As the 2007 year comes to a close, I thought I’d provide a little year-in-review. For the next six days, I am going to post annotated links to the top 30 posts of this year (determined by comments, backtracks, and personal recollection) as well as some other things to note.
20. John Piper Ruined My Vacation
Coming back from a brief trip to Florida, I shared my experience with sea shells, and how Piper’s words, “Don’t Waste Your Life” have been etched in my soul.
19. LifeWay, the Lord’s Day, and the Local Church
In March, there was a big hubbub over LifeWay having their employees work on Sunday in order to not upset their customers and do inventory. I brought up the issue LifeWay being both a business and a ministry. Future posts included excerpts from John Dagg, Jonathan Edwards, and Joel Beeke.
18. The First Word of the New Testament Matters
At the beginning of September, Southern Baptist churches using LifeWay curriculum began a study in the book of Matthew. To my surprise, one of the most significant portions of the New Testament got skipped–the genealogy of Jesus.
On Reformation Day, I posted an article in concert with Challies Reformation symposium where I discuss the need not only for structural reform (macro/convention) but ecclesiological reform (micro/local). I lay out some specific areas where I believe reformation is necessary and urge my generation Southern Baptists to realize that the Conservative Resurgence isn’t enough.
16. An Open Letter to Morris Chapman on Biblical Eldership
Dr. Chapman was interviewed by the New Orleans Center for Theology and Ministry, answering questions on various parts in Southern Baptist life. I disagreed with his assessment of biblical eldership and took the painstaking task of providing hundreds and hundreds of texts, dozens of resources, and historical confessions to make my case in this open letter. The issue of biblical eldership continues to be a divisive issue in the SBC, and the answers provided by Dr. Chapman were, in my mind, unfortunate.
*** Top 5 Ministry Blogs ***
5. Reformation 21
4. Parchment and Pen
3. Pulpit Magazine
2. The Resurgence
1. Desiring God
I loved your “Piper runied my vacation” post and glad it made it to the list. Don’t Waste Your Life is powerful stuff, IMHO.