G-4 PEOPLE FILES
- Jonathan Greenblatt - Mark Greene - Myal Greene - Mike Greenfield - Adam Greenway - Jonathan Greer - Steve Gregg - Joel Gregory - Crawford Gribben - Wendell Griffen - Lydia Griffiths - PJ Grisar - Emanuel Grozea -
==jonathan greenblatt======
ADL Chief Invokes Pager Attack as Inspiration for Taking on Internet Trolls
Amid the parade of self-congratulations for all the “winning” going on out there, it was easy to miss the head of one the most prominent U.S. pro-Israel groups, the Anti-Defamation League, admitting to Israel’s parliament that it has been failing on one important front: the fight against global antisemitism. “Nobody likes to admit when they’ve fallen short,” Jonathan Greenblatt, the ADL’s CEO, told the Knesset on Tuesday, according to eJewishPhilanthropy. “I don’t like to lose. I personally hate to lose. However, sometimes we need to acknowledge the reality.” The reality was stark: Antisemitism, Greenblatt said, is on the rise, especially online. The admission was a stunning one, since the ADL was founded to fight antisemitism. That is the banner under which all of its vociferous advocacy for Israel occurs. So for the group to fail in this way raises big questions — questions that need big answers. (The Intercept 1/11/25) Read More>>>>>
Amid the parade of self-congratulations for all the “winning” going on out there, it was easy to miss the head of one the most prominent U.S. pro-Israel groups, the Anti-Defamation League, admitting to Israel’s parliament that it has been failing on one important front: the fight against global antisemitism. “Nobody likes to admit when they’ve fallen short,” Jonathan Greenblatt, the ADL’s CEO, told the Knesset on Tuesday, according to eJewishPhilanthropy. “I don’t like to lose. I personally hate to lose. However, sometimes we need to acknowledge the reality.” The reality was stark: Antisemitism, Greenblatt said, is on the rise, especially online. The admission was a stunning one, since the ADL was founded to fight antisemitism. That is the banner under which all of its vociferous advocacy for Israel occurs. So for the group to fail in this way raises big questions — questions that need big answers. (The Intercept 1/11/25) Read More>>>>>
Nov 2, 2022: Religion News: Trump’s Twitter return sparks concern among faith groups
Shortly after Elon Musk officially took charge of Twitter last month, Jonathan Greenblatt, head of the Anti-Defamation League, joined a group of civil rights advocates for a meeting with the newly minted social media mogul. Among advocates’ chief concerns: that Musk, a self-declared “free speech absolutist,” would reactivate previously banned accounts — including that of former President Donald Trump, a figure who rights advocates say both perpetuates and magnifies online hate speech.
Shortly after Elon Musk officially took charge of Twitter last month, Jonathan Greenblatt, head of the Anti-Defamation League, joined a group of civil rights advocates for a meeting with the newly minted social media mogul. Among advocates’ chief concerns: that Musk, a self-declared “free speech absolutist,” would reactivate previously banned accounts — including that of former President Donald Trump, a figure who rights advocates say both perpetuates and magnifies online hate speech.
==mark greene======
Feb 15, 2023: Religion News Service: A 300-year-old church hopes to connect with spiritual but not religious neighbors
It’s also hosted speakers, including Kimberly Wilson, who performed “A Journey,” her one-woman show about Black women who shaped American history; writer Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, author of “Hollywood to the Himalayas,” which details her life as a Hindu convert; and the Rev. Matthew Wright, an Episcopal priest and Sufi practitioner who teaches about contemplation. A current series features author Mark Greene, host of the “Remaking Manhood” podcast.
It’s also hosted speakers, including Kimberly Wilson, who performed “A Journey,” her one-woman show about Black women who shaped American history; writer Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, author of “Hollywood to the Himalayas,” which details her life as a Hindu convert; and the Rev. Matthew Wright, an Episcopal priest and Sufi practitioner who teaches about contemplation. A current series features author Mark Greene, host of the “Remaking Manhood” podcast.
==myal greene======
Evangelical leaders beg DeSantis and Florida Legislature not to make them criminals for transporting immigrants to church
The minsters who participated in the call included three Southern Baptists, an Assemblies of God pastor, a Church of the Nazarene official and the leader of an Evangelical Free Church congregation. Moderator Myal Greene, president of World Relief, joined them in pleading for a rewording or rescinding of the legislation. “We’re praying Gov. DeSantis and the Florida legislature will abandon this misguided bill — and that our federal lawmakers will finally pursue the reforms supported allowing undocumented immigrants to earn permanent legal status and eventual citizenship if they meet appropriate requirements,” Greene said. “Having been born and raised in Florida myself, it’s heartbreaking that this assault to religious liberty has been proposed — a proposal that would criminalize sharing the love of Jesus with someone, some of the most vulnerable people in society.”
