A La Carte (March 20)

I’ve been writing various Christian publishers to ask if they’d be willing to discount some books for kids—something that may help out their parents in this time. Some have begun to respond and you can see a long list in today’s Kindle deals.

Logos addicts, there’s one vote left to cast and lots of deals to be had for Logos March Madness.

Close the Churches

Samuel James makes the case well. “It’s quite likely that not every church in the US need cancel services right now, but there are many that do need to. This is not kowtowing to fear or the supposed preeminence of the magistrate. For churches in communities that have been visited by coronavirus, canceling physical gatherings is by far the most effective way of protecting both congregants and non-congregants from the illness. This isn’t an opinion, it’s a fact.” (See also: Are We Disobeying Hebrews 10:25 by Canceling Services Because of COVID-19?, You Can’t Take Communion Without Community, and Kevin DeYoung’s The Coronavirus Is a Result of the Fall.)

How to Virtually Explore the Smithsonian From Your Living Room

Even though you can’t visit them in-person right now, you can still visit them virtually. (See also: What Coronavirus Symptoms Look Like, Day By Day, How China Is Reshaping the Coronavirus Narrative, and The Economic Impact of Coronavirus Event Cancellations)

Free Ebook: Prayer: How Praying Together Shapes the Church by Jon Onwuchekwa

Prayer is as necessary to the Christian as breathing is to the human body—but it often doesn’t come quite as naturally. In fact, prayer in the church often gets subtly pushed to the side in favor of pragmatic practices that promise tangible results. This book focuses on the necessity of regular prayer as a central practice in the local church. Examining what Jesus taught about prayer, how the first Christians approached prayer in the early church, and what steps can be taken to prioritize prayer in churches. (Sponsored Link) Also from Crossway, be sure to check out their Free Resources for Your Stay at Home during COVID-19.

Dr Catherine Hamlin: A Beautiful Life

“In all the media turmoil surrounding COVID-19, you may have missed the passing of Dr. Catherine Hamlin, aged ninety-six. Dr. Hamlin’s gynaecological work in treating Ethiopian women suffering from obstetric fistula was so remarkable that even The Sydney Morning Herald referred to her as ‘the saint of Addis Ababa’.”

We Are Not Germs: The Case for Human Dignity

R.C. Sproul: “The bottom line is this: if there is no God, if there is no life after death, then ultimately all of our ethical decisions are absolutely meaningless. That’s a true and inescapable conclusion.”

Inside the Outbreak: Prepared Hearts

This article is not primarily about the coronavirus, though it does show how it has already affected some African nations and why its impact there may be devastating. “About 700,000 people live in the county where Tenwek is. Based on projections from other outbreaks, doctors estimate that 250,000 would contract the novel coronavirus. Of that, 5 percent will require hospitalization, and about 1,200 will need an intensive care unit. Tenwek has the only ICU in the county, and it has 13 beds—beds usually full with patients suffering from other maladies.”

3 Ways of Confronting the Problem of Diminishing Attention Spans Through the Great Books

Here’s why the great books matter. Which reminds me, I need to read more of the great books!

Love Does Not Demand Refunds

With quite a number of conferences being canceled, here’s the case for not requesting a refund. Obviously there can be many exceptions, but it may be worth considering. (Also, perhaps watch the video where Mark Dever and Matt Schmucker announce the cancelation of T4G.)

Flashback: Why I Didn’t Sing When I Visited Your Church

If our desire for excellence puts the music out of reach for the congregation, perhaps we’re pursuing a wrong definition of excellence.