A Few Good Reads

“The Church Needs the Bible”
I’ll share a couple of posts on this issue today, but the church seems to be losing its grasp on the necessity of Scripture for its life and doctrine. Erik Raymond helpfully argues that the church needs the Bible to be the center of everything we do. “Christians who are being shaped by what the Bible says about the church will demand that the Word be central to everything that is done. There must be preaching from the Bible, teaching on the Bible, discipleship in the Bible, prayer in light of the Bible, community through what is in the Bible, discussions on the Bible. The same Word that gives life to the church is to actually shape the life of the church.”

“Is the Bible Foundational to Christianity? Engaging with Andy Stanley”
Andy Stanley’s recent sermon, “The Bible Tells Me So,” makes several foundational claims about the Bible that need to be answered. Here Michael Kruger summarizes his main points and responds to them. “But while Stanley has correctly diagnosed the disease, serious questions remain about whether he has offered an adequate cure. Indeed, in many ways, his suggested cure becomes problematic enough that one begins to wonder whether it just might be more troubling than the disease itself.”

“For the Bible Tells Me So: Biblical Authority…Again”
Speaking of Andy Stanley’s recent sermon, Al Mohler has weighed in as well. Dr. Mohler’s background in historical theology helps us see that we have been here before. “Some years ago, in light of another message Stanley preached at North Point, I argued that his apologetic ambition was, as we saw with Protestant liberalism a century ago, a road that will lead to disaster.”

“Seven Principles for Angry Parents Disciplining Angry Children”
Every parent knows the surge of anger that can go along with disciplining and correcting our children. However, we know that our anger never accomplishes anything of lasting value in parenting since, “the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” Kevin DeYoung lays out some principles to help us as we navigate our anger and our children’s disobedience. “The goal is for children to be less angry, not for parents to join them in their fury. An explosion of anger often feels good, and it may even yield short-term results, but the fruit is behaviorism more than gospel sweetness. I can think of many times I’ve had to go back to my kids later and tell them I was sorry for responding to their sin in a sinful way.”

“A Citizen’s Bill of Responsibility”
Brett McKay has some great thoughts at The Art of Manliness on what responsibilities are attached to the rights we are granted by the Constitution. An entitled people need to hear this clarion call to accept the duties that go along with our privileges. “The simple act of casting a vote in and of itself is often seen as the ultimate expression of citizenship; but voting in ignorance is no better — in fact is often worse — than not voting at all. As the Scout manual admonishes, “Be a thinking citizen, not a thoughtless one.”

Being There: How to Love Those Who are Hurting
We often struggle to know how to come alongside suffering people. Dave Furman knows what it is like to need help on a daily basis, and offers counsel to those who have a heart to help. “Furman draws on his own life experiences, examples from the Bible, and wisdom from Christians throughout history to address the heart and ministry of those who are called to serve others. Deeply personal and powerfully pastoral, this book points readers to the strength that only God can provide as they love those who are hurting.”