Byrnesys Blabberings

I only had time to add the technology links from last weeks end of week round up, so here are a few that were left off but still deserve to be plugged.

The Center for Barth Studies publishes a new version of the Shorter Romans Commentary

Christian Audio are giving away Augustine’s Confessions as a free audio book. HT: Scotteriology

Michael Patton at Parchment and Pen writes a long long post on the emerging church which acts as a very helpful and informed introduction.

Trevin Wax has an interesting interview with Rabbi Derek Lemen who talks about a balanced hand when dealing with tradition before regarding all Jewish tradition within faith as pharisaic.

Scot McKnight hammers ahead with Mission of God and I am not keeping up with the reading unfortunately.

Robin Parry concludes his Gospel of Israel Series and thus cements his status as a formidable theo-blogger (unlike myself).

37 Signals posts a simple reminder to not be so quick to embrace our own ignornance – "I’ve met far too many people who seem so certain of their lack of abilities that they curb their chances of success before they’ve walked the first step…The world is filled with people who didn’t know jack not too long ago about whatever it is that they’re doing and are now highly regarded in their fields."

TSK wonders whether the label Emerging should be dumped – I vote Yes, it has become an unhelpful buzz word which many use sloppily to brand those they don’t like, much like the use of the word ‘liberal’ around many evangelical circles, lets see how long we can use the word ‘missional’ before it gets demonised.

Scott Prather, apart from having a superb taste in music, writes some very interesting words regarding the interaction of Neibuhr’s Christian-Realism and pacifism.

I like Abraham Pipers 22 Words for some good though provoking bullet points, particularly these two of late: "Should theology be like other scholarly disciplines—some people study extensively; others just enjoy the effects? Or should all Christians study theology?" and "A premise of Driscoll’s argument about harsh language is that how God speaks is how we should speak. Should we assume that? I can think of a lot of things that God does that I shouldn’t imitate."

The short post I wrote about Todd Bentley this week has had the most hits of any for a while now, The Editor of Charisma magazine wonders why voices weren’t heeded in the first place, and John Piper offers some remarks about doctrine and revival.

For anyone looking for an extremely succinct and accessible introduction to Theology I can recommend Ben Myers Blog series on Theology for Beginners.

Something being thought through at the Church I attend at the moment, so I understand (I’m not involved in specific Children’s Ministry) is how to meaningfully communicate and teach Children the Bible, so I was interested to read Andy’s OT Narrative teaching at a recent Children’s Holiday Camp.

Krish Kandiah explains how he approached leading the ‘dreaded’ all age service.

Trevin Wax writes about prayers at bedtime with his children, I think most Christians would benefit from such prayer strcuture not just children!

TheologyForum reviews John Swinton’s

- Our focus shouldn’t rest then on “why” evil exists, instead – “how can we build communities that absorb suffering and enable faithful living in the midst of evil.”

Trevin Wax is going through his top 5 Christian Theologians, today’s is Augustine along with thos superb quote: “You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” (Confessions I, i, 1) 

Michael Svigel talks about ‘feeling called’

Incredible story of a missionary couple who want to go back to their Kenyan Neighbours who severely beat them and offer forgiveness.

The Big Picture with some great photos as ever, features some surfing pictures from supertubes at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa where Rachel and I will spend our honeymoon in just under 6 weeks!

Amazon are buying my favourite bookstore AbeBooks.

Last but not least, here are a few hilarious photos taken at exactly the right time.