A Special “Elephant Room 2” Edition of Five to Live By

Linking you to the top 5 Christian blog posts of the week—posts that provide robust, rich, and relevant insights for living.

Today’s Five to Live By is a special “Elephant Room 2” (ER2). If you don’t know what ER2 is, or even if you do, keep reading… 

ER2 Intro Video

See for yourself what the ER2 says about itself in this 3 minute Video Introduction. 

Preliminary Thoughts on ER2

In this post, Trevin Wax provides Preliminary Thoughts on the Elephant Room including some timely updates about the situation as it relates to The Gospel Coalition.

Read All About It! Live Blog Sessions by Trevin Wax

Extra, extra, read all about it in these live blog sessions posted by Trevin Wax.

• Live Blog 1: With a Little Help from My Friends.

• Live Blog 2: Can’t Buy Me Love.

• Live Blog 3: Hard Day’s Night.

• Live Blog 4: Ticket to Ride.

• Live Blog 5: Come Together.

• Live Blog 6: Help.

• Live Blog 7: We Can Work It Out.

• Live Blog 8: Speed Round. 

Blog Summaries from Mark Driscoll’s Site

ER2 participant, Pastor Mark Driscoll’s site posted summaries of each session. Read them here:

• With a Little Help from My Friends.

• Can’t Buy Me Love.

• Hard Day’s Night.

• Ticket to Ride.

• Come Together.

• Help.

• We Can Work It Out. 

Entire Transcript of Session 4 on the Trinity

Tom Chantry has posted his entire transcript of the interaction in session 4 related to the Trinity. Read it word for word at Session 4 Transcript.

Bonus Link # 6: Beyond the Elephant Room 

Trevin Wax not only “live blogged,” he also posted a nuanced after-the-event assessment which you can read at Grace and Truth Beyond the Elephant Room.

Bonus Link # 7: There and Back Again 

Denny Burke provides some nuanced theological perspective as he reflects on ER2 after the event in Some Thoughts on the Elephant Room.

Bonus Link # 8: On the Eve of ER2

On the eve of ER2, host pastor James MacDonald announced his resignation from The Gospel Coalition. Read his thoughts and how they relate to ER2 in Why I Resigned from The Gospel Coalition. 

Tim Keller and Don Carson, founding leaders of TGC, respond briefly to Pastor MacDonald’s resignation in James MacDonald Resigns from TGC. 

Dan Philips at his “Biblical Christianity” blog site shares his very strong assessment of the resignation in Even Better Than the Race Card. 

Join the Conversation 

In the coming days and weeks, much more will be written on the Net about ER2. What are your thoughts?

RPM Ministries: Equipping You to Change Lives with Christ’s Changeless Truth

12 Top Christian Book Reviewers

Yesterday in Feast On a Good Book, I asked the question,

“How do you know whether a book is worth buying and reading?”

My answer:

“A recommendation by someone you trust sure does help.”

I then linked you to my RPM Ministries Book Review site, plus provided direct links to nearly two dozen of my favorite book reviews.

What About Other Christian Book Reviewers? 

There are many excellent Christian book reviewers on the Net. So, today I’m linking you to folks whose reviews I always benefit from—even when I don’t always agree with 100% of their review.

All of these folks do much more on their blogs than review books.

By the way, “Christian book reviewers” means a Christian who reviews books from a Christian worldview. This is different from focusing on reviews of Christian books from any perspective. Ponder that one…

My Dozen Favorite Christian Book Reviewers

In alphabetical order, my 12 top Christian book reviewers…

• Thabiti Anyabwile: Articulate, courageous, informed and informing…

• Aaron Armstrong: Theologically-astute, fair, focused, challenging, stretching…

• Tim Challies: Discerning, prolific, quality and quantity, a “Berean” mindset…

• Nathaniel Claiborne: Fearless, pointed, thorough, engaging…

• Brian Croft: Pastoral…clear recommendations, a shepherd’s heart, encouraging, to the point…

• Kevin DeYoung: Robust, blending pastoral ministry and theology, well-spoken, insightful…

• Brad Hambrick: Detailed, generous, practical, focused on life change…

• David Murray: Enjoyable, comprehensive, seeing with new eyes, thinking outside the box, articulate…

• Andy Naselli: Robust, theological, cutting-edge…

• Paul Tautges: Pastoral, practical, gracious, speaking the truth in love…

• Justin Taylor: Well-spoken, focused, deep, clear, doesn’t waste words…

• Trevin Wax: Enlightening, edifiying, instructive, profound… 

Bonus Feature: My Three Favorite Christian Book Review Sites

In addition to individual book reviewers, I recommend the following three Christian book review sites (listed alphabetically).