(Jeff Brumley/Baptist News Global 3/31/23)
Read More>>>>>
The minsters who participated in the call included three Southern Baptists, an Assemblies of God pastor, a Church of the Nazarene official and the leader of an Evangelical Free Church congregation. Moderator Myal Greene, president of World Relief, joined them in pleading for a rewording or rescinding of the legislation. “We’re praying Gov. DeSantis and the Florida legislature will abandon this misguided bill — and that our federal lawmakers will finally pursue the reforms supported allowing undocumented immigrants to earn permanent legal status and eventual citizenship if they meet appropriate requirements,” Greene said. “Having been born and raised in Florida myself, it’s heartbreaking that this assault to religious liberty has been proposed — a proposal that would criminalize sharing the love of Jesus with someone, some of the most vulnerable people in society.”
(Jeff Brumley/Baptist News Global 3/31/23)
Read More>>>>>
==mike greenfield======
First Baptist Abilene Pastor Brandon Hudson resigns after arrest
Mike Greenfield, the pastor for administration and spiritual development at First Baptist Church Abilene, told The Christian Post on Thursday that the church is navigating the sudden change in the best way it can because the news was unfortunate and unexpected. "The resignation was just received Sunday. We've just had a couple of days to digest it," Greenfield said. "This all just happened. It's still pretty raw and fresh."
Greenfield said it's unclear who the next senior pastor will be as the church must follow its bylaws during the selection process. (Christian Post 4/12/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Mike Greenfield, the pastor for administration and spiritual development at First Baptist Church Abilene, told The Christian Post on Thursday that the church is navigating the sudden change in the best way it can because the news was unfortunate and unexpected. "The resignation was just received Sunday. We've just had a couple of days to digest it," Greenfield said. "This all just happened. It's still pretty raw and fresh."
Greenfield said it's unclear who the next senior pastor will be as the church must follow its bylaws during the selection process. (Christian Post 4/12/24) READ MORE>>>>>
==adam greenway======
May 12, 2023: Baptist News Global: The hidden battle in Christian higher education: A conversation with Scott Okamoto
Additional stories of power struggles in Christian higher education continue with Joe Rigney’s resignation at Bethlehem Seminary due to his embrace of Christian nationalism, Adam Greenway’s resignation at Southwestern Seminary due to financial liabilities and declining enrollment, the potential closing of The King’s College amidst financial chaos and a lack of transparency, and Karen Swallow Prior leaving Southeastern Seminary while citing that she does not share “the same vision for carrying out the Great Commission” and believes she is “not well-suited to the politics of institutional life in the SBC.”
Additional stories of power struggles in Christian higher education continue with Joe Rigney’s resignation at Bethlehem Seminary due to his embrace of Christian nationalism, Adam Greenway’s resignation at Southwestern Seminary due to financial liabilities and declining enrollment, the potential closing of The King’s College amidst financial chaos and a lack of transparency, and Karen Swallow Prior leaving Southeastern Seminary while citing that she does not share “the same vision for carrying out the Great Commission” and believes she is “not well-suited to the politics of institutional life in the SBC.”
==jonathan greer======
Speak their names, tell their stories
Four score and seven years ago. Call me Ishmael. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Opening lines at their best can capture your attention. And if they really do hit, they eventually embed in our minds, memorized for decades, seemingly flowing through our veins. It seems most of the classic texts of humanity have solid opening lines. So, do you remember the opening lines of our canonical New Testament? How does the writer of the Gospel of Matthew choose to open the text? Matthew 1:1 — An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Ok. Who was his editor? Why did the writer of Matthew use the first 17 verses of his Gospel to compose a genealogy? (Jonathan Greer: Baptist News Global 12/20/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Four score and seven years ago. Call me Ishmael. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Opening lines at their best can capture your attention. And if they really do hit, they eventually embed in our minds, memorized for decades, seemingly flowing through our veins. It seems most of the classic texts of humanity have solid opening lines. So, do you remember the opening lines of our canonical New Testament? How does the writer of the Gospel of Matthew choose to open the text? Matthew 1:1 — An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Ok. Who was his editor? Why did the writer of Matthew use the first 17 verses of his Gospel to compose a genealogy? (Jonathan Greer: Baptist News Global 12/20/24) READ MORE>>>>>
==steve gregg======
Evangelical leaders beg DeSantis and Florida Legislature not to make them criminals for transporting immigrants to church
The legislation presents a potential dilemma for churches accustomed to obeying the law and living out their callings at the same time, said Steve Gregg, associate pastor at Creekside Community Church, an Evangelical Free congregation in Gainesville. “Our church is currently helping to launch a ministry that gives legal aid to folks trying to navigate an often-complicated path toward immigration legal status. We are committed to following the law and helping any client served to do the same. The way this bill seems to be written could put volunteers at risk of criminal prosecution for simply bringing clients to church or to other functions.”.
