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I have now moved my blog to a new host at www.andyrobinson.org.uk

Dr Wayne Grudem’s Suggested Book List

 

Basic List of Books for a Pastor’s Library

Dr Wayne Grudem … An amazing bible scholar and theologian. His fantastic book “Systematic theology” is a must have reference book for any Christian who wants to understand more of the bible.

A few years ago I was at a conference where Dr Grudem was speaking and I had the pleasure of having dinner with him. As I had just come on staff at Kings Church Horsham we discussed the type of books I should have in my then, nonexistent, reference library. Dr Grudem suggested this list, although a little old now, as I think it was not new at that point either, I would recommend you take a look at it to see if there are any you could/should add to your library.

It really helped me as I wondered which commentary’s to Greek lexicon I should get and I trust It will help you to

Dr Wayne Grudem's Suggested Book List

 

Basic List of Books for a Pastor’s Library

Dr Wayne Grudem … An amazing bible scholar and theologian. His fantastic book “Systematic theology” is a must have reference book for any Christian who wants to understand more of the bible.

A few years ago I was at a conference where Dr Grudem was speaking and I had the pleasure of having dinner with him. As I had just come on staff at Kings Church Horsham we discussed the type of books I should have in my then, nonexistent, reference library. Dr Grudem suggested this list, although a little old now, as I think it was not new at that point either, I would recommend you take a look at it to see if there are any you could/should add to your library.

It really helped me as I wondered which commentary’s to Greek lexicon I should get and I trust It will help you to

Does God Bring About Disasters?

Financial Crisis or Financial Plan?

Does God Cause Disasters

Today I was speaking in church on Acts 11:19-21 and tackled the question is God surprised by things that happen? I particularly look at the story of the scattering church after the murder and subsequent persecution.

The bible tells us in Amos 3:6 that Disaster (Hebrew word is Evil) comes to a city because God caused it! Job 2:10 says “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil” and Isaiah 31:2 says “He is wise and brings disaster” This is a very strange concept for us to grapple with. Is God behind this evil (Not moral evil) that comes upon a city or indeed upon individuals?

 

If you are interested I have done a detailed exegesis of Amos 3:1-6 which you can download here.

 

 

You can listen or download for FREE the sermon I preached that incorporated this whole subject of “Does God Cause Disasters”

 

 

You can Download my Powerpoint Slides from my talk here.

 

Spectacular Sins

I reference this book by John Piper which is a very interesting read and will assist you in some of the thoughts and questions this talk will raise.

Is Infant Baptism Biblical ?

I was baptised as a baby is a common objection when being presented with Believers Baptism. What does the bible say? That is the only question we need to consider. If infant baptism is a bible principle then we should practice it. If it is not then we should consider what the bible does say and follow it.  

There is some argument that baptism of infants is akin to the babies in Israel being circumcised at 8 days old (More). Now there are some parallels here, I agree. Circumcision was a public declaration of belonging to the covenant community of God. Back then you belonged to the covenant community of God by virtue of your birth (your parents) and thus a public declaration was appropriate. However, today we belong to the covenant community of God not by virtue of our parents will, but by virtue of our confession of faith in Jesus, in his death and resurrection, by virtue of acceptance of the grace of God! Thus, baptism must be as a believer.

Now a discussion for another day is about sprinkling vs. immersion. If someone was to come to me and say as a believer I was “sprinkled” rather than immersed, I could accept that as a believer’s baptism although I would want to do a bible study with them based on the New Testament to see if the believer then felt that they would like to respond in the same way as the early church set as the standard example.

However, if someone was to say they were sprinkled as a baby then clearly this is not a believer’s baptism but an act of the will of their parents and not by virtue of them putting their faith in God. I would have to say they have not been baptised and should, as the New Testament shoes us, make a public declaration in that way. There may be, as for the original believers we have read about, some humiliation or even difficulty with family members but we are commanded to repent and be baptised, in that order and I believe that we need to be faithful and live a life worthy of Jesus name, suffering a little humiliation or family unrest for our saviour.

