Weekly Links (4/22/2011) (Good Friday/Easter Edition)

The chief impression that a study of the atonement leaves with us is that of the many-sidedness of Christ’s work for men.  When he died for us on the cross, he did something so infinitely wonderful that it is impossible to comprehend it in its fullness.  However man’s need be understood, that need is fully and abundantly met in Christ.  The New Testament writers are like men who ransack their vocabulary to find words which will bring out some small fraction of the mighty thing that God has done for us.  And yet, though it is so complex and so difficult, it may be put very simply: ‘the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me’ (Gal. 2:20). (Leon Morris, The Cross in the New Testament. HT: Ray Ortlund)

by Stephen Rodgers

Welcome to a Good Friday/Easter edition of the Weekly Links!  My intention is to point out a number of resources that can help you have a greater understanding and appreciation for the events and circumstances surrounding Holy Week, Good Friday, the crucifixion, Easter, and the Resurrection.  So let’s get to it!

  • First up, if you’re looking for an overview of the entire Holy Week, Justin Taylor did a rather extensive series on the subject.  And over at the 22 Words blog, Abraham Piper has a visual representation for those of you who are more visually-oriented. (WEB)
  • On top of that, Ligonier Ministries put together a great list of resources for people who want to study the implications of Holy Week. (WEB)
  • That brings us to Erik Reymond, who has some devotional thoughts on why “Good Friday” is so good. (WEB)
  • The Pyromaniacs each contributed their own thoughtful response to the question, “What does the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ mean to me?”  They aren’t long responses, so be sure you don’t miss out on what Phil Johnson, Dan Phillips, and Frank Turk each had to say. (WEB)
  • Al Mohler has a great article on how the cross and the resurrection are at the center of the Christian faith. (WEB)
  • And this is probably the third or fourth time I’ve posted this, but since we’ve gotten to the resurrection, this video featuring a sermon excerpt from Matt Chandler regarding a post-resurrection appearance of Christ gets me every time. (VIDEO)
  • And if you want to approach the subject from a more apologetics-oriented angle…
    • Michael C. Patton has put together an article entitled A Short Defense of the Resurrection of Christ. It serves as a good introduction to the subject. (WEB)
    • In similar fashion, Justin Holcomb has a 3-part series (at the time I write this), on Defending and Proving the Resurrection over at the Resurgence. (WEB)
    • A lot of unbelievers object to the resurrection on the basis of a lot of bad arguments. Over at the Tekton Ticker blog, JP Holding identifies a number of those arguments…and then explodes them. (WEB)
    • One often-raised objection to the resurrection is that the 4 accounts in the Gospels cannot be harmonized.  Over at Triablogue, Rhology shows that’s not the case. (WEB)
    • And speaking of Triablogue…if you really want to get into some of the issues surrounding Easter, those fine folks have put together collections of articles that deal with just that issue…from 2009, 2010, and 2011. To say that Steve Hays and Co. are “prolific” is a bit of an understatement! (WEB)

Well, that’s it for now folks.  Don’t forget that we have Good Friday service tonight at 6:30pm.  See you there!

Pro Rege