Weekend A La Carte (June 11)
My gratitude goes to The Good Book Company for sponsoring the blog this week. Be sure to download your free copy of Truth on Fire, then stay on their mailing list to get more free books in the months to come.
There are some classics on offer in today’s Kindle deals.
(Yesterday on the blog: Grace for Sinners to Love Like Saints)
Like & Subscribe for a Chance at Eternal Life
This is a deep and fascinating reflection on living in a social media world.
Seven Principles for Cultivating a Christian Posture toward the World
Kevin DeYoung: “Tim Keller recently tweeted about abortion and politics, then James Wood wrote a piece for First Things respectfully critiquing Keller’s approach to politics and cultural engagement, which prompted David French to defend Keller and critique Wood. By now, someone has probably offered an article criticizing them all. Rather than responding to the specific arguments in particular, I’d like to zoom out and ask a broader question: What should the Christian’s posture be to a hostile world?”
This Treasure
Kristin is writing about treasure and sin.
Why You Should Name and Feel Even Negative Emotions
“What if there’s goodness in every emotion—even in the ones we don’t like so much?” Lara d’Entremont asks the question for Core Christianity.
Baking Cookies While the World Burns
What should we do as the world burns around us? Bake cookies, for one…
The Important Role of the Tormented Soul in Missions
“As we are about to return to the States, I find myself returning with a great heaviness of soul. Why is this? It is because of the sickness? The hunger? The dangers that were faced on the field? The tireless work? No, none of the above. Like the quote above says, it is because of all the brokenness I have witnessed these last few years that remain…broken.”
Flashback: When Sin Looks Delicious
Do you ever have those days where you just want to sin? Sin looks delicious while righteousness looks distasteful. Sin looks satisfying and holiness looks frustrating…What do you do on a day like that?
Afflictions are but as a dark entry into our Father’s house. —Thomas Brooks
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The Deconstruction of Christianity
There is nothing new and nothing particularly unusual about apostasy—about people who once professed the Christian faith coming to deny it. From the early church to the present day, we have witnessed a long and sad succession of people walking away from Christianity and often doing so with expressions of anger, animosity, and personal superiority.
Yet while apostasy is not new, the modern nomenclature is: Today it is often referred to as “deconstruction.” And the specific form it takes is new as well—people using social media to chart their rejection of the Christian faith and to join with others through shared apps, subreddits, or hashtags.The Deconstruction of Christianity
As we witness these new forms of an old issue, it stands to reason that we should have a new book to address it. That is exactly what Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett provide in The Deconstruction of Christianity: What It Is, Why It’s Destructive, and How To Respond. This is a book that offers the “prayerful observations, thoughtful analyses, and honest conclusions of two people who have spent a significant amount of time collectively—as a team—living, studying, eating, sleeping, and breathing deconstruction.” In their research, they listened to countless stories of deconstruction, read the books and Twitter threads, watched a host of TikTok videos, and even met with some of its foremost proponents. They made certain that they understood the issue before they addressed it.
Their book falls into three parts. In the first part, the authors identify and define “deconstruction” as “a postmodern process of rethinking your faith without regarding Scripture as a standard.” They show how it grew from a fringe movement to a popular one and tell of the experiences of some of those who have been very public with their own apostasy. They also grapple with whether there can be a positive sense of the term in which a Christian deconstructs their faith by simply closely examining it and ensuring it is sound. But here they conclude the word “deconstruction” comes with too much philosophical baggage and, therefore, with too much confusion. After all,Deconstruction is not about getting your theology right. It’s not about trying to make your views match reality. It’s about tearing down doctrines that are morally wrong to you to make them match your own internal conscience, moral compass, true authentic self, or whatever else it’s being called these days. Yet the goal for all Christians should be to align our beliefs with the Word of God, despite our own personal feelings or beliefs on the topic.
In this part, they also look at self-proclaimed exvangelicals to consider the reasons they have left the faith. They identify five main reasons: A literal reading of the Bible; the belief that women are to be submissive to men; a belief in the sanctity of heterosexuality and the rejection of homosexuality; the assumption that the American way of life is best; and identification and partnership with political and social conservatism.
As they progress into the book’s second part, Childers and Barnett examine the details of deconstruction. “Every act of deconstruction contains three basic components: (1) a process of deconstruction, (2) a belief being deconstructed, and (3) a person deconstructing.” In other words, there is always a how, a what, and a who and in a series of chapters they address each, first pausing to show that deconstruction most often begins with some kind of a crisis, and often an understandable one—abuse, suffering, doubt, and so on. Yet they aptly show that such a crisis does not make deconstruction inevitable.
In the third and final part, they suggest ways to love and help people who are in that process of deconstructing their faith. They insist that it is okay to ask questions about the Christian faith and to wrestle through difficult issues. Yet they guide people in asking questions that truly look for answers rather than exits. They also offer wisdom to those who are grieved by a loved one’s potential apostasy and tell them how to stay engaged in their lives. They conclude with some personal stories and encouragements.
Some potential readers may wonder who this book is for. Though it could be a book you hand to someone who is deconstructing their faith and heading down the road of apostasy, that isn’t quite its primary purpose. Rather, it’s mostly meant for those who have heard of the phenomenon and are wondering what it’s all about or for people who have seen friends or family members waver in their Christian profession. In that way, it is a book of theology and discipleship more than it is a book of pure apologetics or evangelism.
The Deconstruction of Christianity is a timely book that has been written to address an urgent contemporary issue. If you have been wondering what deconstruction is or where it came from, if you have been grieved by those who have begun it or if you have been considering it yourself, this is exactly the book you need. It is kind and compassionate in its tone but also unwavering in its commitment to truth. It would be hard to recommend it too highly. -
Free Stuff Fridays (Christian Focus Publications)
This week’s Free Stuff Friday is sponsored by Christian Focus Publications. They are offering copies of The Illustrated Westminster Shorter Catechism five winners.
Each generation must not only come face to face with the truth of the gospel, receiving and embracing it for themselves; they must also guard that which is entrusted to them, in turn passing on and entrusting to yet another generation.
Stretching back to the early Church (in fact one could even say right back to Old Testament times), each successive generation has been taught in one way or another through a catechism. The Westminster Shorter Catechism stands in a long line of catechisms that has been used as a tool to help teach ‘the faith once delivered to the saints’ (Jude v3) down through the ages and which has endured and remained with us. Alongside the Heidelberg Catechism, the Westminster Shorter Catechism was penned during the Reformation period; Heidelberg in 1563 and the Shorter Catechism in 1647.
Since then, the Shorter Catechism has been used in Reformed and Presbyterian churches, becoming both well-loved and well-worn (though not a universal experience, otherwise we would not have felt the need for the project!) Yet it remains that it has stood the test of time – a testimony to the work of the Assembly of Divines – and there are many children and young people learning such great truths and a great many older folk who still remember what they were taught in their day by a previous generation too.
But if you ask people about learning from a catechism you will receive mixed responses. For some it is dry and antiquated, the reserve of students, theologians, and those folks in tweed jackets. Others ‘had’ to work through it for membership class and now see no further use. Some may have fond memories of a parent, grandparent, or loved Sunday School teacher who lovingly taught them so many years ago and still remember clearly what they memorised. Some of us may have no more familiarity than beyond the iconic Question 1. But does it have to be so?
The project to publish the Illustrated Westminster Shorter Catechism wanted to help provide a tool to continue the use of catechism as a learning tool and form of discipleship. It aimed to put the catechism back in hands of families, children, young people, and church leaders too; hopefully to encourage those who already practice catechetical learning; and, to introduce it – or even reintroduce it (perhaps removing some barriers at the same time) – to those not in the practice. As already alluded to, there can be an image of catechism as dusty, old, outdated, irrelevant, and so the aim was to undertake the project in a contemporary, accessible, and visually attractive way.
Knowing the great heritage that we were working with, how much meaning, theology, and doctrine are behind every word, great care was taken when seeking to modernise and simplify the language and phrasing, ensuring that nothing new was written or introduced. Hopefully by updating some of the language and phrasing many more people will be introduced to the teaching of the catechism. With the help of beautiful, carefully thought out artwork, it is hoped that the illustrations will aid teaching and learning and understanding the questions and answers of the catechism. In our day and age, people are accustomed to great illustrations and graphics, but more than being only aesthetically attractive the illustrations used seek to capture something of the main point being covered. We need to engage our children and young people and discuss the faith, to help them understand what they are learning – ‘what they believe and why they believe it’ type conversations. Why not engage them with a contemporary voice that is accessible and creative?
