Reader’s Choice Awards: Your 5 Favorite Intersect Articles of 2020

Center for Faith and Culture | December 29, 2020
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Earlier in December, we asked you what your favorite Intersect articles were, and you responded. Most of you stuck with more recent articles. Others went back and found one that resonated with you from earlier in the year. All in all, you nominated dozens of different articles.

Without further ado, here are your top 5 Intersect articles of 2020. 

Sex Robots: The Enshrinement of Selfishness. (credit: lightstock.com)

1. Let’s Talk About Sex: Can America’s Hyper-Sexualized Culture Grow a Godly Conscience?

Jonathan Darville has been one of our most consistent, thoughtful contributors. He has written on everything from suffering and abortion to food and golf. But this year you most appreciated his article on the Christian sexual ethic, making it the overwhelming favorite of 2020.

He reminded the reader that historically the Christian sexual ethic has always been strange and unwelcoming, but God’s people still maintained their faithfulness in context, so we likewise can maintain our faithfulness. — Cortez J.

There is ‘nothing new under the sun.’ Jonathan’s lesson on Rome and sexual practice revealed the current return to an age old way of life that in the name of ‘freedom’ produces bondage and oppression of children, women and men as mankind again tries to invent his own sexual reality. — LeeAnne D.

Waking up the reality of death (credit: lightstock.com)

2. Waking Up to the Reality of Death

This year, we all were faced with suffering and, in many cases, death. It’s no surprise, then, that many of you resonated Nathaniel Williams‘ article on this particular topic.

This article resonates deeply with what I have been contemplating in recent months; never in the the history of mankind at least for as long as I have been alive where death is staring at people’s faces globally. What a privilege to declare that there is only One who died and resurrected and did not die again but instead is reigning and is returning to rescue His people from all kinds of trials and all kinds of losses, pestilence, sickness, sin and death. The author brought to life this reality that death is all around us, and quoting Mr. Williams, ‘Waking up to the reality of death is painful, but it can be a gift from God.’ This gift is a gift to His people to evangelize those around us who fear death and to share what and who truly matters in this life and life to come. — Teresita P.

Candid photo and human dignity

3. What a Candid Photo Taught Me About Human Dignity

We’ve all made mistakes, but few of us are bold enough to write about them. In 2020, though, Kylie  told you about one of her mission trip mistakes, and you deeply appreciated her honesty and the lessons she drew from her experience.

As someone who works in a helping industry, I too have fallen into the trap of diminishing the personhood of individuals I work with in the interest of self-aggrandizement. This article helped me pinpoint exactly why that is an harmful response. — Hannah S.

San Diego at night (credit: Southeastern Seminary)

4. (tie) Recognizing the Stench of Nietzschean Nihilism

This year we were honored to share some wise, insightful articles from Southeastern Seminary’s Dr. Ivan Spencer. During the middle of lockdown, he explored Camus and quarantine psychology. But you most appreciated his discussion of Nietzsche and the stench of his nihilism.

As someone who is fascinated with Nihilism, this piece was really a great read. — Donnie H.

Thanksgiving leaves (credit: lightstock.com)

4. (tie) 8 Reasons We Can Be Thankful (Especially in 2020)

At first glance, you might think we wouldn’t have much to be grateful for in a year like 2020. But Brandon Ward and Nathaniel Williams highlighted some of the many ways God has blessed us — even in 2020 — and you appreciated the encouragement.

This article is a great reminder of God’s faithfulness in the midst of a chaotic year and with a looming unforeseeable future! — Kim W.

Beyond Voting: Staying Culturally Engaged After the Election

5. (tie) Beyond Voting: Staying Culturally Engaged After the Election

We know that voting is an important aspect of our civic engagement. But Liberty McArtor reminded us that we can be culturally engaged in a variety of ways even after the election. You appreciated her perspective and voted it as one of your favorites.

This article was a timely article that pointed out areas for consideration this voting year. — Joshua P.

Neil Shenvi: Are Social Justice, Critical Theory, and Christianity Compatible? (credit: Rebecca Hankins at SEBTS)

5. (tie) Neil Shenvi: Are Social Justice, Critical Theory, and Christianity Compatible?

In conservative evangelicalism, few topics have been more discussed in 2020 than Critical Race Theory. The L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture hosted Dr. Neil Shenvi in early March to discuss this and related topics, and many of you found his lecture worth watching.

I have struggled with understanding critical theory and this article helped me with that, and has been very helpful with understanding social justice in the context of Christianity! — Kathy C.

Beyond the Top 5

Not every article that you nominated made the top 5. But many of you uniquely resonated with other articles, and we wanted to share some of these observations. 

First, LeAnne J. found comfort in Annie Lavi‘s article Yearning for Something More than 2021. She writes,

I like this article because it reminded me that although 2020 has been like no other year in my life, God has been faithful and has taught me many lessons during this very different time. I need to live more in the here and now instead of waiting for the future. God is still working right now, and although He has plans for my future He has me in this season at this particular time for a reason.

Second, Will J. learned from and appreciated What Did Charles Spurgeon Think About Social Activism? by Alex DiPrima. He explains,

Whereas modern Christians may become jaded when considering the Christian leaders of the past (e.g. Puritans and slavery, etc.), Diprima provides a helpful example of a Baptist hero who was concerned about justice in society in Spurgeon. The example of Spurgeon has the potential to bridge a perhaps unspoken divide growing between activist-minded Christians and more traditionalists Christians with less enthusiasm for social change.

Finally, Teresa K. shared how much she appreciated (and agreed with) Dave Hughes‘ article on resilience.

I am a former veteran attending graduate school to obtain a degree in mental health counseling so I can work with veterans who are experiencing complex trauma consequences. I found this article to be helpful in considering where the focus should be on building resilience for Christians who have served in the military.

 

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The L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture seeks to engage culture as salt and light, presenting the Christian faith and demonstrating its implications for all areas of human existence.

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