TGC Spotlight highlights TGC articles from earlier in the week, previews articles coming next week, and links to items around the web that you might have missed.
Around the Web
What You Should Know About the Space Probe that Landed on a Comet
What is the comet-landing story about?
On Wednesday, November 12, a robotic spacecraft created by the European Space Agency named Philae became the first to land on the solid, central part of a comet. The comet, 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, is 300 million miles from Earth.
What is the purpose of the mission?
Comets preserve ancient organic molecules like a time capsule, so scientists are hoping samples drilled out from the comet will help them understand how our solar system was formed.
Why is the mission important?
As Daniel Brown, an astronomy expert at Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom, says: “Apart from the amazing scientific results, the sheer challenge and ambition of such a mission is outstanding and illustrates how our space exploration of the solar system has become more advanced and successful. It gives us much to hope for in future missions.”
Can you give me some impressive stats related to the comet and the mission?
Planning for the journey began 25 years ago, and the mission itself took 10 years (the lander was launched in 2004).
Philae, which weighs 220 pounds and is the size of washing machine, traveled 6.4 billion miles in route to the comet.
The comet is 2.5 miles in diameter, has a mass of more than 10 billion tons, is traveling at 40,000 mph, and is shaped like a rubber duck.
What is a comet? (short version)
A celestial object consisting of a nucleus of ice and dust and, when near the sun, a “tail” of gas and dust particles pointing away from the sun.
What is a comet? (longer version)
Comets are like “dirty snowballs,” fragments of rock and ice left over from the formation of stars and planets, that are guided by the gravity of nearby stars and/or planets (or in our solar system, the Sun.
Comets in our solar system are derived from rock and ice floating around in the a debris field called the Oort Cloud. When the gravity from a large passing body, like our Sun, becomes strong enough, some large chunks of ice from the comet get pulled away from the cloud and head toward the Sun. As that ball of ice gets close enough to the Sun, its heat begins to melt some of the ice that makes up the comet. The melted ice becomes a gaseous tail that extends away from the source of the heat (in this case, the Sun). The tail is pushed out by the Sun’s solar wind.
Quick Takes
• Andrew Wilson parodies an all-too-common view in “The Case for Idolatry: Why Evangelical Christians Can Worship Idols”.
• Breaking off a relationship because of pornography use can be a rational, justifiable, and moral reaction to a problem, says Mark Regnerus, but such actions contribute in ways not often noted to our broad retreat from marriage.
• Sanctification parenting is primarily concerned with the spiritual growth of your children. Reputation parenting is primarily concerned with the spiritual reputation of the parent. Whether we’d like to admit it or not, says Aaron Earls, reputation parenting is our default mode of parenting.
• The question atheists do not have an answer for, according to Ravi Zacharias
(For even more links, see the “Remainder Bin” at the end of this post.)
Featured TGC Articles
5 Common Small Group Myths (And The Truth To Help Transform Your Group) | Steven Lee
What you believe about why you are in a small group will dictate how you behave in that group.
Parenting Teaches Us To Be Better Children Of God | Winfree Brisley
French assumptions about the nature of children and the role of parents are not only helpful in informing our parenting, but also in reminding us of the character and nature of our heavenly Father as revealed in the book of Habakkuk.
Extra-Ecclesial Gospel Partnerships: A Mess Worth Making | Ryan Kelly and Kevin DeYoung
If we enter into extra-ecclesial partnerships such as TGC or T4G, granting their inherent limitations, they can serve a useful purpose in supporting the local church, encouraging pastors, and defending the faith.
Your Church Is Without A Senior Pastor: Now What? | Gavin Ortlund
Interim periods can be confusing and dark times in the life of any church. But what if God intended to use these seasons to grow and shape us according to his purposes?
To Engage The World Means Being Present In It | Tom Nelson
Jesus emphasizes that we shine his light in our good works. Our good works take on many dimensions, and we must see that our daily work is a significant part of the good works that glorify God.
Featured TGC Contributor Articles
A Theology of Healing in Six Questions | Justin Taylor
In Andrew Wilson’s latest article in Christianity Today he shares that his two children have regressive autism and he helps us process through a theology of divine healing.
Not That Kind of Homosexuality? | Kevin DeYoung
The Bible has nothing good to say about homosexual practice. That may sound like a harsh conclusion, but it’s not all that controversial.
Discipleship in the “Age of Authenticity” | Trevin Wax
Charles Taylor describes our secular age as “the age of authenticity,” a description that could easily fit the dominant narrative of most Disney films.
