About six weeks ago, Mr. Ben Stein joined Dr. R.C. Sproul for a delightful and stimulating conversation about the current state of free scientific inquiry in academia. We have posted the video below.
Many of you may recognize Mr. Stein as the teacher in the 1986 film, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, but he is also a writer, public speaker, and political activist. Recently, he became deeply involved in a film project that challenges the neo-Darwinian scientific community and exposes their hostility to intelligent design and all those who believe in it. The producers of Renewing Your Mind caught up with Mr. Stein during a preview of his new film entitled Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. The movie opens nationwide April 18. (In this reviewer's opinion, the Stein/Dawkins face off at the end of the film is worth the price of admission.)
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
More free Tim Keller Sermon Downloads
| Redeemer Core Values Sermons related to the Gospel, Changed People, City, Community, Movement, Serving, and Renewing. |
The Reason for God Listen to sermons from the series "The Trouble with Christianity: Why It's so Hard to Believe it" and "The Vision of Redeemer" |
Parenting Talks about parenting including "It Takes a City to Raise a Child" by Dr. Keller. |
Stewardship Sermons on money, generosity and stewardship. |
Suffering and Tragedy Listen to the Sunday service immediately following September 11th as well as other sermons related to tragedy. |
Q&A Excerpts from Pastor Tim Keller's Question and Answer sessions. |
Saturday, March 22, 2008
The Pursuit: Every Man's Call to Biblical Masculinity
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13
Paul the apostle called on the men of the early church to turn from sliding through life and instead to act like men. CBMW is issuing the same call to all men in the church today.
In the face of a culture that is unclear about the nature of manhood, actively attempting to feminize manhood, and increasingly denying the very existence of manhood, CBMW's mission is to set forth a biblical vision of vibrant, strong, wise, tender, gutsy manhood.
Sovereign Grace Church of Gilbert, Arizona shares this vision and recently hosted a conference entitled The Pursuit: Every Man's Call to Biblical Masculinity. This week, Gender Blog will be posting two sessions from that conference each day. Each post will provide a written summary of each session and an MP3 audio file to download.
Every Man's Call To Biblical Masculinity, Day 1
Every Man's Call To Biblical Masculinity, Day 2
Every Man's Call To Biblical Masculinity, Day 3
Every Man's Call To Biblical Masculinity, Day 4
Every Man's Call To Biblical Masculinity, Day 5
Tim Keller essays and sermons
A New Kind of Urban Christian As the city goes, so goes the culture.
Moralism Vs, Christ-Centered Exposition
The Gospel Into the 21st Century:
Part I; Part II, Part III; Part IV
Tim Keller's Q&A Sessions (Audio)
All of Life is Repentance (.pdf)
Biblical Mandate for Mercy Ministries
A Biblical Theology of the City
The Centrality of the Gospel
Christ and the City
Church Planting & Giving Portfolios
The Current State of Affairs in America
Deconstructing Defeater Beliefs
Evangelism Through Networking
Evangelistic Worship
Gnostics & Jesus
How Can I know God?
Ministry in the New Global Culture of Major City-Centers Part I
Ministry in the New Global Culture of Major City-Centers Part II
Ministry in the New Global Culture of Major City-Centers Part III
Ministry in the New Global Culture of Major City-Centers Part IV
The Missional Church
Planting a Church in the City
Post-Everythings
Preaching Hell in a Tolerant Age
Preaching Morality in an Amoral Age
Preaching in a Post-Modern City
Part I, Part II
Questions on Everyone's Mind
Religionless Spirituality
What Does it Mean to KNow God?
Why Plant Churches?
