Yesterday, we published a list of the articles you said were your favorites. Today, we look at the cold hard facts: Which articles did you read the most?
Without further ado, here are the 10 most read Intersect articles published in 2018.
1. Should Women Be Seminary Professors?
Early in 2018, the question of whether women should be seminary professors was being debated in evangelical circles. Southeastern Seminary alumna Meredith Cook tackles this question with nuance and biblical clarity. It was Intersect’s most read new article of the year. Here’s an excerpt:
The professor and pastor are different roles, and have different responsibilities with different ecclesial authority. A seminary does not take the place of the local church. In fact, it exists to serve the local church.
2. Jonathan Darville: Suffering and the Good Life
One of our highlights of year was Wisdom Forum: The Good Life, a conference featuring short, powerful talks on the intersection of faith and culture. Jonathan Darville’s gripping talk about suffering was widely shared. You owe it to yourself to watch it. Here’s a preview:
In the power of the spirit we have to learn to pray our pain, sing our sorrows and lean in to the comfort of community. Because it is all too easy to fall into the world’s liturgies of lament.
3. Why Do We Go to Church?
Nicholas Dawson serves the L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture’s Mentorship Program. His helpful take on the centrality of the local church continues to be widely read. He writes,
We do not ultimately come together for Sunday worship service to experience an emotional response that brings joy to us as consumers, though many Westerners gather for this very reason. Rather, we gather because God has united us.
4. 10 Books You Should Read for Black History Month
During Black History Month, Brittany Salmon recommended a handful of books and resources that had been helpful to her. Evidently you thought they were helpful, too, as this list was one of the most read new articles of 2018. She writes,
My first recommendation to friends just starting these conversations is to listen to black voices through books and resources as they can open our eyes to a world we might not be able to see on our own. To be clear, books and resources aren’t the end goal. But they can be the catalyst for further work and reflection and for expanding our social circles.
5. Why the Church Needs Black Girl Magic
This article, penned by Southeastern Student Anteneshia Sanders, was one of the most fun, playful and encouraging pieces we published in 2018 — and it was widely read. She says,
For the believer, Black Girl Magic is not some manifesto of racial superiority. While some people would rather live in isolation, such isolation is contrary to the unity that we have been called to in Christ. Jesus has reconciled to himself all who believe, creating in himself one new man. The celebration of the black woman is not for the sake of division, but for the advancement of the Kingdom.
6. 5 Ways Pastors Shouldn’t Use Facebook
Sam Morris is a former pastor and resident social media guru at Southeastern Seminary. In this post, he combines these topics to offer a word of caution to pastors on their social media use. He writes,
Social media is a tool, not an escape. If you are using it as an escape from ministry, delete the app until such a time as you can use it as the tool that it is. If you need a break from ministry, try spending time in prayer, with friends, or reading a book — all of which can be more constructive ways to spend your time.
7. Noah’s Flood and the Age of the Earth (Part 1)
Back in 2013, the L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture hosted a conference on Noah’s Flood and the Age of the Earth featuring scholars and authors from around the country. This fall, we published the recorded videos from that event, and the first of those videos was one of the most watched videos of the year.
8. My Hope for Spiritual Friendship and Revoice
Southeastern Seminary alumnus Gene Burrus offers six points to guide our discussions about the hotly debated Revoice Conference and its precursor blog, Spiritual Friendship. He writes,
Terms used in our discussions of sexuality mean very different things to different people. …. I do think it’s important that both Revoice and Spiritual Friendship teach their communities more critical engagement with the concepts and language of secular LGBT culture.
9. Single-Minded: Reflections on Singlehood, Faith and the Church
Sara Beth Fentress wrote a two-part series on singleness and the church. Both were widely read, but this piece was one of the top 10 of 2018. She writes,
Churches need to be intentional to offer opportunities for community and discipleship for all of their members at various life stages. Singleness has a way of making you feel hidden in plain sight.
10. Questioning the Self-Care Movement
Everyone is talking about the self-care movement. But is it wise, and how is it similar or different from the biblical concept of Sabbath? Yana Conner answered these questions in this wise article. She writes,
While the Sabbath centers around God as the source of “making it,” the Self-Care Movement centers around you being that source. This self-focus is why our restful plans become inflexible. If I’m the source of my own strength and I’ve got nothing to give, then I’ve got nothing to give. But, if God is the source and I’ve got nothing to give, then I can trust that God will empower me to have something to give.
Honorable Mentions.
Just outside the top 10, two articles were neck-and-neck for 11th place. As an added bonus, we wanted to share them with you as well.
- The Greatest Showman and the Power of Forgiveness
Brittany Salmon reflects on the hit movie, The Greatest Showman. - Single-Minded: How to Love Your Single Friends
Part 2 of Sara Beth Fentress’ series on singlehood was also widely read.
Which article was your favorite, and why? Tell us about it in the comments.
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