I’m the pastor of FBC Jackson in Jackson, Alabama. Each week, I post “Article Roundup: Helpful Reads,” sharing articles that I believe will benefit the saints who make up FBC Jackson and followers of Christ everywhere. Happy reading!
Singleness should not be an enigma in Christ’s church. “Singleness and marriage present theological truths that together give a fuller, more beautiful picture of the gospel. By considering and communicating ways that single believers and married believers can help one another better grasp the gospel, we highlight the value of both states.”
I often ask church members, “Who are your closest friends in the church?” Sadly, most only mention family. Very few mention their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. This ought not be! “One comedian joked that one of Jesus’s greatest miracles was having twelve adult male friends. We smile, then wince. Should such relationships be this rare? Does God’s word give us expectations that we should want this kind of friend? Pray for this kind of friend? Desire to be this kind of friend? I think it does.”
According to David Mathis, God’s laughter should affect how we live in this life. I think he’s right. “While God laughs at the wicked, the righteous learn to laugh with their God. His laughter reminds us that he never worries. He never fears. He is never under threat. His laughter evokes our trust and fills our hearts with admiration and courage.”
Pastoral transitions rarely go well. I suppose it’s because of the spirit described in 1 Corinthians 3 that exists in most churches. That said, it really seems like a plurality of elders is vital for a healthy transition. “Pastoral transitions are among the most delicate moments in a church’s life. Retiring pastors, incoming leaders, and church leadership teams each have a vital role to play in ensuring a smooth and God-honoring transition. When approached with humility, wisdom, and trust in God’s sovereignty, these transitions can strengthen the church for generations to come.”
An increasing number of pastors are expressing a desire to leave their pastorate. Why? The main reasons for this trend are inner church conflicts and a lack of optimism regarding the future growth of the church. And though the article doesn’t state this, I think it’s a helpful addition: these two problems—internal conflict and stagnant growth—are often interconnected rather than separate problems. “The Hartford Institute report indicated that clergy dissatisfaction was not linked to the pastor’s own health or feeling of personal wellness. “Burnout” was not the problem. Instead, the biggest issue listed was conflict within the congregation. On the other hand, optimism about a congregation’s future strongly correlated with the ministers wanting to stay at their post. So if pastors want to keep their job, and if churches want to keep their pastors—or attract new candidates—then the two most important goals should be church unity and church growth. Churches should reduce internal conflict and attract and keep new members.”
I’m the pastor of FBC Jackson in Jackson, Alabama. Each week, I post “Article Roundup: Helpful Reads,” sharing articles that I believe will benefit the saints who make up FBC Jackson and followers of Christ everywhere. Happy reading!
I love the local church. The healthiest Christians are those who revolve their entire lives around their local church. That said, I’m so thankful for how Rachel essentially stops and marvels at the beauty of it. “Only God could have come up with the idea of the local Church. A place where people from all walks of life can come together to worship our God because of Him.”
I’ve come to the conclusion that I should read whatever Greg Morse writes. I may be mistaken, but I believe most people need the gentle correction and reproof that Greg provides in this article. “The point is not to never watch a movie or a show or a game. A play proved to be sweet to my soul this past year (David by Sight & Sound Theaters). The point is this: never be unthoughtful about your entertainments. Let the world turn its brain off and return to its stories; you cannot. Most programs, we admit, are probably not helping us much to heaven. Former generations of Christians seemed more aware of this and more ruthless against worldliness. They asked each other, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?” (James 4:4).”
These five spiritual disciplines will help your marriage. More importantly, they’ll bring lots of glory to the Lord Jesus Christ! “I wanted to also talk about family spiritual disciplines or rhythms. Really these are personal habits that should flow over to each other and in the home. As you know The Disciple-Making Parent ministry is to help parents pass the gospel to their children. But that starts with bringing the gospel into our home with our spouse. Let me suggest five different spiritual habits or rhythms that you can bring into your home that will bring blessing.”
