Kyle Owenby's Blog

On the Anniversary of Martin Luther's Death

2012-02-18T15:39:00.002-05:00

Today, February 18th, 2012 marks the 466th anniversary of the death of Reformer and Protestant theologian Martin Luther. Luther was the principle initiator of the Protestant Reformation, and as such played a key role in provoking the Catholic Church to convene the Council of Trent, their own Counter-Reformation. The modern world in many ways is an heir to the changes and ideas articulated during

Conversation

2012-02-15T15:21:00.002-05:00

This conversation is going on over at Ed Stetzer's page, where he has provided a succinct guide to the reliability of the New Testament based on twelve criterion, which he credits to Craig L. Blomberg, a Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. My favorites include the inclusion of the hard sayings of Jesus in the Gospels (criterion eight) and the ancient Greek practice of memorization of

Book Review: Die Young by Michael and Hayley Dimarco

2012-02-15T14:00:00.000-05:00

I just finished reading Die Young by Michael and Hayley Dimarco, which I received complimentary from Crossway Publishing. In Die Young the Dimarcos present a call to arms for Christians to embrace the new life offered by Jesus, where faith is given action as the gospel is lived out. Die Young presents a very simple and concise message, faith in Christ is a call to give up the idols of this

Studying History

2012-02-15T13:58:00.001-05:00

Studying History

Limited Government vs. Impotent Government

2012-02-13T10:21:00.000-05:00

A great deal is said about limited government these days by people on both sides of the political aisles. Of course the government they are talking about is the federal government. Everyone seems to be ideologically opposed to the expansion of the powers of the federal government. At the same time however, many of those same people support in practice that same expansion. It is hypocritical to

Theology book giveaway contest

2012-02-11T12:09:00.000-05:00

Frank Recinos over at Let my People Read is offering a small theological library for free to anyone who can help him find a job in Southern California. Hope this helps get the word out!

Should Professors also be Entertainers?

2012-02-10T10:59:00.000-05:00

I just completed my first semester as an adjunct professor, and I posted some of my thoughts about adjuncting. After conversing with a friend of mine about how he teaches his math sections, we began wondering about what is the most effective way to teach. We joked around about dressing up and doing a little song and dance but honestly, how entertaining should professors be in order to convey

What I'm Reading: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling

2012-02-09T14:42:00.000-05:00

This is a continuation of my review of the Harry Potter books, focusing on the story and themes. Awhile back I finished reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the second book in the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling. The Chamber of Secrets is, like its predecessor, very much a children's adventure book. This does not mean that it is inaccessible for adults, however, it is

Update

2012-02-09T13:52:00.000-05:00

I haven't updated much for January or early February, teaching has kept me pretty busy, especially the lesson planning. I'm teaching a new class on a topic I'm not totally familiar with so I have tried to stay ahead. Last semester went well, I enjoyed teaching and even some of the office work I took part in was insightful. I've been doing some reading but not many books to review, that will

Book Review: Why Church Matters by Joshua Harris

2012-01-05T16:55:00.000-05:00

I just finished reading Why Church Matters: Discovering Your Place in the Family of God by Joshua Harris, which I received for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. This book is a rework of a title called Stop Dating the Church, and that is the sentiment of book. Harris, well known for opposing casual romantic relationships with I Kissed Dating Goodbye, approaches

The Universe Next Door by James W. Sire

2012-01-02T13:41:00.000-05:00

I just finished reading James W. Sire's The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog, the fourth edition, which I bought at McKay's Used Books, CDs, Movies and More, a wonderful bookstore with a presence in Chattanooga, Knoxville and Nashville. The book is now in its fifth edition, which appears to contain some revisions, new formatting and some added content but no significant changes it

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T13:18:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable new year. In this new year I am reading through the Bible and Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion. My plan for reading the Bible can be found at the Gospel Coalition website, and my plan for reading Calvin's Institutes can be found at Jim West's website.

2011-12-25T14:57:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone! Remember the birth of our lord and savior Jesus Christ, who came to redeem our world and he people in it.

Book Review: The Biblical Counseling Movement After Adams by Heath Lambert

2011-12-24T12:56:00.000-05:00

I recently finished the Biblical Counseling Movement After Adams by Heath Lambert, which I received complimentary from Crossway Publishers. A product of Lambert's dissertation, After Adams is essentially an overview of the critical developments and directions biblical counseling has undertaken since reinvigorated by Jay Adams in the 1970s. In this sense After Adams is very much a contemporary

What I'm Reading: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling

2011-12-23T11:31:00.000-05:00

I just finished reading the first book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Yes, I know I am a decade late beginning these. No, I didn't refrain from reading them because I thought they were "the devil" or would lead me down a path into the dark arts. And yes, I am enjoying reading them, which I will write more about later. In the Sorcerer's Stone the young orphan,

Book Review: Happily Ever After: Six Secrets to a Successful Marriage by Gary Chapman

2011-12-22T13:49:00.000-05:00

I recently finished Happily Ever After: Six Secrets to a Successful Marriage by Dr. Gary Chapman, which I received complimentary from Tyndale House Publishers. For further disclosure I should also mention that I am engaged to a wonderful woman and read the book for its application purposes as well as reviewed it for content. Dr. Chapman is well known as the author of the Five Love Languages

My thoughts on Adjuncting

2011-12-14T10:55:00.000-05:00

I recently completed my first semester as an adjunct professor of history, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I thought I would supply my thoughts on adjuncting upper and lower level history courses. This semester has taught me three lessons regarding teaching. First, always be prepared for surprises, because you don't know how uncontrollable factors like the weather or power outages will interrupt your

Book Review: Work Matters by Tom Nelson

2011-12-12T10:57:00.000-05:00

I just finished reading Work Matters: by Tom Nelson, a book I received complimentary through Crossway Publishing. Work Matters moves through ten chapters, exploring the theology behind our work. Namely, we as created beings were made to work and as much as our work defines us it doesn't make much sense for us not to look at work through a theological lens. It should be stated, this is not a

Chance to win a free New Living Translation

2011-12-08T14:02:00.001-05:00

At the New Living Translation Facebook page you have the opportunity to win a a free copy, enter to win!

Kindle

2011-11-28T16:02:00.000-05:00

I love the kindle. I'm not sure I can say that with very much technology. Really, most technology to me, particularly "cutting edge" stuff, is more of an aggravation that anything else. But the Kindle, now that is a great piece of equipment. It works in a very simple and easy way. There aren't a lot of tricks that you have to learn with it. Granted the version I have is one of the more low-key

What I'm Reading: Sputnik Caledonia by Andrew Crumey

2011-11-28T15:52:00.001-05:00

I just finished reading Andrew Crumey's Sputnik Caledonia, an interesting science fiction and alternate history novel from a Scottish author. Indeed, the Scottish landscape plays an important role in the novel, which follows the life, in several senses, of Robert Coyle, first as a young child growing up in the shadow of the Cold War, with a pro-Soviet, anti-American father. Robbie dreams of

Book Review: Servanthood as Worship: The Privilege of Life in a Local Church by Nathan Palmer

2011-11-23T23:04:00.001-05:00

I just finished Servanthood as Worship: The Privilege of Life in a Local Church by Nathan Palmer, which I received complimentary from the author. Servanthood as Worship is part memoir, part exposition of the biblical and theological principles behind service in the local church. The author explores what Christians should think about service as an expression of the body of Christ, and how that

Book Review: Ecumenical Babel by Jordan Ballor

2011-11-22T18:54:00.001-05:00

I just finished reading Ecumenical Babel: Confusing Economic Ideology and the Church's Social Witness by Jordan Ballor, which I received complimentary through the Acton Institute, "an ecumenical think-tank dedicated to the study of free-market economics informed by religious faith and moral absolutes." (Their website) Ballor's book is an exploration of three statements of faith put forward by

Giveaway Contest at Credo Magazine

2011-11-21T15:16:00.000-05:00

The folks over at Credo Magazine are at it again, offering up another great giveaway contest, this time Gregg R. Allison's Historical theology: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine.

What I'm Reading: Why I am a Baptist ed. by Tom J. Nettles and Russell D. Moore

2011-11-20T21:27:00.001-05:00

I just finished reading Why I am a Baptist, a volume of essays edited by Tom Nettles and Russell Moore, from leading scholars, preachers and personalities in the Baptist world reflecting on their reasons for confessing Baptist theology. This book could have just as easily been called "Why I affirm Believers Baptism and not Infant Baptism" since the majority of the essays focus on that subject.