I don’t think I’m the only one who is wondering whether the seasons have shifted a little bit, so that the kind of weather we used to experience in April, we now experience in May. We are only now getting our first sustained days of perfect weather, which I’d define as somewhere around 22°C or 72°F. Maybe my memory is just faulty, but I’m quite certain they used to come earlier in the year. Either way, I’m thankful for it and am enjoying it.
Sales & Deals
Today’s Kindle deals include books for those who listen, those who worry, those who counsel, and others.
Ligonier Ministries has a sale on the Growing in God’s Word curriculum, which is meant to help churches, families, and schools teach children the story of Scripture. You can get 20% off with the code you’ll find at the link.
Recommended Reading
Sinful Desires, Concupiscence, & “Gay Christians.” This article from Gentle Reformation helpfully describes the doctrine of concupiscence and why it is so important when we consider sinful desires. “How would you feel if you met someone who self-identified as a ‘Racist Christian,’ or maybe an ‘Adulterous Christian,’ or even a ‘Wife-Beating Christian’? As a Christian, you would be concerned, as would many non-Christians. There’s just something about a Christian identifying themselves with sin. It’s unsuitable.”
Against Anti-Aging. This is a really neat article from Ryanne Molinari as she considers the realities of aging. “Why should I be embarrassed by the creases in my forehead? They were etched into place by laughter, surprise, and awe. They continue to multiply and deepen through choir rehearsals as I motivate vocalists to sing with joy and in tune. I am absolutely not embarrassed to have a sense of humor (and pitch), so why do I cringe at these marks?”
The Christian Theology Handbook. Immerse yourself in The Christian Theology Handbook, an elegant, full-color handbook that includes robust summary content, charts, infographics, doctrinal studies, and more for every major topic in Christian Theology. Constructed with high-quality cloth cover materials and a sewn binding, The Christian Theology Handbook is designed to last a lifetime as a valuable companion resource for study, teaching, and ongoing discipleship. (Sponsored)
The Beauty of the Unnamed. Kirsten celebrates those who are unknown and even unnamed, both in Scripture and in the modern world. “There is no story that is insignificant to God. There is no role or purpose that is outside of his profound influence. God is one who sees those who others forget. He sees them and though they are unnamed in the pages of history, they are known by name to him. History has been formed by the faithfulness of the unnamed.”
Take It on the Chin. J.V. Fesko has an article that is especially for pastors, but can easily be applied to anyone. “All too often, I believe, we are too thin-skinned. We don’t want to tolerate the slightest hint that someone might not think as well of us as we do of ourselves. Other times I think people are all too interested in immediate vindication. We want everyone to know we are right and that others have wronged us. I have had a number of counseling situations where people wrangled over petty matters and refused to be reconciled to others in the church all because they wanted everyone to know they were right.”
When the Church Stops Singing. Felix Lilly laments the decline of congregational participation in singing. “For centuries, Christian worship assumed this. Choirs and musicians might assist, but the central voice in worship was the congregation. Today, that assumption is not always as strong.” He also explains how to recover it.
Does an Unbelieving Child Disqualify a Pastor? This question comes up frequently. I think Darryl’s answer is quite sound, as is his call for humility when it comes to a particular position. “At minimum, we should hold our conclusions with humility and resist imposing them too heavily on others. Above all, this discussion should move us to pray: for the unbelieving children of faithful parents, and for the sustaining grace of God toward those who love them and wait.”
The State of Theology in Canada
Ligonier Ministries routinely shares State of Theology surveys that reveal how people view key doctrines of the Christian faith. There is something different about the most recent one: It covers the state of theology in Canada! “This survey takes Canada’s theological temperature, revealing what people actually believe—both outside and inside the church. Our goal is to diagnose prominent errors and to prescribe the cure: the clear teaching of sound doctrine.”
You will find lots of interesting and often concerning results, but you may also be encouraged by one of the conclusions: “There has been recent commentary on a possible renewed interest in Christianity among younger Canadians. The findings of the first State of Theology Canada survey do indicate a more widespread acceptance of biblical teaching by younger respondents, especially on those topics where historic Christian theology is more obviously in conflict with secular attitudes.”
If you’re interested, read The State of Theology. You can also toggle the switch at the top to see recent results for the United States and slightly less recent results for the U.K.
Flashback
Getting Older Involves a Lot of Dying. I’ll never attain all the goals I have set for myself and, in fact, am having to die to the notion that I’ll ever achieve more than the most ordinary accomplishments.
The possibility of repentance at the close of life may cure the old man while it kills the young.
—De Witt Talmage