(Jeff Brumley/Baptist News Global 3/31/23)
Read More>>>>>
The legislation presents a potential dilemma for churches accustomed to obeying the law and living out their callings at the same time, said Steve Gregg, associate pastor at Creekside Community Church, an Evangelical Free congregation in Gainesville. “Our church is currently helping to launch a ministry that gives legal aid to folks trying to navigate an often-complicated path toward immigration legal status. We are committed to following the law and helping any client served to do the same. The way this bill seems to be written could put volunteers at risk of criminal prosecution for simply bringing clients to church or to other functions.”.
(Jeff Brumley/Baptist News Global 3/31/23)
Read More>>>>>
==JOEL GREGORY======
Dr. Joel C. Gregory holds the George W. Truett Endowed Chair in Preaching and Evangelism and serves as the Director of the Kyle Lake Center for Effective Preaching at George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University. Last year he spoke or taught 170 times in 32 churches and 20 conferences in 18 states, Greece and Oxford, UK. He has just completed a sabbatical at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University where he did research in applied homiletics and 19th century British Baptist history for a forthcoming book and article. He will bring the concluding message at the Baptist World Congress in Durban, South Africa this summer. He also serves on the BWA Commission on Worship and Spirituality.
New director appointed at Kyle Lake Center for Effective Preaching
Alcántara succeeds professor of preaching Dr. Joel Gregory, who has already taken some steps with the Compelling Preaching Initiative. Alcántara said Gregory, who has ties with Black churches, launched an African American Preaching Conference, which has been successful and continues to grow. Part of Alcántara’s draw to Baylor was the university’s focus on preaching. In 2018, the year of his arrival, Baylor approved a Ph.D. in preaching. (Abigail Gan/Baylor Lariat 11/13/23) Read More>>>>>
Alcántara succeeds professor of preaching Dr. Joel Gregory, who has already taken some steps with the Compelling Preaching Initiative. Alcántara said Gregory, who has ties with Black churches, launched an African American Preaching Conference, which has been successful and continues to grow. Part of Alcántara’s draw to Baylor was the university’s focus on preaching. In 2018, the year of his arrival, Baylor approved a Ph.D. in preaching. (Abigail Gan/Baylor Lariat 11/13/23) Read More>>>>>
July 8, 2021: Baptist News Global: Where’s the line between finding inspiration in another pastor’s sermon and plagiarizing it?
Joel Gregory, professor of preaching at Baylor University’s Truett Seminary and arguably one of the best-known Baptist preachers of the late 20th century, offered some basic principles on how preachers can avoid confusion and stay out of trouble.
Mar 6, 2016: LinkedUp Church: The Blessing of Answered Prayer, Finale – Pastor Joel E. Gregory
Aug 4, 2015: Ethics Daily: Best, Worst, Most Unexpected Moments at Baptist World Congress -
The most captivating sermon - the one most likely to be repeated scores of times across the world - was preached by Truett Seminary's Joel Gregory. He developed the Congress theme of "Jesus Christ, the Door" from 1 Corinthians 16:9, where Paul wrote that a great and energetic door had been open to him and that there were many adversaries. "God has a door for you ... He is the opener of that door. ... Don't leave the door that God has given you," he said. Gregory warned, "If you are going to live and work for Jesus Christ, opportunity and opposition will always go hand in hand."
Joel Gregory, professor of preaching at Baylor University’s Truett Seminary and arguably one of the best-known Baptist preachers of the late 20th century, offered some basic principles on how preachers can avoid confusion and stay out of trouble.
