One Little Word Newsletter - August 8, 2022
TBC fall class updates, the conservative legal movement, living in precedented times, and Nolan Ryan's incredible documentary
Well, summer is making its way toward fall—at least the version of fall that we have in Texas. This means school for all of us here. My kids are starting a new school year at a new school here in Texas and I’m starting my classes as part of the faith and culture concentration here at Texas Baptist College. I must admit I’m a touch nervous as I begin to teach. I’ve done quite a bit of preaching, public speaking, and writing, which are components of teaching, and still, I want to make sure I do well with the students who are signed up for my classes. I’ve been so incredibly encouraged and welcomed by my colleagues who are all veteran educators, who are amazingly brilliant, and who love their students.
I’m also in between major writing projects, though I’ve got a few smaller ones in the hopper. As you know, my book, Characters of Creation is out and there is my new bible study on spiritual gifts. Coming in the future: a book for children on human dignity written with my friend Briana Stensrud (November 22) from Harvest House: my book on Christian unity releasing in May with Zondervan and a children’s version of The Characters of Christmas with Harvest House.
As for my regular stuff, I’m continuing to write for World. My latest being a piece lauding the surprising courage of Michigan Football Coach, Jim Harbaugh. And I’m writing here too, with the latest a reflection on Elvis, fame, talent and what it means to be human.
I’ve gotten some great feedback on The Way Home podcast. I loved the latest one with Kelly Kapic. Kapic's book You’re Only Human is a must-read and he was so thoughtful and gracious in our conversation here. You can watch here or listen wherever you download fine podcasts.
I was also a guest of Lifeway CEO Ben Mandrell in the latest episode of The Glass House. It was a fun conversation about the value of the inner life and how that impacts our online life, the dangers of flattery, and the temptation to take shortcuts to fame.
What I’m Reading
Emma Green wrote a fantastic profile on the conservative legal movement. Emma is a really really good journalist who is always fair and tells a good story.
This is a sobering piece from foreign policy expert Rebecca Heinrichs for Providence Journal:
The US cannot simply leave entire regions of the world alone because they are “far away.” Terrorist cells pop up where there is sectarian warfare. Harmful ideologies land like a spark on parched leaves when taught to a classroom full of hopeless and hungry youth, spreading across the globe like violent wildfires.
This is a great work by Alexandra Desanctis to help dispel some of the myths about pro-life laws and ectotopic pregancies.
I enjoy and heartily recommend Brian Mattson’s newsletter. I particularly enjoyed this commentary on our cultural situation, comparing and contrasting with Herman Bavinck’s life and ministry. We are in, as he says so well, “precedented times.”
Tough but important piece by David French on the predatory porn industry. These are not mere images but human beings being exploited for pleasure and profit.
Joni Eareckson Tada writes on her 55 years in a wheelchair. It's not an exaggeration to say Joni is one of the great spiritual heroes of our age. My wife and I had a chance to meet her several years ago and it was one of the highlights of our lives.
I mourned the loss of iconic baseball announcer Vin Scully. I think he might be the best announcer of all time. I particularly appreciated this moving tribute by Dan Mclaughlin of NRO. I didn’t realize that Vin Scully was Dan’s uncle. How cool is that?
This is a really important piece by Jarvis Williams in CT Magazine about the devastating floods in KY.
I’m excited about the release of A Handbook of Theology, co-edited by Nathan Finn, Danny Akin and David Dockery. The handbook includes dozens of contributors reflecting on various doctrines and their implications, and it is available next spring. It is the beginning of theology series written and edited by Baptists.
Books I’m reading:
So I’m doing a ton of reading for my classes. One book I’m re-reading is the excellent treatment of religious liberty by my friend and former colleague Andrew Walker, Liberty for All. I am not exaggerating when I say it's likely the best book making a theological case for religious liberty. Glad my students will be reading this.
I’m also listening to Jonathan Alter’s bio of Jimmy Carter. With a few minor quibbles on his (lack of) knowledge about Southern Baptists, it’s a suprisingly straightforward treatment of Carter by someone who sympathizes with his politics.
And I’m going to slip in a movie recommendation. There is a fantastic documentary on iconic Hall-of-Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, called Facing Nolan. You can download it on Amazon Prime Video. It is absolutely wonderful, whether or not you are a sports fanatic like me.
Here’s the trailer: