May the Lord be with you and bless you today.
Today’s Kindle deals include at least a couple of interesting books.
The Rise of Right-Wing Wokeism
Kevin DeYoung has written a long and thorough review of Stephen Wolfe’s new book on Christian Nationalism. “This is a long review, so let me state my conclusion up front: I understand and sympathize with the desire for something like Christian Nationalism, but if this book represents the best of that ism, then Christian Nationalism isn’t the answer the church or our nation needs. For all the fine retrieval work Wolfe does in parts of the book, the overall project must be rejected.”
The Holy Spirit is a Political Liability
Meanwhile, Samuel James is looking at a peripheral controversy and explaining why Christians need to continue to emphasize godly character. “This moment is exemplified not just by rancid bigotry but also a posture of unceasing combativeness and pugilism. It’s exemplified by an instinctive aversion to tenderheartedness, forgiveness, and gentleness. It’s exemplified by a way of talking about and doing politics that focuses almost myopically on winning: defeating the Left, pushing them out of the cultural center, and exiling any Christians who aren’t willing to do whatever it takes to achieve this.”
Dog-Fights and Discernment
Having shared the first two links, this one seems apropos as well. “At the end of 2021, I deleted all of my social media. Not just deactivated but full on nuked it as I described to a friend. I felt like Joseph running from Potiphar’s wife, so desperate to remove myself from the situation that I figuratively dropped my cloak and ran.”
What is revival? Should we expect it today?
In Revival: The Work of God, pastor Jeremy Walker takes us on an awe-inspiring tour of sites where God has done remarkable works. Watch Reformation Heritage Books’ newest feature-length documentary to learn how God uses ordinary means to ignite His Church. (Sponsored Link)
Fundamentalism in Black and White
This article explains why revised accounts of historical figures need to be examined carefully. After all, people are complicated.
God Works Witchcraft for our Good
This is a fascinating look at a worldview very different from my own. “For the most part, Westerners tend to live materialistic lives, focusing almost exclusively on the physical realm. However, in our time in Cameroon, we have come to realize that the Kwakum worldview is dominated by the spiritual. One area in which this spiritualized worldview is particularly evident is in their suffering.”
Flashback: On the Death of John Allen Chau
We ought to pray earnestly that God uses Chau’s death to shock unbelievers into repentance and to shock believers like you and me into greater and deeper obedience. He’s been known to do that.
Faithful pastoral care of the soul starts when one heart discloses itself to another heart―then the healing ministrations of God’s word and sacraments may be most effectively applied.
—Harold Senkbeil
