M-PEOPLE FILES
- Lynn Macaskill - Suzie MacAskill - Earl MacDonald - James MacDonald - CJ Mahaney - Patrick Mahoney - Mama Maggie - Julius Malema - Michelle Malkin - Ben Mandrell - Andrew Manis - Cecil Maranville - Angel Marcial - Keith Markham - Mike Marlar - George Marsden - Chris Martin - Dave Martin - Lia Martin - Steven R Martins - Mychal Massie - Sam Masteller - Doug Mastriano - David Mathis - Keith A Mathison - Brian Mattson - Dan McCartney - Dave McConnell - Scott McConnell - Rob McCoy - Brett McCracken - Lynn McDonald -- Josh McDowell - Joel McDurmon - James McGrath - Alistair McIntosh - Doug McKelway - Vashti McKenzie - Brian McLaren - Willie McLaurin - C Matthew McMahon - Randy McPheron - Cindi McMenamin - Peter Mead - James Meeks - Zach Meerkreebs - Glenn Meldrum - Ana Mendez - Aaron Menikoff - Laura Merrill - Jonathan Merritt - Eric Metaxas - Russell Meyer - Duane Miller - Kathy Collard Miller - RA Miller - Troy A Miller - Steven Millies - Jim Minnery - Jeffrey Mirus - Joshua Mitchell - Stan Mitchell - Stephen Mitchell - Sibusiso Mlotshwa - John D Moffett - Jurgen Moltmann - Michael Monfore - Douglas Moo - Joseph Morecraft - JP Moreland - Rick Morrow -
lynn macaskill
Lynn MacAskill serve as regional leaders in Boston for the Washington, D.C.-based Intercessors for America with her sister Suzie MacAskill.
April 25, 2023: Church Leaders: Christian Group To Organize Prayer, Evangelism Campaign at Sold Out SatanCon
MacAskill’s sister and fellow IFA Boston leader, Lynn, said that “several people [are] receiving words and visions about the angel armies surrounding Boston.”
”Suzie and I have only just come to understand that God has been preparing us for this for some time, which is very comforting as we get close to going into the battle zone,” Lynn said.
MacAskill’s sister and fellow IFA Boston leader, Lynn, said that “several people [are] receiving words and visions about the angel armies surrounding Boston.”
”Suzie and I have only just come to understand that God has been preparing us for this for some time, which is very comforting as we get close to going into the battle zone,” Lynn said.
suzie macaskill
Suzie MacAskill serve as regional leaders in Boston for the Washington, D.C.-based Intercessors for America with her sister Lynn MacAskill.
Suzie MacAskill
“I initially went to prayer with a preconceived idea that God would want this to be prayed away. It was following this assumption that I was awakened through the night with a clear sense of ‘this is my harvest field. Since truly seeking God’s will for this event, and not coming with my own ideas, I believe I’ve been able to more clearly hear of his love for those who are lost and his strategy for praying for this event.......My personal sense is that God is doing something new, something powerful, something wonderful, and he is calling his bride to unity as he does this. We pray for a harvest of lost souls to take place as we have never seen before.”
-Suzie MacAskill; Church Leaders: Christian Group To Organize Prayer, Evangelism Campaign at Sold Out SatanCon 3.25.23
-Suzie MacAskill; Church Leaders: Christian Group To Organize Prayer, Evangelism Campaign at Sold Out SatanCon 3.25.23
earl macdonald
Edward MacDonald
“I do think we’re in a period of transition, hopefully in the country, but absolutely in Christian circles. Church attendance is declining, and I think many are starting to ask questions. People are diving deeper into their faith and asking questions they suppressed or were discouraged from asking all their lives. In that sense, I’m hopeful. But I do think change is going to take some time and require more people to speak out and leave the institution.”
--Edward MacDonald; UConn music professor; UConn Today: Professors Challenge Christian Right to Live Out Their Faith with Humility and Compassion 12.29.23
--Edward MacDonald; UConn music professor; UConn Today: Professors Challenge Christian Right to Live Out Their Faith with Humility and Compassion 12.29.23
Edward MacDonald
“That doesn’t mean I’ve abandoned my faith, I have not. But I will not be associated with those denominations and that party. The callous act of chartering busloads of migrants north to send a political message should be cause enough for Christians to reconsider their party affiliation.”
--Edward MacDonald; UConn music professor; UConn Today: Professors Challenge Christian Right to Live Out Their Faith with Humility and Compassion 12.29.23
--Edward MacDonald; UConn music professor; UConn Today: Professors Challenge Christian Right to Live Out Their Faith with Humility and Compassion 12.29.23
Edward MacDonald
“The blinders were taken off during the 2016 election when I saw the church’s alignment with the Republican Party and its harsh humanitarian policies across the board, whether it is their stance on immigration, whether it is the marginalization of LGBTQ folks, whether it is not supporting commonsense gun reform.”
--Edward MacDonald; UConn music professor; UConn Today: Professors Challenge Christian Right to Live Out Their Faith with Humility and Compassion 12.29.23
--Edward MacDonald; UConn music professor; UConn Today: Professors Challenge Christian Right to Live Out Their Faith with Humility and Compassion 12.29.23
james macdonald
April 20, 2023: Charisma: Former Megachurch Pastor James MacDonald Arrested for Assault
As reported by The Roys Report, "Disgraced megachurch pastor James MacDonald has been arrested and charged with felony assault and battery in California, after authorities say he attacked a 59-year-old woman, resulting in 'serious injuries.'"
A criminal complaint was filed by the San Diego County District Attorney's office saying "James MacDonald personally inflicted great bodily injury upon Barbara Bass," and continued saying MacDonald "did willfully and unlawfully use force and violence" against Bass.
As reported by The Roys Report, "Disgraced megachurch pastor James MacDonald has been arrested and charged with felony assault and battery in California, after authorities say he attacked a 59-year-old woman, resulting in 'serious injuries.'"
A criminal complaint was filed by the San Diego County District Attorney's office saying "James MacDonald personally inflicted great bodily injury upon Barbara Bass," and continued saying MacDonald "did willfully and unlawfully use force and violence" against Bass.
May 19, 2022: Church Leaders: Kirk Cameron Hosts Disgraced Pastor James MacDonald To Talk Biblical Illiteracy
This week, James MacDonald appeared on an episode of TBN’s “Takeaways with Kirk Cameron” to discuss the problem of biblical illiteracy.
“For 30 years, Doctor James MacDonald served as founding and senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and for more than 20 years, he was the Bible teacher of the broadcast ministry ‘Walk in the Word,’” Cameron said to introduce MacDonald. “He’s a prolific author of more than 15 books, and he joins us today to talk about the crisis of biblical illiteracy.”
This week, James MacDonald appeared on an episode of TBN’s “Takeaways with Kirk Cameron” to discuss the problem of biblical illiteracy.
“For 30 years, Doctor James MacDonald served as founding and senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and for more than 20 years, he was the Bible teacher of the broadcast ministry ‘Walk in the Word,’” Cameron said to introduce MacDonald. “He’s a prolific author of more than 15 books, and he joins us today to talk about the crisis of biblical illiteracy.”
2010: Preaching: The 25 Most Influential Pastors of the Past 25 Years
A quarter-century has brought great changes to the preaching landscape, and today’s list of contributing editors includes names that would have been unknown to most pastors 25 years ago: Rick Warren, Bryan Chapell, James MacDonald, Robert Smith, Dave Stone, James Emery White and Ed Young Jr. (though his pastor dad would have been a good candidate for the original list—and is now among our senior consulting editors).
A quarter-century has brought great changes to the preaching landscape, and today’s list of contributing editors includes names that would have been unknown to most pastors 25 years ago: Rick Warren, Bryan Chapell, James MacDonald, Robert Smith, Dave Stone, James Emery White and Ed Young Jr. (though his pastor dad would have been a good candidate for the original list—and is now among our senior consulting editors).
cj Mahaney
| Charles Joseph Mahaney, commonly known as C.J., is the former president of Sovereign Grace Ministries (formerly People of Destiny International or PDI, co-founded with Larry Tomczak), a network formed to establish and support local churches, and was one of the founding pastors and leaders of Covenant Life Church, in Gaithersburg, Maryland and presently is the senior pastor of Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville |
Apr 20, 2022: Kentucky Today: Southern Baptists reflect on the legacy of ‘Together for the Gospel’
Dever was among the group of four evangelical leaders who founded the T4G event including Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; C.J. Mahaney, founder of Sovereign Grace Ministries; and Ligon Duncan, now chancellor/CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary.
Dever was among the group of four evangelical leaders who founded the T4G event including Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; C.J. Mahaney, founder of Sovereign Grace Ministries; and Ligon Duncan, now chancellor/CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary.
June 10, 2021: Religious Dispatches: LESS FOR MOORE? IF RUSSELL MOORE LEFT THE SBC DUE TO CONSCIENCE AND CONVICTIONS HIS NEXT MOVE IS A CURIOUS ONE
On that note, Immanuel Church has exhibited, including in the very recent past, an uncomfortable friendliness with C.J. Mahaney, the founder of Sovereign Grace Ministries.
On that note, Immanuel Church has exhibited, including in the very recent past, an uncomfortable friendliness with C.J. Mahaney, the founder of Sovereign Grace Ministries.
Jul1, 2020: CJ Mahany: Crosswalk: Disturbing Christmas: The Manger and the Cross
Nov 17, 2016: Brent DeWiler: Todd Pruitt Lies about His Knowledge of C.J. Mahaney’s Guilt in Order to Appear Neutral
While interacting with Phil Johnson (John MacArthur’s executive director) on his Facebook page in April, Todd Pruitt from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals chimed in and claimed he had no knowledge, even second hand knowledge, of C.J. Mahaney’s guilt or innocence. He put forth this lie to thousands of readers so he could justify his claim of moral neutrality toward Mahaney.
While interacting with Phil Johnson (John MacArthur’s executive director) on his Facebook page in April, Todd Pruitt from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals chimed in and claimed he had no knowledge, even second hand knowledge, of C.J. Mahaney’s guilt or innocence. He put forth this lie to thousands of readers so he could justify his claim of moral neutrality toward Mahaney.
Jan 22, 2016: Wartburg Watch 2016: Washingtonian Magazine Spotlights C.J. Mahaney, CLC, SGM
It's hard to believe that it's been almost seven years since Dee and I went to hear C.J. Mahaney speak at a Sovereign Grace Church in our area.
It's hard to believe that it's been almost seven years since Dee and I went to hear C.J. Mahaney speak at a Sovereign Grace Church in our area.
Sept 16, 2015: Wartburg 2015: Brother CJ Mahaney: He’s Done Gone and Joined the Southern Baptists!
One of the advantages of blogging for years is that we get to see stories evolve. Through the years, we have followed the Sovereign Grace Ministries (now Sovereign Grace Churches) debacle. We heard the horrific allegations of child sex abuse and watched as this once thriving organization took a nosedive, losing both churches and money.
One of the advantages of blogging for years is that we get to see stories evolve. Through the years, we have followed the Sovereign Grace Ministries (now Sovereign Grace Churches) debacle. We heard the horrific allegations of child sex abuse and watched as this once thriving organization took a nosedive, losing both churches and money.
Mar 8, 2015: SGC: Setting the Sadducees Straight | C.J. Mahaney | Mark 12:18-27
Oct 27, 2014: Wartburg Watch: Jon Payne Adores C.J. Mahaney – Guest Post by Todd Wilhelm
Dee and I are honored to feature the writings of our friend Todd Wilhelm from time to time. It has been a while since we have focused on Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM), so here is the latest concerning Sovereign Grace Church Louisville, where C. J. Mahaney serves as senior pastor.
Dee and I are honored to feature the writings of our friend Todd Wilhelm from time to time. It has been a while since we have focused on Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM), so here is the latest concerning Sovereign Grace Church Louisville, where C. J. Mahaney serves as senior pastor.
Oct 12, 2014: Brent Detwiler: Executive Director Mark Prater Effectively Calls Victims of Sexual Abuse Liars on Behalf of All Sovereign Grace Leaders
Mark Prater is the Executive Director for Sovereign Grace Churches, formerly Sovereign Grace Ministries. Yesterday, he put out a statement declaring all the accusations in the civil lawsuit against C.J. Mahaney, John Loftness and Gary Ricucci were untrue. This was not based upon any presentation of facts or refutation of evidence.
Mark Prater is the Executive Director for Sovereign Grace Churches, formerly Sovereign Grace Ministries. Yesterday, he put out a statement declaring all the accusations in the civil lawsuit against C.J. Mahaney, John Loftness and Gary Ricucci were untrue. This was not based upon any presentation of facts or refutation of evidence.
May 22, 2014: Christianity Today: Tullian Tchividjian on CJ Mahaney and the Sovereign Grace Ministries sex abuse scandal: 'Of course he knew'
Nathaniel Morales, now 56, was convicted on May 15 this year of sexually abusing three underage boys between 1983 and 1991 during his time as youth pastor at Covenant Life. Sovereign Grace is a coalition of 80 Reformed evangelical churches.
Nathaniel Morales, now 56, was convicted on May 15 this year of sexually abusing three underage boys between 1983 and 1991 during his time as youth pastor at Covenant Life. Sovereign Grace is a coalition of 80 Reformed evangelical churches.
PATRICK MAHONEY |
- Prayers & Action -
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Patrick J. Mahoney is a nationally and internationally known Christian social, political and human rights activist, and an ordained minister in the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Reverend Mahoney works in Washington, DC and resides in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with his wife Katie.
Rev. Mahoney is perhaps best known for his global work in protecting human rights and justice for all as a leader in the pro-life movement. Over the past four decades, he has been outspoken prophetic voice for ending the violence of abortion and ensuring equality for all. That work has included his sponsoring the first ever voter initiative in America, premiering the showing of “Silent Scream” on his local Connecticut talk show and being the former national spokesperson for Operation Rescue.
His work has been featured in the national media through such publications as Newsweek, Time Magazine, The New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, & U.S. News and World Report. Reverend Mahoney has been seen on O’Riley Factor, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Meet the Press, Oprah, ABC Hannity, Fox and Friends, Fox News, the BBC, CBS News, NBC News, CNN, 48 Hours, 60 Minutes, 20/20 and the 700 Club.
Rev. Mahoney is perhaps best known for his global work in protecting human rights and justice for all as a leader in the pro-life movement. Over the past four decades, he has been outspoken prophetic voice for ending the violence of abortion and ensuring equality for all. That work has included his sponsoring the first ever voter initiative in America, premiering the showing of “Silent Scream” on his local Connecticut talk show and being the former national spokesperson for Operation Rescue.
His work has been featured in the national media through such publications as Newsweek, Time Magazine, The New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, & U.S. News and World Report. Reverend Mahoney has been seen on O’Riley Factor, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Meet the Press, Oprah, ABC Hannity, Fox and Friends, Fox News, the BBC, CBS News, NBC News, CNN, 48 Hours, 60 Minutes, 20/20 and the 700 Club.
Feb 16, 2023: Christian Newswire: Secret Service Threatens Minister with Arrest for Peacefully Demonstrating on a Public Sidewalk in Front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, was told yesterday by the Secret Service the sidewalk was not public because Chinese officials said it "was Chinese property."
The Secret Service went on to say Mahoney would be arrested and charged with unlawful assembly because he would be demonstrating on "Chinese property."
Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, was told yesterday by the Secret Service the sidewalk was not public because Chinese officials said it "was Chinese property."
The Secret Service went on to say Mahoney would be arrested and charged with unlawful assembly because he would be demonstrating on "Chinese property."
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Sept 9, 2021: KESQ reported that the Pastor who wanted to pray on Capitol grounds on 9/11 anniversary won’t be able to because of security concerns. The Rev. Patrick Mahoney’s short-lived legal challenge prompted Judge James Boasberg of the DC District Court to reflect upon the new reality around the Capitol, which remains restricted following the January 6 insurrection and as federal authorities continue to fear violence and large crowds.
April 17, 2015: New Campaign By Christians: Wear Orange to Church to Support Victims of ISIS is announced by Rev. Patrick Mahoney, who leads the Church on the Hill in Washington, D.C. He started the #orangejumpsuit project to encourage people to wear orange in an effort to raise awareness about Christian persecution.
