Aaron Armstrong's Blog, page 70

My current writing soundtrack

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For the last few weeks, I’ve been spending almost every night working on a number of super-secret (ish) writing projects. Secret only that I can’t really tell you what they are yet. But I think you’re going to like them when I can say something formally.

Anyway, when I’m writing, I’m always listening to music. It’s part of what puts me in the zone, as the kids say (do the kids still say that?), and helps me figure out the rhythm and mood for my writing. This weekend, most of my time was spen...

The gospel is more beautiful when we take sin seriously

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Among the saddest media moments of the last decade was the public self-destruction of Toronto mayor Rob Ford, who made international headlines in 2013 for his public drunkenness, lewd behavior, and, later, videos of him smoking crack appearing on YouTube. He quickly became fodder for Saturday Night Live and The Daily Show. He was an (embarrassing) topic of water cooler conversation for months. And the whole time, his family stood by him, denying that he was in any real danger.

“Robbie’s not...

Weekend reading (9/09)

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A Hunger and a Home

For the last couple days, I’ve been listening to this new album from Caroline Cobb, which is inspired by her reading through the Bible from beginning to end. It’s a very well-crafted record, hitting themes I don’t often hear in music for Christians. Do check it out; it’s quite lovely.

Why Do We Continue to Struggle with Legalism?

Casey Lewis:

If you think about it, the world is full of untrue, unsound, unbiblical theology. It is important we know where it comes from so we...

What to do when someone says something theologically stupid on Twitter

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On any given day, someone is going to say something theologically stupid on Twitter. And by theologically stupid, I mean so nonsensically heretical that I get tempted to “can’t even,” or whatever it is the kids say these days.1

Yesterday, someone’s theologically stupid comments about the Trinity and the Bible blew up my timeline for a few minutes before everyone continued doing whatever it is they’re usually doing. I made one comment, mostly as a joke, then went on with my day. But aside fro...

Links I like (9/07)

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Are We Shooting the Wounded or Acting in Love By Not Soon Restoring Fallen Leaders Back to Ministry?

Randy Alcorn:

Years ago it became popular to say, “The church is the only army that shoots their wounded.” Now, if this were an appeal to stop telling people they are ungodly because they struggle with depression and fear and suicidal thoughts, and face difficult marriages and abuse and mental and chemical imbalances, it would be called for. It would be a very valid criticism and a call to ex...

I couldn’t take my eyes (and hands) off this book

Nearly two years ago, long before I left Canada, I started a fun project with my friend, Stephen McCaskell: a script for a documentary which became LUTHER: The Life and Legacy of the German Reformer.

The film was released earlier this year, premiering at TGC 2017 in Indianapolis, and has since been featured at a number of Christian film festivals—even being named the best documentary at the Christian Family Film Festival this past August.

During the production of the film, Stephen and our par...

Links I like (9/05)

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Labor to Stop Laboring

Jared Wilson on the “deceptive complexity” of Galatians 2:17.

Why religious liberty matters for creativity

Jason Thacker:

Why is it that so many are completely against an artist using their creative and religious freedom to refuse to participate in a same-sex wedding, while they simultaneously celebrate the artist that refuses, on principle, to perform in a state in which there is legislation that goes against his deeply held beliefs?

The Most Subtle Form of Pride

Greg...

What I read in August

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I am always consuming books, whether they’re physical, digital or audio. Every month, I like to share a breakdown of everything I read, including the books I abandoned. I do this because it gives me an opportunity to introduce you to books you might not have had an opportunity to read while practicing the art of writing concise book reviews.

In August, I read 11 books to completion and started a couple of others that have yet to complete. Here’s what I read:

Non-Obvious: How to Think Differ...

God wants us to know his Word

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There’s a doctrine that people get really weird about: the inerrancy of Scripture. In a nutshell, this doctrine means every word the original authors wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit was free from error, without a shred of falsehood or deceit to be found in it in any way.

There’s an assumption that comes with this doctrine, this belief that God’s Word is really, and truly true: that God wants us to understand His Word. Christians believe that, as the Holy Spirit worked through...

Weekend reading (9/02)

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Tim Challies:

Beti loved adventure and loved to invite others to join in them. Her latest thrill was skydiving. “You should come with me,” she told Sam. “You’re crazy,” he replied,” “There is no way I’m jumping out of a plane. Why do you like stunts like that, anyway?” “Because they give me joy.” “And what if your parachute doesn’t open?” “Then I’ll be with Jesus.” On Sunday, Beti’s parachute didn’t open and she went to be with Jesus.

3 Challenges of Small-Town...