I appreciate Joe Rigney’s perspective here. “Nevertheless, Christians can be somewhat encouraged by signs of a resurgent cultural Christianity. Because while cultural Christianity never saved anyone, it does offer a touchstone of reality, and with it a renewed sense of sin and guilt. And in a nation like ours, there are still 7,000 that have not bowed the knee to Baal, and are ready to point our nation and its officials to the hope that is only found in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
The approval rating for the Democratic Party is tanking. People are pushing back against extreme progressivism and its antagonistic stance toward traditional values. We, as evangelicals, must be prepared to engage. “The culture’s rightward shift is not necessarily a revival—but it is an opportunity. A people grounded in creation and alive to grace could help give it form and direction. But a church that only speaks of grace as escape, not restoration, will fail to channel this moment toward the good. It will either surrender to secular nostalgia or react against it with progressive instincts in theological disguise. Evangelicals must relearn how to love the world—not in the worldly sense, but in the creational sense. Until then, we will not meet the culture’s shift with the wisdom and depth it demands. We will only speak half the gospel to people asking, at last, the right kinds of questions.”
Bethany is the wife of a local church pastor. In this article, she shares some of the joys and challenges of being a pastor’s wife. “Eight years later, I sit on the second row of our current church where he serves as the Assistant Pastor. We are still early in our ministry life, but over the years the Lord has begun to unfold this world of being a pastor’s wife and teach me what it means to follow my husband as he serves in the local church.”
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what I’ve been reading over the past few months. I’ve included a brief description of each book from Amazon to give you a taste of what they’re about. Perhaps one of these titles will catch your interest and motivate you to add it to your cart! Before you start scrolling, let me mention some things about these books:
I don’t agree with every point in every book I read.
I’ve found all of these books to be very helpful.
I’ve found some of these books to be more helpful than others.
I’ve listed these books in the order that I read them.
“Done right, a talk can electrify a room and transform an audience’s worldview; it can be more powerful than anything in written form. This “invaluable guide” (PublishersWeekly) explains how the miracle of powerful public speaking is achieved, and equips you to give it your best shot. There is no set formula, but there are tools that can empower any speaker.
Since taking over TED in 2001, Chris Anderson has worked with all the TED speakers who have inspired us the most, and here he shares insights from such favorites as Sir Ken Robinson, Salman Khan, Monica Lewinsky, and more— everything from how to craft your talk’s content to how you can be most effective on stage.”
“Many pastors feel torn between preaching and leading, but both responsibilities are essential. Without faithful exposition of Scripture, churches risk straying theologically. Without strong leadership, teaching lacks spiritual zeal. How can pastors find balance and steward their calling effectively?
In The Pastor as Leader, John Currie equips pastors to be men of God who competently carry out their purpose: leading God’s people through the preaching of God’s word. Recognizing a common disconnect between the roles of preaching and leadership, Currie offers foundational principles for pastoring “under Christ’s appointment, conformed to Christ’s character, which exemplifies and implements Christ’s wisdom, preached from Christ’s word.” By integrating two primary roles of the pastorate, readers will learn how to faithfully and confidently proclaim the Scriptures as they communicate biblical vision and strategy for the church’s mission.”
“Pastoral leadership is the process where, for the glory of God, a man of God, appointed by the Son of God and empowered by the Spirit of God, proclaims the Word of God so that the people of God are equipped to move forward into the purposes of God together.” John Currie
“We don’t like to admit it, but anyone who honestly evaluates the church’s life and outlook will understand that these are not good days for evangelicalism. We’ve achieved success, but in a worldly sort of way–big numbers, big budgets, and big outreaches. Yet church attendance is actually down and alleged “born again” believers do not differ significantly in their worldview from their neighbors. Why? We have forgotten our theology and, consciously or not, have pursued the wisdom of the world, accepted its “doctrines,” and utilized its methods.
Pastor James Montgomery Boice believed that our ignorance of God and neglect of the gospel of grace is the root of the problem. Here he identifies what’s happening within the church and explains how the five doctrinal truths that transformed the world during the Reformation not only offer the solution but can shape a renewal today.