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Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Christian Defense Coalition, speaks at rally held on January 24, 2015 at the Late Term abortion mill of Leroy Carhart commemorating the 4th anniversary of Carhart coming to Maryland from Nebraska
REV. PATRICK MAHONEY - JANUARY 24, 2015 from Maryland Coalition for Life on Vimeo. |
Sept 30, 2013: Breaking Christian News reported that Rev. Patrick Mahoney is flying to Turkey, and then Iran, hoping to meet with Iranian officials in an attempt to secure a meeting in Tehran with President Rouhani and Iranian government leaders to discuss Pastor Saeed. Rev. Mahoney comments:
"Around the world, every person should be afforded the right to express their faith traditions free from government persecution, harassment and intimidation. No one should have to suffer violence or brutality because of what they believe.
"I am flying to Turkey/Iran in hopes of securing the release of Pastor Saeed who is serving an 8 years prison sentence because of his Christian beliefs.
"I will be appealing to the new Iranian leadership which has expressed a desire to have a more open and moderate attitude toward human rights and personal freedoms and work toward building better relationships with their global neighbors.
"On this historic mission, I will not be going as a representative of the United States government, but rather as a faith leader sharing the heart of Christ and calling upon Iran's leaders to show compassion and mercy and allow Saeed to return to his family in America.
"The power of faith transcends governments and leaders and can transform nations and societies. If I have the opportunity to meet with President Rouhani, I will not be speaking to him on a political level but rather as one faith leader to another."
"Around the world, every person should be afforded the right to express their faith traditions free from government persecution, harassment and intimidation. No one should have to suffer violence or brutality because of what they believe.
"I am flying to Turkey/Iran in hopes of securing the release of Pastor Saeed who is serving an 8 years prison sentence because of his Christian beliefs.
"I will be appealing to the new Iranian leadership which has expressed a desire to have a more open and moderate attitude toward human rights and personal freedoms and work toward building better relationships with their global neighbors.
"On this historic mission, I will not be going as a representative of the United States government, but rather as a faith leader sharing the heart of Christ and calling upon Iran's leaders to show compassion and mercy and allow Saeed to return to his family in America.
"The power of faith transcends governments and leaders and can transform nations and societies. If I have the opportunity to meet with President Rouhani, I will not be speaking to him on a political level but rather as one faith leader to another."
mama maggie
March 10, 2023: Religion News: ‘Spiritual exemplars’ change the media narrative about religion
Here are a few of those we profiled:
Mama Maggie runs a huge program for children and families who live in the slums of Cairo that includes 100 nursery schools. A Coptic Christian, she spends up to two months a year in a local monastery praying for the children and the program — with her cell phone nearby to consult with her staff as issues arise.
Here are a few of those we profiled:
Mama Maggie runs a huge program for children and families who live in the slums of Cairo that includes 100 nursery schools. A Coptic Christian, she spends up to two months a year in a local monastery praying for the children and the program — with her cell phone nearby to consult with her staff as issues arise.
julius malema
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April 11, 2023: Iol: Evangelical Lutheran church demands apology from Julius Malema over ‘I don’t need a silly cross’… like Jesus comments
The Evangelical Lutheran church has called on EFF leader Julius Malema to publicly apologise for allegedly making what it labelled blasphemous statements that amount to hate speech. The church said Malema made comments such as: “You don't wait for Jesus to come because you are Jesus" and ”l will give blacks free land. Unlike Jesus, I don't need a silly cross to save my people." |
“Based on your utterances, it is clear that you are not a Christian. If you are an atheist or embrace any other religion, we appeal to you to respect the right of Christians to believe in Jesus. Mr Malema, for you the cross is silly and foolish but for us who are saved it is the power of God,” the church said. 4.11.23 |
Michelle Malkin
April 27, 2023: Metro Voice: Fox News settlement raises stakes for Christian media influencers
Here’s a look at five Christians who publicly attacked Coomer but later admitted they had no evidence for doing so.
Michelle Malkin
Oltmann’s lack of evidence didn’t bother Malkin, who called Coomer “an unhinged sociopath” using the hashtag #ExposeDominion.
Malkin claims 30 years of journalism experience but didn’t check Oltmann’s wild claims before hosting him on her Nov. 13 livestream show. She said she was taking election fraud claims “from conspiracy theory to conspiracy truth!”
Her Nov. 28 “Hacking the Vote” segment was part of her short-lived “Sovereign Nation” show on the right-of-Fox network Newsmax. The segment was accompanied by a disclaimer admitting the network had “no evidence that Dr. Coomer interfered with Dominion voting machines or voting software in any way…Nor has Newsmax found any evidence that Dr. Coomer ever participated in any conversation with members of Antifa.”
This exchange was typical:
Attorney: Do you believe that you have a responsibility as a journalist to put verifiable facts out, facts that can be verified?
Malkin: I believe that I have an imperative to broadcast stories that are not being covered and to give a platform to people who are being censored for disseminating what is considered dangerous or dissident information but that is of high public interest.
Here’s a look at five Christians who publicly attacked Coomer but later admitted they had no evidence for doing so.
Michelle Malkin
Oltmann’s lack of evidence didn’t bother Malkin, who called Coomer “an unhinged sociopath” using the hashtag #ExposeDominion.
Malkin claims 30 years of journalism experience but didn’t check Oltmann’s wild claims before hosting him on her Nov. 13 livestream show. She said she was taking election fraud claims “from conspiracy theory to conspiracy truth!”
Her Nov. 28 “Hacking the Vote” segment was part of her short-lived “Sovereign Nation” show on the right-of-Fox network Newsmax. The segment was accompanied by a disclaimer admitting the network had “no evidence that Dr. Coomer interfered with Dominion voting machines or voting software in any way…Nor has Newsmax found any evidence that Dr. Coomer ever participated in any conversation with members of Antifa.”
This exchange was typical:
Attorney: Do you believe that you have a responsibility as a journalist to put verifiable facts out, facts that can be verified?
Malkin: I believe that I have an imperative to broadcast stories that are not being covered and to give a platform to people who are being censored for disseminating what is considered dangerous or dissident information but that is of high public interest.
ben mandrell
May 19, 2023: Only Sky: The Southern Baptist Convention had its worst EVER membership drop in 2022
On the plus side, Lifeway’s new president, Ben Mandrell, reports that the organization had “revenue growth” last year (p. 62). After how much Thom Rainer, the previous president, apparently mucked things up, I bet Southern Baptist Convention folks will be glad to hear that news.
On the plus side, Lifeway’s new president, Ben Mandrell, reports that the organization had “revenue growth” last year (p. 62). After how much Thom Rainer, the previous president, apparently mucked things up, I bet Southern Baptist Convention folks will be glad to hear that news.
angel marcial
Feb 17, 2023: Christianity Today: Latino Evangelicals Ask DeSantis to Spare the Life of a Man on Death Row
Among those who signed the letter are Bishop Angel Marcial, president of the Florida Fellowship of Hispanic Councils and Evangelical Institutions; the Rev. Irene Familia, president of the Pastors Association of Volusia County; and the Rev. Ivan García, president of the Fellowship of Evangelical Ministers of Tampa. Signers also included Black clergy leaders, such as Bishop Derrick L. McRae, president of the African American Council of Christian Clergy, and the Rev. Frank Madison Reid III, with the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Among those who signed the letter are Bishop Angel Marcial, president of the Florida Fellowship of Hispanic Councils and Evangelical Institutions; the Rev. Irene Familia, president of the Pastors Association of Volusia County; and the Rev. Ivan García, president of the Fellowship of Evangelical Ministers of Tampa. Signers also included Black clergy leaders, such as Bishop Derrick L. McRae, president of the African American Council of Christian Clergy, and the Rev. Frank Madison Reid III, with the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Andrew manis
Andrew M. Manis is emeritus professor of history at Middle Georgia State University and author of A Fire You Can’t Put Out: The Civil Rights Life of Birmingham’s Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth. He is currently working with Mark V. Puroshotham, producer and director of Mercy Pictures, on a documentary based on the book.
Andrew M. Manis is emeritus professor of history at Middle Georgia State University and author of A Fire You Can’t Put Out: The Civil Rights Life of Birmingham’s Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth. He is currently working with Mark V. Puroshotham, producer and director of Mercy Pictures, on a documentary based on the book.
Andrew Manis Files
Numerous conservative pastors and commentators have declared to their flocks that true Christians must vote Republican if they are faithful. Chief among those is Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, who told a conservative political action group this fall that to vote for Democrats makes them “unfaithful to God.”
But what if he’s got it backward? What if voting for today’s iteration of the Republican Party — driven by the business of white supremacy more than actual business interests — makes one “unfaithful to God”? I read a Facebook post from one of my college friends indicating he would vote for Trump because “he was the only one who will protect us Christians.” Republicans must not have heard the news that religious belief, practice and institutions have thrived in the U.S. because they did not enjoy the favor of the government.
Instead, the churches had to work to spread the gospel and strengthen church life in America. Contrast the health of religion in America, where there has been no officially favored religion (even if, historically, most Americans have been Christians), with religion in most European countries where state churches once abounded but are now virtually empty.
--Andrew Manis; Baptist News Global; Should ‘real’ Christians really vote Republican today? 11.3.22
But what if he’s got it backward? What if voting for today’s iteration of the Republican Party — driven by the business of white supremacy more than actual business interests — makes one “unfaithful to God”? I read a Facebook post from one of my college friends indicating he would vote for Trump because “he was the only one who will protect us Christians.” Republicans must not have heard the news that religious belief, practice and institutions have thrived in the U.S. because they did not enjoy the favor of the government.
Instead, the churches had to work to spread the gospel and strengthen church life in America. Contrast the health of religion in America, where there has been no officially favored religion (even if, historically, most Americans have been Christians), with religion in most European countries where state churches once abounded but are now virtually empty.
--Andrew Manis; Baptist News Global; Should ‘real’ Christians really vote Republican today? 11.3.22
cecil maranville
Cecil Maranville is a minister of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association and now retired.
Cecil Maranville
“And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question” (Acts 15:1-2).
The “certain men” are not identified. They were likely members of the Church of God—perhaps people of influence, given the impact their opinion had. Their contention that salvation depended upon physical circumcision created great controversy among the gentiles! It also stirred controversy anew among some Jewish members who were reminded of God’s covenant sign to Abraham.
In support of male circumcision for all who would come into the Church, some Pharisees who were now members of the Church expressed concern about faithfulness to “the law of Moses” (Acts 15:5).
--Cecil Maranville; Life Hope & Truth; Acts 15: How Was the Law Changed?
The “certain men” are not identified. They were likely members of the Church of God—perhaps people of influence, given the impact their opinion had. Their contention that salvation depended upon physical circumcision created great controversy among the gentiles! It also stirred controversy anew among some Jewish members who were reminded of God’s covenant sign to Abraham.
In support of male circumcision for all who would come into the Church, some Pharisees who were now members of the Church expressed concern about faithfulness to “the law of Moses” (Acts 15:5).
--Cecil Maranville; Life Hope & Truth; Acts 15: How Was the Law Changed?
keith markham
May 29, 1998: Baptist Press: Utah churches face challenges as part of religious minority
At Mountain View Baptist Church in Layton, Utah, those relationships have been built largely through a wide array of support groups and other programs of interest to the broader community. A Christmas “Walk through Bethlehem” presentation that covers the entire grounds, for instance, has been effective in introducing the church to the community and opening the doors for further contact. The church has found a niche that has allowed it to thrive evangelistically in an area where others have struggled.
“We have not felt any rejection, we have not felt any obstacles that we couldn’t overcome,” said Keith Markham, Mountain View’s pastor. “We have not felt anything except that the Lord is working here and he is letting us work with him.”
At Mountain View Baptist Church in Layton, Utah, those relationships have been built largely through a wide array of support groups and other programs of interest to the broader community. A Christmas “Walk through Bethlehem” presentation that covers the entire grounds, for instance, has been effective in introducing the church to the community and opening the doors for further contact. The church has found a niche that has allowed it to thrive evangelistically in an area where others have struggled.
“We have not felt any rejection, we have not felt any obstacles that we couldn’t overcome,” said Keith Markham, Mountain View’s pastor. “We have not felt anything except that the Lord is working here and he is letting us work with him.”
mike marlar
Feb 24, 2023: Christian Chronicle: Addressing church decline one child at a time
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Holy Father, we thank thee for this day and all of the blessings of life,” elder Mike Marlar prayed. “We pray for the spiritual growth and development of Miah. As she grows, we pray that you will keep her close to thee, that you will give her the presence and control of your Holy Spirit.”
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Holy Father, we thank thee for this day and all of the blessings of life,” elder Mike Marlar prayed. “We pray for the spiritual growth and development of Miah. As she grows, we pray that you will keep her close to thee, that you will give her the presence and control of your Holy Spirit.”
george marsden
“When I look into my heart, and take a view of my wickedness, it looks like an abyss infinitely deeper than hell.”
― George M. Marsden, Jonathan Edwards
― George M. Marsden, Jonathan Edwards
“Jonathan Edwards is sometimes criticized for having too dim a view of human nature, but it may be helpful to be reminded that his grandmother was an incorrigible profligate, his great-aunt committed infanticide, and his great-uncle was an ax-murderer.”
― George M. Marsden, Jonathan Edwards
― George M. Marsden, Jonathan Edwards
“True saints," Edwards observed with typical God-centeredness, are "inexpressibly pleased and delighted with ... the things of God." Hypocrites, by contrast, revel in themselves. "The hypocrite has his mind pleased and delighted, in the first place, with his own privilege, and the happiness which he supposes he has attained, or shall obtain."58”
― George M. Marsden, Jonathan Edwards
― George M. Marsden, Jonathan Edwards
“Why would a perfect being, such as God, need to create any less perfect beings? The answer, said Edwards, is that God is perfectly loving and so wishes to share that love with creatures capable of love. Edwards's starting point was that a loving God stands at the heart of the universe. So for Edwards the universe is most essentially personal; it is the creative expression of a person. Edwards's emphasis on personality at the center of reality presents a sharp contrast to most modern views. Since the Enlightenment many modern thinkers have built their theories on the premise that the universe is essentially impersonal, controlled by natural laws. Edwards challenged that view with a vital alternative: that at the core of reality is a loving God, and that love is the dynamic behind the creation of the universe and everything in it. Starting with a sense of God's love at the center of reality then shapes the way we think of true virtue. At the core of reality is the beauty of the love of God pouring forth, so that the highest good is to return that love to God.”
― George M. Marsden, A Short Life of Jonathan Edwards
― George M. Marsden, A Short Life of Jonathan Edwards
“I find that a Christian view of history is clarified if one considers reality as more or less like the world portrayed in the works of J. R. R. Tolkien. We live in the midst of contests between great and mysterious spiritual forces, which we understand only imperfectly and whose true dimensions we only occasionally glimpse. Yet, frail as we are, we do play a role in this history, on the side either of the powers of light or of the powers of darkness. It is crucially important then, that, by God’s grace, we keep our wits about us and discern the vast difference between the real forces for good and the powers of darkness disguised as angels of light.”
― George M. Marsden, Fundamentalism and American Culture
― George M. Marsden, Fundamentalism and American Culture
“Christians’ trust in God may be mingled or confused with some culturally formed assumptions, ideals, and values. Inevitably it will. The danger is that our culturally defined loves, allegiances, and understandings will overwhelm and take precedence over our faithfulness to God. So the identification of cultural forces, such as those with which this book is concerned, is essentially a constructive enterprise, with the positive purpose of finding the gold among the dross.”
― George M. Marsden, Fundamentalism and American Culture
― George M. Marsden, Fundamentalism and American Culture
“Martin Marty, a young Lutheran scholar, offered further insights into the situation in The New Shape of American Religion, which appeared in 1959. The so-called revival of religion, Marty explained, was largely a revival of “interest in religion.” Unlike earlier American awakenings, this one was not primarily a renewal of Protestantism but “a maturing national religion”
― George M. Marsden, The Twilight of the American Enlightenment: The 1950s and the Crisis of Liberal Belief
― George M. Marsden, The Twilight of the American Enlightenment: The 1950s and the Crisis of Liberal Belief
“Since God works among imperfect human beings in historical settings, “pure” or “perfect” Christianity can seldom if ever exist in this world. God in his grace works through our limitations; for that very reason we should ask for the grace to recognize what those limitations are. So we may—and ought to—carefully identify the cultural forces which affect the current versions of Christianity.”