Sometimes the argument is that there is no premise for “re-Baptism” in the bible, and I would agree. There is no biblical president for a rebaptism of a believer. If you were baptised as a youngster and then came to me saying “I did not really fully understand, can I go again” I would say “no”. You were a Christian, you were saved, then you were baptised then that is sufficient “repent and be baptised”. If however you were baptised as an unbeliever because of pressure from parents etc then I would say you were not baptised as a believer and so you should now be. In the same way if you were baptised as a baby, you were not baptised as a believer and so you should now be. It is not “re-baptism” as you were not previously baptised as a believer which is the only New Testament basis for baptism.

If want to listen or download a talk where I discuss this more fully just click here to listen now, or hear to download it as an MP3

I will shortly be writing a paper which will discuss this, and other issues relating to baptism more fully, so check back oon.

Any one for Miracles? – Response to Comments

 Here is a response to the comments left on my previous post “Any one for Miracles?”

Blog Comment

Jesus was not God, he had the holy spirit of God; was born as a miracle of Virgin Mary and was the God’s “word” and prophet on earth. Jesus says in the Bible :”Do not pray to me, but to the “Father” (God). If Jesus himself was the God, he would say, “Pray to me!”

As for the miracles, we live in a universum of miracles.

With or without praying, God watches us, helps us, punishes us, as needed. We are not alone.

Best wishes for lots of miracles to you !

 

 

My Reply

Well there is an opener for you “Jesus was not God”. What can we deduce from that? Are you saying that he was not God, but now is? I’m guessing not.

Jesus was God

There is so much evidence in the bible that Jesus was God.

Jesus Makes Himself Equal to God

John 5:18 (English Standard Version)

This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

Jesus Makes Himself Equal to God

John 8:58 (English Standard Version)

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

This is particularly interesting in that by Jesus using the phrase “I am”, which is clearly grammatically incorrect, is equating himself with God (Yahweh). This would have been easily
recognisable by his Jewish listeners as the part of their scriptures (Our Old Testament) God tells them his name

Exodus 3:14 (English Standard Version)

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

There is no doubt here that Jesus was equating himself with Yahweh the God of the Jews that is with God himself

Jesus Says He & God are One!

John 10:30 (English Standard Version)

I (Jesus) and the Father are one.”

The Apostle Paul Confirms This

Colossians 2:9 (English Standard Version)

For⁾ in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,

I think this is pretty conclusive! There are other scriptures too!

 

Jesus Had the Holy Spirit of God

It seems that we agree that Jesus had the Holy Spirit of God as I think that the bible clearly states that.

Luke 3:22 (English Standard Version)

and the Holy Spirit descended on him [Jesus] in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Luke 4:1 (English Standard Version)

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness

Jesus Was born as a Miracle of Virgin Mary

No argument there!

Matthew 1:18 (English Standard Version)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:35 (English Standard Version)

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.

Jesus was the God’s “word”

Still agreeing with you here as the bible agrees with you. Below we read that “the Word” became flesh and dwelt among us. That is the word became Jesus as a Man

John 1:14-18 (English Standard Version)

14And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15( John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

However, I think that whilst we are in agreement that Jesus was God’s “Word” this statement contradicts the opening statement that “Jesus was not God” as the opening verse of same chapter clearly states that this “word of God” who you agree was Jesus is also God, not a prophet of God, but God himself.

John 1:1 (English Standard Version)

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Clearly if you believe that Jesus was “the word” of God then you must accept that he WAS GOD!

Jesus Said “Do Not Pray to Me”

T o simply state “Jesus says in the Bible :’Do not pray to me, but to the ‘Father’ (God). If Jesus himself was the God, he would say, ‘Pray to me!’” and not provide any references to support
your claim is not all that fair. However, I guess you are refereeing to when the disciples asked Jesus how they should pray and he answers

Matthew 6:9 (English Standard Version)

Pray then like this
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be
your name

Agreed here was directing the disciples to pray to the father (God). However this is not the only passage in the Gospels that explain prayer. In John 14:1-14 we read that Jesus declares that he is the only way to God (John 14:6) and that he will soon go to be with the father. He then explains that when he has gone to be with the father that if we ask him for anything he will do it.

John 14:13-14 (English Standard Version)

13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

This can only refer to prayer as he is talking about when he has gone to be with the Father and is no longer with the disciples in body.