• The Biblical Counseling Coalition’s Book Review Site: Over a dozen book reviewers provide book reviews, author interviews, and book video trailers. Visit the BCC’s Book Review Site for reviews of books related to biblical counseling, pastoral ministry, marriage, parenting, and Christian living.

• The Discerning Reader Book Review Site: Originally launched by Tim Challies and now directed by Mark Tubbs, Discerning Reader is a leader in Christian book reviews. Find out for yourself here. 

• The Gospel Coalition Book Review Site: TGCR provides robust reviews on a wide variety of topics. Read TGCR reviews here for an Evangelical Christian perspective on books in the news.

Join the Conversation

Which of these reviewers do you read and enjoy? What additional Christian book reviewers would you add to this list? Why?

RPM Ministries: Equipping You to Change Lives with Christ’s Changeless Truth

Feast on a Good Book

How do you know whether a book is worth buying and reading? 

A recommendation by someone you trust sure does help.

Because it’s somewhat tucked away on my site, you may not be aware that I do a lot of book reviewing. Visit my RPM Ministries Book Review Site for links to over 350 reviews. 

To encourage you to visit often, in today’s post I point you to a number of sources for my book reviews, plus a sampling of some of my favorite reviews.

Book Review Sites Where I Post Reviews 

1. The Biblical Counseling Coalition’s Book Review Site

Along with a dozen other reviewers, I provide book reviews, author interviews, and book video trailers. Visit the BCC’s Book Review Site for reviews of books related to biblical counseling, pastoral ministry, marriage, parenting, and Christian living.

2. The Gospel Coalition Book Review Site 

I provide biblical counseling and pastoral ministry reviews for The Gospel Coalition’s Book Review site. You can read my TGC reviews here. 

3. The Discerning Reader Book Review Site 

I provide reviews of a wide array of books at the Discerning Reader site. You can read all of my DR reviews here. 

4. Amazon Reviews

I’ve reviewed over 350 books at Amazon.com. Read my Amazon reviews here. 

Sample Some of My Favorite Book Reviews at My RPM Ministries Book Review Site

For direct access to this sampling of some of my favorite reviews posted right here at RPM Ministries, click on the title to any of the books below.

The Biblical Counseling Movement by David Powlison. 

The Biblical Counseling Movement After Adams by Heath Lambert. 

Counsel from the Cross by Elyse Fitzpatrick. 

Counsel One Another, Comfort Those Who Grieve, and Counsel Your Flock: The Paul Tautges Trilogy. 

CrossTalk by Mike Emlet. 

Faithful Feelings by Matthew Elliott. 

Give Them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick. 

Glory Road by Anthony Carter. 

The Heart of Addiction by Mark Shaw. 

Helpful Truths in Past Places by Mark Deckard. 

A History of Pastoral Care in America by E. Brooks Holifield. 

If God Is Good by Randy Alcorn. 

The Mystery of the Holy Spirit by R. C. Sproul. 

Out of a Far Country by Christopher Yuan. 

Putting Your Past In Its Place by Steve Viars. 

Psychology in the Spirit by John Coe and Todd Hall, Review Part One, Review Part Two, and Review Part Three. 

The Radical Disciple by John Stott. 

Resolving Everyday Conflict by Ken Sande. 

Seeing With New Eyes by David Powlison. 

A Sweet and Bitter Providence by John Piper. 

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. 

When Life Is Hard by James MacDonald. 

Join the Conversation

Which of these books has most impacted you? Or, which of these books do you most what to read?

RPM Ministries: Equipping You to Change Lives with Christ’s Changeless Truth

Five to Live By: The Elephant Room Edition

Linking you to the top 5 Christian blog posts of the week—posts that provide robust, rich, and relevant insights for living.

