I was blessed to go to the
DG National Conference this weekend. It was entitled "The Life of the Mind and the Love of God." Let me say first off that my mind, after this weekend, seems to have little life left in it. I feel wrung out. I feel convicted. I feel excited. I feel.
I initially entitled to write extensively on each of the speakers. I don't have the energy. Instead, I am going to write some brief reflections on what I did watch.
Kevin DeYoung asked his audience to rethink the idea of being missional. He argued that the term "missional" has lost meaning in the modern church and that we need to redefine what we mean. He pointed out that too often, Christians are replacing what missions should actually do, with something else (e.g., social justice). He argued instead that the purpose of missions is to make disciples. His phrase, "get disciples, not decisions" seemed to capture much of what he said. He pointed out that if those following the great commission are not actually preaching Christ, they are really not doing things any differently than...say...Angelina Jolie, or something along those lines.
Randy Alcorn preached excellently on Romans 8:28. I didn't take many notes, but he pointed out that the evil and suffering in the world allows us to see the extent of God's grace.
Rick Warren, of purpose driven fame, was telecasted in due to a number of family crises. He is a gifted speaker. He presented 5 principles to teach church members: 1) don't believe everything you think, 2) Guard your mind from garbage, 3) Never let up on learning, 4) feed yourself daily with God's word, 5) you must let God stretch your imagination. Warren shared many useful ideas and practical strategies for continued growth. I particularly appreciated two ideas. First, he said that in fighting against sin, we should not just resist, but replace temptation. Second, he said that we only believe the parts of the Bible that we actually do. There were several concerns as well. He has a strong self-help, pull yourself up by your bootstraps approach, which didn't seem to fit with the other speakers who are so utterly reliant on God's grace. One thing he said that I really struggled with was "where there is no vision, people perish." I wrote in my notes, "where there is no Christ, people perish." It was quite unfortunate that the Q&A between Piper and Warren did not happen though I hope it does in the future.
RC Sproul opened the Saturday session. I was tired. He was deep. Not a good combination. He began by talking about the philosopher Thales who was looking for a singular explanation for all the diversity seen around him. He concluded it must be in water. He then traced the lines of philosophical thought through Aristotle finishing with Paul's ministry on Mars Hill and how Christ was the only explanation of unity in the diversity. I need to listen to it again to see what I missed.
Thabati Anyabwile discussed sharing the gospel with Muslims and as a former Muslim who converted to Christ, he was uniquely positioned to give this talk. He suggested that the goal for Christians was "truth entering the head, igniting the heart, and flowing out through the hands." He noted that as Christians, we seem to assume the unreachability of Muslims and, out of fear, we don't evangelize these folks. I thought the most important point he made was twofold: 1) "we need to work for the faithful containment of the established religion in the state" and 2) "defend Islam's ability to practice their faith." He believes that the more firmly the separation of church and state is upheld, the less likely it will be that sharia law will dominate or take over. Everyone should listen to this teaching. It was exceptional.
Al Mohler preached on Romans 1 regarding how God gave us up to a depraved mind--all of us--at the fall and that our only hope is that God reveals himself to us.
Francis Chan preached on loving people. A basic point that increasing in knowledge is for nothing if it is not used to love other people. If you watch nothing else from this conference, please watch his teaching.
John Piper concluded the conference on how we might use our minds to the glory of God. I particularly liked this quote, "
There is an odd notion that, if we use our minds to grow in our knowledge of God, mystery will diminish and with it a sense of wonder and reverence. I call this notion odd for two reasons. One is that, no matter how many millions of ages I use my mind to know more and more of God’s majesty, his glories will never be in danger of being exhausted. What is not yet known of God by finite creatures will always be limitless. You honor this truth more by shameless growth in the knowledge of God."
I also had the opportunity to see a taping of the White Horse Inn, a favorite radio show of mine. It was exceptional weekend with old friends and new.
