Curated content for Christians
Money: An Instrument of Blessing – This article from 9Marks lays out the big difference between the prosperity gospel and a biblical way of understanding money: One says that money is an instrument of blessing while the other says it is an indicator of blessing. There’s a world of difference between. Evolution is a Matter…
The Biggest Contradiction – David Murray looks at the contradiction between Paul’s justification by faith alone and James’ justification by works. “Can these opposing statements be reconciled? I believe they can, and the key is to understand that although Paul and James both speak of justification, they are speaking about two different kinds of justification.”…
Sexual History – Russell Moore shows wisdom and pastoral concern in his answer to this question: When dating, how much should a Christian know about a future spouse’s sexual history? Rescuing from Hell and Renewing the World – A very important article from Piper: “[T]he way to achieve the greatest social and cultural transformation is…
Life in a Dark Place – “[D]oubt is something we evangelical Christians need to get talking about. I often think doubt is like the topic of pornography was 15 years ago—a lot of people were struggling with it, but we hardly ever spoke of it. We have come at least part of the way on…
What Are We Really Watching? – Al Mohler on Downton Abbey: “[M]ost viewers are likely unaware of what they are actually seeing. They are not merely watching an historical drama, they are witnessing the passing of a world. And that larger story, inadequately portrayed within Downton Abbey, is a story that should not be missed.…
Do You Know What Your Missionaries Actually Teach?! – “Stop sending prosperity-preaching missionaries to the jungles of Peru. They’re killing the villages here. Your missionaries are spending tens of thousands of dollars, traveling across land and sea, invading and settling into new cultures, and it’s all for nothing. They’re doing more harm than good.” Sleep…
Westminster Books – Westminster Books is having a sale on many of their bestselling books of 2013. Now’s the time to stock up! The Universe Had a Beginning – Stephen Meyer tells the story of how Hubble showed Einstein that the universe was not eternal but must have had a beginning. School Wasn’t Canceled for…
6 Ways to Look Godly While Not Growing – Here are six ways you might maintain an appearance of godliness even though you’re not growing in your faith. Is Recreational Marijuana Use a Sin? – Here is Joe Carter doing what he does so well: “Although many Christians consider the answer to the question to…
Loving Him by Loving It – “To love someone means that you also love the things about someone. This is most true of our love for God. We love Him, and that leads us to love everything about Him. One of those things is His Word. To love God is to love his Word.” Remembering…
Marrying a Man Who Looks at Porn – Heath Lambert provides a sound answer to an urgent question: Should I marry a man who has a problem with pornography? Snow-Diving Foxes – “I’m a fox. It’s January. I’m hungry. I want a meal. My food, however, is buried 3 feet down, deep in the snow,…
A Calvinist Revival – The NY Times (of all places) has written an article on the Reformed resurgence. (I guarantee you’ve never seen Mark Dever looking cooler than he does here.) From 1994 – Well, though it doesn’t quite align with biblical theology, this short film still highlights the joy of life and the grief…
Worship Leader Resolutions – This is some brilliant and hilarious writing from Jamie Brown. “In this new year, I think all worship leaders can agree on a few resolutions that, if adopted, would dramatically improve the corporate/sung worship in our churches.” My favorite: “Octave jumps are so 2013. It’s time to take it to the…
Cross Conference – Justin Taylor rounds up the recent Cross conference saying, “Only time will tell, but it seems that the first annual Cross student missions conference was a historic event, perhaps a key moment in mobilizing God’s people to help the nations be glad in him.” C.S. Lewis at War – Andy Naselli introduces…
Happy new year and welcome to 2014. I continue to take it easy through the holidays, but did put together an edition of A La Carte this morning. This month’s free audiobook from ChristianAudio is the Hear the Word ESV Bible! Logos users will want to download their free book of the month (a real…
A Year-End Editorial – Read this one! “We should look beyond ourselves at the end of the year. After all, our lives are bound up with the Story of God’s redemptive plan being accomplished in history. So, as Christians, our year-end remembrances are never to be selfish exercises of navel gazing self-condemnation or self-congratulation, but…
5 Ways to Bomb a Sermon – There is some very helpful counsel in this article. While it’s directed specifically at those who preach to young people, it’s applicable to anyone who preaches or speaks before others. Centered On One or the Other – “What does it mean for a church to be gospel-centered? That’s…
The Most Courageous Resolution – Jon Bloom on resolutions: “Resolves are intentions with strategies attached to them. You don’t just hope something is going to happen; you are planning to make it happen. To be resolved is to be determined.” He proposes a resolution for you. Duck Dynasty Wins – WORLD: “The gay lobby’s power…
‘Tis the season to discuss Bible-reading plans for the year to come. Justin Taylor offers a long list of options; Ligonier does as well and includes downloadable guides; Peter Krol has some suggestions as well as a list of benefits. CROSS – The CROSS conference kicks off this afternoon (schedule); you can watch it all…
Dude, Where’s Your Gravitas? – “Our culture wants men to be featherweights when it comes to conviction, seriousness, responsibility, discipline, courage, and truth. The Creator of these men does not. He wants gravitas.” Obviously we can overcorrect here, but it’s well worth thinking about this article. Earthrise – Here’s a video about the iconic photo…
The Violence of Christmas – “Do yourself a favor before Christmas. Read the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth. Then read Genesis 1-3. Then read Revelation 12. Then throw in Romans 16:20 for good measure. That’s the whole Christmas story. It’s not simply the poetic and sweet story of a child’s birth, welcomed by stars and…