Dr. John Lennox continues to be the highlight of my time here. I confess I didn't know what to expect when I got the conference information guide. I knew he was quite an apologist with quite a mind, but that was all. I won't overlook him from this moment onward! Today I attended two sessions with Lennox. The first was a lab concerning how we might approach the new atheism evidenced in a spate of books released throughout '07 and '08 (Dawkins, Harris, and the lot). I've noted in other entries that eventually all of the sessions and labs will be available for free download on the the Truth for Life site. Please make sure you give a listen to this presentation by Dr. Lennox. It's really very helpful stuff he's giving us all. He interacts with the recent works of renowned atheists with insight, clarity, and wit. He had my head spinning with all sorts of possibilities for dialoguing with people through these complex issues. When you give it a listen (again, I've heard it will be up and running sometime soon), stick around for the Q & A time at the end. He tackled everything from atheism and political influence to aliens - yes, aliens.

One side note: I had hoped to talk with Dr. Lennox about what books we ought to be paying attention to as preachers - books that will help us get a working knowledge of certain matters and so forth. I didn't have to pull him aside. He answered it in his session. He quickly said that anyone can check out any of his books and the reference section is his way to push us toward reading widely and well (a collection of works we will agree with and contend with, all for the sake of better witness). But he did add one quick exhortation: instead of going out and buying a whole spectrum of works on apologetics, he suggested we first challenge ourselves to engage in conversation with believers and nonbelievers alike and let that determine the kinds of books we pursue. In other words, if someone wants to talk about theistic evolution, then go and buy a book on the matter. We tend to just want to fill our shelves, read, and then dialogue. Start with dialogue he says, and let it inform what you buy. I liked that.

A few other notes...

-There are few people I would rather have lead me in worship than Keith and Kristyn Getty. What rich lyrics that teach rich theology. Please check them out. My friend and colleague, Brandon O'Brien, interviewed them for a piece in Leadership journal. If you have not had a chance to read it, you can do so by clicking here.

-I had an opportunity to sit down with noted blogger Tim Challies to talk about preachers and blogs. Pros? Cons? Rules and principles for blogging? Who's doing it, and doing it well? Look for the interview on the main site in the weeks ahead.

-Speaking of Tim, if you're feeling like you want to hear a little more about what Piper had to say in his two sessions at the conference, visit Tim's site. My quick thought: Piper is awfully fired up about justification and regeneration (the topics of his two recent books). He's particularly fired up about justification. I hope that someday we can get the two schools of thought together on one stage (the traditional/Augustinian camp and the New Perspective camp). As of right now, it feels like two ships lobbing canonballs across the ocean. I'm not sure how helpful it is at times, because it's monologue, which never allows either side to add nuance, to correct, to push back against caricatures. That's my two cents.

-Dr. Lennox was back for the evening session - a session that blew my mind. He examined Revelation 4-7 in way that was governed by interpretation and imagination working in concert. It was a really beautiful thing to take in. Again, please check this one out. I believe it was called "Using Scripture to Address the Mind and the Imagination." Great stuff. I found myself really moved by some thoughts he offered. As you can tell, I'm going to be leaving this thing as a real fan of Lennox.

-Tomorrow, Begg is up to bat again (looking forward to that as always), and we'll have a special Q & A session with all the speakers. I'll share some thoughts on those sessions.

Hope this is helpful. Again, when they are posted, check these sessions out. Good stuff, my friends.