Your weekly installment of what we’ve been reading (and watching) around the web.
Book Review of the Week
Good and Angry, by David Powlison. Reviewed by Tim Challies. When David Powlison has something to say about your emotional health, you listen. This recent book deals with the common experience of anger, but as the title suggests, the solution isn’t to just “remove” anger. Instead, Powlison teaches us to deal with anger fruitfully and honestly. Not sold on Powlison just yet? Let Challies convince you.
Articles of the Week
What if I Told You There Was a Reasonable, Non-Homophobic Case Against Same-Sex Marriage? Michael Bird. It is becoming increasingly difficult to articulate a stance that is opposed to same-sex marriage without being labeled a bigot. This isn’t the case because all opponents of same-sex marriage are, in fact, bigots. But as societal acceptance of same-sex marriage increases, arguing against it will sound more and more like we are saying, “2+2=5.” But Bird knows that it’s not only possible, but necessary for us to make that case—to show the world that there are reasonable, non-hateful reasons to defend traditional marriage. Note: Bird is an Australian theologian, so some of the slang here (brekky = breakfast) may be bizarre for us Americans.
The National Anthem: To Stand or Not To Stand, Benjamin Watson. NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick caused a stir recently when he decided to sit in protest during a pre-game national anthem. As he said later, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people.” The incident has sparked a lot of discussion—about the state of racial reconciliation, about the meaning of these kinds of protests, about what it means to “support” the United States. Baltimore Ravens tight end weighs in with some wise words here. This isn’t all that needs to be said on this issue, but he reminds us that those who love a people most are those who can lead it best. When we confront the flaws of others, it’s always best to demonstrate that we love them, are committed to the good at work in them, and see their promise and potential.
Three Reasons My Idols Are Better Than Jesus, Michael Kelley. Idols aren’t actually better than Jesus, of course. But when we exchange the life-giving Jesus for one of our pathetic little idolatries, these are the reasons why. Read this and you may hear some familiar voices. Read this well and you may be able to resist those voices the next time they pop up.
Seven Keys to Keeping Your Church Informed, Jonathan Howe. We aren’t aware of any church that intentionally keeps its members in the dark. And yet it’s a disturbingly common phenomenon for church members to feel like the leadership doesn’t let them know what they need to know. Howe offers a few practical ways that pastors can keep their flock from feeling utterly lost.
On The Lighter Side
Benny Hinn – Dark Lord of the Sith. I’m not saying that Benny Hinn is a darth lord. I’m just saying nobody has ever seen him and Emperor Palpatine at the same time.
Wisdom For Your Weekend is presented to you by Chris Pappalardo, with occasional guidance from J.D. Greear. 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.”
