This Week’s Good Reads

Lots of articles to choose from this week. Check out some of these:

1. “The Precarious Validity of ‘Pastor Fashion‘” by Martyn Jones

As both a pastor and one concerned with fashion I appreciated Jones’ post. What starts out as a description of Pastor Ed Young’s fashion blog (not a blog I read), turns to a slight critique when Jones observes that Young feels compelled to spiritualize his interest in clothing. The author rightly, I think, asks: can’t a person’s interest in fashion be allowed to stand for itself, without an explicit evangelistic function? Now, if I could only get Paul David Tripp to have a fashion blog!

2. “Superman Pastors Are Bound to Fail” by David Dunham

If I can be so bold as to recommend one of my own articles this week, I might recommend this piece from The Gospel Coalition. Here I reflect on the tendency of pastors to do the ministry of the church instead of equipping the church for ministry.

3. “The Ministry Mistress” by Jonathan Dodson

Speaking of the dangers of being “the minister,” Dodson here writes about the reality of making ministry an idol or an adulterous relationship. Pastors, read this and be forewarned: don’t sacrifice your family on the altar of ministry.

4. “A Conflict of Christian Visions: Gen. 1-2 vs. Gen. 3 Christianity” by Anthony Bradley

Bradley continues his assessment of the debate over Christian transformationalism. He argues here that fundamentally it comes down to where we start. Do we believe that Genesis 1 & 2 have significance for our view of the world or do we believe that Genesis 3 has erased the significance of Genesis 1-2. It’s a worthwhile read. From my perspective Genesis 3 may have marred the mandate established in 1 and 2 but it did not eradicate it. Our starting place should be God’s starting place.

5. “Pastors’ Forum: Four Approaches to Evangelism” by 9 Marks

Interviews with four different pastors on how they promote and practice evangelism in their church. I always find these forums from 9 Marks interesting.

6. “Seattle Libraries to Porn Watchers: Come on in” by Joshua Trujillo

This disturbing piece details the controversy in Seattle’s Public library system that allows for patrons to watch pornography public on library computers. The insanity of this cannot be overstated in my opinion.

7. “What Does ‘Intentional’ Mean in Dating?” by Paul Maxwell

Here’s a good piece from The Gospel Coalition reacting to another piece on dating from The Resurgence. In the contemporary setting many conversations about dating within the church are simply ridiculous. Maxwell’s piece is good. Brad William’s piece is better. William’s piece, “Most Dudes Are Weird and I Pity Them: Dating Advice for Actual Christian Guys,” is not only witty but refreshing. Here Williams argues that we simply need to stop over-spiritualizing and over-thinking dating. Both are worth reading if you’re a young single dude.

8. “Why We Need More Than Proverbs 31 and Titus 2” by Jessalyn Hutto

I so appreciate this piece. As I am working through my own convictions about discipling women I appreciated greatly this piece from a woman. Here Hutto argues that if we don’t keep the gospel before the eyes of our women, and if we simply keep teaching them Titus 2 and Proverbs 31 detached from it then we will short-circuit growth in the life of our women. I might also add, if we don’t teach them more than Titus 2 and Proverbs 31 we will short circuit their growth!

9. “Mark Dever + David Platt on Making Disciples” by Tim Brister

A series of video conversations between the two great pastors on making disciples. They take some time to get through, but this is a good discussion to watch and engage with when you can.

10. “Up Close and Personal with David Dunham” by Robie Day

The guys at the Southern Ohio Pastors Coalition have invited me to speak at their annual conference this month. In preparation and anticipation for it they interviewed me this week. Though this might scare more people off than invite them!