― George M. Marsden, Fundamentalism and American Culture
― George M. Marsden, Fundamentalism and American Culture
chris martin
Mar 9, 2023: Baptist Press: Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention names interim executive-director
In January, Chris Martin announced he would be departing to accept a position, effective immediately, with the International Mission Board. He had served Hawaii Baptists for 18 years – the last nine as executive director.
In January, Chris Martin announced he would be departing to accept a position, effective immediately, with the International Mission Board. He had served Hawaii Baptists for 18 years – the last nine as executive director.
dave martin
April 12, 2023: Bharat Times: Trump and Iowa evangelicals: A bond that is hard to break
The Rev. Dave Martin, a Marshalltown pastor, was an outsider in interviews that suggest Trump’s judicial strategy was intended in 2016 to consolidate support within the skeptic group. “Let’s not forget that many years ago he was for legal abortion,” said Martin, who says he will not support Trump in caucus.
Martin also fiercely criticized Trump’s 2016 campaign statement when he dismissed the need to repent.
The Rev. Dave Martin, a Marshalltown pastor, was an outsider in interviews that suggest Trump’s judicial strategy was intended in 2016 to consolidate support within the skeptic group. “Let’s not forget that many years ago he was for legal abortion,” said Martin, who says he will not support Trump in caucus.
Martin also fiercely criticized Trump’s 2016 campaign statement when he dismissed the need to repent.
lia martin
Lia Martin loves to inspire others to lean into the Lord daily. She's a writer, editor, marketer, former Crosswalk.com Faith Editor, and author of Wisdom at Wit's End: Abandoning Supermom Myths in Search of Supernatural Peace. When she's not cultivating words, she loves walking in nature, reading, exploring the latest health trends, and laughing with her two wonderful kids. She blogs at liamartinwriting.com.
Rise up and activate your whole being: “...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us...” (Hebrews 12:1).
The Book of Hebrews confirms that the authority of Jesus supersedes all other voices, idols, or temptations. The writer is encouraging us, even today, to persevere.
It’s saying that even when we’re down, we are still surrounded by a supernatural cloud of witnesses to God’s majesty that will make the enemy his footstool.
When Satan is messing with your mind, you might find it helps to activate your body. Get up, change your surroundings, go for a walk — or even better — run. Cleanse whatever is clogging up your thoughts with the oxygen of God’s creation.
We are whole beings, and when our minds threaten to paralyze our bodies, it may be time to get fresh air.
--Lia Martin; Christianity.com; How Do We Take Our Thoughts Captive? 2.22.21
The Book of Hebrews confirms that the authority of Jesus supersedes all other voices, idols, or temptations. The writer is encouraging us, even today, to persevere.
It’s saying that even when we’re down, we are still surrounded by a supernatural cloud of witnesses to God’s majesty that will make the enemy his footstool.
When Satan is messing with your mind, you might find it helps to activate your body. Get up, change your surroundings, go for a walk — or even better — run. Cleanse whatever is clogging up your thoughts with the oxygen of God’s creation.
We are whole beings, and when our minds threaten to paralyze our bodies, it may be time to get fresh air.
--Lia Martin; Christianity.com; How Do We Take Our Thoughts Captive? 2.22.21
steven r martins
Steven R. Martins is the founding pastor of Sevilla Chapel and founding director of the Cántaro Institute in St. Catharines, Ontario. A second-generation Canadian, Steven is of Ibero-American parentage and has worked in the fields of missional apologetics and church leadership for ten years. He has spoken at numerous conferences, churches, and University student events, from York University, Toronto, to the University of West Indies in Port of Spain, Trinidad, and the national Universities of Costa Rica (UNCR and UNC) and the Evangelical University of El Salvador. He is the chief editor of the Celebration of Faith Series, author of Studies in Biblical Apologetics for a Christian Worldview, and has published several other books and monographs. He has also contributed articles to The Gospel Coalition in Spanish and the Siglo XXI journal of the reformed publishing house Editorial CLIR.
Steven holds a Master’s degree summa cum laude in Theological Studies with a focus on Christian apologetics from Veritas International University (Santa Ana, CA., USA) and a Bachelor of Human Resource Management from York University (Toronto, ON., Canada). Steven has served in the past with the Ezra Institute for Contemporary Christianity (EICC) in the roles of staff apologist, writer and director of ministry development and advancement (DMDA) over the course of four years. Steven presently serves on the executive board for Answers in Genesis Canada, and serves pastorally at Harbour Fellowship Church in St. Catharines.
Steven holds a Master’s degree summa cum laude in Theological Studies with a focus on Christian apologetics from Veritas International University (Santa Ana, CA., USA) and a Bachelor of Human Resource Management from York University (Toronto, ON., Canada). Steven has served in the past with the Ezra Institute for Contemporary Christianity (EICC) in the roles of staff apologist, writer and director of ministry development and advancement (DMDA) over the course of four years. Steven presently serves on the executive board for Answers in Genesis Canada, and serves pastorally at Harbour Fellowship Church in St. Catharines.
Steven R Martins Files
He says “let the waters under the heavens be gathered into one place,” referring to the fact that God had indeed covered the entire earth with water since the beginning. We find this to be an affirmation, not a contradiction, with the creation account. The waters are no different than what we know of today, as the Hebrew “mayim” refers to the basic element of water; they are the oceans of the Pacific and the Atlantic, but not divided, rather initially created as one. It should also be noted, considering the previous commentaries, that the waters being gathered were the waters beneath the heavens. In the previous passage, waters were separated from waters, and the breathable atmosphere was created as a result of God’s creative handiwork. This led many theologians and apologists to derive a protective layering theory. God is being incredibly precise and exact in that the waters He is gathering are not the waters above the expanse, or above the firmament, but the waters below the earthly heavens.
--Steven R Martins: Bible Commentary – Genesis 1:9
--Steven R Martins: Bible Commentary – Genesis 1:9
mychal massie
Mychal Massie is an ordained minister who spent 13 years in full-time Christian Ministry. Today he serves as founder and Chairman of the Racial Policy Center (RPC), a think tank he officially founded in September 2015. RPC advocates for a colorblind society. He was founder and president of the non-profit “In His Name Ministries.” He is the former National Chairman of a conservative Capitol Hill think tank and a former member of the think tank National Center for Public Policy Research. In his official capacity with this free-market, public-policy think tank, he has spoken at the U.S. Capitol, CPAC, participated in numerous press conferences on Capitol Hill, the National Press Club and testified in private session before the Chairman of the House Committee on Resources concerning property rights pursuant to the “Endangered Species Act.”
Mychal’s blog is called “The Daily Rant.”
He has been a keynote speaker at colleges and universities nationwide, at Tea Party Rallies, as well as rallies supporting our troops, conservative presidents, and conservative causes across the country. He is an unapologetic supporter of our right to own and carry firearms.
Mychal is also a nationally syndicated op-ed columnist and former host of the top-rated talk show on the Rightalk Radio Network – “Straight Talk with Mychal Massie.” He is a self-employed business owner of 40-plus years. Mychal is an inspirational / motivational speaker and a regularly featured guest on TV / talk radio programs. The online version of his column is carried by WorldNetDaily.com and enjoys a loyal, supportive readership around the world.
Mychal has appeared on every major news-talk television and radio program in the U.S., as well as top international news programs.
Mychal’s blog is called “The Daily Rant.”
He has been a keynote speaker at colleges and universities nationwide, at Tea Party Rallies, as well as rallies supporting our troops, conservative presidents, and conservative causes across the country. He is an unapologetic supporter of our right to own and carry firearms.
Mychal is also a nationally syndicated op-ed columnist and former host of the top-rated talk show on the Rightalk Radio Network – “Straight Talk with Mychal Massie.” He is a self-employed business owner of 40-plus years. Mychal is an inspirational / motivational speaker and a regularly featured guest on TV / talk radio programs. The online version of his column is carried by WorldNetDaily.com and enjoys a loyal, supportive readership around the world.
Mychal has appeared on every major news-talk television and radio program in the U.S., as well as top international news programs.
sam masteller
June 12, 2023: Word & Way: With Turning Point Faith, Pastors Use Politics as a Church-Growth Strategy
Other TPUSA partners have merged anti-liberal rhetoric with political defiance. Freedom Life Church in Christiana, Pennsylvania, has hosted multiple TPUSA-branded events, including a “Worldview Weekend” in April. During the gathering, senior pastor Sam Masteller asked local school board candidates to join him on stage, then urged the audience to support them — a move he suggested defied the IRS’ rule prohibiting nonprofits, including churches, from endorsing candidates.
Other TPUSA partners have merged anti-liberal rhetoric with political defiance. Freedom Life Church in Christiana, Pennsylvania, has hosted multiple TPUSA-branded events, including a “Worldview Weekend” in April. During the gathering, senior pastor Sam Masteller asked local school board candidates to join him on stage, then urged the audience to support them — a move he suggested defied the IRS’ rule prohibiting nonprofits, including churches, from endorsing candidates.
doug mastriano
May 29, 2022: Denver Post: Christian nationalism on the rise in some GOP campaigns
The victory party took on the feel of an evangelical worship service after Doug Mastriano won Pennsylvania’s Republican gubernatorial primary this month. As a Christian singer led the crowd in song, some raised their arms toward the heavens in praise.
Mastriano opened his remarks by evoking Scripture: “God uses the foolish to confound the wise.” He claimed Pennsylvanians’ freedom would be “snatched away” if his Democratic opponent wins in November, and cast the election in starkly religious terms with another biblical reference: “Let’s choose this day to serve the Lord.”
Mastriano, a state senator and retired Army colonel, has not only made faith central to his personal story but has woven conservative Christian beliefs and symbols into the campaign — becoming the most prominent example this election cycle of what some observers call a surge of Christian nationalism among Republican candidates.
The victory party took on the feel of an evangelical worship service after Doug Mastriano won Pennsylvania’s Republican gubernatorial primary this month. As a Christian singer led the crowd in song, some raised their arms toward the heavens in praise.
Mastriano opened his remarks by evoking Scripture: “God uses the foolish to confound the wise.” He claimed Pennsylvanians’ freedom would be “snatched away” if his Democratic opponent wins in November, and cast the election in starkly religious terms with another biblical reference: “Let’s choose this day to serve the Lord.”
Mastriano, a state senator and retired Army colonel, has not only made faith central to his personal story but has woven conservative Christian beliefs and symbols into the campaign — becoming the most prominent example this election cycle of what some observers call a surge of Christian nationalism among Republican candidates.
david mathis
David Mathis is executive editor for desiringGod.org and pastor at Cities Church. He is a husband, father of four, and author of Workers for Your Joy: The Call of Christ on Christian Leaders (2022). He is the author of Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines.
David Mathis Files
"As young men, two decades ago, so many doors seemed open; the possibilities seemed endless. It was easy to dream, and even expect we might live out some, if not all, of those dreams.
“Rarely, if ever, do our actual lives live up to the grandeur of the great hopes we’re prone to generate in our youth.”But midlife brings a bracing reality check. Far fewer doors are now open. Many of our secret and spoken dreams and aspirations now seem unrealistic, or impossible. What might be has crashed on the rocks of what is. Somehow it got real in the last two decades, and perhaps it took us a while to realize it. Then it dawned on us almost all at once. Our youthful plans are one thing. Then, in time, comes the “answer of the tongue.” That is, what really emerges and is manifest in our lives in the years that follow, to midlife and beyond, is “from the Lord.” --David Mathis; Desiring God; Midlife Clarity
“Rarely, if ever, do our actual lives live up to the grandeur of the great hopes we’re prone to generate in our youth.”But midlife brings a bracing reality check. Far fewer doors are now open. Many of our secret and spoken dreams and aspirations now seem unrealistic, or impossible. What might be has crashed on the rocks of what is. Somehow it got real in the last two decades, and perhaps it took us a while to realize it. Then it dawned on us almost all at once. Our youthful plans are one thing. Then, in time, comes the “answer of the tongue.” That is, what really emerges and is manifest in our lives in the years that follow, to midlife and beyond, is “from the Lord.” --David Mathis; Desiring God; Midlife Clarity
Keith A. Mathison |
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Oct 16, 2021: Biblical Evidence for Catholicism: "Solo" Scriptura vs. Sola Scriptura: Reply to Keith Mathison
A fashionable Protestant comeback to the merciless beating that sola Scriptura has been taking over the past twenty or so years from Catholic, Orthodox and conservative Anglican apologists alike, has been the claim that present-day evangelical Protestantism - following the tradition of early Anabaptism and other breakaway sects -, accepts a greatly distorted version of the primal, "magisterial" notion of the mainstream early Protestant leaders (or so-called "Reformers"), regarding the principle of Scripture Alone as the highest infallible authority for the Christian. Apr 1, 2015: Keith Mathison: Ligonier Ministries: From a Symbol of Fear to a Symbol of Faith Oct 12, 2014: Orthodox Reformed Bridge: Solo versus Sola Scriptura: What’s the Diff?
Most Evangelicals grew up on what Keith Mathison calls solo scriptura. They were taught that all that is needed is the Bible – no external authority or assistance is needed for understanding Scripture. (See my review of Keith Mathison’s The Shape of Sola Scripture.) This approach can be traced to Alexander Campbell, an American revivalist who lived in the early 1800s. Out of the frontier revivals came the motto: No creed but Christ, no book but the Bible. Sept 8, 2014: Renewing Your Mind: Not A Chance, Interview with R.C. Sproul and Keith Mathison Today Dr. R.C. Sproul and Dr. Keith Mathison discuss their new book, Not A Chance: God, Science, and the Revolt Against Reason. Feb 16, 2011: Called To Communion: Keith Mathison’s Reply
In November of 2009, Neal Judisch and I posted an article titled “Solo Scriptura, Sola Scriptura, and the Question of Interpretive Authority.” The article provoked a good deal of discussion, the comments now number over 1,200. Our article was a reply to Keith Mathison’s book The Shape of Sola Scripura, and focused on the distinction Keith makes between sola scriptura and what he calls “solo scriptura.” |
Keith A. Mathison is a Reformed writer who has published numerous articles and several books on theological topics, including Dispensationalism: Rightly Dividing the People of God?, Postmillennialism: An Eschatology of Hope, Given for You: Reclaiming Calvin's Doctrine of the Lord's Supper, and The Shape of Sola Scriptura. He was the assistant editor for the ESV Reformation Study Bible and works as director of curriculum development for Ligonier Ministries. Mathison received an M.A. from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and a Ph.D. from Whitefield Theological Seminary.
April 1, 2001: "The Shape of Sola Scripture" is published by Canon Press: Mathison traces the development of sola scriptura from the early church to the present. He views the Protestant Reformation as a time of recovery of the doctrine that had been under assault from the fourth century. He argues that relativism and individualism permeate present-day teaching on the subject, and that widespread misunderstanding of the doctrine of sola scriptura has been eroding the church from within. This, in Mathison's view, has led to conversions from Protestantism to other religions, and has undermined the relationship among Scripture, church tradition, and individual believers as set forth by the early church and restated by the Magisterial Reformers.
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brian mattson
Brian Mattson
I’ve been a big fan of The Babylon Bee (I do, in fact, have a sense of humor) and their non-satire site Not The Bee, but you’d better not get all your cultural commentary from those guys. Because sometimes they have very poor taste, and sometimes they’re just mean-spirited. Here’s a recent post on Not The Bee commenting on a body cam video of two cops arresting a federal ATF agent. I’ve got opinions about the ATF and policing and that video, but leave them aside. The video is a tense standoff in which the agent comes within an eyelash of getting shot, and the police officers wrestle him to the ground and use a taser on him. Here—and I am not kidding—is Not The Bee’s entire “commentary.”
Amazing, right?
Dude was crying like a baby!
Don't tase me, bro!!Wow. Insightful and enriching. It’s gets the “own the libs” fanboys to click and share, but it’s disgraceful. Mock and laugh at a man in obvious distress. Just what Jesus and John the Baptist would’ve done, I’m sure.
If this is the kind of thing the “serrated edge” means, and if Facebook posts that launch a dozen personal insults is the new mode of discourse that’s really going to turn the cultural tides, we’re just doomed. Teaching this “theology” of mockery (such as it is) to impatient, immature, arrogant hotheads is like giving a live hand grenade to a toddler. I say it’s better to just stick to the commandments.
