Resources for The Hillcrest Civil Forum

by Tom Goodman

As I prepared for this week's Civil Forum, I found the following articles and books helpful in developing my thinking about the subject of immigration policy.

Two Theories of Immigration by Mark Amstutz

Public Policy and the Church by Mark Amstutz, published in The City, a publication of Houston Baptist University

How the Democrats Lost Their Way on Immigration, by Peter Beinart for The Atlantic

“A Moral and Just Response to the Immigration Crisis” by Richard Land

God and Immigration Reform, by Richard Land

“New force for broad immigration reform: conservative evangelicals” by Dan Gilgoff

“The Immigration Middle Ground,” by Yuval Levin and Reihan Salam

Lifeway Research: Evangelicals Say It Is Time For Congress To Tackle Immigration

Immigrants Among Us:  A Lutheran Framework for Addressing Immigration Issues

Comprehensive Immigration Confusion, by Peter Skerry

Splitting the Difference on Illegal Immigration, by Peter Skerry

Evangelical Immigration Table

Books:

Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion & Truth in the Immigration Debate, by Matthew Soerens  and Jenny Hwang Yang

There Goes the Neighborhood: How Communities Overcome Prejudice and Meet the Challenge of American Immigration, by Ali Noorani

Just Immigration: American Policy in Christian Perspective, by Mark Amstutz

Books on Suffering

by Tom Goodman

I was asked for a list of books that deal with suffering. Here’s what I recommended to start with.

The Problem of Pain, by C.S. Lewis

A Place for Healing, by Joni Eareckson Tada

Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering, by Tim Keller

Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, by John Piper

The Question That Never Goes Away, by Philip Yancey. The ebook version is only $2 right now.

Recommended Books

by Tom Goodman

In yesterday’s sermon I recommended the following books. These will help you develop confidence in answering questions that nonbelievers may ask about your faith.

The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. In fact, any of Strobel’s “Case” books will help.

The Reason for God by Tim Keller. I also recommended his newer book, Making Sense of God. But at least start with his “Reason” book.

Unapologetic: Why, Despite Everything, Christianity Can Still Make Surprising Emotional Sense, by Francis Spufford. I don’t agree with everything about this book, but what he gets right he gets very, very right. My comments here.

True Paradox: How Christianity Makes Sense of Our Complex World, by David Skeel

Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis. Released in the 1950s, it’s still relevant.

The Anchor Course: Exploring Christianity Together

I also quoted from Lesslie Newbigin’s The Gospel in a Pluralist Society.

So, there. Your summer reading list is complete!

Outreach with the Okinawa Tomonokia Drum Corp

by Tom Goodman

I asked Bruce Murray to give us a quick report on a program we hosted at Hillcrest. The program gave the Japanese Church of Austin an opportunity to reach out to the Japanese who attended. Here's his report. 

Bruce Murray and a performer

Our church hosted the New Year celebration of the Okinawa Tomonokia Drum Corp! Some 300 people gathered in the MPC last Saturday, many of whom speak Japanese, and pastor B'young Lee had the opportunity to speak to them about the Japanese Church of Austin that meets here at Hillcrest, Many of these folks did not know of the church's existence and indicated an interest in attending! We provided a great outreach opportunity for this church!                 --Bruce Murray