Back from the Conference
Mar 10th, 2008 by Nathan White
I made it back from L.A. and the Shepherds’ Conference. I had such a great time. Once again, the conference exceeded my expectations, and I left there greatly encouraged.
A couple of quick notes about the conference before I dive into regularly-scheduled-blogging this week:
-I cannot even begin to express the gratitude I have for my friend Jerry White and Emmanuel Community Church for fronting the costs for the entire trip, including meals, and I’m not even a member of their church! The kind, Christian love expressed by Jerry and his group will not be soon forgotten. Discipling other believers –in and out of Jerry’s own congregation– is certainly how the Lord is bearing fruit in his life. I am living proof.
-A live-blog of many of the sessions can be found here. I thoroughly enjoyed MacArthur’s opening session, Rick Holland’s session on ‘strange fire’, Steve Lawson on Hebrews 4:12, and MacArthur’s closing session (I missed the Al Mohler session, but heard it was excellent). These were very powerful sermons, and I’d encourage you to check them out.
-I have come home with too many books to list here. Among my favorites: about a dozen ‘Puritan Paperbacks’, a Banner of Truth expanded edition of Spurgeon’s ‘Lectures to my Students’, and a copy of the excellent ‘Meet the Puritans‘. Among the free books we received, I’m really looking forward to MacArthur’s Tale of Two Sons.
-Though we differ on many issues of hermeneutics and eschatology, to the point that I was somewhat hesitant entering the week (given that MacArthur opened the conference last year with a blistering sermon against my eschatological position) I was utterly amazed, again, at John MacArthur’s preaching and his ability to clearly convey the truth of scripture –with power! Truly, he must be the greatest preacher this generation has ever seen. And Steve Lawson, the ‘high heat’ according to MacArthur, is not far behind him. Oh, for more preachers like these men!
-I will be preaching the Lord’s Day morning sermon this week at my church, Berean Baptist in Powder Springs, GA. After hearing this kind of preaching all week, I certainly feel inadequate! I’m also preaching at another location the following week, Easter Sunday, so your prayers would be appreciated. School is in full swing, as is work (isn’t it always?), so things are busy.
On the agenda for 2009 and beyond: attend the Shepherds’ Conference whenever possible!
Nate,
Josiah and I would love a copy of the CD from your sermons, if possible. It truly is AMAZING to see firsthand what the Lord has done in your life!!!
Tiffany
Nathan,
Let’s hook up Saturday morning and I will take some of those “too many” books off your hands, no problem.
Glad you were encouraged by the conference!
Mark
Tiff–
I will see what I can do! I think we’re getting the CDs this year…
Mark–
Actually, I did get doubles of a few things. We’ve been trying to get together for lunch for like 2 years now, right? Maybe I could hook you up if we can ever hook up
Nathan -
We obviously met at Shepherds, or were at least pretty close to one another, given the Banner of Truth books you transported to Georgia. That’s great! Enjoy, and thanks.
Steve Burlew
Banner of Truth, Carlisle, PA
Steve–
Yes, my brother! You’d recognize me if you saw me. I’m the guy who blew all of what little $ I had at your table on the very first day, and was bumming the rest of the conference
It was a pleasure meeting you and feasting from your table. Please, I know you said you are occasionally in Atlanta, and have a friend here you sometimes meet with, but next time you are down this far south, please drop me a line so I can buy you dinner! Email is: nathan at shepherdtheflock.com
Nathan: I stumbled across your web site while doing some research on the web. I find that people who go around espousing what another person has said or done are the ones that usually go off into error. If you have not read the great commission, I would advise you to do so. People that believe in the modern day Calvin-ism and Armenian-ism need to read what these men really believed, not what people say they believed. Both views as they are taught today are wrong and are damning people to hell. Son, you are not one of the elect until you are saved. That is where modern day Calvin-ism is wrong. A close friends is a Five Point Calvinist and he is the greatest soul-winners I know. Col. 3:17,23
Mr. Goon,
I find that people who go around espousing what another person has said or done are the ones that usually go off into error.
Are you saying that everything you say theologically has never been said by another? That you never have or will reference another in the faith whom you respect and agree with? I\’m trying to understand where you are coming from.
If you have not read the great commission, I would advise you to do so.
Nathan has a tab up top that tells what he believes. It\’s a whole confession. This link talks about the Gospel from that confession. And what kind of accusation is that anyways?
People that believe in the modern day Calvin-ism and Armenian-ism need to read what these men really believed, not what people say they believed.
Are the modern day teachings different from the past teachings of Calvinism and Arminianism? (It\’s not Armenian. Benny Hinn is Armenian.) Calvinism wasn\’t around while Calvin was alive in the sense it is espoused today. Again, the Confession is linked above.
Both views as they are taught today are wrong and are damning people to hell.
Would you please support this statement with a clear example?
Son, you are not one of the elect until you are saved. That is where modern day Calvin-ism is wrong.
Then what does the Bible mean about being chosen before the foundation of the world? (Eph. 1:4-5) What is your definition of election?
A close friends is a Five Point Calvinist and he is the greatest soul-winners I know. Col. 3:17,23
Then what\’s the problem?
Mark