A baker’s half dozen of the best articles this week from Reformed and others sources….

Thou shalt not bail

How many people are coming to your event? Who can know when a “yes” means “maybe” or “probably not”? 

“Bailing is one of the defining acts of the current moment,” David Brooks wrote recently in his column for The New York Times. We are a culture of “ephemeral enthusiasm,” readily and indiscriminately saying yes to invitations because we know we can “back out later.”

When cultists come knocking

Justin Taylor provides “cheat sheets” – wonderful short summaries – of questions and points to raise with Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses.

How to turn the table on pro-choice arguments

The prophet Nathan turned the tables on King David, telling him to, effectively, judge himself by the standard with which he was judging another. Here’s how to do this in the abortion debate.

On the school performance/grace divide

Jay Younts notes that even in Christian schools there is a focus on performance which stands in opposition to grace. How can we address this divide?

A pre-nup agreement for “until death do us part” couples?

This is from a Catholic writer, but it works for Reformed folk too – a very unusual nuptial agreement specifically for couples who are seeking indissoluable marriages.

God gives us William Wilberforces for a reason

With the Western world rejecting God, we sometimes forget that doesn’t make Him any less powerful. We need to hear about men, like William Wilberforce, who was willing to strive, no matter how insurmountable the odds seemed. And who ended slavery in Britain because God blessed his efforts. But it wasn’t only the result that honored God, but the submission – William Wilberforce tried where so many others refused to because they were more concerned with winning than fighting on God’s side, on the issues that matter most to Him.

Why Ezra Levant’s Rebel Media fell

Jonathon Van Maren shares how The Rebel Media’s flirtation with the alt-right led to their quick downfall, but veteran newsman Ted Byfield (of Alberta Report fame) doesn’t agree that the media outlet is down for good.