Mar 6, 2016: LinkedUp Church: The Blessing of Answered Prayer, Finale – Pastor Joel E. Gregory
Aug 4, 2015: Ethics Daily: Best, Worst, Most Unexpected Moments at Baptist World Congress -
The most captivating sermon - the one most likely to be repeated scores of times across the world - was preached by Truett Seminary's Joel Gregory. He developed the Congress theme of "Jesus Christ, the Door" from 1 Corinthians 16:9, where Paul wrote that a great and energetic door had been open to him and that there were many adversaries. "God has a door for you ... He is the opener of that door. ... Don't leave the door that God has given you," he said. Gregory warned, "If you are going to live and work for Jesus Christ, opportunity and opposition will always go hand in hand."
|
May 2, 2018: Christianity Today: Tim Keller, John Piper, and Andy Stanley Among the 12 ‘Most Effective’ Preachers
Joel C. Gregory, endowed chair in preaching and evangelism at the George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Gregory—a contributor to Preaching Today—recently celebrated 50 years of preaching around the world, and through his ministry, he taught 170 times in 32 churches and 20 conferences last year alone. October 1994: Texas Monthly: The Private Hell of Joel Gregory
All his life, Joel Gregory strove to become pastor of Dallas' First Baptist Church. What torments then drove him to cast aside his position as the most powerful Baptist in the land and mysteriously flee from his pulpit? |
|
==crawford gribben======
April 28, 2023: 9 Marks: Book Review: Survival and Resistance in Evangelical America, by Crawford Gribben
Amidst growing societal pressure and a waning consensus on the best manner of Christian political engagement, American evangelicals face a torrent of suggestions for how to relate to the public square. Some opt for direct action on local, state, and national levels. Others avoid such activism. Some seek to build think tanks, schools, and other institutions in global centers of power. Others call for a strategic retreat in order to build a new society.
Each movement has its arguments and growing body of literature. But it’s this last group that forms the subject of Crawford Gribben’s Survival and Resistance in Evangelical America: Christian Reconstruction in the Pacific Northwest. What’s appealed to survivalists in previous generations has now found a following among American evangelicals. In particular, hundreds of evangelicals have moved northwest in the hopes of building a better society.
Amidst growing societal pressure and a waning consensus on the best manner of Christian political engagement, American evangelicals face a torrent of suggestions for how to relate to the public square. Some opt for direct action on local, state, and national levels. Others avoid such activism. Some seek to build think tanks, schools, and other institutions in global centers of power. Others call for a strategic retreat in order to build a new society.
Each movement has its arguments and growing body of literature. But it’s this last group that forms the subject of Crawford Gribben’s Survival and Resistance in Evangelical America: Christian Reconstruction in the Pacific Northwest. What’s appealed to survivalists in previous generations has now found a following among American evangelicals. In particular, hundreds of evangelicals have moved northwest in the hopes of building a better society.
==wendell griffen======
Wendell Griffen is a Baptist News Global columnist and pastor of New Millennium Church in Little Rock.
Griffen and Ravitch warn Floridians of dangers of DeSantis’ attack on public education
Baptist minister and retired Arkansas judge Wendell Griffen stood before an audience of faith leaders and education advocates in Tallahassee, Fla., March 9, pointed to his lapel and dared Gov. Ron DeSantis to have him apprehended for being politically and racially aware. “I wore a ‘woke’ button on purpose. I want to get arrested for being woke. I plead guilty to being woke. I want to be convicted of being woke,” Griffen said during a prayer breakfast sponsored by Pastors for Florida Children.
(Jeff Brumley/Baptist News Global 3/10/23)
Read More>>>>>
Baptist minister and retired Arkansas judge Wendell Griffen stood before an audience of faith leaders and education advocates in Tallahassee, Fla., March 9, pointed to his lapel and dared Gov. Ron DeSantis to have him apprehended for being politically and racially aware. “I wore a ‘woke’ button on purpose. I want to get arrested for being woke. I plead guilty to being woke. I want to be convicted of being woke,” Griffen said during a prayer breakfast sponsored by Pastors for Florida Children.
(Jeff Brumley/Baptist News Global 3/10/23)
Read More>>>>>
==lydia griffiths======
Lydia Griffiths is a writer, storyteller mythologist and holds an M.A. in mythology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. She is a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Young Adult Volunteer alum (South Korea 2016-2017) and currently lives in Brooklyn, New York, where she is pursuing a Ph.D. in mythology.