As for the miracles, we live in a universum of miracles

Not sure how to respond to this as “Universum” is not even a word according to dictionary.com and a search of Google gives a Branding company or an Australian Melodic
Death Metal band which in itself sounds like an oxymoron if ever there was one! Anyway, to say we live in a world of miracles then I guess at one level we do. The fact that the earth keeps spinning; that the universe continues at all is a miracle in my book. So God thus sustains everything and is performing miracles constantly. I was however referring to specific miracles following prayer to
Yahweh of the bible the great God above all gods. The one true god. I am referring to praying for the sick and seeing them healed. Now Jesus referred to this in Mark 16:18 that various things will accompany those that believe in him (Jesus) and specifically cites healing. There are numerous other examples of Jesus healing the sick, and many others throughout the New Testament. Jesus disciples after being empowered by the Holy Spirit healed the sick in Acts. So I am fully expectant that as I continue to pray and pursue opportunities to pray for the sick that I will see people healed! Miracles in my hand!

 

 

Is Smoking a Sin ?

What a question – “Is smoking a Sin?”

This is something that has long been debated and, in my opinion, the answer has changed as we have discovered more and more information on the effect of smoking on our health and well being.

I have written a paper that I have cleverly entitled “Is Smoking a Sin” where I examine the whole issue of Smoking and focus on some key areas:

• Addiction
• Rebellion & Deceit
• Health
• Free Choice & Pleasure

The outcome for me was interesting, not because I smoke (I don’t), but because what I discovered affects so much more than smoking. Whilst looking at the area of addiction I was convicted as to my own addiction to caffeine. Whilst looking at the issues of health and looking after the body God has given me I wondered if I do all I could to look after it. So don’t think “I don’t smoke so this does not apply to me”. Take a look!

You can download the full document for free right here

Why I Don’t Like the TNIV

TNIV (Today’s New International Translation)

Following my last Blog Page on “Why I love the ESV” I was asked to expand on my comment “TNIV which I personally think is just plain wrong!” … So here goes.

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Personally I have some real issues with the TNIV (Today’s New International Version) as it seems to me that the major differences between it and the NIV is its attempt at political correctness to a point where it is not what was actually said or written.

This is evident in Psalm 8:4 shown below and in many, many other places throughout the translation. This is just plain wrong!

Psalm 8:4
ESV – What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?
KJV – What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
NIV – What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
NLT – What are mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should care for us?
NASB – What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?
HCSB – What is man that You remember him, the son of man that You look after him?
MESSAGE – Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, Why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way?
TNIV – What are mere mortals that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

Clearly if there is no gender stated or implied in the original Greek or Hebrew text then I am not opposed to translations that use a genderless phrase such as “Human Being”. However, where there is male meaning then it is wrong to translate it in any other way, even if it is unpopular with the liberals or the “politically correct brigade”.

Hebrews 12:7
NIV Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
TNIV … what children are not disciplined by their parents?

This shows a massive difference in meaning.

“The TNIV mistranslates the Greek terms huios (“son”) and pater (“father”), which in their singular forms do not mean “child” or “parent,” and surely not “children” or “parents.” It also obscures the parallel with God as Father in this passage. ” Dr Wayne Grudem

Luke 17:3
NIV If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.
TNIV If any brother or sister sins against you, rebuke the offender; and if they repent, forgive them.

“The TNIV inserts “or sister,” which Jesus did not say. Jesus is using a single male individual (“your brother”) as an example of a general truth, but the TNIV will not let him do this. I agree that the verse applies to sisters who sin, but that is application, it is not translation.” Dr Wayne Grudem

My question is “Where will this all end”? Will we ever see the Lords prayer beginning “Our Parent who art in Heaven” just so we do not offend?

Having read the TNIV cover to cover in recent months there are so many verses that are just not true to original text that I tell our youth, their parents and other adults to avoid this translation … along with the NLT as this too attempts to be “Gender Neutral” where the original text does not support it!

Why I Don't Like the TNIV

TNIV (Today’s New International Translation)

Following my last Blog Page on “Why I love the ESV” I was asked to expand on my comment “TNIV which I personally think is just plain wrong!” … So here goes.

