Today’s Kindle deals include God and the Transgender Debate by Andrew Walker, Welcome by Jen Oshman, and Philippians For You by Steve Lawson. That’s a good day!
Meanwhile, Westminster Books has the New Studies in Biblical Theology series on sale this week. The discounts get deeper the more you buy.
(Yesterday on the blog: Is Watching Porn a Sin?)

Alan Shlemon answers this one well by distinguishing between the different uses of the name “Allah.” “There’s confusion about the word ‘Allah.’ Recently, a commentator claimed that ‘Allah’ is just the Arabic word for God, and that it doesn’t specifically refer to a different god. Her reasoning? ‘Arabic-speaking Christians pray to Allah.’ Is that true? Yes and no. Some nuance is needed. Here are four points to understand.”

This is a helpful explanation of the different categories of doctrinal weight in Christian theology. We are all tempted to elevate the categories that are most important to us, so it’s important that we continue to refresh ourselves on this!

Andrew Walker discusses a biblical view of self-defense.

I really enjoyed this telling of the conversion story of Delhi’s first Indian Christian.

“Whenever I write, I try to keep four goals in mind. I don’t consider something ready to publish until it has, more or less, accomplished all four goals. I wrote down these goals before I started writing my book and returned to them throughout the writing and editing process. It was important to me that I could read through the book and know that my writing was doing specifically what I wanted it to do. It also gave me a rubric for editing. If something didn’t accomplish these goals, I needed to fix it.”

“God, give me the faith to believe that you are always good no matter the circumstance. Help me to see your fingerprints in my story and trust that you will provide. When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, help me stand on the promises of God.”

I’ve observed that some sermons are actually Bible studies and some Bible studies are actually sermons. Though I will grant there can be a fine line between the two, I find it helpful to force myself to distinguish between them, especially when I am asked to lead one or the other.

The most universally awesome experience that mankind knows is to stand alone on a clear night and look at the stars.
—J.I. Packer

This week Free Stuff Fridays is sponsored by Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
For the Church Institute is a free online platform from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary designed to provide free and accessible theological training to equip, encourage, and edify local churches. Courses may be taken as a self-paced individual or as a group within your local church.
Our newest course, Interpreting the Bible, examines biblical interpretation through the lenses of literature, history, and theology with Dr. Todd Chipman, Dean of Graduate Studies and Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at MBTS.
Five winners will receive a book bundle from MBTS faculty. Giveaway winners are limited to North America.
Faculty Book Bundle
Canon, Covenant, and Christology
By Matthew Barrett
“In this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume, Matthew Barrett argues that Jesus and the apostles have just as convictional a doctrine of Scripture as Paul or Peter, but it will only be discovered if the Gospels are read within their own canonical horizon and covenantal context. The nature of Scripture presupposed by Jesus and the Gospel writers may not be addressed directly, but it manifests itself powerfully when their words are read within the Old Testament’s promise-fulfilment pattern.” (IVPress)
Scripture Storyline
By Todd Chipman
“Scripture Storyline guides the reader through the Old and New Testaments, showing how every section of Scripture is connected as part of a grand narrative of God’s redemptive work.” (Fontes Press)
Delighting in the Old Testament
By Jason DeRouchie
“This accessible guide stresses the need to keep Christ at the center and to account for the progress of salvation history when applying the Old Testament today. It helps Christians interpret the Old Testament, see how it testifies to Jesus, believe that Jesus secured every divine promise, and understand how Jesus makes Moses’s law still matter. By more strongly comprehending Old Testament teachings and how they relate to the New, Christians will better enjoy the Old Testament itself and increasingly understand all that Jesus came to fulfill.” (Crossway)
The Four Gospels
By Patrick Schreiner
“In The Four Gospels: Jesus, the Hope of the World, Patrick Schreiner demonstrates the critical importance of the gospel narratives, not only as the stories of our Savior, but also as the climax of God’s story.” (B&H Academic)
The Storied Life
By Jared C. Wilson
“In The Storied Life, veteran author Jared C. Wilson explores the ins and outs of writers and writing, exploring the myriad ways the craft is more about transformation than simply communication. From decades of experience and with his signature wit, Wilson brings well-earned insight, autobiographical reflections, and meaningful meditations to the topic of writing as a way of life and as a way of worship, showing how the concept of Story–our personal stories and God’s grand story of redemption–shapes fiction and non-fiction writers alike.” (Zondervan Academic)
Enter Here
To enter the draw,

Enter your name and email address in the form below, which will add you to Midwestern Seminary’s mailing list.
Sign up for the 3 free, self-paced units of Interpreting the Bible, Part 1 with Todd Chipman.

May the Lord be with you and bless you today.

Presbyterian School Mourns 6 Dead in Nashville Shooting
Like so many others, I’m shocked and grieved by the recent tragedy at Covenant School in Nashville (which CT reports on here). I am praying for all those whose loved ones have been taken and whose hearts have been broken.
More Than Watchmen for the Morning
Meredith Beatty: “The watchman trusted that the sun would come up every single morning, but don’t we have a greater hope? Shouldn’t we be spilling over with faith-filled confidence?”
The Kingdom of God Bible Storybook” Now Available from Lithos Kids
A faithful retelling of the story of God’s kingdom from Genesis to Revelation. Fully illustrated Old and New Testament volumes for ages 2 to 11. (Sponsored Link)
How to Respond to Deconstructionist Social Media
“Last week, a young adult I pastor came into my office to ask about something he’d seen. It was a video of a deconstructionist influencer on TikTok ‘proving’ that the Gospels are unreliable. He wanted to know what I thought. The video had shaken his faith. Videos on social media like these have millions to hundreds of millions of views. If you pastor younger generations, you’re likely already aware of this new reality. If you’re not, welcome.”
Is there a difference between regeneration and being born again? (Video)
Is there a difference between regeneration and being born again? Sinclair Ferguson clarifies the terms.
Wrath Is Not an Attribute of God
“The love of God and the wrath of God are commonly pitted against one another, particularly in the doctrine of atonement. If the cross is the demonstration of the love of God (Rom. 5:8), then how could it also be an expression of his wrath?” It’s important to know that wrath is not one of God’s attributes alongside love.
Fear After Grief
Brianna Lambert: “Perhaps you’ve been walking through seasons of grief, as you mourn especially deep pain. The dark clouds have begun to shift, but you’re not sure if you can bear to greet the sun, lest you have to return to the dark.”
Flashback: 31 Days of Purity: A Renewed Mind
Throughout his life, the Christian is to be renewing his mind by the Word of God, to take it into captivity and bring it into conformity. As he does this, his words and his deeds, and even his thoughts, will necessarily follow.

Loneliness is one of humanity’s most tender emotions. It reminds us that we are not made for ourselves. We were made for our Creator. The barbs of loneliness are God’s way of saying, “Here I am!” —Steve DeWitt