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, when it comes to reading, “Eat the fish and spit out the bones.”
Book Review of the Week
Why We Can’t Unhitch from the Old Testament, Michael Kruger. Pastor Andy Stanley has made some waves with his recent book, Irresistible: Reclaiming the New that Jesus Unleashed for the World. We appreciate his passion, which has been consistent for years: Stanley wants the contemporary church to do everything in its power to ensure the gospel message gains a hearing. His recent volume, though, has turned no small number of heads for its startling thesis: The Old Testament is a hindrance to the gospel, so it’s time the Christian church ditched it. Kruger offers a fitting response.
Articles of the Week
How to Find the Right Bible Reading Plan, Trevin Wax. With Halloween in our rear view, we’re quasi-officially nearing the year’s end. And as the year draws to a close, many of us have begun to think about Bible reading plans for 2019. (Or maybe that’s just us Type A folks?) In any case, there’s never a bad time to think intentionally about your Bible reading. Pick a plan, stick to a schedule, buddy up, and get going!
Five Exercises in Theological Humility, Brandon D. Smith. The trouble with pursuing humility is that it’s such a humbling process. For those of us in the ministry (because theology is part of all ministry), we need constant redirections away from theological pride. Let’s speak with conviction and wisdom, but with charity and grace, too.
The State of Theology, Ligonier Ministries. On the flip side of Brandon Smith’s article, it’s important to note that theological humility shouldn’t mean theological foolishness. Unfortunately, recent surveys show that evangelicals aren’t thinking very biblically about, well, a lot. (Particularly unsettling: Most evangelicals believe that the Bible isn’t completely true and that Jesus was created by God.) We’ve got some work to do, it seems.
Behaving “Christianly” in Our Politics, Scott Sauls. In case you hadn’t noticed, the veritable forests of campaign signs all over every neighborhood in the nation, this upcoming Tuesday is election day. You’ve still got a few days to do your homework on your local candidates. And now you’ve also got Sauls offering you some Keller-infused wisdom about the Christian approach to politics.
On the Lighter Side
Love Dude Perfect? Introducing BRO EPIC! John Crist. Those Dude Perfect guys really are incredible, though.
