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 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.”
While we do not always agree with everything these authors post, we share these resources because we find them challenging and enriching. As we often say around the Summit, “Eat the fish and spit out the bones.”
Video of the Week
Are the Gospels Historically Reliable? Peter J. Williams & Bart Ehrman. Agnostic Bible scholar Bart Ehrman debates Christian Bible scholar Peter Williams on the accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. (Spoiler: Ehrman answers “no”; Williams answers “yes.”) You’d be hard-pressed to find smarter proponents of either position, so we’re glad for the opportunity to hear these two scholars tackle this important topic.
Articles of the Week
Evangelist Preaches Salvation to Thousands at Kanye West’s “Sunday Service” in Detroit, Adam Ford. Don’t be tripped up by the fact that Kanye West had a “Sunday Service” on a Friday; this story is still incredible. Praise God that West is using his influence to share the timeless and timely message, as Pastor Adam Tyson did recently, “God is holy. We’re all sinners. Christ came so that you could be born again and have a new life — only by his blood, only by his sacrifice — and through his resurrection you can say today ‘Here am I, Lord. Send me.’”
Jesus Loves Small, “Insignificant” Places. So Should We. Douglas Phillips. When it comes to church planting, the watchword of our generation is cities. If you’re going to plant a new church, find a big, influential metropolis and get cracking. After all, that’s what Paul did, right? Well, almost. In this review of Stephen Witmer’s new book, A Big Gospel in Small Places, Phillips reminds us that gospel-shaped ministry doesn’t just focus on strategic influence. It also follows the path of Jesus himself, who often eschewed fame and glory for small, “insignificant” places.
When Loneliness Is Your Closest Companion, Kimberly Wagner. This is a much-needed reminder that those around us—even those crowding us in the grocery aisles—should not be seen as scenery, but as walking histories of pain and joy, tragedy and triumph. And it often takes just one well-placed question to uncover that history. Let’s ask those questions and pray for one another today.
Digital Life After Death, Emily Belz. Dealing with the loss of loved ones has never been easy. But no generation before ours has had to grapple with the question, “What do we do with the digital legacy that remains once a person shuffles off this mortal coil?” Logistically, this presents unique problems, since digital information is an asset like any other. Emotionally, though, the problems are more profound, preventing us from walking the painful but necessary road of grief.
On the Lighter Side
Careless Love (Reckless Whisper), Mike Lee Music. In many circles, simply mentioning the song, “Reckless Love,” is liable to start a feud. Here’s a take on the song that might cause controversy—but not because of the lyrics.
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