A-4 PEOPLE-FILES
- Tom Ascol - Bruce Asford - Karen Atkins - Mike Augsburger -
==tom ascol======
Thomas Kennedy Ascol is an evangelical Christian pastor, author, and president of Founders Ministries. He is currently the senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Florida, where he has served for 37 years as of June 2023. He has served as an adjunct professor of theology for various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary, the Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary, African Christian University, Copperbelt Ministerial College, and Reformed Baptist Seminary. He has also served as a Visiting Professor at the Nicole Institute for Baptist Studies at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida.
Ascol is the president of Founders Ministries and the Institute of Public Theology. He has edited the Founders Journal, and has been a regular contributor to TableTalk, the monthly magazine of Ligonier Ministries. Ascol regularly preaches and lectures at various conferences throughout the United States and other countries, and hosts a weekly podcast called The Sword & The Trowel.
Ascol is the president of Founders Ministries and the Institute of Public Theology. He has edited the Founders Journal, and has been a regular contributor to TableTalk, the monthly magazine of Ligonier Ministries. Ascol regularly preaches and lectures at various conferences throughout the United States and other countries, and hosts a weekly podcast called The Sword & The Trowel.
IS CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM AN ACCEPTABLE IDEOLOGY?
Christian nationalism is a phrase that has picked up a lot of steam, especially among politically active evangelical Christians. Some have intentionally distanced themselves from the term, while others have begun passionately embracing it as their political ideology. This disagreement begs two important questions: What does Christian nationalism even mean, and should Christians embrace such a thing? According to Tom Ascol, president of Founders Ministries, Christian nationalism is best defined as an ideology that “asserts that there is something identifiable as an American nation, distinct from other nations, … defined by Christianity, … and that the American people and their government should actively work to defend, sustain and cultivate America’s Christian culture, heritage and values.” In short, America is historically a Christian nation, and its people and governments should work to maintain that heritage. However, critics of Christian nationalism say that America is not a Christian nation. According to Pew Research Center, only about half of American citizens report that religion is very important in their lives. (Liberty Champion 8/28/23) Read More>>>>>
Christian nationalism is a phrase that has picked up a lot of steam, especially among politically active evangelical Christians. Some have intentionally distanced themselves from the term, while others have begun passionately embracing it as their political ideology. This disagreement begs two important questions: What does Christian nationalism even mean, and should Christians embrace such a thing? According to Tom Ascol, president of Founders Ministries, Christian nationalism is best defined as an ideology that “asserts that there is something identifiable as an American nation, distinct from other nations, … defined by Christianity, … and that the American people and their government should actively work to defend, sustain and cultivate America’s Christian culture, heritage and values.” In short, America is historically a Christian nation, and its people and governments should work to maintain that heritage. However, critics of Christian nationalism say that America is not a Christian nation. According to Pew Research Center, only about half of American citizens report that religion is very important in their lives. (Liberty Champion 8/28/23) Read More>>>>>
Russell Moore, Karen Swallow Prior Spark Outrage for Saying They Don’t Enjoy ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’
Various people, including commentator William Wolfe, an outspoken supporter of Christian nationalism, and Founders Ministries president Tom Ascol, responded critically to Prior and Moore. “The admissions in this exchange explain a lot,” said Ascol, retweeting a circulating clip of the conversation. “Its [sic] not Scripture, but if this story leaves you cold, it might be indicative of a much deeper issue,” said another user.
(Jessica Lea/Church Leaders 8/25/23)
Read More>>>>>
Various people, including commentator William Wolfe, an outspoken supporter of Christian nationalism, and Founders Ministries president Tom Ascol, responded critically to Prior and Moore. “The admissions in this exchange explain a lot,” said Ascol, retweeting a circulating clip of the conversation. “Its [sic] not Scripture, but if this story leaves you cold, it might be indicative of a much deeper issue,” said another user.
(Jessica Lea/Church Leaders 8/25/23)
Read More>>>>>
==bruce ashford======
Bruce Ashford is a book writer, speaker, columnist, and speech writer. He is the author or co-author of six trade books, including Letters to an American Christian, How To Survive an Election Season, Every Square Inch: An Introduction to Cultural Engagement for Christians, and One Nation Under God: A Christian Hope for American Politics. He is the author of three academic books: The Doctrine of Creation, The Gospel of Our King, and Theology & Practice of Mission. Ashford is a Fellow in Public Theology at the Kirby Laing Institute for Christian Ethics (Cambridge, UK), a participant in the Dulles Colloquium of the Institute on Religion & Public Life, and a trustee at the Institute for Religion & Democracy.
