• Vaccines and the Christian Worldview: Principles for Christian Thinking in the Context of COVID. Albert Mohler writes “Reasonable Christians and Christian parents will differ over whether or not to take the vaccine. But, speaking personally, I will take this vaccine as soon as it is available to me. I will take it not only for what I hope will be the good of my own health, but for others as well. I will seek to encourage others to take the vaccine. Encouragement, however, is very different from coercion.”
• The Cult of Christian Trumpism. Michael Horton writes “While worrying about secularists outside, many of us have failed to reckon with the secularization right under our noses, as the rich cuisine of biblical faith is traded for a mess of pop-culture stew. This idolatry inhibits the church’s work of evangelism in myriad ways.”
• 9 Things You Should Know About Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris. Joe Carter writes “Here is what you should know about the person who will be the first woman, first African American, and first Asian American vice president in the history of the United States.”

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:

• More interesting article links
• Favorite Quotes of the Week

• My Top 10 Theology Stories of 2020. Collin Hansen, editorial director for The Gospel Coalition shares his most important theology stories of 2020.
• The Sweetness of Christ in 2020. On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to the question “As you look back on the year, what has God been showing you?”
• Editor’s Choice: The Best of 2020. Collin Hansen, editorial director for The Gospel Coalition writes “This year’s picks for Editor’s Choice indicate the effects of COVID-19 around the world. You’ll also see evidence of God’s faithfulness to deliver on every promise, his undaunted commitment to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.”
• 15 Good News Trends from 2020. Joe Carter writes “Over the past year, God has provided a range of blessings that have changed a negative trend to a positive one, improving our lives and the lives of our neighbors—both in the U.S. and across the globe. As we reflect on the end of the year, we should give thanks to God for these 15 “good news” trends.”
• 20 Pieces of Goodness in 2020 Pop Culture. I appreciated these bright spots in the cultural landscape at the end of a dark year from Brett McCracken.
• The Best Movies of 2020. Brett McCracken shares his 10 favorites films, 10 honorable mentions, as well as 10 excellent documentaries released in 2020.
• Top 10 YouTubes of 2020. Denny Burk shares his annual posting of the Top 10 YouTube Videos of the Year.

• A Word of Hope in Scorched Places. Melissa Kruger writes “This year has left most of us weary and worn, traveling through hardships and loss. Isaiah 58:11is a needed word of hope: in the midst of our scorched places, he alone satisfies, strengthens, and refreshes us.”
• A Word of Hope for Strained Relationships. As we head into 2021, Jen Pollock Michel offers three paths for hope in our strained relationships.
• Beyond Death. Steve Garber writes “There are mysteries in this life, questions with answers that are hard to come by, difficult to make sense of, perplexing to live with. The meaning of heaven, and the meaning of earth, are like that. What are they? What do they mean? Can we ever know enough to know enough?”
• The Bible is a Lifelong Project. David Mathis writes “If I could broadly commend a single spiritual discipline, or “habit of grace,” that might be the most important next step that many could take into this new year, it would be hearing God’s voice in his word.”
• WWJD? Live an Outcast-Driven Life. Dan Doriani writes “Instead of asking who is (and isn’t) our neighbor, we should become neighbors to the needy who cross our path.”

• What Happens to Non-Christians Who Take the Lord’s Supper? On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to two questions regarding this issue.
• In John 4:23, What Does It Mean to Worship God “in Spirit”? What does Jesus mean in John 4:23 when He teaches that true worshipers will worship God “in spirit”? From one of the Ask Ligonier events, Sinclair Ferguson explores this passage in light of the rest of John’s gospel.
• What Does It Mean to Be “Called” in the New Testament? Jesus says that many are called but few are chosen. But the Apostle Paul teaches that everyone who is called will be justified. How do we reconcile this? From one of Ligonier’s Ask C.events, R.C. Sproul outlines the different ways that Scripture refers to calling.
• Does Joy Come After Suffering, Or in It? On this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper responds to the question “Does joy follow suffering? Or is there joy inside suffering? And did something change in the new covenant?”
• Can Our Prayers Change God’s Will? If Not, Why Pray? Do our prayers have the power to change God’s mind or redirect His will? From one of Ligonier’s Ask R.C. events, R.C. Sproul explains why we should bring our petitions before the sovereign Lord.

• What Does It Mean to Abide in Jesus Christ? Kevin Halloran examines what abiding in Christ means, how to abide in Christ, and the results of abiding in Christ.
• The Essence of Jesus (According to Jesus). Scott Sauls writes “There may be no better and more complete summary of who Jesus is and what he is like than his seven “I AM” statements from John’s gospel.”

• Ultimately with R.C. Sproul. Ligonier Ministries announces its newest podcast Ultimately with R.C. Sproul.
• Adam Wainright Leads Thousands Through Bible Study. I’ve enjoyed the Walking with Waino Bible Study Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright has led on Twitter.

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• If a person has grasped grace, they do justice. If they don’t, they say they are grateful for God’s grace, but in the heart, they are far from him. Not caring for the poor reveals that at best one doesn’t understand grace and at worst you may not have encountered Gods saving mercy. Tim Keller
• Let’s live in such a way that makes Christianity look beautiful to the world. Burk Parsons
• The Spirit does not add new information about Jesus. He simply opens our eyes to see who He really is. Sinclair Ferguson
• Gospel-humility means I stop connecting every experience and turning every conversation toward myself and self-interest. Tim Keller
• If our sins be forgiven, our best things are yet to come. J.C. Ryle
• I am profoundly grateful to God that He did not grant me certain things for which I asked, and that He shut certain doors in my face. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
• True peace will be found nowhere but in Christ. John Calvin
• To insist doctrine doesn’t matter is really a doctrine itself. Tim Keller
• The reason prayer is hard is because dying to ourselves, humbling ourselves, getting over ourselves, and coming to the end of ourselves is so hard. Burk Parsons