This nifty infographic seeks to give a quick rundown on entry-level Reformed soteriology. While it can be disputed whether the phrases should be “Preservation of the Saints,” “Radical Depravity”, or otherwise, the infographic is a nice resource to have. https://www.wesleyhuff.com/s/Infographics-pdf-copy-dragged-3hb2.pdf UPDATE: 20200817 If you haven’t seen Tim Challies https://visualtheology.church then head on over if you want some awesome infographics! I’ve linked a few below. These awesome posters attempt to put to pictures complex theological topics as well as wonderful reminders of who God is and what he has called us to do.

A great article by Dr. Timothy Willard which seeks to argue what the church should be doing about art and the problems of contemporary art. I would hope that in good time Redemption Studio would be an aid to such a reclamation. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/desecration-beauty/

One group of Christians I have enjoyed learning more about and reading the works that they produced centuries ago are the Puritans. The Puritans were a prominent source for a paper I wrote on Christian leisure. They were so heavenly minded and of great earthly good, much to the opposite of the poorly stated converse. Further, I’ve found that the Puritans are oft maligned because they are oft misunderstood. They are viewed as if they had no fun, yet they were known for brewing a special beer for celebrating a minister’s ordination.

Amen! This is a great interview to read. Just as the Romanticism movement birthed out of a response to Modernism, we need to be cautious today about exalting artists above others, even in the Church. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/andrew-peterson-artists-adorning-dark-book/ UPDATE: 2020-01-25 RTS invited three speakers to talk about the arts and faith. The speakers are focused on poetry. https://rts.edu/resources/2019-reforum-theology-the-arts-1/ And here’s part 2! https://rts.edu/resources/2019-reforum-theology-the-arts-2/

A good argument against pornography’s existence and use. There is so much more that could be said on the horrendous and heinous qualities of this sin, those who perpetuate this sin, and the nefarious industries which have arisen to satisfy the depraved desires of those lost in the sea of its destruction. What we do alone does not affect just us; all our actions are accountable before God and affects our community around us and around the world.

A challenging idea! Our children’s books certainly need to be able to cover more ground than silly stories or political activism, and Jackie Gibson’s suggestion and her husband’s own publication may be one way forward! Something like this could accompany a catechism very well. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/children-death/ UPDATE: 20200206 Simple but great advice for nourishing and admonishing our children in the way they should go! https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/point-kids-gospel-great-books/ UPDATE: 20200208 An interesting take on how we can use things like Frozen 2 to teach our children and understand our children.

A great discussion to begin the conversation about how can we work as Protestants to reclaim good Christian art. There is a lot of things briefly touched upon here which I have tried to highlight in the post’s tags, but utilitarianism is definitely a major component. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/tgc-podcast/christian-art-often-bad/ UPDATE: 20191016 It is good to see Christian arts perform well at the box office and in other arenas, but I still believe Christian art, especially evangelical art, has a long way to go and improve.

I was converted in part out of a political ideology and as part of that move, I took a two-year political hiatus in which I neither read nor watched the news. (This all followed a destructive act of anger on my part and God’s gracious humbling.) Following my return from political abstention, I slowly began to digest the news, wary of becoming enraged, concerned that I did not know what my fellow man was experiencing around me.

Some helpful thoughts! Let us not seek a legalistic community where we do not engage with the world, but let us seek understanding so that we be both compassionate and zealous for the truth. I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.