This week several articles and items have caught my attention. However, rather than let the things going on control the narrative, I am choosing things that hopefully will set it upward. Here’s this week’s weekly unwrap. Making every week like Christmas—with plenty to unwrap.

You will be hated by all men?

I enjoyed this treatment of the statement “you will be hated by all men” put in context by Ken Gentry. People form a martyr complex often by false interpretations of these verses. It does me well to remember what the text was saying, and then apply it from there. We should expect the gospel to make vast changes in this world, and turn enemies to friends progressively.

A Christmas Sermon For Pagans from C.S. Lewis

This was a fascinating find. It was thought-provoking to say the least. I am not prone to call people post-Christian though, but rather American as pagan and pre-Christian. Nonetheless, lots to think about here. And it is a very wonderful discovery of C.S. Lewis’ writing.

No to the women draft!

I was pleased to see this turn of events protecting our daughters and granddaughters from unethical practices of forcing them to war.

Sproul & the Second Commandment

An unfortunate post about nativity scenes being second commandment violations this week was gladly interrupted by some mature Scriptural sense by Sproul. Though he be dead, he still speaks.

Optimillennialism

Brandon M. lightened my heart this week with his Twitter thread on optimillennialism. I can’t say I will use the term, but it sure makes sense. I’d love to do away with all labels sometimes, but they stick for a reason. Yet, this is definitely a contender.

Brandon, Canon Theologian of the Bible Belt ⚓️ @NoJesuitTricks

*A Thread of Hope* I am an Optimillennialist. No, I did not mean opthamologist (even though we may be engaged in the same type of work). An Optimillennialist is one who is hopeful concerning the future history of God’s world. 1/25

August 28th 2020

12 Retweets55 Likes

Elf On A Shelf Fun (courtesy of Scott Hunt)

Pay Attention to the Signs

Tom Buck (Five Point Buck) @TomBuck

Sometimes you should just believe the sign.

December 7th 2021

6 Retweets50 Likes

“Joy to the World”

Ken Gentry’s blog explains how Joy to the World is about Christ’s first coming. It is interesting that the same folks who write about the nativity being a second commandment violation are writing online about Joy to the World not being about Christmas. Sorry, can’t steal our joy! (cf. John 16:22)

Scripture Says It Best!

Caleb M. Powers had tweeted out that Pagan Philosophy is bad. Someone challenged him, but he rebutted it very well as stated below.

Caleb M. Powers @CalebMPowers

Then we shouldn't need the pagans to say it for us, just say it from Scripture instead

Tommy Biddi Bom Biddi Biddi Biddi Bommy @ThomoftheNorth

And all good philosophy is Christian philosophy, even when done by pagans. https://t.co/s5ThsSSSkH

December 10th 2021

1 Retweet5 Likes

Advent is a protest against Gnosticism

I thought Doctor Sandlin said it well here:

DocSandlin @DocSandlin

Advent is a protest against all Gnosticism. Advent shouts that the material world is so good that God himself lives in it.

December 10th 2021

3 Retweets20 Likes

Don’t give up—even…

Forget the roundabouts! (Beer not endorsed)

🍺 Hold My Beer 🍺 @HldMyBeer

Got there in a roundabout sort of way. 🥴🍺

December 10th 2021

151 Retweets1,306 Likes

That’s the unwrap this week. As always, set your mind on the things above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God! The truth is stronger still!