Charles Dickens begins his famous book A Tale of Two Cities with the words, “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” This could be said of our own present era with regard to the progress of the gospel in our postmodern Western culture. One way that it is the best of times is in the amazing resources that are available for English-speaking believers in Jesus in our generation. There are abundant resources available online to help you grow in your faith. Of course the internet doesn’t self-select orthodoxy from some mix of Biblical faith and other things. Your pastors would like to give you some of our favorite resources for your growth and development. You could further your understanding of the Christian faith a tremendous amount, even as you are driving to work or going around town. Here are some of my favorites:
Dr. R.C. Sproul (Sr.), the founder of Ligonier ministries, was one of my professors in seminary. His ministry offers amazing training for believers that is solidly orthodox and Reformed (our theological perspective), and yet accessible at even a high school student level. While many of his materials cost something, they are well worth the investment. His website has mp3 downloads of lectures, e-books, as well as traditional materials such as books and CDs available.
Covenant Theological Seminary, where Pastor Tag received his seminary education, is the official seminary of our denomination, the Presbyterian Church in America. Many of their courses are available for free through their Worldwide Classroom. These classes include church history, counseling, theology and Biblical studies. Those of you who use Apple products can access these easily through the iTunes store. Seminary classroom lectures can be downloaded and listened to at your convenience. You can take it a next step and take some classes for credit!
My own seminary, Reformed Theological Seminary, has similar classes available on various topics. These are most easily accessed through the iTunes store. I especially enjoyed lectures from Genesis on creation. The professor did a good job of explaining a number of interpretive options.
The Gospel Coalition brings many Christian teachers with a similar emphasis on orthodox Biblical theology together on one website and in one ministry. Some are Baptists, some are Charismatic, and some are more like us in the PCA. John Piper, Tim Keller, D.A. Carson, and Kevin DeYoung have contributed to this website. With lots to agree on and lots of common ground, TGC addresses many contemporary issues through mp3, articles, blogs, and resources. The Gospel Coalition is also in the iTunes store with free downloads of their resources.
Together For the Gospel was started by four pastors from four varied Reformed and conservative backgrounds to support and encourage one another. There are conference talks from past years and other resources available on the site. Their annual conference lectures are available for free download from the iTunes store.
Dr. Mohler is a Reformed Baptist, and he has had a great influence in bringing Reformed theology to the Southern Baptist convention. I don’t always agree with him, but he is brilliant and well-spoken. His five minute daily commentary is thought-provoking. His interview with former President Jimmy Carter is fascinating for those who cast our first vote in a Carter election. While you may not always agree with Dr. Mohler, you will find him amazingly thoughtful and well-read. His arguments are logically consistent and sound. I learn from his perspective and find my thinking stretched and my faith encouraged.
This is the ministry of Dr. John Piper. Dr. Piper, a Baptist minister with many theological beliefs in line with our own, is arguably one of the greatest theologians the 20th Century has produced. I believe people will be reading his theological works for some time to come. Our children’s ministry uses the Children Desiring God curriculum in Foundations. The website is loaded with free resources.
One of my professors from my Doctor of Ministry program was Dr. Richard Pratt. This warm and brilliant Christian man helped to start a ministry to assist in training Christians around the world. Most if not all of their materials are free: sermons, articles, and commentaries.
Gospel in Life is the resource ministry of Dr. Timothy Keller. Most of the materials have a cost on this website, but they are excellent, grace-driven materials. We have frequently used his materials here at GCC, including when we did a church wide study of Prodigal God.
Dr. Hugh Ross: Reasons to Believe
I have only recently come across this website. Dr. Ross has assembled brilliant and highly educated scientists to address many of the questions that come up about creation and evolution. There are plenty of great articles here to help you understand many of the issues of science and faith that come up. I think it is fair to describe Dr. Ross as an “Old Earth Creationist”: someone who believes the Earth is very old, but that God created it and made Adam and Eve as specially designed creatures. He is not therefore what some call a “theistic evolutionist.” So that is a caution for some and an invitation for others. I think Dr. Ross is very well-meaning and quite brilliant. Sometimes my head is spinning when I read some of the scientific papers, but nevertheless it is helpful stuff.
Those are some of the online resources which I believe can be helpful to you in your desire to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Browse through them and make yourself a learning plan. For example, if you decide to study Early Church history, plan your times of listening and reading. Why not buy the textbook for the course, too! Or, if you travel regularly for work or home, plan to listen to a podcast after you drop the kids off at school, or while waiting in the airport or train station. You will be amazed at how much you can learn in this manner! Also realize you have two pastors that would love to discuss any of the topics you are studying. Let us know how we can help.
In Him,
Don