Friday May 9, 2008
Denny Burk on "An Evangelical Manifesto"
Denny Burk has some good reflections on the Evangelical Manifesto in this post and in several others at his blog.
Sportsmanship
Stephen Altrogge shares a great little video dealing with sportsmanship.
The Uneven Playing Field
Owen comments on a fascinating article from the New York Times. "In "The Uneven Playing Field," Sokolove details at tremendous length the high injury risks girls and women face in playing contact sports. I found the piece compelling, frightening, and reflective of common sense: girls are not built like guys, and thus when they play contact sports with tenacity and abandon, they will often face very serious injury."
The Dubious Future of Libraries
Here is an interesting article from a seminary librarian. He asks "Will the Dubious Future of Libraries be the Salvation of Evangelical Seminaries?"
A Review of "A New Earth"
Don Whitney provides a good review of Eckhart Tolle's mega-selling "A New Earth."
Interview with a Would-Be Mother
Lydia has an interview with a woman who, for the past ten years, has been unable to conceive. "She shares with us what a baby-hopeful, godly couple has learned from their infertility about things such as in vitro, adoption, and marital intimacy. "
Thursday May 8, 2008
His Image, Our Value
Writing about people with disabilities, Paul refutes the lie that worth is determined by contribution. "The Truth, according to God, is that people are valuable for the simple fact that they are made in His image. Value is all in relation to Him, not my supposed contribution."
GTY's Free Weekly Expositional Bible Study
From Lucid Theology: "Today Grace to You launched a new page on their site where they plan on providing, free of charge, an expositional study of a book of the Bible."
The Murky Demimonde of Amazon Reviewers
A recent article from Slate provides interesting information that should make us think twice about placing too much confidence in Amazon's top reviewers. An example: "Harriet Klausner, No. 1 since the inception of the ranking system in 2000, has averaged 45 book reviews per week over the last five years--a pace that seems hard to credit, even from a professed speed-reader."
Five Things To Do With Old Electronics
Here are five things you can do with those old electronics you've got kicking around your basement. Did you know that the average CRT contains over 2 pounds of toxic lead? There is a good reason to dispose of them properly!
Wednesday May 7, 2008
Kirk Wellum on Young, Restless, Reformed
Kirk Wellum, a professor at Toronto Baptist Seminary, has some good things to say about the Calvinist resurgence. "Personally, I am thrilled that today so many are "young, restless and reformed." But at the same time, I have lived long enough to know that unless we are careful all of the buzz will be disappointing in the end." Hey lays out five things that need to be said.
Al Gore on Myanmar Cyclone
You knew this was going to happen. Al Gore has blamed the cyclone on global warming: "we're seeing consequences that scientists have long predicted might be associated with continued global warming."
The Weakened Dollar and Missionaries
Here is an interesting article and one well worth pondering. It discusses how the weakening US dollars has had a grave impact on overseas missionaries.
I Just Can't Stop Grieving
Ray Fowler has a moving post about a friend who lost her husband after a lifetime together. Thank God for his eternal promises.
Discerning Reader Reviews
Yesterday we added six new reviews to Discerning Reader.
Tuesday May 6, 2008
Switchfoot's "This is Home"
Switchfoot wrote and recorded a song that will be played over the closing credits for Prince Caspian. The song and video debuted yesterday on their web site.
Thanks Mom Marrow Donor Drive
A friend send me this video he made to commemorate his wife's one year post-transplant anniversary and to encourage others to join the National Marrow Donor Registry.
Learn Big Words
Mark Altrogge encourages you to learn some big words. "We should learn certain biblical and theological words because they will help us love God more. They will help us appreciate the depths of what he's done for us, in turn fueling our love for him and joy in him."
Wikipedia's Zealots
Here is an article to consider the next time you go searching for information on Wikipedia. "As I'm writing this column for the Financial Post, I am simultaneously editing a page on Wikipedia. I am confident that just about everything I write for my column will be available for you to read. I am equally confident that you will be able to read just about nothing that I write for the page on Wikipedia."
Boredom Takes Wing
This unfortunate person provides advice on what to do on a long flight when there are no movies playing and when you've read all your books.
"The Reason for God" Review
At Reformation21 David Robertson has begun a multi-part critical review of Tim Keller's "The Reason for God."
Monday May 5, 2008
Wow. Wow. Wow.
Phil Johnson writes in glowing terms about a couple of new books that are well worth reading.
Gospel Unity Among Educational Camps
Josh Harris provides a video where he shares a good and important word about not dividing over educational choices.
Write Down a Prayer
Ray Pritchard encourages you to not just say "I'll pray for you" but to actually write down a prayer for a friend.
Church Unity at 9Marks
Thabiti has a roundup of the articles and reviews from the latest edition of the eJournal.
Emergent's New Christians and the Young and Restless Reformed
CT has an interesting exchange between Collin Hansen (Young, Restless, Reformed) and Tony Jones (The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier).