Tim Keller's Q&A Sessions The Smart Shepherd By Lisa Miller | NEWSWEEK
Reader's Guide
A terrific guide written by Penguin for book clubs and similar discussions. Download
Moralism Vs, Christ-Centered Exposition
The Gospel Into the 21st Century:
Part I; Part II, Part III; Part IV
Tim Keller's Q&A Sessions (Audio)
All of Life is Repentance (.pdf)
Biblical Mandate for Mercy Ministries
A Biblical Theology of the City
The Centrality of the Gospel
Christ and the City
Church Planting & Giving Portfolios
The Current State of Affairs in America
Deconstructing Defeater Beliefs
Evangelism Through Networking
Evangelistic Worship
Gnostics & Jesus
How Can I know God?
Ministry in the New Global Culture of Major City-Centers Part I
Ministry in the New Global Culture of Major City-Centers Part II
Ministry in the New Global Culture of Major City-Centers Part III
Ministry in the New Global Culture of Major City-Centers Part IV
The Missional Church
Planting a Church in the City
Post-Everythings
Preaching Hell in a Tolerant Age
Preaching Morality in an Amoral Age
Preaching in a Post-Modern City
Part I, Part II
Questions on Everyone's Mind
Religionless Spirituality
What Does it Mean to KNow God?
Why Plant Churches?
Tim Keller's Q&A Sessions The Smart Shepherd By Lisa Miller | NEWSWEEK
Reader's Guide
A terrific guide written by Penguin for book clubs and similar discussions. Download
| Exclusivity: How can there be just one true religion? | 1 John 4:1-10 | Download | Study Guide |
| Suffering: If God is good, why is there so much evil in the world? | 1 Peter 1:3-12 | Download | Study Guide |
| Absolutism: Don't we all have to find truth for ourselves? | Galatians 2:4-16 | Download | Study Guide |
| Injustice: Hasn't Christianity been an instrument for oppression? | James 2:1-17 | Download | Study Guide |
| Hell: Isn't the God of Christianity an angry Judge? | Luke 16:19-31 | Download | Study Guide |
| Doubt: What should I do with my doubts? (AM) | John 20:1-18 | Download | Study Guide |
| Literalism: Isn't the Bible historically unreliable and regressive? (AM) | Luke 1:1-4; 24:13-32 | Download | Study Guide |
Like a Song: U2
This is a series of personal essays by the @U2 staff about songs and/or albums that have had great meaning or impact in our lives. The series will be called "Like A Song," and we aim to continue the series on a monthly basis.
Like a Song: Where The Streets Have No Name
Like a Song: MLK
Like a Song: Elevation
Like a Song: Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Like a Song: Summer Rain
Like a Song: Mercy
Like a Song: All I Want Is You
Like a Song: Ultraviolet (Light My Way)
Like a Song: Miracle Drug
Like a Song: The Fly
Like a Song: Electrical Storm
Like a Song: Walk On
Like a Song: Bullet the Blue Sky
Like a Song: Bad
Like a Song: Sunday Bloody Sunday
Like a Song: Surrender
Like A Song: Pop Goes My World
Like a Song: Where The Streets Have No Name
Like a Song: MLK
Like a Song: Elevation
Like a Song: Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Like a Song: Summer Rain
Like a Song: Mercy
Like a Song: All I Want Is You
Like a Song: Ultraviolet (Light My Way)
Like a Song: Miracle Drug
Like a Song: The Fly
Like a Song: Electrical Storm
Like a Song: Walk On
Like a Song: Bullet the Blue Sky
Like a Song: Bad
Like a Song: Sunday Bloody Sunday
Like a Song: Surrender
Like A Song: Pop Goes My World
Baseball Analysts 2008 NL Central Preview
...Marc: It's a battle between Cincinnati and Milwaukee for the second best starting rotation in the division. Milwaukee has more experience and a little better depth, but Cincinnati has a higher upside with Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez. Last season Milwaukee's pitchers allowed 4.79 runs per game (R/G) and Cincinnati's allowed 5.27 R/G in a tough park to pitch in. My feeling is that Gallardo and Parra are closer to taking their games to the next step than Bailey and Volquez.
...Sully: Cincinatti's an interesting team with a stud hitter in Adam Dunn and one of the very best starting pitchers in the game in Aaron Harang. They also boast a number of enticing youngsters. Let's start on the run prevention side. Marc, you have touched on them already but let's talk about the Reds a bit more.
Marc: Every time I get really excited about the Reds' potential, I remember one thing: Dusty Baker. He's not a bad manager but I can't stress enough how wrong he is for this team.
There isn't a starting pitcher in the central that I like more than Harang. He is a workhorse who knows how to get batters out and survives being a flyball pitcher in Cincinnati. Interestingly, half of the flyballs put into the air against Harang are hit to centerfield – the deepest part of the park. For me, Bronson Arroyo is an OK second fiddle. Ideally, he's a No. 3 starter but he's better than his 2007 record of 9-15 indicates.
The additions of Josh Fogg and Jeremy Affeldt are not going to help Cincinnati trim the 5.27 runs allowed per game, especially if they're in the rotation. Fogg's ERA+ has never surpassed 97. I also think Cincinnati is going to rue the day they gave Josh Hamilton away for Volquez… he's just so darn inconsistent. He's turning 25 this year and hasn't proven anything. Cueto… I don't know what to expect from him this year. He's looked good in the spring and could be ready sooner than I – or anyone, really – anticipated.
Early I said I wasn't a fan of the Cordero signing, but he is the best closer in the division – at least until Marmol establishes himself. David Weathers has been good but he's 38 now and shouldn't be relied on as a set-up guy. But the other guys behind him are going to give up a lot of runs.
Al: It's hard to prevent runs when your ballpark is a launching pad. Harang tries really hard, and was one of the best pitchers in the NL last year. But the Reds staff allowed the second-most HR in the NL in 2007. That's not likely to change under the "aggressive" management style of Dusty Baker.
Cincinnati defense could be good -- or it could be injured much of the year, which it was in the second half of 2007.
Sully: This is an offense, where, if each player played his very best for one season together, it would be remarkable. There is nobody bad per se at any position but injuries loom large and questions surround players like Jeff Keppinger, Brandon Phillips and Edwin Encarnacion. These guys might be very good. They might not be.
Al: Prediction: Adam Dunn, who has never walked fewer than 100 times in a season (in a full year) in his career, will draw 80 or fewer in 2008, as Dusty Baker's managing style has him up there being hackalicious. I'll also be interested in seeing what Corey Patterson, who was either helped or hurt by Baker with the Cubs (depending on what story you're believing this week), does as the starting CF in Cincinnati.
The Reds finished 7th in the NL in runs scored in 2007. They will rank lower in 2008. They ranked 6th in the NL in walks in 2007. They will rank lower in 2008.
Marc: I like Cincinnati's offence, but I'd like it better if they'd trust starting jobs to Joey Votto and Jay Bruce… and I don't think that is going to happen in April. Phillips is good… but his numbers are probably going to slip from last year's. Encarnacion should be better this year, which will pick up the slack. If you take out April and June, he had a very nice season and more consistency will come with age and experience.
An outfield of Ken Griffey, Dunn and Bruce (ed note: Bruce has since been sent down) will generate a lot of runs, and I like Corey Patterson as the fourth outfielder – but not the starter in center. Yeah, Dunn scrapes .250 but he has hit at least 40 homers the last four seasons and he has walked at least 100 times five out of the last six seasons. He has also averaged 100 runs scored and 100 runs driven in over the last four years. Griffey is a nice complimentary player in the outfield, but he is definitely no longer a star, even if he remains healthy. He has posted OPS+ of 99 and 119 the last two years. Patterson has only posted an OPS+ over 100 once in his career and that was in 2003.
...Sully: Predictions, guys?
Marc: I'll go out on a limb and be a little controversial and say: Chicago | Milwaukee | Cincinnati | Pittsburgh | Houston | St. Louis
Al:
Cubs
Brewers
Reds
Pirates
Astros
Cardinals
Sully: I like the same order as you guys but I will flip Milwaukee and Chicago. Weeks goes nuts this season. Thanks, Al, for contributing. It was fun.
![[Mr. Constitution]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_u7ecnK6R8CgoKp4UCf3MwTYnxQ5LHsY-iIg9HlxcxZg0p4LAFPUhDpEHhO9ZIrT4br9K1_cHZYly6GuX1bh72jOcDIaQMrdWl2Y9WjP9mAyik4XEsJCo3qBpinUYOGGjYR5oR6v30c4BSkMVp1Nw=s0-d)
Friday, March 21, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Help Wanted: Why can't the president fill two top terror jobs?
The homeland security job is not the only key counterterrorism post the Bush administration is having trouble filling. As NEWSWEEK reported earlier this month, White House officials have spent months searching for a new candidate to head the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC). The previous chief, retired Vice Adm. John Scott Redd, left for health reasons last October. Several highly experienced candidates have turned down invitations to become NCTC director. The center's widely praised acting chief, Michael Leiter, a former federal prosecutor and Navy pilot, is soon expected to be named NCTC's permanent director, though his nomination—which is subject to Senate confirmation—has not yet been officially announced.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Saddam's Dangerous Friends - al Qaeda
Among the study's other notable findings:
In 1993, as Osama bin Laden's fighters battled Americans in Somalia, Saddam Hussein personally ordered the formation of an Iraqi terrorist group to join the battle there.
For more than two decades, the Iraqi regime trained non-Iraqi jihadists in training camps throughout Iraq.
According to a 1993 internal Iraqi intelligence memo, the regime was supporting a secret Islamic Palestinian organization dedicated to "armed jihad against the Americans and Western interests."
In the 1990s, Iraq's military intelligence directorate trained and equipped "Sudanese fighters."
In 1998, the Iraqi regime offered "financial and moral support" to a new group of jihadists in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq.
In 2002, the year before the war began, the Iraqi regime hosted in Iraq a series of 13 conferences for non-Iraqi jihadist groups.
That same year, a branch of the Iraqi Intelligence Service (IIS) issued hundreds of Iraqi passports for known terrorists.
There is much, much more. Documents reveal that the regime stockpiled bombmaking materials in Iraqi embassies around the world and targeted Western journalists for assassination. In July 2001, an Iraqi Intelligence agent described an al Qaeda affiliate in Bahrain, the Army of Muhammad, as "under the wings of bin Laden." Although the organization "is an offshoot of bin Laden," the fact that it has a different name "can be a way of camouflaging the organization." The agent is told to deal with the al Qaeda group according to "priorities previously established."
The full report, released Thursday night, states, for example, on page 42: "Saddam supported groups that either associated directly with al Qaeda (such as the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, led at one time by bin Laden's deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri) or that generally shared al Qaeda's stated goals and objectives." In fact, as Stephen F. Hayes reports in this issue, the study outlines a startling range of connections between Saddam and various organizations associated with al Qaeda and other terror groups.
You'll see, in the words of the authors, "strong evidence that links the regime of Saddam Hussein to regional and global terrorism." And, from the report's conclusion:
The rise of Islamist fundamentalism in the region gave Saddam the opportunity to make terrorism, one of the few tools remaining in Saddam's "coercion" toolbox, not only cost effective but a formal instrument of state power. Saddam nurtured this capability with an infrastructure supporting (1) his own particular brand of state terrorism against internal and external threats, (2) the state sponsorship of suicide operations, and (3) organizational relationships and "outreach programs" for terrorist groups. Evidence that was uncovered and analyzed attests to the existence of a terrorist capability and a willingness to use it until the day Saddam was forced to flee Baghdad by Coalition forces.
Tim Keller video - "Belief in an age of skepticism" from UC Berkeley's Veritas Forum and Stanford
He spoke at Stanford the following night and the video of his presentation and q & a are also online:
lecture - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5014748779594984190&hl=en
q&a - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6379760306431796019&hl=en
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