“Sitting in the seat of mockers” is what the blessed man of Psalm 1 very conspicuously refuses to do. And the sudden popularity of muscular macho-man mockery among Christians does not spell some kind of coming revival or cultural renewal; it’s perhaps a sign that God is just handing us over to our worldly depravity. And maybe in the end we will be “like the chaff that the wind blows away.” --Brian Mattson; The Square Inch; The Seat of Mockers; 8.12.22
Amazing, right?
Dude was crying like a baby!
Don't tase me, bro!!Wow. Insightful and enriching. It’s gets the “own the libs” fanboys to click and share, but it’s disgraceful. Mock and laugh at a man in obvious distress. Just what Jesus and John the Baptist would’ve done, I’m sure.
If this is the kind of thing the “serrated edge” means, and if Facebook posts that launch a dozen personal insults is the new mode of discourse that’s really going to turn the cultural tides, we’re just doomed. Teaching this “theology” of mockery (such as it is) to impatient, immature, arrogant hotheads is like giving a live hand grenade to a toddler. I say it’s better to just stick to the commandments.
“Sitting in the seat of mockers” is what the blessed man of Psalm 1 very conspicuously refuses to do. And the sudden popularity of muscular macho-man mockery among Christians does not spell some kind of coming revival or cultural renewal; it’s perhaps a sign that God is just handing us over to our worldly depravity. And maybe in the end we will be “like the chaff that the wind blows away.” --Brian Mattson; The Square Inch; The Seat of Mockers; 8.12.22
dan mccartney
Dan G. McCartney (PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is professor of New Testament interpretation at Redeemer Seminary in Dallas, Texas. He previously taught at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia for more than twenty years. He is the author of Let the Reader Understand: A Guide to Interpreting and Applying the Bible and Why Does it Have to Hurt? The Meaning of Christian Suffering. McCartney also revised J. Gresham Machen's New Testament Greek for Beginners.
Dan McCartney
Your gold and silver have rusted and their rust will be a witness against you. It will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have hoarded treasure! (James 5:3)
James uses an intensified form of the verb “to rust,” in the perfect tense (κατίωται, katiōtai), probably meaning “completely rusted” or “rusted right through” (see Ropes 1916: 285), where no integrity to the base metal remains. James here picks up on the irony, seen elsewhere in Jewish wisdom literature (e.g., Sir. 29:10), that objects made of gold, and to a lesser extent silver, actually do not rust. Gold can withstand corrosion and retain its metallic integrity for centuries, and although silver tarnishes on the surface, it too lasts a long time in harsh environments and does not “rust through” the way iron does. Yet here James declares the material that is, from a worldly point of view, incorruptible to actually be, on the day of judgment, not just rusted, but rusted right through—totally worthless
James uses an intensified form of the verb “to rust,” in the perfect tense (κατίωται, katiōtai), probably meaning “completely rusted” or “rusted right through” (see Ropes 1916: 285), where no integrity to the base metal remains. James here picks up on the irony, seen elsewhere in Jewish wisdom literature (e.g., Sir. 29:10), that objects made of gold, and to a lesser extent silver, actually do not rust. Gold can withstand corrosion and retain its metallic integrity for centuries, and although silver tarnishes on the surface, it too lasts a long time in harsh environments and does not “rust through” the way iron does. Yet here James declares the material that is, from a worldly point of view, incorruptible to actually be, on the day of judgment, not just rusted, but rusted right through—totally worthless
dave mcconnell
Mar 8, 2023: Christian Post: 'Orwellian': Street preacher appeals conviction for 'misgendering' man who identifies as a woman
The appeal of Dave McConnell, 42, from Wakefield, who was convicted in August 2022, is scheduled to take place Thursday and Friday at Leeds Crown Court, the group Christian Concern, whose arm Christian Legal Centre is supporting his case, said..
The appeal of Dave McConnell, 42, from Wakefield, who was convicted in August 2022, is scheduled to take place Thursday and Friday at Leeds Crown Court, the group Christian Concern, whose arm Christian Legal Centre is supporting his case, said..
scott mcconnell
May 19, 2023: Only Sky: The Southern Baptist Convention had its worst EVER membership drop in 2022
The director of Lifeway’s research division, Scott McConnell, theorizes that the drop in membership happened because “the record keeping is finally catching up” with long-inactive members. I’m not so sure that’s the reason.
The director of Lifeway’s research division, Scott McConnell, theorizes that the drop in membership happened because “the record keeping is finally catching up” with long-inactive members. I’m not so sure that’s the reason.
Rob mccoy
June 12, 2023: Word & Way: With Turning Point Faith, Pastors Use Politics as a Church-Growth StrategyHis first stop was Godspeak Calvary Chapel of Thousand Oaks in California, headed by Pastor Rob McCoy, a former city council member and local mayor who had been a rising star in conservative evangelical circles during the early days of COVID-19. Under his leadership, Godspeak openly flouted California’s pandemic restrictions, holding in-person, maskless services that prompted a series of legal battles with county and state authorities.
According to McCoy, Kirk helped land the pastor on Sean Hannity’s Fox News show to talk about his activism. As media attention grew, Godspeak’s attendance ballooned: far from dissuading churchgoers, COVID-related controversy only raised the church’s profile — and, according to multiple accounts, packed its pews.
“We experienced 400% growth,” McCoy told Religion News Service in a recent interview.
According to McCoy, Kirk helped land the pastor on Sean Hannity’s Fox News show to talk about his activism. As media attention grew, Godspeak’s attendance ballooned: far from dissuading churchgoers, COVID-related controversy only raised the church’s profile — and, according to multiple accounts, packed its pews.
“We experienced 400% growth,” McCoy told Religion News Service in a recent interview.
brett mccracken
Brett McCracken
If there’s one big takeaway from this summer’s hits, it’s that contemporary culture is fragmented and at war—not only with “the other side” but also with itself. Without a solid biblical foundation upon which to build coherent works, a culture is bound to produce discordant spectacles that may strike a chord with certain audience segments, but fail to harmonize meaning in any lasting or universal sense. Into this chaos, Christians should strive to be voices of coherent truth and consistent conviction, creating transcendent works of culture that don’t just play well with one side or the other but that speak gospel truth fearlessly to all sides, come what may. --Brett McCracken; Gospel Coalition; Taylor, Oliver, ‘Barbie,’ ‘Freedom’: Pondering 4 Summer Sensations 9.2.23
Brett McCracken
Honoring sacrifice does makes sense in the context of belief in eternal life, however. If we believe the creedal words “I am not my own” and that there is life beyond this life, then what is it to die? To be cut down in the prime of life in service of some cause (even a questionable cause) may still be undesirable, but it becomes more tolerable, or even honorable. Humans can suppress, but never quite escape, our God-given knowledge that there’s something more than this life. Perhaps that’s why mainstream audiences are so stirred by war movies that depict soldiers in the line of duty, willing to courageously pay the ultimate price. They capture the beautiful valor and “into the fray” grit that comes more naturally when we anchor our lives in truths and hopes beyond this world. --Brett McCracken; Gospel Coalition 5.27.23
lynn mcdonald
Jan 31, 2023: Christian Post: Andy Stanley to host conference for Christian parents of LGBT-identified kids
With a stated goal of helping “parents demonstrate the unconditional love of Jesus,” the Unconditional Conference includes a scheduled lineup featuring Stanley, Embracing the Journey co-founders Greg and Lynn McDonald, former megachurch pastor John Ortberg, North Point Ministries’ Debbie Causey, and LGBT advocate Justin Lee.
With a stated goal of helping “parents demonstrate the unconditional love of Jesus,” the Unconditional Conference includes a scheduled lineup featuring Stanley, Embracing the Journey co-founders Greg and Lynn McDonald, former megachurch pastor John Ortberg, North Point Ministries’ Debbie Causey, and LGBT advocate Justin Lee.
Joslin "Josh" McDowell (born August 17, 1939) is an evangelical Christian apologist and evangelist. After his conversion, his plans for law school turned instead to plans to tell a doubting world about the truth of Jesus Christ. After studying at Kellogg College, Josh completed his college degree at Wheaton College and then attended Talbot Theological Seminary, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master of Divinity degree. In 1961, Josh joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ International. Not long after, he started the Josh McDowell Ministry* to reach young people worldwide with the truth and love of Jesus. He is the author or co-author of over 150 books. In 2006, his book Evidence That Demands a Verdict was ranked 13th in Christianity Today's list of most influential evangelical books published after World War II. Other well-known titles are More Than a Carpenter, A Ready Defense and Right from Wrong..
April 7, 2023: CBN: Cold-Case Investigator Tries to Disprove Christ's Resurrection, Gets Shocked by the Evidence
As a young atheist, Josh McDowell set off to write Evidence That Demands a Verdict to show the evidence about Christ, including His Resurrection, was so weak, the verdict would be "Not True."
"The Resurrection was one of several things I knew I had to refute as a non-believer," McDowell recalled.
As a young atheist, Josh McDowell set off to write Evidence That Demands a Verdict to show the evidence about Christ, including His Resurrection, was so weak, the verdict would be "Not True."
"The Resurrection was one of several things I knew I had to refute as a non-believer," McDowell recalled.
Dec 10, 2022: CBN: 'I was Homosexually Raped': Josh McDowell on How He Overcame Childhood Abuse
Since 1960, the 73-year-old has written or co-authored more 147 books.
But in an interview with CBN News, McDowell said it was the Bible that radically transformed his life after he was sexually abused as a child. "In my life from six to 13 years of age, for seven years, every week I was homosexually raped," said McDowell.
Since 1960, the 73-year-old has written or co-authored more 147 books.
But in an interview with CBN News, McDowell said it was the Bible that radically transformed his life after he was sexually abused as a child. "In my life from six to 13 years of age, for seven years, every week I was homosexually raped," said McDowell.
JOEL MCDURMON
Joel McDurmon, Ph.D., has worked for over a decade as a public theologian. He has authored and edited over twenty books, including The Problem of Slavery in Christian America and Restoring America One County at a Time. Joel lives near Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and five children. American Vision is a United States nonprofit organization founded in 1978 by Steve Schiffman. It operates as a Christian ministry, and calls for "equipping and empowering Christians to restore America’s biblical foundation." The organization promotes Christian Reconstructionism and Postmillennialism, and opposes dispensationalism. Gary DeMar was the organization's president from 1986 to 2015. From 2015 to March 2019 Joel McDurmon was president, during which time Demar was Senior Fellow. Gary Demar returned as president in March 2019 when McDurmon resigned.
Aug 4, 2021: Capstone Report: Guy who attends Woke J.D. Greear’s church sides with Wokesters in attack on Voddie Baucham.
The allegation of plagiarism and misattribution arose from Woke Joel McDurmon. And as you can see in that Twitter thread, the Woke delusion is strong with McDurmon. He slandered Samuel Sey.
The allegation of plagiarism and misattribution arose from Woke Joel McDurmon. And as you can see in that Twitter thread, the Woke delusion is strong with McDurmon. He slandered Samuel Sey.
“Love is not coercion, and the state is only an agent of coercion. It has no other function and can work no other way. Its job is to be the last resort in society: the coercion of criminals through punishment. Its nature and its funding are coercion. Any solution it offers will inescapably be coercive. When we make it the primary agent of healing, we fundamentally alter the nature of society. We ought to have a society in which the power of love drives us to break down all social, class, and political barriers, and to effect healing through private means, private associations, private institutions, counselors, networks, schools, hospitals, charities, businesses, etc. It ought to be driven by giving. Love is giving; selfishness is taking. When we make the state the mover, we make the primary solution one of taking rather than giving. This inverts God's designed order for all human relations, including race relations and racial healing.”
― Joel McDurmon, The Problem of Slavery in Christian America; 2017
― Joel McDurmon, The Problem of Slavery in Christian America; 2017
“While slaveowners worked vigorously to allow slaves only so much biblical teaching as to make them good, docile, submissive slaves, even the most basic moral elements of Christian truth proved revolutionary. This phenomenon arises clearly with the commandment against theft. Reading the proslavery defenses from the antebellum era, one encounters consistent references to slaves stealing and "pilfering" from their masters' stores and livestock, etc. This is always held up as evidence of their incapacity for civilization. Yet it was hardly any lack of capacity; it was resistance and restitution in their keen understanding of their masters' hypocrisy. "While white preachers repeatedly urged 'Don't steal,' slaves just as persistently denied that this commandment applied to them, since they themselves were stolen property." Former slave Josephine Howard retorted to those slaveholders who preached against theft: "[T]hen why did de white folks steal my mammy and her mammy? . . . Dat de sinfulles' stealin' dey is." A Virginian slave preached back at his master, "You white folks set the bad example of stealing—you stole us from Africa, and not content with that, if any got free here, you stole them afterward, and so we are made slaves." Former Georgian slave George Womble agreed: "Slaves were taught to steal by their masters." [...] It is no wonder that whole audiences full of slaves were known to get up and leave the preaching services of missionaries when they began to preach on stealing. They simply could not stomach the hypocrisy.”
― Joel McDurmon, The Problem of Slavery in Christian America; 2017
― Joel McDurmon, The Problem of Slavery in Christian America; 2017
“American slavery was specifically racist slavery. It could not exist apart from racism, and could not be separated from it. Slavery was a massive institution, but its evil was only enabled by the constraints of law and power. Change the law, and you can end the slaver, for the slavery rested on law. But racism rests in the heart and mind. You can change laws, but changing hearts is a whole different matter. Once the slavery was taken away, the racism still existed. The hearts of millions of whiles hated and despised blacks just as before, only now even more so. Now they would have the added insult of an occupying government and military force attempting to make them live as equals - politically at the very least. If the racism remained, unrepentant and unhealed - and it certainly did - the evil would only manifest in a new way.”
― Joel McDurmon, The Problem of Slavery in Christian America; 2017
― Joel McDurmon, The Problem of Slavery in Christian America; 2017
Dr. James F. McGrath is the Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language and Literature at Butler University. His PhD is from the University of Durham in England. His interests include not only early Christianity but also the Mandaeans, science fiction, and the intersection of religion and science. He blogs at Exploring Our Matrix on the Patheos web site. Among his many writings, McGrath both co-edited of Religion and Doctor Who: Time and Relative Dimensions in Faith and served as editor for Religion and Science Fiction.
There certainly is a culture war going on between different camps each of which wants their own values to be the dominant ones in their society. Christians who engage in the culture war have by definition already lost. A culture war casts aside love of enemy, willingness to learn from those who disagree with us, and countless other essentials of the teaching of Jesus and the history of Christianity, all in the interest of “winning.” Sometimes (to quote the movie War Games) the only way to win is not to play. But that doesn’t mean that Christians, and in particular progressive Christians and Baptist like myself, should not be engaged. Unless one is going to follow the path of fascism and try to enforce the dominance of one religion and/or ethnic group by law and force of arms, then the alternative is pluralism and guarantees of freedom for all. Baptists have historically stood for freedom of religion and separation of church and state, having experienced how forces that promote the dominance of Christianity inevitably end up promoting the dominance of their brand of Christianity, to the detriment not just of other religions but other denominations of the same religion. Baptists have also historically emphasized that making Christianity politically and culturally attractive does harm to the effort to promote genuine personal faith.
--James McGrath; Religion Prof; Kirk Cameron at the Indianapolis Public Library 12.29.22
--James McGrath; Religion Prof; Kirk Cameron at the Indianapolis Public Library 12.29.22
C Matthew McMahon
C Matthew McMahan
“The Bible is Complete. By the completeness of the Bible is meant that it contains all the extant revelations of God designed to be a rule of faith and practice to the Church. Nothing can rightfully be imposed on the consciences of men as truth or duty which is not taught directly or by necessary implication in the Holy Scriptures. If Christians are to stand fast in the liberty in which Christ made them free, they must adhere to the principle that in matters of religion and morals the Scriptures alone have authority to bind the conscience.”