Barber Shop Grief | Thabiti Anyabwile
I’m still moved by the story “Tara” told. A beautiful young woman full of an infectious bouncing joy that helps her glide rather than walk. Normally beaming with a face-wide smile, she was, for Tara, sedate.
The expansion of the soul | Ray Ortlund
“I want to see a focused vision of spiritual maturity — the expansion of the soul is the best phrase I can use for it.”
A Prayer When Feeling Relationally Vulnerable | Scotty Smith
Dear Lord Jesus, we were made for you, and have been redeemed to connect with you deeply—to enjoy an intimacy, union, and communion, of which our best relationships are only a hint, a whisper, a symbol.
Love When’s | Jared C. Wilson
When is God love?
Coming Next Week at TGC
Mothering in the Internet Age | Betsy Childs
Contrary to what online voices communicate, you’re not really in control of your child’s life—God is. And that is good news.
The Church Needs Men and Women to Be Friends | Jen Wilkin
Can men and women be friends? They not only can, but they must.
When You Are in Between Jobs | Luke Murry
Unemployment can be seen as a scarlet letter, but it shouldn’t be. Here are 10 ways to use your unemployment to glorify God.
Upcoming Events
TGC Bay Area Regional Conference (November 15th)
The Bay Area chapter will host its third conference in Walnut Creek, CA on the theme, Revival and Reformation. Featured plenary speakers include D. A. Carson, Léonce Crump, Collin Hansen, and Jon McNeff. This team of plenary speakers will take us on a journey to explore how God works through prayer, the Word, leadership and persecution to precipitate gospel renewal and strengthen the church.
Albuquerque Regional Conference (March 20-22, 2015)
Assembled Under the Word: Preaching and Christ. Speakers include Alistair Begg, D.A. Carson, and David Helm.
2015 National Conference (April 1-15, 2015)
Heading Home: A New Heaven and a New Earth. Speakers include Tim Keller, D.A. Carson, John Piper, Mark Dever, Voddie Baucham, Philip G. Ryken, Ligon Duncan, and many others.
Remainder Bin
American Culture
Supreme Court to hear Obamacare subsidies case
Lawrence Hurley, Reuters
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Friday to hear a legal challenge to a key part of the Obamacare health law that, if successful, would limit the availability of federal health insurance subsidies for millions of Americans.
The fastest-growing new religious movement
Gene Veith, Cranach
One expert says that worship of “Holy Death” is “the fastest-growing new religious movement.” I suppose it is fitting that a culture of death has a religion of death.
2 Pastors, 90-Year-Old Man Charged With Feeding Homeless
Assoctiated Press
To Arnold Abbott, feeding the homeless in a public park in South Florida was an act of charity. To the city of Fort Lauderdale, the 90-year-old man in white chef’s apron serving up gourmet-styled meals was committing a crime.
It’s Official: Mormon Founder Had Up to 40 Wives
Laurie Goodstein, New York Times
Mormon leaders have acknowledged for the first time that the church’s founder and prophet, Joseph Smith, portrayed in church materials as a loyal partner to his loving spouse Emma, took as many as 40 wives, some already married and one only 14 years old.
Bioethics
Doctor to appear in court in UK’s first gender abortion prosecution
John Bingham, The Telegraph
Doctor exposed in Telegraph investigation served summons to face conspiracy allegation in landmark sex-selective abortion private prosecution.
Children’s Rights, or Rights to Children?
Alana S. Newman, Public Discourse
If it’s okay to buy and sell sperm, eggs, and wombs, then why is it not okay to sell other human tissues or organs? If it’s okay to sell one’s reproductive parts, why is it not okay to sell one’s sexual parts, as in prostitution? If it’s okay to pre-sell and pre-order children via third-party reproduction, what is so wrong with buying and selling children who are already born or conceived?
Why Don’t People Want to Donate Their Organs?
Tiffanie Wen, The Atlantic
Around 21 Americans die each day waiting for transplants. What’s behind the reluctance to posthumously save a life?
Combining The DNA Of Three People Raises Ethical Questions
Rob Stein, NPR
In a darkened lab in the north of England, a research associate is intensely focused on the microscope in front of her. She carefully maneuvers a long glass tube that she uses to manipulate early human embryos.
Christianity and Culture
A Christian Tightrope Walker?
David Murray
Can you be a “Christian Tightrope Walker.” Is tightrope-walking a legitimate Christian vocation? Does repeatedly mentioning God sanctify whatever job we do?
