There are some resources that you may not need at the present time. But there will come a day when you say, “Oh man! I wish I would have printed that off and just filed it away.” Well, here’s that resource. Dr. Haykin is compiling a list of resources for “Reading Church History”. Be sure to check his blog for regular updates.

Here a couple of things of interest:

1. CT reports Donald Miller’s popular Blue Like Jazz has been adapted into a screenplay with co-writer Ben Pearson. It is to be directed by Steve Taylor. Read 9Marks review here.

2. Collin Hansen’s new book Young, Restless, Reformed: A Journalist’s Journey with the New Calvinists is now available. Some of you may remember Hansen’s 2006 CT article by the same title. It is one of CT’s most popular articles. His new book is an expansion of his article’s research. Tim Challies reviewed it.

(HT: JT)

Our Christianity Matters course has been and will continue to be discussing Emergent Theology. Here is a relevant excerpt of an interview between Becky Garrison and Peter Rollins. The interview was taken from Rising From the Ashes by Garrison. This quote summarizes well what it means to be a Christian in Emergent theology.

What then does it mean to be a Christian?

Peter Rollins: It means entering into a journey of becoming one. It does not mean accepting a worldview but rather entering into a healing journey of life.. To be a Christian also means that one is committed to exploring this life through the Judeo-Christian tradition, wrestling with it, learning from it, and being transformed by it. Being a Christian means learning how to be the opening of life into the world.

(HT: Justin Taylor)

(On another note, Rollins has a pretty cool website. If you want to experience some of the e-ambiance from the emerging movement, check out his site.)

I linked to an article a few days ago about a recent report from the Pew Forum on Religious & Public Life. Since then Dr. Mohler as studied the report and made some notable comments on his blog.

What are we to make of this? The report is a credible and extensive review of the American religious landscape. Taken as a whole, the data point to big changes on the horizon. The loss of a Protestant majority will lead to further adjustments in the cultural worldview. Clearly, America is more of a mission field than ever before.

Our brother and elder, Greg Gilbert, and former member, Jonathan Leeman, have posted a very thought-provoking e-conversation about social restoration over at Church Matters. Teaser:

It seems to me there’s a good deal about social restoration in the OT and Jesus. But does anything come to mind from the Epistles that shows a concern for social work by the church? Or even by believers as individuals? (GG)

I’ve thought about that. It does seems to be strangely minimal, not even for the church but for Christians! (JL)

It was brought to my attention that when you make a book recommendation then you have to give some type of advertisement. (Plus Bruce questioned me on why I chose A Severe Mercy.) Bruce, I agree that it’s very introspective and is not on par with Confessions, but, obviously, I don’t loathe it as you do. Furthermore, it’s not as bad The Life and Diary of David Brainerd. That is painful to get through even if it is considered a “great book” or “classic.” However, I didn’t recommend A Severe Mercy for the same reasons I would Confessions, i.e. a story of personal transformation. I recommended it because of the selfless love you see between a husband and wife, albeit idolatrous prior to their Christian conversion, and for how one deals with the lose of someone they deeply care for and love.

On another note, I’m looking forward to your class tomorrow so I’ll know whether or not I can listen to something other than NPR.

Brad has been keeping this blog afloat for a while. Now that I’ve returned from a holiday I have to respond to his post about books for 2008.

First, I have to comment on one of his recommended titles. No, it’s not the Mohler one. It’s A Severe Mercy.
I read it maybe 15-20 years ago and could hardly stand it. As a spiritual memoir it has some value. The author’s personal transformation as a result of deep suffering and loss is meaningful. But, it is introspective in the most cloying ways imaginable. Deep introspection has to be mediated in some way to produce a valuable universality of thought and feeling that can be found in something like Augustine’s Confessions. A Severe Mercy just couldn’t do it for me. I had trouble reading the book, but I had heard so many people say how good it was that I kept reading it in hopes that I’d find some really, really good part. I never did. Brad, why do you feel it’s so compelling?

Now I’ll make a couple recommendations for Brad or someone else to critique:

1. The Saints Everlasting Rest by Richard Baxter
2. Ideas Have Consequences by Richard Weaver