“One cannot be truly educated without taking some interest in Christianity. Christianity is at least one of the most fundamental influences in the formation of Western culture. Within that culture, not only religion, but also art, philosophy, science, economics, and politics have to some extent been either developments of Christian ideas or reactions against Christianity.” (John M. Frame, Christianity Considered: A Guide for Skeptics and Seekers)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! Praise the Lord for another week! I hope your hearts are closer than ever to the One who saves and sanctifies us. I also hope these links will help towards that end as well. So here we go!

• Sometimes, we think being discerning includes being heartless towards those who are susceptible to false teaching. Reagan Rose at the TMS blog writes about the biblical way believers should engage in discernment, and how it should reflect the heart of our Savior.
• Have you ever seen emotional support animals? Is there a biblical way to view this? ACBC Executive Director Heath Lambert gives some wise thoughts on the issue.
• Awhile back, I linked to a series of articles written by a physician who argued that the various functions of the human body demonstrate that we have been designed by our Creator. Dr. Howard Glicksman speaks on the ID the Future podcast to make his case with the complexity of our blood flow systems to make the same point. Very fascinating.
• On the Christ the Center podcast, PRTS church history professor William VanDoodewaard talks about the rise of pastoral care among various reformers in the Protestant Reformation, including Martin Bucer and John Knox. This should definitely be of interest to you history buffs.
• What hope do people have when they are sexually abused? Capitol Hill Baptist Church associate pastor Bobby Jamieson offers, by way of Scripture, seven ways the gospel brings renewal in the hearts of victims who have suffered in this way.
• Mark Dever and Jonathan Leeman talk about deacons, their roles in the church, and how they differ from elders. You can never go wrong when you listen to these men talk about church together.
• CCEF faculty member Julie Lowe gives some insights for parents who have teens that either seen or heard of the show 13 Reasons Why. Make sure to read her first post on this topic.
• What should we know about God’s communicable attributes (those attributes that we can emulate)? Author Jen Wilkin provides a list of 10 things we ought to know, and she is definitely on the right track.
• What are some lessons we can learn from the recent Women’s March? Pro-life advocate Rachel Crawford gives us five that I think everyone on both sides would agree on.
• How do you counsel those who have lost loved ones? Jim Newheiser gives nine principles that will definitely give us much to work on in our care for others.

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the many flocks meeting tonight and tomorrow, as well as the men’s seminar tomorrow. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria