THE BULLETIN OF IBTM
with Douglas Jacoby
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13 August 2025
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Good morning from Lancashire!
Today’s bulletin contains four stimulating offerings: one on the conversion of a prominent Muslim to Christ, Jeanie Shaw’s thoughtful response to a recent post, NT scholar Craig Keener’s thoughts on whether the New Testament is sexist, and an open letter from Bryan Chapell to preachers. I’ve also slipped in a recent radio interview and a prayer request for hemoglobin.
AN OPEN LETTER TO PASTORS WHOSE SERMONS ALWAYS SOUND THE SAME
by Bryan Chapell
This article is part of the Open Letters series.
Those who study denominations such as the one I serve (evangelical, largely Anglo, suburban, and middle class) say that the sermons of our preachers most commonly address the “3M” concerns of church culture: morals, marriage, and money. When we break from those themes, the most common subjects (often related to the 3Ms) are the 3Ps: politics, pro-life, and propagation (the last often addressed under the headings of mission, discipleship, and evangelism).
These subjects are certainly worthy of scriptural address, but they obviously don’t cover the scope of Scripture’s subjects or the concerns of Christian brothers and sisters with different demographics, circumstances, and priorities. KEEP READING
FROM ISLAM TO ATHEISM TO CHRIST
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, author and former member of the Dutch Parliament recognized for her work on women’s issues and civil liberties, joins Socrates in the City to share her extraordinary personal journey. Born in Somalia and raised in a strict Islamic environment, she recounts her flight from forced marriage and eventual political asylum in the Netherlands. A fierce critic of radical Islam, Hirsi Ali became a leading voice for secularism and embraced atheism—only recently undergoing a transformative journey that led her to embrace the Christian faith. In this compelling conversation, she reflects on faith, freedom, and the search for meaning in the modern world. WATCH THE VIDEO
PRODIGAL SPOUSE, RECONSIDERED
by Jeanie Shaw
On 30 July 2025 (two weeks ago) I shared a Crossway article, "Encouragement for Anyone Waiting on a Prodigal Spouse," which I believed would prove interesting to many of our readers. Below is a thoughtful response from Jeanie Shaw. On further reflection, I am inclined to agree with her.
I always enjoy reading your newsletter; however, the article you posted today on "Prodigal Spouse" raised lots of red flags for me. Perhaps I am misreading it, but after three readings, it still greatly troubles me. First, I will mention what is positive. The writer offers encouragement for those who remain married to unfaithful spouses and feel spiritually adrift, comfort for those who choose to wait and pray rather than immediately leave (especially when there is ambiguity about repentance), and reminds that our identity must be rooted in Christ, not marital status.
Here’s where I believe the article veers into troubling territory. KEEP READING
IS THE NEW TESTAMENT SEXIST?
by Craig S. Keener
When I was doing my PhD in New Testament and Christian origins at Duke University (1987-1991), I helped with the InterVarsity campus ministry there. But while my own Christian origins interests, as a former atheist, were especially historical, the primary objections I heard against Christianity on campus were that it was “racist, sexist, and imperialist.” On many campuses, these objections have only grown more strident in subsequent decades.
This might be one reason that, reversing a long-standing trend, church disaffiliation among young women is now happening faster than among men. KEEP READING
Lately I’ve had quite a few radio interviews about the new book, Amen & Amen, and these have been enjoyable and productive. Here’s one of them.
To listen to the interview with Common Good (about 10 minutes), click on the image.
HEMOGLOBIN etc.
On a personal note, I seek prayers for my hemoglobin level. With two knee surgeries, I had apparently been taking too much Ibuprofen, causing my stomach lining to bleed into the GI tract. Before surgery Hgb was 13.25. When I had my physical last week, it was 12.00, and two days later, 11.00. Lower Fe, less energy. The knees, by the way, are recovering extremely well. The swelling is gone—all that remains are the scars.
Also, I had a birthday today. (Hint: the number is a multiple of eleven.)
Next week: The effects of THC on the Human Brain, E-Cigarettes & Teen Vaping, and selections from the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius (resilience!).
Thanks for your interest in the International Bible Teaching Ministry. And for your prayers! — D.J.
