- Tom Cooper - Jedidiah Coppenger - Chunks Corbett - Salvatore Cordileone - Jason Cornwall - Eric Costanza - Kendra Cotton - J Blake Couey - David C Cramer - Brad Cranston - Barry Creamer - Charles F Creech - Mark Creech -
==tom cooper==================
Archbishop joins Christian leaders in statement against racism
Archbishop J. Michael Miller has added his signature to an open letter from Christian leaders condemning the sin of racism. The Vancouver archbishop is one of more than 130 signatories to the statement, titled An Open Letter to the Province of British Columbia and Canada. By God’s grace and mercy: Rev. Dr. Raymond C. Aldred, Director, Indigenous Studies, Interim Dean, VST; Michael Audain, Chairman, Polygon Homes; Thomas Cooper, President, City in Focus Foundation; Dr. June Francis, Associate Professor, Beedie School of Business SFU; Lawrence J. Ho, Senior Fellow, Murdock Charitable Trust, Hon. Yonah Martin, Senator
(The BC Catholic; 6/3/21) Read More>>>>>
Archbishop J. Michael Miller has added his signature to an open letter from Christian leaders condemning the sin of racism. The Vancouver archbishop is one of more than 130 signatories to the statement, titled An Open Letter to the Province of British Columbia and Canada. By God’s grace and mercy: Rev. Dr. Raymond C. Aldred, Director, Indigenous Studies, Interim Dean, VST; Michael Audain, Chairman, Polygon Homes; Thomas Cooper, President, City in Focus Foundation; Dr. June Francis, Associate Professor, Beedie School of Business SFU; Lawrence J. Ho, Senior Fellow, Murdock Charitable Trust, Hon. Yonah Martin, Senator
(The BC Catholic; 6/3/21) Read More>>>>>
Sept 2, 2016: Baptist Gobal News: Pastors oppose Franklin Graham crusade in Canada
Joining the Baptist pastors in objecting to the event were Marjeta Bobnar, coordinator of ecumenical and interfaith religions at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver; Tom Cooper, president of the local charity City in Focus; and Ken Shigematsu, senior pastor of Tenth Church, a congregation affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance.
Joining the Baptist pastors in objecting to the event were Marjeta Bobnar, coordinator of ecumenical and interfaith religions at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver; Tom Cooper, president of the local charity City in Focus; and Ken Shigematsu, senior pastor of Tenth Church, a congregation affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance.
==jedidiah coppenger============
Jedidiah Coppenger became a Christian when he was 20. He has served in a number of pastoral roles over the past 13 years, both in the United States and around the world. He edited and/or contributed to Retreat or Risk: A Call for a Great Commission Resurgence and Theology and Practice of Mission: God, the Church, and the Nations. He earned his B.S. in Business Administration from North Greenville University, my M.Div. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jed Coppenger is the lead pastor of Redemption City Church in Franklin, Tennessee.
Aug 26, 2019: Tennessean: Russell Moore: Southern Baptist churches must prevent sexual abuse, care for victims
Redemption City Church is one of them.
"We just know that we can't take a good enough approach to this kind of stuff and so we're always wanting to learn more and grow in our ability," said Jedidiah Coppenger, the church's lead pastor.
Redemption City Church is one of them.
"We just know that we can't take a good enough approach to this kind of stuff and so we're always wanting to learn more and grow in our ability," said Jedidiah Coppenger, the church's lead pastor.
How to celebrate Trump's election win? With humility.
Now is the time for humility — not brazen celebration from Donald Trump and his supporters — if there is any chance for healing the deep division in the country exacerbated by this fraught election season, says one Nashville pastor........Jedidiah Coppenger, lead pastor of the Redemption City Church in Franklin, said the election highlighted areas the church needs to work on, including better understanding the pain people are going through on either side of the ideological divide. But he thinks the church is poised to be a voice of hope and reconciliation by following Jesus' lead. "He listens to them and hears them and speaks to what they're really wrestling with, whether they agree or disagree," Coppenger said. (Holly Meyer/The Tennessean 11/9.16)
Read More>>>>>
Now is the time for humility — not brazen celebration from Donald Trump and his supporters — if there is any chance for healing the deep division in the country exacerbated by this fraught election season, says one Nashville pastor........Jedidiah Coppenger, lead pastor of the Redemption City Church in Franklin, said the election highlighted areas the church needs to work on, including better understanding the pain people are going through on either side of the ideological divide. But he thinks the church is poised to be a voice of hope and reconciliation by following Jesus' lead. "He listens to them and hears them and speaks to what they're really wrestling with, whether they agree or disagree," Coppenger said. (Holly Meyer/The Tennessean 11/9.16)
Read More>>>>>
Mar 28,2012: Youtube: Every Word Matters - Jedidiah Coppenger
An interview with Jedidiah Coppenger of B&H Publishing on the importance of every word.