Is there room for mysticism inside the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)?
Presbyterians have a reputation of being a stoic and serious group of Christians. Fueled by a history of reform, and a stripping away of anything deemed non-Biblical and not found within Scripture, Presbyterians practice within the austere Protestant and Reformed traditions that shaped Christianity for the last 500 years. Many early and modern Protestant churches, with their whitewashed walls, lack of religious iconography and spare architecture, stand in blunt contrast to the sensory-infused worship of Orthodox and Catholic traditions. In most Protestant denominations, stern pastors lead sober congregations to salvation through Scriptural literalism, and their doctrines shape the Christian landscape of the United States. Of course, much of this image is a perceived stereotype that does not encompass the rich and nuanced cultures and histories of Protestant and Presbyterian traditions. One element of early Christianity that Reformers discarded was the practice of mysticism, or direct, personal spiritual experiences of God. The term “mysticism” is fraught with misunderstanding and due to its very nature, cannot be captured by one concise definition. Mysticism, as written about by theologians like Origen of Alexandria, Margery Kempe and Teresa of Avila, had been a core part of Christianity until the Reformation rejected it. Until recently, scholar-theologians maintained that Reformers Martin Luther and John Calvin had no need for mysticism and held it in disdain. Influential theologian Adolph von Harnack proclaimed mysticism to be “medieval,” “Catholic” and more Neoplatonic than Christian. The 2019 book Protestants and Mysticism in Reformation Europe, by Vincent Evener and Ronald K. Rittgers, asserts mysticism “always and everywhere obliterated the distinction between God and creation and minimized the fallenness of human beings, all in order to commend human ascetic and contemplative effort as a path to essential union with God.”
(Lydia Griffiths/Presbyterian Outlook 12/7/23) READ MORE>>>>>
Presbyterians have a reputation of being a stoic and serious group of Christians. Fueled by a history of reform, and a stripping away of anything deemed non-Biblical and not found within Scripture, Presbyterians practice within the austere Protestant and Reformed traditions that shaped Christianity for the last 500 years. Many early and modern Protestant churches, with their whitewashed walls, lack of religious iconography and spare architecture, stand in blunt contrast to the sensory-infused worship of Orthodox and Catholic traditions. In most Protestant denominations, stern pastors lead sober congregations to salvation through Scriptural literalism, and their doctrines shape the Christian landscape of the United States. Of course, much of this image is a perceived stereotype that does not encompass the rich and nuanced cultures and histories of Protestant and Presbyterian traditions. One element of early Christianity that Reformers discarded was the practice of mysticism, or direct, personal spiritual experiences of God. The term “mysticism” is fraught with misunderstanding and due to its very nature, cannot be captured by one concise definition. Mysticism, as written about by theologians like Origen of Alexandria, Margery Kempe and Teresa of Avila, had been a core part of Christianity until the Reformation rejected it. Until recently, scholar-theologians maintained that Reformers Martin Luther and John Calvin had no need for mysticism and held it in disdain. Influential theologian Adolph von Harnack proclaimed mysticism to be “medieval,” “Catholic” and more Neoplatonic than Christian. The 2019 book Protestants and Mysticism in Reformation Europe, by Vincent Evener and Ronald K. Rittgers, asserts mysticism “always and everywhere obliterated the distinction between God and creation and minimized the fallenness of human beings, all in order to commend human ascetic and contemplative effort as a path to essential union with God.”
(Lydia Griffiths/Presbyterian Outlook 12/7/23) READ MORE>>>>>
==pj grisar======
Oct 21, 2022: Religion News: Best In Religion Journalism: Religion News Association Presents Its Annual Awards
Among the highlights:
Other big winners included Jack Jenkins of Religion News Service for Excellence in Religion Reporting at Large Newspapers and Wire Services, Peggy Fletcher Stack of the Salt Lake Tribune for Excellence in Religion Reporting at Small-to-Mid-sized Newspapers and PJ Grisar of The Forward for Excellence in Religion Feature Writing.
Among the highlights:
Other big winners included Jack Jenkins of Religion News Service for Excellence in Religion Reporting at Large Newspapers and Wire Services, Peggy Fletcher Stack of the Salt Lake Tribune for Excellence in Religion Reporting at Small-to-Mid-sized Newspapers and PJ Grisar of The Forward for Excellence in Religion Feature Writing.
