This Week’s Good Reads

Here are some interesting articles from around the web:

1) “All of Life is Repentance” by Tim Keller

This is a great article from Keller reminding us of the Biblical truth behind the famous Luther quote: Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ…willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.

2) “How Should A Geek Dad React to Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel” by Jason Morehead

Morehead confesses that any true geek worth his salt would be disappointed with the use of the Avengers in the upcoming Phineas and Ferb cartoon, and then turns around and says that as a dad he can’t wait to share it with his kids. As a dad who loves this cartoon and loves to watch it with his kids, and as one who spent many years reading comic books I find myself in a similar place to Morehead: confessing my matured geekness.

3) “Perspectives on Our Children’s Education: Going Public” by Jen Wilkin

Kudos to The Gospel Coalition for jumping into this discussion and offering some perspectives. Here Wilkin defends her decision to send her kids to public school, saying beautifully, “Parents set the educational climate for their children. If you are not the stereotypical public school parent, your child will probably not be the stereotypical public school student.” You can also read defenses of Private school and Home school at TGC. The important thing, however, is that each position clearly articulates that while we may draw Biblical principles about educating our children, there are a diversity of applications for that principle. That’s important to remember.

4) “Shepherding People Struggling with Addictions” by Todd Hardin

Hardin explores the ways in which shepherding addicts can expose the sin going on in our own hearts. As one who cares for, counsels, and loves addicts I need this reminder. So do you, even if you don’t work with addicts.

5) “Ten Worst Movie Remakes” by Grant Golden

Paste Magazine says what all movie fans are thinking: these remakes were awful. I especially applaud their selection of the Psycho remake! To remake Hitchcock is a bold move, but when you’re product looks like that one did it proves worse than bold…it proves dumb!

6) “Christian Domestic Discipline Promotes Spanking Wives to Maintain Biblical Marriage” by Meredith Bennett-Smith

I wish I had never found this piece! The more I read of it the more angry I became. Abusing Scripture to justify abusing your spouse is gross!

7) “3 Healthy Tensions in Porn Addiction Groups” by Luke Gilkerson

Very good practical advice about recovery groups. These are some things we continue to wrestle with doing well at our Recovery ministry. A helpful piece from the guys at the Biblical Counseling Coalition.

8) “Exodus International: Another Reason We Must Trust Sacred Theology over Man-Made Theory” by Jeremy Lelek

The closing of Exodus International, the ex-gay reparative therapy ministry, is not necessarily a sad thing. Many will see it that way, but I was never convinced that their reductionist approach to counseling was either effective or healthy. Furthermore their stigmatizing of this sin did, I believe, do lots of damage to the Evangelical church at large. Here is a good piece on the subject. You might also enjoy this piece from Christ and Pop Culture.

9) “I Don’t Trust You and My Unspoken Prayer Request Proves It” by Darren Schalk

A very thoughtful reflection on the whole “unspoken prayer request” concept.

10) “Five Lessons on Friendship from Esther Edwards Burr” by Justin Taylor

I remember hearing Michael Haykin give a Sunday School lesson on this very subject from these very letters of Esther Edwards Burr. Learn from the daughter of Jonathan Edwards on the subject here.

11) “The Difficulty of Waiting on God” by Brian Hedges

My friend Brian has written a helpful and compassionate piece that we can all relate to.

12) “What Can Luther Teach Us About Forced Fatherhood” by Ryan Hoselton

Change those diapers, fathers. You make God smile.