― C. Matthew McMahon, Systematic Theology Made Easy
― C. Matthew McMahon, Systematic Theology Made Easy
alistair mcintosh
Alastair McIntosh is a Scottish writer, academic and activist. He was brought up in Leurbost on the Isle of Lewis and is married to Vérène Nicolas. He is involved with Scottish land reform especially on Eigg and campaigned successfully against the Harris superquarry in Lingerbay. He is a fellow of the Centre for Human Ecology, an Honorary Fellow of the Schumacher Society, and helped to set up the Govan based GalGael Trust of which he is Treasurer and a non-executive director. In 2006 he was appointed to the honorary position of Visiting Professor of Human Ecology at the University of Strathclyde (Department of Geography & Sociology) – the first such post in Human ecology in a Scottish university. Alastair also features on Nizlopi's mini album 'Extraordinary' on the track titled 'Homage To Young Men'.
Education. He holds a BSc in geography, submajoring in moral philosophy and psychology from the University of Aberdeen (1977), a financial MBA from the University of Edinburgh (1981), and in 2008 the Academy of Irish Cultural Heritages (of which he is a Visiting Fellow) at the University of Ulster approved the award of PhD by Published Work based on Soil and Soul and twelve supporting publications presented with a short linking thesis, 'Some Contributions of Liberation Theology to Community Empowerment in Scottish Land Reform 1991-2003'. Parts of this were published in 2008 as Schumacher Briefing No. 15: 'Rekindling Community: Connecting People, Environment and Spirituality'.
Education. He holds a BSc in geography, submajoring in moral philosophy and psychology from the University of Aberdeen (1977), a financial MBA from the University of Edinburgh (1981), and in 2008 the Academy of Irish Cultural Heritages (of which he is a Visiting Fellow) at the University of Ulster approved the award of PhD by Published Work based on Soil and Soul and twelve supporting publications presented with a short linking thesis, 'Some Contributions of Liberation Theology to Community Empowerment in Scottish Land Reform 1991-2003'. Parts of this were published in 2008 as Schumacher Briefing No. 15: 'Rekindling Community: Connecting People, Environment and Spirituality'.
Alistair McIntosh Files
May 2, 2023: Insights:THE INFLUENCE AND IMPACT OF WALTER WINK’S ENGAGING THE POWERS
Scottish activist and Quaker, Alistair McIntosh, writes in Engaging Walter Wink’s Powers – An Activist’s Testimony that one of the most important things that transformed him from teenage agnostic activist was encountering Wink’s works while at a Quaker and Iona Community event at Peace House led by Helen Steven. Wink’s work, she believed, “was of profound importance to activism, and especially nonviolent activism, because it took the understanding of power into realms deeper than she had ever previously encountered in theological writing.” Wink also offered a practical formula for activist application:
1) Name the Powers. . . finding the courage to break silence and simply state the abuse of power.
2) Unmask the Powers . . . revealing the social, economic, psychological, and spiritual dynamics by which they oppress.
3) Engage the Powers—wrestling so as not to destroy them—not to take life—but rather, to call them back to their higher, God-given calling.
This model has continued to be taught by Wink and others since the 1980’s as a life-affirming and proactive way of resisting the Powers in the world. McIntosh uses Engaging the Powers as a text for Spiritual Activism classes at Strathclyde University in Scotland. He also gives a number of practical examples where he utilised the model for successful outcomes including land reforms in Scotland, resisting environmentally damaging mining in Papua New Guinea and Scotland, explaining non-violence to military officers and exposing the destructive nature of cigarette advertising.
Scottish activist and Quaker, Alistair McIntosh, writes in Engaging Walter Wink’s Powers – An Activist’s Testimony that one of the most important things that transformed him from teenage agnostic activist was encountering Wink’s works while at a Quaker and Iona Community event at Peace House led by Helen Steven. Wink’s work, she believed, “was of profound importance to activism, and especially nonviolent activism, because it took the understanding of power into realms deeper than she had ever previously encountered in theological writing.” Wink also offered a practical formula for activist application:
1) Name the Powers. . . finding the courage to break silence and simply state the abuse of power.
2) Unmask the Powers . . . revealing the social, economic, psychological, and spiritual dynamics by which they oppress.
3) Engage the Powers—wrestling so as not to destroy them—not to take life—but rather, to call them back to their higher, God-given calling.
This model has continued to be taught by Wink and others since the 1980’s as a life-affirming and proactive way of resisting the Powers in the world. McIntosh uses Engaging the Powers as a text for Spiritual Activism classes at Strathclyde University in Scotland. He also gives a number of practical examples where he utilised the model for successful outcomes including land reforms in Scotland, resisting environmentally damaging mining in Papua New Guinea and Scotland, explaining non-violence to military officers and exposing the destructive nature of cigarette advertising.
doug mckelway
Doug McKelway is a 40-year news veteran, former Washington, DC correspondent with Fox News and currently anchor/host of TBN's Centerpoint program.TBN, which claims to be the largest global Christian broadcasting network, made a concerted pivot to news broadcasting this past spring when it launched Centerpoint, a weeknight news show headed by ex-Fox News staffers. The half-hour program, which airs at 7:30 p.m, ET, is anchored by veteran Fox News correspondent Doug McKelway, who “retired” in 2020, and produced by Michael Clemente, a former Newsmax CEO who was once right-hand man to Roger Ailes back at Fox News.
June 2, 2023: Media Matters: American theocracy: Trinity Broadcasting Network’s nightly news program is spreading Christian nationalism
- Anchor Doug McKelway questioned if God would “allow for revolution” to get the United States “back in order.” McKelway asked his guest, “If we are unable to get our house back in order according to God's tenets, Jesus’ tenets, … is he willing to allow for revolution?” [TBN, Centerpoint, 4/10/23]
vashti mckenzie
May 4, 2023: Word & Way: Faith Leaders Ask Biden to Mark Mother’s Day With Prayer Day Against Gun Violence
Signatories on the letter include the Rev. Jesse Jackson of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, Bishop Vashti McKenzie of the National Council of Churches, Rabbi Jill Jacobs of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, Shane Claiborne of Red Letter Christians and the Rev. Liz Theoharis of Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice.
Signatories on the letter include the Rev. Jesse Jackson of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, Bishop Vashti McKenzie of the National Council of Churches, Rabbi Jill Jacobs of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, Shane Claiborne of Red Letter Christians and the Rev. Liz Theoharis of Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice.
brian mcLaren
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Jan 12, 2023: Texas Observer: A QUESTION WITH NO EASY ANSWERS
Brian McLaren's book "Do I Stay Christian?" challenges the faithful to examine the harm caused by modern religion. |
Although he was raised as an evangelical Christian, he later embraced a more inclusive kind of Christianity. In 1982, he co-founded Cedar Ridge Community Church, a nondenominational faith community, with others who shared his desire to welcome spiritual seekers of all kinds. The church’s vision statement invites people to “imagine a community … where everyone is accepted and respected and their journey cherished, regardless of their background, beliefs, or place in society.” McLaren served as its pastor for 24 years before becoming a full-time author, speaker, and teacher. |
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May 1, 2014: Tim Challies: Challies.com: The False Teachers: Brian McLaren
A few months ago I set out on a series of articles through which I am scanning the history of the church—from its earliest days all the way to the present time—to examine some of Christianity’s most notable false teachers and to examine the false doctrine each of them represents. Along the way we have visited such figures as Joseph Smith (Mormonism), Ellen G. White (Adventism), Norman Vincent Peale (Positive Thinking), and Benny Hinn (Faith Healing). Today we turn to a man who helped lead the Emerging Church and who was once named by TIME as one of the 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America. |
In A New Kind of Christianity he insists that Christians have long been reading the Bible through the distorted lens of a Greco-Roman narrative. This narrative produced many false dualisms, an air of superiority, and a false distinction between those who were “in” and those who were “out.” These three marks of false narrative have so impacted our faith that we can hardly see past them. His book attempts to do that, and to reconstruct the Christian faith as it is meant to be. Leading the way is his view of the Bible. He does not see the Bible as God’s inspired, inerrant, infallible, authoritative Word. He displays this, for example, in his interpretation of the account of Noah by saying, “a god who mandates an intentional supernatural disaster leading to unparalleled genocide is hardly worthy of belief, much less worship” (A New Kind of Christianity). 5.1.14 |
Willie McLaurin
Aug 18, 2023: The Alabama Baptist: Deal with the Problems of the Self by the Cross through the Exercise of our Spirit
When Alabama’s Neal Hughes was elected chair of the second presidential search team for the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee on June 1, he consistently stated a commitment to “due diligence” in the process.
That commitment allowed a potentially scandalous situation related to Willie McLaurin to be handled prior to a nomination, vote and likely election as the next SBC EC president.
McLaurin, considered the recent frontrunner in the presidential search, resigned from his role as interim president and CEO on Aug. 17, effective immediately.
Effective Aug. 18, Jonathan Howe, EC vice president for communications, stepped into the role temporarily.
McLaurin’s resignation came in response to the search committee’s discovery of falsified academic credentials on his current resumé.
When Alabama’s Neal Hughes was elected chair of the second presidential search team for the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee on June 1, he consistently stated a commitment to “due diligence” in the process.
That commitment allowed a potentially scandalous situation related to Willie McLaurin to be handled prior to a nomination, vote and likely election as the next SBC EC president.
McLaurin, considered the recent frontrunner in the presidential search, resigned from his role as interim president and CEO on Aug. 17, effective immediately.
Effective Aug. 18, Jonathan Howe, EC vice president for communications, stepped into the role temporarily.
McLaurin’s resignation came in response to the search committee’s discovery of falsified academic credentials on his current resumé.
May 19, 2023: Only Sky: The Southern Baptist Convention had its worst EVER membership drop in 2022
Interestingly, this letter is not signed by any Executive Committee members—except for Willie McLaurin, its Interim President. Since the list is arranged alphabetically, he appears near the end. Drowning out his name, we see various other big-name Southern Baptist officers: seminary presidents, missionary organization presidents, the president of their financial planning group, leaders of important groups like Lifeway, and even the president of the Southern Baptist Convention himself, Bart Barber.
Interestingly, this letter is not signed by any Executive Committee members—except for Willie McLaurin, its Interim President. Since the list is arranged alphabetically, he appears near the end. Drowning out his name, we see various other big-name Southern Baptist officers: seminary presidents, missionary organization presidents, the president of their financial planning group, leaders of important groups like Lifeway, and even the president of the Southern Baptist Convention himself, Bart Barber.
Cindi McMenamin
Cindi McMenamin is a national speaker, Bible teacher, and award-winning writer who helps women and couples strengthen their relationship with God and others. She is also a mother, pastor’s wife, and author of 17 books, including When Women Walk Alone (more than 150,000 copies sold), When God Sees Your Tears, When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurts, and When Couples Walk Together:31 Days to a Closer Connection, which she co-authored with her husband of 35 years.
Cindi McMenamin
Israel’s King David—known for his intimacy with God as expressed through many of the Psalms he wrote—experienced a season of sin in which he committed adultery and then murder to cover up his sin. It’s possible it was a full year or more from the time he first lusted after Bathsheba (a woman who was married to one of David’s “Mighty Men” referenced in 2 Samuel 23:8, 2 Samuel 23:39), to the day he was confronted by a prophet of God for taking another man’s wife and killing that man to cover up his sin (2 Samuel 12:1-9).
Upon realizing the extent to which he had betrayed his God, David penned Psalm 51. It’s a heartfelt prayer, begging for God’s mercy, cleansing, and restoration. In Psalm 51:10-12, David prayed: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a wiling spirit. (ESV) According to Bible scholars, when David prayed “Create in me a clean heart” he used the same Hebrew verb that is used in Genesis 1:1 for the creation of the world, emphasizing that the kind of radical cleansing he needed could only come from God. David apparently knew the redirection of his desires and thoughts could only come about through the intervention of God, as well. --Cindi McMenamin; Crosswalk; What Does it Mean to Ask God to ‘Create in Me a Clean Heart?’ 1.7.20
Upon realizing the extent to which he had betrayed his God, David penned Psalm 51. It’s a heartfelt prayer, begging for God’s mercy, cleansing, and restoration. In Psalm 51:10-12, David prayed: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a wiling spirit. (ESV) According to Bible scholars, when David prayed “Create in me a clean heart” he used the same Hebrew verb that is used in Genesis 1:1 for the creation of the world, emphasizing that the kind of radical cleansing he needed could only come from God. David apparently knew the redirection of his desires and thoughts could only come about through the intervention of God, as well. --Cindi McMenamin; Crosswalk; What Does it Mean to Ask God to ‘Create in Me a Clean Heart?’ 1.7.20
randy mcpheron
June 4, 2023: Kentucky Today: Randy McPheron to be nominated as next KBC president
Randy McPheron, an associational mission strategist who also serves as an itinerant evangelist and has pastored for 25 years, will be nominated as the next president of the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
Randy McPheron, an associational mission strategist who also serves as an itinerant evangelist and has pastored for 25 years, will be nominated as the next president of the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
peter mead
Peter Mead worked full-time with Operation Mobilisation. In 2011 he helped to launch Cor Deo, a full-time mentored study and ministry training programme that runs for the first half of each year. They also run one-week Intensive courses. In 2014 he was part of the team launching a new church in Chippenham. While Cor Deo and Trinity Chippenham take up the majority of the ministry schedule, he does enjoy other opportunities to serve the church. For instance, since 2013 he has been leading the Bible Teacher’s Networks at the European Leadership Forum in Wisla, Poland.
Peter Mead
Take a look at Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians in 1:15-23. He begins by referencing how thankful he is for their faith in Christ and love for the saints..........Paul spells out this one prayer request with three specifics. He wants God to enlighten the eyes of their hearts to know three things.
First, he wants them to know the absolute certainty of their calling in Christ. We have churches filled with people who carry the label of Christian, and yet have all manner of uncertainty and confusion over God’s calling on their lives.
Second, he wants them to know that they are God’s inheritance – an inheritance He considers to be gloriously rich! This is not something new believers readily grasp.
Just as it takes a wife many years to truly believe that her husband really loves her, so it is with God’s people.
Third, he wants them to know how much power there is toward them as they trust God for it. That is, is there enough power for a life like mine to be truly transformed by the gospel?
Is there enough power for me to be raised from my sinful state of death to do the works God has prepared for me to do? There is if that power is the same power that raised Christ from the dead, seated him in glory, put all enemies under his feet and made him head over the church!
--Peter Mead; Evangelical Focus Europe; 6.29.23
First, he wants them to know the absolute certainty of their calling in Christ. We have churches filled with people who carry the label of Christian, and yet have all manner of uncertainty and confusion over God’s calling on their lives.
Second, he wants them to know that they are God’s inheritance – an inheritance He considers to be gloriously rich! This is not something new believers readily grasp.
Just as it takes a wife many years to truly believe that her husband really loves her, so it is with God’s people.
Third, he wants them to know how much power there is toward them as they trust God for it. That is, is there enough power for a life like mine to be truly transformed by the gospel?
Is there enough power for me to be raised from my sinful state of death to do the works God has prepared for me to do? There is if that power is the same power that raised Christ from the dead, seated him in glory, put all enemies under his feet and made him head over the church!
--Peter Mead; Evangelical Focus Europe; 6.29.23
james meeks
Jan 10, 2023: Christian Post: ‘I’m almost afraid to hand you this,’ Pastor James Meeks says in handing over megachurch to Charlie Dates
Founding pastor of the 10,000-member Salem Baptist Church of Chicago, James Meeks, said he was “almost afraid” to hand over the reins of the congregation he led for the last 38 years to Pastor Charlie Dates. In an emotional retirement ceremony Sunday, he revealed he is trusting God to give his spiritual son the strength he needs to carry on the ministry.
Founding pastor of the 10,000-member Salem Baptist Church of Chicago, James Meeks, said he was “almost afraid” to hand over the reins of the congregation he led for the last 38 years to Pastor Charlie Dates. In an emotional retirement ceremony Sunday, he revealed he is trusting God to give his spiritual son the strength he needs to carry on the ministry.
zach meerkreebs
Feb 23, 2023: Christianity Today: ‘No Celebrities Except Jesus’: How Asbury Protected the Revival
The revival began at a chapel service on February 8. Zach Meerkreebs, the assistant soccer coach who is also the leadership development coordinator for the missions organization Envision, preached about becoming love in action. His text was Romans 12.
As he started, Meerkreebs told the students, who are required to attend three chapels per week, that he wasn’t aiming to entertain them. And he didn’t want them to focus on him.