---

Personally I have some real issues with the TNIV (Today’s New International Version) as it seems to me that the major differences between it and the NIV is its attempt at political correctness to a point where it is not what was actually said or written.

This is evident in Psalm 8:4 shown below and in many, many other places throughout the translation. This is just plain wrong!

Psalm 8:4
ESV – What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?
KJV – What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
NIV – What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
NLT – What are mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should care for us?
NASB – What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?
HCSB – What is man that You remember him, the son of man that You look after him?
MESSAGE – Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, Why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way?
TNIV – What are mere mortals that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

Clearly if there is no gender stated or implied in the original Greek or Hebrew text then I am not opposed to translations that use a genderless phrase such as “Human Being”. However, where there is male meaning then it is wrong to translate it in any other way, even if it is unpopular with the liberals or the “politically correct brigade”.

Hebrews 12:7
NIV Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
TNIV … what children are not disciplined by their parents?

This shows a massive difference in meaning.

“The TNIV mistranslates the Greek terms huios (“son”) and pater (“father”), which in their singular forms do not mean “child” or “parent,” and surely not “children” or “parents.” It also obscures the parallel with God as Father in this passage. ” Dr Wayne Grudem

Luke 17:3
NIV If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.
TNIV If any brother or sister sins against you, rebuke the offender; and if they repent, forgive them.

“The TNIV inserts “or sister,” which Jesus did not say. Jesus is using a single male individual (“your brother”) as an example of a general truth, but the TNIV will not let him do this. I agree that the verse applies to sisters who sin, but that is application, it is not translation.” Dr Wayne Grudem

My question is “Where will this all end”? Will we ever see the Lords prayer beginning “Our Parent who art in Heaven” just so we do not offend?

Having read the TNIV cover to cover in recent months there are so many verses that are just not true to original text that I tell our youth, their parents and other adults to avoid this translation … along with the NLT as this too attempts to be “Gender Neutral” where the original text does not support it!

Why I love the ESV

The English Standard Version is, in my opinion, a great translation of the bible and offers a far closer understanding of what the writers actually meant when they wrote the passages.

Many translations provide a “Thought for Thought” translation where the “meaning” of what the writer was trying to day is translated, rather than an actual translation of the words written (i.e. a “Word for Word” translation)

This does mean that “Word for Word” translations might be less easy to read than a “thought for thought” translation but is not so open to the bias of the translator, cultural influences or political correctness influencing the meaning of the final text.

Here are some examples of the differences:

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Genesis 5:2
ESV – Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created.
KJV – Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.
NIV – He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them “man.”
NLT – He created them male and female, and he blessed them and called them “human.”
NASB – He created them male and female, and He blessed them and named them Man in the day when they were created.
HCSB – He created them male and female. When they were created, He blessed them and called them man.
MESSAGE – He created both male and female and blessed them, the whole human race.
TNIV – He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them “human beings.”

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2 Corinthians 5:7
ESV -For we walk by faith, not by sight.
KJV – For we walk by faith, not by sight.
NIV – We live by faith, not by sight.
NLT – That is why we live by believing and not by seeing.
NASB – For we walk by faith, not by sight.
HCSB – For we walk by faith, not by sight.
MESSAGE – It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going.
TNIV – We live by faith, not by sight.

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Psalm 8:4
ESV – What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?
KJV – What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
NIV – What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
NLT – What are mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should care for us?
NASB – What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?
HCSB – What is man that You remember him, the son of man that You look after him?
MESSAGE – Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, Why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way?
TNIV – What are mere mortals that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

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As a youth pastor I wanted to use a modern translation that was true to the original text and so a “word for word” translation was, i felt, essential. However readability was important. The NLT (New Living Translation) which was/is common amongst young people because it is easy to read does miss much of what was actually written and is “on the looser end of the dynamic equivalence spectrum (thought for thought spectrum)” and so I felt it necessary to point my young people to a better translation. There is of course the TNIV (Todays New International Version) which I personally think is just plain wrong! (Maybe I will blog about this soon).

All that said I found the ESV modern, readable and most importantly accurate. I therefore recommend to all my youngsters (and adults too) the English Standard Version