This Week’s Good Reads

Here are some articles from around the web that I found interesting. Maybe you’ll find something here to read too:

1. “Review: A Call to Resurgence” by Andrew Wilson

Andrew Wilson reviewed Mark Driscoll’s newest book – he wasn’t a fan. According to Wilson, the book has a great thesis that gets swallowed up in a sea of self-contradiction.

2. “North Carolina Church Plans Halloween Bible Burning” by Tom Chivers

Speaking of contradictions, how about this one: a church that burns Bibles. Amazing Grace Baptist Church of Canton, North Carolina spent Halloween burning all versions of the Bible that aren’t King James and dozens of books by various Christian authors, including Billy Graham. The legalistic and irrational bent of churches like this truly hides the reality of the freedom found in the Spirit. Legalism is enslaving and absurd…and also sad.

3. “Practicing Biblical Hospitality” by Trisha Wilkerson

There is a big difference between hospitality and entertaining. Wilkerson unpacks this difference with clarity and insight.

4. “The Passion of Flannery O’Connor” by James Parker

I have always had a great fascination with O’Connor. Here Parker examines her use of irony, and notes particularly that it comes not from some abstract literary theory – but from a deeper more spiritual conviction.

5. “Halloween Proves We Need To Keep Talking About Race” by Trillia Newbell

So thankful that Trillia wrote this piece. “Black face” costumes remind us that racism is real, alive, and often compounded by ignorance. I am so thankful that Trillia keeps us engaged with this subject.

6. “What Christians Should Know About Halloween” by Justin Holcomb

I get that not everyone likes Halloween. I understand and hold no judgment on them for their decisions to opt out. Some, however, insist that all of Halloween is satanic. To such insistence I am inclined to respond: if dressing up like Buzz Lightyear or Strawberry Shortcake and begging your neighbors for candy is “satanic” then I am not sure that we have the same definition of Satan! Here Justin Holcomb gives a reasonable and helpful “defense,” so to speak, of Halloween. The truth is all the Holidays we celebrate in the U.S. have been blatantly “Americanized.” It’s really just about the family friendly fun.

7. “6 Ridiculously Easy Suit Upgrades” by Nick Marino

Sartorial innovations that will maximize your suits potential!

8. “Counseling People with Same Sex Attraction” by Jonathan Holmes

Holmes does a wonderful job of helping us as counselors avoid narrowing our focus with focus struggling with SSA. Counselors should avoid reducing people to their sexuality. Holmes help us by reminding us to look to a bigger focus, and to see that change happens holistically.

9. “Princess Bride Star Patinkin Reveals His Favorite Line in the Film” by CBS This Morning

I have always loved this film, and particularly I have loved Mandy Patinkin – any dude who can pull off the name Mandy is a cool cat. Here Patinkin talks about his favorite line from the film and it is a good reminder hinting towards Biblical truth.

10. “Can A Christian Commit Suicide?” by Miguel Nunez

Nunez is right that often we attempt to answer this question more from emotion than from Scripture. He attempts here to do the latter. I think often of a pastor friend who years ago hung himself and how traumatic that event must have been for his family and congregation. It had an impact on our little community, I know that much. But I think Nunez is absolutely right here: suicide is a sin for which Jesus died. Christians do not lose their salvation because of it, and for that I can thank Jesus.

11. “Fear’s Great Revelation” by Alan Noble

The collapse of society both terrifies and excites us, and that is partly because it is through the social order that we understand ourselves. Here Noble explores both The Walking Dead and Cormac McCarthy’s The Road as examples of this post-apocalyptic medium that give us both hope and fear.

12. “The Hard Pairing of Suffering and Joy” by Ed Welch

Welch expresses thankfulness that the church is now more honestly and earnestly addressing the reality of suffering, and yet he wonders if we aren’t downplaying the call to joy sometimes. He calls us here to see that even those in pain can seek joy and that the church ought to call them to pursue it even in the midst of their trials.