Good morning. Grace and peace to you.
Sales & Deals
If all goes well, today’s Kindle deals should include several important books that deal with a Christian understanding of science.
Westminster Books is offering a deal this week on the two-part John Calvin’s Illustrated Institutes, which drives the price as low as 50% off.
Recommended Reading
This Is Roman Catholicism. Here’s a tremendous new project from the Reformanda Initiative—a free documentary series that “offers a firsthand look at often-overlooked yet integral aspects of Roman Catholic theology and practice, challenging idealized perceptions of Rome and encouraging informed, biblical discernment—particularly among those drawn to it. This docuseries is made primarily for Protestant Christians who want to understand what Rome teaches and practices. Featuring: Leonardo De Chirico, Mark Dever, Kevin DeYoung, Albert Mohler, Lauren Montenegro, and Michael Reeves.”
Three Ways to Walk With Those Who Grieve. Kirsten Black outlines three ways that any of us can walk faithfully and compassionately with those who are in a time of deep grief. “Often, we do not know how to step into spaces of loss. There is a beautiful and godly desire to bring comfort, yet when facing the reality of walking with the grieving, we are also confronted with the limits of the comfort we can actually offer. This holy work often brings with it an acute awareness of how easy it is to say the wrong thing and unintentionally add more pain to the one who is already suffering.”
Explore the Reformation in Ligonier’s Grow App. The Protestant Reformation was not a minor theological dispute—it was a recovery of the biblical gospel. With Reformation Day coming this Saturday, you can explore a variety of free Reformation-themed teaching series with R.C. Sproul in the Grow app from Ligonier Ministries. Download the app and study the five solas, the life of Martin Luther, and much more. (Sponsored)
5 Ways Men Can Serve the Church & 5 Ways Women Can Serve the Church. A pair of articles from Ligonier Ministries offers distinct and meaningful ways that both men and women can serve within the local church.
Christian Universalism Is Alive (Just Go to a Funeral). Yes, I have observed as well that funerals are the events where we are most likely to see evidence of Christian universalism. “I’ve been to many funerals and memorial services in my life, and through the years, I’ve encountered religious people who give off the impression that they believe everyone goes to heaven. Culture gives the same impression. Words reveal worldviews. The deceased person may not have received Christ by faith, may not have gone to church, may have even lived an unrepentant and selfish life, and some people still seem to assume they went to a ‘better place’ or went to heaven. Might Christian Universalism be more prevalent than we think?”
Stinginess and the Generosity of God. Randy Alcorn contrasts the stinginess of human beings—and even Christian human beings—with the generosity of God. “A life characterized by greed and stinginess is neither Spirit-filled nor Christlike — nor is it happy. If we know Jesus, we will become more and more like our generous God.”
Unclear Evangelism Leads to Unclear (And False) Conversions. Writing for 9Marks, John Lee explains how unclear evangelism can lead to false conversions. “When we are unclear about the urgency of conversion, the cost of conversion, or the accountability that should accompany conversion, we risk leaving people deceived about their eternal state. Ultimately, our job is simply to proclaim the gospel clearly, trust God to open people’s hearts to the truth, and provide ongoing discipleship to those who respond in repentance and faith.”
Reader Recommendations
Once a week, I like to ask what you enjoy and recommend. What books, products, videos, sites, or other experiences do you recommend to others who read this blog/newsletter? Let me know, and I’ll share a collection on Saturday. (If you’re reading this via email, you’ll need to visit my site to fill out the form. Go here to read last week’s recommendations.)
Flashback
The Influenced Will Be Like the Influencer. We have the sober and sobering responsibility to be careful—so very careful—about who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we allow to influence us. For bit by bit, day by day, sermon by sermon, podcast by podcast, we will come to resemble the people we follow.
If sin’s reign over us is ended, then we must not—indeed cannot—go on living as though we were still its subjects. It now becomes irrational to use the body as if it were still the body in which sin reigned.
—Sinclair Ferguson
