If Christians are to work for Christian conceptions of justice in the public square, how should we think about political candidates who may contribute to that, but are personally of flawed character?

Resources:

• Article: Give Honor and Vote? A Reflection on the Christian’s Voting Conscience and Romans 13:1–7  by Robert Golding

By the command of God, governments have a responsibility to establish a common morality, not a common religion. But how would people who don't subscribe to the Christian Scriptures, who don’t follow Jesus, determine what that morality should be? And what does this mean for a Christian's involvement in its government?

Resources:

• Liberty for All: Defending Everyone's Religious Freedom in a Pluralistic Age - Andrew T. Walker
• Politics after Christendom: Political Theology in a Fractured World - David VanDrunen
• Political Church: The Local Assembly as Embassy of Christ's Rule - Jonathan Leeman

The little known covenant God made with Noah is about more than not sending another flood. It contains God's expectations for the human race and the foundation for government's proper role within it.

Resources:

• Liberty for All: Defending Everyone's Religious Freedom in a Pluralistic Age - Andrew T. Walker
• Politics after Christendom: Political Theology in a Fractured World - David VanDrunen
• Political Church: The Local Assembly as Embassy of Christ's Rule - Jonathan Leeman

Easter of 2022 Alliance Bible Church announced the plans to start a new church: Lakeside Alliance Church. This episode will dive into some of the details pertaining to what has transpired over the past year as preparations continue to move forward. 

Pastors are not political pundits nor do most desire to enter the overcrowded fray of political punditry. But religion and politics may not occupy totally separate quadrants of life as some may contend. Might it be the Scriptures offer some direction for a Christian's involvement in the political world?

Resources:

• Political Church - Jonathan Leeman

The invention of the modern day smartphone is as seismic as the invention of the printing press, the discovery of electricity, and the development of the automobile. They aren't just tools. They change people - sometimes for the good, sometimes for the bad.

Resources:

• 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You - Tony Reinke
• iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy--and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood--and What That Means for the Rest of Us - Jean Twenge
• The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place - Andy Crouch

"Where have all the workers gone?" This question has become a frequently repeated one. And it's a very important one. But showing up isn't enough. When you do show up, work hard! Put forth your best effort. Not because you're attempting to amass a materially affluent kingdom, but out of love for the customers, clients, and people your work serves.

Resources:

• Teach Them to Work: Building a Positive Work Ethic in Our Children - Mary Beeke
• Grace at Work: Redeeming the Grind and the Glory of Your Job - Bryan Chapell

Here are the five best books I read this past year. Happy shopping! Happy reading!

Resources:

1. What About Evil?: A Defense of God’s Sovereign Glory - Scott Christensen
2. Confessions of a French Atheist: How God Hijacked My Quest to Disprove the Christian Faith - Guillaume Bignon
3. Liberty for All: Defending Everyone’s Religious Freedom in a Pluralistic Age - Andrew T. Walker
4. God’s Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible - Vaughan Roberts
5. None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God - Matthew Barrett

The conversations and debates that preceded the American Revolution were frequent and spirited. The colonial clergy were active participants in it. But according to Dr. Gary Steward, they have been misunderstood. Were these ministers co-opted by secular thinking? Or did they remain faithful to their theological heritage in advocating for political resistance?

Resources:

• Justifying Revolution: The American Clergy's Argument for Political Resistance, 1750-1776 - Gary L. Steward

Work doesn't always involve receiving a W-2 or 1099 tax form. Not all work is compensated. But work makes up much of our lives whether it's in the office, on the construction site, or at home with kids, dishes, dirty floors or weedy gardens. God has spoken to this important aspect of our lives.

Resources:

• Work Matters: Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work - Tom Nelson