The Myth of Persecution
A review of Candida Moss' book: The Myth of Persecution: How Early Christians Invented a Story of Martyrdom
Thus, given the ultimate political purpose of the book, the final problem with Moss’s thesis is not really historical at all. It is the fact that she fails to set the function of martyr narratives within the wider framework of modern politics. The problem is not martyr myths; it is that politics, stripped of any... Continue Reading
PCA Pastor John T. Appleton Suffered Cardiac Arrest While Fighting a Fire
Appleton served as chaplain for the Malden Fire Department was also pastor of Kanawha Salines Presbyterian Church (PCA)
Appleton will have a full firefighter’s funeral. At 11 a.m. Friday, his body will be placed onto a firetruck with a procession to Riverside High School in Quincy. The procession will go through the communities of Rand and Belle along Old U.S. 60 and off Orchard Avenue. A public memorial service is scheduled at noon... Continue Reading
Supreme Court Strikes Down Federal Defense of Marriage Act
Decision on California's Proposition 8 Still to Come; DOMA Violates 'Equal Protection Principles'
Justice Anthony Kennedy announced the court’s 5-4 decision. Justice Kennedy was joined by the four members of the court’s liberal wing—Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan—while Chief Justice John Roberts dissented, joined by Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. The Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down the... Continue Reading
Action on the PCA Insider Movement Report: Mutually Assured Destruction
An assessment of the PCA General Assembly’s consideration of the Insider Movement report
It is hard to see how the minority report can change unless it becomes even more indistinct and misleading. Perhaps it can apply more camouflage to hide the fact that it thinks that Muslims can remain Muslims and not leave the mosque. No amount of assurance that syncretism is avoided or that doctrinal standards required... Continue Reading
Reflections on the 2013 General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
An assessment of the 2013 ARP Synod meeting
The 2013 meeting of General Synod was a very good one. I can safely say it was one of the best meetings of Synod that I have ever attended. Many good things are happening in the ARP Church, and theologically we are trending in the right direction. If we can overcome our mistakes, I expect... Continue Reading
The 41st PCA Assembly: Parliamentary “Proceduring” or Constitutional Compliance?
Following constitutional compliance not just Robert’s Rules of Order
After this year’s GA I’ve read some blogs and heard some conversations contending those who prevailed on several important matters related to judicial cases did so through less than admirable procedures. But I’m not persuaded that’s the case. In most instances, the important question involved constitutional compliance, not Robert’s Rules. Here are a few examples.... Continue Reading
Westminster Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg, MS Rebuilds after Feb. 10 Tornado
Four months after an EF4 tornado tore through Hattiesburg, leaving the church battered and torn, it now is filled with the sounds of hammers, saws, cranes and construction workers
“The question is, ‘When you’re finished, will there be any money left or will you be out of money?’ It comes down to which gets finished first — the money or the building,” Ramp said. “We have $2.4 million in insurance and I believe it’s going to take every bit of that and probably even... Continue Reading
Anglican Church in North America Provincial Council and College of Bishops Meet, Hear Reports of Mission and Ministry
A report on the 2013 meeting of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)
Reports were also heard from the Rev. Canon Alan Hawkins, Vicar of Anglican 1000, the initiative that seeks to plant 1,000 new parishes in the first five-years of the Province’s existence; over 300 parishes have been planted since 2009 and the 1-2-3 Challenge seeks to build on that by using a variety of strategies. Reports... Continue Reading
Ryan Anderson’s Uphill Fight to Change Young Minds on Gay Marriage
Ryan Anderson has planted himself on arguably the most unpopular stance for his generation: opposing gay marriage
Together with Princeton Ph.D. candidate Sherif Girgis, George and Anderson released “What Is Marriage?: Man and Woman: A Defense,” a 150-page book that has become go-to material for conservatives looking to argue against gay marriage. The trio also wrote a similar article for the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy. Ryan Anderson has planted... Continue Reading
Survey: College Graduates Unready for Work
Graduates that get employment opportunities are lacking the skills to impress and therefore to hold their employment
The issue to blame, according to one survey respondent, is the dependence on technology. The participant stated, “Younger people are so dependent on shortcuts through texting and other social media that they avoid proper grammar and interpersonal verbal skills that are necessary in the ‘working world.’” Another agreed stating, “(Students) can make computers and software... Continue Reading