BCL Online Picks — January 29, 2026
Photo Credit: Jonatan Pie on Unsplash
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How are “ridiculous faith,” the biblical covenants, conviction, the sacraments, and Barnabas connected to living out the Christian faith? Find out in this week’s online picks!
1. From Silence to Complexification to Capitulation
In this Clearly Reformed article, Kevin DeYoung shows how evangelicals often move from silence on LGBTQ issues to confused complexity and finally to acceptance, revealing how theological drift happens gradually rather than all at once. The tension between orthodoxy and cultural pressure underscores why the church must speak clearly at the earliest stages to resist reshaping biblical convictions to fit the spirit of the age. Read it here →
2. What Is a Sacrament?
In this Core Christianity article, Leah B. explains what a sacrament is and why baptism and the Lord’s Supper matter for the life of the church. She emphasizes that the sacraments are gifts given by Christ himself, not traditions invented by the church, and that they are meant for the good and strengthening of believers. Read it here →
3. The Ridiculous Faith of George Müller
In this Medium article, Zack Duncan reflects on the “ridiculous faith” of George Müller, whose steadfast trust in God’s provision sustained a vast orphan ministry without public fundraising. The piece invites readers to consider how faith that looks unreasonable to the world can be a powerful testimony to God’s faithfulness. Read it here →
4. What Is a Liturgy?
In this Ligonier Ministries article, pastor and author Jonathan Landry Cruse explains what “liturgy” really means—simply the ordered work of worship that every church practices, even if it doesn’t use that word. Drawing on Scripture and Reformed principles, he shows how a healthy liturgy both reflects our encounter with God and shapes the way God’s people hear, respond to, and proclaim the gospel together. Read it here →
5. Becoming Barnabas: The Example Of Encouragement (Part 1): Introduction
In this Heidelblog article (part one of a two-part series), theologian Harrison Perkins reflects on the oft-overlooked figure of Barnabas in Acts, the “son of encouragement,” and why his example matters for Christians today. Perkins highlights how Barnabas consistently built up others amid controversy and church growth, inviting readers to cultivate the same spirit of encouragement in their own church communities. Read it here →
6. The Christian’s Battle with Sin
In this Substack article, pastor Matthew Adams reminds readers that the Christian’s battle with sin is not a sign of failure but evidence of new life in Christ. He explains that while the spiritually dead are at peace with sin, those made alive by the Spirit grieve over it and resist it. The very struggle itself, he argues, is a sign of genuine spiritual life. Read it here →
7. 5 Ways Covenant Theology Applies to Everyday Life
In this Ligonier Ministries article, Sarah Ivill explains how covenant theology isn’t just an abstract theology but a gospel-shaped way to understand everyday life. She outlines how the biblical covenants remind us of God’s faithful promises, the centrality of Christ in Scripture, and our identity as members of God’s people who are sustained by grace. The piece encourages readers to let the covenantal storyline of Scripture shape their daily trust in God’s promises and their life together in community. (Many thanks to The Aquila Report for bringing this article to our attention.) Read it here →
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