Loon's linkage (December '10)
The New Year brings a host of opportunities for reflection and new beginnings. In that vein, I've decided to start up a new feature here on the blog. Cue drumroll...Behold, I hereby present the inaugural edition of Loon's Linkage, a monthly collection of links to articles, resources and blog posts I find intriguing or compelling in some way. Disclaimer: I realize that "link lists" are pretty standard fare in the blogosphere these days, so I'll try to avoid unrestrained redundancy.The purpose is not to fortify an ideological stronghold against all discussion and critique (a tempting endeavor if it wasn't so impractical), but to compile and chronicle the ideas that are shaping or stretching my perspective. We'll see where this goes, but I hope it will become an evolving bibliography for my (often unposted) thoughts on the interplay between theology, culture and the local church.And as always, if you have any thoughts on what's been linked or posted here, please don't hesitate to weigh in. So with that, it's time to let loose with a Loon-style linkage lookback list:
- Jamie Smith recounts the delight of attending a neighborhood poetry reading. On a totally different subject (perhaps), he fields questions related to his new book, Letters to a Young Calvinist.
- Justin Taylor offers a helpful survey of Bible reading plans for the new year.
- Jessica Mesman Griffith ponders the allure of a faded plastic electric nativity set.
- Kevin DeYoung explains why church boards should give their pastors a break in 2011.
- Ron Sider renders a thoughtful essay delineating how evangelicals can bear better witness on the complex issue of gay marriage.
- Tim Keller reflects on why culture matters more than politics.
- Ed Stetzer points out four encouraging trends regarding the practice of church planting in North America.
- Michelle Kirtley rejects a dichotomy between the government's responsibility to pursue justice and address the national debt.
- Trevin Wax interviews Scot McKnight about his CT cover story, "Jesus vs. Paul" and the evangelical divide between those who emphasize the kingdom of God vs. justification by faith.
- Michael Gerson explains why he supports the DREAM Act as a key component of immigration reform.
- Collin Hansen compiles words of appreciation for the life of theologian Roger Nicole, who passed away December 11. It was especially refreshing to hear a complementarian like Don Carson say about Nicole, "The degree to which he espoused egalitarianism ensured he was not entirely trusted in complementarian circles, but no one who talked with him about these matters thought he arrived at his conclusions by trying to skirt Scripture’s authority."
- CT reports on the decline of missionary boarding schools, briefly mentioning my alma mater, Faith Academy.