Author Archives: Seth

Free Music from Sony Record Label

Posted on by
Reply

Here is what you need:
Hennepin county library card (or a library card from a participating county)
Go to www.hclib.org (or your library’s website)
Go to databases A-Z
Find “Freegal” in the listings
Connect with your library card
Download three songs for free each week.  
I would recommend downloading Andrew Peterson’s albums first (I am a fan for his music because the words make sense) and then John Williams “War Horse” and “Tin Tin” (Both up for awards).
If your library participates in this as well, post a comment and pass it on. If not, sorry. Make friends with someone in Hennepin County.

Law And Grace: A Study of New Testament Concepts as They Relate to the Christian Life by Alva J. McClain

Posted on by
Reply

Law And Grace: A Study of New Testament Concepts as They Relate to the Christian Life
by Alva J. McClain
Product Details
Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: BMH Books
Date Published: 1954
Owner: My library
Date of reading: 1st – 11/29/11
Point: The Christian is not under the law, nor any part of it.
Path: McClain discusses “The Law” in NT usage, How the Law could give eternal life, Law unable to save men, the Divine purpose in giving the Law, God’s written Law and Israel, The Mosaic Law and Gentiles, the Christian and the Law, Dangers of putting Christians under the law, the standard of life for Christians, and finally objections, questions and problems.
Sources: McClain primarily substantiates his argument through his study of Galatians.
Agreement: Many have tried to divide the Law into different categories, and therefore show how the believer is still under sections of the Law. As I read the New Testament it seems to teach that the believer is not under the law because the Holy Spirit indwells and guides. Therefore, it is no longer the law that leads, corrects, and stimulates to do good, it is the Holy Spirit. He has essentially “written the law upon their hearts” (I am sure McClain would cry if he saw that).
Disagreement: I have not yet struggled through teaching the Sermon on the Mount nor the 10 Commandments, otherwise I am sure I would find fodder.
Personal App: All Scripture is profitable.
Stars: 4 out of 5
It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.

The value of faith

Posted on by
Reply

To say ‘justification by faith’ is merely another way of saying ‘justification by Christ’. Faith has absolutely no value in itself; its value lies solely in its object. Faith is the eye that looks to Christ, the hand that lays hold of him, the mouth that drinks the water of life. — John Stott The Cross of Christ (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1986), 187 For challenging quotes, subscribe to First Importance

The Synagogue: Its History and Function by Isaac Levy

Posted on by
Reply

The Synagogue: Its History and Function
by Isaac Levy
Product Details
Hardcover: 150 pages
Publisher: Vallentine and Mitchell
Date Published: 1963

Point: The synagogue, birthed into a culture of prayer and worship, can be traced back to pre-exilic days of Israel. The appearance, activities, and leaders have varied throughout the centuries, but it has kept the Jewish people distinct.
Path: The author looks at the synagogue from its earliest forms until present day.
Sources: Variety of early 20th century and ancient Jewish writings.
Agreement: His point that synagogues would not have miraculously appeared during the exile if there had not been some precursor in Jewish life is an interesting observation.
Disagreement: The author tries to cover too much time. The synagogue has changed throughout the past 2500 years (+ for Levy).
Favorite Quote: “Because the synagogue has primarily served as a medium for spiritual inspiration it has provided ample scope for the development of the arts.” (1)
Stars: 2.5 out of 5