Bruce Ashford Files
The overall result of God’s monologue is to reveal that Job has obscured God’s counsel with insufficient knowledge. He spoke too quickly and firmly in light of his own inability to comprehend God’s being and ways. Job’s suffering and his subsequent encounter with God caused him to grow in his understanding of God and of himself.
Although God didn’t give Job an answer as to why he suffered, he did give Job a fuller understanding of God, himself, and the world around him. In return, Job became willing to accept that he would never understand why God allowed him to suffer but that he believed that God can work in and through his suffering to accomplish his mysterious purposes.
In conclusion, Job recognizes his finitude and fallenness: “Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes (42:6).” The Hebrew word for “repent” could also be translated as “loathe.” It seems the point of Job’s concluding declaration is he has come to recognize his smallness and the limits of his own wisdom. And he has come to embrace God’s greatness and the mysterious nature of God’s wisdom and ways. So, when we feel like yelling at God, as Job felt, we are well-served to pair our yelling with the remembrance that God’s wisdom is higher than our wisdom, his ways higher than ours. -Bruce Ashford; 4.18.22
Although God didn’t give Job an answer as to why he suffered, he did give Job a fuller understanding of God, himself, and the world around him. In return, Job became willing to accept that he would never understand why God allowed him to suffer but that he believed that God can work in and through his suffering to accomplish his mysterious purposes.
In conclusion, Job recognizes his finitude and fallenness: “Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes (42:6).” The Hebrew word for “repent” could also be translated as “loathe.” It seems the point of Job’s concluding declaration is he has come to recognize his smallness and the limits of his own wisdom. And he has come to embrace God’s greatness and the mysterious nature of God’s wisdom and ways. So, when we feel like yelling at God, as Job felt, we are well-served to pair our yelling with the remembrance that God’s wisdom is higher than our wisdom, his ways higher than ours. -Bruce Ashford; 4.18.22
Mar 13, 2023: Wartburg Watch: Bruce Ashford’s Spectacular Fall From Grace
Bruce Ashford first appeared on the radar of The Wartburg Watch in the summer of 2021. As I recall, one of our “field agents” notified us of Ashford’s somewhat discrete resignation from his Provost position at SEBTS in July 2020. The email circulated through employees of SEBTS stated that Ashford would remain with the seminary, “returning full-time to the classroom.”
Bruce Ashford first appeared on the radar of The Wartburg Watch in the summer of 2021. As I recall, one of our “field agents” notified us of Ashford’s somewhat discrete resignation from his Provost position at SEBTS in July 2020. The email circulated through employees of SEBTS stated that Ashford would remain with the seminary, “returning full-time to the classroom.”
Bruce Ashford Files
In light of the degraded nature of our nation’s public discourse, therefore, evangelical Christians must model the “more excellent way” to which Paul refers (1 Cor. 12:31). This more excellent way goes beyond the mere intellectual evaluation of political ideologies and policies. It also includes the practice of convictional civility.
Instead of degrading the people on the other side of the political aisle by demonizing them, questioning their motives, and caricaturing their arguments, the Bible instructs us to speak the truth in a way that communicates Christian concern and respect. We should represent our debate partners accurately, not misrepresent them. We should recognize the good in their lives and their arguments, not glorify ourselves and demonize them. In other words, we must cultivate a public demeanor that is worthy of the Lord whose name we carry (2 Cor. 4:10).
If the gospel message is true—and if it truly transforms—then gospel-minded Christians should expect to be radically different in every arena. As those convinced of the gospel’s truth, it is right and proper for us to defend it in public. However, the manner in which we defend it can either defraud or reflect its truth. Truth without grace makes us political bullies and jerks. Grace without truth makes us political non-entities and wimps.
But Jesus’s powerful combination of truth and grace exemplifies for us the more excellent way of convictional civility. With confidence, then, we must stand firm in our convictions—but do so winsomely in ways that honor the Christ whose gospel we cherish.
-Bruce Ashford; Gospel Coalition; How the Gospel Should Shape Our Political Posture 6.1.21
Instead of degrading the people on the other side of the political aisle by demonizing them, questioning their motives, and caricaturing their arguments, the Bible instructs us to speak the truth in a way that communicates Christian concern and respect. We should represent our debate partners accurately, not misrepresent them. We should recognize the good in their lives and their arguments, not glorify ourselves and demonize them. In other words, we must cultivate a public demeanor that is worthy of the Lord whose name we carry (2 Cor. 4:10).
If the gospel message is true—and if it truly transforms—then gospel-minded Christians should expect to be radically different in every arena. As those convinced of the gospel’s truth, it is right and proper for us to defend it in public. However, the manner in which we defend it can either defraud or reflect its truth. Truth without grace makes us political bullies and jerks. Grace without truth makes us political non-entities and wimps.