“I hope you guys forget me but anything from the Holy Spirit and God’s Word would find fertile ground in your hearts and produce fruit,” he said. “Romans 12. That’s the star, okay? God’s Word and Jesus and the Holy Spirit moving in our midst, that’s what we’re hoping for.”
The revival began at a chapel service on February 8. Zach Meerkreebs, the assistant soccer coach who is also the leadership development coordinator for the missions organization Envision, preached about becoming love in action. His text was Romans 12.
As he started, Meerkreebs told the students, who are required to attend three chapels per week, that he wasn’t aiming to entertain them. And he didn’t want them to focus on him.
“I hope you guys forget me but anything from the Holy Spirit and God’s Word would find fertile ground in your hearts and produce fruit,” he said. “Romans 12. That’s the star, okay? God’s Word and Jesus and the Holy Spirit moving in our midst, that’s what we’re hoping for.”
“I hope you guys forget me but anything from the Holy Spirit and God’s Word would find fertile ground in your hearts and produce fruit. Romans 12. That’s the star, okay? God’s Word and Jesus and the Holy Spirit moving in our midst, that’s what we’re hoping for.” - Zach Meerkreebs at the beginning of Asbury
Feb 23, 2023: Gospel Coalition: Hearts Strangely Warmed at Asbury
At the ordinary chapel service on February 8 that was the occasion for the current revival, preacher Zach Meerkreebs exhorted Asbury’s students from Romans 12 to live lives marked by the standards set forth there: 30 commandments in 13 verses, calling his hearers to love with perfect love, not polluted, hypocritical, or perverted love. Meerkreebs’s concluding point was that the love demanded by these verses isn’t possible in our own power: “You can’t love the way that this verse speaks. . . . You cannot love until you are loved by Jesus.” We love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19), and “if you want to become love in action then you have to experience the love of God.”
The sermon wasn’t especially impressive (Meerkreebs later shared he felt he was doing a pretty bad job of it), but it had the weight of Romans behind it, and it was obviously shaped by the Wesleyan Holiness emphases of free grace and full salvation. Students heard the invitation and responded. The resulting worship was neither sensational nor dramatic. Watching the intermittent livestreams was at times almost boring. There was nothing to see but people praying together, singing rather quietly, or reading from the Bible. Everyone faced the front of the room but there was no spectacle on stage. Later, pilgrims began arriving and formed a real crowd. People on-site testified to a powerful feeling of reverence and a sweetness that refreshed their spirits and made them aware of God’s presence. But the drama continued to be invisible.
At the ordinary chapel service on February 8 that was the occasion for the current revival, preacher Zach Meerkreebs exhorted Asbury’s students from Romans 12 to live lives marked by the standards set forth there: 30 commandments in 13 verses, calling his hearers to love with perfect love, not polluted, hypocritical, or perverted love. Meerkreebs’s concluding point was that the love demanded by these verses isn’t possible in our own power: “You can’t love the way that this verse speaks. . . . You cannot love until you are loved by Jesus.” We love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19), and “if you want to become love in action then you have to experience the love of God.”
The sermon wasn’t especially impressive (Meerkreebs later shared he felt he was doing a pretty bad job of it), but it had the weight of Romans behind it, and it was obviously shaped by the Wesleyan Holiness emphases of free grace and full salvation. Students heard the invitation and responded. The resulting worship was neither sensational nor dramatic. Watching the intermittent livestreams was at times almost boring. There was nothing to see but people praying together, singing rather quietly, or reading from the Bible. Everyone faced the front of the room but there was no spectacle on stage. Later, pilgrims began arriving and formed a real crowd. People on-site testified to a powerful feeling of reverence and a sweetness that refreshed their spirits and made them aware of God’s presence. But the drama continued to be invisible.
glenn Meldrum
Glenn Meldrum Files
One of the greatest obstacles people face in their pursuit of victory is the matter of control. Most people want to be free from the chains of sin, but they want to do it while maintaining control over their lives. “If I can just do this one particular thing, I will find freedom,” they tell themselves. Nevertheless, as long as they believe there is a solution outside of abandonment to Christ, they will remain a captive to sin. Their efforts to win the battle by their own methods and strength are doomed to failure as long as they remain in control. The power to overcome sin will never be found in a person’s own determination or wisdom. Freedom from the bondage of sin only comes through surrender to God. The man must come to the point where he falls unreservedly at the feet of Jesus and cries out, “Oh God, I’m weary of my sin! I can’t overcome it without you. You are my only hope!” It is at this point of helplessness that the man is closest to victory.
--Glenn Meldrum Jan 2018
--Glenn Meldrum Jan 2018
ana mendez
Jan 10, 2023: Baptist News Global: The New Apostolic Reformation drove the January 6 riots, so why was it overlooked by the House Select Committee?
Ana Mendez, who was considered a prophet, claimed she had a vision that a demon known as the Queen of Heaven had an ice castle on Mount Everest and God was calling her to go to Everest for spiritual battle. Wagner believed her vision and supported the trip. So in 1997, a group of 26 prophetic intercessors spent three weeks doing spiritual warfare on Mount Everest in “Operation Ice Castle.”
While some of the team stayed at the Everest View Hotel to pray at 13,000 feet, and others ascended to the Everest Base Camp at 18,000 feet, Wagner wrote in his book Confronting the Queen of Heaven that Ana’s team “which had taken professional alpine training in Mexico and Peru before leaving, scaled the ice cliffs and crossed bottomless crevasses, climbing to 20,000 feet.”
“Our assignment from God was to take down the foundations of The Great Babylon, the harlot over many waters, which supported the false religious systems of the world,” Ana said. “He clearly showed us where we should go for our prophetic act by revealing a large, brown stone formation, completely surrounded by walls of ice resembling a castle, and shaped exactly like an idol of the Queen of Heaven. This seat of the Mother of the Universe was 20,000 feet high, and to get there we had to cross the ice fall, the most dangerous part of the Everest ascent, with no guide but him and no help from other than angels.”
Ana Mendez, who was considered a prophet, claimed she had a vision that a demon known as the Queen of Heaven had an ice castle on Mount Everest and God was calling her to go to Everest for spiritual battle. Wagner believed her vision and supported the trip. So in 1997, a group of 26 prophetic intercessors spent three weeks doing spiritual warfare on Mount Everest in “Operation Ice Castle.”
While some of the team stayed at the Everest View Hotel to pray at 13,000 feet, and others ascended to the Everest Base Camp at 18,000 feet, Wagner wrote in his book Confronting the Queen of Heaven that Ana’s team “which had taken professional alpine training in Mexico and Peru before leaving, scaled the ice cliffs and crossed bottomless crevasses, climbing to 20,000 feet.”
“Our assignment from God was to take down the foundations of The Great Babylon, the harlot over many waters, which supported the false religious systems of the world,” Ana said. “He clearly showed us where we should go for our prophetic act by revealing a large, brown stone formation, completely surrounded by walls of ice resembling a castle, and shaped exactly like an idol of the Queen of Heaven. This seat of the Mother of the Universe was 20,000 feet high, and to get there we had to cross the ice fall, the most dangerous part of the Everest ascent, with no guide but him and no help from other than angels.”
aaron menikoff
Aaron Menikoff
The Bible won’t teach you how to change a tire, but it will tell you to honor your parents who may help you change your tire. The Bible won’t teach you how to cook dinner, but it will tell you it’s good to work with your hands and provide for yourself and your family. The Bible won’t teach you how to get hired by your dream company, but it will tell you how to live life for the glory of Christ. The Bible won’t tell you whom to marry, but it will tell you what to look for in a husband or a wife. The Bible won’t tell you how to get straight As in college, but it will tell you that your biggest problem isn’t a C but your sin—and the only answer is the crucified and risen Christ. -Aaron Menikoff; Gospel Coalition 5.30.23
laura merrill
May 16, 2023: Christian Post: 67 Arkansas churches leave the UMC
Arkansas Bishop Laura Merrill said in a statement on Saturday that while it was “a difficult day” for the regional body, she was “grateful for the grace that Conference members extended to each other and to me as we accomplished our work.”
“I look forward to healing and continued ministry with United Methodists who lost their church home today, and I trust that God will open a new and fruitful path before us. We will move forward in faith, sharing the love and hope of Jesus Christ with our neighbors,” Merrill stated.
Arkansas Bishop Laura Merrill said in a statement on Saturday that while it was “a difficult day” for the regional body, she was “grateful for the grace that Conference members extended to each other and to me as we accomplished our work.”
“I look forward to healing and continued ministry with United Methodists who lost their church home today, and I trust that God will open a new and fruitful path before us. We will move forward in faith, sharing the love and hope of Jesus Christ with our neighbors,” Merrill stated.
jonathan merritt
Jonathan Merritt
When Jann Aldredge-Clanton enrolled at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1982, she considered herself a bona fide evangelical Christian with a reverence for the Bible and a love for the church. It soon became clear that neither her Southern Baptist denomination nor the wider evangelical world held much space for her. In her preaching class, male students who objected to women teaching men criticized her sermons. One male student in another class dismissively asked if she came to seminary to get an “M-R-S” degree. Her growing interest in feminist theology made her feel like an outsider among her conservative classmates, who felt such ideas were heretical. As graduation neared in 1985, Aldredge-Clanton was informed by the seminary’s placement office that it only sought to place males as pastors. After her applications to evangelical churches across Texas went unanswered, she took the hint. “It had finally been made clear to me that as an ordained woman and a feminist, I was on the outs as a Southern Baptist and in the evangelical world,” she told me recently, “so I took a job as an associate minister at a United Methodist church instead.” --Jonathan Merritt; Religion News Service; Can evangelicalism survive its white, straight, conservative victory? 5.2.23
July 17, 2017: Albert Mohler: The Agonizing Ordeal of Eugene Peterson—You Might Be Next
The ordeal began with Peterson, one of the most influential authors among evangelical pastors, responding to two straightforward questions about homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Jonathan Merritt of Religion News Service referenced homosexuality and same-sex marriage and then asked Peterson if his view on the morality of same-sex relationships had changed. Peterson was pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Maryland for 29 years, before retiring in 1991. In his answer, however, Peterson said, "I haven't had a lot of experience with it." An earlier congregation where he served as associate pastor, included "several women who were lesbians," but didn't "make a big deal about it." The congregation he served as pastor was much the same: "I don't think we ever really made a big deal of it."
The ordeal began with Peterson, one of the most influential authors among evangelical pastors, responding to two straightforward questions about homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Jonathan Merritt of Religion News Service referenced homosexuality and same-sex marriage and then asked Peterson if his view on the morality of same-sex relationships had changed. Peterson was pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Maryland for 29 years, before retiring in 1991. In his answer, however, Peterson said, "I haven't had a lot of experience with it." An earlier congregation where he served as associate pastor, included "several women who were lesbians," but didn't "make a big deal about it." The congregation he served as pastor was much the same: "I don't think we ever really made a big deal of it."
Religion On The Record: Jan 30, 2014: Jonathan Merritt (Religion News Service) reports "Why Rick Warren and 37 other Christians are joining the Hobby Lobby fight." He reports that: "A group of influential Christian theologians and pastors announced on Wednesday their support of businesses like Hobby Lobby who are fighting against the HHS contraception mandate. In a 46-page amicus brief filed with the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), they argued that the mandate violates the First Amendment rights of Christians who believe that all work is sacred. .The list of 38 signatories includes pastor Rick Warren, Bishop Harry Jackson, theologian Wayne Grudem, author Ravi Zacharias, and other theologians and activists. The convening organizations listed on the brief includes Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Coalition of African American Pastors, and Manhattan Declaration, a movement of conservative Christians fighting “for life, marriage, and religious liberty.”
American Spectator: The Truth About Hobby Lobby and the Supreme Court
Fox News: Dem senators intervene in Hobby Lobby case, urge justices to deny ObamaCare exemption
Life News: 19 Democrat Senators Tell Supreme Court to Force Hobby Lobby to Obey HHS Mandate
Life News: Supreme Court Accepts Hobby Lobby’s Challenge to Obama’s HHS Mandate
New Yorker: The Stakes in the Hobby Lobby Birth-Control Case
The Oklahoman: Oklahoma attorney general files brief with Supreme Court in support of Hobby Lobby
US News & World Report: An Assault Upon the Very Notion of Secular Law
Washington Free Beacon: The Hobby Lobby Case Explained
Yahoo News: 56 Briefs Support Hobby Lobby In Supreme Court Case
American Spectator: The Truth About Hobby Lobby and the Supreme Court
Fox News: Dem senators intervene in Hobby Lobby case, urge justices to deny ObamaCare exemption
Life News: 19 Democrat Senators Tell Supreme Court to Force Hobby Lobby to Obey HHS Mandate
Life News: Supreme Court Accepts Hobby Lobby’s Challenge to Obama’s HHS Mandate
New Yorker: The Stakes in the Hobby Lobby Birth-Control Case
The Oklahoman: Oklahoma attorney general files brief with Supreme Court in support of Hobby Lobby
US News & World Report: An Assault Upon the Very Notion of Secular Law
Washington Free Beacon: The Hobby Lobby Case Explained
Yahoo News: 56 Briefs Support Hobby Lobby In Supreme Court Case
"A theology of love cannot afford to be sentimental. It cannot afford to preach edifying generalities about charity, while identifying ‘peace’ with mere established power and legalized violence against the oppressed. A theology of love cannot be allowed merely to serve the interests of the rich and powerful, justifying their wars, their violence and their bombs, while exhorting the poor and underprivileged to practice patience, meekness, longsuffering, and to solve their problems, if at all, nonviolently. A theology of love may also conceivably turn out to be a theology of revolution. In any case, it is a theology of resistance, a refusal of the evil that reduces a brother or sister to homicidal desperation . . . Instead of preaching the Cross for others and advising them to suffer patiently the violence which we sweetly impose on them, with the aid of armies and police, we might conceivably recognize the right of the less fortunate to use force, and study more seriously the practice of nonviolence and humane methods on our own part when, as it happens, we possess the most stupendous arsenal of power the world has ever known."
- Thomas Merton ; Toward a Theology of Resistance
- Thomas Merton ; Toward a Theology of Resistance
eric metaxas
Jan 23, 2023: New Republic: The Rise of Spirit Warriors on the Christian Right
You might also have noticed the many warnings about demons and spiritual battle on the campaign trail. In the runoff for the Georgia Senate, which he lost by a narrow margin, Herschel Walker—he of the vampires and werewolves—alerted us that the nation is entangled in “spiritual battle” and offered himself as a “warrior for God.” On Eric Metaxas’s radio show, where he interviews conservative politicians and cultural figures, repeat guest Roger Stone told Metaxas that a “demonic portal” had opened above the White House. At an Idaho stop on Mike Flynn’s ReAwaken America tour in September—a traveling road show of conspiracists, candidates for political office, and religious zealots—the Pentecostal pastor Mark Burns called out to the cheering crowd, “I’ve come here to declare war on every demonic, demon-possessed Democrat that comes from the gates of hell.” Sean Feucht, a preacher known for hosting large-scale public evangelism events and a repeat guest on the ReAwaken America tour circuit, cast Democratic initiatives as “schemes of the devil in the political realm.”
