One Little Word Newsletter - June 13, 2022
The SBC Conference in Anaheim, a study about American friend groups, and a reminder about hope in this world
I’m writing from Anaheim, California, where 10,000 or so Southern Baptists have gathered. We have serious issues to decide and discuss, but this is also a time of fellowship and refreshing and renewing of gospel partnerships. If you are curious about SBC polity, this is a really good thread from pastor Jimmy Scroggins. I also enjoyed this piece by my friend Nathan Finn on his prayer for this week.
This has been a busy month for our family as we made the final drive from Nashville to Fort Worth. My family is getting settled into our new house and new city while I’m here in California.
Last week was also the week my book, The Characters of Creation released. I joined my friend Chris Brooks on Moody Radio to chat about it.
My latest podcast is with Tony Reinke. We discussed common myths Christians have about technology, and you’ll hear Reinke answer the question
“Should when we speak of technology just push God out of the conversation as basically irrelevant or should we bring him into the conversation?”
I was glad to contribute to ERLC Light magazine with my thoughts on how Christians should approach our ideological opponents:
“For Christians, showing respect to our fellow image-bearers is not an option. As we entrust ourselves, and this polarized age, to our sovereign Father, we don’t need more hostility, which only leads to more division. We need more fruit of the Spirit as we seek to speak the truth in love and set our hopes on the kingdom that cannot be shaken (Heb. 12:28).”
A few good things I’ve been reading and enjoying:
Check out Brian Dahlen’s narrative podcast about his family’s “rocky road from relational brokenness to reconciliation.”
This narrative podcast from TGC is so good. Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra tells the story of Christians fleeing Kabul, Afghanistan.
This is an interesting study by Kristen Anderson about Americans. It reveals that Americans don’t have many close friends anymore and that friend groups tend to hold the same political views.
I thought this was a helpful twitter thread on writing and publishing for those of you interested in publishing
This is an excellent piece by Daryl Crouch. He reminds us that this world is sinfully destructive and horrific, but Jesus is our hope. He explains what this truth means for Christians and what responsive actions we should take.
This is an important review of William Lane Craig's new book, In Quest of the Historical Adam: A Biblical and Scientific Exploration.
I enjoyed this review of Jeff Deutsch’s In Praise of Good Bookstores.
I just finished reading The Right: The Hundred-Year War for American Conservatism. Thoroughly enjoyed it.