Sermon shavings

A few quotes that didn't make the cut this week:

Calvin: "nothing which relates to God can be known aright but by faith."  

Commentary on John 17:6-11.

JC Ryle: "Our entrance into heaven will be entirely by grace, and not of works; but heaven itself would be no heaven to us if we entered it with an unsanctified character....  He who despises holiness, and neglects good works, under the vain pretence of giving honour to justification by faith, shows plainly that he has not the mind of Christ."  

Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, v.4, pg 442.36

At Home in Mitford

At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I finally got around to reading the first Mitford book by Jan Karon. A couple friends recommended it for pastors, though it’s more a feel-good, small-town experience kind of book.

Father Tim is blissfully unaware of his many needs, as he tries to meet the needs of his flock. God’s merciful provision in the midst of our lack of awareness of what we need is a main theme running throughout. Apart from our efforts, and sometimes in spite of them, God helps those around us, and helps us, too.

The writing style is way too sentimental and smarmy for me, and I actually had to put it down for a few weeks because of that. The conversation between Father Tim and his bishop toward the end was pretty good, though.




View all my reviews

Enneagram // Complementarian Conversation

The Enneagram - useful personality tool or therapeutic psychobabble?  Maybe a little of both.  Kevin DeYoung takes a look.


Should women teach in seminaries?  John Piper says no.
That's the question that led to this balanced take at 9 Marks on the differing perspectives within the complementarian camp.

“Many American Christians are tempted to accept the privatization of religion as long as they feel protected within their own ghetto.  Others – eager to champion a public vision for civic betterment – seem more intent on maintaining cultural influence than in exploring with the necessary depth the specific changes our influence might effect.”

Ken Myers

Advent 2017 letter

Mars Hill Audio Journal