Every week I gather together a list of interesting articles from around the web:
1. “A Conversation with Phil Ryken About the Darkest Period of His Life” by Justin Taylor
A fantastic interview in which Phil Ryken, President of Wheaton College, as he discusses his own season of depression, including even suicidal thoughts. It’s powerful to hear from a man of his stature and faith discuss honestly his own personal doubts and struggles.
2. “‘Unborn Child’ has Significant Legal Rights, Judge Rules” by Mary Carolan
This surprising story from The Irish Times tells of a court ruling that gives the “right to life” to “unborn children.” The story states:
A High Court judge has said the word “unborn” in the Constitution means an “unborn child” with rights beyond the right to life, which “must be taken seriously” by the State.
3. “Do You Friends Actually Like You?” by Kate Murphy
This is a great article that touches on identifying friends, the potential reasons people don’t have them, and the importance of having them. I love how much attention this subject has been getting in recent years.
4. “Wendell Berry and the Revitalized Pastor” by Paul House
Berry’s voice is a welcome counter-cultural voice to the cacophony of “exploiters” both within the culture and within the church. Paul House demonstrates particularly how Berry can be a great ally to pastors, re-orienting them to important Biblical themes.
5. “Keeping Faith Without Hurting LGBT Students” by Alan Noble
My dear friend Alan wrote this compelling piece at the Atlantic on the heels of the California legislature proposed Bill SB 1146. He argues here that religious freedom in higher education is important to the flourishing of American diversity, and yet also notes that there are natural steps that Christian colleges can take to protect the LGBT students who find themselves at their institutions. A good read from someone who continues to advance the cause of gracious pluralism within American culture.
6. “Tim Keller on the 3 Biggest Idols in the Western Church” by David Qaoud
The title communicates the gist of this article pretty clearly, but the answers may be a bit surprising. This is a short and yet thought-provoking piece worthy of your time. As usual, Keller offers sound and yet uniquely insightful comments.
7. “7 Reasons Pastors Leave the Ministry” by John Opalewski
A good read and warning about the common struggles that tempt 50% of pastors to quite the ministry within the first five years. Opalewski is a coach and here he describes the problem, it’s worth reading, in follow-up blogs he prescribes the help.
8. “West Virginia City has 27 Heroin Overdoses in 4 Hours” by Tony Marco
This is right down from where we used to live in Ohio, the same problems circulate all around that region of the country and this is a very sad report. It’s a reminder of how serious our drug problem is in this country.
9. “Francis Schaeffer and Christian Intellectualism” by Jake Meador
This is a great essay looking at the nature of Christian intellectualism and noting the difference between key figures like C.S. Lewis and Francis Schaeffer. The author gives some pushback to Alan Jacobs who is searching for the next great Christian intellectual figure. Meador suggests what we need is not another figure from within the system, but someone who can critique from the outside, like Schaeffer did. I love Schaeffer and so this is a fascinating piece to me, but not all are as nerdy as I am. So, read at your own risk.
Pastor Dave Online 