Round the Sphere Again: Which One?

Confidence or Condemnation?
“Whenever counseling Christians looking for assurance of salvation, I take them to 1 John. This brief epistle is full of help for determining whether we are in the faith or not. In particular, there are three signs in 1 John given to us so we can answer the question ‘Do I have confidence or condemnation?’” Read the rest. (Kevin DeYoung)

Lump Charcoal or Briquettes?
“In the world of charcoal grilling, there’s no more fundamental and fiercely debated topic than lump charcoal vs. briquettes. Being the building block for everything you grill, it’s no wonder that grill masters around the world will defend their choice with extreme passion.” (Serious Eats)

My preference? I switched to lump charcoal a couple of years ago and I’m never,  ever going back to briquettes.

Round the Sphere Again: Learning from Scripture

Private Interpretation?
Bill Mounce looks at the meaning of 2 Peter 1:20. (Koinonia)

As is so often in Greek, the original language gives us the range of interpretive options, but usually it is context that makes the final decision. Greek is not a magic key that reveals the one and only possible interpretation….

From Scripture
Greg Welty makes the inductive case for sola scriptura. (Triablogue)

New ESV Online
Top five things about this Bible study tool. (ESV Bible Blog)

Round the Sphere Again: A Little Church History

For the Month of May
Some biographies of influential historical Christians (Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Edwards, Spurgeon, Moody, Lewis, and more) are on sale at Christian Audio. “Get to know these amazing men by listening to some of the best biographies available on christianaudio, now on sale for only $4.98 each” Plus, there’s a free download of the biography of E. M. Bounds. Read the details.

Two from Beggars All
A short list of resources from the Swiss reformer Uldrich Zwingli. 

A biographical sketch of the Morning Star of the Reformation, John Wycliffe, who is best known for “inspiring vernacular translations of Scripture.”

On Sunday
Tracing some of the history of the Lord’s Day. (The Upward Call)

For the Kids (and You, Too)
“The Church History ABCs by Steve Nichols and Ned Bustard is a fun way for kids to learn about great figures in Christian history.” Visit the book website for some church history activities, a list of funny church history facts (Did you know that John Wesley invented an electric shock machine?), and a gallery of portraits of figures in church history drawn by children. (HT: Justin Taylor)