Note # 1: Today’s edition is a special post related to a recent “Christian blogosphere controversy” over Pastor James MacDonald inviting Bishop T. D. Jakes to the second edition of MacDonald’s “Elephant Room.” The particular question in point revolves around Jakes’ view of the Trinity. Given the nature of this issue, today’s Five to Live By will have more than five links. Even still, given the number of blogs on the topic,
I’ve had to be selective and I’ve attempted to provide something of a cross-section of posts and responses.

Note # 2: The first three headers/links below are posts from “later” in the discussion. They provide something of a summary of issues. They also will be the last links I add in this edition of Five to Live By.

James MacDonald Responds to the Responses

After reflecting on all the response he received, Pastor James MacDonald pens a humble response in the appropriately titled: Humble Pie—A Hearty Meal.

Carson and Keller Offer a TGC Response

D. A. Carson and Tim Keller, founders of The Gospel Coalition, provide a detailed, nuanced post expressing something of an “official” TGC response not only to this issue, but to other similar issues. You can read their insights in: Reflections on Confessionalism, Boundaries, and Discipline.

Kellemen Discusses Our Relational Obligations

As the “dust is settling,” I wanted to offer my perspective not so much on the issue itself, but on how the issue has been and could have been developed in the Christian blogosphere. Read my thoughts in: Responding to Public Error.

The Elephant Room

If you want the background to the Elephant Room, along with updates on speakers invited for ER2, visit: The Elephant Room. As of September 29, 2011, there is a Revised Purpose Statement listed on the ER home page.

James MacDonald’s Initial Post

After his initial announcement about the invite of T. D. Jakes created a response, MacDonald posted: Association Versus Discernment and Is James MacDonald Changing?

James MacDonald’s Follow-Up Post

When MacDonalds’ comments in his initial post resulted in additional blogosphere interaction, MacDonald added his follow-up post: Why I Am Excited to Have T. D. Jakes in the Elephant Room. 

Thabiti Anyabwile Writes Candidly and Carefully

Pastor Thabiti Anyabwile provides both a biblical and cultural perspective on this important issue. Having written about Jakes in his book, The Decline of African American Theology, Pastor Anyabwile’s insights are pertinent. Read them in: Collateral Damage in the Invitation of T. D. Jakes to the Elephant Room. 

A. J. Carter on the Elephant

A. J. Carter presents his perspective as an African American pastor about the impact of this issue on the Black Church in: The Elephant Wins. 

Tim Challies Offers His Discernment

Tim Challies offers his nuanced perspective: MacDonald, Jakes, and the Elephant in the Room. 

Carl Trueman’s First Response

Carl Trueman attempts to place the current discussion in historical perspective with his post: Is Nicene Christianity That Important? An Historical-Ecumenical Note.

Carl Trueman’s Second Response

In: L’Orthodoxie? C’est Moi!, Trueman files a follow-up response, that is, shall I say, quite pointed.

Nathan Busenitz Weighs In

Nathan Busenitz, who serves on the pastoral staff at Grace Church and teaches theology at The Master’s Seminary, provides a theological and historical perspective in: Modalism, Oneness, and T. D. Jakes. 

Mark Driscoll Responds to Some Responses

Mark Driscoll weighs in as he responds to the responses with a lengthy post, including a history of the doctrine of the Trinity, in: Reflections on James MacDonald, T. D. Jakes, and the Trinity.

Kevin DeYoung on the Trinity

Pastor Kevin DeYoung’s post never notes whether it is intended to be a response or even whether it is related specifically to the current issue, but at the very least it is timely. Read Pastor DeYoung’s post: The Doctrine of the Trinity: No Christianity without It. 

Ray Ortlund on the Trinity

Pastor Ray Ortlund, like DeYoung, never notes whether his post is motivated by the current debate. Again, it certainly is, at the very least, timely. Read Pastor Ortlund’s post: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. 

Owen Strachan on the Trinity

Owen Strachan provides some video material on the Trinity and church history. View the video (and others) in: On the Trinity. 

Tim Keller’s Ground Rules for Blogging Interactions

At the Redeemer City Blog, Tim Keller provides three ground rules for blogging interactions when discussing theological issues. While not necessarily prompted by the current discussion, the ground rules are timely. Read them in: Gospel Polemics. 

