Extracurricular Activities — February 22, 2014

Note: Right now there is a sale on the Counterpoints series. Every Counterpoints eBook (including the latest titles such as Four Views on the Historical Adam) is only $3.99, but the sale ends Sunday (Feb. 23) 2014, so act fast: Visit the Counterpoints sale.

The Latest Challenge to the Bible's Accuracy: Abraham's Anachronistic Camels?

Like the nose of a camel under the tent, archaeological research has raised new questions about the Bible's version of ancient history.

Two researchers at Tel Aviv University (TAU) studied the bones of camels found in an area of ancient copper mines in the Aravah Valley, south of the Dead Sea. Using radiocarbon dating and other techniques, they determined that camels were first used in the mining operations near the end of the 10th century BC.

They state that this is the first evidence of domesticated camels in ancient Israel.

This would be almost 1,000 years later than the time of the patriarchs, when camels first appear in the Bible...

Justin Taylor Exposes 5 Quotes that Luther Didn’t Actually Say

Here are a few quotes you’ll often hear attributed to Luther, though none of them are exact actual quotes, and a few of them are things that Luther would have disagreed with!

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Alleged Luther quote #5:

Justification is the article by which the church stands and falls.

D. A. Carson Explains What Makes a Good Commentary

Commentaries.

Some of you see that word and want to yawn. Others see it and want to cheer. You hope to collect lots of them, sets of them. There's an Amazon Wish List to prove it. But commentaries aren't meant to be collected. They're meant to be consulted—week in and week out as you prepare to unlock the treasure chest of God's Word to God's people once again.

In honor of the recently released seventh edition of D. A. Carson's New Testament Commentary Survey (Baker Academic), we asked The Gospel Coalition's co-founder and president a few questions about commentaries—what makes a good one, what they can't do, common pitfalls, how much time we should give them, and more.

Al Mohler on The Christian Leader in the Digital Age

The Digital Age is upon us. In the span of less than three decades, we have redefined the way humans communicate, entertain, inform, research, create, and connect – and what we know now is only a hint of what is to come. But the greatest concern of the church is not a technological imperative, but a Gospel imperative.

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If the leader is not leading in the digital world, his leadership is, by definition, limited to those who also ignore or neglect that world, and that population is shrinking every minute. The clock is ticking.

Katy Perry and Why Pastors’ Kids Fall Away

Katy Perry is currently the highest-profile pastor’s kid (PK) that has walked away from her faith. In a recent interview, she said she is no longer a Christian and doesn’t believe in heaven, hell or “an old man sitting on a throne.”

Perry represents a host of PKs who have struggled with their faith….

Here’s what pastors said they wish they had done better:

• Spent more time with their kids (42 percent)
• Been more understanding (8 percent)
• Given them more Bible teaching (5 percent)
• No regrets; wouldn’t change anything (19 percent)

I have a special place in my heart for kids who are PKs because I am one. I grew up to serve the Lord and live for Him.

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Extra-Curricular Activities is a weekly roundup of stories on biblical interpretation, theology, and issues where faith and culture meet. We found each story interesting, thought-provoking, challenging, or useful in some way – but we don't necessarily agree with or endorse every point in every story.

If you have any comments on these stories, we welcome you to share them here. We hope you enjoy!

–The Editors of Koinonia Blog