Remembering Reformation Day 499 Years Later

Four hundred and 99 years ago, Martin Luther sparked the Protestant Reformation by nailing his 95 Theses to the doors of the church at Wittenberg. But what led to that was his wrestling with the biblical text, particularly Romans 1 and the phrase “the just shall live by faith.” In this brief video, R.C. Sproul explains:

Don’t Miss List: On Unity, Gracious Disagreement, Racial Justice and Archaeology

Concerns about Together 2016 from the Reformed Nazarene blog

In less than a week, Together 2016 will happen in Washington, D.C. (where I live). Bringing together a wide range of speakers and musicians. Reformed Nazarene delves into who is speaking and performing and brings up some reasons to be wary. Which begs the question, when is unity right and when is it wrong?

Russell Moore on the shootings and racial justice

The news of the past week has been heartbreaking, both the news of black men being killed by cops and the news that police officers were targeted and murdered in Dallas. Evil continues to ravage our world. Since I do not know what to say in the wake of all this, I will share a piece by Russell Moore that definitely made me think.

Audio: Phil Johnson on Fundamentalism

Everyone’s heard the term “fundamentalism” or fundamentalist applied to Christianity, but what did that mean originally, how did it change over time, what did it have right and wrong, and what is its relationship to evangelicalism?

Phil Johnson answers those questions and many more in this lecture from several years ago Fighting for the Faith dug up. Check it out.

What the Resurrection Means for Your Life Today

Today is the day Christians mark as Resurrection Sunday, in the belief that Jesus was raised from the dead after his crucifixion, death and burial.

We affirm, as the Scriptures tells us, that God raised Jesus from the dead as he had said would happen. (Matthew 28:6 “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.)

But what does that mean really and how does it relate to you today?

Facts and Historical Support for the Resurrection of Jesus

Christianity rests on claims of historical events: specifically that Jesus was God and man, that he really lived on this earth, was put to death by crucifixion and rose from the grave as “he said he would.” (Matthew 28:6)

It is not an understatement to say that if those things did not happen, there is no Christianity. There is no good news of the gospel. There is no hope in Jesus Christ, because we remain dead in our sins and separated from God.

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15: “Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.”

What If Christ Didn’t Rise?

In my search for Holy Week sermons, I found this one from Grace to You called What If Christ Didn’t Rise? It addresses the essential matter of the resurrection and I hope it will bless you today.

Blog Anniversary Giveaway 2: The Case for the Resurrection

Since it is Holy Week, I thought this week’s blog anniversary giveaway ought to be resurrection focused.

So, here’s what I settled on. Gary Habermas’s message about the theological necessity and the historical truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is one message from my time at Liberty University I still remember fondly.

It’s true that without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Christianity is “vain.” Yet, there are so many trying to tear down this truth. I want to you to be equipped friends.

So, if you want to win this book and be prepared to answer those skeptics comment here at the website, on my Facebook page, or Tweet me (@steakandabible). This drawing will close midnight on Resurrection Sunday (Easter).

 

Happy Reformation Day!

Today is Reformation Day. I really appreciated this explanation of what means from Dr. Stephen Nichols:

DVD Giveaway: Patterns of Evidence Winner Announced

I promised a winner announcement today, so here you go. First, thank you to everyone who commented, emailed and tweeted for this giveaway. @Kris_tea is the winner of this great DVD.

DVD Giveaway: Patterns of Evidence, Exodus

A few months ago I heard about this movie, Patterns of Evidence: Exodus, a documentary film examining the Biblical story of Exodus and looking for evidence in history and archaeology. I was lucky enough to be able to see it during the one night engagement at a nearby movie theater. (Keep reading for contest info)