Skip to content ↓

Weekend A La Carte (September 2)

Weekend A La Carte

Today’s Kindle deals include a few older, discounted books as well as a new release from GLH Publications.

Westminster Books has a sale on the excellent NIVAC commentary series. Scroll all the way down on that page and you’ll find a few more deals.

Also, this isn’t a bargain but is a key volume in a key commentary set: P&R has just released the Revelation volume in the Reformed Expository series; it was authored by Richard Phillips.

The Best Animal Reactions to the Eclipse

While humans were burning out their retinas staring at the sun, what were the animals up to? (On a related note, check out Rental Camera Gear Destroyed by the Solar Eclipse of 2017.)

When Calling Yourself a “Christian” Isn’t Enough

“Their overall argument is that not only do the Scriptures teach with unanimity and clarity that homosexual behavior is sinful, but their larger point is that the church in history has spoken with one unanimous and unchanging voice on this specific question. Lutherans and Calvinists may differ on the Lord’s Supper. Methodists and Baptists may disagree over how to baptize. Baptists may disagree with Baptists over the five points of Calvinism (the list goes on). No Christian church or denomination ever disagreed on the morality of homosexuality.”

(On the subject of The Nashville Statement, consider articles explaining why Alastair Roberts and Rosaria Butterfield signed the document.)

The Joel Osteen Fiasco Says A Lot About American Christianity

I almost never link to Buzzfeed but thought this story was worth pointing to. Not many will agree with everything in it, but this is important: “The backlash against Lakewood Church’s response to Tropical Storm Harvey speaks to a larger powder keg of resentment directed at evangelical Christianity in the United States right now.”

Nothing to Complain About

I’ve been thinking a lot about complaining and ingratitude. So has Nick, apparently. “Unthankfulness for all the blessings–material and spiritual–with which God daily loads us is one of the most egregious of sins. Ingratitude always fosters a complaining spirit of entitlement in the hearts of men and women.”

Touching Death

Here’s a longform article for your weekend reading. It concerns the bizarre (and patently unbiblical) cult of snake handling. “Three years after his father was killed during a service, Cody Coots carries on as pastor of the South’s most famous signs-following church. In a town rife with drugs and poverty, Coots leads a group of congregants who live and worship in extremes — and who, by engaging with death, show their faith in a God they believe delivers life.”

Ask Anything (Video)

Here’s a new Ask Anything video from Al Mohler. He answers a wide variety of questions.

What Christians Should Know About Antifa

Joe Carter tells what you ought to know about the group called Antifa.

Flashback: “No Man’s Sky” and 10,000 Bowls of Plain Oatmeal

No Man’s Sky was supposed to change gaming forever. It was pitched as offering players a vast world with nearly endless opportunities to explore and nearly infinite varieties of planets and life to discover. It landed with a resounding thud. And in that thud we can find a fascinating lesson.

God’s Providence in the Story of the Premium Bible Marketplace

My thanks goes to EvangelicalBible.com for sponsoring the blog this week.

Love is not maximum emotion. Love is maximum commitment.

—Sinclair Ferguson

  • Will You Be a Pillar?

    How do we lead in a culture shaped by performance, individualism, and platform? Platforms to Pillars by cultural commentator Mark Sayers offers a biblical alternative to the platform mentality that dominates our society. Drawing from the ancient world, Sayers challenges Christians to become pillars—people who provide strength and support for others, who live with character…

  • The Tallest Trees

    The Winds Blow Hardest Against the Tallest Trees

    Through the weekend had many questions about Christian leaders who fall. And I expressed that just as the winds blow hardest against the tallest trees, so temptations may press hardest against the leaders who rise the highest. Just as floods press against shallow roots, so seductive desires rise up against those whose fall would bring…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (April 21)

    A La Carte: Toxic servant leadership / Taking our stress to the Lord / The problem with habits / Is it wrong for Christians to choose cremation? / Why does your church meet in a house? / Big book and Kindle deals / and more.

  • Expectations

    Why We Ask So Little of God

    Most Christians expect little from God, ask little, and therefore receive little, and are content with little. Though the Bible calls us to pray and though it promises that “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working,” we can still have very modest expectations of what God will accomplish through…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    Weekend A La Carte (April 19)

    A La Carte: Why man needs God / Why nails matter / Kids’ picture books / MLK’s famous letter changed a DC church / How to mentor / A tearless eternity / and more.

  • Free Stuff Fridays (TGBC)

    This weeks Free Stuff Friday is sponsored by The Good Book Company. They are giving away a bundle of their best-selling Good Book Guides that are designed to guide your head and your heart through God’s word. Each Good Book Guide includes a concise leader’s guide in the back.  The Bundle includes: Giveaway Rules: You…