Set deep in the Depression-era South of the 1930s, the story covers three years in the life of young Jean-Louise “Scout” Finch and her brother Jem… three years marked by the arrest and trial of Tom Robinson, a black man falsely charged with the rape of a white girl.

Scout and Jem scarcely notice the goings-on until their lawyer father, Atticus Finch, agrees to take the case and defend Robinson in court: a fact that the two children (and the other inhabitants of Maycomb, Alabama) are staggered by.

Harper Lee’s acclaimed novel is ostensibly a courtroom drama, but such a description does not really do this profound and multifaceted book justice. At once poignant, wise, and humorous, Mockingbird is a tale of such excellence that, to quote the Chicago Tribune, “it will no doubt make a great many readers slow down to relish more fully its simple distinction.

Lee’s writing is graced with an elegance so unspectacular it’s spectacular; more than once, I had to pause and read passages aloud, just for the pleasure of rolling them off my tongue.

The book concerns itself with a number of weighty, adult themes, but Lee chooses to tell it through the eyes of a small child. It is within this context – the coming-of-age story or bildungsroman – that she explores the evils of racial prejudice. The result is both subtle and potent; a morality tale that never succumbs to didactic preachiness.

We’re also presented with an unforgettable picture of moral courage in the character of Atticus Finch. To most of the white folks in Maycomb, Tom Robinson was tried and condemned the moment he was accused. Atticus not only believes differently, he acts differently. Even when the odds are stacked against him, he takes a stand for justice and equity. One man contra mundum - against the world.

“This case, Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience – Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man.”

“Atticus, you must be wrong…”

“How’s that?”

“Well, most folks seem to think they’re right and you’re wrong…”

“They’re certainly entitled to think that, and they’re entitled to full respect for their opinion,” said Atticus, “but before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.” (p. 120)

Scout and her brother, and many others in Maycomb, come to respect him for that. One of the most touching scenes in the book occurs after the trial, when the town’s black minister tells Scout, “Miss Jean-Louise, stand up. Your father’s passin’.” (p. 241)

Stand up, indeed.

Nobody Watching [Caution: Mature] – Gary Demar hits the nail on the head again: “Keep in mind that if no one is watching atheists make better lovers, then they can also make better wife beaters, sadists, thieves, batterers, and rapists.”

Rise Up, Beloved Of God – A terrific quote from Spurgeon, shared by Pastor Cardwell.

Christ and Him Crucified 001 – Click to watch the intro to a new series on the Gospel truth of Christ and Him crucified. Great stuff from Pastor Cardwell.

A Word to the Conscience – Carl Truman writes, Some years ago I was asked what I thought of those whose teaching undermined the Reformation position on justification by grace through faith. While I have no recollection of this, I am reliably informed that my answer was “‘I despise them; for that doctrine is often the only thing that gives me the strength to get out of bed in the morning.’”

Why I Hope Real Books Never Die (and They Won’t) – Mr. DeYoung is a true bibliophile.

Christian Convert Sentenced to Death in Iran – From Fox News: “Youcef Nadarkhani, a 34-year-old father of two who was arrested over two years ago on charges of apostasy, may now be executed at any time without prior warning, as death sentences in Iran may be carried out immediately or dragged out for years.”

Under the Radar and In the Garden – Persis shares some thoughts from Nancy Pearcey’s Total Truth. Sounds like an excellent book.

Some Spurgeon Quotes – Yes, I know: I already shared a dose of Spurgeon. But hey, what’s wrong with another? This time, Michael Wright is serving it up.

Music Giveaway - It ends February 29th, so don’t waste anymore time here: check it out!

“Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible
people in an impudent way.” ~ Jane Austen

~ D.A. Carson, A Call to Spiritual Reformation

“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” (1 Cor. 28-29)

Last week, I was blessed to receive a review copy of Discerning the Body, a new eBook written by Hone Phillips. Based on Paul’s words in I Corinthians 11:17-34, the book is a study of the requirements for participation in the Lord’s Supper, and addresses the significance of self-examination.

… the merits earned by Christ’s death were for each and every one of his saints, not just our friends and those who think as we do. The aim of the self-examination is, therefore, to help each of us see every other member as of great worth to Christ. (p. 68)

At just over a hundred pages, Phillips’ work is short and straight-forward, easily read in one sitting. This is not to say it lacks in theological depth – nothing could be further from the truth. It’s rich, thought-provoking, and biblically-rooted. But it also gets to the point and stays there. And I, for one, appreciated that.