Pastors Don’t Need To Enter Politics—They’re Already In It
Peter J. Leithart, First Things
As pastors, pastors command unfathomable spiritual resources, the only resources with potential to transform the world. What Samuel Wells has said about the Church applies to pastors in particular: God gives “boundless gifts,” supplies “everything they need.”
The Warrior Wives of Evangelical Christianity
Emma Green, The Atlantic
The intense focus on sexuality, purity, manhood, and womanhood in certain faith communities—and its consequences.
Why Christian Groups Lead the Biggest Relief Efforts in the World
Christopher Hale, OnFaith
Organizations like World Vision give the lie to negative stereotypes about Christian work in the world.
Are We Seeing Another Global Great Awakening?
Donald Devine, The Federalist
A series of books have explored varying reasons why belief in God is high across the globe. Except for a few holdouts.
Religion in Latin America
Pew Research
Latin America is home to more than 425 million Catholics – nearly 40% of the world’s total Catholic population – and the Roman Catholic Church now has a Latin American pope for the first time in its history. Yet identification with Catholicism has declined throughout the region, according to a major new Pew Research Center survey that examines religious affiliations, beliefs and practices in 18 countries and one U.S. territory (Puerto Rico) across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Education
Minneapolis schools to make suspending children of color more difficult
Alejandra Matos, Star Tribune
Minneapolis public school officials are making dramatic changes to their discipline practices by requiring the superintendent’s office to review all suspensions of students of color.
Family Issues
Paternity Leave: The Rewards and the Remaining Stigma
Claire Cain Miller, New York Times
Social scientists who study families and work say that men like Mr. Bedrick, who take an early hands-on role in their children’s lives, are likely to be more involved for years to come and that their children will be healthier.
4 charts that show how an intact family affects kids’ economic futures
Natalie Scholl, AEIdeas
Today, Brad Wilcox and Robert Lerman have a must-read piece at NRO on “what’s happening to the American family and why it matters for the health of the American Dream.” Here are four charts from their article that show that young men and women “who grow up in an intact, two-parent family have a leg up in today’s competitive economy.”
Health Issues
Loneliness is a disease that changes the brain’s structure and function
Research Digest
Loneliness increases the risk of poor sleep, higher blood pressure, cognitive and immune decline, depression, and ultimately an earlier death.
New Prediction Model Could Reduce Military Suicides, Study Finds
Benedict Carey, New York Times
Military doctors could reduce suicides among soldiers with psychiatric conditions by using a new screening system that flags those at highest risk of taking their own lives, a new study suggests.
International Issues
Pakistan Christian community living in fear after mob killings
Shahzeb Jillani, BBC
The fertile landscape in Chak 59 of Kasur district in the Punjab province is dotted with hundreds of brick kilns.
Marriage Issues
Why the Supreme Court May Have to Rule on Gay Marriage
Matt Ford, The Atlantic
With a decision to uphold same-sex-marriage bans, the Sixth Circuit creates a division that only the justices can resolve.
In For the Long Haul: Factors Contributing to the Marriage Crisis
Hilary Towers, Public Discourse
A model developed by developmental psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner, paired with the example of the pro-life movement, may demonstrate a new way forward in rehabilitating marriage.
Judge overturns same-sex marriage ban in South Carolina
Reuters
A U.S. judge on Wednesday ordered South Carolina officials to stop enforcing a ban on same-sex marriage, ruling the state is bound by a regional federal appeals court decision that struck down Virginia’s ban.
Supreme Court Lets Marriages Go On in Kansas
Adam Liptak, New York Times
The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed same-sex marriages to proceed in Kansas, lifting a temporary stay issued Monday by Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
Sexuality Issues
Evangelicals and the LGBT Community: What Does the Future Hold?
Andrew T. Walker, Public Discourse
Evangelicals are learning to model both grace and truth when discussing homosexuality and same-sex marriage.
Sexual Orientation and the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Albert Mohler
As I explained in my address, I had previously denied the existence of sexual orientation. I, along with many other evangelicals, did so because we did not want to accept the sexual identity structure that so often goes with sexual orientation.
The Pornographic Double-Bind
Mark Regnerus, First Things
Contrary to what is sometimes asserted, women have the right to be annoyed or upset by porn. It’s not a good thing. It’s spiritually draining. But we often overlook another casualty of pornography (and the human reaction to it): relationships that fail to launch.
Trouble In Transtopia: Murmurs Of Sex Change Regret
Stella Morabito, The Federalist
Transgender people who regret their sex changes typically get buried in venom rather than loved.
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