Top 10 Tuesday: Best Blogs of 2007

December 4th, 2007 | by Scott |

I read a lot of blogs. A month or so ago I realized that I read too many. I had gotten up to 250 on my reader so I whittled that group down to about 94 only to see it grow back up to 118. Many of that 94 were the excellent blogs or people who are regular visitors to this site.
It seems that the blog craze has peaked and the majority of people who started out of excitement or peer pressure have fallen to the way-side.
With that said, it’s time for my annual list of blogs that I appreciated the most this year. Last year’s list can be found here.

The rules remain the same:

–The blog had to have been operational the entire year. If it started in April, it’s not eligible. I am looking for a full calendar year of excellence. Also, no prolonged blog hiatuses.
–There has to be some discernible purpose. An online journal of what I did today does not qualify, although I occasionally enjoy reading those.

10. Think Christian–This blog is a project of gospelcom.net and uses a myriad of contributors from different perspectives to talk about faith and culture. It does a great job of spotlighting diverse subjects and how they play into the larger faith life.

9. On Journeying With Those in Exile–I just discovered this blog not too long ago and was immediately sucked in by a captivating series on the church and capitalism. The blog author is seeking to live in community and be a difference on the streets of Vancouver. Moving stuff.

8. The Fire and the Rose–I know that I am probably breaking my own rules since the author of this blog went on a hiatus about a month ago. However, I would be remiss if I did not include this one. In fact, it would be much higher without the hiatus. D.W. Congdon’s writing has helped me to refine and sharpen my own understandings of universalism, inerrancy and other fun topics. A must read. Hopefully, he will be back full-time very soon.

7. Levellers–This is the personal blog of Michael L. Westmoreland-White. I discovered him through our mutual membership in Christian Peace Bloggers. He is a well-reasoned and scholarly voice for peace and social justice.

6. Mark Elrod–Elrod is one of only two repeat members of this list and for good reason: he is continually the voice for “the other side” in our fellowship. He blogs prolifically with a keen balance of humor, wit, politics and faith. One of these days I’m going to become a regular commenter there.

5. Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire–You want to know what’s going on in the world of politics? Here is where you go. I’m able to keep up to date without sifting through all of the insufferable and interminable opinion pieces that abound.

4. The Hog Blogger–A guy who loves Razorback sports more than I do and blogs with the frequency and pulse on the situation that I can keep up even though I don’t live in Arkansas any longer. If he is right that we didn’t get saddled with a Bowden then I need to hug somebody. Seriously, Tommy Bowden?

3. Get Religion–The other returning blog from last year’s list, this is the go-to blog for an understanding of the world of religion reporting in America. They scour the plethora of religious newspaper articles and give salient, often unbiased commentary. And when it is biased it is usually for good reason.

2. Faith and Theology–I am always stretched and challenged whenever I visit the personal blog of Ben Myers. Whether it’s by his insight and grasp of deep theological issues or the always enlightening guest posts of Kim Fabricius I always leave inspired to dig deeper and ask harder questions.

1. Experimental Theology–I’m smarter just by having this blog in my reader. Richard Beck, professor at ACU, has stirred my thinking in many areas. Because of his writings I have been able to look closer at issues that I have too long been afraid to address. His scapegoat series helped to refine my own evolving views on atonement. This is my must-read blog of the year.

What do you think of these blogs? Any I left out?

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  1. 8 Responses to “Top 10 Tuesday: Best Blogs of 2007”

  2. By The Hog Blogger on Dec 4, 2007 | Reply

    Thanks for reading, and also for the kind words.

    I appreciate it.

  3. By Amy on Dec 4, 2007 | Reply

    I think the only one I read on your list is Elrod’s. I’ll have to check some of those out.

    And, yes, you do read way too many blogs. But, I have a feeling you read the way most of us breathe. :)

  4. By Fernando on Dec 4, 2007 | Reply

    What about naked Steve!

  5. By Mark on Dec 4, 2007 | Reply

    Yours, Elrod’s and Pop Candy are the only ones I read every day, what more do I need.

  6. By greg on Dec 5, 2007 | Reply

    I am subscribed to 7 of the 10, although the Hog Blogger was a recent addition after you shared a few things from it. I like it as well.

    I’m still baffled that they were even talking to Bowden. He can’t even win at Clemson in a watered down ACC where Miami and FSU are middle-of-the-pack teams. What did they expect him to do here?

  7. By Scott on Dec 5, 2007 | Reply

    I have no idea who naked Steve is.

    Mark, really that’s all there is. The rest is just fluff :D

    Greg, I was astounded when his name surfaced. A name alone is not enough. I agree with Wally Hall from today’s article: let’s get a top coordinator. Malzahn anyone?

  8. By Richard on Dec 6, 2007 | Reply

    Hi Scott,
    Wow, I’m deeply honored to be on the list (some amazing blogs there) and in the place I’m in.

    Before I started blogging I felt very alone and odd in my faith stance. Since blogging (two years this spring) I’ve never felt more at home than in the online community I’ve found.

    Merry Christmas!

    Best,
    Richard

  9. By ME on Dec 11, 2007 | Reply

    This is an honor. Thank you.

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