By offering people what they desperately lack–the Word of God and salvation through Christ–rather than giving them an imitation of what they already have, we will see Christianity thrive once again. And in holding fervently to the foundational truths of the gospel, we will know the power of spiritual renewal in our churches.”
Imagine a well-read man. Do you see a machine dressed in tweed gorging on information? This book is not about becoming that kind of reader.
The well-read man wakes up and consults with Moses on the way to work. He sips his coffee and ponders the wisdom of Hannibal’s elephants crossing the Alps. He turns furrowed-browed philosophers upside down and takes their lunch money. He changes his oil and deliberates with Peter Drucker about effective management practices. He regales his wife with the tale of Monet’s water lilies in the Gardens at Giverny. He sings with Sandra Boynton as his toddlers’ eyes grow heavy. This book is about becoming that man. Be as human as you can be. Learn how to read a book.
“The hardcover box set of C. S. Lewis’s classic fantasy series The Chronicles of Narnia, with cover art by three-time Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator David Wiesner and the full black-and-white original interior art by Pauline Baynes.
Journeys into magical realms, battles between good and evil, talking creatures, and more, await readers of all ages in The Chronicles of Narnia.
This timeless box set includes all seven titles—The Magician’s Nephew; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe;The Horse and His Boy; Prince Caspian; The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; The Silver Chair; and The Last Battle—with interior black-and-white art by Pauline Baynes, the original illustrator.”
“Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” C.S. Lewis
A Concise and Systematic Exploration of the Doctrine of Predestination. . . .
How can God choose to save some and eternally punish others? What about my loved ones who are not believers? For many, contemplating predestination brings about fear, trepidation, controversy, and emotional exhaustion, making it a difficult topic to study―let alone view as a blessing.
This addition to the Short Studies in Systematic Theology series carefully examines God’s word to answer 15 commonly asked questions regarding the doctrines of election and reprobation. With helpful visuals, key definitions, answer summaries, and prayer responses, this concise guide is perfect for all believers who want to discover and delight in what God has revealed throughout Scripture. Readers will not only learn how God saves his people from their sins, but will be stirred to respond to him in worship.”
“In 40 Questions About Calvinism, church historian Shawn Wright tackles many issues about the theological system known as Calvinism. Taking an irenic approach, Wright explains the key doctrines while also contrasting them with Arminianism. The accessible format allows readers to easily look up topics they’re most interested in, including:
What is the difference between Calvinism and the Reformed tradition?
Does God love all people?
What is predestination?
Did Jesus die for the sins of the whole world?
Can people resist the Holy Spirit?
Do Calvinists practice evangelism and missions?
For Calvinists or those seeking to understand Calvinism better, 40 Questions About Calvinism helps readers understand the key terms, issues, and debates of this highly influential theological viewpoint.”
“The actual life and teaching of Jacobus Arminius are often unknown or misunderstood. Answers beyond a basic caricature can be elusive. In 40 Questions About Arminianism, however, J. Matthew Pinson combines solid historical research with biblical and doctrinal precision to address the following questions and more:
Who was Jacobus Arminius?
How has the church interpreted God’s desire that everyone be saved?
How is Arminianism different from Calvinism?
Can one be both Reformed and Arminian?
What is “universal enabling grace”?
What do Arminians mean by “free will”?
Do Arminians believe that God predestines individuals to salvation?
Is it possible for a Christian to apostatize?
An accessible question-and-answer format helps readers pursue the issues that interest them most, with additional resources available at 40questions.net. Questins regarding historical backgrounds and the Bible encourage a broad understanding of historic and contemporary Arminianism.”
In January, I began a Sunday evening teaching series on the Ten Commandments titled “An Introduction to Christian Ethics.” Here’s a look at the resources I’ve used.
And God spoke all these words, saying, ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” Exodus 20:1-2
“This book serves as an introduction to the field of biblical ethics, a subcategory of the discipline of moral theology. It differs from moral philosophy in that biblical ethics is distinctively Christian, and it is more specific than Christian ethics proper because it specifically focuses upon the application of the moral law — as it is revealed in Scripture — to daily living.
