers ever be utterly thrown down by the devil? 4. What is the nature of the reciprocity between Christ’s kingdom and the devil’s? Devils are Real (section 19) 1. What do angels and devils have …
Festooned With Ribbons
Wright begins chapter one by telling a parable against his interlocuters, acknowledging that to do so might be dicey. “Now I can well imagine that, as with the Pharisees listening to Jesus’ Parable of the Wicked Tenants, there may be some readers who will at once be angry, realizing that I have told this story …
The Devil’s Armies
Book 1/Chapter 14 The Realm of Wickedness (section 14) 1. Why should we not yield to idleness? 2. How great are the forces against us? The Ongoing War (section 15) 1. What is the status of our relationship to the devil? 2. What does Calvin mean by “consummate depravity”? The Devil Originally Good (section 16) …
The Hinge Upon Which All Turns
In this book, N.T. Wright hopes to accomplish an “outflanking” maneuver (p. vii) in order to make much of the ongoing controversy over Paul irrelevant. And that is a great idea, if he can pull it off. Outflanking, when it works, can result in a decisive settlement. Outflanking, when it does not work, can be …
Ligonier 2003
I was pleased to see Ligonier getting the word out about a number of conferences they have in the can, including this one.
Angelic Help
Book 1/Chapter 14 More About Angels (section 8) 1. What does Calvin think about sketching detailed hierarchies for the angels? Why? 2. How many angels are there? 3. What sort of body do angels have? 4. What must we be careful not to do in discussing this subject? Angels As Real Creatures (section 9) …
First, Glance Over the Blurbs
Let the review begin! And let it begin with the easy stuff. I begin by looking over the blurbs, and those represented here include well-respected theologians — a respect well-deserved, I might add — but then there are some blurbs from some folks right off the emergent fruit farm. I conclude from all this that …
Taking the High Road, That’s Me
I just picked up the new book on justification by N.T. Wright, his response to John Piper’s book. A friend recommended that I review it now, before reading it, in order to remain fully objective. As tempting as that suggestion sounds, I will aim for higher, nobler book review, with actual citations and page numbers.
Time for a Reset
Christopher Dawson once said that the Christian church lives in the light of eternity, and can afford to be patient. In a nation filled with men and women pursuing the gods of envy, mammon, malice, bloodshed and theft, this is important for us to remember. They are all caught up in the tyranny of the …