A Few Good Reads

Bitter Clingers and the US Media
Rod Dreher tells the story of listening to NPR and comparing the story they did on an off Broadway play about a gay teen who was kicked out of his youth choir and their discussions of the shooting in San Bernadino. He does not write as someone whining about the way things are, but simply demonstrates the disconnect existing the American news media in their coverage of religion. “This has been pointed out so many times over the years, and has done no apparent good, that I hardly even notice it anymore. I just quit believing the media, and assume that when reporting on issues having to do with religion and culture, that they operate in bad faith unless proven otherwise. I have very little faith in the institutions of American journalism, and am rapidly losing faith in the institutions of American academia. I think all of this is a bad thing for this country, but what can I do to stop it? I no longer believe that media and academia, for two, are not really interested in exploring the truth, but rather in enforcing a particular narrow narrative as a means of gaining and preserving power.”

Influence of Churches, Once Dominant, Now Wains in the South
This ABC news article focuses on the recent victory of Sunday liquor sales in Sylacauga, AL and how it reflects the church’s loss of influence in the South. What the article really proves is that nominal Christianity in the South is on the decline. Thomas Fuller captured this well as he is quoted in the article. “The fact that you didn’t drink, cuss or chew or go with girls who do, didn’t dance, didn’t do this or that, was far more a litmus test of one’s faith and devotion to Christ in a previous day and in many instances in a way that, I think, produced a superficial sort of religion in many respects,” he said. “I think there has been some growth and development in outlook.”

Is Your Church Racist?
We have to admit that churches in the South have a long way to go in demonstrating the unity of the Gospel. Much progress has been made, but Ray Ortlund offers some searching questions we must ask ourselves and offers a beautiful picture of what happens when we embrace the diversity of the body of Christ. But if our churches have the faith in God, the humility, the honesty, the clarity, the courage, the sheer joy in the Lord to follow the Lamb wherever he goes (Revelation 14:4), then the floodgate of blessing will blow out our old limitations and our unintended but real mechanisms of exclusion.  If we will allow the “us” in our churches to be redefined according to the mind of Christ, then our churches are already moving into revival glory.

A Grim Bargain
The Washington Post reports on a Chinese factory that opened in Wilcox County, Alabama. Lured with millions in tax incentives, the business promised to bring middle-class paying jobs to the impoverished area. Some seem to think the factory has not come through on its original promise. “To help push the deal, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley (R) dined with Li. Company executives visiting the region were greeted with imported Chinese tea and Mandarin video messages. Alabama’s state workforce team explained how, if chosen for the job, they would visit Golden Dragon’s Chinese headquarters, study the process, and make videos and training courses for the new U.S. employees. In Alabama, Golden Dragon wouldn’t pay taxes for 20 years; it would get free roads and land”

The Songs of Jesus
Tim and Kathy Keller’s book offers one year of daily devotions in the Psalms. Keller has read the Psalms every month for the last 20 years and the Kellers share reflections shaped by these two decades of reading and meditation. With the new year approaching, this would be a good book to pick up. You can read an interview with them about the book at The Gospel Coalition.