3 Day Roundup

I haven't had much time to read any news over the past three days, so here are a few things worth noting (you may disagree, but it's my blog).

1. There is a new X-Files movie coming out! I know, the X-Files have been off the air for years, but I confess to being a fan of the series. I hate to think of it now (these were the pre-TV on DVD or Netflix days) but I religiously taped every weeks episode on VHS for a few years. I think I threw them out eventually. Anyway...the new flick is coming out next summer.

2. A few weeks ago I posted a clip of a Bob Newhart sketch on counseling. It was a tongue-in-cheek mocking of certain counseling approaches (Dr. Laura, Dr. Phil, etc.). I was pleasantly surprised to see that David Powlison of the CCEF has commented on the video and responded to some objections. His insights are helpful for anyone interested in what is really good and bad about cognitive-behavior theory (which is incredibly popular among counselors--especially secular-trained "Christian" counselors).

3. Since I now have a 3 month old son and am half way through teaching a class on Shepherding a Child's Heart, I'm always looking out for wisdom on sharing the gospel with kids. This post from Pulpit Magazine was helpful.

4. Some of you may have followed the recent online controversy between John Piper and David Instone-Brewer on the topic of divorce. Time Magazine recently picked up on the controversy and has an insightful article. The final paragraph shows an unusual amount of discernment for a magazine like Time:

Still, the controversy suggests that even the country's most rule-bound Christians will search for a fresh understanding of scripture when it seems unjust to them. The implications? Flexibility on divorce may mean that evangelicals could also rethink their position on such things as gay marriage, as a generation of Christians far more accepting of homosexuality begins to move into power. (The ever-active Barna folks have found that 57% of "born-again" Christians age 16-29 criticize their own church for being "anti-homosexual.") It could also give heart to a certain twice-divorced former New York mayor who is running for President and seeking the conservative vote. But that may be pushing things a bit.

Andreas Kostenberger summarizes some of the previous discussion on this topic and adds (what I consider to be) a helpful perspetive.

5. Finally, here is a great video of Paul Washer on the problems with Joel Osteen.