You might also have noticed the many warnings about demons and spiritual battle on the campaign trail. In the runoff for the Georgia Senate, which he lost by a narrow margin, Herschel Walker—he of the vampires and werewolves—alerted us that the nation is entangled in “spiritual battle” and offered himself as a “warrior for God.” On Eric Metaxas’s radio show, where he interviews conservative politicians and cultural figures, repeat guest Roger Stone told Metaxas that a “demonic portal” had opened above the White House. At an Idaho stop on Mike Flynn’s ReAwaken America tour in September—a traveling road show of conspiracists, candidates for political office, and religious zealots—the Pentecostal pastor Mark Burns called out to the cheering crowd, “I’ve come here to declare war on every demonic, demon-possessed Democrat that comes from the gates of hell.” Sean Feucht, a preacher known for hosting large-scale public evangelism events and a repeat guest on the ReAwaken America tour circuit, cast Democratic initiatives as “schemes of the devil in the political realm.”
russell meyer
May 16, 2023:
National and state Christian leaders spoke out against the white supremacist ideology espoused during two recent Christian nationalist rallies in South Florida. Christians Against Christian Nationalism and Faithful America organized a livestreamed event as a counter perspective to the May 11 “Pastors for Trump” reception and the May 12 ReAwaken America Tour rally, both held at the Trump Doral resort in Miami. “We are here today as Christians who are horrified to see the faith we hold dear being used to spread lies, violence and authoritarian theocracy,” said Amanda Tyler, executive director of Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and lead organizer of Christians Against Christian Nationalism. Tyler was joined at All Angels Episcopal Church in Miami Springs by Nathan Empsall of Faithful America, Russell Meyer of the Florida Council of Churches, Jennifer Butler of Faith in Public Life Action, James Golden of Pastors for Florida Children and Charles Toy of The Christian Left. More at Baptist News Global
National and state Christian leaders spoke out against the white supremacist ideology espoused during two recent Christian nationalist rallies in South Florida. Christians Against Christian Nationalism and Faithful America organized a livestreamed event as a counter perspective to the May 11 “Pastors for Trump” reception and the May 12 ReAwaken America Tour rally, both held at the Trump Doral resort in Miami. “We are here today as Christians who are horrified to see the faith we hold dear being used to spread lies, violence and authoritarian theocracy,” said Amanda Tyler, executive director of Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and lead organizer of Christians Against Christian Nationalism. Tyler was joined at All Angels Episcopal Church in Miami Springs by Nathan Empsall of Faithful America, Russell Meyer of the Florida Council of Churches, Jennifer Butler of Faith in Public Life Action, James Golden of Pastors for Florida Children and Charles Toy of The Christian Left. More at Baptist News Global
duane miller
Apr 5, 2023: Town Square Live: Christian schools: Exempt us from certifications and licensure
Duane Miller, head of school at Greenwood Mennonite School, pointed out that besides licensing and certification requirements, religious early education centers still have other health and safety rules.
“We do training on detection of child abuse with mandatory reporters and the fire marshal, the health department, they do inspect us,” he said. “So we welcome the health and safety component.”
He also highlighted that his school receives zero funding from the state.
“Part of our mission is hiring quality teachers that are like-minded with us in religious beliefs,” he said, “And we would kindly ask that we would be allowed to continue with that tradition and mission by being exempt.”
Duane Miller, head of school at Greenwood Mennonite School, pointed out that besides licensing and certification requirements, religious early education centers still have other health and safety rules.
“We do training on detection of child abuse with mandatory reporters and the fire marshal, the health department, they do inspect us,” he said. “So we welcome the health and safety component.”
He also highlighted that his school receives zero funding from the state.
“Part of our mission is hiring quality teachers that are like-minded with us in religious beliefs,” he said, “And we would kindly ask that we would be allowed to continue with that tradition and mission by being exempt.”
kathy collard miller
Most people consider Paul’s letter to the Philippians the book of joy and contentment. Included in his encouragement, he wrote about his own imperfections and God’s realistic expectations of his earthly children.
Paul emphasized:
•We’ll never become perfect on this earth. We’ll always be “in process.” And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (1:6).
•Seek excellence not perfection. Excellence is doing the best we can with what we already have learned. It means knowing there will always be more we can learn. Perfection means never sinning and is unattainable. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, (vss. 9-10).
•After we become a Christian, we’ll be dependent upon God’s continuing work. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (2:12-13).
• Continue to learn. God uses our circumstances to develop more contentment. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need (4:9).
--Kathy Collard Miller: Heart Change; God Has Realistic Expectations of You 6.27.23
Paul emphasized:
•We’ll never become perfect on this earth. We’ll always be “in process.” And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (1:6).
•Seek excellence not perfection. Excellence is doing the best we can with what we already have learned. It means knowing there will always be more we can learn. Perfection means never sinning and is unattainable. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, (vss. 9-10).
•After we become a Christian, we’ll be dependent upon God’s continuing work. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (2:12-13).
• Continue to learn. God uses our circumstances to develop more contentment. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need (4:9).
--Kathy Collard Miller: Heart Change; God Has Realistic Expectations of You 6.27.23
Every day, every one of us has thousands, even millions, of thoughts which could be identified as a variety of goals, plans, questions, ideas, conclusions, and analysis of circumstances. Like arrows being flung toward our minds and hearts, we are bombarded. Many of those arrows are truth. Many of them are lies. The truths foster trust in God and acknowledgment of his Lordship in our lives. The lies create doubt, confusion, wrong conclusions, and ultimately questioning God’s nature—his goodness, motives, faithfulness, and many other attributes. Ephesians 6:16 tells us, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Those “darts,” our inner dialogue, come from many sources, including our own analysis, our hearts’ desires, the opinions we hear from others, what we read, watch, and hear. Without being viewed through the filter of truth, the influence of the darts turns us toward worry, hate, lack of self-control, criticism, discontent, and many other responses which are the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). When we use the filter of the truth of Scripture and who God is, we experience the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. --Kathy Collard Miller: Crosswalk: What Does the Phrase 'Casting Down Imaginations' Mean in the Bible
RA Miller
RA Miller
A great sermon from the Proverbs that deals with foolishness is “The Fool and His Sport” by Thomas Adams (1583–1652). The discourse describes four types of fools we may encounter, all with varying outlooks on life. By highlighting the faults of this foolish foursome, Adams provides examples of behaviors and attitudes that are to be avoided. Additionally, these portraits provide us with key evangelistic insights for dealing with a wide variety of people.
To begin, we meet the sad fool. He will never be happy to hear of another’s success, as he languishes in his discontentment at hearing news of his neighbor’s profit. He may even get upset with God when he sees others with blessings he lacks. Adams says this person is “A man of the worst diet,” because he consumes himself in his repining. The sad fool is a bit of a paradox since he is most satisfied when lamenting. If he is to be converted, he must learn to be content with Christ.
Second, we have the glad fool. When I think of the word “fool,” this type of person comes to my mind. For him, everything is a joke. Religion is something to be mocked. You will find it quite difficult to have an earnest conversation with him about sin, as he finds the subject rather amusing. The English clergyman writes, “His mirth is to sully every virtue with some slander, and with a jest to laugh it out of fashion. His usual discourse is filled up with boasting parenthesis of his old sins.” He must begin to understand the seriousness of his offenses, lest he laugh himself out of heaven.
The next fool is the haughty fool. This is the kind of person who thinks too highly of himself. His pride is blinding, and it prevents him from properly assessing his abilities and faults. Adams notes that he “is ever climbing high towers, and never forecasting how to come down.” The haughty fool is above reproach, at least in his own mind. He never reflects on his failures. “When he receives disappointments, he flatters himself still with success,” says Adams. If such a prideful individual is to be right with God, he must see himself for who he truly is, a sinner.
The naughty fool is the fourth and final fool that Adams evaluates. As a particularly greedy individual, the naughty fool would do anything to acquire more wealth for himself. He will, “lose his friends, starve his body, damn his soul, and have no pleasure for it,” remarks Adams. This kind of person’s covetousness trumps any kind of fear they may have for God’s retribution. While Adams has noted several different kinds of fools already, he notes that the avarous fool is the “very fool of all,” which is to say that he is the king of all fools. In his heart, the idol of wealth needs to be torn down. --RA Miller; G3 Ministries; Four Types of Fools 8.24.23
To begin, we meet the sad fool. He will never be happy to hear of another’s success, as he languishes in his discontentment at hearing news of his neighbor’s profit. He may even get upset with God when he sees others with blessings he lacks. Adams says this person is “A man of the worst diet,” because he consumes himself in his repining. The sad fool is a bit of a paradox since he is most satisfied when lamenting. If he is to be converted, he must learn to be content with Christ.
Second, we have the glad fool. When I think of the word “fool,” this type of person comes to my mind. For him, everything is a joke. Religion is something to be mocked. You will find it quite difficult to have an earnest conversation with him about sin, as he finds the subject rather amusing. The English clergyman writes, “His mirth is to sully every virtue with some slander, and with a jest to laugh it out of fashion. His usual discourse is filled up with boasting parenthesis of his old sins.” He must begin to understand the seriousness of his offenses, lest he laugh himself out of heaven.
The next fool is the haughty fool. This is the kind of person who thinks too highly of himself. His pride is blinding, and it prevents him from properly assessing his abilities and faults. Adams notes that he “is ever climbing high towers, and never forecasting how to come down.” The haughty fool is above reproach, at least in his own mind. He never reflects on his failures. “When he receives disappointments, he flatters himself still with success,” says Adams. If such a prideful individual is to be right with God, he must see himself for who he truly is, a sinner.
The naughty fool is the fourth and final fool that Adams evaluates. As a particularly greedy individual, the naughty fool would do anything to acquire more wealth for himself. He will, “lose his friends, starve his body, damn his soul, and have no pleasure for it,” remarks Adams. This kind of person’s covetousness trumps any kind of fear they may have for God’s retribution. While Adams has noted several different kinds of fools already, he notes that the avarous fool is the “very fool of all,” which is to say that he is the king of all fools. In his heart, the idol of wealth needs to be torn down. --RA Miller; G3 Ministries; Four Types of Fools 8.24.23
troy a miller
Dec 15, 2022: NRB: Media Roundup: NRB CEO Joins Newsmax, Todd Starnes Show, and Victory Channel to Talk “Respect for Marriage Act”
On Tuesday, December 13, NRB President & CEO Troy A. Miller joined Todd Starnes to discuss President Joe Biden’s signing of the so-called “Respect for Marriage Act.”
On Tuesday, December 13, NRB President & CEO Troy A. Miller joined Todd Starnes to discuss President Joe Biden’s signing of the so-called “Respect for Marriage Act.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 13, 2022
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Noelle Garnier
202-891-7843
ngarnier@nrb.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NRB)—The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) association—a nonpartisan, international association of Christian communicators whose member organizations represent millions of listeners, viewers, and readers—has issued the following statement in response to President Joe Biden’s signing into law the Respect for Marriage Act today.
The statement is from Troy A. Miller, President & CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters:
“The Respect for Marriage Act is a reaction to a fabricated problem that does not exist. The ability to obtain a same-sex marriage is not in jeopardy in America today, and this bill does nothing to change the legal status of same-sex marriage anywhere.
“However, the ability to do business or speak in the public square while holding to traditional values about life, marriage, and family is very much under threat. These are part and parcel of the First Amendment freedoms that NRB exists to defend.
“The Respect for Marriage Act puts faith-driven Americans in legal jeopardy for practicing their beliefs, and instead ‘greenlights’ the interests of radical activists seeking to penalize and bring harm to those who dissent from their views. This exposes Christian social service groups and other entities to predatory litigation with a broad ‘private right of action’ clause and jeopardizes the ability of religious nonprofits to obtain charitable, tax-exempt status from the IRS.
“Tragically, some faith-based organizations signed onto this bill based on the illusion that their rights and freedoms will be protected. Over time, it will become clear they were mistaken. We will continue to fight for our First Amendment freedoms, despite this significant setback today.”
December 13, 2022
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Noelle Garnier
202-891-7843
ngarnier@nrb.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NRB)—The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) association—a nonpartisan, international association of Christian communicators whose member organizations represent millions of listeners, viewers, and readers—has issued the following statement in response to President Joe Biden’s signing into law the Respect for Marriage Act today.
The statement is from Troy A. Miller, President & CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters:
“The Respect for Marriage Act is a reaction to a fabricated problem that does not exist. The ability to obtain a same-sex marriage is not in jeopardy in America today, and this bill does nothing to change the legal status of same-sex marriage anywhere.
“However, the ability to do business or speak in the public square while holding to traditional values about life, marriage, and family is very much under threat. These are part and parcel of the First Amendment freedoms that NRB exists to defend.
“The Respect for Marriage Act puts faith-driven Americans in legal jeopardy for practicing their beliefs, and instead ‘greenlights’ the interests of radical activists seeking to penalize and bring harm to those who dissent from their views. This exposes Christian social service groups and other entities to predatory litigation with a broad ‘private right of action’ clause and jeopardizes the ability of religious nonprofits to obtain charitable, tax-exempt status from the IRS.
“Tragically, some faith-based organizations signed onto this bill based on the illusion that their rights and freedoms will be protected. Over time, it will become clear they were mistaken. We will continue to fight for our First Amendment freedoms, despite this significant setback today.”
steven millies
“I am certain that many Christians in the MAGA movement earnestly believe Trump has been ‘anointed’ for this purpose - to bring about certain political outcomes they desire. The embrace of Trump is really, finally a cynical calculation concerned with power, one that has the thinnest of possible Scriptural justifications."
-Steven Millies, a Chicago-based Catholic scholar 7.25.23
joe minnery
March 4, 2023: ProPublica: Alaska Says It’s Now Legal “in Some Instances” to Discriminate Against LGBTQ Individuals
Jim Minnery, the president of the conservative Christian group Alaska Family Council, became aware of the new policy. The family council does not hesitate to criticize Republican candidates for what it considers to be too liberal a view of LGBTQ issues.
“The AK State Commission on Human Rights is simply another bureaucracy trying to seize power to make its own laws. This can’t pass in Juneau through elected office holders so they’re trying to pull an end run,” Minnery said in a text message.
Minnery said his group informed the Dunleavy administration in the beginning of 2021 that “the ASCHR was trying to use the Bostock ruling to circumvent having to pass legislation.”
The attorney general’s office said Minnery’s group did not influence its guidance.
Jim Minnery, the president of the conservative Christian group Alaska Family Council, became aware of the new policy. The family council does not hesitate to criticize Republican candidates for what it considers to be too liberal a view of LGBTQ issues.
“The AK State Commission on Human Rights is simply another bureaucracy trying to seize power to make its own laws. This can’t pass in Juneau through elected office holders so they’re trying to pull an end run,” Minnery said in a text message.
Minnery said his group informed the Dunleavy administration in the beginning of 2021 that “the ASCHR was trying to use the Bostock ruling to circumvent having to pass legislation.”
The attorney general’s office said Minnery’s group did not influence its guidance.
jeffrey mirus
Jeffrey Mirus
Dr. Jeffrey Mirus founded Trinity Communications, the non-profit organization which runs CatholicCulture.org, in 1985. Originally focusing on print publishing, he guided Trinity onto the internet in 1993 and onto the web in 1996. Over time this initial work grew into the current CatholicCulture.org website, and Mirus has supervised its development and expansion ever since. He is also one of the chief writers for the site.
Mirus received a Ph.D. in Intellectual History from Princeton University in 1973, with a dissertation focusing on Dominican reform and the defense of the Papacy in the Renaissance. During his early teaching career in the University of North Carolina system, he founded and edited the Catholic interdisciplinary journal Faith & Reason.
In 1977, Mirus collaborated with Dr. Warren H. Carroll in founding Christendom College. Mirus served as a professor, founded the apologetics program, was the first Director of Academic Affairs, made Faith & Reason the College’s journal and founded and directed Christendom Press, and led the fund-raising program. He also co-authored the apologetics text Reasons for Hope and authored The Divine Courtship (Franciscan Herald Press).
Pursuing his special interest in Catholic publishing, Dr. Mirus left Christendom College in 1985 to found Trinity Communications, a non-profit corporation with the purpose of advancing and defending the Catholic Faith. In 1993, the company shifted its focus to online publication, and in 1996 founded PetersNet.net, which became CatholicCulture.org in 2003
Mirus received a Ph.D. in Intellectual History from Princeton University in 1973, with a dissertation focusing on Dominican reform and the defense of the Papacy in the Renaissance. During his early teaching career in the University of North Carolina system, he founded and edited the Catholic interdisciplinary journal Faith & Reason.
In 1977, Mirus collaborated with Dr. Warren H. Carroll in founding Christendom College. Mirus served as a professor, founded the apologetics program, was the first Director of Academic Affairs, made Faith & Reason the College’s journal and founded and directed Christendom Press, and led the fund-raising program. He also co-authored the apologetics text Reasons for Hope and authored The Divine Courtship (Franciscan Herald Press).
