To take up your cross does not mean to move forward with courage despite the fact you lost your job or your spouse. It means you are under sentence of death; you are taking up the horizontal cross-member on your way to the place of crucifixion. You have abandoned all hope of life in this world. And then, Jesus says, and only then, are we ready to follow him.
(D.A. Carson, Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus)
by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz
Feliz Friday! Here are your week’s links:
- Dane Ortlund answers a fundamental question that many do not ask, or cannot begin to answer: What was the incarnation? R.C. Sproul explains the incarnation as the reason we (should) celebrate Christmas.
- Tim Challies cautions us to be careful about what we post on social media, for we may post what we may not actually agree with. He highlights a popular Christmas video that is made and promoted by Mormons. In tandem, Mormonism Research Ministry discusses the difference between how Christians view a gift, and how Mormons view a gift.
- Well, the new movie Moses: Gods and Kings came to theaters this past Friday. Al Mohler weighs in.
- As the year ends, some blogs are posting their best posts for the year. One blog is the Biblical Counseling Coalition with their top 14 posts for this year. If you haven’t accessed the blog, now would be the time to do it. Consider it a year’s digest of biblical counseling material. Bob Kellemen follows in the same vein with his list of top 14 biblical counseling books published this year.
- As a continuation of his 9 basic bullet points for presuppositional apologetics, Fred Butler deals with the common objection that this method of apologetics ignores the use of evidence and tends toward fideism. He also argues differences between presuppositional and classical apologetics.
- Continuing from a previous Weekly Link, if you were given an opportunity to counsel someone through depression, how would you begin? Here are some helpful questions and homework to think through.
- Logos has made available sermons from John Wesley for free! A $27 book is not worth passing up. Get it while you can!
- John Piper has written 16 reflections that are worth pondering related to issues in the news that brings our hearts Godward.
- Greg Koukl shares a tip on how to prove the Scriptures teach Jesus is God to a Jehovah’s Witness.
That’s all for this week! May God be honored in the growth of understanding of His Word, and our hearts more and more amazed at His sovereign grace.
Soli Deo Gloria