Ultimately, we are convinced by the truth the catechism teaches – something undertaking this project only helped reinforce – and we want you to experience that, holding fast, receiving, and embracing the truth the catechism teaches. The Shorter Catechism is worthy of the reading and study of all Christians for the truth it so concisely contains. You may not be able to memorise it; but you can engage with it, use it, talk about it, discuss it, be amazed and humbled by it. You can pass it on, even to another generation.Enter Here
Again, there are five copies to win. And all you need to do to enter the draw is to drop your name and email address in the form below, which will add you to Christian Focus’ mailing list.
Giveaway Rules: You may enter one time. Winners will be notified by email.
Christian Focus are giving away copies of The Illustrated Westminster Shorter Catechism to five randomly selected lucky winners who sign up to their mailing list below..iIDDUy { background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 0.3125rem; max-width: 35.25rem; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 2.5rem 2.75rem; position: relative; }.dEVaGV { font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(93, 93, 101); display: block; font-size: 0.875rem; font-weight: 400; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; }.iFTUZ { color: rgb(221, 54, 42); }.iMsgpL { appearance: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; border-radius: 0.1875rem; box-sizing: border-box; box-shadow: rgba(142, 154, 173, 0.1) 0px 2px 0px 0px inset, rgb(210, 215, 223) 0px 0px 0px 1px inset, rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: rgb(67, 77, 93); font-size: 0.875rem; line-height: 1.5; min-height: 2.8125rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0.75rem 1rem; transition: box-shadow 0.2s ease 0s; width: 100%; }.iMsgpL:focus { box-shadow: transparent 0px 0px 0px 0px inset, rgb(80, 156, 246) 0px 0px 0px 1px inset, rgba(80, 156, 246, 0.25) 0px 0px 0px 2px; }.bMslyb { margin-bottom: 1.5rem; }.liOVdz { margin-bottom: 1rem; }.gDVPix { margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 29.125rem; padding-bottom: 3.125rem; }.fyndJN { display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; max-height: 7.5rem; }.efTFaG { background-color: rgb(123, 177, 61); border: none; border-radius: 3px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline-block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1; outline: 0px; padding: 0.75rem 1.5rem; text-decoration: none; transition: background-color 0.1s ease-in 0s, box-shadow 0.1s ease-in 0s; }.efTFaG:hover { cursor: pointer; }.jVBYvJ { background-color: rgb(46, 180, 238); border: none; border-radius: 3px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline-block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1; outline: 0px; padding: 0.75rem 1.5rem; text-decoration: none; transition: background-color 0.1s ease-in 0s, box-shadow 0.1s ease-in 0s; }.jVBYvJ:hover { cursor: pointer; }a, abbr, address, article, aside, b, blockquote, body, caption, cite, code, dd, details, dialog, div, dl, dt, em, fieldset, figcaption, figure, footer, form, h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6, header, html, i, iframe, img, label, legend, li, main, menu, nav, object, ol, p, pre, section, small, span, strong, sub, summary, sup, table, tbody, td, tfoot, th, thead, time, tr, u, ul { border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; }*, ::after, ::before { box-sizing: inherit; }html { font-family: “Helvetica Neue”, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; }h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6, html { color: rgb(67, 77, 93); font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.5; }a { color: rgb(25, 169, 229); text-decoration: underline; }button, label, p { overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word; }
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Free Stuff Friday (Midwestern Seminary)
This week’s giveaway, sponsored by Spurgeon College, is a free copy of No Neutral Words by Sam Bierig, Dean of Spurgeon College.
The first 25 to complete the form below will receive a free copy of the book. Upon completion of the giveaway, the entrants will receive an email to confirm the location and mailing address.
No Neutral Words
The Pastor’s Investment and Stewardship of His Most Precious and Powerful Tool
By: Sam Bierig
What if I told you there’s a budget in your life and ministry other than your finances and time—one that you’re just as accountable for but are likely overlooking?
As a pastor and ministry leader, you no doubt conceptualize your ministry in terms of financial stewardship. You no doubt feel the weight of stewarding and maintaining your church’s financial budget. Further, we could even extend the pastor’s budget concept to also include a “time budget.” I trust you’re comfortable thinking in these terms. We’re all too aware of how easy time can be flitted away. We have no quarrel on the stewardship of either of these points. But what if we sought to steward our talk and our words just as closely as we do our money and time?
The aim of No Neutral Word is to convince you to consider your “word budget” and show you that every single word you speak is an eternal investment in your hearers for either life or death. The life-or-death investments spoken by you into others, pastor, is your move.Enter Giveaway Here:
Giveaway rules: You may enter the giveaway one time. The recipients will be notified by email. The giveaway closes on Sunday, March 4th at midnight.