The Sunday Reader — ed. Jan 25, 2023

Worthwhile articles, odds, and ends collected this week.

10 Absurdities of Atheism

A brief but cogent critique of the major weaknesses of atheistic belief.

When I Die Young (or Old)

A beautiful reflection on how the author hopes she and her those who knew her will respond to her passing.

The Economics of Abortion by Kevin DeYoung

We’ve all heard the claim, “abortion is not desirable, but it delivers many women (and aborted children) from a life of poverty.” DeYoung dismantles the argument. Here’s an excerpt,

The presence of widespread, legal, easily accessible abortion reinforces the narrative that men do not have control over their sexual appetites and that men should not be expected to fulfill their responsibilities as fathers. Far from empowering women, abortion empowers men to expect (if not outright demand) that sexual activity should be free from any consequences. This in turn disincentivizes men from considering marriage in the first place, which is the surest way to impoverish women. […] Overwhelmingly, abortions in America are procured by single women—85% of the women who had abortions in 2019 were unmarried. This may seem like a reason women need abortion access, but that argument fails to address the larger ways in which abortion cheapens sex, undermines marriage, and puts pressure on women to acquiesce to a male-centered perspective that views sexual intimacy as centered on physical gratification rather than ordered to family formation and child-rearing. If abortion looks like a socioeconomic “cure,” it is only first because it is a major component of the disease. And this is to say nothing of the lost economic activity that comes as a result of removing millions of potential American workers from the labor force and tax base.

Recommended book of the week:

The Ten Commandments by Thomas Watson (free online) is a great companion to our present section of the Heidelberg Catechism.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 2 | #31

Addressing Questions About Infant Baptism

Here was my response to a few recent questions.

Should I Buy a House Near my Church

Something to consider if you have the opportunity.

How Is the Gospel Witness in Rome?

“The irony and tragedy of Italy is that it was regarded as a highly religious land and people, with deeply rooted religious traditions, but with no access to the Bible and therefore total ignorance of the Word of God.“ Here’s the current state of things in light of Reformation Day.

When Loneliness is Your Closest Companion

A widow writes on her experience of bereavement in light of her faith.

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 2 | #30

Sola Scriptura and the Church Fathers

Here’s a who-is-who of notable early Christians standing on the Word as our final authority.

Luke: Evangelist to the Rich

Kevin DeYoung writes, “Luke was not a poor man writing to poor people that together they might denounce the rich. It’s much closer to the truth to say Luke was a rich man writing to another rich man (and people like him) in order to show how the rich could truly follow Jesus.”

Surprisingly Useful Advice on Friendship

“Earthly wisdom and self-help might appear easier or more practical, but the most reliable route to the deep joy of biblical friendship is through the gospel and a shared goal of glorifying God through loving each other. I’ve slowly realized how immensely practical this perspective is.“

Berkhof: “Do This And Live” Is A Covenant Of Works

Some classic covenant theology served up from a well-known and loved Reformed theologian.

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 2 | #29

The Gate Liturgy of Eden

In light of the coming PM sermon, here’s a post ruminating on the “gate liturgy” found in Old Covenant worship. Fascinating.

If Christians Care About Foster Care They Should Fight for Religious Freedom

It is as the title says. Worth considering as we become more involved in SafeFamilies and similar works.

How Celibacy Developed in the Early Church

In case you have wondered.

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 2 | #28

Free Ebook: Taking God At His Word

Here’s your chance to get Kevin DeYoung’s excellent book at no cost.

Origins of the Creed

In light of adult Sunday school, this article explains the background of our ecumenical creeds.

Word War, World War

This heavy-hitting piece concerns the dire consequences that follow when societies agree to deny God’s natural revelation. Here’s an excerpt, “Predictably, the court went on to order the father to submit to the new trans vocabulary, forbidding him to speak to or about his daughter using her given name, or otherwise use words that would identify her as a female or as his daughter. […] Under trans ideology, the family as natural institution is finished. Whatever remains of its traditional form (now empty of public reasons for its existence) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the state, whose chief regulatory function is to enable its constituents to escape and defy what once were the family’s protective authorities of belonging and relatedness.”

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 2 | #27

Here are some worthwhile articles to check out on your day of rest.

The First Sexual Revolution: The Triumph of Christian Morality in the Roman Empire

This is a thoughtful review of ways Christianity shaped culture in the first centuries after Christ and what we can learn from it today.

What Draws Atheists, Jews and Catholics to a Presbyterian Church

This concerns a popular church in New York that has sadly “become all things to all people” the easy way, by letting go of their Christian identity. Let it be something like the ghost of PURC Future, warning us not to go down that path.

To Women We Haven’t Thanked Enough

A fine reflection on the value God sees in virtuous women whom the world overlooks.

Will Unbelievers Be Annihilated or Suffer Eternally? (Revelation 14)

Tom Shreiner gives clear biblical explanation to a difficult subject.

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 2 | #26

After a month-long hiatus, the Sunday Reader is back. Here are some worthwhile articles to check out on your day of rest.

The Power Over Christian Publishing We’ve Given To Amazon

I’m not sure what to do with this, but it’s worth considering the possible jeopardy we put ourselves in by letting secular companies be the gatekeepers of Christian knowledge.

Discipling Guys

This article is aimed at pastors but applies to any man seeking to raise up other godly men.

Wanted: More Older Women Discipling Younger Women

In the same vein, here’s something directed at the ladies. I hope many of you take it to heart and find fresh encouragement and motivation.

A Review of the Christian Standard Bible

Now and then, I get questions about which translation to use. Here’s an overview of a newer translation that is highly regarded for its balance of accuracy and readability.

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 2 | #25

Life after the Death of a Son: What I have Learned about God’s Calling

Here’s something poignant from children’s book author and fellow URC member, Simonetta Carr, whom we plan to have out next year for a women’s event.

The Westminster Statement on Biblical Sexuality

You might be surprised to learn how much our sister-standards, the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms, say with respect to current debates over sexual identity, attraction, and behavior.

Road-Tripping With the Amazon Nomads

Though not (to my knowledge) written by a believer, this fascinating piece sheds light on a little known sub-culture.

The Things Unseen: A glimpse of God's sovereign work in Corrente, Brazil (video)

A look at the work of reformation in South America.

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.