Friday May 2, 2008
Who or What Defines "Reformed?"
R. Scott Clark writes about who or what can define the term "Reformed." "Our Baptist friends are entitled to think what they will but they are not entitled to fundamentally re-define the adjective 'Reformed.' Implied in the attempt by some Baptists to re-define "Reformed" so that it no longer entails a doctrine of church and sacraments is a minimalist definition of 'Reformed' so that it only refers to the so-called 'doctrines of grace.'"
Walk (Run) a Mile (a Few Feet) in Her Shoes
Thirsty Theologian's daughter guest posts about "Walk A Mile In Her Shoes," an event to call attention to domestic violence.
The World's Most Expensive House
This seemed appropriate after yesterday's interview about money. "The 27-storey skyscraper being built in Mumbai by Mukesh Ambani, the richest person in India, could be the world's largest and costliest home with a price-tag nearing two billion dollar, according to Forbes magazine. "
The Fundamentals
Amy has a good word to share about the fundamentals of the faith.
Free Audio Book
This month's free audio book from christianaudio.com is "Martin Luther: In His Own Words." (HT:
S@S)
Thursday May 1, 2008
Top Ten Books for Students
Points for originality go to the team who put together this video for the New Word Alive 2008 conference.
Together for the Gospel Approved Book List
Here is a link to the master bookstore list for Together for the Gospel. "Each of these books were carefully selected for the Together for the Gospel '08 book store. Specifically, Al Mohler, CJ Mahaney, Ligon Duncan, and Mark Dever reviewed a larger list of books from several publishers; if any one of the four crossed out a title out, the book did not make it on the final list." This is about the most exhaustive recommended reading list you'll find!
I Have a Shelter
Click the link to download a free song from the new Sovereign Grace album "Come Weary Saints."
Mark Driscoll on "The Shack"
In this video Mark Driscoll discusses the surprise runaway bestseller "The Shack" and describes it as nothing short of heretical.
John MacArthur on Evolution
At the Pulpit blog have been a series of posts by John MacArthur on the subject of evolution. They are well worth reading.
Hard Lemonade, Hard Price
Here's the strange story of a man who mistakenly gave his son "hard" lemonade, only to see his son taken into state custody. I guess this is one of every parent's worst nightmares!
Grand Theft Decency
Dr. Mohler writes about Grand Theft Auto IV, projected to be the year's best-selling video game. "The release of this latest product in the Grand Theft Auto series is a reminder that games and entertainment products constitute a significant moral challenge -- and a potential minefield for parents."
Wednesday April 20, 2008
Tuesdays are for Reviews
We uploaded eight (!) new reviews to Discerning Reader yesterday. We add reviews every Tuesday so you may like to make DR at least a once-weekly stop in your internet travels.
Coming Soon from John Piper
At the Desiring God blog is an update about the forthcoming books from John Piper. It looks like there will be lots of good books coming our way!
Christian Ministry Fined for Discrimination
It's a sign of things to come, I'm sure. "One of Canada's largest Christian ministries dedicated to caring for the disabled was fined $23,000 recently by the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario for allegedly discriminating against a former homosexual employee."
Jesus Made Me Puke
Here's a sad and somewhat embarrassing article by Matt Taibbi who writes for Rolling Stone who went "undercover" into the religious right and recorded all of his experiences.
Our Climate Numbers Are a Mess
From the Wall Street Journal: "Why is the news on global warming always bad? Perhaps because there's little incentive to look at things the other way. If you do, you're liable to be pilloried by your colleagues."
Tuesday April 29, 2008
Porn in Public Libraries
Carolyn McCulley comments on the growing phenomenon of people using public computers to browse pornography.
Everyone Must Be a Theologian
Over at the Ligonier blog we're providing (in regular installments) the complete text of John Gerstner's book "Theology for Everyman." The first chapter says that every person is called to be a theologian.
Screwtape Gives Devil His Due
The Washington Post gives a positive review to Max McLean's production of "Screwtape" now playing in Washington, D.C.. "But the fiendish reality the production conjures is colorful enough to appeal to theatergoers of any, or no, religious persuasion. The Devil is an equal-opportunity entertainer."
Theologian Trading Cards
Yes, you read the heading correctly. Here is the beginning of a collection of theologian trading cards, coming soon to online retailers (really!).
RSS Reader for Complete Noobs
Abraham Piper has a tutorial to guide you through getting setup with Google Reader (in case you've been itching to try out this RSS thing everyone's talking about).
Monday April 28, 2008
Economic Stimulus Payments and God's Glory
I've been waiting for someone to write this. Imagine the good American Christians can do with their "free" money from the government. Instead of heading straight to Best Buy, why not find a good and creative way of blessing others and worshiping God with that money. John Piper explains.
The New Face of Gay Marriage
Dr. Mohler: ""Young Gay Rites" is itself a noteworthy signal about the future of marriage. If Denizet-Lewis is right, the legalization of same-sex marriage is changing the ways some homosexuals are living their lives. In other words, same-sex marriage in Massachusetts is changing homosexual culture in some unexpected ways."
How Can I Bless My Pastor
John Piper explains. "Don't give me a Rolls-Royce when I turn sixty. I would've wasted my life if you think you're blessing me with some big financial gift when I'm sixty. I want to see your life changed. I want to see you pour yourself out for others. And I'm sure that's what you're asking about."
Screwtape: The Luciferian Laptop
Douglas Groothuis plays C.S. Lewis and writes a letter to Wormwood about the effects of technology.
The Most Annoying Song Ever
"After gathering data about people's least favorite music and lyrical subjects, they did the unthinkable: they combined them into a single monstrosity, specifically engineered to sound unpleasant to the maximum percentage of listeners."
Friday April 25, 2008
Gospel Translations
At the Ligonier blog is an article about the new Gospel Translations initiative and Ligonier's involvement in it. There is also a video detailing the Gospel Translations effort.
Ehrman and Wright Discuss Suffering
Beliefnet has a lengthy dialog between Bart Ehrman and N.T. Wright on the subject of suffering.
For Sale: 13 Year Old Virgin
The Telegraph has the sad story of young girls in India being ushered into a life of prostitution.
Are You Bored With Good Preaching?
Paul offers some good words for people who sit under good preaching.
An Engineer's Guide to Cats
If you've got seven minutes to burn, this video is strangely enjoyable.
A New Jesus Biography
""Basic Instinct" director Paul Verhoeven has written a book that contradicts biblical teaching by suggesting that Jesus might have been fathered by a Roman soldier who raped Mary."
Thursday April 24, 2008
Is Prince Caspian Really C.S. Lewis?
Devin Brown provides an answer in a recent article at Christianity Today.
OpenBible Labs
OpenBible Labs has some small but fascinating experiments with Bible data. The Bible Word Locator and Bible Book Browser are particularly interesting.
Dr. Mohler on The Shack
Dr. Mohler recently dedicated most of a radio program to the book "The Shack." He goes so far as to say that it contains "undiluted heresy." (
HT)
Hannah Montana Strikes It Even Richer
"Miley Cyrus, 15-year-old teen star who attributes her family and Christian faith for keeping her grounded in her fast-pace lifestyle, will write about her life before becoming Hannah Montana in a book deal that was confirmed by the publisher for Disney on Tuesday." She has signed a seven figure deal for this book.
Boeing's Big Dream
Fortune has a fascinating photo essay about the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Wednesday April 23, 2008
Pulpit Reviews "Expelled"
Pulpit blog reviewed Ben Stein's "Expelled" and says, "I strongly recommend college students go and see this movie, and strongly recommend that their shepherds take the time to talk to them afterwards."
Temperature Sensors and Global Warming
An interesting article uses a infrared camera to show why global temperatures may at times appear to be creeping upwards.
Shepherd Press Asks Why
Jay Younts expands on an article I wrote and says, "Let's consider one basic question regarding the issue of protecting our children from the entrapment of the world: Why? As in Why do they want to sin?"
Rare Books
This Dallas Theological Seminary project offers scans of complete and very rare books.
Tuesday April 22, 2008
Escape
With all the attention focused on the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints these days, you may be interested in the book "Escape" which I reviewed a short time ago.
Reformation21 Redesigned
Reformation21 has been redesigned. If you previously subscribed to the RSS feed for the blog, you'll need to go there and find their new address.
I Love the World
This is a great commercial for Discovery Channel.
Are Children Threatening the Earth?
Dr. Mohler looks at the arguments that blame people who have children for the earth's downfall.
How Much TV?
Owen Strachan has a good post about television viewing habits.
Kirk Cameron Preaching the Gospel
I really enjoyed watching this short clip of Kirk Cameron sharing the gospel with a stranger.
Monday April 21, 2008
Together for the Diet Dew
I was scratching my head when asked to hold a bottle of Diet Mountain Dew and have my picture taken, but it all makes sense now.
The Federal Budget Crisis Explained
Andy Jackson shares some interesting facts about the federal budget crisis, both as it stands now and as it will unravel in years to come.
New from Iain Murray
Martin Downes highlights a forthcoming book from the pen of Iain Murray.
Run to See Expelled
Carolyn McCulley tells you to run, not walk, to see Ben Stein's new movie "Expelled:" "it is not only a vote for a diversity of film topics, it is also a vote for the preservation of free speech and scientific inquiry."
Ben Stein vs. Sputtering Atheists
Brent Bozell, writing for Townhall, would seem to agree with Carolyn. " I went into the screening bored. I came out of it stunned."
Let's Surge Some More
Here's an interesting article from the Wall Street Journal. "I have seen this war - and our part in it - at its brutal worst. And I say the transformation over the last 14 months is little short of miraculous."
Rob Bell Makes Pat Angry...
...and he explains why with five good reasons.
