BCL Online Picks — January 22, 2026
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From political hope and church growth to prayer, disappointment, and calling, this week’s online picks explore how Scripture reshapes our assumptions about power, transformation, and success.
1. Put No Confidence in Princes
In this Substack article, pastor Matthew Adams urges believers not to place their ultimate confidence in earthly rulers or political systems, reminding readers that government, though ordained by God, cannot bring about true righteousness or spiritual renewal. Drawing on Psalm 146:3 and biblical history, he argues that lasting transformation comes not through legislation or state power, but through the gospel’s power to change hearts. Read it here →
2. Pentecostalism Reexamined: A Historical and Theological Critique
In this Church Times Nigeria article, Prof. Oyewole Sarumi offers a concise historical and theological critique of Pentecostalism, urging readers to evaluate the movement’s modern practices in light of Scripture and the church’s historic teaching. He raises concerns about emotionalism, the elevation of experience, confusion over miracles, and the misuse of spiritual gifts, warning that these tendencies can eclipse biblical authority. Read it here →
3. How the Church Growth Movement Has De-Churched Christians
In this Reformed Journal essay, Jon Austin argues that the church growth movement’s emphasis on attendance and attraction has often undermined genuine church life rather than strengthened it. He contends that growth-driven strategies can foster consumerism, weaken theological depth, and turn worshipers into spectators rather than committed members of a church community. Austin calls churches to recover faithfulness through ordinary, Word-centered practices instead of measuring success by numbers. Read it here →
4. How Do I Know If I’m Called to Serve as a Pastor?
Pastor and theologian J. V. Fesko reflects on how Christians can discern a call to pastoral ministry, drawing on the historic distinction between an internal sense of calling and external confirmation from the church. He encourages careful reflection, humility, prayer, and patience as individuals weigh both inward desire and outward affirmation before pursuing the pastorate. Read it here →
5. R.C. Sproul’s Warning Concerning Prayer
In this Ligonier Ministries article, theologian R. C. Sproul reflects on Jesus’ promises about prayer—such as asking in faith and agreeing together in prayer—and helps readers understand them within the broader teaching of Scripture. Sproul cautions against reading these verses as guarantees that God will grant every request, instead urging believers to approach prayer with humility and trust in God’s wise, sovereign, and loving purposes. Read it here →
6. So Your Plans Failed. Now What?
7. What Does It Mean That the Natural Man Cannot Understand the Gospel?
What does Paul mean in 1 Corinthians 2:14 when he says the “natural man” cannot understand the gospel? This helpful post from Monergism explains why the issue is not a lack of intelligence but instead spiritual inability. It is both a sober reminder that salvation and true understanding come entirely by the Spirit’s work, not human effort or insight, and an encouragement to pray for God to open the hearts of unbelievers. Read it here →
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