Every week I collect the most interesting articles from around the web and share them here. Check out this list and see what interests you:
1. “Are Christ’s Human Limitations Permanent?” by Stephen Wellum
Here’s a peek into the new Christology book from Wellum. Wellum evidences his keen theological insight and awareness in this short excerpt from his new book. This is a fascinating read and I can’t wait to dive into Wellum’s book.
2. “Donald Trump is a Racist” by Daniel Engber
Despite what the title suggests, this is actually a fascinating piece on the difference conclusions people have drawn about Donald Trump’s behavior and words. Engber argues that the lack of common ground on technical terms like “racism” has meant that people interpret Trump differently. This is an important piece and will mean for further bridge building in conversation between divergent camps.
3. “Love the Life You Never Wanted” by Marshall Segal
A fantastic article on dealing with and interpreting rightly the disappointing life. Segal takes us through the life of Joseph to see how the determination of a meaningful life is found in our relationship to God, not in our personal satisfaction with life. We can trust God even with our disappointing lives, knowing that through them we can find real joy and hope in Him. Segal writes:
The reality is that all of us can imagine something better for ourselves than our circumstances today. The greater reality is that, if you love and follow Jesus, God always writes a better story for you than you would write for yourself.
Most of us can relate to what Segal writes here, and as such this is a great piece to read and mediate upon.
4. “Thanksgiving as Theological Act: What Does it Mean to Give Thanks?” by R. Albert Mohler
Mohler has a great reflection on thanks, noting particularly that it must be connected to giving thanks to someone and often that someone must be God. He points backward too to the first sin and demonstrates how thanklessness is at heart of much sin and cultivates greater idolatry in us. A great reflection for this weekend.
5. “Glennon Doyle Melton’s Gospel of Self-Fulfillment” by Jen Pollock Michel
In this piece Michel responds to the announcement of a lesbian relationship from the popular mommy blogger. In actually it is more of a broad response to all of us who suggest that “living truthfully” is the most important goal. This is a great response and read.
6. “Are You Listening?” by Diane Langberg
This is a beautiful excerpt from Diane’s book of devotions for counselors. Brad Hambrick shares it at his blog with permission, but it will be a great meditation for all counselors to reflect on. Diane raises the question of whether, in our efforts to master words we can in fact become mastered by them. She answers in the affirmative and encourages us, then, to consider what it means to listen well.
7. “Literal Interpretation of Bible Helps Increase Church Attendance” by Harriet Sherwood
This fascinating articles reflects on recent research that reveals “conservative theology mixed with innovative worship approach helps Protestant churches grow congregations.” Of course conservative theology alone doesn’t help all churches grow. There are many good teaching churches that close up every year. It is God who keeps churches alive and He alone who causes the growth. Yet, conservative theology is important and it’s exciting to see this report.
8. “Grappling with the Language of Love” by Emily Robbins
A really sweet and beautiful reflection on love and the significance of really hearing and understanding others. The author uses her own story of falling in love with an Arabic man, whom she could not really communicate with, as a lens through which to consider the importance of understanding.
Pastor Dave Online 