Your weekly installment of what we’ve been reading (and watching) around the web.
Video of the Week
How Can I Improve My Prayer Life? Donald Whitney. This is a common struggle for nearly every Christian I (Chris) know. (If it’s not a struggle for you, please stand up.) That struggle? In our hearts, we have a very real desire to pray. But we also have a wealth of experience that says, “When I pray, it’s boring.” Whitney offers a solution that many of us have heard but few know how to apply: pray the Bible. Spend six minutes with this video and learn how you (yes, you) can pray through Scripture.
Articles of the Week
Can Christians Marry (Or Date) Non-Christians? Mike Gilbart-Smith. Pastors field questions like this all the time, and Gilbart-Smith is absolutely right that the framing of the question is rather distinct. Unlike some sinful behaviors, like pornography, in which the person knows they’re doing something wrong, those who seek romantic relationships with non-Christians desperately want to justify what they’re doing as right. And when they look to the Bible, they don’t find any verse that says (in so many words), “Christians shall neither marry nor date non-Christians.” The biblical picture, however, is incredibly clear, and I’ve yet to see a better summary of it than this one. If you want to know why marrying a non-believer is foolish and non-biblical, start here.
Seeking Unity in the Southern Baptist Convention, Russell Moore. We have long respected Dr. Moore and the work he has done for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC). He has brought a gospel-shaped perspective to bear on a number of contentious issues, and has demonstrated gospel-faithfulness in the political sphere for a new generation. In light of some recent controversy, we’re grateful for Moore’s humility here—acknowledging that there were times he went farther in his discourse than someone representing the church perhaps should go. He is absolutely right that we should never apologize for the gospel or its implications. But the balance of speaking to truth to power and leaving space for disagreement on secondary matters is a difficult one. We are grateful that Moore is seeking to maintain this balance, and pray for his continued wisdom in doing so.
When Should We Use Harsh Language? Aaron Armstrong. Depending on your temperament, you may be inclined to use harsh language too often or too little. Maybe you are tempted to cowardice, and you need to speak against sin with a little more fire. Maybe you are tempted to pride, and you relish the moment of confrontation just a bit too much. Either way, there’s a balance here, and none of us achieves it intuitively. So how do you know when to unleash the verbal fury? Armstrong gives four helpful principles.
Confessing the Sin of Platforming, J.A. Medders. It’s a tricky thing to be in the business of saying things. Of course, our goal in writing (or preaching, or teaching, or leading, or…) should be to honor God, serve the church, and reach the world for Christ. To a certain extent, it’s good and right to want that service to reach more people. After all, why would we intentionally bury what God has given us? The parable of the talents stands as testimony that what God gives us—and that includes our written words—he expects us to multiply. And yet, it is far too easy for us to forget that we are called first to an altar, not to a platform. As Medders says, “The meek may not get a book deal, but they will get the earth.”
On the Lighter Side
March Madness: Bad Gift Edition, Jessica Hagy. Courtesy of “This Is Indexed,” in which Jessica Hagy turns the real world into graphs, we bring you the Tournament of Terrible Gifts. I have given out four of these in my lifetime, including the well-deserved champ.
Wisdom For Your Weekend is presented to you by Chris Pappalardo, with occasional guidance from J.D. Greear. 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.”
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