Lots of around-the-web goodness for you all today. This week’s best posts are all over the map for content. Enjoy!
1. Roger E. Olson on “Evangelical Inquisitions”
This timely post is spot-on about the way that some Christians like to play Doctrine Police with other Christians. At our house, we call it doctrinal purity. It’s the idea that there is one absolutely correct way to interpret Scripture and if you don’t do it that way, you are in error and must be disciplined. I have to admit, I’m not fond of the term “evangelical” in this context. This is not necessarily a hallmark of evangelicalism, only of extreme conservativism. There are plenty of wonderful evangelicals who hold Scripture in high regard but don’t adhere to a strictly conservative reading. Rachel Held Evans, Brian McLaren, and Mel White come to mind, for example.
Which brings me to…
2. Denny Burke is an idiot
Or at least he isn’t very kind to Christianity Today’s article on women to watch. Instead of appreciating the diversity of women on the list, he goes off on how CT didn’t do enough to highlight the differences in belief about women’s roles. Well, of course, Burke, you fool. The point of the CT article was to honor Christian women and what they’re doing, not point out their doctrinal error (see above). I don’t normally read the comments, but the first comment says, “Rachel Held Evans — what do you mean, ‘non-evangelical’?” This got my attention, so I read on—only to discover a long, long discussion about whether Rachel Held Evans is or is not evangelical. Because that’s the real point, of course.
And speaking of women…
3. Slacktivist shreds Kent Shaffer
Oh, Slacktivist. You are so many, many kinds of awesome. This post quotes Shaffer’s disgusting response to Christian women bloggers and links every single word to a blog written by a woman. And in case you missed my mad tweeting about it, I’m on that list too! (It’s in the last set of links, the final word “always.”) I am honored to be counted among the likes of Alise Write, Andrea Cumbo, Grace, Kimberly Knight, Crystal St. Marie Lewis, and others. Many thanks to my cousin for pointing this out to me, I would have missed it otherwise. (And double points for this being posted on my birthday!)
4. If only
If only this were a sign that Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill were moving into the 21st century. I agree with this woman’s points, but I doubt that her actual presentation at Mars Hill will be anything outside of the narrowly defined roles that church expects from women. Still, nice to see another woman who doesn’t like women’s conferences.
5. On juggling
Shannon M. Howell says it nicely. We all have a lot of plates to keep in the air. If anyone figures it out, please email me. I’ll get to your message sometime next month.
6. Boy Scouts of America are idiots too
And right here, folks, is exactly why my son is not a boy scout. (Not that he is or isn’t gay, but I won’t give my money to an organization that actively discriminates against people who are non-het and non-religious.) Keeping a hard-working kid from being awarded his Eagle Scout is just not cool, I don’t care what your policies are. Seriously, BSA? Get a new hobby. Also, if your kid is a scout, sorry, but I’m not buying your popcorn.
7. Jonathan Zeng: heartache and hope
This piece is beautifully written. It breaks my heart that there is still such discrimination against people for who they are. At the same time, Zeng captures the spirit of creativity and working out our pain. I am reminded again of the importance of standing alongside people in the midst of trials. I hope that we are teaching our children to do the same.
I hope you all have a great weekend, see you Monday for the next installment of 50 Shades!