But Jesus’s powerful combination of truth and grace exemplifies for us the more excellent way of convictional civility. With confidence, then, we must stand firm in our convictions—but do so winsomely in ways that honor the Christ whose gospel we cherish.
-Bruce Ashford; Gospel Coalition; How the Gospel Should Shape Our Political Posture 6.1.21
Bruce Ashford Files
The biblical writer introduces Job as a wealthy and powerful Gentile living far away from the promised land, yet one who “feared God and shunned evil” (1:1). When Scripture speaks of “fearing” God, it is referring essentially to living wisely under God’s reign. Job is also described as “the greatest man among all the people of the East” (1:3).
The fact of Job’s wealth and power is significant to note. The Bible says of wealthy people that it is harder for them to genuinely trust God than it is for a camel to crawl through the eye of the needle. In other words, there is something about affluence that tends to corrupt a man. Yet, the writer of Job makes clear that Job did not fit the stereotype. Job genuinely trusted God, which is a remarkable characteristic.. -Bruce Ashford; 4.10.22
The fact of Job’s wealth and power is significant to note. The Bible says of wealthy people that it is harder for them to genuinely trust God than it is for a camel to crawl through the eye of the needle. In other words, there is something about affluence that tends to corrupt a man. Yet, the writer of Job makes clear that Job did not fit the stereotype. Job genuinely trusted God, which is a remarkable characteristic.. -Bruce Ashford; 4.10.22
Bruce Ashford
American Christians are well-served to reflect upon how we can be “salt and light” in our broken society and culture. When Jesus urged his disciples to be “salt” he knew that his audience would understand well the preserving and seasoning power of salt. In his day—an era without refrigerators or freezers—his audience knew well that meat could be preserved by rubbing it down with salt and placing it in a cool place. Best of all, the salt would not only preserve the meat but season it also. Yet, to be effective, the salt had to remain chemically pure. It couldn’t be mixed with sand, for example, or it would be ruined. The implication for Jesus’ disciples is that we should conform to God’s law (remaining spiritually pure) instead of becoming contaminated by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, or the pride of life. -Bruce Ashford; Ten Words for a Broken Society (Preface) 12.21.21
==karen atkins======
ABC Chicago adopts resolution calling for Gaza cease-fire
Karen Atkins, representing the group’s Prophetic Witness Committee, said the United States and European Union are complicit in the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. “As we call for an immediate cease-fire and release of all hostages and prisoners, we name what we believe is the necessary condition for a safe future for Palestinians and Israelis: the creation of a free, safe and internationally recognized Palestinian state in which Palestinian people can flourish as God intended for all people on Earth,” she said. “It should matter to us, Christians, because whatever we do for the least of these brothers and sisters of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we do it for him.” (Baptist News Global 5/21/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Karen Atkins, representing the group’s Prophetic Witness Committee, said the United States and European Union are complicit in the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. “As we call for an immediate cease-fire and release of all hostages and prisoners, we name what we believe is the necessary condition for a safe future for Palestinians and Israelis: the creation of a free, safe and internationally recognized Palestinian state in which Palestinian people can flourish as God intended for all people on Earth,” she said. “It should matter to us, Christians, because whatever we do for the least of these brothers and sisters of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we do it for him.” (Baptist News Global 5/21/24) READ MORE>>>>>
==MIKE AUGSBURGER======
Pastor Mike Augsburger grew up in a pastor’s home in Denver, Colorado. In the summer of 2008, God called Mike to Soteria Des Moines as its Lead Pastor. Mike has an exceptional gift for communicating the Bible. Paired with several degrees including a doctorate in preaching, Soteria is known for its excellence in preaching and teaching. Pastor Mike is also on the boards of several state and national organizations keeping us plugged in and influencing others for the gospel.
Pastor Mike Augsburger; Soteria Church; Des Moines, IA
July 13, 2023: Politico: DeSantis is hoping Iowa evangelicals can make his campaign born again
“My pulse on Christian evangelical voters is that they’re split somewhere between Trump and DeSantis, and in my circles, people are leaning more toward DeSantis because he seems to be more authentically conservative,” said Mike Augsburger, lead pastor of Soteria in Des Moines. “If DeSantis can get his message out there, I think he can be a draw for evangelical voters.”
“My pulse on Christian evangelical voters is that they’re split somewhere between Trump and DeSantis, and in my circles, people are leaning more toward DeSantis because he seems to be more authentically conservative,” said Mike Augsburger, lead pastor of Soteria in Des Moines. “If DeSantis can get his message out there, I think he can be a draw for evangelical voters.”
