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This is a list of recent blog posts which we found interesting. That we found them interesting doesn’t mean we necessarily agree with or endorse the ideas presented in the posts, but that we found them to be intriguing and thought-provoking. (They are listed in no particular order of interest). Please post your comments to discuss any article that strikes your interest. If you have recent blog posts to nominate, please send the link to admin@sbctoday.com.
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About the Church
“Why Are We So Ineffective in Making Disciples?” by Katie at the Backseat Driver blog, with a commentary on why the main methods we use in discipleship are not effective, and why we need to go back to the New Testament model of discipleship to be more effective.
“Just Say You Want to Be a Pastor,” by Nathan Finn at the Between the Times blog, with a caution to speak positively about the Bride of Christ rather than talking about all the ways that you’re going to “fix ‘er up.”
“Elevator,” by Ed Steele on the Worship HeartCries blog, with a plea for biblical worship that elevates our spirits beyond particular details to experience the living God.
“My Personal Conviction: I Will Not Negotiate Salary with My Churches,” by Dave Miller at SBC Voices. The title speaks for itself, and Amen.
“Technology, Teens, and the Church,” by Dustin W. Stout at the Church Mag blog, with thoughts on relating to teenagers and others who bring their technology to church.
About Theology
“Critiquing My Former Pastor Dr. Lawson’s Recent Comments regarding His Calvinist, Man-centered View of Election Couched in a ‘God-talk’ Smokescreen,” by the “Cranky Contrarian Christian commentator” on his Cranky Contrarian Christian Commentary blog, with a critique of Steven Lawson’s remarks about foreknowledge and a cluster of other related points in his well-publicized recent speech.
“What Good Are Logical Entailments?” by Randy Everist in the Possible Worlds blog, with a warning about assuming that a theologian necessarily recognizes the logical implications or entailments of their own position.
“’Intellectually Acceptable?’ An Introduction to Reformed Epistemology,” by Deidre Richardson at the Center for Theological Studies blog, with a critique of Alvin Plantinga’s classic book, Warranted Christian Belief.
“Illegal Definitions of Legalism,” by Bart Barber at the Praise God Barebones blog, with thoughts about what does and does not constitute legalism.
“The Gospel and Baptist Identity: Confessor Baptism by Immersion,” by Nathan Finn on the One Baptist Perspective blog, with the fourth in his series on Baptist identity, with thoughts on believer’s baptism.
About the Christian Life
“Spiritual Warfare,” by Perry Noble at his blog, with a description about how spiritual warfare can start early – even among our own children.
“Devotional Thought: Temptation’s Location,” by Brad Whitt on his blog, with devotional reflections on Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, as described in Mark 1:13.
“For Those Who Struggle to Read the Bible,” and “For Those Who Struggle with Prayer,” by Roy Ingle (the Seeking Disciple) at Arminian Today blog, with practical suggestions for believers who struggle to be consistent in Bible study and prayer.
“Captain America Is Red, White, and Blasé,” by Christa Banister in The Fish: A Christian Look at Pop Culture blog, with a movie review of Captain America.
I am honored to have made the list! What were your thoughts on it?
Thanks for the shoutout! I appreciate it, as always. :)
Dustin, I think first of all that you were wise to raise an issue that is more important than most people realize. With my son being a graduating high school senior, texting and fb are important means of communication, and they have become more important to me as well. As a seminary teacher, I have noted students distracted by texting, phone calls, facebook, web games, or just web surfing in class. While attending orientation at the college my son is attending, it was interesting hearing several students say that they had simply had to come to the point that they turned off their fb for a while when tests or papers were coming up. If it is that distracting in class, it is distracting in church as well. I guess when I was young we whispered and passed notes, but fb really takes you into a different world. That has led our institution to ban use of fb, phones, etc. during class (though not always so in practice). And, I’ve been guilty of checking email or other distractions in chapel or during “down times” in some worship services as well.
The other phenomenon I have experienced is that students can check out on Google any information you give out, and I’ve sometimes been corrected by them on proper spelling or dates. Applied to churches, that means our members will have a variety of translations (or even commentaries) at their disposal while we’re preaching or teaching. If translations substantially differ when we’re making a big point based on a paricular word, for example, it would undermine the message or confuse the hearers.
Would-be worshipers bringing their technology and social networks to church with them. I don’t know the answer to this, but we have to find it!
swl