Good Links
Good Links #2
Here are some more articles on important topics that are worth your consideration this week.
Rebekah Valerius writes about what is needful for true, meaningful silence, “What modernity might hear in silence is that the humanism upon which it is founded fails to provide the grounds for a meaningful life. This why G.K. Chesterton wrote that this age of Science may understand the cosmos, it indeed may paint a pretty, little picture of the universe that is ‘complete in every rivet and cog-wheel,’ but it is ultimately smaller than our world.”
David Briggs draws attention to recent findings about the barriers encountered by those with special needs when they try to attend church and what congregations can begin to do about it. “A series of studies of children and adolescents with chronic health conditions have found regular attendance at religious services was generally associated with improved mental and emotional health, higher self-esteem, and overall well-being.”
Kristen Padilla describes the writings and work of three women during the Reformation, and how they understood the priesthood of all believers, “The ramification of such a doctrine was that God is able to take the weak (women like Katharina) and shame the strong (Roman clergy). She began her defense quoting 1 Corinthians 1:27 and then developed and weaved this theme throughout the rest of her work. Katharina related herself to Judith who stood against Holofernes and to Esther whose cunning led to Haman’s hanging. Several times in her pamphlet she called on male individuals by name and challenged them to debate her in German in public.”
Seana Scott meditates on losing everything she owns, and getting back again, “God sent his son Jesus in the flesh. The incarnate son of God came as matter, substance, and form, to tangibly pay for the penalty of our sin. Our God is Spirit and flesh for eternity—just like us. For a little while, we will be absent from our flesh that fades away, but we will receive our eternal dwelling when Christ returns—and for the Christian, our new body will live with Christ’s body for all eternity. Physicality will last forever, so matter must matter in some way.”
Brett McCracken reviews Boy Erased, “The film reflects our progressive secular culture’s oddly rigid view of sexuality as something fixed and immutable—even as this same culture insists on total gender fluidity. So one’s gender can be changed, but not one’s sexual desires? In the end, the LGBTQ movement’s conception of ‘change’ is both internally inconsistent and also experientially depressing.”
Karen Swallow Prior provides some desperately needed wisdom on how to be kind on social media, “At a large social gathering, people mix and mingle. Chatting with strangers is not only allowed but also welcome. Yet even in a large gathering, one doesn’t enter into a circle of people, shout something obnoxious, and then dart out the nearest door.If you choose to break into an ongoing conversation (which is certainly encouraged at parties and on social media), begin courteously and end courteously. Don’t tweet and run.”
Andrew Walker writes about the faithful witness of Isabella Chow, “Winsomeness as the utmost priority for Christian faithfulness in the public square will leave individuals with no place to go when this kind of witness still earns us the reproach of culture. As Chow’s example demonstrates, we should be willing to share our convictions without the fear of what reprisal will come.”
Hannah Anderson distills the heart of her new book down into a helpful summery, “In the chaos of the world, we tend to cluster in like-minded groups, believing that our tribe will give us a sense of safety and security. Unfortunately, this “us vs. them” approach can blind us to the weakness within our group. It can also make us miss the good things that happen outside it. Discerning people know that both good and bad exist in every space.“
Esau Mccaulley writes movingly about leaving home and finding it again, “There is a story of the martyrdom of Peter. It’s probably not true, but I like it. It says that Peter is fleeing Rome because it would mean certain death. He sees Jesus heading into the city and asks him, Quo Vadis? Where are you going? Jesus replies, I am going to Rome to be crucified again.”
Megan Hill warns about the dangers of complaining, “When everyone complains, the one person who doesn’t stands out. In a world where grumbling over the weather and the state of the roads is just ordinary conversation, a contented Christian shines with gospel radiance.”