Dec
28
2011
Kingdom People: Top 10 Posts of 2011
The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is typically quiet in the blog-world. So for today, I’ve put together a list of the most-read posts this year at Kingdom People.
1. How I Wish the Homosexuality Debate Would Go (October 18, 2011)
Just once, I’d like to see a TV interview go more like this…
2. Urban Legends: The Preacher’s Edition (April 27, 2011)
Those of us who are entrusted with the task of expositing the Scriptures in a local church must take care to verify our sources, illustrations, and stories. No matter how helpful an illustration may be, it is dishonoring to God if it is untrue. Here are a number of urban legends that get repeated in sermons. Some are more pervasive than others, even appearing in commentaries and scholarly works.
3. James MacDonald, David Platt, and the Question of Radical Sacrifice (April 6, 2011)
The MacDonald/Platt discussion was tense at times, perhaps because the practical ramifications of how we think about money always hit close to home.
4. N.T. Wright on Rob Bell and the Reality of Hell (May 24, 2011)
Jesus didn’t “stir things up” by backing off the truth of final judgment. He stirred things up by reaching for the most gruesome, horrifying images imaginable in order to communicate the horror of God’s judgment. I don’t think “stirring things up” among those who think they have it all figured out is the best way to increase evangelistic fervor today. Instead, I want God to use what Jesus taught about hell in such a way that my own heart will be gripped by compassion for lost people, and that I will be bold enough to faithfully represent a Savior whose teaching is increasingly unpopular.
5. Erasing Hell: The Wrong Book at the Right Time? (August 2, 2011)
Erasing Hell is functional, but not beautiful. From a functional point of view, I recommend it. But I think we need to be pushed on the beautiful side of this equation as well. The gospel shouldn’t shut down our imagination, but rather fuel it and direct it toward the beauty that is inherent to the truth. We need more than analysis; we need artistry.
6. Rob Bell and the Judgmentless Gospel: Holy Love Wins (February 27, 2011)
… The love that wins is a holy love.
The love that won on the cross and wins the world is a love that is driven, determined, and defined by holiness.
It is a love that flows out of the heart of a God who is transcendent, majestic, infinite in righteousness, who loves justice as much as he does mercy; who hates wickedness as much as he loves goodness; who blazes with a fiery, passionate love for himself above all things.
7. Your Podcast Is Not Your Pastor (December 19, 2011)
John Piper was right to remind us that we are not pastored by “professionals.” Perhaps it’s time we remembered that we are not pastored by podcasts either.
8. Should We Baptize Small Children? (February 21, 2011)
I believe that we should be very careful in how we handle the precious little ones that the Lord has entrusted to our care – neither discouraging them from believing in Christ nor giving them false assurance of their decision by speedily baptizing them.
9. Top Ten Reasons I Am Optimistically Pro-Life (March 2, 2011)
Those of us who believe unborn children deserve human rights can be encouraged. Though we still have many hurdles to overcome before we arrive at the place where all human life is legally protected in the United States, we can be optimistic about the end result. Here are 10 reasons why…
10. An Open Letter to Steve Jobs (January 7, 2011)
By taking this action, Apple muzzles Christians and labels our convictions “harmful.” Society says one thing about sexuality. Christians beg to differ. But apparently, according to Apple, to differ is to hate. Please consider the ramifications of adopting this kind of policy. Consider what it means for religious people of all faiths.