ECO Forms New Presbyteries
A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO) is in the process of transitioning its number of presbyteries from two to nine
With the membership of ECO surpassing 100 congregations at the turn of the year, the time was right to form additional presbyteries. “Growth of the denomination made this move necessary,” said Allin, who indicated that ECO’s polity allows the Synod Executive Council to authorize the formation of and give final approval of the new presbyteries... Continue Reading
Belhaven University, Jackson, Miss., Hosts Joni Eareckson Tada
Tada, the Founder and CEO of Joni and Friends International Disability Center, is an international advocate for people with disabilities
“Joni has been a friend for 25 years through our shared work with the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization,” said Belhaven University President Roger Parrott. “She has always had a deep connection with the University. I couldn’t be more thrilled that she will be on campus for this special evening. Joni is a one-of-a- kind... Continue Reading
Blews sues CCCU for $2.2 million
Christian higher education group caught in legal battle over former president’s dismissal
The suit claims Blews “has not engaged in any conduct or behavior that would trigger any of the provisions” outlined in the contract and was given “no reasonable opportunity to defend himself.” Blews wants the CCCU to pay him the full $2,204,894.72 owed over the life of the contract. The complaint accuses the organization of... Continue Reading
The Other Shoe Drops in Kentucky: Federal Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage in the Commonwealth
U. S. District Judge John G. Heyburn declared that Kentucky’s ban on recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states violates the equal protection clause of the U. S. Constitution
We now know that the government cannot be counted on to affirm this message. As a matter of fact, we have to face the reality that the government — even in the Commonwealth of Kentucky — may teach a radically different message through its laws. But the real question for Christians is not whether the... Continue Reading
Why “Vicar of Baghdad” is 21st Century Hero
Reverend Canon Andrew White is an Anglican priest from Great Britain who is affectionately known as the “Vicar of Baghdad”
Meanwhile, Canon White persists in alerting the West to Iraq’s diminishing Christian presence. In doing so, he embodies the remaining believers’ vulnerability and teaches us to weep with those who weep. Such is the vocation of the indomitable Vicar of Baghdad. Praying for him will strengthen his hands and honor his faithfulness. News in... Continue Reading
The Bible Has Disappeared From Our Children’s Lives
Almost a third of children do not know their Adam from their Noah or that David slew Goliah
The extraordinary, subversive book, with its lessons on charity, compassion and respect for others inspired generations to rebel against tyrannies of all kinds – dictators, addictions, vices. Men and women dedicated their lives to its teachings – and were ready to die for it. But today it seems that a host of martyrs lost their... Continue Reading
Ecclesiastes: God’s Answer Key
To be vain is to be myopic about self — self-glory, self-absorption, self-service
Here’s where we find the genius and hope of Ecclesiastes. Not in denying reality, but in redeeming it, where ‘under the sun’ holds the harsh reality but not the answer. The answer is not found in reformation but in transformation, and that not in ourselves but by the redemptive plan and hand of God. In... Continue Reading
Preaching the Wrath of God
Faithful pulpit ministry requires the declaration of both judgment and grace
The glory of the cross demands it. Christ suffered the wrath of God for all who would call upon Him. If there is no divine wrath, there is no need for the cross, much less for the salvation of lost souls. From what would sinners need to be saved? It is only when we recognize... Continue Reading
The Nicest Man I Ever Knew: Dr. Miles Roland Byrd
Dr. Roland Byrd, who died last Sunday was the nicest man I ever knew
Roland was a man of strong moral convictions but was not self-righteous, arrogant, or condemning. He held strongly to Biblical morality and was bold to say what he believed was right. For him it was never empty words. He lived what he believed, practiced what he preached. But he could do all that without implying that he... Continue Reading
The Michael Sam Case: Is Being Homosexual The Same As Being Black?
The fundamental basis for thinking that race and sexuality are analogous is the assumption that both are equally natural, that neither is a choice.
The incoherence of the popular defense of homosexuality (“it’s a choice” v “it’s natural”) should alert us to what is really happening: a spiritual war against God and creation. The alternating appeal to nature and free choice illustrate how thin the intellectual fig leaf really is. Christians ought to be gracious, kind, patient but firm in... Continue Reading