“We could sum up our emotions this way: they usually proceed from our hearts, are given shape by our bodies, reflect the quality of our relationships, bear the etchings of both the goodness and the meaninglessness of work, provide a peek into how we fare in spiritual battle, and identify what we really believe about God.” (Ed Welch, Side by Side: Walking with Others in Wisdom and Love)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! It’s been a while, but glad to be back and pass along some great resources from this week. I pray they will be helpful as they have been to me, so without further ado, here are this week’s links!

• SB 1146, the controversial bill that proposed to remove state funds from religious education institutions in CA that enforced beliefs and conduct among students that aligned with the institution’s religious tenets, has been amended to keep exemptions to anti-discrimination laws related to sexuality in place. This would keep religious schools to be able to provide grants to students from low-income families, and allow these schools to function in light of their beliefs to be observed by both students and faculty. Christianity Today gives a quick background of the bill. David French gives the implications of passing the bill before the change as well as the way forward in light of the change.
• An objection people may have against the Bible is that God allows evil to exist, and yet will also object when God decides to act to stop evil. Apologist Tim Barnett explains the inconsistency as atheists having their cake and eating it too.
• Denny Burk gives some take-aways (eight, to be exact) as to the debate about the eternal relationship within the Trinity between the Father and the Son. If you have or haven’t kept up with all the articles, this would be a good way to stay abreast of the issues.
• Biblical theologian Paul Tautges is releasing a 10th anniversary edition of his book Delight in the Word: Spiritual Food for Hungry Hearts, and gives six reasons why every believer must delight in the Word. These are some great meditations!
• Parents, how do you help your kids trust in God? Ed Braswell provides four ways to draw your kids to trust Him the way you do (assuming you do trust Him).
• Professor Michael Kruger explains an essential key to understanding the development of the New Testament canon. Don’t hover over this link!
• Did you know that, where the Olympics are currently being held in Rio de Janeiro, there was an early Calvinistic mission there? Tim Challies passes along an article that sheds some historical insight into the past, what really matters and what kind of crown truly doesn’t fade.
• The Gospel Coalition just came out with their August issue of Themelios, which includes many great articles, and many, many book reviews. This is probably the best contribution this theological journal provides, so make sure you spend some time and check it out!
• Are there any good arguments for God’s existence? How do we use them in a way that still maintains Scripture as the ultimate authority? Shaun Doyle provides some helpful starting points, and resources for further reading.

That’s all for this week! Please be in prayer for tonight’s combined Bible study at 7p, and come if you can! You are all invited! See you on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria