Doctrine – by Driscoll

Posted on February 15, 2010

Mark Driscoll’s newest and largest book drops soon. It’s called Doctrine: what Christians Should Believe, a kind of systematic theology for the 21st century.

From the Introduction:

Doctrine seeks to trace the big theological themes of Scripture along the storyline of the Bible. This book is packed with truth without many stories for illustration and entertainment.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 – Trinity: God Is

Chapter 2 – Revelation: God Speaks

Chapter 3 – Creation: God Makes

Chapter 4 – Image: God Loves

Chapter 5 – Fall: God Judges

Chapter 6 – Covenant: God Pursues

Chapter 7 – Incarnation: God Comes

Chapter 8 – Cross: God Dies

Chapter 9 – Resurrection: God Saves

Chapter 10 – Church: God Sends

Chapter 11 – Worship: God Transforms

Chapter 12 – Stewardship: God Gives

Chapter 13 – Kingdom: God Reigns

Endorsements:

“I like Doctrine very much. It is a relatively short, clear, and accurate topical summary of biblical teachings, focused on the practical application of doctrine. There is much here to aid readers who have thought in the past that theology was too complicated, uninteresting, or irrelevant. This book is none of those things. It takes off on wings of eagles. It is so important today that believers understand and become committed to all that God’s Word says. This book is a wonderful tool to help them do that.”
—John M. Frame, Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary

“Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears have written a remarkably insightful treatment of central biblical teachings, with a few surprising but welcome choices. Doctrine is meaty, well-researched, clearly written, interesting, and refreshing—a rare combination. Those who know that truth matters will relish this book. If you don’t know that truth matters you should read it anyway, and enjoy watching your mind and heart change.”
—Randy Alcorn, Author of Heaven, Safely Home, and Deception

The Smartest Cities

Posted on February 13, 2010

Joel Kotkin, author of the excellent book The City: a global history, recently wrote an article on the world’s “smartest cities.” He notes that: “today’s “smart” cities tend to be smaller, compact and more efficient: places like Amsterdam; Seattle; Singapore; Curitiba, Brazil; and Monterrey, Mexico.”

Kotkin adds “economic fundamentals” to the typically green measurement of smart cities. Singapore, featured left, ranks as #1. Houston, Texas comes in at #7. This research generates an important profile of cities that will have significant influence in the next 40 years.

Read The World’s Smartest Cities

The Gospel & Single Loneliness

Posted on February 12, 2010

Loneliness is more pervasive in our society, and in our churches, than we’d like to admit. Cities bustle with activity and coffeeshops are packed, but people work and drink in loneliness. What’s the remedy? How can we work through our loneliness, especially as singles, when everywhere we look we perceive relational connectedness among marrieds, families, and communities?

Jayne Clark offers a very helpful response to the issues that surround loneliness in her booklet Single and Lonely: Finding Intimacy You Desire. She empathizes with loneliness but also exposes the futility of relational strategies, pointing us to the intimacy of union with Christ. She writes:

The real solution to loneliness lies not in marriage, but in our union with Christ, which leads to our union with one another.

If you struggle with loneliness, I encourage you to read this booklet prayerfully and discuss it with some friends, a Fight Club or a City Group. You can read the entire booklet for free online at CCEF. Also, consider sharing some of your struggle in the comments, and how you’ve found strength or joy or encouragement in it.

Great Insights from Alan Hirsch

Posted on February 12, 2010

If you attended the VERGE conference, you’ll know that missiologist and theologian Alan Hirsch. Michael Stewart used Hirsch’s work on Missional DNA in The Forgotten Ways to give structure to the conference. Alan also led some of the pre-conference to VERGE, which was a stimulating time. Alan’s unique combination of intellect, humility, creativity, and faith have led to some great insights over the past few years. Here’s a list of some of them: