Amanda Shaw, writing for First Things, explains that Bella (which I previously introduced) is not your run-of-the-mill chick flick, though the mainstream media remains reluctant to sing its praises. Spoiler warning: Shaw reveals a bit more than I hoped she would about the ending. (My wife and I plan to see it in a few weeks.) Also: Christianity Today tells the conversion story of Eduardo Verástegui, lead male actor in Bella: "God changed my heart and I had to repent of my past. And from that day on, I promised that I would never do anything that will offend God or my Latino heritage. I … [Read more...] about First Things and Eduardo Verástegui on Bella
Abortion – Facing Reality, Lake of Fire, and Bella
Fox News recently reported that 45 percent of Americans need to know a Presidential candidate’s position on abortion before they vote. It is therefore not entirely surprising that a cable television program, an unrated documentary, and a major motion picture are actively vying for attention as the nation heads into the primary season of what has been billed one of the most open Presidential elections in recent history. (There is no incumbent President or Vice-President in the running, and the Republican Party, contrary to precedent, has not coalesced around a particular candidate.) A list of … [Read more...] about Abortion – Facing Reality, Lake of Fire, and Bella
ESV Literary Study Bible Roundup
The ESV blog provides a roundup on the recently released ESV Literary Study Bible. … [Read more...] about ESV Literary Study Bible Roundup
Rebuttal to the Club for Growth – Huckabee Defended
Joe Carter articulately responds to the critique written by the Club for Growth regarding the track record of Governor Huckabee from 1996-2007. Governor Huckabee's accomplishments: 1. Pushed through a Democrat legislature the first, major broad based tax cuts in the state's history. 2. Pushed through a Democrat legislature an $80 million tax cut package. 3. Cut the state's capital gains tax by 25%. 4. Established a Property Taxpayers' Bill of Rights 5. Limited the increase in property taxes to 10% a year for individuals and 5% per taxing unit 6. Eliminated the income tax for families … [Read more...] about Rebuttal to the Club for Growth – Huckabee Defended
The Truth of the Cross – R.C. Sproul
Wonderfully accessible, The Truth of the Cross is R.C. Sproul at his very best. Each chapter displays a beautiful combination of theological precision and pastoral warmth, unpacking a different aspect of Christ's atoning work. I found it to be a great companion to personal devotions. Sproul's style is at once simple yet not simplistic. Readers are left with a full-orbed picture of the meaning and significance of Christ's death and why it was absolutely necessarily that He live a perfect life and die a perfect death on behalf of His people. Christ's roles as a Substitute, Redeemer, … [Read more...] about The Truth of the Cross – R.C. Sproul
John Piper on Masculine Christianity
At a recent pastors luncheon, John Piper delivered a message entitled "Sweet Blessings of Masculine Christianity." What Piper means by this phrase (though he acknowledges that words are inadequate) is this: "The theology and the church and the mission are marked by over-arching male leadership and an ethos of tender-hearted strength and contrite courage and risk-taking decisiveness and readiness to sacrifice to protect and provide for the community-the feel of a great, majestic God making the men lovingly strong and the women intelligently secure." Piper goes on to unpack eleven descriptors … [Read more...] about John Piper on Masculine Christianity