The Gospel According to Catholic's

[apostoli]

Hello RBerman,

I know what you mean about crazy stuff coming out of the USA. I'm not sure how much my opinion is worth to you, but Don ("D.A.") Carson is an excellent Christian teacher in my book. If you'd like to sample him, many free sermons are available from him here: http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/in...tegory/sermons

Again thanks for the link to Carson's preaching. I'm not sure why he is familiar to me, possibly I've previously read his writings. In anycase today I had the time to listen to his exposition on Lazarus and the Rich man (about 60 minutes long). I was impressed...
http://thegospelcoalition.org/resour...d_the_rich_man

I thought he made an important point that contributes to the conversation I've had with you and Max concerning faith vs works. in Carson's paradigm, the opposite of Justification (by God) is "self justification". Carson doesn't point any fingers. Imo, what he says could apply to Catholics, Protestants or any Christian denomination where the individual puts his trust in himself or more particularly justifies himself to himself and others declaring himself "just...

Carson has two lectures/sermons on Lazarus and the Rich man, I read the 2010 one, tomorrow I hope to listen to the 2009 version to see what else he extracts from the parable...

I must admit that I was impressed by Carson, especiially his application of "a text without a context becomes a pretext for a proof text", a phrase which he uses in the lecture, and apparently he is famous for as his "a proof text is the scriptural text that is claimed to prove a particular doctrine". I was most impressed that he avoided the usual abuse of Luke 16:19-31, and instead brought out points that are meaningful to our life in the here and now...

[RBerman]

Again thanks for the link to Carson's preaching. I'm not sure why he is familiar to me, possibly I've previously read his writings. In anycase today I had the time to listen to his exposition on Lazarus and the Rich man (about 60 minutes long). I was impressed.

I'm glad! I don't agree with him on everything, but I find him clear and helpful.