(2010). This book is essentially Bill Craig's "Apologetics for Dummies", yet I still felt too dumb to truly understand his depth. Dr Craig is such a deep thinker who clearly reasons like a philosopher. I deeply appreciate his views, particularly on the moral argument and the cosmological argument for the existence of God. With that said, if I were a newbie to apologetics, I would get materials from Greg Koukl or Lee Stroebel instead as they provide just the kiddie pool that most of us amateurs need. 3.5 stars.
by David Platt (2010). When I started this book, I was immediately struck with the similarity to The Hole in Our Gospel: What does God expect of Us? The Answer that Changed my Life and Might Just Change the World
and Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God
. Platt, the pastor of a large megachurch in the south, issues a challenge to American Christians. He suggests that many churches in America are plagued with a desire for comfort, security, and self-sufficiency, which he notes is contrary to the gospel of Jesus which promises difficulty and persecution. He urges readers to "give liberally, go urgently, and live dangerously." When I read books like these three I mentioned, I struggle to reign myself in from cashing in my chips on the American dream and moving half way around the world proclaiming at the top of my lungs "to live is Christ, but to die is gain!"today. But perhaps...perhaps...that is what God is calling us to do. 4.5 stars.
by John MacArthur (1988/2008). This book is not for the faint of heart. Near the end of the book, MacArthur refers to himself as a controversialist in that he brings up challenging things because he refuses to abandon the gospel. The premise of this book is "lordship salvation." In other words, MacArthur argues that although salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, a saved person's life will necessarily show evidence of increased sanctification and holiness. To be clear, he does not believe that perfection will be, or even can be, obtained on earth, but that when a person is born again, he is truly a new creation who will look differently to the world. He flatly denies the concept of "carnal Christianity" and spends much time raising a challenge to those who would claim Christ as savior, but fail to claim him as Lord. 4 stars.
by Jerry Bridges (1978/2006). On the book's jacket, Charles Colson wrote, "I believe this is a modern classic. Few books have had the influence on me that this one has." Although I have yet to see the influence in my life, I pray that it does. Bridges wrote an exceptionally readable, but important book about holiness. Holiness is a concept that many Christians do not understand, perhaps because it is not often addressed in churches today. I found myself eager to read more and apply what I was reading. This is probably amongst the top 5 Christian books I have read (certainly top 10). 5 stars.
by John Piper (2008). This book, as Piper's books so often do, highlight the perfect sovereignty of God. Piper reviews many of the "spectacular sins" of the Bible such as Joseph's betrayal by his brothers and Jesus' betrayal by Judas and he talks about how God ordained those actions all for the glory of Christ. This short book is unique in its focus, but a worthwhile read. 4 stars. 
by JI Packer (1994). Packer wrote a brief summary of the Puritans, a primarily English, primarily Reformed movement that followed on the heels of the reformation. The Puritans were deeply Biblical, strongly theological, and profoundly doxological. Packer rightly points out that we could learn much from the Puritans. The only criticism is one I would apply to all I have read of Packer; he is theologically intense, but often loses me with his style, or perhaps with his intellect. 3 stars.
by Kevin DeYoung (2009). DeYoung describes the wisdom approach to the will of God. His book is subtitled, "How to make a decision without dreams, visions, fleeces, impressions, open doors, random Bible verses, casting lots, liver shivers, writing in the sky, etc." Too often, as Christians, we believe that (a) God has a specific plan for our lives and (b) that He expects us to discover it. A is true; B is not. He wraps up the book at the end by writing, "So the end of the matter is this: Live for God. Obey the Scriptures. Think of others before yourself. Be Holy. Love Jesus. And as you do these things, do whatever else you like, with whomever you like, and you'll be walking in the will of God." I strongly recommend this book to anyone seeking to discern God's will. 4.5 stars.
by Marilynne Robinson (2010). Robinson's book is the second of the month whose style is intellectually challenging yet richly satisfying. She challenges many of the many of the current thinking about God by the new atheism and does so with grace. 3.5 stars.
by DA Carson (2010). Carson wrote this very accessible Biblical survey. Essentially, he walks through the Bible from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22, discussing the primary themes of the Bible in 14 chapters. The book could easily be used in a Bible study format for unbelievers, new believers, and seasoned believers alike. 4 stars.
