Over the last few months, I have spent a lot of time working on improving the web site for the Africa Center for Apologetics Research (ACFAR). From changing some of the graphics and layout to adding new features (such as online donations and a blog), the ACFAR site has really been enhanced. Be sure to check it out—and don't forget to add the blog's feed to your feed reader!

To celebrate ACFAR's expanded presence online, I am asking all bloggers to join me in promoting the web site together on Monday, December 3rd. After checking out the site, please consider posting an entry on your blog with a link to ACFAR. Your post can be about whatever you like: the need for apologetics worldwide, a summary of ACFAR's plans, your interests in East Africa, etc. Be creative (and if you need help, don't be afraid to ask)! The goal is to help others discover a ministry in Uganda that seeks to glorify Christ through defending His truth.

At the same time, by getting involved with raising awareness, you will be entered into a random drawing for a free autographed copy of Tim Challies' new book The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment (sent to the winner as soon as it is released). Additionally, your blog will be featured here as a friend of the Africa Center for Apologetics Research.

So what are you waiting for? Start making plans now! And if you plan on joining, please let me know with a comment on this post. Your comment will be your ticket for the drawing. To help you out some more, below are a couple of graphics that you can use in your blog post. I look forward to seeing what God can accomplish through us!

Labels: ACFAR, Personal Ministry

Yesterday I was interviewed by Pastor Gene Cook on the Narrow Mind show. So be sure to download Program #887. We talked about my conversion from Mormonism and my plans with ACFAR. Enjoy! As always, I love comments!

Labels: ACFAR, Personal Ministry

Labels: ACFAR, Personal Ministry

As usual, I have been keeping busy lately! What's new?

First, an article I wrote responding to Dr. Craig Blomberg's sermon "What Would Jesus Say to a Mormon?" (available to download in MP3 format) has been published in the latest issue of Mormonism Researched. I am sure that Mormonism Research Ministry will eventually post the article on their web site, but why not sign up for a free subscription and get it in print now?

Second, I am scheduled to be interviewed on Monday's Iron Sharpens Iron radio show about the need for biblical discernment in East Africa and ACFAR's vision to address this critical issue. If you can, please listen in between 3-4 PM EST on the radio or online. You can even call in and say "Hi!"

Labels: ACFAR, Personal Ministry

Since beginning the process of becoming an international missionary, I am seeking to become more knowledgeable of God's missionary task in light of His revealed Word. One book I recently pulled off of my shelf is Announcing the Kingdom: The Story of God's Mission in the Bible by Arthur F. Glasser. As a well-known and respected missiologist, I knew that Glasser's analysis would be important to read and digest.

The author's intention is to unfold the mission of God throughout redemptive history. As a result, his work is divided into six parts: God's mission in the beginning, God's mission through Israel, God's mission among the nations, God's mission through Jesus the Christ, God's mission through the Holy Spirit by the church, and God's mission extends to the end of time. Through exploring the theme of the kingdom of God through Scripture, Glasser seeks to provide insight for missionary work in the new millennium.

In reading the book, I appreciate Glasser's desire to understand missions through the lens of biblical theology. Too often missions books focus on international ministry in light of contemporary sciences. While these areas may provide insight into our God given task, the Christian's primary and central source for the study of missions is Scripture. Glasser roots his discussion with the proper starting point—the Word of God.

However, the author's unveiling of the kingdom of God needs to be founded upon a more robust covenant theology. There were many areas in which I disagreed, and they are too many to handle in this review. But to mention a few, he appears to hold to inclusivism (holding out the possibility of salvation in Christ to those who have never heard the gospel), does not like confessional Calvinism (because of our belief in reprobation), is weak in his ecclesiology (does not believe Scripture sets forth a specific church structure), and holds to premillennialism (admittedly not the dispensational version). Some of these issues are more troublesome than others, but I frequently could not find biblical support to ground Glasser's claims.

Additionally, while I appreciated many of the author's mission insights, they seemed "tacked on" to his survey rather than flowing from his engagement with Scripture. It is almost as if I was reading a biblical theology overview with some missionary application thrown in. With this being the case, it seems better for one to read a distinguished biblical theology (say Graeme Goldsworthy's According to Plan) along with an introductory work on missions.

Announcing the Kingdom was informative, but I admit that I was hoping for more and would hesitate recommending it to others given some of my reservations. Maybe I'll find what I am looking for in Christopher J. H. Wright's massive work The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's Grand Narrative. We'll see!

Labels: Book Review, Missions