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Christians must think critically about current events, and this week our articles focused on Paula White in the White House, John MacArthur and Beth Moore, Kanye West, and poverty. I encourage you to give each of them a careful read.
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Link Roundup
1. P. J. Tibayan: When is a Church “Revitalized?” Pt. 2
Writing for The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) Mathena Center for Church Revitalization, P. J. Tibayan calls us to healthy Christ-shaped and Christ-centered churches.
2. Joe Carter: 9 Things You Should Know About Cohabitation in America
The Gospel Coalition on cohabiting couples – a topic that I find especially relevant for collegians and young adults.
3. Jenny G. Zhang: The Rise (and Stall) of the Boba Generation
Writing for Eater.com, staff writer Jenny G. Zhang reports on how identity, image, and iconography are all bound together in bubble tea.
4. Leo (pseudonym): A Key Way that Christians around the World Can Contribute to Gospel Growth in China
ChinaSource reports on how returnees and restrictions combined with large numbers of those in positions of leadership and influence are contributing to gospel growth.
5. Andrew Jacobs: Behind Hong Kong’s Protesters, an Army of Volunteer Pastors, Doctors and Artists
A look at the people behind the headlines by Andrew Jacobs for The New York Times.
Weekend Recommendations
1. Center for Biblical Studies at Midwestern Seminary Podcast: Mentoring the Next Generation of Scholars
“Dr. Andreas Köstenberger and Jimmy Roh continue their conversation with Dr. Tom Schreiner to discuss his thoughts on mentoring the next generation of biblical scholars along with his forthcoming publications.”
2. TGC: Should Churches Have a Separate Ministry for Single Young Adults?
“Alex Choi, Michael Lee, and Steve Bang Lee talk life-stage ministries, community, preferences, and preaching to people who aren’t in the room.”
3. TGC: Effective Ministry to Asian Americans
“Stephen Um, Alexander Jun, and Julius Kim address dangers for churches to avoid when ministering to Asian Americans as well as the need to disciple “Gospel Rich Asians.”
4. SBTS: Albert Mohler Heritage Week Chapel
Albert Mohler takes the pulpit at the 13-minute mark with thoughts on church architecture and reflections on 1 John 1:5.
5. Aaron Lee: Book Reviews
This week I reviewed Don’t Lose Heart by Jason Meyer and God’s Word for Today by John Stott with Tim Chester.
From SOLA
1. Oh Young Kwon: 3 Lessons to Empower Your Church’s Neighborhood Outreach
“We end up defining the poor and the downtrodden according to their condition, not their potential. We view them as burdensome projects at best and at worst, irreparable debacles. Although humanitarian effort and generous donations are essential, God wants His people to go beyond what the world can mimic as we maximize the potential of local missions.”
2. P. J. Tibayan: Why Kanye West Needs the Local Church
“Kanye West claims to be a Christian and declares Jesus is Lord, Savior, and King. Some exclaim, ‘Praise the Lord for our new brother!’ Others mutter, ‘Let’s wait and see if he is a real Christian.’ As Christians, we want to honor Christ and love Kanye West as our neighbor, but what do we do with his public profession of faith?”
3. Soojin Park: A Letter to my Complementarian Brothers
“In the last few weeks since the John MacArthur and Beth Moore incident, I’ve wrestled with a lot of thoughts and emotions as I grappled with what I heard and read. For those of you not yet aware of what happened, at his recent Truth Matters Conference, MacArthur was asked to give a gut-reaction response to current-day topics. One of the prompts was simply, ‘Beth Moore’ — a speaker and Bible teacher who has come under fire for some of her public ministry, particularly in the context of gender roles.”
4. Michael Agapito: Paula White and the Prosperity Gospel Isn’t New, and it’s Hurting Christians Now
“Last week, prosperity gospel preacher Paula White officially joined the Trump administration as the head of the White House’s ‘Faith and Opportunity Initiative.’ White, who acts as Trump’s spiritual advisor and claims to represent the interests of ‘evangelical’ Christians, is a known proponent of what is known as ‘pros
perity theology’ — the belief that God promises a life of health, wealth, and abundance to people based on their piety and their offerings. But far from being representative of evangelical Christianity, White and the ‘prosperity gospel’ she promotes is antithetical to it.”
5. Thank God It’s Friday: Weekend Roundup
In case you missed it, here are some headlines from last week: What the Church Can Learn from Sesame Street, Why I Dropped Out Of An Ivy League College Just 3 Weeks Into Freshman Year, My Advice to Struggling Artists – Seek First God’s Kingdom, and One Family Built Forever 21 – and Fueled Its Collapse.
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