Every week I try to gather together some of the more interesting articles and blog posts that I’ve read this week from around the web. Here’s my selection for this week, see if you can find something worth reading here too:
1. “The Detroit 10: Ways to Celebrate the Holidays” by Visit Detroit
There is a ton to do in the Big D around the Holiday. We haven’t even begun to scratch the surface, but we’re going to look forward to doing more and more every year. Here’s a great list for those who reside in the metro.
2. “Living Out”
This is an amazing new resource for Christians who struggle with same-sex attraction and for those who pastor them. Go here to listen to the stories of godly men and women who have struggled with same-sex attraction but have sought to be obedient to Jesus in the midst of that temptation. At Living Out you will find some great resources. I am so impressed, and excited that this ministry exists!
3. “Popular Science Disproves the Virgin Birth with #Science” by Derek Rishmawy
Derek critiques with great wit and snark this ridiculous piece from the magazine Popular Science which proves that a virgin birth is biological impossible. Derek points out that this impossibility is both known to Christians and kind of the point of the whole doctrine! It’s a good read.
4. “The GQ Gift Guide: 100 Gifts Under $100”
Shopping for a classy man? Here’s some good ideas.
5. “Worship and the Art of the Long Meal” by Dave Dunham
This is a piece I wrote for The Southern Ohio Pastor’s Coalition blog this week. Worship is more than singing, and this particular piece examines one way we can worship in our eating: by eating in community. It was a piece inspired both by a recent book by Brett McCracken and by my own experiences around the table with dear friends.
6. “Walking with the Dead: An Existential End to the Governor’s Hope” by Dave Dunham
My reflection on the mid-season finale of The Walking Dead can be found here. I know it’s totally lame to tout your own writing, so I will stop now.
7. “The Way We Give” by Josiah Neufeld
In this compelling piece Neufeld talks about the differences between his Canadian background and his African upbringing and the competing ideas on financial giving within each. He wrestles with the fact that charitable giving doesn’t really bridge the gap between cultures. This is a thought-provoking piece worthy of the time it takes to read it.
8. “10 Reasons Why You Should Quit Watching Porn” by Scott Christian
Who knew that GQ had this kind of moral conscience!
9. “Former Lesbian Jackie Hill Responds to Macklemore’s ‘Same Love’” by David Daniels
A moving testimonial combined with a challenge both to the pro-gay community and the Christian community.
10. “Review: Frozen” by Nick Olson
My friend Nick tells us in this review for Christianity Today that Frozen is the Disney Princess film unlike other Disney Princess films. In many ways it’s a better version of the Disney Princess. You should read this review before you go to the theatre.
11. “The Hole in the Gospel” by D.A. Carson
The new issue of Themelios contains this insightful piece from Carson on the definition of “the gospel.” He argues in this book that we have often been reductionist in our definition of sin and too broad in our definition of gospel.
12. “The Evolution of the College Library” by James W. P. Campbell & Will Pryce
As a book nerd this piece caught my attention. This piece from The Atlantic examines key moments in the evolutionary history of the university library.
13. “What if the NFL had stayed in town?” by Bob Greene
This piece from CNN explores our old town, Portsmouth. It wonders what the town would have been like had the city not sold their football team to Detroit. I bet that many of my new Detroit fans did not know that their team use to be the Portsmouth Spartans. This is a neat piece worthy of your perusal.
14. “Why Switchfoot won’t sing Christian Songs” by Dave Browning
I love Jon Foreman’s response to the question “Is Switchfoot a Christian band.” We have such a terrible, reductionist view of art in Evangelicalism. And we use the word Christian like a random “adjective” applied broadly to any and every thing. I have said for years that music can’t profess faith in Christ therefore you cannot call it “Christian.”
Sparrow & Heart Soul Care 