What I’m Reading – 3/24/17

Below are some of the articles and books I’ve read recently that you may enjoy checking out.

• “The Increasing Significance of the Decline of Men,” (Thomas B. Edsall, NYT) — “[M]en of all races and ethnicities are dropping out of the work force, abusing opioids and falling behind women in both college attendance and graduation rates.”

• “Breaking Faith: The culture war over religious morality has faded; in its place is something much worse,” (Peter Beinart, The Atlantic) — “Whatever the reason, when cultural conservatives disengage from organized religion, they tend to redraw the boundaries of identity, de-emphasizing morality and religion and emphasizing race and nation. Trump is both a beneficiary and a driver of that shift.”

• “‘JESUS’ film, at 1,500 languages, reaches millions,” (Grace Thornton, BP) — I am incredibly thankful for the massive impact this film has had for the gospel. Read about how much this tool has been used, and be encouraged that it will be translated into still more langauges in the future.

• “Does God Love Everyone the Same?,” (Jeff Robinson, TGC) — This is a tricky question that many Christian wrestle with. Robinson draws on the wisdom of Don Carson to help us think biblically about this issue.

• “Major Christian Charity Is Closing India Operations Amid a Crackdown,” (Ellen Barry and Suhasini Raj, NYT) — “India’s crackdown on foreign aid will claim its most prominent casualty this month, as a Colorado-based Christian charity [Compassion International] that is one of India’s biggest donors closes its operations here after 48 years, informing tens of thousands of children that they will no longer receive meals, medical care or tuition payments.” Many are not aware of India’s recent religious tightening, but they should be. Many children will be harmed if this continues. 

• “What Christianity in China Is Really Like,” (Colin Clark, TGC) — This is a fascinating article on the complex reality of Christianity in Communist China. You will probably find some things there that surprise you!