There has been an interesting development in the live-blogging world that is unique to this conference - Tim Challies is finally getting some real competition! Nobody seems able to do the "Tim thing" for all the sessions, but there sure have been some people who have put up a remarkable effort for individual talks - presumably those that have particularly helped them. So for session 4, although I obviously would like to direct you to Tim's notes as well, I have decided to quote from the Na - Blog:

" 'It’s hard to worship a guy you can beat up.'

That sentence probably tells you a lot about Mark Driscoll. He’s loud, rough around the edges, and fiercely passionate about the Gospel. He, like Keller, pastors in one of the most difficult areas in America - Seattle - where there are more dogs than Christians. Driscoll examined the Supremacy of Christ and the Church in a Postmodern World in his message. And he started a buzz. Right now the guys in the row behind me are arguing over some of the points in his message. But they’re talking. And I think that’s what Driscoll would want.

He began by pointing out that Jesus is still as hot as ever. He’s all over pop culture from the Simpsons to South Park and Comedy Central. He’s on “Jesus is my Homeboy” shirts worn by celebrities. What distinguishes the two hottest theologies today (Reformed and Emerging) is their view of Jesus. The incarnation and exaltation of Jesus. The emerging churches tend to think of Jesus primarily as fully man. What is fueling the missional movement, Driscoll argues, is a rediscovery of the incarnational Jesus. A rediscovery of the truth that Jesus actually walked among men as a man. We must believe in the Incarnation. But we cannot only believe in it. The picture of some is that Jesus is more than a dress-wearing, crying, wimpy guy with product in his hair. Reformed churches tend to focus on the transcendent God. A God above all, but not relatable to anyone. What is lacking is a rigorous combining of both theologies . . .

Nine issues to contend for:

1) The Bible.

2) The sovereignty of God.

3) The virgin birth of Jesus Christ.

4) We must argue against pelagianism, a denial of original sin.

5) We must contend for penal substitutionary atonement.

6) The exclusivity of Jesus.

7) We must contend for male and female roles.

8) We must contend for hell.

9) We must contend that kingdom is priority over culture.

'I believe that missions shouldn’t just happen around the world. They should happen across the street.'

Then Driscoll used two hands. In one hand we put timeless truth in the closed hand of non-negotiation. 'Then I believe in the open hand of contextualization. Timely ministry. I’m not arguing for relativism, but for relevant-ism. The gospels are contextualized to be most relevant for different people. Don’t be seeker-sensitive, but be seeker-sensible.' "