Repentance and faith are the gifts of God, and gifts that He often withholds, when they have been long offered in vain. I grant you true repentance is never too late, but I warn you at the same time, late repentance is seldom true. (J.C. Ryle)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! Another week of blessing, another week of growing in Christ. I pray this has been true of you all, and I hope these links will further those two elements in our walks with the Lord. Here we go!

• Andy Snider has some thoughts regarding the doctrine of creation that is a balance of sorts with the Ham-Nye debate in mind. Creation is discussed throughout Scripture, not just in Genesis. I think if believers disagree about something like young-earth and old-earth creationism, we can do it in a way where the world can see and know that we are Christ’s disciples (John 13:34-35).
• How do you discuss the issue of science vs. religion with secularists, evolutionists, and others who deny a biblical account of creation or of science? Do we need to be on the defensive every time this issue comes up? John Woodbridge, author of a new church history book, gives some perspective and insight in this interview as to where we’ve come from, and where we are now as believers in an age of technological advancement and scientific discovery, even when Christianity is declining in the West.
• Doug Groothuis has a delightful post concerning jazz and apologetics that is sure to get you thinking about how you engage others, and if you do so in a systematic fashion, or if there can be fluidity in your approach. We all speak to people with very different backgrounds who may have different objections to Christian belief. But if the truth has many applications to daily life, the way in which we engage others is surely included. This is coming from someone who affirms pressupositionalism, and actually likes smooth jazz (unlike Groothuis). You may also start listening to jazz as a result of this post.
• There seems to be an idea floating around amongst believers that Christians are not able to become depressed. Is this true? Have you been depressed? Is there someone in your life who is experiencing depression? Justin Taylor has listed a number of resources that helps us gain a better understanding of the issue, and how we can minister to others regarding this dark period in a person’s life. You would be better prepared to face the battle by spending time there.
• CBMW is still going strong with their series on Manhood and Technology, this time with their fourth post, “Brothers, Do Not Be Overcome.” Men, let’s be examples of how we are to engage technology to glorify God and not ourselves. Take up and read.
• Sticking with CBMW, a journal article was recently highlighted that I think will be enough to get you to read because of its title: “Why Homeschooled Girls are Feminism’s Worst Nightmare.” Intrigued?
• Christian philosopher Paul Copan had some research notes that he prepared to use for a radio program concerning theism, atheism and rationality. He decided to make them available for us to see some of his points that he would have brought up.
• Just so no one thinks I’m abandoning presuppositionalism, here’s an audio debate of sorts with Greg Bahnsen (presuppositionalist) and R.C. Sproul (classical evidentialist). I think Bahnsen won, hands down.
• Ever felt like you were the worst example of productivity? I know I’ve been there before. Enter Matt Perman, who has written a new book on productivity that is motivated by the Gospel. This post has the lowdown on how this book is structured, with some other additional notes of interest.
• This may be my personal attempt to start one of these, but there have been groups within the church that have begun theology reading groups, one of which is chronicled in this post. May their tribe increase (hopefully at our church, too).
• How would you rate yourself when it comes to being encouraging (that ever frequent word we use)? How can we cultivate encouragement in the church? Sam Crabtree, author of Practicing Affirmation: God-Centered Praise of Those Who Are Not God, gives some encouraging words to move us there.

That will do it for this week! See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria