by Bret Capranica | May 1, 2011 | Bookreviews, Christian Living, Featured Articles
The aim of Men of the Word is to paint a biblical portrait of manhood. Rather than appealing to a culturally driven, testosterone imbibed view of what makes a man”™s man, Men of the Word (MOTW) defines qualities of masculinity from biblical biographies. Nathan Busenitz, a former personal assistant to John MacArthur, and current faculty member of The Master”™s Seminary, edits the book. A staff member of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California writes each chapter. Using the lives of men such as Abraham, Solomon, Josiah, Elijah, Timothy, David, Daniel, Nehemiah, Peter, Elisha, and Paul, MOTW biblically chronicles God”™s expectations for men. While the focus of and a few of the applications within the book are primarily for men, these character studies are actually well-written expositions that would benefit anyone. The qualities highlighted in MOTW include what it means to live by faith, find satisfaction in God, treasure God”™s word, pray, worship, fight temptation, repent of sin, stand firm against compromise, lead with courage, love your spouse, shepherd your family, work hard, love your enemies, share the gospel, love the church, and pursue purity. The book also contains some brief questions related to each chapter that would make the book well suited for a small group or men”™s Bible study discussion. If readers desire quick references to biblical passages addressing any of the main subjects of the book, a “Biblical Reference Guide” is included at the end. Highlights for me include John Martin”™s chapter on worship. With John being an accomplished musician, it was refreshing to see worship defined beyond music. His chapter describes lessons from Israel”™s hymn...
by Bret Capranica | Dec 23, 2010 | Bookreviews, Ecclesiology, General Theology
Dispensationalism-Michael Vlach from Bret Capranica on Vimeo. Dr. Michael J. Vlach has written a helpful, readable, concise, yet thorough book on the subject of Dispensationalism: Dispensationalism: Essential Belief and Common Myths. In it, as the subtitle suggests, he seeks to set forth the essential beliefs and dispel some of the most common myths associated with the Dispensational system of theology. Dr. Vlach currently serves as the Assistant Professor of Theology at The Master”™s Seminary in Sun Valley, CA, where I graduated with my Master of Divinity. Though I finished my studies there before his arrival, I have found his writings helpful. He wrote his Ph.D. dissertation on the subject of the church as a replacement of Israel (Supercessionism). The book (published in 2008) is briefly (73 pages) arranged into four chapters 1) History of Dispensationalism 2) Essential Beliefs of Dispensationalism 3) Myths about Dispensationalism 4) Questions and Answers about Dispensationalsim. The aim of Vlach”™s book is straight forward, “. . . my aim is to discuss what dispensationalism is and what it is not” (3) He seeks to “highlight the foundational beliefs of dispensationalism that are truly at the heart of the system [and discuss] misrepresentations and myths about dispensationalism that have muddied the waters of understanding (3). WHAT”™S MOST HELPFUL 1. It is concise. It is not a weighty treatment of every nuance that could be discussed about Dispensationalism. It keeps to the subject at hand and is accessible reading for any interested reader who wants a jet tour of the issues related to Dispensationalism. 2. It is irenic in the way he handles the subject, especially those...
by Bret Capranica | Mar 7, 2009 | Ecclesiology, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Personal, Preaching
My expectations for encouragement, equipping, and fellowship as well as theological, spiritual, and practical stimulation were all exceeded this past week. I’m exhausted as I write, but overjoyed with the benefits from a fruitful three days at the 2009 Shepherds’ Conference. In an abbreviated, fashion, here were the highlights for me: Of the three days, Friday was the highlight for me. Every message hit me personally and practically (Phil Johnson, Alex Montoya’s seminar, Steve Lawson, and John MacArthur). Every song, every meal, every conversation, every moment was especially sweet to me that day. You should go and listen (or re-listen) to each of the messages from Friday. I was prepared to return to the flock. Overall: The messages ““ every one of them was used significantly in my heart. I could never communicate it all. John MacArthur stirred up my passions for the authority and sufficiency of the Scriptures. He reminded me of the simplicity, yet profound impact the basics of Scriptural ministry have. He taught me again the value of plumbing the depths and doing your best to make them clear in your preaching. Tom Pennington, challenged me to protect and build the church the way Scripture demands. Rick Holland fixed my ministry focus on Christ and challenged me to make my pursuit of His glory ultimate. Albert Mohler infused my soul with a passion to preach so that the authority of Christ is publicly displayed and obvious. Phil Johnson demonstrated the relevancy of the Scriptures taught in their historical context. He powerfully demonstrated the implications of the passage (Titus 2:6-8) to the issue of our reverent speech...
by Bret Capranica | Mar 4, 2009 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Personal, Preaching
This week I will attend my sixteenth Shepherds’ Conference. I have been attending since 1991, when I was pastoring a church in Texas, and have only missed 2 since then. For a number of reasons, I have found it to be one of the best and most encouraging conferences I have attended in my ministry. It highlights the effective ministry of one local church. Grace Community Church has been pastored by John MacArthur for forty years. His ministry of faithful exposition has permeated the church’s culture and has produced a healthy congregation. I am always encouraged to interact with the members of GCC during the conference. One of the highlights for me in the early years was actually staying in the homes of the members and seeing the fruit of the church’s ministry. It provides exposure to a seminary located on the campus of a local church. One of the key issues that attracted me to study at The Master’s Seminary was the close connection the seminary shares with the church. The seminary is actually located on the church’s campus. Students interact with the pastors of GCC, and a few actually have the opportunity to work at the church and get an inside look. The majority of the professors are involved in pastoring local churches in addition to their teaching responsibilities. Few seminaries can provide this sort of essential connection to the local church like TMS. It highlights the expositional preaching of God’s Word. We will interact deeply and regularly with the Scripture this week. We will hear from some of the best Bible expositors in the country. We...
