Wisdom for Your Weekend is your regular installment of what we’ve been reading (and watching) around the web. Presented to you by Chris Pappalardo, with occasional guidance from Pastor J.D., 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.”
Articles of the Week
Humility as Dispositional Prayer, Brad Hambrick. The obstacles that keep us from a rich prayer life are legion: We don’t have time; it feels awkward; we have theological questions about unanswered prayer or God’s sovereignty. But Pastor Brad sees a disposition standing in the way of an unhindered prayer life—a lack of humility. In humility, we can truly “pray without ceasing.” If you want your prayer life to stop languishing in the shallows, why not ask God for humility?
A Man’s Place Is in the Home, John Jalsevac. How do you like that for a gripping title? Jalsevac does a deep dive into social history, examining the origins of many of our current gender assumptions. Why exactly do we think that men should work outside the home? (Is that a universal experience?) Is the domestic life actually less important than the working life? Most importantly, how should Christians think about work and home life, whether male or female? This is a stellar piece, and borrows heavily from a theologian who is always worth your time—larger than life G. K. Chesterton.
How Poetry Might Change the Pro-Life Debate, Karen Swallow Prior. Prior wrote this around the time of Sanctity of Life Sunday (in January), but the lesson is just as relevant in March. As Prior points out, public opinions on abortion seem to have reached a stalemate, and it’s not clear where the conversation will go next. But one thing is certain: There is a wealth of opportunity for the pro-life movement, if only they will bring poetry to bear. Arguments, of course, are necessary, but more hearts may be moved by emotion than by reason. Perhaps it’s time we leaned into that insight and let poetry do its work.
I’m Complementarian and I Read Books By Women, Tim Challies. Last week we pointed to Jen Michel Pollock’s article, asking, “Why aren’t men reading women authors?” One of the possible answers to that question is that complementarianism is to blame. (Complementarianism is the belief that God has designed men and women to have distinct, complementary roles in the home and in the church.) But should a belief in distinct roles lead men to shun female authors? Challies thinks not. He’s as rugged a complementarian as they come, and he urges his fellow complementarian men to listen to pick up the prose of the ladies in our midst. He even gives a few recommendations at the end, too!
What About Contradictions in the Bible? Andreas Köstenberger. Most Christians hope that their non-believing friends won’t challenge them about the many “contradictions” in the Bible. But is there really much to fear here? Not if we approach the Bible with a willingness to do a little work. Köstenberger shows why one of the more troubling New Testament “contradictions”—that of the centurion asking for his servant’s healing—was never a problem for the original readers … and shouldn’t be for us, either.
On the Lighter Side
It’s-a Me, Mario! Great Big Story. I never really thought about the fact that the voice of Mario had to come from a real person. And here he is—Charles Martinet. What a delightful little feature this is.
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