Asking my son for forgiveness. Receiving a hug from God.

Cute story with a deep meaning: J.R. Briggs » Asking my son for forgiveness. Receiving a hug from God. » Attempting to behold the miracle long enough without falling asleep:

“Of course I forgive you, daddy. I will always forgive you for the rest of time.”
I was caught off guard. I didn’t know he knew that phrase “for the rest of time” even existed. I was so struck by the profound and gracious response from this little boy that tears began to flow from my eyes. When he saw the tears he hugged my neck even tighter. He knew it had meant something significant. It was a sacred moment for both of us.

John Dickson’s Rejoinder to Criticisms of “Hearing Her Voice”

This is worth a read: John Dickson’s Rejoinder to Criticisms of “Hearing Her Voice”:

Before Peter lists the four “major flaws” of my argument, he provides two further pieces of socio-rhetorical criticism.

A surprising consensus?

Michael Jensen has a point: A surprising consensus? | Defence against the dark arts | Blogs | Sydneyanglicans.net:

There also seems to be a consensus emerging that 'teaching' is relational rather than functional. It is interesting to see this point emerging from the critiques of John's position, since it doesn't seem to counter his argument per se. But it is a useful thought: authority and teaching belong together not in the sense of an act but through an office or role, which is expressive of a relationship. For some, this means an exclusively male pulpit. For others, it is easily possible to imagine that the person in the pulpit on a particular occasion may not be recognised leader of the congregation, though it would usually be the case that it is. Student ministers in their early 20s, for example, frequently give sermons and it is clear to everyone that they are there at the invitation of and by permission of the rector.

A Sad Tale of Feminism Gone to Seed | Denny Burk

The commentary is good saying this is not necessary feminism fault: A Sad Tale of Feminism Gone to Seed | Denny Burk:

I was amazed to discover that, according to The Atlantic, women still can’t have it all. Bah! Humbug! Women who have it all should try having nothing: I have no husband, no children, no real estate, no stocks, no bonds, no investments, no 401(k), no CDs, no IRAs, no emergency fund—I don’t even have a savings account. It’s not that I have not planned for the future; I have not planned for the present. I do have a royalty account, some decent skills, and, apparently, a lot of human capital. But because of choices I have made, wisely and idiotically, because I had principles or because I was crazy, I have no assets and no family.

What’s happening to our preaching? A response to John Dickson: Hearing Her Voice: A Case for Women Giving Sermons | Forget the Channel

The whole thing is worth a read: What’s happening to our preaching? A response to John Dickson: Hearing Her Voice: A Case for Women Giving Sermons | Forget the Channel:

Dickson’s argument–that the term “teach” in 1 Tim 2:12 should be restricted to the process of “carefully preserving and laying down for the congregation the traditions handed on by the apostles”–is not compelling. A more straightforward understanding of the word “teach” is the authoritative transmission of truth from one individual to another.

Re-Run: Jeff Cook and Desire and God

Interesting, and I thought the atheists were the smart ones: Re-Run: Jeff Cook and Desire and God:

The debate about God in our culture is not about what’s rational. 

Bill Maher, Christopher Hitchens, Penn Jillette, Richard Dawkins, etc, specialize—not in philosophical thought—but in ridicule. And that means the new atheists excel on the only evangelistically-effective playing field that matters—that of human emotion and desire. Most Christian apologists conversely seem content to surrender that ground in their preference for mere rationality. This is a tragic mistake and it’s the primary reason Christian belief is diminishing, marginalized and an easy target for nighttime comedians.

Have You Thanked God Today for Moe Bergeron?

Redeeming/using technology for God: Have You Thanked God Today for Moe Bergeron? – Justin Taylor:

Against the Caricature

Good point. To read between the lines mean you first have to read the lines: Against the Caricature | Chrestomathy:

"Anyone who comes away from a careful reading of the apostle Paul's teaching on marriage with the idea that the husband is 'the boss' and the wife is 'the slave' is someone not to be trusted with any text" (For a Glory and a Covering, p. 8).

The Queen James Bible - A Gay Bible

Revisionists always see themselves: The Queen James Bible - A Gay Bible:

The Queen James Bible is a bible translation edited to prevent homophobic misinterpretation of God's Word.

Preachers – Do You Need A Week Off?

This isn't a bad idea. Its a bit of a win win: Preachers – Do You Need A Week Off?:

Here’s how it works: you contact us and tell us about your church, and we’ll connect you with a preacher that we think will be a good fit. Take the week off and go on a vacation with your family. Or stay in town – our guys would love to take you to lunch, get your feedback on the sermon, and pick your brain on ministry. You don’t even have to pay them. An honorarium is always a blessing, but you are providing a service to them by opening your pulpit and giving them your feedback.

Why Do So Few Atheists Take Their Faith Seriously?

Not a bad point: Why Do So Few Atheists Take Their Faith Seriously? – Justin Taylor:

This is one reason why I find atheism so implausible.  If Russell could dismiss Christianity in part because he had met so few Christians who seemed to take the faith seriously, I consider atheists to be much the same. Do not tell me that we are a random bunch of atoms and then try to impose your myths on me. Do not create a morality in your own image and then try to give it some objective, transcendent status.  A random world does not give privileged status to the moral myths of an upper class English proto-hippy. Do not tell me that serial killers are morally worse than aid workers. At best, you might say that you find them personally more distasteful. If you are an atheist, have the courage to take heed of the words of Nietzsche’s Madman

10 Misconceptions about the New Testament Canon

There is a link to each misconception which looks pretty good: 10 Misconceptions about the New Testament Canon – Justin Taylor:

Michael Kruger identifies 10 common misconceptions (or misunderstandings) about the origins and development of the NT Canon

Free Music from Will Mackerras | The Banjo Bible

My old housemate has made a poetry CD: Free Music from Will Mackerras | The Banjo Bible:

Coming soon - the greatest story ever told, as Banjo Paterson might have told it. Hear the story of the whole Bible in rhyming verse, with metre and phrases borrowed from some of Australia's most famous bush poems - My Country, Mulga Bill's Bicycle, Waltzing Matilda, Clancy of the Overflow, The Man from Ironbark, Been There Before , Said Hanrahan, The Man from Snowy River, and A Bush Christening. 

The Purpose Driven Life a Decade Later: Rick Warren’s Resurrection

Coming soon to a church near you: The Purpose Driven Life a Decade Later: Rick Warren’s Resurrection - Newsweek and The Daily Beast:

This holiday season, a 10th-anniversary edition of The Purpose Driven Life hits stores, updated with two new chapters and scads of links to video and audio 
extras designed for the age of social media. Next month Warren will launch a nationwide church “campaign” (as he did with the first edition) that enables ministers to order DIY teaching kits to help spread the purpose-driven message within their own congregations. With this reboot, Warren aims to introduce a new generation to the Good News—perhaps even spark a “Great Awakening” among the grassroots, he notes hopefully.

Video: The Christmas Scale

Quite a good Christmas video: Video: The Christmas Scale | Communicate Jesus: