In case you have not heard Union University was hit hard by the recent tornadoes. Said at Southern has links to many articles, here. Be praying for the people at Union.

John MacArthur asks a very important question; What Doctrines are Essential, today we are introduced to Part 1.

An very interesting discussion is taking place on the 9Marks blog. Mike McKinley began the discussion by defending long, boring sermons. Then Thabiti joined the discussion by helping us see that Edwards agrees as does Calvin (who also serves to balance such a statement).

Challies attemps to answer this question: “If a person is ‘a child of wrath’ from birth due to Adam’s sin and unable to choose God because of Adam’s sin, how is he responsible for his actions if he was born this way (and has no ability of his own to choose God)? … If Christ didn’t die for all men, yet all men were condemned for one sin (and by that sin, thereafter, unable to choose good), how is it just of God to condemn all men if they are ‘determined’ to be sinful by the action of Adam?”

Pulpit Magazine addresses a question that Nikki and I are now asking; Home, Private, or Public School? (Actually, financially speaking, private is probably not an option).

Trevin Wax gives 5 Reasons why the Emerging Church is Now Receding.

Les Puryear interviews Dr. Mohler on the SBC presidency. (HT: Micah)

John Piper's daughter Talitha interviews Alex and Brett Harris.

C.J. Mahaney interviews Mark Dever. (HT: JT)

Last week Jonathan Leeman continued blogging through REVEAL: Part 10 and Concluding Thoughts.

I think my fellow bloggers have taken off early for the Christmas season. Today is another slow day.

John Piper reminds us that today is the 200th anniversary of John Newton's death. If you want to read Piper's biography on Newton you can do so here, or you can buy Josiah Bull's excellent work The Life of John Newton, or if you are feeling really saucy you can buy his Complete Works for only $127. You can read his letters for free at Grace Gems and his Olney Hymns for free at CCEL. Ever minute and every dollar you spend getting to know this man of God is well spent.

Old Truth sounds like John Piper today: Worship, Not Evangelism, The Most Important Task. Piper says that Missions exists because worship does not. This article echoes that sentiment as it points us to a quote from Robert Reymond's New Systematic Theology. His central thesis is this: For decades now evangelical churches have been conducting their services for the sake of unbelievers. Both the revivalistic service of a previous generation and the "seeker service" of today are shaped by the same concern--appeal to the unchurched. Not surprisingly, in neither case does much that might be called worship by Christians occur. As a result, many evangelicals who have been sitting for years in such worship services are finding their souls drying up, and they have begun to long for something else.

Yesterday it was announced that Alex and Bret Harris will be releasing their new book, Do Hard Things, in April. Right now it is retailing for 16.99. I am hoping it is discounted quickly, I would love to do a small group on this book in youth group! (HT: JT)