An interview with Jedidiah Coppenger of B&H Publishing on the importance of every word.
==chunks corbett==============
June 30, 2023: Christian Post: Elevation Church withdraws affiliation with Southern Baptist Convention
"This letter is to inform you that Elevation Church is withdrawing its affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention effective immediately. You will find that our Statement of Beliefs on our website is very much in line with the Baptist Faith and Message — we have no intention of changing those core beliefs," Chunks Corbett, CFO of the North Carolina megachurch, wrote in the letter.
"This letter is to inform you that Elevation Church is withdrawing its affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention effective immediately. You will find that our Statement of Beliefs on our website is very much in line with the Baptist Faith and Message — we have no intention of changing those core beliefs," Chunks Corbett, CFO of the North Carolina megachurch, wrote in the letter.
salvatore cordileone
Apr 1, 2023: Christian Post: Nancy Pelosi ridicules archbishop for barring her from communion, not being LGBT advocate
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi publicly rebuked Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, saying his decision to bar her from receiving Holy Communion was “his problem, not mine,” and criticized him for not supporting LGBT causes and opposing abortion.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi publicly rebuked Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, saying his decision to bar her from receiving Holy Communion was “his problem, not mine,” and criticized him for not supporting LGBT causes and opposing abortion.
==jason cornwall======
Trump's use of Bible shows he's a fake Christian and a fraudJason Cornwall, a pastor from South Carolina said that Trump’s Bible endorsement was a violation of one of the Ten Commandments of the Hebrew Testament that forbids taking God’s name in vain. Historian and author Jamarcus Tisby says the project echoes the values of Christian nationalism — the idea that America was founded as a Christian nation and the government should work to sanction Christianity on a national scale.The tenets of Christian nationalism are historically tied to prejudice, nativism and white supremacy. “There’s a very long tradition of what is included and what is not included in the Bible,“ Tisby said.
(Miami Herald 5/16/24)READ MORE>>>>>
(Miami Herald 5/16/24)READ MORE>>>>>
==eric costanza======
June 7, 2023: Washington Post: For many Southern Baptists, the only campaign question is which Republican candidate to support
“These days it’s almost impossible to avoid it, more than it used to,” said Eric Costanzo, pastor of South Tulsa Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “We’ve had to cross those lines in different ways because of the issues we’re involved in,” such as advocating for immigrants or for reforms in how Southern Baptists deal with issues of abuse.
“These days it’s almost impossible to avoid it, more than it used to,” said Eric Costanzo, pastor of South Tulsa Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “We’ve had to cross those lines in different ways because of the issues we’re involved in,” such as advocating for immigrants or for reforms in how Southern Baptists deal with issues of abuse.
==kendra cotton======
May 20, 2022: AP: Religious backers of abortion rights say God’s on their side
“We need to have a real conversation about what we describe as Christianity,” said Kendra Cotton, a member of the Black Southern Women’s Collective, a network of Black women organizers, many of them from faith-based groups.
The white evangelical worldview that abortion is murder has consumed the conversation, flattening the understanding of how religion and views on abortion truly intersect, she said.
“We need to have a real conversation about what we describe as Christianity,” said Kendra Cotton, a member of the Black Southern Women’s Collective, a network of Black women organizers, many of them from faith-based groups.
The white evangelical worldview that abortion is murder has consumed the conversation, flattening the understanding of how religion and views on abortion truly intersect, she said.
===j. blake couey=================
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Hosea’s wife is named only once in the text: “Gomer, daughter of Diblaim” (verse 3).
