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Seven of the best articles I came across this week:
1. Allan Carlson – Family Phases: The History of Family Strength in America May Reveal Good News. Don’t be all doom and gloom about the family. Carlson shows how family strength has gone through various cycles of American history.
2. Fred Sanders – The Unintended Consequences of Shoving. Sanders reflects on a comment from Lutheran theologian Robert Jenson. What you want for your denomination or church may be what you get, and you may not like it.
3. Alana Semuels in The Atlantic – When Religious Groups Do What the Government Won’t. Encouraging story and interesting commentary on the unique power of religious charity and support.
4. George Yancey – Christians, Religious Liberty, and the Public Square: Getting a Place at the Table. Yancey responds to a recent LifeWay survey that shows more Americans agree that religious liberty is endangered AND that Christians complain too much about it.
5. Chuck Lawless – 9 Ways to Respond after a Less Than Spectacular Sermon or Lesson. Encouraging word for pastors.
6. When Your Congregation Isn’t Singing. 15 questions from Jamie Brown.
7. R. R. Reno in First Things – A Stubborn Givenness. Reno’s take on the significance and meaning of pope’s apostolic exhortation.