Read the New Testament missionally

Just published, Laansma, Osbourne & Van Neste, New Testament Theology in Light of the Church's Mission. Excellent book that throws new light on how to read the New Testament with an eye to our twenty-first century call to mission. It isn't surprising that understanding mission needs careful consideration of the context (our generation) and also of the scriptural mandate. Worth getting hold of!

San Francisco

I've just returned from San Francisco having been to the excellent ETS/SBL conferences there. Couldn't help notice the many homeless people on the streets of the beautiful city. They ask for money at every opportunity, and conclude with 'Have a nice day!' There was irony there somewhere, surely!

devious

Just read Joanne Harris, Blueeyedboy - journal blogs, devious relationships, fractured families, no where to go . . . a great postmodern read - authentic, scarey, and sadly reflecting some people's experience of life today! A great read, but tremendous insight, too!

Prayer

I think I remember that the evangelist DL Moody had a list of 100 friends and prayed for their conversion throughout his life. During that time 96 came to the Lord. The other four were converted during his funeral! God answers faithful, persistent prayer.

Reading with purpose.

‘I haven’t the faintest interest in any theology which doesn’t help us to evangelize,' James Denney.

Resurrection life

The most important thing a pastor does, according to Eugene Peterson, is to say to his congregation, 'Let us worship God.' He continues, 'Worship becomes a place where we have our lives redefined for us.' Worship comes from resurrection life. That transforms my thinking and practice!

Anthony Thiselton

http://www.religiousintelligence.org/churchnewspaper/eos/anthony-thiselton-50-years-of-ministry/

This is worth a read on Anthony Thiselton. Paternoster has a brilliant book out next year (Sept, 2012), Robert Knowles, Anthony Thiselton and the Grammar of Hermeneutics. One reader has dubbed it 'a formidable and landmark commentary on the career-long project of Anthony Thiselton' and 'a milestone in the field'. Why not order it now?