The names of Gomer’s last two children, Lo-Ruhamah (“Not-Loved”) and Lo-Ammi (“Not-My-People”), articulate God’s rejection of Israel for worshiping other deities. But the name of her first child, Jezreel, has a different offense in view. It commemorates the place where a military official named Jehu usurped the throne of Israel by assassinating members of the previous ruling family and slaughtering their descendants (see 2 Kings 9-10). Set nearly a century later, during the reign of Jehu’s great-grandson Jeroboam II, Hosea 1:4 threatens that “the house of Jehu” will be held accountable for “the blood of Jezreel.” Later readers would have associated this prophecy both with the end of Jehu’s dynasty, when Jeroboam’s son Zechariah was assassinated, and with the conquest of Israel by Assyria a few decades later.
--J Blake Couey Working Preacher
The names of Gomer’s last two children, Lo-Ruhamah (“Not-Loved”) and Lo-Ammi (“Not-My-People”), articulate God’s rejection of Israel for worshiping other deities. But the name of her first child, Jezreel, has a different offense in view. It commemorates the place where a military official named Jehu usurped the throne of Israel by assassinating members of the previous ruling family and slaughtering their descendants (see 2 Kings 9-10). Set nearly a century later, during the reign of Jehu’s great-grandson Jeroboam II, Hosea 1:4 threatens that “the house of Jehu” will be held accountable for “the blood of Jezreel.” Later readers would have associated this prophecy both with the end of Jehu’s dynasty, when Jeroboam’s son Zechariah was assassinated, and with the conquest of Israel by Assyria a few decades later.
--J Blake Couey Working Preacher
==david c cramer=================
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In short, Christian nationalism is “wholly obsessed with power,” “intimately intertwined with fear” and “completely comfortable with, and at times demands, the use of violence.”
When picturing Christian nationalism in action, we might think of the extremists who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, holding signs that read “Jesus is my savior, Trump is my president” or “Proud American Christian.” While this might lead us to imagine Christian nationalism as a fringe segment of U.S. society and Christian congregations, Whitehead notes that “close to two-thirds of white American Christians are at least favorable toward Christian nationalism, and that number increases to over 75% if we look solely at white evangelicals.”
Christian nationalism affects many of our churches today, even in the Anabaptist tradition. --David C Cramer; Anabaptist World; I Was a Christian nationalist; 8/18/23
When picturing Christian nationalism in action, we might think of the extremists who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, holding signs that read “Jesus is my savior, Trump is my president” or “Proud American Christian.” While this might lead us to imagine Christian nationalism as a fringe segment of U.S. society and Christian congregations, Whitehead notes that “close to two-thirds of white American Christians are at least favorable toward Christian nationalism, and that number increases to over 75% if we look solely at white evangelicals.”
Christian nationalism affects many of our churches today, even in the Anabaptist tradition. --David C Cramer; Anabaptist World; I Was a Christian nationalist; 8/18/23
brad cranston
Oct 25, 2023: Times of Israel: Support for Israel becomes top issue for Iowa evangelicals key to first GOP caucuses
Several pastors also have criticized biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, a political newcomer who has lined up with Trump’s foreign policy ideas and at times criticized US aid to Israel. Some evangelicals have long questioned whether they could vote for Ramaswamy, who is Hindu but often talks about his affinity for Judeo-Christian beliefs.
“I think he’s trying to figure out what conservatives want to hear,” said Brad Cranston, the former pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in Burlington, Iowa. “And I think he thinks conservatives want a less interventionist foreign policy. But that does not work when it comes to Israel.”
Several pastors also have criticized biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, a political newcomer who has lined up with Trump’s foreign policy ideas and at times criticized US aid to Israel. Some evangelicals have long questioned whether they could vote for Ramaswamy, who is Hindu but often talks about his affinity for Judeo-Christian beliefs.
“I think he’s trying to figure out what conservatives want to hear,” said Brad Cranston, the former pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in Burlington, Iowa. “And I think he thinks conservatives want a less interventionist foreign policy. But that does not work when it comes to Israel.”
