If you grew up in the 90's then you should know who Weezer is. Their first album went triple platinum and it was a sweet album. That was the Blue Album. This year they released the Red Album and it is fantastic.

They really mix it up on this album. "The greatest man that ever lived" is a brilliant song pulling from many different influences. The album has a new feel but is also reminiscent of the old school Weezer.

I highly recommend it. Finally, we are getting some good music again!

    

    

        

In case you missed it, the RPCNA jumped off the bridge with everyone else. But the funny thing is that their reason for jumping off the bridge was because everyone else already had. Yesterday I posted Steve Wilkins' response.

Here is the actual ruling from the RPCNA: (the emphasis is Doug Wilson's)


You can read Doug's full thoughts here.

But the my "Quotable Quote"  of today is Wilson's last line.

He says,

        

Steve Wilkins' response to the RPCNA decision about all things NPP/FV related.

"This is undoubtedly one of the silliest things I have ever seen done by a denomination. Ever.

incredible."

    - Steve Wilkins

 

I could not agree more.

        

On May 27th, Steve Wilkins wrote the following in remembrance of John Calvin.

Calvin had not only forbidden the erection of any monument over his grave, but also expressly forbade any pomp at his funeral. Philip Schaff says, “He wished to be buried, like Moses, out of reach of idolatry. This was consistent, with his theology, which humbles man and exalts God.”

A few years ago, I met a university student from Geneva. He said he was an agnostic and when I asked him if he had ever heard of John Calvin, he became visibly upset, “Calvin! Calvin! We will never get away from the influence of Calvin!” You know you’ve done something right when unbelievers get upset at the mention of your name 500 years after your death.

The last paragraph made me laugh out loud. We need more people with names like Calvin.

        

I heard a country song the other day and the lyrics were "I will never be as smart as I once was". This is becoming very true in my own life. I used to think I had everything figured out and that I was on top of all my theology. I knew what I believed and why you should believe what I believe.

Nowadays I am learning that there is very little that I understand and that God is incredibly more complicated and complex than I thought. The Bible is so deep and so wide that I have not even began to understand it.

I don't have a lot to say today other than to encourage you to study humbly. Do not let others tell you what to believe or who to read and not read. Read people that you think you disagree with because you might find that you do not actually disagree with them and that they make excellent points.

Be humble and allow God's Word to change you as you study.

I know I will never again be as smart as I once was.

        

Justin Taylor had a link yesterday on his blog for an interview with N.T. Wright. Click here to see his Entry: Between Two Worlds.

He links to Trevin Wax's blog, Kingdom People. Trevin is the one who interviews Wright. He also interviewed Wright in 2007 and it is available as audio, which I highly recommend you listen to.

The link to the audio is http://saidatsouthern.com/nt-wright-interview-mp3/. This is excellent!

I am currently reading Simply Christian by N.T. Wright. I hope to do a review of it at sometime. I am beginning to have deep respect for him. I think that he has a lot that the church needs to hear and think through.

Please do not just write Bishop Wright off because everyone is telling us that he is a heretic and that he is destroying justification. There is a possibility that what he is saying could be right or it could be wrong but it is something that we should study and not just ignore because we are told that it is wrong.

I have not read enough to say whether I agree or disagree with Bishop Wright but I have read enough to know that he has some very thought provoking ideas and this interview has showed me where his heart is. This man loves Jesus, the church, and wants to see the Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

It is exciting to hear him talk in that way when so many others are pessimistic. Listen and you will be encouraged!

        

Yesterday Steve Wilkins posted this on his blog: http://auburnavenue.org/blog/

According to the Americans for Tax Reform, in 2005: Americans worked 185 days to pay taxes and comply with the regulatory costs of government at the federal, state and local levels. In other words, the cost of government consumes 50.4 percent of national income. That means that every day’s salary up to July 4 went toward paying your tax bill. The report for 2005 indicated that on average Americans would work:

• 84 days to pay for all federal spending
• 43 days to pay all state and local spending
• 37 days to pay the costs of federal regulations
• 23 days to pay the costs of state regulations

Is it any better for this year? Maybe.

but I doubt it.

It is funny that we now have to work till Independence day to be independent. Wouldn't our founding fathers be proud!

        

If you have not started watching Battlestar Galactica then I have a weekend plan for you. Go to your public Library or local video store and rent the first three seasons of Battlestar Galactica. Then order enough pizza from Pizza hut or Dominoes to last the weekend. Grab some chips, soda, and definitely some beer and settle into your favorite chair. You are about to watch one of the greatest television series of all time!

And you better hurry up because episode three of the final season is this Friday. Actually I wouldn't wait for the weekend. I would take a couple days off and then you will be caught up by Friday.

You get the point, it is a great show!

Now here is a teaser!

        

Last night a friend of mine who was a student of mine called me looking for help. He has been more vocal about his faith in school and has gotten to some great discussions. During these discussions he has realized that he needs to understand God more. But he is not alone. Many Christians cannot defend many basic Christian doctrines.

My friend asked me to email him some sources that can help him better understand what he believes and what he believes it. So here is what I sent him. It is not comprehensive but it will help you understand the Trinity better and hopefully help you to be a better apologist (defender of the faith).