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 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.”
While we do not always agree with everything these authors post, we share these resources because we find them challenging and enriching. As we often say around the Summit, “Eat the fish and spit out the bones.”
Articles of the Week
The Cultural Left Bares Its Teeth, Al Mohler. If you missed the marathon that was CNN’s “Equality Town Hall” last Thursday, Mohler is here to catch you up, blow by blow. One common—and disturbing—thread among all of the Democratic nominees? An attack on religious liberty in the name of sexual liberty.
Dunbar’s Number: Why We Can Only Maintain 150 Relationships, Christine Ro. You probably have a few more than 150 “friends” on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. But as Ro points out, you don’t actually have more than 150 friends. In fact, you can’t. Just ask Robin Dunbar, the anthropologist who can predict not you’re your number of friendships, but acquaintances (500), good friends (15), and loved ones (5).
A New Low: U.S. Refugee Turnabout Is Cruel and Unusual, Mindy Belz. The current American administration has announced a new ceiling for refugees admitted to the U.S.: 18,000. This represents a sharp drop from the previous ceiling of 95,000. As Belz writes, this new low will not only create headaches for an already over-burdened system. If we care about religious freedom, we should remain committed to protecting the persecuted religious minorities of the world.
The Perilous Power of the Preacher’s Wife, Kate Bowler. What lies behind the awe of the megapreacher’s wife today? Bowler conducted hundreds of hours of research—most of it from a hospital bed—and sees a unifying theme: Influence comes not through institutional power, but through celebrity status. And celebrity status is often found by “turning your insides out,” revealing the most painful and personal aspects of your life.
On the Lighter Side
Enneagram Rhapsody, Rivers Crossing. I (Chris) feel a bit torn here. My passion for Queen is matched only by my antipathy for the Enneagram. So what am I to do with a Queen/Enneagram mash-up?
