Summer reading Christian books

I was glad to see the new book Engaging with Keller a book of essays by mainly British based Presbyterians giving a critique of the popular preacher. I was glad to see it as I have read and heard Keller with profit but am still a little nervous about him. This book which is irenic throughout gives chapter and verse on a number of issues - ie Keller's views on sin (I D Campbell) hell (Bill Schweitzer) the Trinity (Kevin Bidwell) the church's mission (Peter Naylor) hermeneutics (Richard Holst) evolution (Schweitzer again) the church ( D G Hart). The authors have done us all a favour by setting out exactly where they think Keller might be wrong. The book is also useful for all pastors as however orthodox we may endeavour to be, it is very easy to fall into an error of one sort or another and here is a gentle warning and, if necessary, a corrective. Well done EP for publishing it and to all the contributors for putting in the work necessary.

I also read Packer's latest Weakness is the Way which is written out of long experience, well informed theological thought and with thorough and careful exegesis (of 2 Corinthians) but in a gentle and well written style. I fell in love with the book from the start, had a brief struggle when we got onto the subject of money, which didn't make me feel quite so warm inside and then was just moved with thankfulness for the book as a whole which is such a good one. (My one slight criticism, observation really, would be that it is a very short book, the texts expounded also being reproduced in its pages). May be this video will whet your appetite.

Affinity Conference 01/02

Carl Trueman                                           Peter Naylor

So here we are once again in High Leigh Conference Centre for the Affinity Theological Conference. The numbers are smaller than last time and the subject, hopefully, less controversial (though no doubt prompted by the Enns and McGowan books that have caused such a stir). We followed the usual format of hearing a summary of the already received paper then discussing it first in small groups and then in plenary session. We began with Carl Trueman's historical paper which had the limited aim of demonstrating that the Princetonian view of Warfield et al was not a historical novelty, which he seemed to be able to do. We discussed modes of inspiration found in Scripture among other things. The second paper by Peter Naylor looked at literary genres and evangelical hermeneutics focusing on recent commentaries on Jonah, Daniel, etc, that argue against miracles on grounds of genre. Again useful discussion followed.

Ken Brownell chaired the first session and David Green the second. The group I am in was chaired by Colin Jones from Crawley. We had Carl Trueman in the group, 2 LTS students, one of the only women here and mostly ministers.

A good start.

The Truth Shall Set You Free

Most of the papers have now arrived for The Affinity Theological Study Conference 2-4 February at High Leigh Conference Centre in Hoddesdon, Herts. The programme is

DAY ONE

We arrive by 11.30 and after lunch and a welcome we have

14.15 Paper 1: Is the Princeton View of Scripture an Enlightenment Innovation?

Carl R Trueman (Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia) Interview with Trueman here.

Then after tea at 16.15

16.45 Paper 2: Lost on the Old Testament? Literary Genres and Evangelical Hermeneutics

Peter Naylor (Minister, Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Cardiff)

DAY TWO

9.15 Paper 3: Right doctrine, wrong texts. Can we follow the apostles’ doctrine but not their hermeneutics?

Greg Beale (Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia)

11.00 Coffee Break

11.30 Paper 4: Every heretic has his text: the use and abuse of the Bible in the church

Stephen Clark (Minister, Freeschool Court Evangelical Church, Bridgend and Tutor at London Theological Seminary). This I understand is Martin Downes' paper. He can't be there because of the continuing situation at home.

We're free after lunch until

17.00 Paper 5: The Sufficiency of Scripture for Public Theology

Dan Strange (Lecturer in Culture, Religion and Public Theology at Oak Hill College, London)

Followed by Dinner and 20.30-21.30 Corporate Prayer

DAY THREE

9.15 Paper 6: Preaching the Word in the Power of the Spirit: biblical, historical and practical reflections

Hywel R Jones (Visiting Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary, California)

After a coffee break at 11 there's

11.30 Panel Discussion

Followed by lunch and depart (though I'll have to make a quicker getaway as I'm hoping to see my son in  a play in Aber that night).