Introduction to Biblical Ethics explains the nature, relevancy, coherency, and structure of the moral law as revealed throughout the Bible. In addition to covering the foundational elements of biblical ethics, major issues investigated in this volume include: different types of law in Scripture, the relationship between the law and the gospel, and issues related to the prospect of conflicting moral absolutes.
Additionally, after a discussion of ethical methodology, and using the Ten Commandments as a moral rubric, author David W. Jones explores the place of the moral law in the lives of believers. In the final chapters, the events surrounding the giving of the Decalogue are surveyed, and the application of each of the Ten Commandments to Christian living is explored.”
“The Ten Commandments are an expression of God’s eternal character and having binding force today. Here Philip Ryken offers basic principles for interpreting and applying them—explaining them one by one, illustrating each with a biblical account, and relating each to the preson and redemptive work of Jesus Christ.”
Philip Ryken offers basic principles for interpreting and applying the Ten Commandments―explaining each one, illustrating each with a biblical account, and relating each to the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
This is a book to be read and savored. Readers will find themselves examining their own lives, changing their ways, and delighting in newfound grace.”
“In this book Thomas Watson continues his exposition of the Shorter Catechism drawn up by the Westminster Assembly. Watson was one of the most popular preachers in London during the Puritan era. His writings are characterized by clarity, raciness and spiritual richness. The series of three volumes, of which this is the second, makes an ideal introduction to Puritan literature.
There are few matters about which the Puritans differ more from present-day Christians than in their assessment of the importance of the ten commandments. The commandments, they held, are the first thing in Christianity which the natural man needs to be taught and they should be the daily concern of the Christian to the last.
In The Ten Commandments Watson examines the moral law as a whole as well as bringing out the meaning and force of each particular commandment. In view of the important function of the law in Christian life and evangelism this is a most valuable volume.”
“Are the 10 Commandments still relevant today? Do they still apply? Which ones? What do they mean in light of God’s mercy revealed in Jesus?
Highlighting the timelessness and goodness of God’s commands, pastor Kevin DeYoung delivers critical truth about the 10 Commandments as he makes clear what they are, why we should know them, and how to apply them. This book will help you understand, obey, and delight in God’s law―commandments that expose our sinfulness and reveal the glories of God’s grace to us in Christ.”
“If God has spoken, then the highest human aspiration must be to hear what the Creator has said. God has indeed spoken, through the Ten Commandments, and Al Mohler explores this revelation of God and the implications for His people. The promise is to hear, to obey, and to live. These “Ten Words” tell us who God is and what His people should look like.
Mohler is a respected voice on the state of our culture (and the church) today. The Ten Commandments speak to current issues today such as the exclusivity of the Christian God, the essence of worship, capital punishment, just war, business ethics and the postmodern definition of truth.”
“In this book, I urge readers not to side with either tendency. The point of Christian ethics is not to be as liberal as we can be, or as conservative. It is, rather, to be as biblical as we can be. So this book will seem to be more liberal than the majority on some issues and more conservative on others. God’s Word has a way of surprising us, of not fitting into our prearranged categories.
Jesus rebuked both the conservative Pharisees and the liberal Sadduccees; Paul rebuked both legalists and libertines. Understanding God’s will rarely means falling into lockstep with some popular ideology. We need to think as part of a community, listening to our brothers and sisters, but we also need the courage to step aside from the crowd when God’s Word directs us in that way.”
“If books are among our friends, we ought to apply similar standards to them that we apply to our flesh-and-blood friends. We should want to choose them wisely and well and hope that we will be the better for their companionship.” Doug Wilson
I’m the pastor of FBC Jackson in Jackson, Alabama. Each week, I post “Article Roundup: Helpful Reads,” sharing articles that I believe will benefit the saints who make up FBC Jackson and followers of Christ everywhere. Happy reading!
In warfare, you must understand your enemy. In spiritual warfare, we must understand sin, one of our chief enemies. Because of this, articles like this are helpful. “Sin is in us and comes out of us. We are born with a sin nature, and even after we become Christians, we still battle with ongoing sin. Sin appears in our affections and our actions, in what we desire and what we do, in what we seek and what we say. It consists in doing what we shouldn’t (sins of commission) and in not doing things we should (sins of omission).”
What if the root of sexual sin is something we haven’t considered? What if our urge to lust after others actually stems from feelings of self-pity or idleness, or perhaps a number of other subtle sins? “Consider our struggle with sin and suffering this way. Imagine a multiplex theater screening many movies simultaneously. Immorality or violation might be the “feature film” advertised on the marquee. But other significant films are playing in other screening rooms. The war with sin, the experience of affliction, and the triumph of grace take place in many places simultaneously.”
Are you married to a woman who’s been influenced by feminism? In this article, Adrien Segal gives godly counsel on how to lead and shepherd a wife who may not be eager to follow. “Four decades ago, when I got married, I asked to have the words “and to obey” removed from my wedding vows: ‘for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey . . .’ As a female executive and partner in an advertising agency, my egalitarian instincts ran deep. I was a Christian, and I also wholeheartedly believed a woman could and should hold any position a man might if she were able. . . . Today, however, I joyfully embrace the biblical vision of sexual complementarity. I am living proof that a wife can change from being offended at the very word submit to celebrating the beauty of God’s plan for men and women, husbands and wives.”
This article will fill you with hope—inexpressible hope! “God isn’t going to abandon His creation. He’s going to restore it. Earth’s destruction will not be permanent but temporary. Just as our destroyed bodies will be raised as new bodies, the destroyed Earth will be raised as a New Earth. We won’t go to Heaven and leave Earth behind. Rather, God will bring Heaven and Earth together into the same dimension, with no wall of separation, no armed angels to guard Heaven’s perfection from sinful mankind (Genesis 3:24).”
Most of us could be more faithful in evangelism. Thankfully, David Wissel lays out four aspects of evangelism that will spur us on to greater faithfulness in taking the gospel to unbelievers. “The Japanese are the second-largest unreached people group in the world. Tokyo, where I serve as an associate pastor, is the largest city in human history and thus home to the greatest concentration of lost people on earth. From my time in this unreached context, I’ve noticed that Christians often neglect four aspects of evangelism that the Bible and church history treat as essential.”
I’m the pastor of FBC Jackson in Jackson, Alabama. Each week, I post “Article Roundup: Helpful Reads,” sharing articles that I believe will benefit the saints who make up FBC Jackson and followers of Christ everywhere. Happy reading!
Garrett Kell gives some helpful counsel to wives who have spiritually lethargic husbands. “But what happens when a husband won’t lead? How should his wife respond? How can she pursue her husband in a way that encourages him to seek Jesus and, in turn, to lead her?”
I’m so thankful that Joe Carter addressed this topic. This article will demonstrate why marriage vows are the most important part of a wedding ceremony. “One profound privilege of pastoral ministry is officiating weddings. It’s always an honor to be asked by a couple to perform their ceremony and help shape one of the most significant moments of their lives. Yet there are five words I dread hearing: ‘We wrote our own vows.'”
This meditation beautifully highlights the glory of the Son of God. Reading it slowly and with a worshipful heart will stir your affections for Christ. “We are supposed to see the sun and realize that it is only a shadow of the true center of the universe. Jesus is the One around whom we all revolve. Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God. Jesus is the true Light.”
You may find some of these tricks helpful. “You’ve sat down with that book. You’ve skimmed the pages. You might have even finished reading it. But how do you get more out of your reading? Is it even possible? Does it require a college degree, hours of education, and the most advanced note taking system you can learn? Not at all. It just requires a willing reader, a book able to be marked and highlighted, and nine tricks for success. So if you’re a homeschooling parent looking for some ideas, a student looking for some guidance, or a reader who wants to get more out of your reading, then read on.”
Hunter is a wife and mother of four children. She offers helpful insights that clarify what discipleship is and what it isn’t. “Why aren’t more Christians committed to making disciples as Jesus commanded (Matt. 28:18–20)? I wonder if such reluctance stems from misconceptions about what discipleship entails. Perhaps by understanding what discipleship isn’t, we can dismantle unnecessary barriers and more readily embrace Jesus’s call.”
