John Piper has returned to Minneapolis to preach his first sermon since being back and write his second fresh words article. Both are based on Luke 18:9f, and both are excellent. The sermon is on justification by faith and the article on speaking to people rather than about people.
In this same justification vein, Phil Johnson has many posts on 2 Corinthians 5:21, this new one being quite strong. I really like this blog, too, even though it's long. The hard reads are worth it.
Desiring God has also put together this page for resources on justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
Thabiti is still blogging away on preaching the Gospel to muslims.
Vishal Mangaldwadi, "an international lecturer, social reformer, political columnist, and author of thirteen books," has his own site, with helpful resources on the Bible's power for social and personal change, with a special focus on India.
Ligon Duncan posts this wonderful wedding and marriage prayer at Reformation 21.
Mark Dever posts on the Bible, church membership, and the Lord's Supper.
Finally, Tim Challies is live-blogging the Sovereign Grace Worship God 2006 Conference.
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1 comment:
Yo, Britt
I read the Piper sermon. I think he correctly diagnoses the question regarding the (so-called) New Perspective on Paul (which, let's face it -- though he didn't mention it, that's what the sermon was about). The question is whether justification is via Christ's righteousness or a righteousness that God works out in His people.
However, I'm not so sure he answered it from that text. He says the pharisees were condemned for trusting their own righteousness that they believed was from God. I see where he gets that, but I don't think that's what the text is saying.
He fails to account for the very last phrase in the parable "...For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." If the pharisees truly believed that their righteousness was a gift from God, would this sentence be there? Would they be exalting self if they truly believed their righteousness was from God? Would Jesus condemn them for their lack of humility if they truly believed their righteousness was from God?
I think the thrust of the text is that they are self-righteous. They do not believe their righteousness is from God. The pharisees consistently paid lip-service to God, but were trusting in themselves. This parable is no different. The pharisee in the parable trusted himself and was proud -- he did not believe his righteousness was from God.
A righteousness from God -- whether Christ's righteousness or a righteousness that God works out in His people -- is a humbling gift, not an exalting gift.
The text is not about Christ's righteousness verses a righteousness from God other than Christ's. It is about pride verses humility -- trusting self for righteousness verses trusting God for righteousness.
Any thoughts?
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