Your weekly installment of what we’ve been reading (and watching) around the web.
Video of the Week
Abortion and Race, Thabiti Anyabwile. One of the frequent charges against the pro-life movement is the claim that it’s essentially a “white person” issue. But as Anyabwile points out, the quest to make abortion unthinkable is hardly a white concern. “As people who know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of the whip, there is a sense that we should understand this as deeply as anyone.” We’re thankful for Anyabwile’s courage to speak out, the wisdom to perceive where the church needs to grow, and the hope he demonstrates in this important area.
Articles of the Week
Tim Keller Stepping Down as Redeemer Senior Pastor, Kate Shellnutt. This is an interesting development. Redeemer Presbyterian, the multi-site church where Tim Keller is the pastor, has decided that their campuses will become three distinct churches. It’s the fruit of many years of planning and prayer, and it also brings with it Keller’s retirement … from the pulpit. He’s not leaving New York, and he doesn’t plan to step away from ministry. But now he’ll be equipping others through Redeemer’s City to City church planting network. We don’t mind “megachurch pastor stepping down” news when it comes like this.
Five Reasons for Optimism in America, Garrett Kell. I (Chris) am not one known for my endless fount of optimism. J.D., by contrast, is annoyingly optimistic–which means that reality is probably somewhere between us. But I suspect that you don’t even have to be a Puddleglum type like myself to feel a bit down these days. The news cycle is driven by fear and conflict. Racial conflicts are as tense as ever. The political divide has grown into a chasm that seems insurmountable. And yet, in the midst of all this—in fact, because of all this, Kell thinks it’s a great time to be a Christian in the U.S. of A. He’s absolutely right.
What the Transgender Debate Means for the Church, Russell Moore. The public discussion about trangenderism (largely focused on bathrooms) isn’t going away, so we need to equip ourselves to understand what is at stake. Moore takes us beyond the surface level arguments and points out that the key question—and one the church must answer both well and winsomely—is whether humans are creatures (with both purpose and limits) or machines (with limitless power). The Sexual Revolution promises autonomy without consequences, but it leaves a broken trail in its wake. There is a better way, and the church has the beautiful privilege of proclaiming that way.
Why We Can Get Along, Richard John Neuhaus. Our cultural moment seems bent on destroying civility. Regardless of the issue du jour, polarization reigns: either you join my camp or I view you as my enemy. While this kind of public battle may feel new, American Christians have been struggling for some time with the question of how to oppose cultural forces without being belligerent jerks. Neuhaus’ words here—from the old, old times of 1996—are still applicable today. Consider it a plea for true tolerance and civility in a time when both seem to be evaporating.
On the Lighter Side
Can we stop with the stock photos of men peeing in fields? Matt Smethurst. This kind, perhaps, can only be overcome by prayer and fasting.
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.”