Pursuing his special interest in Catholic publishing, Dr. Mirus left Christendom College in 1985 to found Trinity Communications, a non-profit corporation with the purpose of advancing and defending the Catholic Faith. In 1993, the company shifted its focus to online publication, and in 1996 founded PetersNet.net, which became CatholicCulture.org in 2003
Jeffrey Mirus
"We may all have a “messenger of Satan” from time to time. But God’s grace is not only sufficient but superabundant, and His power is made perfect in our own weakness. Thus have the greatest saints suffered even the dark night of the soul. And thus too can we win every repetitive round of shame by using it to remind us of the intensely personal and supremely generous mercy of God—an infinite mercy which He chooses to show once again, in this distressing moment of recollection, precisely and deliberately to me. For as the Psalmist says (17:8): He keeps me as the apple of His eye, and He hides me in the shadow of His wings. -
-Jeffrey Mirus; Catholic Culture; The Ravages of Sin 8.11.22
-Jeffrey Mirus; Catholic Culture; The Ravages of Sin 8.11.22
joshua mitchell
stan Mitchell
Jan 30, 2015: Christian Post: Evangelical Gracepointe Church Comes Out in Support of Gay Marriage; Reactions Are Mixed and Giving Drops
Stan Mitchell, pastor of Gracepointe Church, a diverse congregation in Franklin, Tennessee, announced this month that the leadership of his church have decided to fully support the inclusion of gays in their church, including the right to marry same-sex partners.
Stan Mitchell, pastor of Gracepointe Church, a diverse congregation in Franklin, Tennessee, announced this month that the leadership of his church have decided to fully support the inclusion of gays in their church, including the right to marry same-sex partners.
stephen mitchell
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Sept 28, 2022: Stephen Mitchell: Christian Post: The greatest threat to Christianity in America
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Sibusiso Mlotshwa
Sibusiso Mlotshwa is lead pastor of “The Church in Mamelodi”, a thriving church plant in the township of Mamelodi in Pretoria, South Africa.
Sibusiso Mlotshwa
Performance tends towards hypocrisy. This seems to be what Jesus challenges in Matthew 6:5, 7. He warns against praying to be seen and vain repetition. In short, such prayers are ignorant of who God is and make too much of man. Praying without a correct understanding of who we are or who we’re praying to. So Jesus proceeds to teach the Lord’s Prayer. By teaching this Jesus provides us with a correct understanding of the Father. This is who hears our prayer. One who relates to us as children. Like many of us today, the crowds before Jesus believed effort and stricter observance of the law was how you got closer to God. Are you discouraged to pray? Are you feeling like you aren’t putting enough effort into your prayer life? Has prayer become a chore and burden rather than a delight? Have you, like the Pharisees, reduced prayer to performance? What if the problem isn’t a lack of work to improve your prayer life? What if you haven’t understood the depth of the gospel? Surely if you understood more of the love of Christ you would pray more fervently! If you knew the hope of his calling it would make you excited about talking to him! Then, waking up early or attending prayer meetings, spending hours communing with God, would cease to be a chore. It would become a delight. - Sibusiso Mlotshwa; Gospel Coalition Africa; What to Do When You Don’t Feel Like Praying 7.18.23
john d moffett
April 28, 2023: Laurinburg Exchange: Methodist churches share thoughts on disaffiliation decisions
We met each church individually, we met and sat down, had discussions and theological talks of what they wanted from the church and the future and everything,” said Reverend John D. Moffett of Polkton United Methodist Church, who’s church did decide to disaffiliate.. “And then from there, they took a vote of the membership that was present.”
Although a congregation can vote to disaffiliate for any reason, Moffett said they have to say, on paper, that the “reason” is over human sexuality. It is the only way that a church can go through the disaffiliation process, whether they agree and disagree with the church’s stance on LGBTQ inclusion, according to him.
We met each church individually, we met and sat down, had discussions and theological talks of what they wanted from the church and the future and everything,” said Reverend John D. Moffett of Polkton United Methodist Church, who’s church did decide to disaffiliate.. “And then from there, they took a vote of the membership that was present.”
Although a congregation can vote to disaffiliate for any reason, Moffett said they have to say, on paper, that the “reason” is over human sexuality. It is the only way that a church can go through the disaffiliation process, whether they agree and disagree with the church’s stance on LGBTQ inclusion, according to him.
‘God will Transform: Destructive Judgement is a Godless Picture’
By Jürgen MoltmannSince the Middle Ages, a conception of death and resurrection became fixed in Christian thinking that is deeply unchristian: the pictorial world of heaven and hell, the conception of a Last Judgement that rewards good works and punishes bad deeds to order the transition to the world to come. According to this notion, God’s judgement only knows two sentences: either eternal life or eternal death, either heaven or hell. If one asks what will come of the good visible creation, the earth and God’s other earthly creatures, the answer is everything will be burnt to ashes. This world will not be needed any more when the blessed will see directly in heaven without mediation by other creatures.
This idea of judgement is incomprehensible and hostile to creation. Are God the Judge and God the Creator different gods? Does the judging God destroy the faithfulness of the Creator to his creatures? This would be God’s self-contradiction or different gods. The Biblical trust in God is destroyed as well as trust in Jesus. The judging Christ with the two-edged sword has nothing to do with the preacher of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus of Nazareth healing the sick and forgiving sins. The idea of destructive punishment is an extremely godless picture.
However, there is another conception of world judgement. Injustice is a scandal. Victims do not die away. All the murderers do not find any rest. The hunger for justice remains as a torment in a world of violent crying. The powerless and oppressed hope for a world judge “who creates justice for those suffering injustice.” Israel’s psalms of lamentation are an eloquent example of true creative justice. God’s righteousness will “create” justice for victims, raising them from the dust and healing wounded life.
Later and under foreign influences, a universal criminal judge was made out of this saving Liberator in the biblical scriptures who judges good and evil and does not ask about the victims any more. A deed-oriented moral judgement according to the standard of retributive justice came out of a victim-oriented expectation of saving justice. Correcting this aberration means christianizing the idea of judgement so it is oriented in Israel’s original experience of God’s creative, saving and healing justice.
The New Testament offers staring-points. The New Testament understands Judgement Day as the “day of the Son of man” on which the crucified and resurrected Christ will be revealed and all the world before him. Both will appear out of their concealment in the light of truth, the Christ now hidden in God and the person hidden from him/herself. The eternal light will be revealed to them. What is now hidden in nature will be transparent because persons are physical and natural beings connected with the nature of the earth. We cannot be separated from the nature of the earth, neither in the resurrection nor in the end-time judgement.
Christ will be revealed as the crucified and resurrected victor over sin, death and hell, not as the avenger or retaliator. Christ will be revealed as the Everlasting One and leader of life. He will judge according to the justice he proclaimed and practiced through his community with sinners and tax collectors. Otherwise no one could recognize him.
God’s justice is a creative justice. The victims of sin and violence are supported, healed and brought to life by God’s righteousness. The perpetrators of sin and violence will experience a rectifying transformative justice. They will change by being redeemed together with their victims. The crucified Christ who encounters them together with their victims will save them. They will “die off” in their atrocities to be “reborn” to a new life.
Helping and supporting the victims and straightening the perpetrators as the victory of God’s creative justice over everything godless, not the great reckoning with rewards and punishments. This victory of divine justice leads to God’s great day of reconciliation on this earth, not to the division into blessed and damned.
Seen this way, the Last Judgement is not the end of God’s works. It is only the first step of a transformation out of transitoriness into intransitoriness. The new eternal creation will be created on the foundation of justice. Because the judgement serves this new creation of all things, its future-oriented justice is creative and not only a requiting justice referring to the past. It was the mistake of Christian tradition in picture and concept, piety and teaching to only see the judgement over the past of this world and not God’s new world through the judgement.
If a social judging occurs in the Last Judgement, it is in truth a cosmic judgement because the coming Christ is also the cosmic Christ. Already in the psalms, YHWH is called “to judge the earth.” All shattered relations in creation must be straightened out so the new creation can stand on the solid ground of justice and abide in eternity. All creatures should share in eternal being and in God’s eternal vitality. That will be a fundamental change of the cosmos and life. “God will indwell all things and be present in all things.” Then the nothingness will be destroyed and death annihilated. The power of evil will be broken and separated from all creatures. The misery of separation from the living God – sin – will end. Hell will be destroyed. Then the reign of glory will begin.
[Source: Publik-Forum; HT: Marc Batko, via Jürgen Moltmann group]
By Jürgen MoltmannSince the Middle Ages, a conception of death and resurrection became fixed in Christian thinking that is deeply unchristian: the pictorial world of heaven and hell, the conception of a Last Judgement that rewards good works and punishes bad deeds to order the transition to the world to come. According to this notion, God’s judgement only knows two sentences: either eternal life or eternal death, either heaven or hell. If one asks what will come of the good visible creation, the earth and God’s other earthly creatures, the answer is everything will be burnt to ashes. This world will not be needed any more when the blessed will see directly in heaven without mediation by other creatures.
This idea of judgement is incomprehensible and hostile to creation. Are God the Judge and God the Creator different gods? Does the judging God destroy the faithfulness of the Creator to his creatures? This would be God’s self-contradiction or different gods. The Biblical trust in God is destroyed as well as trust in Jesus. The judging Christ with the two-edged sword has nothing to do with the preacher of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus of Nazareth healing the sick and forgiving sins. The idea of destructive punishment is an extremely godless picture.
However, there is another conception of world judgement. Injustice is a scandal. Victims do not die away. All the murderers do not find any rest. The hunger for justice remains as a torment in a world of violent crying. The powerless and oppressed hope for a world judge “who creates justice for those suffering injustice.” Israel’s psalms of lamentation are an eloquent example of true creative justice. God’s righteousness will “create” justice for victims, raising them from the dust and healing wounded life.
Later and under foreign influences, a universal criminal judge was made out of this saving Liberator in the biblical scriptures who judges good and evil and does not ask about the victims any more. A deed-oriented moral judgement according to the standard of retributive justice came out of a victim-oriented expectation of saving justice. Correcting this aberration means christianizing the idea of judgement so it is oriented in Israel’s original experience of God’s creative, saving and healing justice.
The New Testament offers staring-points. The New Testament understands Judgement Day as the “day of the Son of man” on which the crucified and resurrected Christ will be revealed and all the world before him. Both will appear out of their concealment in the light of truth, the Christ now hidden in God and the person hidden from him/herself. The eternal light will be revealed to them. What is now hidden in nature will be transparent because persons are physical and natural beings connected with the nature of the earth. We cannot be separated from the nature of the earth, neither in the resurrection nor in the end-time judgement.
Christ will be revealed as the crucified and resurrected victor over sin, death and hell, not as the avenger or retaliator. Christ will be revealed as the Everlasting One and leader of life. He will judge according to the justice he proclaimed and practiced through his community with sinners and tax collectors. Otherwise no one could recognize him.
God’s justice is a creative justice. The victims of sin and violence are supported, healed and brought to life by God’s righteousness. The perpetrators of sin and violence will experience a rectifying transformative justice. They will change by being redeemed together with their victims. The crucified Christ who encounters them together with their victims will save them. They will “die off” in their atrocities to be “reborn” to a new life.
Helping and supporting the victims and straightening the perpetrators as the victory of God’s creative justice over everything godless, not the great reckoning with rewards and punishments. This victory of divine justice leads to God’s great day of reconciliation on this earth, not to the division into blessed and damned.
Seen this way, the Last Judgement is not the end of God’s works. It is only the first step of a transformation out of transitoriness into intransitoriness. The new eternal creation will be created on the foundation of justice. Because the judgement serves this new creation of all things, its future-oriented justice is creative and not only a requiting justice referring to the past. It was the mistake of Christian tradition in picture and concept, piety and teaching to only see the judgement over the past of this world and not God’s new world through the judgement.
If a social judging occurs in the Last Judgement, it is in truth a cosmic judgement because the coming Christ is also the cosmic Christ. Already in the psalms, YHWH is called “to judge the earth.” All shattered relations in creation must be straightened out so the new creation can stand on the solid ground of justice and abide in eternity. All creatures should share in eternal being and in God’s eternal vitality. That will be a fundamental change of the cosmos and life. “God will indwell all things and be present in all things.” Then the nothingness will be destroyed and death annihilated. The power of evil will be broken and separated from all creatures. The misery of separation from the living God – sin – will end. Hell will be destroyed. Then the reign of glory will begin.
[Source: Publik-Forum; HT: Marc Batko, via Jürgen Moltmann group]
michael monfore
Aug 15, 2022: NPR: A reservation in South Dakota bans outside missionaries
In July, Michael Monfore with the Jesus is King Mission near the Pine Ridge Reservation distributed a pamphlet to tribal members saying the creator Lakota people worship is a false idol. Monfore, who is white, recognizes the pamphlet is offensive to those who believe in Lakota spirituality.
MICHAEL MONFORE: According to the Bible, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father but by him. And I know that may not be considered politically correct or it might be considered intolerant or bigoted, but that's what Christ said.
In July, Michael Monfore with the Jesus is King Mission near the Pine Ridge Reservation distributed a pamphlet to tribal members saying the creator Lakota people worship is a false idol. Monfore, who is white, recognizes the pamphlet is offensive to those who believe in Lakota spirituality.
MICHAEL MONFORE: According to the Bible, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father but by him. And I know that may not be considered politically correct or it might be considered intolerant or bigoted, but that's what Christ said.
douglas moo
September 30, 1996 (12th edition)
Douglas Moo – The Epistle to the Romans (New International Commentary on the New Testament). There is no shortage of commentaries on the book of Romans! Not only that, but there is no shortage of excellent commentaries to choose from. Pride of place appears to go to Douglas Moo and his contribution to the NICNT series. D.A. Carson commends it and says, “Moo exhibits extraordinary sense in his exegesis. No less importantly, this is the first commentary to cull what is useful from the new perspective on Paul while nevertheless offering telling criticism of many of its exegetical and theological stances.” (Amazon, Westminster Books)
Douglas Moo – The Epistle to the Romans (New International Commentary on the New Testament). There is no shortage of commentaries on the book of Romans! Not only that, but there is no shortage of excellent commentaries to choose from. Pride of place appears to go to Douglas Moo and his contribution to the NICNT series. D.A. Carson commends it and says, “Moo exhibits extraordinary sense in his exegesis. No less importantly, this is the first commentary to cull what is useful from the new perspective on Paul while nevertheless offering telling criticism of many of its exegetical and theological stances.” (Amazon, Westminster Books)
joseph morecraft
Jan 13, 2023: Religion Dispatches: ‘EXPORTING GARBAGE TO THE NATIONS’: CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN RIFTS SPREADING LIKE CRACKED GLASS
Hume and Saint are unabashed Christian Reconstructionists and directors of the Mid-Atlantic Reformation Society (MARS), a regional Reconstructionist hub which has close relationships with the paper, and with the Independence Reformed Bible Church. MARS hosts an annual conference called The Future of Christendom, which has featured such leading figures as the late Gary North, Rev. Joseph Morecraft of Georgia, Col. John Eidsmoe of Alabama, and Rev. Matt Trewhella of Wisconsin.
Hume and Saint are unabashed Christian Reconstructionists and directors of the Mid-Atlantic Reformation Society (MARS), a regional Reconstructionist hub which has close relationships with the paper, and with the Independence Reformed Bible Church. MARS hosts an annual conference called The Future of Christendom, which has featured such leading figures as the late Gary North, Rev. Joseph Morecraft of Georgia, Col. John Eidsmoe of Alabama, and Rev. Matt Trewhella of Wisconsin.
J.P. Moreland
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Jan 4, 2016: Youtube: Doubts, Frustrations, God, & The Church - JP Moreland and Mike Errie
An interview with J. P. Moreland and Mike Erre.
An interview with J. P. Moreland and Mike Erre.
Aug 11, 2021: Caffeinated Thoughts: Dealing With Doubt
J.P. Moreland warned in his work, Kingdom Triangle, that with this trajectory Christians experience “all the attendant land mines and booby traps that undermine the possibility of a powerful, confident, knowledgeable, vibrant Christian community.”
Jan 15, 2021: CHVN Radio: Christian philosophers and apologists call on RZIM board to acknowledge its 'complicity' in scandal
J.P. Moreland warned in his work, Kingdom Triangle, that with this trajectory Christians experience “all the attendant land mines and booby traps that undermine the possibility of a powerful, confident, knowledgeable, vibrant Christian community.”
Jan 15, 2021: CHVN Radio: Christian philosophers and apologists call on RZIM board to acknowledge its 'complicity' in scandal
- J.P. Moreland (Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University)
- Rick Morrow - Otis Moss III - Bill Mounce - Miles Mullin II - Feliz Munoz - Mike Murdock - Ken Myers -