I appreciate short biographical sketches, so I’m grateful Wyatt Graham provides one on the Apostle Peter. “The Apostle Peter plays a central role in the Gospel books and Acts until Acts 12. From that point on, Peter takes a backseat role in the story of the New Testament. So what happened to Peter at the end of his story? In this brief article, I fill in the picture of Peter’s life after Acts 12 to help complete the portrait of this apostle’s life.”
This is a helpful reminder: life will not get easier, so we should learn how to endure hardship to the glory of God. Stephen Witmer helps us here. “There’s a lie we all want to believe — even against all available evidence. It trades on our God-given capacity for hope. It tempts even those with impeccable theology. It lures us in and then leaves us in the lurch. It goes like this: ‘Life will get easier if I just make it past this current challenge.'”
There’s no reason to feel ashamed of being a politically conservative Christian. “It is really OK to be a politically conservative Christian and not be embarrassed about it. Just own it. Maybe, after all, I am just a second-generation card-carrying member of the Religious Right. Many of us need a permission slip to say this out loud because, for a very long time, we were told this fusion of faith and politics was “idolatrous” at worst and, at best, unattractive to those we were trying to see come to faith.”
Our wise Heavenly Father has provided us with a book that can be read, studied, and understood. Praise the Lord! “Our confession of the clarity of Scripture reflects our confidence that God is good and wise and powerful. He wants us to understand what he has to say to us, he knows how to say it in a way that we can understand, and he is able to overcome every barrier to our understanding.”
I really enjoyed this short article by Brittany Allen. “What is your itch? I know for me it’s spending money I don’t have, addiction to my phone, and often having a grumpy disposition (Kinda like Bilbo). I don’t know what your flavor of sin is, but I’m pleading with myself and with you…Don’t scratch the itch.”
While some Christians may be called to martyrdom, most are called to live an ordinary yet faithful Christian life, which is truly extraordinary! “I wanted to change the world. My nagging fear wasn’t that I’d commit adultery or leave the faith but that I’d live a largely forgettable, quiet, “meh” life for Christ. While eternal life by grace through faith in Jesus felt like winning, a pedestrian contribution to Christ’s kingdom felt like losing. Thankfully, God used the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14–30) to shatter and reconstruct my understanding of good and faithful service to Christ.”
Andy Davis uses the story of Jesus’ interaction with Blind Bartimaeus to argue in favor of specificity in prayer. “When you come to King Jesus to pray, as you enter the throne room of grace and kneel before your gracious and generous king, picture him looking at you kindly and saying, “What do you want me to do for you?” Then be very clear what you want and speak it to him by faith. And watch what he alone can do!”
The God of Scripture is supreme, glorious, and majestic. There is none like Him. Oh, that God would grant us wisdom and knowledge to better grasp who He is, as revealed in sacred writ! “I’m persuaded that much of our fear, anxiety, discouragement, and hopelessness is the result of bad theology. At its core, what is the Bible all about? The existence, character, and plan of God. Every other aspect of Scripture flows out of the reality of who God is. A bad or weak theology of God will lead to weakness in other areas of theology, and spiritual weaknesses in daily living.”
May the Lord use Dan Cruver’s exploration of the Father’s adoption of rebellious sinners to kindle our passion for caring for orphans. “One of the gifts that a heart aflame with the adoptive love of our triune God has is an increasing openness to those who are fatherless in this sin-cursed, sin-spoiled world. Because of the rebellion of our first parents, Adam and Eve, we find ourselves in a world that idolizes the strong and powerful, but marginalizes the weak and powerless. Because of what God has done for us through adoption, our Father eventually and inevitably awakens in us a heart for orphaned children.”
Since we often limit our Christian faith to church buildings and homes, Greg Morse writes a challenging and convicting article that will not leave you unscathed. “Though the heavens cannot contain him, though earth is his footstool, do we — his grasshoppers leaping upon his lawn — try to cage the living God in church buildings and around dinner tables?”
Doctrine & Devotion 