This Week’s Good Reads

Here’s some interesting articles from around the web that you might find interesting too:

1. “Pop Icons in Unfamiliar Scenes” by Ameya Pendse

A fun look at some photography from J.D. Hancock.

2. “The Most Post-Christian Cities” by Barna Group

Both Flint and Detroit made the list for the top 100 most “Post-Christian” cities in the U.S. According to Barna these are cities with the most self-identified irreligious people. It’s a good reminder of the kind of work we have to do in our state.

3. “Is She Up For This? Questions for a Potential Pastor’s Wife” by Bob Johnson

Thrilled to see this piece from my senior pastor at the 9 Marks website. He reminds all potential pastors of the importance of ensuring that their wives are ready to be in a ministry family. These are some good questions to think through even for current pastors.

4. “Jonathan Edwards: Why Read Him?” by Owen Strachan

Owen offers us some compelling reasons to read Edwards. Jonathan Edwards is my study project for this whole year, so I am encouraged by Owen’s words here.

5. “The Impact of Mentoring Through the Local Church” by Phil Newton

Having been the recipient in college of a great mentor in my local church I can really appreciate the perspective of this article. Newton has written a great piece that many can benefit from reading.

6. “Adultery Counseling in the Local Church” by Jonathan Holmes

One of my least favorite types of counseling to do is adultery cases. But when a couple is genuinely broken and in need and receptive to help these can be very rewarding cases to do. Here, Holmes argues that the place to do that is within the context of the local church, I couldn’t agree more.

7. “Who Wrote the Bible and Why it Matters” by Bart Ehrman

Ehrman is a deeply frustrating “scholar.” He makes assertions more than he argues them. His “proofs” are suspect at best and many have been easily refuted by better scholars. Here he asserts that the Bible is full of lies. He provides no evidence, but the Huffington Post runs it nonetheless. Read it, but do your own work in studying the history and truth of the Bible. Ehrman is not a reliable source.

8. “The God-honoring Freedom of the Bikini” by Caryn Rivadeneira

Here’s a piece defending the bikini! Caryn gives some interesting perspective to a commonly hot topic. Personally I am not convinced that the one-piece bathing suit offers a better alternative to the frustrations people sometimes have with the bikini. Modesty of heart, which the Bible talks about often, is not necessarily connected to what you wear to the pool. We focus too much on the amount of skin shown and not enough on the responsibility of men to be pure, and the heart behind what a woman wears. Caryn reminds here that some of these issues are contextually/culturally bound. If for no other reason than to compel us to think I recommend this article. I continue to think through this subject for the sake of my daughter, and with my wife; I encourage you to do so too.

9. “Seeking a Homeland: Thoughts on Moving” by Jenny Schroedel

This beautiful piece on moving and longing for a “home” resonates well with our family. Schroedel writes about all her moves and the longing to return to something that reminds her of her childhood home. But more to the point she writes about how that longing can never be satisfied and how the imperfection of even our childhood home points us to our eternal home with God. It’s a beautiful piece.

10. “Listening to Young Atheists” by Larry Alex Taunton

Why do some people leave religion? According to some recent research, featured here in The Atlantic, the answers may be surprising. It is worth your time, especially if you’re in any leadership position in the church, to read this piece.

11. “What Makes Missional Communities Different?” by Todd Engstrom

Some interesting reflections on the idea and aim of gospel-centered communities. He reminds us that community in and of itself is not the aim, that gospel-centered communities have a mission. Engstrom talks about discipleship in some real helpful ways here and it is worth your time to read.

12. “Real Purity” by Hafeeze Baoku

A wonderful, if short, piece on remembering that purity is rooted in our relationship to Christ, not our own actual accomplishments. In regards to sexual sin it is important to point people to the gospel, not simply repeat the shame that, though natural, can become crippling and debilitating. I appreciate this focus on real purity.