Hi gang.
A correspondent asks if I can recommend any good Christian magazines. Nothing too heavy, just good sound Biblical content.
WORLD is out, Christianity Today's long gone.
So what would you recommend, and why? What do you read?
Friday, January 10, 2014
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19 comments:
Modern Reformation sounds like it would be heavy, but it is very accessible. Tabletalk is more of a devotional periodical, but has some of the best writing around.
Answers Magazine by Answers in Genesis is good. Lots of topics covered in that -- I always read it cover to cover.
I second Tabletalk. Always great stuff there too.
I wish I knew! WORLD is even worse now. Their "Daniel of the Year" for 2013 is a... *drumroll* Catholic bishop.
Bible Study Magazine (published by Logos Bible Software) is the best I've read in years.
Each issue has a lead article about some Christian celebrity or other, which I can usually take or leave. But the meat and potatoes of the mag is later when they delve into a series of texts and seek to explain and apply them simply.
BSM doesn't simply provide food for thought; it teaches how to cook (without being too heavy).
You can't go past the Briefing. It comes in a paper version but the e-version is free.
http://matthiasmedia.com/briefing/magazine/
By the way, I should declare an interest, which is that I write for the Briefing occasionally. Here's an article on children's ministry from about 6 months ago:
http://matthiasmedia.com/briefing/2013/07/childrens-ministry-it-takes-a-body/
Modern Reformation
I would at least put a caution on Bible Study Magazine. As of 11 Jan 2014, they have on their home page two statements that I find troubling.
1. The Jan 2014 issue is on Ann Voskamp. I'm troubled for two reasons: a. her "sexualized" imagery of our relationship with God and b. the sense that gratefulness for the "little things of life" , though important, is a means by which we are made like Christ.
I presume no one has (should have) a problem, with point a. As for b., I'm concerned that she presents gratefulness as a work of righteousness, one by which we become righteous, rather than calling us to see the glory of our Lord, as He has been revealed in scripture, so that we would be transformed into His glory (2 Cor 3:18).
As Peter said, you can take it or leave it when it comes to the Christian celebrity. Nonetheless, I'm reluctant to spend my time and money trying to find the speck of gold. Give me a few flakes (of gold that is, not people who have found a method for living without God) at least!
2. They also have the following statement referring to one of their articles on prophecy:
"We often think a biblical prophecy is genuine only if it comes to pass, as Deuteronomy 18:21–22 seems to support: “When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously.” But using this passage to explain the nature of all biblical prophecy is inaccurate. Prophecies sometimes did fail—by God’s design. —Robert B. Chisholm"
At this point, I'm hearing nothing but sirens warning me to be cautious if I go in this direction. Why? It seems they lack the gift of discernment!
I'll go elsewhere.
I would at least put a caution on Bible Study Magazine. As of 11 Jan 2014, they have on their home page two statements that I find troubling.
1. The Jan 2014 issue is on Ann Voskamp. I'm troubled for two reasons: a. her "sexualized" imagery of our relationship with God and b. the sense that gratefulness for the "little things of life" , though important, is a means by which we are made like Christ.
I presume no one has (or should have) a problem, with point a. As for b., I'm concerned that she presents gratefulness as a work of righteousness, one by which we become righteous. Should she rather be calling us to see the glory of our Lord, as He has been revealed in scripture, so that we would be transformed into His glory (2 Cor. 3:18)?
As Peter Krol said, you can take it or leave it when it comes to the Christian celebrity part of the issue. Nonetheless, I'm reluctant to spend my time and money trying to find a speck of gold. Give me a few flakes (of gold that is) at least, not people who want to promulgate their own method of living without God! (Gal 3:1-5)
2. They also have the following statement referring to one of their articles on prophecy:
"We often think a biblical prophecy is genuine only if it comes to pass, as Deuteronomy 18:21–22 seems to support: “When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously.” But using this passage to explain the nature of all biblical prophecy is inaccurate. Prophecies sometimes did fail—by God’s design. —Robert B. Chisholm"
This sounds too close to the idea that "God lies to us."
Anyway, after one minute of glancing at their homepage, I'm hearing nothing but sirens warning me to be cautious if I go in this direction. Why? It seems they lack the gift of discernment!
I'll go elsewhere.
I hardly ever recommend books or magazines to people unless I have an opportunity to talk to them about disclaimers, warnings, and weaselings.
If I owned a bookstore, I would probably starve to death, because I couldn't stock it very well with books "worthy" enough, OR would have to insist on a disclaimer interview with every customer before they took a book out of the store :)
Having said that, and with an "eat the meat, spit out the bones" warning, I would recommend New Focus (online magazine).
It's not exactly "popularly" written, but it's not heavily scholarly either (though it is heavily into the Doctrines of Grace, with emphasis on Grace) -- and is quite Christ-centered.
You won't find much "how to have your best life now" fluff, but it's warm toward Christ and our union with Him.
Anyway, I like it a lot.
I won't tell you what "bones" to spit out. You're on your own :)
Here's the link to the magazine:
http://go-newfocus.co.uk/magazines
And here's the New Focus website:
http://go-newfocus.co.uk/
Not sure it's a magazine per say and can be a bit heavy but I've always enjoyed Bibliotheca Sacra
http://www.dts.edu/publications/bibliothecasacra/
Banner of Truth magazine. About as solid as there is.
http://banneroftruth.org/us/store/magazine/banner-of-truth-magazine-subscription/
Banner of Truth magazine. About as solid as they come.
http://banneroftruth.org/us/store/magazine/banner-of-truth-magazine-subscription/
Whatever you do, don't read or recommend "The Lutheran".
They hardly ever mention Jesus, or the gospel (mustn't offend anyone now).
And I happen to be a Lutheran, for cryin' out loud.
And a wild and crazy Lutheran, at that.
Dan,
Second Marla for "Answers" from AIG. Cover a wide array of topics with good sound Biblical content. Family orientated with a pullout 'Kid's' section as well. Both technical and non-technical articles for adults.
Gordon Cheng,
All digital versions of the Briefing show a cost. Please correct me if I'm wrong, because I'd love to read this for free.
Gordon Cheng,
I went to http://matthiasmedia.com/briefing/. Are the articles freely published on that page the same articles found in the non-HTML digital versions?
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