Flotsam and jetsam (2/1)

• Mark Almie asks, Are We Afraid of Single Pastors?

Why were so many churches “requiring” a pastor to be married? Jesus wasn’t. Paul wasn’t. Almost all pastors were single until the time of the Reformation. Is it wise to “require” that our Evangelical pastors be married? Is it biblical?

• John A. Broadus on The Duty of Preaching Baptist Distinctives. (HT)

We must teach [Baptist] views in order to be consistent in holding them. Because of these we stand apart from other Christians. We have no right thus to stand apart unless the matters of difference have real importance; and if they are really important, we certainly ought to teach them.

• A Slate.com article explains how economic factors contribute to the crisis in Egypt.

Any number of political and social factors underpins the current unrest in Egypt—and as always, economics figures in. The upheaval has shined a light on two serious problems facing the country: Most jobs pay too little, and most food costs too much.

• The January 2011 Biblical Studies Carnival is up, with Jim West at his snarkiest best.

• Paul Helm offers some quotes from Calvin on preaching.

• Joel Watts is giving away a copy of James McGrath’s The Only True God.

• At least a million people rallied across Egypt in continued demonstrations. And Sarah Topol offers a view of the crisis from the streets.

• And, here’s a list of 7 Myths Mythbuster Proved But We Still Can’t Believe They’re True. My favorite: you really can stick your hand into molten lead without injury…briefly.