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English: Furman University - old campus, Greenville, South Carolina Postcard - cropped (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) The historic First Baptist Church of Greenville, South Carolina , announced in May that it would declare itself be “open and welcoming” to all people and that it would allow same-sex marriage and ordain openly homosexual ministers. The move came after the church had undergone a “discernment” process under the leadership of a “LGBT Discernment Team.” That team brought a report to the church’s deacons, who then forwarded it to the congregation. The church then approved the statement by standing vote. The statement is very clear: “In all facets of the life and ministry of our church, including but not limited to membership, baptism, ordination, marriage, teaching and committee/organizational leadership, First Baptist Greenville will not discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity.” The   Greenville News   told of the congregation’s discernment proc

English: United States Supreme Court building in Washington D.C., USA. Front facade. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) The United States Supreme Court handed down its long-awaited same-sex marriage ruling today, opting to redefine marriage in America —a 180-degree turn away from the biblical intent for marriage—as the Court also pushed aside states' rights and voters' voices. Dr. Richard Land , president of Southern Evangelical Seminary , a leader in apologetics education, said the decision throws away God's meaning for marriage. "Now," Land said, "the battlefield shifts to religious freedom. Will the progressive, totalitarian and intolerant left weaponize the government and attempt to force or compel people to affirm same-sex behavior and relationships? Or will they respect the freedom of conscience guaranteed by the Constitution? These will continue to be questions for the coming generations, now that the high Court has seized the historic role of defin

In 2002, the synod of the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster authorized its bishop to produce a service for blessing same-sex unions, to be used in any parish of the diocese that requests it. A number of synod members walked out to protest the decision. They declared themselves out of communion with the bishop and the synod, and they appealed to the Archbishop of Canterbury and other Anglican primates and bishops for help. (1) J. I. Packer was one of those who walked out. When asked why he walked out, he answered, “Because this decision, taken in its context, falsifies the gospel of Christ, abandons the authority of Scripture, jeopardizes the salvation of fellow human beings, and betrays the church in its God -appointed role as the bastion and bulwark of divine truth.” In other words, it was Packer’s confidence in the functional, life-directing authority of Scripture that led to this decision. “My primary authority,” wrote Packer, “is a Bible writer named Paul. For many decades n

English: Saint Gerard's Roman Catholic Church School, Buffalo NY (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) ES MOINES, IA, April 9, 2015  – At one time, critics bashed Catholic schools for firing teachers who openly violated Christian teachings. Now, students and alumni are criticizing one parochial high school in Iowa for  refusing to hire  a teacher who flagrantly violates the Roman Catholic Church's moral standards on homosexuality. More than 100 students staged a walk out at Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moine, Iowa, yesterday to protest the school's decision not to offer a substitute teacher a full-time job after discovering the applicant – Tyler McCubbin – was “engaged” to another male. "The Catholic faith is central to our mission, and in order to deliver on that mission it is our expectation that staff and teachers support our moral beliefs," the superintendent, Luvern Gubbels, Ed.D., wrote in a letter to parents, which did not identify McCubbin by name.

The next several years are going to be messy for Christians. We already know that some who claim to be within our fold will continue to challenge the historic, orthodox teaching about sexuality, marriage, and the essence of what it means to be made in the image of God. But even those of us who agree that marriage is what the church has always thought it was, will disagree on how best to move forward in a culture hell-bent on denying it. Case in point: Over at First Things , a premier publication of Christian thought, Ephraim Radner and Christopher Seitz have offered what they refer to as “ The Marriage Pledge,”  calling clergy of all stripes to no longer sign government documents of civil marriage. To be a “clear witness,” they have decided they “will no longer serve as agents of the state in marriage” because to do so would be to “implicate the Church in a false definition of marriage.” This is an idea that has been kicked around for some time.  Past First Things  articles hav

Official photographic portrait of US President Barack Obama (born 4 August 1961; assumed office 20 January 2009) (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) President Obama's re-election late last year ensured that the White House would continue to press the cause of gay marriage and deny the rights of religious institutions to conscientiously object to the Affordable Care Act. The Supreme Court's decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage act confirmed that Christians would need to shift strategies.  No longer could we press on the offensive for traditional marriage. We would need to enact an defensive strategy to protect the integrity of our schools, hospitals, and businesses. Next year's Hobby Lobby decision will be another key test.  Lest veteran believers see this shift as cultural retreat, new Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission president Russell Moore argues that younger Christians activists might be even more theologically conservative than their elder

It's the hot topic of the moment. Christians, the church and the Bible seem to be out of step with modern attitudes towards homosexuality. And there is growing hostility towards those who hold a different view.  So is God homophobic? And what do we say, and how do we relate to to both Christians and non Christians who experience same-sex attraction . In this short, simple book, Sam Allberry wants to help confused Christians understand what God has said about these questions in the scriptures, and offers a positive and liberating way forward through the debate. Download  the full trailer. Download  the full interview. OTHER INFORMATION This an excellent book. It is real and sensitive, bold and biblical. It pulls no punches but is never strident or angular. Sam is clearly writing from the heart, and with a heart for Christ, his people and the world. - Steve Timmis , Director Acts 29 Europe EXCELLENT. Short, clear, kind, understanding... this needs to be wide