I’m slowing my posting a bit this week and next only because I know people are so busy with celebrating that posts will get missed if they sink too low on the page. I have a couple of posts I’m really looking forward to putting up, but saving them back for a few weeks. Instead, I’ll be focusing on finally getting all the content loaded on the tabs along the top of my site.
I do have a collection of links that I want to share now (with a bit more commentary by me than is normal). There are some fantastic discussions in the comments sections of many of them. Prepare to give your brain and faith a workout!
So, grab a mug of coffee and some Christmas cookies and enjoy!
First off, three thought-provoking posts by Wade Burleson. I finally got around to adding Wade to my list of “People I Enjoy” in the sidebar so I don’t miss any of his great posts. The man clearly has a heart for his sisters in Christ and I am so thankful for the posts he writes on our behalf.
Trifling with Subtleties while Ignoring Certainties: Turning the Gospel into a Gender Gospel – In this post Wade address the same Challies post about denying women the opportunity to read Scriptures that I discussed earlier in Should women and children/youth read the Scriptures in church?
“God Has Chosen to Liken Himself to a Female and We are the Fruit of His Womb” – No, that’s not Wade’s quote. It’s Calvin’s. Especially good is where Wade likens the theology of The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood regarding woman being the glory of man, not God, to liberal theology that denies the authority of Scripture and nature of God. He also details the serious problems that develop from this view, especially for women.
The Church is Changing – A Reformation of the Church Based on the Truth of Scripture – Remember the post I did on What is church and why do we go? I so appreciated what Wade had to say on this topic.
Deb and Dee over at The Wartburg Watch also tackled the Challies article and my thought when I read it was “Darn! Why didn’t I think of those examples of the absurdity of this view when taken to its logical conclusion.” Good stuff in Tim Challies: Can the Neo-Castrati Be Far Behind?
Another TWW post with fascinating comments is Trouble in Mayberry: Southern Baptist Churches Leave Local Association. The opening quote is just mind-boggling. The mental gymnastics to give that kind of explanation about why a woman could write a book and not speak the same words in church just blows my mind.
10 Reasons Why the New NIV is Bad for Women at Girls Gone Wise – Here is another post with an interesting discussion. Several times the discussion features the classic “I can’t think for myself or interact with the excellent comments here but can only parrot the lines I’ve been given.” Maybe it is because I took Latin in high school and two years of German at Michigan State and I understand the masculine, feminine, neuter declensions in language, but it seems more than obvious to me the point people were trying to make about there not being neuter words in English. Some people apparently just cannot grasp that fact and the importance of it when translating the Scriptures in English. The other thing on display is the belief that the KJV is the ultimate authority, almost surpassing the original texts themselves. I have nothing against the KJV. I memorized it as a child in Awana and have been using it as my reading Bible lately. But it is not the final authority on the translation of Scripture.
Okay, some other stuff…
If your Representative is useless, you might want to check out the Facebook page of our U.S. Representative, Justin Amash. He explains every vote on his Facebook page and why he voted the way he did. He is one of the few going after the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). If you aren’t aware of it, you should become aware and it should scare the crap out of you. (Sorry for the language, but it’s the truth.) The NDAA gives the government the right detain American citizens indefinitely, without charge or trial. Yes, that means you. Doesn’t worry you because you aren’t a terrorist? It should worry you because it is in DIRECT OPPOSITION TO YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. Have you ever wondered what it might be like to live in a fascist police state? You might find out.
Thinking out of the box always upsets people – Good words from Sally Clarkston
Mittengate in the Mitten State – We take our Mitten Status VERY SERIOUSLY in Michigan. Don’t mess with the Mitten. Ever.
Lady Thatcher to be honoured with state funeral from U.K. Mail Online
The Five Best Toys of All Time from Geek Dad
Aiken House and Garden – If you get house and decor envy, don’t go here and view this house on PEI. You’ve been warned…
Have a great evening! 
Sallie,
Mayberry USA (aka Mount Airy, NC) is right down the road from me. Just thought I’d share that after reading the article above. Good links, as always.
May you, David & Caroline have the most BLESSED and peaceful Christmas season ever.
The Five Best Toys post had a comment about how boys -need- dirt to play in that could also apply very well to some of the other links you listed:
“If being who you are is not allowed, there’s really no option but misbehavior. “
After being confused by Sally Clarkston’s Outside the Box I think I have it figured out. I think she is specifically talking about man made laws on top of Gods laws which are written in our hearts? When I hear” freedom in Christ ” etc usually the person shoving this down my throat is either into drugs or alcohol , having sex of any kind completely outside of marriage , or just been caught lying ,cheating or stealing. And they say “well God hasn’t written that this particular thing is wrong in MY heart”This is really confusing me and I guess this is why thinking outside the box does upset me when I hear it….Maybe Sally C. thinks ,say sitting around in a pair of slacks drinking a glass of wine memorizing her scripture to recite in church on Sunday is what is shocking? Because believe me when she says that people would be shocked at how they live and believe I am imagining things way worse. The minister at the last church told me I would perhaps be happier at a different church because I didn’t accept this freedom in Christ so well , the Elders were living together without marriage, the minister had been through several marriages , the minister didn’t see Jesus as anything more than a really nice man in history.etc etc. On a completely clear note , the 5 best toys was great ! I still enjoy playing in the dirt I just call it gardening!!!!
Peggy – It must be the Christmas fog… I’m not following what you are saying…. Help!
Karen – Thank you for your thoughtful comment! By freedom in Christ I most definitely do NOT mean elders living together outside of marriage and I’m sure Sally doesn’t either. Were you able to read the comments over there? There were many good ones. When I think of freedom in Christ, I think of the book of Galatians and the wonderful, meaty words of freedom found there.
Yes I did read many comments that clued me on on the fact that they probably were Not meaning it the way I have heard it used!!Thank you for suggesting Galations I will be reading it and hopefully getting rid of my confusion once and for all!
hmm well maybe not completely cleared up . I know that Jesus is my rest but on the other hand since I have begun to keep the Sabbath day I find that it is better for me mind , body and spirit than not keeping it…..a “law” perhaps in my heart ? would that be a good thing as long as I know it sure won’t get me into heaven ? Or is it just plain wrong? I also enjoy studying the old testament holy days and have done a few minor parts of celebrating as I want to know the heart and mind of God and so I want to experiance things he came up with,… so does that put me back under the law? I do understand that The Law points out sin but I can’t believe anyone who reads it would believe we would be a better people to do the opposite of all 10 commandments , but I also know that even if I could keep them all perfectly it is not a get into heaven free card. Am I over thinking this? Sorry to blabber on about this but this is always where my understanding gets “gummed up” . Do not feel you have to respond to this as I am probably just running in circles chasing my tail at this point!! Karen
The quote came from a comment that if boys aren’t allowed out to play in real dirt, they will naturally seek out some dirt substitute in the house–like flour, sugar, cocoa powder, detergent, or kitty litter–and make a huge mess with it. I took it far out of context and applied it to the posts about women reading Scripture in church, with the thought that attempts to squelch spiritual gifts often backfire. Hope that helps!
Peggy – Okay, that is what I thought you probably meant. But I’ve been so into the entire women in Christianity topic lately I thought I might be reading more into your comment than was there.
Karen –