Old Testament Expert Gives Lecture on Suffering

My Old Testament professor (Jay Sklar) at Covenant Seminary gave a lecture to students on the difficult issue of suffering. Below is an article summarizing his lecture.

Sklar opened the discussion with the five questions people ask when discussing God and suffering. The questions he hoped to answer or clarify for the audience were: What do we mean by evil? Does the presence of evil prove that there is no God? How is evil a problem for atheists? How does the fact that God himself dealt with or experienced evil help us deal with this issue? Where does the story end?

Sklar first discussed the two types of evil he believes are present in the world - the type that we cause ourselves but want to blame someone else for and the type that we have no control over. He also touched on another type of evil that deals with simply not liking something or some situation. 

Read the full article http://www.webujournal.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&ustory_id=910c1b1d-1399-411e-bdc1-11e0ff7b5f59

Can Politics Change Our World?

A helpful word from Pastor Tullian about transforming culture: 

Given the recent uproar in Washington this past week, I thought it might be helpful to post a short section from my book Unfashionable regarding the role of politics and cultural change. Wherever you might land politically, it’s helpful for all Christians to remember that the Kingdom of God is not flying in on Air Force One. 

Read the full post http://www.crpc.org/blog/?p=806

Christian Fear and Health Care

A timely word from Russell Moore:

If we were half as outraged by our own sin and self-deception as we are by the follies of our political opponents, what would be the result?

If we rejoiced as much that our names are written in heaven as we do about such trivialities as basketball brackets, what would be the result?

So if what you’re afraid of is a politician or a policy or a culture or the future of Western civilization, don’t give up the conviction but give up the fear.

Work for justice. Oppose evil. But do it so that your opponents will see not fear but trust, optimism, and affection.

Read the full article here http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/03/22/dont-be-afraid/

Location for New Site

This is the location where the new Christ Community site is going to worship in August 2010 (6151 Central Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220). Trinity Church has been kind enough to offer their facility when it is not in use, which also includes office space for me. We are deeply grateful for their welcoming us to the community. Our services will be held on Sunday evenings (time not yet determined). Some have shared that they would like to barbecue on Sunday afternoons to meet people in the community and fellowship, then head over to the church for our service.

Is cultural transformation a legitimate goal for the church?

Tim Keller’s response:

1) I believe what Abraham Kuyper says about sphere sovereignty. It is my job (as a pastor) to disciple people so that they know how to go into the world to work out of a Christian worldview, which is automatically going to help them to be salt and light and to lead to some kind of cultural change. It has to. It is not my job to start an art gallery or film production company. It is my job (as the pastor) to preach the Word, to administer the sacraments, and exercise discipline. In the process, I disciple people to go out into the world and do those kinds of things that lead to cultural change.

“In the total expanse of human life there is not a single square inch of which the Christ, who alone is sovereign, does not declare, 'That is mine!' Abraham Kuyper

2) Do you think it was a good thing for our culture to abolish slavery? Do you think that it got us a little bit closer to conformity with what God’s will is for human society?

“If you cannot help people (with their particular concerns, challenges, questions), then you do not know how to disciple. You only know how to bring them out of their worlds into your church.” Tim Keller

What are your thoughts? How can you trust God to use your gifts and calling to elicit social change by advancing the Kingdom of God?