The Five
Five of Mike’s favorite or most interesting things on the Internet this week
Here is this week’s FIVE.
Click here to learn more about this weekly series called, “The Five.”
1. ARTICLE (5-7 min)
Our Western Heritage: An Interview with Prof. Robert George
From: National Association of Scholars
Professor Robert George, holds Princeton’s celebrated McCormick Chair in Jurisprudence and is the founding director of the James Madison Program. He has served on the President’s Council on Bioethics and as a presidential appointee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights.
Most recently, in direct response to what has obviously become, “a precipitous decline in our fellow Americans’ belief in the importance of such values as patriotism, religion, family, and community—the values that used to unite Americans despite our many differences,” Prof. George declared June as, “Fidelity Month,” “—a month dedicated to the importance of fidelity to God, spouses and families, and our country and communities.”
It was in that context that I first became aware of Prof. George and have since enjoyed much of what I have seen from him, this interview is no exception and I believe that the content is very important.
Prof George shared this article on FaceBook with his own personal request to readers.
2. RESOURCE (Downloadable 20 Song Hymnal)
Getty’s Summer Family Hymnal
Click the image above to download the free hymnal.
Keith and Kristyn Getty are a husband and wife modern hymn writing duo. They are most famous for Keith’s co-authorship of the hymn, “In Christ Alone,” with fellow hymn writer, Stuart Townsend.
They have put together a downloadable hymnal for individuals, families, and groups to sing together and learn these beautiful and theologically rich hymns. Several of which we already sing regularly together as a church family at Redemption Hill.
If you go to the link above you will also be able to follow other links to listen to the songs on Spotify and YouTube music.
3. QUOTE (1 min)
I Believe in Preaching
By: John Stott, I Believe in Preaching (1982)
“It is difficult to imagine the world in the year 2000, by which time versatile microprocessors are likely to be as common as simple calculators are today.
[This will lead to] the probable reduction of human contact, as the new electronic network renders personal relationships ever less necessary.
In such a dehumanized society, the fellowship of the local church will become increasingly important-whose members meet one another, and talk and listen to one another in person rather than on screen. In this human context of mutual love, the speaking and hearing of the Word of God is also likely to become more necessary for the preservation of our humanness, not less.”
John Stott, I Believe in Preaching (1982)
John Stott (27 April 1921 – 27 July 2011) was an English Anglican cleric and theologian who was noted as a leader of the worldwide evangelical movement. He was one of the principal authors of the Lausanne Covenant in 1974. In 2005, Time magazine ranked Stott among the 100 most influential people in the world.
One of my favorite books and one of his most famous is called, “The Cross of Christ.”
I found both Doug and Voddie’s answers during this Q&A at a recent Mission’s Conference to be insightful, challenging and in some areas thought provoking. Missions matter, let’s seek to do it right as much as possible and be committed to doing it no matter what.
Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda secundum Verbum Dei (The church reformed, always reforming according to the Word of God)
Dr. Voddie Bauchum is an American, a former pastor, church planter, author, and professor. He currently serves as Dean of the School of Divinity at African Christian University in Lusaka, Zambia. You can find out more about him and his ministry here:
Pastor Doug Wilson is the founder and pastor of Christ Church in Moscow, ID, a prolific author, speaker, and educator. Once upon a time he famously debated atheist Christopher Hitchens. You can view the documentary of that debate here:
5. VIDEO (1hr and 36 min)
The Fight Against Worldwide Child Slavery & the Sex Trade | Jim Caviezel and Tim Ballard | EP 372
By: Jordan Peterson
“Dr. Jordan B. Peterson discusses the new film “Sound of Freedom,” with star Jim Caviezel and real life inspiration Tim Ballard. The film details Ballard’s work as a Special Agent to fight against sex trafficking and the child sex trade. They go into depth on the psychology of pedophilia, the nature of good and evil, and how a steady faith in God has guided all three.
Tim Ballard is the founder and CEO of Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), which locates and rescues endangered children victimized by sex trafficking rings. Previously, he accrued a decade of experience as a Special Agent in the Dept. of Homeland Security, working as an undercover op for the U.S. Child Sex Tourism Jump Team.
Jim Caviezel is a prominent American actor and household name in no small part for his portrayal of Jesus Christ in “The Passion of the Christ,” (sequel coming in 2024). He has had a decades long career both on and off screen, and is an advocate for faith in the modern world.”
– (from Jordan Peterson YouTube Channel description)
Last week I had the opportunity to attend a showing of the film, “Sound of Freedom,” with my wife and some others from the church. It is a film which portrays a biographical portion of Tim Ballard’s life and work in the fight against child sex trafficking. Tim is portrayed in the movie by the actor Jim Caviezel. The film was well written, well acted, well filmed, and experientially emotionally very moving.
This video is an interview with Tim and Jim conducted by Jordan Peterson and I watched it in about 3-4 different sittings this week. I found it very interesting as some of the behind the scenes and additional content was discussed.
*Disclaimer*
I am aware that Tim Ballard is a Mormon, a member of the so-called, “Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints.” Therefore, even for all of his own talk about faith and spiritual direction, we would not consider him a brother in Christ, as the Mormon Church is a heretical cult. However, the work that Tim is doing in our society and around the world is important work that is tied to the transcendentals of truth, beauty, and goodness which all find their beginnings and ends in the one and only true God of Heaven and Earth. Often we will see God work through even heretics and pagans. As such, I will not condemn the work even if the theology of the man is damnable and I pray for his soul, and encourage everyone else to do the same.
That’s my five! 🤚🏼
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Thanks for reading! Have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you in church on the Lord’s Day!
~ Pastor Mike Hooper