Jan 30, 2023: New Republic: Ron DeSantis and His Christian Crusaders Are Stealing Trump’s Religious Thunder
“Donald Trump has to go,” conservative evangelical Everett Piper wrote for The Washington Times in November. “If he’s our nominee in 2024, we will get destroyed.” Some of her peers evidently agree. An unnamed evangelical leader told Vanity Fair last month that if Trump wins the GOP nomination, Republicans will “get crushed in the general.” Speaking with The Washington Post, Baptists for Biblical Values founder Brad Cranston disparaged the former president and said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had the “best chance.”
“Donald Trump has to go,” conservative evangelical Everett Piper wrote for The Washington Times in November. “If he’s our nominee in 2024, we will get destroyed.” Some of her peers evidently agree. An unnamed evangelical leader told Vanity Fair last month that if Trump wins the GOP nomination, Republicans will “get crushed in the general.” Speaking with The Washington Post, Baptists for Biblical Values founder Brad Cranston disparaged the former president and said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had the “best chance.”
barry creamer
April 18, 2023: Baptist Press: SBC leaders, former presidents react to death of Charles Stanley
“For the past seven decades, Dr. Charles Stanley led faithfully in both his church and broadcast ministry, influencing countless lives through Scriptural exposition. His life provided an essential bridge from the generation of Dr. Criswell, inspiring other expositors to hold Scripture in the highest regard. May all those in Christian leadership emulate his model of fidelity and integrity.”--Barry Creamer, president, Criswell College
“For the past seven decades, Dr. Charles Stanley led faithfully in both his church and broadcast ministry, influencing countless lives through Scriptural exposition. His life provided an essential bridge from the generation of Dr. Criswell, inspiring other expositors to hold Scripture in the highest regard. May all those in Christian leadership emulate his model of fidelity and integrity.”--Barry Creamer, president, Criswell College
charles F. creech
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Peace comes from obeying God’s commandments. A lack of peace comes from being “wicked.” Peace does not come from money or fame or acquiring material possessions. This passage of scripture tells us the truth concerning peace. You obtain peace about yourself and about the world around you by doing the right thing keeping God’s commandments. Human beings are spiritual creatures with a conscience. We become troubled when we know that we have sinned. We become disturbed when we realize that we have failed orally or ethically. The wicked are those who refuse God’s Word and God’s commandments. The wicked become tormented by the knowledge that they are not right with Christ. In Luke 16 Jesus tells us about a rich man who was in hell, and who lifted up his voice and said in Luke 16:12, “And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” Some people are tormented in their minds because of their sins. There are two solutions to this turmoil of mind. One solution is to avoid sin. The more that you avoid sin, the more turmoil and torment that you will avoid for yourself as a result of the sin. There are few things more unsettling than a troubled conscience. If you have sinned, then you can find peace by turning to Christ for forgiveness. The Bible says in First John 2:1-2, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” --Charles F. (Rick) Creech
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mark creech
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March 3, 2023: Blue Ridge Christian News: ‘In God We Trust’ Would be Placed in N.C. Legislative Chambers Under New Bill
“In Washington, our national motto, ‘In God We Trust,’ appears opposite the President of the United States Senate, who is also the Vice President of the United States. The same phrase in very large letters appears in the marble, and backdrops the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. I know that I speak for all of the churches who support the Christian Action League when I say we are thrilled Rep. (Ben) Moss has filed a bill to have ‘In God We Trust” placed before our state’s Senate and House...........Absolutely necessary to the survival of this nation is this forceful and explicit statement that the hope and strength of our great state and nation is not in our own intellect, ingenuities or even inclusiveness,” Creech said. “Our strength and our hope, as a people, is primarily determined by our trust in the God of the Bible.” --Christian Action League Executive Director Rev Mark Creech 3.3.23
“In Washington, our national motto, ‘In God We Trust,’ appears opposite the President of the United States Senate, who is also the Vice President of the United States. The same phrase in very large letters appears in the marble, and backdrops the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. I know that I speak for all of the churches who support the Christian Action League when I say we are thrilled Rep. (Ben) Moss has filed a bill to have ‘In God We Trust” placed before our state’s Senate and House...........Absolutely necessary to the survival of this nation is this forceful and explicit statement that the hope and strength of our great state and nation is not in our own intellect, ingenuities or even inclusiveness,” Creech said. “Our strength and our hope, as a people, is primarily determined by our trust in the God of the Bible.” --Christian Action League Executive Director Rev Mark Creech 3.3.23