There is a new book being published by Reformation Heritage Books coming out June 3rd. Heirs with Christ: The Puritans on Adoption, by Dr. Joel R. Beeke will survey the beauty that lies in the Puritan’s firm belief in the doctrine of Spiritual Adoption. To read the Foreward click here.

Description: The Puritans have gotten bad press for their supposed lack of teaching on the doctrine of spiritual adoption. In Heirs with Christ, Joel R. Beeke dispels this caricature and shows that the Puritan era did more to advance the idea that every true Christian is God’s adopted child than any other age of church history. This little book lets the Puritans speak for themselves, showing how they recognized adoption’s far-reaching, transforming power and comfort for the children of God.

About the Author: JoeL R. Beeke is pastor of Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, President and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, and a prolific author.

Endorsements: Heirs with Christ: The Puritans on Adoption
“Dr. Beeke is well-known for his landmark work setting the record straight on the Puritan doctrine of assurance. Now he comes to our aid again with a superb treatment of the Puritans on adoption. I welcome his expert entry into this important field, and commend his keen insights and careful analysis to all who are interested in knowing ‘what the Puritans really said’ about adoption.”—Ligon Duncan

“In this short but spiritually substantive book, Dr. Beeke—a wise and careful ‘pastor theologian’ in the best sense of both words—introduces us to the Puritans’ comforting and transforming work on spiritual adoption. More than just historically informative, this volume should be warmly welcomed by all Christians who want to learn more about this crucial aspect of our identity as sons of God and joint-heirs with Christ.” —Justin Taylor

Pre-Order: by calling 616-977-0599 or clicking here.

RHB has also produced a trailer for the book:

HT:  Heritage Booktalk

A couple of years ago I taught a three part series at the church I then pastored, West Broadway Baptist Church, on Bible translations.  For no particular reason I now repost the links to the posts which summarize that series :).  Please feel free to pass along this series to others who might benefit from it.

• 1.  The Necessity and Purpose of Bible Translations

• 2.  The History of Bible Translations

• 3.  Why Are There So Many Bible Translations?

This past October a conference on expository preaching was held at Christ Fellowship Church in Mobile, AL. The speakers were Pastor Steven Lawson and Dr. John MacArthur. This conference offers wonderful examples of (in Lawson’s opening and closing messages) and arguments for expository preaching. There is no one that I enjoy hear preaching about preaching than Steven Lawson (maybe John Piper). His passion stirs my soul. John MacArthur is speaking out of 40 years experience of expository preaching and describes the practical benefits that he has observed over the course of his ministry. If you need to be convinced of the value of expository preaching or encouraged in its practice, then listen to these lectures/messages. I have just listened to the conference and have been sharing what I’ve been hearing with my dad. He wanted links to the audio, so I post them for his benefit and for others. Enjoy.

• Session 1: The Invincible Weapon Dr. Steven J. Lawson (Hebrews 4:12-13)
• Session 2: What is Expository Preaching? Dr. Steven J. Lawson
• Session 3: Why I Am Committed to Expository Preaching I Dr. John MacArthur
• Session 4: Why I Am Committed to Expository Preaching II Dr. John MacArthur
• Session 5: Expositors Conference Question and Answer Session
• Session 6: The Ten How To’s of Expository Preaching Dr. Steven J. Lawson
• Session 7: Famine in the Land Dr. Steven J. Lawson (Amos 8:11)

This is some must hear stuff from Alistair Begg.

Alistair Begg on Preaching 1

Alistair Begg on Preaching 2

On August 25-26, 2008 the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies will host its second annual conference on the campus of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. This year’s conference focuses on the English Baptists of the 17th century. There will be papers presented on the conference’s theme by both established and up and coming historical scholars. For a complete schedule of the conference click here. Conference speakers include R. Albert Mohler, Jr., Malcolm Yarnell, Tom Nettles, Barry Howson, and Austin Walker. For a conference advertisement listing all the speakers for the conference click here.

For email inquiries about the conference please use andrewfullercenter[at]gmail.com.

My friend, Dr. Nathan Finn has weighed in on the news that Johnny Hunt will be nominated as a candidate for President of the SBC at this June’s annual meeting in Indianapolis.

SBCToday:  Johnny Hunt to Be Nominated for SBC President

The annual Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies Conference will be held August 25-26, 2008 on the campus of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. The theme for this year’s conference will be “The English Baptists of the 17th Century”. Conference speakers will include Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., Dr. Michael A. G. Haykin, Dr. Barry Howson, Dr. Tom Nettles, Dr. Jim Renihan, and Dr. Malcolm Yarnell. The cost for the conference is $60. A complete schedule and further details about registration will be forthcoming. To download a pdf advertisement for the conference (with a more detailed list of speakers) click here.

Well, I’ve been busy the last couple of weeks trying to get settled into a new home and new ministry in Frankfort, KY.  Our first full day in Frankfort (Thursday, the 16th) was quite eventful.  Shortly after I arrived at our new home from the Together for the Gospel conference in Louisville, our oldest daughter Hannah (7) had a bicycle wreck and broke her right arm.  I spent the rest of Thursday afternoon in the emergency room with her.  Friday morning was spent at the orthopedic surgeon’s office and Saturday morning at the operating room having Hannah’s right radius bone set!  Hannah is doing well now and should  completely heal in 4 to 6 weeks.

Our last Sunday in Lenoir City, TN at West Broadway Baptist Church was both emotional and encouraging.  There was an overabundance of appreciation expressed by the kind folk of WBBC for my eight years of ministry among them.  They were more than gracious and my family and I deeply appreciated their kindness.

Tomorrow morning is my first Sunday of preaching at Farmdale Baptist Church (I did hold prayer meeting this past Wednesday).  I’m excited about beginning a new chapter of ministry among God’s people at FBC.  Please pray for God to work among us for His glory.

Obviously, my contact information has changed (except my main email address).  If you need any contact information, please contact me by using my email address found on the “About” page.

FYI:  I’ve updated my Itinerary page to reflect my current life situation.  Amazingly, there are still a few open dates.