Convictions & Affections » Audio

Free Desiring God Download

Jeff Lash — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:45:59 +0000

This month’s free audio book download at christianaudio is Desiring God by John Piper. You can download it free for the entire month of November. This could be a great way to work through Piper’s primary work on Christian hedonism if you don’t have the time to read it.

Radio Theatre: The Screwtape Letters

Jeff Lash — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:05:03 +0000

Focus on the Family is putting together an audio production of C.S. Lewis’ classic book, The Screwtape Letters. If you are not familiar with the book, you should hop over to Westminster Books and pick up a copy. It is the story of several “conversations” between an elder demon and his nephew. What Lewis reveals in this book is the nature of human beings. Yes, demons are real and working in ways we cannot perceive. But I believe one of the fundamental points of Lewis’ book is not to peak into the nature of demons but to reveal to us the types of snares and traps we walk into based on the nature of who we are. Simply put…this book is brilliant.

I don’t listen to a lot of audio books or productions (a habit I’m looking to change) so I’m not an expert on such things. However, this production looks to be extremely well done. Focus on the Family has cast Andy Serkis (the voice of Gollum in The Lord of the Rings Triology) as Screwtape, the elder demon. You can learn more by checking out the official website.

(HT: Justin Taylor)

God’s Word Heard! New Testament

Jeff Lash — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:00:42 +0000

Every month Christian Audio gives away one audio book for free. This month it is a version of the New Testament called God’s Word Heard! It is put out by Baker Books and you can download it for free for the entire month of September. It could prove to be a useful and edifying tool for those of you who have a lengthier drive to work (like me).

The Veritas Forum

Jeff Lash — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:28:43 +0000

I am constantly listening to podcasts at work since I sit in an office all day. As a result, I do a lot of searching for new sites with audio resources. Recently I have come across The Veritas Forum. As the Veritas Team describes it, “Veritas Forums are university events that engage students and faculty in discussions about life’s hardest questions and the relevance of Jesus Christ to all of life.” Their website is loaded with all types of lectures and debates that can be downloaded or streamed at no cost. For example, I just finished a discussion between John Lennox and Richard Dawkins today. I commend the entire site to you and trust it will be as stimulating for you as it has been for me.

Trueman & The German Reformation

Jeff Lash — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:36:20 +0000

At this year’s Reformation Heritage Conference, Carl Trueman recently gave a series of lectures and sermons detailing the German Reformation and addressing the role of tradition and history within the life of the believer. He first discussed the heart of the German Reformation along with its key figure, Martin Luther. His characterization of Luther is quite informative and entertaining. Recalling one bit of history, Trueman tells the story of Luther’s cold response to the news that Ulrich Zwingli, leader of the Swiss Reformation, had been killed on the battlefield. Reformation history is Trueman’s bread and butter. His lectures are engaging and quite helpful in grasping a world that is not far removed from our own.

In the final three messages, Trueman dispells the false dichotomy between the bible and tradition. He talks about the faulty reasoning present in the argument that there is no place for tradition when it comes to the bible and christian living. Many people claim that all they need is the bible and that’s it. Forget about tradition or history. Yet they are fooling themselves by believing that tradition and history had nothing to do with the interpretation of Scripture that went into the translated bible they hold so dear. Trueman makes this point crystal clear.

The six messages are not only beneficial to the church historian or historical theologian but to every Christian who desires to live faithfully by the Word of God for the glory of God. It is a call to examine our past so that we might better engage the present. Listen to all six and be blessed.

Convergent Conference

Jeff Lash — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 05:31:41 +0000

Today I began listening to the recorded sessions from the Convergent Conference at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Let me just say that so far they are stellar. I have listened to the first three and now wish I would’ve been in attendance. J.D. Greear is soon to become one of my new favorite preachers. He gave some great examples of how to better serve your community. Ed Stetzer did a great job of reminding us of the inherent relevance of the gospel. I thought the highlight of his message came when he distinguished between changing modes and changing theology. The methods of reaching out and sharing the gospel can and inevitably will change as culture changes. However, the message of the gospel is timeless and not subject to the popular notions of the day. This is where the most extreme manifestation of the emergent church has gotten it wrong. Stetzer’s discussion naturally led itself into Mark Driscoll’s session. He gave an overview of his life and ministry and then explained the three streams of the emerging church: relevants, revisionists, and reformed.

These messages are quite possibly the best I have heard on the subject of the emerging church, cultural engagement, and differing methods. They are so good that I’m going to post them all here so you can have easy access to them. And if you are an iTunes user you can download all of the audio directly at the Southeastern podcast.

Session 1 – J.D. Greear
Session 2 – Ed Stetzer
Session 3 – Mark Driscoll
Session 4 – Dr. Danny Akin
Session 5 – Dr. Alvin Reid
Q & A – Panel Discussion

Carl Trueman – Theology for All Conference

Jeff Lash — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 02:57:45 +0000

Last fall Dr. Carl Trueman gave a series of lectures at the Theology for All Conference entitled Church and Theology Today: What is Really at Stake? Dr. Trueman is currently the Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. His lectures discussed many issues concerning the church and theology including the disconnect between our theology and history/tradition, challenges to faith today, and what a theological church should look like. What I gained from these lectures is a different perspective on these issues from the view of a church historian. That being said, I commend them to you.

1. Theology and Everyday Life: The Reformation and Beyond
2. Contemporary Challenges to Theology and Church Life
3. What should a theological church look like?
4. Q & A

Alister McGrath and Richard Dawkins Debate

Jeff Lash — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 04:51:36 +0000

I have been meaning to post this debate for a few weeks now. I listened to it some time ago and found it quite interesting. Though I was familiar with both Dawkins and McGrath, I had not heard either of them lecture before this debate. I have since listened to both of them several times on radio shows and in public lectures. Alister McGrath is Professor of Historical Theology at Oxford University. He holds doctorates in historical theology and molecular biophysics. McGrath’s background as a former atheist is certainly helpful in this debate. Richard Dawkins is the Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University. Dawkins is one of the world’s most well known atheists.

McGrath vs. Dawkins Part 1
McGrath vs. Dawkins Part 2

A documentary called “Root of All Evil?” was also filmed recently. In a portion cut from the documentary, Dawkins interviews McGrath and poses many questions concerning religion and science.