Aaron Armstrong's Blog, page 44
June 23, 2018
Weekend reading (6/23)
[image error]
4 Behaviors of Joyless ChristiansRob Tims:
The CNN religion blog began an article on the movie this way: “”Moms’ Night Out” starring Patricia Heaton and Sean Astin is opening on more than 1,000 screens, and it aims to do something no other Christian major motion picture has endeavored to do: make you laugh. On purpose.”
Notice the premise of CNN’s post: Can Christians even be funny? Evidently, we have an image problem when it comes to humor, happiness, and joy. We truly are expected to be j...
June 21, 2018
Links I like (6/21)
[image error]
That Little Red Hen Was a PhariseeJared Wilson:
Can I tell you that I hate the folktale of “The Little Red Hen”? I remember it from my childhood, and I remember coming across it in little storybooks when my kids were little, and I always skipped it. I just don’t like it. I know the morals it hopes to teach are good ones (against laziness, for work and for cooperation), but the climactic delivery actually teaches a very unChristlike selfishness. It’s sort of a “one bad turn deserves another”...
June 20, 2018
An Essential and Unnatural Belief
[image error]
There are many things about the Christian faith that are hard to believe. But one of the most challenging is our view of the relationship between faith and works.
Over at The Gospel Project blog, we’re sharing an excerpt from our recently released new book, Devotional Doctrine on this subject. Check it out:
Every religion with some kind of concept of sin has to address how to be seen as just, or righteous, in the eyes of God. Maybe a simpler way to explain it is with this question: How can w...
June 19, 2018
Links I like (6/19)
[image error]
Podcast: On the most recent episodes of The Hero of the Story, Brian and I discuss what’s involved in building a study of the Bible’s big story, and Brandon Smith joins us to discuss why it’s important to read the book of Revelation.
Gay Girl, Good God: Discussion at TGCW18Mary Wiley and Jackie Hill Perry discuss Perry’s soon to-be-released book, Gay Girl, Good Good.
A Christian Response to the Trinity Western Decision
Jeff Jones:
The Supreme Court of Canada issued a “devastating decision”...
June 18, 2018
My between-conference recovery strategy
[image error]
On Saturday night, I got back from back-to-back events: The SBC Annual Meeting and The Gospel Coalition 2018 Women’s Conference. Next Sunday, I head back out on the road again to represent The Gospel Project at NACC in Indianapolis.
In between I get to enjoy a week at home.
With less than a week until I’m back at it, how do I plan to recover so I can be at my best for this event1
Keep working hard. We’re in crunch time with our launch of The Gospel Project’s new studies, so I’ll be doing as...
June 15, 2018
A glorious (and simple) gift from God
[image error]
Confession: working at a conference is really, really taxing on me, to the degree that often I struggle to think clearly following a day filled with conversations. On Tuesday, we had the big day at SBC—the beginning of the annual business meeting (preceded by an early breakfast hosted by LifeWay).
By the time 11 am rolled around, I was fried. My day, like that of most of my coworkers who were present, had already spanned seven hours of continuous peopling. Some of them handle it better than...
June 14, 2018
Links I like (6/14)
[image error]
J. D. Greear Elected Youngest Southern Baptist President in DecadesThis is HUGE for the SBC.
What Young Adults in 100 Countries Think of ReligionGriffin Paul Jackson digs into some new research from Pew.
6 ways special needs families can bless their churchAllison Hill:
From one family with special needs to another, however, I want to encourage you to use the unique situation the Lord has put you in to bless your church. Although your child’s disability may feel like a burden at times, I u...
June 12, 2018
Links I like (6/12)
[image error]
5 Warning Signs of Moral FailureEric Geiger:
Moral failure. My stomach churns when I hear the phrase. There have been so many moral failures, some in the lives of friends and authors my team works alongside. The phrase reminds me of the devastation left in the wake, the devastation that impacts families and ministries. I have learned there are common warning signs in the lives of those who fall. Sometimes these warning signs are more apparent after the fall and people gather around tables a...
June 11, 2018
My hope for #SBCam18
[image error]
Today is the big day—the SBC’s 2018 annual meeting is upon us. Well, technically, the pastor’s conference is upon us. The business meeting starts tomorrow. Nevertheless, this is why I’m in Dallas, and why almost every hotel is at maximum capacity.
Leading up to this week, there’s been no shortage of heartache and controversy. I don’t have a long history with the SBC. I don’t have the heritage that many of my friends and colleagues do. Even so, the events that have unfolded over the last seve...
June 9, 2018
Weekend reading (6/09)
[image error]
Today I’m sharing a few links from exotic downtown Dallas, where I’m preparing for the SBC Annual Meeting, which will feed into some of the links I share today.
Patterson Withdraws from SBC Annual MeetingThis is good news.
Looking Ahead to the 2018 Southern Baptist ConventionJD Greear:
Our mood as we approach this year’s convention is more somber than usual. The past few months have been difficult for the SBC. But even in the midst of the tougher season we are currently weathering, I belie...
