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A La Carte (November 18)

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10 Questions about Adventism

Nathan Busenitz is finding out what I learned a little while ago: That critiquing Seventh Day Adventism brings about some harsh responses.

What ISIS Really Wants

“The Islamic State is no mere collection of psychopaths. It is a religious group with carefully considered beliefs, among them that it is a key agent of the coming apocalypse. Here’s what that means for its strategy—and for how to stop it.”

If We Perish, We Perish

Amy makes an important point here: “It’s ironic that two months ago, when a drowned toddler was the Face of the Refugee, there was only criticism for those countries who didn’t open their arms wide. Now, when the Face of the Refugee is a terrorist, those same doors are slamming shut.”

How One Man’s Face Became Another Man’s Face

(Note: Since I shared this today, NY Mag has added an inappropriate ad for another article in the right sidebar. My apologies.) “Patrick Hardison’s face was not always his own. Three months ago, it belonged to a young Brooklyn bike mechanic.” This article (which contains a handful of swear words) describes a procedure on the very frontier of medical science: a face transplant.

Christmas Books

Westminster Books has deals this week on Christmas books. There are some good choices there for individuals and families.

This Day in 1874. 141 years ago today the Women’s Christian Temperance Union was founded in Cleveland. *

Talking with Catholics about Jesus

Mark Gilbert: “Here are my answers to some great questions a student at a theological college asked me about talking with Catholics about Jesus.”

For the Love

TGC has a helpful review of Jen Hatmaker’s popular new book For the Love. They point out strengths and weaknesses and make it sound like there are probably better books to read.

Adams

No man more truly loves God than he that is most fearful to offend Him.

—Thomas Adams

  • A La Carte Thursday 1

    A La Carte (November 27)

    A La Carte: John Piper on false teachings / Everything is television / Is it Satan or God? / The hard way is the easy way / Backward progress / Treat people like adults / and more.

  • New-and-Notablenov

    New and Notable Christian Books for November 2025

    Though the year is coming to its end, it’s not over yet! That means publishers still have some books to release—books we would not wish to overlook before 2025 gives way to 2026. Here are some of the ones I consider especially noteworthy. In each case, I’ve included the editorial description to give you a…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (November 26)

    A La Carte: The other side of human rights / Biblical literacy / A ramp out of the worry rut / The depressed Christian / Quick no, slow yes / Do you see eternity? / and more.

  • Support

    Would you Consider Supporting My Work?

    I have been blogging at Challies.com on a daily basis for well over 22 years now. That long commitment has allowed me to write thousands of articles and hundreds of book reviews while also sending millions of visitors to other sites through the daily A La Carte feature. While I’ve also written a number of books, through…

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    A La Carte (November 25)

    A La Carte: Are you still gospel-centered? / Christian liberty / Triumph in trouble / Being faithful in little things / How we choose songs / I’m not sabbatarian / and more.

  • Danger

    The Danger of Defensive Sanctification

    There is a certain kind of sober-mindedness that seems to come over Christians as they age. It can flow from many sources, I’m sure, but I think it often arises from a kind of fear—a fear that they may not finish their race without some kind of a major stumble. After living the Christian life…