Here are the items and resources of interest for December 5, 2017:

Theology/Christianity:

• How old are America’s pastors? — The results are interesting. 
• This subject is one that I run into often.  Often it is disguised with the words, “we only want the Bible.” This article by Jason Helopolous is worth the few minutes it will take to read it. From the article:

It is important to note that the Reformers held to sola Scriptura, not solo Scriptura. Solo Scriptura advocates a radical individualism that rejects the church, creeds, confessions, and tradition as having any authority while embracing private judgment above all else. This view radicalizes the Protestant ethic and undermines it. Such an approach finds no credence in the teaching of the Reformers or the early church. Conversely, the Reformers taught the Apostles’ Creed and stood upon the truths articulated at Chalcedon and Nicaea. Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, Henry Bullinger, and Martin Bucer all wrote catechisms and confessions for their people. They viewed an anti-creedal and anti-confessional theology as anti-Christian. None of the prominent Protestant Reformers advocated solo Scriptura.

• Along the same lines as the above article, John Hartley writes on the subject of “Studying the Confession.”  He writes:

It is a common suspicion among Protestant teachers that using a confession for discipleship will devalue Scripture in the heart of a disciple. The first step toward being convinced otherwise is to understand that a good confession clearly places itself beneath Scripture.

• The Banner of Truth offers a preview of an upcoming release from Sinclair Ferguson Some Pastors and Teachers. On the same subject, this article on the “Extraordinary Ordinary Pastor” is useful. 
• Biblical church discipline is often difficult.  Jeremy Kimble offers four reasons churches do not practice it and responds to each of them biblically. 
• The House of God is an article written by Dr. L. Michael Morales and is featured in the December edition of TableTalk magazine. Highly recommended. 

Technology:

• A few interesting pictures of the only supermoon of 2017 as offered on CNET.
• Before you upgrade to a new phone and hand down (or sell) your old one, you will want to read this article from CNET.
• The best products of 2017 according to PC Mag. 
• How to keep your kids safe online — article written by Jordan McMahon