Celebrity Christians, Holy Comparison, & a Scientific Case for the Resurrection

Wisdom for Your Weekend is your regular installment of what we’ve been reading (and watching) around the web. Presented to you by Chris Pappalardo, with occasional guidance from Pastor J.D., this is our attempt to reflect Proverbs 9:9: “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.”

Video of the Week

The Reality of the Moral Law, C.S. Lewis. Don’t be deceived by the compelling British accent. This isn’t actually Lewis’ voice (though it’s out there if you want to hear it). But that’s a small deficit, since this illustrated video makes Lewis’ logic come alive.

Articles of the Week

It’s Time to Reckon with Celebrity Power, Andy Crouch. Just in the past week, a number of high-profile Christian leaders have been accused of sexual misconduct. This should be a rare and bizarre occurrence. Sadly, it’s not. While it is important to look at the causes in specific situations, Crouch argues that we have a more systemic problem in the evangelical world: We have bought into the danger of celebrity power. If you read only one article this month, make it this one.

Who Crucified Jesus? The Romans, the Jews, You and I, or His Father? Brian Najapfour. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. But who exactly sent him there? This is an excellent answer to a classic question, with each possibility examined through the lens of Scripture. You’ll have to read all the way to the end of Najapfour’s article to hear his final answer.

Comparison Is Not the Thief of Joy, Abigail Dodds. It was Teddy Roosevelt who proverbially claimed that “comparison is the thief of joy.” And he came to that realization before social media! This little adage contains a dose of wisdom, but it’s not the whole truth. Yes, we ought to eschew any comparison that leads to envy, pride, and self-pity. But comparison itself is not the problem. In fact, proper comparison helps us see reality more clearly, love others more appropriately, and follow Christ more closely.

Can a Scientist Believe in the Resurrection? Jeff Hardin, Denis Alexander, Sarah Bodbyl Roels, and Dennis Venema. One of the more common arguments against the resurrection is that extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. In order to say that a man raised from the dead, the evidence must be overwhelmingly compelling. So does the evidence for the resurrection meet that high bar? Several scientists weigh in.

On the Lighter Side

The Tomb Is Empty … and on Fire. You gotta love the composure of the singer to just keep rolling.