Justin Taylor Provides Some Links

Justin Taylor provids several links to the early responses. Read his thoughts and follow his links in: Not Your Grandpas Anti-Trinitarianism: An Analysis of Oneness Pentecostalism. 

Join the Conversation

After reading this selective cross-section of posts, counter-posts, and responses, what are your thoughts? What additional posts would you add?

Five to Live By: The TGC11 Edition 

Linking you to the top 5 Christian blog posts of the week—posts that provide robust, rich, and relevant insights for living. Today’s Five to Live By converge around the theme of the 2011 Gospel Coalition Conference.

God’s Holy Love

TGC’s own blog has a boatload of great links and updates, including this one that responds to the “Rob Bell Controversy”: God: Abounding in Love; Punishing the Guilty.

Trevin’s Seven

Trevin Wax also has a TGC Edition this week in his Trevin’s Seven. He includes eight links (it was a special week and he couldn’t stop at seven—I’ve been there; done that) to keynote messages preached at the conference. Find them at The TGC Edition.

TGC and the BCC

Pastor Steve Viars talks about the benefits of coalescing coalitions in Coalitions Working Together.

Sister Coalitions

Maybe once or twice a year, at most, I include one of my own blogs in this list—only when it really fits a theme. This is one of those times. Read The Ministry of the Word—Public and Mutual for my take on how the Gospel Coalition and the Biblical Counseling Coalition mesh.

“Gathering the GC Tribe”

Darryl Dash of the Dash House shares his view of TGC11 in The Real Benefit of TGC11.

Join the Conversation

Which post impacted you the most? Why? What blog posts have you enjoyed this week that you want to share with others?

The Ministry of the Word: Public and Mutual 

As I’ve been enjoying the 2011 Gospel Coalition Conference in Chicago while representing the Biblical Counseling Coalition several “dual images” have come to mind.

• Preaching and Counseling

• The Public Ministry of the Word and the Mutual Ministry of the Word

• The Pulpit Ministry of the Word and the Personal Ministry of the Word

• Air Wars and Ground Wars

• Bombing the Shores and Hand-to-Hand Combat

Changing Lives with Christ’s Changeless Truth

Each twin metaphor compares and contrasts how God’s Word changes lives with Christ’s changeless truth either through the public proclamation of the Word (preaching, teaching, corporate worship, etc.) or through the mutual ministry of the Word (counseling, one-another ministry, personal discipleship, small group ministry, spiritual friendship, soul care, etc.).

Both “types of ministries” should be ministries of the Word. Both should be based upon the conviction that God’s Word is authoritative, sufficient, relevant, and profound. That foundation should never change, although the “method” of communication/connecting is quite different in preaching than in personal counseling.

Here’s what excites me about the Gospel Coalition and the Biblical Counseling Coalition. We are both committed to the public ministry of the Word where expository, exegetical preaching relates God’s truth to people’s lives, and we don’t “jump ship” and change our commitment when it comes to the personal (or private/mutual) ministry of the Word (counseling). We see no dichotomy between the foundation for the public and the private ministry of the Word.

Gospel-Centered Commitment

In other words, as pastors and teachers, when we’re in the pulpit or at the lectern, we trust the power of God’s Word to change lives, and when we’re in our offices with a struggling parishioner or at Starbucks with a spiritual friend, we maintain that trust, rather than trusting instead in worldly wisdom. We are confident that God’s Word is profoundly relevant to change lives when shared from the pulpit, and we maintain that confidence in the personal/mutual ministry of the Word when sitting across from a parishioner.

Again, I’m not suggesting that counseling equals individual preaching. I am, however, suggesting that counseling (the personal/mutual ministry of the Word) equals spiritual conversations based upon biblical insights for living mutually explored in the context of a committed, caring relationship (Ephesians 4:15-16; Philippians 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 2:8). I am suggesting that the Word is powerful to change lives both when preached from the pulpit and when applied together in the relational context of one-another ministry.

Join the Conversation

Why do some Evangelicals seem to lose their confidence in the authority, sufficiency, and profound relevance of God’s Word when they move from preaching/teaching to personal counseling? How can we encourage and equip God’s people to minister the Word powerfully in all contexts?