Discerning the Body is Phillips’ first book (as far as I know), but the writing quality is superb throughout: crisp, articulate, and genuine. While stressing the importance of sound doctrine, he also lays great emphasis on love and unity in the body of Christ. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:2, “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”

Small differences should not blind us to the the great and glorious thing we have in common – salvation in Jesus Christ. We must not lose sight of the forest for the trees.

Here is the great cost, paid by the Lord Jesus Christ, for each and every one of his people. The very Son of God himself laid aside His glory and died the death of a criminal for us. Next to that great salvation and sacrifice what pettiness to consider as important the slights caused by another member of the congregation and hold them against him or her.

Without remembering what Christ did for us we cannot truly love one another as He has loved us. The standard is shown in the Supper. This is what forms the basic principle which Paul will apply to the situation he had heard about in Corinth. The Supper reminds us of what He did and we should love one another even as He loved us all. (p. 62)

(Discerning the Body is available for purchase here)

Asking (and Answering) the Wrong Question – Dan Phillips writes, “Often a lot of good folks’ good time is wasted in responding to the wrong question, to no good result.”

They Come in Trios… – Aubrey Hansen’s new book, Peter’s Angel, is set to be released this June.

Burden and Weakness – Michael Wright shares a quote from the Prince of Preachers. “The wilderness is the way to Canaan. The low valley leads to the towering mountain. Defeat prepares for victory. The raven is sent forth before the dove. The darkest hour of the night precedes the day-dawn.”

Red with Wine, White with Milk – From Pastor Jon Cardwell.

God Will Not Shut Up – An excellent post from Chief of the Least blog: “No man is innocent (Romans 3:11-18), no man is ignorant, no man has an excuse, all men deserve wrath. The heavens, the seas, the mountains, the sunsets, good food, family, and our own wounded conscience bears witness to this.”

“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to
stop reading them.” ~ Ray Bradbury

~ Cormac McCarthy, All the Pretty Horses

Film Dissectors – Click here to read my in-depth review of Safe House (2009), and here to read Eric’s review of Coraline (2009).

Another Liberal Argument Bites the Dust [Caution: Mature] – A terrific post by Gary Demar. He says, “If we follow the logic of ‘If God didn’t make gays, there wouldn’t be any,’ we end up having to account for all types of behaviors and justify their morality because such people with these behaviors exist.”

11 Things You Didn’t Want to Know About Me – From Persis. (I’m betting you want to know even though she says you don’t). And while we’re on this topic, click here to read Michael Wright’s “confessions”.

Red Dragon – Eric reviews the book that introduced Hannibal Lecter to the world. “For the most part,” he writes, “I enjoyed the book, until the last few chapters. It almost seems like Harris wrote them just to anger and confuse readers.”

Another Movie Review – Friend and fellow blogger Ethan Hansen reviews Star Wars Episode 1, which was recently re-released in 3D. “Phantom Menace is not what most would call ‘great’; cool and exciting as the action all is, the awful acting and overly-complicated plot make us so mad we could pull the ears off a gundark. But hey, it’s flipping Star Wars we’re talking about here, and nothing compares to seeing one of the most adored sagas in film history on the big screen!”

American Technopoly – From Kevin DeYoung.

“That all courage was a form of constancy. That it is always himself that the coward abandoned first. After this all other betrayals come easily.” ~ Cormac McCarthy

I would be most grateful if you would assist me in answering a profound and troubling question. I have thought on it, wrestled with it, and puzzled over it – and still, I am unable to arrive at a satisfactory solution. Riddle me this:

Spanking a 5-year-old for disobedience is an unpardonable form of child abuse. Attending a violent, gritty R-rated movie with your youngster in tow is, however, a perfectly acceptable way to parent. Why?

Please help. If you know the answer, or think you do, drop me a line in the comments section. I’m almost at the end of my rope. Passing this test is vital if I am to receive my BA in follies and nonsense (F/N).

Sincerely yours,
T.I.S.

“People don’t want the truth anymore, Matt.
It’s messy, keeps people up at night.”

(I’ll be posting a more in-depth review
on my movie review blog, Reel Quick)