There are some men whose grace and skill in debating sets them apart and makes you glad they’re on your team. One such man is William Lane Craig, though I know him more by reputation than personal experience.

He is somewhat of a legend in apologetics circles because of his gifting on the debating floor. In fact, he is such a formidable opponent that on numerous occasions atheists have either refused point-blank to engage him in public debate, or having accepted the invitation, turned it down at a later date with fairly lame excuses.

One example of a man who will not debate Craig is Professor Richard Dawkins.

I have never seen Craig debate, but I was excited to hear that he’s doing a tour here in the UK. There are a couple of events in London, including a training day held in our building. It would have been amazing to witness Stephen debating the religious authorities of his day, since “they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking” (Acts 6:10). Perhaps hearing Craig is the next best thing available today?

Intrigued? I certainly am.

There can be a kind of agony in figuring out what decisions to make in life, whilst desiring to walk in the will of God. You know you have limited time on this earth and you don’t want to mess up. That means that every major decision in life can make you break out into a cold sweat as you gnaw away at the pros and cons, hoping you get it right.

This is not so much a review, as a recommendation.

I recently ordered a copy of a brand new album by Chris Haines, entitled But God. From the moment I started listening I was repeatedly surprised by just how good this album is. The music is outstanding, the lyrics deeply scriptural, the overall impact uplifting and edifying.

This was all the more surprising because Chris is a friend, and I had no idea he was this good. We went to school together, and I recall the days of chastising him for his language (now thoroughly sanctified). I also remember this slightly chubby child strumming away at his electric guitar in music classes, little knowing his skills would develop to this extent.

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Reformed guys tend to argue that the baptism in the Spirit is equivalent to the work of the Spirit in us called ‘regeneration’, or the ‘new birth’. From this they deduce that all believers in Jesus (those who are genuinely born again) have already been baptised in the Spirit.

Depending on their particular degree of conservatism, they may argue for fresh fillings of the Holy Spirit as something experiential and known to you, the recipient, (check out some ‘Third Wave’ Reformed Charismatics like Wayne Grudem and Sam Storms). Or, they may simply not expect any felt experience of the Spirit whatsoever in the Christian life. You get it all at conversion. No doubt there are many nuanced positions somewhere in between.

As a preacher I would pay any kind of money for the opportunity to hear and see some of the great heroes of our faith whose preaching predated the advent of recording. One example is Spurgeon. Although the necessary equipment existed in his time, there are sadly no recordings of his voice. It would be an experience to catch a sense of what it might have been like to sit under his powerful and authoritative voice at Metropolitan Tabernacle.

Thankfully, we do have plenty of recordings of Lloyd-Jones’ preaching, and listening to them is a thrilling experience. Up to now, however, I have not seen any video footage of the man. I have searched the internet on many occasions. The closest you get are various photos (in which he almost never smiles).

But finally, in the last couple of weeks, the MLJ Recordings Trust have posted some videos of him in interview, and presenting a documentary. Enjoy.

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