Goldsworthy Talks

Justin Taylor has links to three talks that Graeme Goldsworthy gave at Southern Seminary on the subject of Biblical Theology.

Eucatastrophe on the Blogroll

Dan Cruver writes a really great blog over at Eucatastrophe so I’ve decided to add him to the blogroll. He was kind enough to add my other blog ‘The Gospel Conversation‘ and so he definitely deserves a shout out – thanks Dan. I must mention that Dan’s a fan of Graeme Goldsworthy and so you budding biblical theologians should have plenty to chew on at his blog. He’s also a fan of Keller, Piper and O’Brien so there’s much overlap in interests with ‘…daylight‘. Go give him a look.

Jensen on Unity

Nope, its not Peter or Phillip but rather the intriguing Michael Jensen who writes just about the most interesting blog on the web. Michael is a stack-load more clever than myself, or most people for that matter, and his grasp of literature, both theological and secular is amazing. He draws on all of this in each of his posts and manages to produce fresh insights into fascinating topics without really being drawn too much into the regular mish mash that does the rounds in the Christian blogsphere (issues like the Emerging Church, the atonement wars, missional church, and basically all the other stuff I write about!).

Today he’s having a look at the issue of the unity of Scripture. Having studied under Graeme Goldsworthy at Moore College, he’s well placed and informed to talk about this subject. And its a subject that I think has not only been neglected in the modern evangelical church in terms of its implications on hermeneutics but its also a subject that I think is fundamental for any budding bible teacher to get their head around. For me, where you land up on the unity of Scripture issue will often determine where you land up on the gospel and just how central it is to salvation and living. Have a look at Michael’s thoughts.

Goldsworthy’s Gospel Quote

I’ve just started reading Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics by Graeme Goldsworthy and by the looks of things I’m not the only one. The following brilliant quote from the book is currently doing the rounds in the blogsphere over at Jollyblogger’s, Mark Moore’s blog and Matt Harmon’s blog. Here’s the quote:

“The gospel is what we must believe in order to be saved. To believe the gospel is to put one’s trust and confidence in the person and work of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. To preach the gospel is faithfully to proclaim that historical event, along with the God-given interpretation of that event. It cannot be stressed too much that to confuse the gospel with certain important things that go hand in hand with it is to invite theological, hermeneutical and spiritual confusion. Such ingredients of preaching and teaching that we might want to link with the gospel would include the need for the gospel (sin and judgment), the means of receiving the benefits of the gospel (faith and repentance), the results or fruits of the gospel (regeneration, conversion, sanctification, glorification) and the results of rejecting it (wrath, judgment, hell). These, however we define and proclaim them, are not in themselves the gospel. If something is not what God did in and through the historical Jesus two thousand years ago, it is not the gospel. Thus Christians cannot ‘live the gospel’, as they are often exhorted to do. They can only believe it, proclaim it and seek to live consistently with it. Only Jesus lived (and died) the gospel. It is a once-for-all finished and perfected event done for us by another.” (p.59)

Missional Influences

‘Missional’ is a tag I use a lot for many of my posts and it also characterizes the type of ministry that I wish to be involved with in the future. I suppose its pretty near the forefront of what I think about all day when I think about ministry. Today I stopped and reflected as to how things came to be this way in my thinking. Which influences shaped my missional thinking. So I’ve decided to list a few (in no particular order – some are more recent influences, others influenced me a while ago. I’ve particularly not included Scripture as an influence because pretty much all of these influences below have helped me to reflect thoughtfully on the Word of God):

• • My good friend Sam who is now a church planter and pastor in Pietermaritzburg.
  • The writings of Steve Timmis and Tim Chester – Sam and I read ‘The Gospel Centered Church‘ together when I was still quite a new Christian.
  • The writings and talks of Tim Keller – I think most would agree that Keller is the unofficial bishop of missionals in the reformed tradition.
  • My studies in Biblical Theology – thanks especially to the writings of Graeme Goldsworthy for helping me to see God’s unfolding plan for his Kingdom.
  • A group of gospel-centered pastors in Kwa-Zulu Natal who took me through a 2 year apprenticeship programme. Thanks Grant, Ray, David, Michael, Wayne and Duane.
  • Christ Church Glenwood (the church Grant and Ray pastor) in Durban – I’d never seen a church like this before with such an emphasis on local mission, especially with the students of UKZN.
  • St. Stephen’s, Claremont – my current church continues to inspire me as they continue to be missionaries for Jesus in the Cape Town community.
  • Bishop Frank Retief – the current presiding bishop of CESA. His commitment to the gospel and church planting over so many years is astounding.
  • Phillip Jensen and the Sydney Anglicans - I’ve never been to Sydney but I’ve read a lot of Jensen’s books and listened to his talks and they’ve left me wanting to help people to come to truly know Christ.
  • Short term spells of working in townships and low income areas in Cape Town – when you’re there on the ground with them you can’t but help becoming missional.
  • The great friendships I’ve built up and discussions I’ve had with my colleagues from Sub-Saharan Africa – thanks Asaf, Leo, Velile, Jean-Blaise, Pastor Pirai, your stories have encouraged me to use whatever gifting I have to be missional here in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • The wonderful self-sacrificial missionaries I met in Malawi last year – you redeemed the concept of ‘missionary’ for me.
  • The crew from U-Turn who work tirelessly with homeless folk everyday – you show that Jesus’ love is very practical.
  • Mark Driscoll – he makes me laugh and he loves Jesus and wants people to be in a right relationship with God.
  • Donald Miller – whether you like him or not ‘Blue Like Jazz‘ is brilliant – it helped me to treat people as human.
  • The Emerging conversation – I have a love/hate relationship with the EC, but the things I love in the EC I really do love.
  • The writings and talks of Don Carson – No one has helped me understand the gospel with more richness and fullness.
  • The Faculty of the Bible Institute of South Africa – you’ve taught me to love people.
  • My friends Mark and Anthony – you both often talk to me about ‘missional’ things. These times have been good, let’s pray that God will help us translate these conversations into faithful ministry on the ground.
  • The world of blogging – its been a lot of fun and I’ve learned stacks from taking part in it.
  • Emergent Africa – seeing your guys’ hearts on these issues has been a privilege.
  • My beautiful country – South Africa – she inspires me to see Jesus as her King.

What are your influences?

Goldsworthy Reviewed

Miles van Pelt, Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, MS has recently review Graeme Goldsworthy’s new book, Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics. It’s quite a long review, but worth the read if you’re interested in Biblical Theology. (HT-Justin Taylor)