We are going around the world in A La Carte today! What a blessing that so many writers from so many nations choose to bless us with their wisdom.
There are a few new Kindle deals today.
Westminster Books is offering deals on their summer reading picks.
The Intermediate State of the Dead in Christ
From the Philippines, here’s Noel Espinosa on the intermediate state. “A recent death in our Church generated much lament. The brother was so young, and so actively useful in our ministries. What is more, he had no known precondition. This event drove me to refresh the subject of the intermediate state of the righteous.”
The Benefit of Ancient Creeds for the Contemporary Church
Next we go to India where Christopher Poshin David writes about Christian creeds. “I recall standing with an outstretched arm in the morning assembly at school reciting the Indian national pledge on Republic Day and Independence Day. The national pledge is an oath of allegiance. It also reminds us of our identity as part of a national community bigger than our individual selves. The church of Jesus Christ similarly has pledges that remind us of our corporate identity as the people of God. These pledges are called the creeds of the church.”
Join Me (and Many Others from Many Nations) At the 2022 SING! Conference
Build lifelong patterns of worship that ground your family and your congregation in Gospel-centered truths! This September 5-7, join thousands of believers from around the world for three days of deep theology, timeless artistry, and congregational singing led by speakers and artists like Keith & Kristyn Getty, Tim Challies, John Piper, Joni Eareckson Tada, Mark Dever, Paul David Tripp, D. A. Carson, Andrew Peterson, Shai Linne, Matt Merker, and dozens more. EXCLUSIVE: Visit singconference.com and use code ‘CHALLIES35’ to save 35% before General Registration closes June 17. (Sponsored Link)
7 Critical Supplements To Evangelistic Fervour
In Uganda Eddie Ssemakula is concerned about evangelistic techniques. “It is my humble opinion, and suggestion of this post, that we need to rethink our evangelistic efforts in Africa. Something isn’t quite right. How can Africa have one of the fastest growing Christian populations, yet at the same time rank as one of the most corrupt continents in the world? Preaching that proclaims Christ can be heard in the streets, for sure. But are we seeing his lordship and kingdom expand?”
Are Cuss Words Sinful?
In Kenya, the writers of the Kuza site/app consider how and why cuss words are sinful. “You hear them in movies, television series, and in actual conversations. To some, these words sound cool, and they have made them part of their lives. Yet when you learn their meaning, cuss words will make you cringe.”
Grace as the Heart’s Desire
Italy is next, and here Leonardo De Chirico is writing about Roman Catholicism and saying “If one wants to come to terms with Roman Catholic theology, sooner than later one needs to address the ‘nature-grace interdependence.’”
Nothing To Be Ashamed Of: Penal Substitutionary Atonement In Honor-Shame Cultures
We will end in the United Arab Emirates with an article on why penal substitutionary cannot be downplayed or ignored even in honor-shame cultures. “We, the authors, were born, raised, born again, and currently live and serve in what may be appropriately labeled as honor-shame cultures. The prevailing view among many theologians and missiologists concerning our cultural context is that presenting Christ’s atonement in terms of penal substitution is ineffective at best, and is a distortion of the gospel at worst.”
Flashback: But God Makes No Mistakes
There is no condition in which it’s impossible to be a true Christian and to exemplify all the wonderful virtues of Christianity.
One supreme duty which the prevalence of sickness places on us is that of living always prepared to meet God.
—J.C. Ryle
