A Few Good Reads

“No Grey Area“
With the approaching release of 50 Shades of Grey, Kevin DeYoung writes about why Christians should avoid this movie that so many are celebrating. “But the Bible never titil­lates with its description of sin. It never paints vice with virtue’s colors. It does not entertain with evil (unless to mock it). The Bible does not dull the conscience by making sin look normal and righteousness look strange.”

“Vaccination and the Christian“
A recent measles outbreak has brought to light the recent skepticism about vaccines. Scott James, a Pediatrician in Birmingham and elder at the Church at Brook Hills, shares some helpful thoughts on Christians and vaccination. “When faced with the various questions that arise from so many different perspectives, the vaccine conversation sometimes sounds more like a cacophony. In the midst of the confusion, Christians should lead the way as those who wisely weigh the evidence and act accordingly for the good of those around them.”

“Lessons in Manliness from Atticus Finch”
Last week many were surprised by the news that Harper Lee would be releasing another novel this Summer. This has led to renewed interest in her previous classic To Kill A Mockingbird. The Art of Manliness shares some lessons we can learn from the novels protagonist Atticus Finch. “His manhood was not displayed in great showy acts but in quiet, consistent strength, in supreme self-possession. The manliness of Atticus Finch does not leap off the page; instead, it burrows its way inside of you, sticks with you, causes your soul to say, ‘Now that is the kind of man I wish to be.'”

Experiencing the Trinity
I’m looking forward to the release of Joe Thorn’s new book Experiencing the Trinity at the end of this month. In a time where many Christian devotional books offer little substance, this will be a feast for the soul. “For Christians, there is only one simple yet profound answer: turn to the triune God. Born out of lessons learned during one of the most spiritually challenging periods of his life, Experiencing the Trinity by pastor Joe Thorn contains 50 down-to-earth meditations on God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Overflowing with scriptural truth, pastoral wisdom, and personal honesty, this book reflects on common experiences of doubt, fear, and temptation—pointing readers to the grace that God provides and the strength that he promises.”