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
A Manifesto for Christian Women on Instagram, Abigail Dodds. Most of us didn’t realize we were opting in to social media until it was too late. Now that we’re learning just how toxic Instagram can be, many are calling for a Christian retreat. Not so Dodds. She thinks it’s time to go on the offensive, shining the light of Christ into “the shiny veneer of curated perfection and curated perfection of Insta.” We agree.
The New Science of How to Argue—Constructively, Jesse Singal. Few of us may have heard of the term “erisology,” but we are all experientially aware of it. It’s the new field of social science that studies the nature of disagreements. People have always disagreed, but rarely have people disagreed so recklessly as we do today. What gives? And how do we keep ourselves from being such horrid disagree-ers? Science to the rescue.
Irresistible Dialogue, Andy Stanley and J.D. Greear. Speaking of arguing constructively, this is a refreshing example of a public and civil dialogue. In January, shortly after Andy Stanley’s new book, Irresistible, released, Pastor J.D. wrote a review. But instead of just publishing it, he shared it with Andy in an attempt to begin a candid exchange. And here it is, for all to see.
Why Christians Need to Read Widely—And Deeply, Katelyn Beaty. You can tell a lot about a person from his reading list. If the authors look and sound just like the reader, chances are that reader isn’t having his assumptions challenged or his blind spots exposed. Let’s not be blind readers like that, shall we? Listen to Beaty and cast your reading nets deep and wide.
Stop Asking Kids What They Want to Be When They Grow Up, Adam Grant. This is an important article, even if you aren’t literally asking kids this specific question. Grant looks at the subtle ways we elevate career into god-like status, which can only lead to disappointment. If we want the next generation to define themselves by something other than their jobs, we had better start asking them better questions.
On the Lighter Side
The Lutheran Insulter. Warning: Luther gets quite salty, and his language is not always sanitized. But it certainly is unique.
