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.

The idea of God accepting us “just as we are” holds only a half-truth in it. First, accepting is a bad term to be used, even if it is readily accessible. What is communicated by accepting is not what is communicated on the cross. Jesus’s death and resurrection was not an acceptance of sin, but a continuing declaration of war that dealt a decisive victory against sin. Second, we are not accepted for who we are, but we are accepted based upon no prior criteria as God chose us before the foundation of the world, before we existed, before we had done any works or had willed anything; God chose according to his own mercy and grace and love, not according to anything within us; God does not accept us.

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.

It’s great to see discussions like these happening. While I may have worded the counsel provided in this article differently, I think it is still very useful. There’s also some good import from this article on how does our faith influence our art. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/not-cliquish-silent-faith-work/ UPDATE: 20191017 A solid basic introduction to the Bible and friendship. Another good serieson friendship from TGC by Kevin DeYoung, which I utilized in some discipleship meetings with a student, is his “The Gift of Friendship and the Godliness of Good Friends”.

This covers an important trend I have seen since my days in Campus Crusade. Have you heard the catchphrase of the need for “vulnerability” or the need to be “vulnerable”? it is in vogue among the broadly evangelical to speak and even boast of one’s brokenness and the healing that is found in Jesus’s loving and personal relationship forming arms, but it is so often stripped of the responsibility and guilt.