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A La Carte (February 4)

A La Carte Collection cover image

Today’s Kindle deals include all kinds of good books. We’re being spoiled so far this month! Pastors will benefit from The Shepherd Leader; academics will enjoy Divine Impassibility; general readers will enjoy books on Catholicism, discipleship, and freedom from lust.

(Yesterday on the blog: The Continental Divide of Doctrine)

Iron Sky: Peter Thiel and the Rise of Gay Space Fascism

This is quite the long and interesting article! It explains a new kind of idealism the author calls Gay Space Fascism. “A potent mixture of technophilic transhumanism, social traditionalism (within limits), and Nietzschean vitalism, the rise of Gay Space Fascism can ultimately be traced back to one man: Peter Thiel.”

Sin Causes Anxiety, Too

A few years ago the church needed to be reminded that depression and anxiety are not necessarily caused by sin. Casey McCall believes that today the pendulum has swung so far that we need to be reminded that depression and anxiety actually may be caused by sin.

Fight ‘Brain Rot’ by Reading Books

“In 2024, Oxford’s Word of the Year was ‘brain rot’—a term that perfectly captures the endless scrolling and shallow consumption that have dulled our ability to think critically. And while it might be tempting to accept the common ‘kids these days’ generational snobbery and resign ourselves to a future as helpless, anxious, doomscrolling victims, I want to encourage us to see this as an opportunity.”

Chopped Onions & Jesus

Rachel uses chopping onions (without causing tears) as a helpful metaphor.

Is There Good Magic and Edifying Sorcery?

John Piper answers what is actually quite a common question: Should Christians read fiction that involves magic and sorcery such as Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter?

The Priority of Humble Leadership

This article holds up the priority of humility in leadership. “How many church leaders wake up every morning and plead with the Lord to save their ministry from themselves? Probably not many. We tend to underestimate the pervasive, pernicious, and powerful presence of pride in our hearts and to undernourish the grace of humility. As a result our self-confidence grows.”

Flashback: What To Do While You Wait To Die

A friend of mine recently went to be with the Lord after enduring a long battle with leukemia. In his final weeks, as his strength slowly faded away, he told his family that he wished he could write a book titled What To Do While You Wait To Die

The fear of God is the death of every other fear; like a mighty lion, it chases all other fears before it.

—C.H. Spurgeon

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (February 4)

    A La Carte: Gay space fascism / Sin causes anxiety, too / How to fight brain rot / John Piper on good magic and edifying sorcery / Chopped onions and Jesus / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Apologetics for the Ordinary Christian

    You may have a burden for the lost and a desire to learn to defend your faith but can’t see yourself becoming a philosopher or scientist to do so. I have good news. You don’t have to! Ordinary Christians can become skilled and effective evangelists.

  • The Continental Divide of Doctrine

    The Continental Divide of Doctrine

    A journey into the Rocky Mountains of Western Canada brought me to Vermilion Pass, a single point that divides two national parks and two provinces. It also divides two watersheds, for it stands upon the continental divide. To one side of this spot all waters flow west and eventually find their way to the vast…

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    A La Carte (February 3)

    A La Carte: Satan’s subtle strategies / A Christian philosophy of parenting? / The new porn / Conclave / Nine things we wouldn’t know / Who comes first? / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Honesty

    Why You Should Just Be Honest With God

    It is no great feat to convince another person of a lie. Because other people cannot see our inner selves, they are easily deceived. But as we pray to God, we pray to one who knows our innermost thoughts, our innermost desires, our innermost longings. We pray to one who knows us far better than…

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    Weekend A La Carte (February 1)

    A La Carte: The rise of the right-wing exvangelical / A tested faith / Are we alone in the universe? / No one’s born to preach / Associate pastor, it’s good to be second / Why Christians care about submission and authority / and more.