Evidence for the Resurrection
The founder of every major world religion is dead, except for one. Here is an article I wrote in college that covers six pieces of historical evidence for the resurrection of Christ. These six facts are acceptable by virtually all scholars–including critical scholars–who address the resurrection.
Harmony of the Resurrection Accounts
Here is a harmony of the resurrection accounts I wrote in college after reading John Wenham’s excellent book Easter Enigma: Are the Resurrection Accounts in Conflict? Wenham shows how every detail of the accounts fits together consistently. I tried to do the same in a short article so that people didn’t have to read the whole book. I think I might differ from Wenham in a few points as well.
Some people say it is not necessary for the resurrection accounts to harmonize. I would agree that it is not necessary for us to give much thought to the issue of integrating the accounts if we don’t want to. We don’t all need to be experts on how the resurrection accounts harmonize. But to hold that they contain actual conflicts would be contrary to the meaning of inerrancy. Plus, there’s no need to argue that they don’t need to be consistent with one another when in fact it can be shown that they are entirely consistent.
Why Rick Warren is Coming to the Desiring God National Conference
In this video, John Piper explains why he invited Rick Warren to our fall conference (as many of you know, I work at Desiring God):
And here’s a short transcript from Piper talking about why he invited Warren last month to a group of pastors:
[When I wrote Warren to invite him,] I said, “The conference is called ‘THINK: The life of the Mind and the Love of God.’ I want you to come. You are the most well known pragmatist pastor in the world. I don’t think you are a pragmatist at root. Come and tell us why thinking Biblically matters to you in your amazingly pragmatic approach to ministry.”
I want him to lay his cards on the table. I want him to tell us what makes him tick. Because he does come across in much of what he says and does as very results-oriented and pragmatic and not theologically driven, and yet, [Piper finishes up this thought a few minutes later] …. at root I think he is theological.
I have a lot that I have to get done today, but if I can I will try to write a post later today on 4 reasons why it is good and important that Rick Warren is coming to the Desiring God conference.
Dug Down Deep
I haven’t read Joshua Harris’ Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters yet, but it looks great. Simply what he has to say in the quote on the back of the book is well worth listening to:
I know from experience that it’s possible to be a Christian but live life on the surface. The surface can be empty tradition. It can be emotionalism. It can be doctrine without application. I’ve done it all. I’ve spent my share of time on the sandy beaches of superficial Christianity.
This book is the story of how I learned to dig into truth and build my life on a real knowledge of God. I want to share how I learned that orthodoxy isn’t just for old men but for anyone who longs to behold a God who is bigger and more real and glorious than the human mind can imagine.
The irony of my story is that the very things I needed, even longed for in my relationship with God, were wrapped up in the very things I was so sure could do me no good. I didn’t understand that seemingly worn-out words like theology, doctrine, and orthodoxy were the pathway to the mysterious, awe-filled experience of truly knowing the living Jesus Christ.
And, related to that, here’s another good word from Harris:
I’ve come to learn that theology matters. It matters not because we want to impress people, but because what we know about God shapes the way we think and live. Theology matters because if we get it wrong then our whole life will be wrong.
Why Satan is Left on Earth
John Piper wrote a really helpful article a few years ago on why satan is left on earth. Here’s the first paragraph:
Part of the problem of evil is the problem of why Satan is given so much freedom to harm the world, when God has the right and power to throw him in the pit. God will one day do away with Satan altogether (Revelation 20:3, 10). That will be no injustice to Satan. Nor would it be unjust for God to do it today. So why doesn’t He, in view of how much misery Satan causes?
Life After Death: The Evidence
Dinesh D’Souza’s new book Life After Death: The Evidence is out. Sean McDowell reviews the book in a recent post. Here are the first two paragraphs of his review:
Is death the end, or is there something more? Does life continue after the grave? According to Dinesh D’Souza, in his new book Life After Death: The Evidence (Regnery Press, 2009) this is the ultimate question that any of us will face. “Death is the great wrecking ball that destroys everything, “ says D’Souza, “Everything that we have done, everything we are doing now, and all our plans for the future are completely and irrevocably destroyed when we die” (3).
Nevertheless, some people still find this question uninteresting and unimportant. D’Souza finds this attitude “utterly incomprehensible.” After all, if you found out that you had six months to live, undoubtedly you would make some big changes in the way you live now. According to D’Souza, ignoring the question of mortality is “the product of deep denial” (5).
Christianity Today has an article on it as well.
I enjoy D’Souza’s writing. I first came across him through his book on government Letters to a Young Conservative and his biography Ronald Reagan: How an Ordinary Man Became an Extraordinary Leader. He has also written What’s So Great about Christianity, among others. I haven’t read this one yet, but I’m looking forward to it.
I would also recommend checking out JP Moreland and Gary Habermas’s Immortality: The Other Side of Death. Those who aren’t convinced will find a really strong case. But you don’t have to be skeptical to find it useful. I found that book to be incredibly helpful on two fronts: (1) the excellent defense of substance dualism that it makes (which I summarized here) and (2) Habermas’ chapter demonstrating that the resurrection of Christ can be demonstrated historically even if we limit ourselves to 12 historical facts accepted by critical scholars.
Five Recommended Books on Theology
This list could get very long, and could be sub-divided into many different areas. So I’ll just limit this list to five of the most helpful and shaping books on the nature of God and the work of redemption that I’ve read.
1. The Pleasures of God by John Piper
2. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne Grudem
3. Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray
4. Faith Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification by R. C. Sproul
5. Knowing God by J. I. Packer
How Best Buy is Using Social Technology to Talk More as a Company at All Levels
The Most Important Prayer Request in the World
How does prayer relate to productivity? In many ways. One is: Focus on the important not just in your actions, but also in your prayers. Make sure you are praying for the most important thing of all.
On this, see John Piper’s great post, The Most Important Prayer Request in the World.
About Matt Perman
Follower of Christ. Husband of one, father of three. Former director of strategy at Desiring God. This blog exists to help equip Christians in good works, because that's what productivity is really about.
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