Your weekly installment of things we’ve been reading (and watching) around the web.
Video of the Week
Does Science Argue for or against God? Eric Metaxas, Prager University. With his pocket square and hip glasses, Metaxas offers the necessary intelligent aura to this video, but it’s the content that is intriguing. Scientists were quick to write God’s obituary in the 1960s, but what they’ve discovered since then has actually made belief in a Creator more and more plausible.
Articles of the Week
FAQs: Islamic State Beheads 21 Egyptian Christians in Libya, Joe Carter. Death for the cause of Christ nothing new. The church was birthed in persecution and has lived most centuries under direct threat of pain, violence, and death. But we may still be struck with sadness when our brothers are targeted for their faith. Islamic State’s recent mass execution raises a number of questions. Carter doesn’t answer them all, but he does provide a helpful summary of the relevant details.
The Girl in the Tuxedo, Jean Lloyd. “In 2015, sexual orientation redirection efforts are precluded from discussion, even if she explicitly asks for them. However, if she senses she is transgender, her right to redirection must be honored. If she wishes, she can quickly begin the process of ‘transitioning’ to become a male. … This is an arduous and painful journey, with many risks and harms, irremediable loss and regret among them. But it is considered worth these risks and pain. She is, after all, only fifteen, and it would be unfair at such an age to limit the horizon of her possible identity paths and the options available to her. … All except one option, that is.”
There Are Phlegons In Your Church! J.D. Payne. What! Phlegons? Well, doesn’t that just make you…angry? …excited? …hungry? If you’re anything like us, you’re not quite sure how to respond to Payne’s claim—mostly because you’ve never heard of Phlegon. But as it turns out, Phlegon is in the Bible. So what is Phlegon? And why does Phlegon matter?
Ten Pointers for Young Preachers, Peter Mead. Most of these pointers are wise lessons for any believer. But Mead’s got a point: those of us in ministry need these reminders early and often. (For instance, I really wish someone had given me this advice 10 years ago: “Invest time in reading quality rather than quantity, widely rather than just your favorite author, and selectively rather than getting stuck in books you no longer want to finish.”)
On The Lighter Side
All of the Bible Translations at a Dinner Party, Stephen Altrogge. This raises the question: what exactly do Bibles eat at a dinner party? In any case, this is a nice little amusement. See if your preferred translation holds up well. (Apologies to the NASB, who we can only assume was stuck in traffic.)
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.”
