Chicago, Tim Keller, books galore, Over 5,000 Christian tongues a-singing .... Welcome to the Gospel Coalition Conference 2011!

I am here with Alli Street. The guys from Matthias Media are doing a brisk trade. Many well-known Bible Colleges are represented, recruiting students. One eager college advocate immediately offered us information about the PhD program .... I grimace - does this mean we look old enough to be ready for one? Many different ministries are presenting their work - bible translation, overseas mission, counseling, training preachers and publishing.  Welcome to the behemoth of American Christianity.

There are people from all over the United States.The first people we meet are a couple of pastors from Arkansas who speak enthusiastically of having used 'Two Ways to Live' and 'The Trellis and the Vine' in their church of 3500 members. The odd foreign accent can be heard. About 1000 participants are women, up from about 300 at the last conference. Many others are young men, emerging leaders in their churches; around us they speak excitedly about the speakers list, whose names sit on their bedside tables.

The conference theme is preaching Christ in the Old Testament. The overarching thread is a rounded biblical theology "under the shadow of the cross". Don Carson speaks of the importance of looking at the diverse ways the New Testament writers use the Old Testament as a key to understanding and preaching it.  How do we understand the God of judgement in the Old Testament, and how is that to be explained? Carson's view is that these are a 'foretaste' of God's judgement from which the only way out is Jesus, and no apology can be made for this view of God. (Carson is not the only speaker by the way, but he has lots to say!)

All is being broadcast live on the internet, and in several languages. Such is the power of global new media! Join the conference on-line and make sure you listen to Tim Keller's insightful talk on Exodus 14.

Links:

Gospel Coalition 2011: Media resources

Gospel Coalition 2011: Official Site

Tim Keller's talk on Exodus 14