A La Carte (May 1)

Today’s Kindle deals include a few interesting titles.

I don’t think it’s any boast to state my belief that today’s A La Carte is probably one of the strongest collections ever. That’s just a reflection of the quality of the articles published over the past couple of days.

This month’s free book from Christian Audio is Jonathan Edwards: America’s Genius. Lots of other titles in this series of biographies for kids are also on sale.

(Yesterday on the blog: Why We Cringe at “Submit”)

Defending the Faith; Denying the Image

It would have been super-helpful if this article had a little less bolding and larger subheadings since that would make for easier reading. Still, it’s an important read.In it Ligon Duncan tells “How 19th century Presbyterians simultaneously faithfully defended historic Christian orthodoxy against Enlightenment rationalistic anti-supernaturalism, and accommodated (indeed undergirded) America’s original sin: race-based chattel slavery (and later segregation).”

Can We Just Be Friends?—Some Reflections on the Graham Rule

This is another excellent (and long) article. Seriously, there are at least 20 excellent lines in this article that will make you pause and think. Read it! All of it! “Purity will often require avoidance of situations that would be dangerous for us. Of course, purity is not mere avoidance (and purity isn’t merely a matter of not sinning). However, avoidance will often be the prudence that is part and parcel of the pursuit of purity.”

Scotland’s Evangelical Island Gets Its First Mosque

What an interesting world we live in that Scotland’s Isle of Lewis will soon have its first mosque. “Despite its size and location, the Isle of Lewis off the northwest coast of Scotland occasionally makes national news in the United Kingdom because of its conservative religious practices—including the strict observance of the Sabbath by many on the island. Lewis was the site of the UK’s last great revival—beginning in 1949 and carrying on for three years—and remains one of the most devout parts of the country.”

Standing In The Pulpit

“The reason most Protestant churches have their pulpit front and center stage is to symbolize the centrality of the Word. The Word of God is the central thing we gather around as a church on the Lord’s Day.” There’s a lot more symbolism to think about…

North Korea’s Secret Christians

The Atlantic has an interesting article about North Korea’s secret Christians and the role of the South Korean church in reaching them, primarily through radio. “South Korea’s largest religious radio broadcaster, the Far East Broadcasting Company, transmits gospel-centered programs to both North and South Korea every day of the week. The station’s goal is to use Christian radio to subvert the Kim regime’s strict ban on religion, and ultimately pave the way for a unified, Christianized Korean Peninsula.” (See also Joe Carter’s “9 Things You Should Know About Christianity in Korea.”)

Reading the Bible for the First Time

Reading the Bible for the first time? Inviting someone else to do so? Here are some excellent pointers.

Imagine There’s No Hell

So important: “If we are to faithfully herald the love of Christ which passes knowledge, we must faithfully and compassionately herald the wrath of God which passes comprehension. We don’t help anyone see their need for the eternal life and blessedness that comes to us by faith alone in Christ alone, if we deny, downplay or disregard the reality of eternal death and destruction that we deserve on account of our sin.”

Flashback: Well, This Is Going To Be Awkward!

If we allow ourselves to look within, if we allow ourselves to look beyond culture’s messages about awkwardness, we will see that it aims a powerful spotlight on our pride and our fear of the opinions of others.