Navigating the Times

Like the Old Testament men of Issachar, we need to be a people with a proper understanding of the times (cf. 1 Chronicles 12:32). While it certainly isn’t easy to stay aware or ahead of all the significant issues we are currently facing as a church and society at large, we do have a responsibility as Christians to thoughtfully, courageously, and charitably engage with those around us on the issues that are most pressing and polarizing in our times. 

However, we aren’t just called to engage with people on the issues, we are called to preach the gospel and to disciple all the nations in all that Jesus commanded—and that includes the people of our nation (cf. Matthew 28:19-20). In order to do that, we must stand firmly on God’s Word and we must know where foundational biblical principles are being undermined and attacked. And while we may not have time to think through or respond adequately to every issue that’s out there, we still need to pursue wisdom as we navigate these dangerous and uncharted waters (cf. Matthew 10:16).

With that said, we wanted to recommend some resources for thinking through some of the different issues facing us today. For those with little or limited margin, we have provided a few “shallow end” resources that are easily accessible and helpful. And for those who want to dive further into the topics, we have provided other “deep end” resources that are certainly worthwhile but will take more time and effort in mining them. 

(Some of these resources were commended last year by the elders of Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville here, but we have made some additions and changes for our purposes.)

Racial/Ethnic Issues

• Shallow end: 

  • “Ethnic Gnosticism” (Founders Ministries — Voddie Baucham Jr.)

  • “Seeing the World in Black and White” (Desiring God — Greg Morse)

  • “The Problem With Ending Racism” (Desiring God — Greg Morse)

  • “Black Lives Matter?” (Just Thinking podcast)

  • “George Floyd and the Gospel” (Just Thinking podcast)

• Deep end: 

  • Thinking Theologically About Racial Tensions (Kevin DeYoung)

  • Fault Lines by Voddie Baucham Jr. (good review of the book here)

C(R)T & Worldview

• Shallow end:

  • “Critical Theory, Social Justice, and Christianity: Are They Compatible?” (Neil Shenvi)

  • “Cultural Marxism” (Founders Ministries — Voddie Baucham Jr.)

  • “The Great Awokening” (Boniface Option)

• Deep end:

  • The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman 

  • “Cultural Marxism” (Themelios — Robert S. Smith)

  • Christianity and Wokeness by Owen Strachan

Sexuality and Transgenderism

• Shallow end: 

  • “God Loves LGBTQ People More Than We Do” (Samuel Sey, written last June) 

  • “The World is Catechizing Us Whether We Realize It or Not” (TGC — Kevin DeYoung)

  • The Nashville Statement (The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood) 

• Deep end:

  • Love Thy Body by Nancy Pearcey

  • When Harry Became Sally by Ryan T. Anderson (written by a thoughtful Catholic)

  • Irreversible Damage by Abigail Shrier (not written from a Christian perspective)

  • What Does the Bible Teach about Transgenderism? by Gavin Peacock & Owen Strachan

  • Is God Anti-Gay? by Sam Allberry

Mission of the Church 

• Shallow end: 

  • “The Mission of the Church” (TGC — Kevin DeYoung)

• Deep end: 

  • What is the Mission of the Church? by Kevin DeYoung & Greg Gilbert

    • With so many competing factors at play in our world right now that vie for our time, energy, and attention, it is vital for the church to keep the main thing the main thing. The two resources in this section provide clarity on the mission of the church in the world.

Role of Government & Navigating Our Moment

• Shallow end:

  • “Dogma Drives the Christian Life” (First Things — Carl Trueman)

  • “Fight Small Battles” (Founders Ministries — Timon Cline)

  • “Persecution?” (Mickey Connolly)

  • “Don’t Rejoice in the Collapse of Cultural Christianity” (First Things — Ben C. Dunson)

  • “Resistance to Tyrants Is Obedience to God: The Importance of Lesser Magistrates” (American Reformer — David C. Innes)

    • Though the title sounds provocative, this article simply illustrates how lesser magistrates can operate as God’s appointed magistrates to preserve the public good. Both historic and contemporary examples are provided. This is an important category that needs to be recovered. 

  • “Just Follow the Science: The Cult of Experts and COVID-19” (American Reformer — Andy Wilson)

    • At first glance, this article may seem contrarian and cynical in relation to our current health crisis, but its purpose is beyond that (so don’t let the title upset you!). The article forces us to consider the limitations of empirical science. Can science adequately answer transcendent questions related to morality, politics, and prudence? Those are questions we need to consider.

• Deep end:

  • Lex Rex: The Law is King by Samuel Rutherford

  • Vindiciae Contra Tyrannos by Junius Brutus  (available online here)

  • God and Government by Gary DeMar

    • If you haven’t before considered how biblical law relates to civil law or if you want to consider Christianity’s influence on American politics in particular, this book is a good place to start. Though it may be simplistic at times, it’s an honest attempt at applying Scriptural principles to government. 

  • Empires of Dirt by Douglas Wilson

  • Live Not By Lies by Rod Dreher

This list of resources will not end the discussion on any of these important issues of our day, but it’s our hope that they will help provide a good starting point for engaging the issues with thought, courage, and charity. 

Contending for your joy in the faith, 

Greg, Ryan, and Logan