Swinney’S Success MILTON A
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
U.S. named Pro-life evangelicals to gather on latest in nation’s capital persecution report Page 4 Page 7 JANUARY 28, 2017 • News Journal of North Carolina Baptists • VOLUME 183 NO. 2 • BRnow.org National SBC High court URGED meetings take shape to reverse BR staff lans are well underway for the two largest annual gatherings pro-transgender ruling of Southern Baptists in 2017 – Pthe annual meeting and the pastors’ conference – both of which By TOM STRODE | Baptist Press will take place in Phoenix, Ariz., in he Southern Baptist Ethics & Virginia county violated federal law “The administration has attempted early summer. Religious Liberty Commission by refusing to permit a transgender to create new law through the execu- The annual meeting of the (ERLC) has joined with other high school student – who is a female tive branch that jeopardizes student Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Tfaith organizations to urge the biologically but identifies as a male privacy, undermines parental authority is scheduled for June 13-14. Presi- U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a – to use the boys’ restroom. In a 2-1 and further conflicts with religious dent Steve Gaines announced the lower-court ruling that a federal anti- opinion overturning a federal judge, liberty,” Wussow told Baptist Press in event’s theme in mid-December: discrimination law regarding sex cov- the Fourth Circuit panel agreed with written comments. “If any president “Pray! For such a time as this,” taken ers gender identity. an Obama administration letter in wishes to redefine what the words from Esther 4:14 and Luke 11:1. In a friend-of-the-court brief filed ruling the ban on sex discrimination ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ mean for every “The Southern Baptist Convention Jan. 10, the ERLC and its allies told in the Title IX education amendments public school in the country, he must needs to be a people of prayer,” the justices a refusal to reverse the ap- encompasses gender identity. make his case in the legislature, not a Gaines said in an interview with SBC peals court opinion in the case “would The ERLC “gladly joined in this small government office in Washing- LIFE, journal of the SBC. “Only then unleash conflicts over religious liberty important case to stand against the ton, D.C.” will God send the power we need to resembling the conflicts over same-sex Obama administration’s latest effort When it issues an opinion, the fulfill the Great Commission.” marriage” and could even marginalize to take power from Congress,” said Supreme Court may provide a defini- Phoenix has served as the annual people of faith. Travis Wussow, the ERLC’s general tive victory in a battle being waged in meeting’s host city on two previous The Supreme Court has yet to counsel and vice president for public American schools regarding transgen- occasions, 2003 and 2011, which schedule oral arguments in the case, policy. der rights – one advocates for such drew more than 7,000 and nearly which is likely to be argued in March rights have been winning 5,000 messengers, respectively. or April. If so, a decision recently. The annual meeting’s website is expected before the high About a month (sbcannualmeeting.net) provides court adjourns in late June or after the Fourth information about hotel reservations, early July. Circuit’s decision, messenger registration, a map of The Fourth Circuit the Obama admin- the convention area and other use- Court of Appeals in istration issued ful links. The site will be updated as Richmond, Va., ruled a sweeping additional details are confirmed. in April the school directive on Hotel registration opened in Oc- board of an eastern See Ruling tober. Online reservations may be page 11 made around the clock at sbc annualmeeting.net/sbc17/hotels. The Sheraton Grand Phoenix is the official convention hotel, located a block from the convention site. Hotel rates, ranging from $89 to $165 at 16 recommended hotels, are available with hotel locations on an interactive map at sbcannual meeting.net/sbc17/hotels. See SBC page 8 2 Opinion JANUARY 28, 2017 • BIBLICAL RECORDER • News Journal of North Carolina Baptists Rescue us from darkness atthew’s Gospel tells us that lauded them are living in the same dark- of this providential governance of your ERLC is committed to seeing the nation’s immediately after the temp- ness, the same spiritual blindness. way in the world, in America now. So largest abortion provider (Planned Par- Mtation of Jesus, He began In spite of the large number of protest- God, I ask that the church would not rely enthood Federation of America) deprived His public ministry quoting Isaiah 9:2, ers in many cities, the marches appeared on government and would not rely on a of federal funds.” saying, “The people who sat in darkness have to be little more than a platform for the Trump presidency. Another Sanctity of Human Life goal is seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the ungodly to protest the ungodliness they “I pray for evangelical leaders not to to see a pro-life Supreme Court nominee region and shadow of death, Light has dawned” see in President Donald Trump’s past. celebrate Donald Trump’s presidency presented to the Congress. Four other (Matthew 4:16). If someone’s rights were with no apparent qualification, no tears, goals are identified with the last one, the Then Jesus immediately violated, the women’s protests no brokenness, no sadness, that he set “Mexico City Policy,” which President began to preach on repentance, would be justified. Absent a such an awful example for this land.” Trump signed three days after his inaugu- according to the scriptures. decent reason to protest, we We join Piper in his prayer. ration. Darkness is an important only see undisciplined anger There is darkness in the land and in The second category is religious word in the Bible. In creation, and childish whining because the hearts of many leaders – politicians, liberty. ERLC staff will push to repeal God conquered the darkness they did not get what they singers, actors, business people, church the U.S. Department of Health and by making light. Throughout wanted. What is the value people – the list is endless. The darkness Human Services Mandate, support the history, individual people and in all of the noise? Has their can be defeated. We know because that Conscience Protection Act, oppose the whole nations were described behavior actually galvanized is the testimony of every person who has Department of Education’s interpretation as people living in spiritual K. ALLAN BLUME Trump supporters and pushed welcomed the grace of God, repented of Title IX, confront the sexual revolution darkness. Editor some borderline supporters of sin and experienced the new birth dogma in the military and restore Russell Before we came to know firmly into his camp? through Jesus. Amendment protections. Jesus Christ personally, we lived in dark- In contrast to the protests, John Piper, There is much work ahead for our The other categories are family and ness. But Paul said God “... rescued us from who is an author and retired pastor, newly elected president and Congress. marriage, justice, and international en- the domain of darkness, and transferred us to prayed an impromptu prayer for the na- In spite of the displeasure of some, they gagement. Targeted legislation includes the kingdom of His beloved Son,” (Colossians tion while in a small gathering of his staff are our leaders. We must move forward, women in combat, the Civil Rights 1:13). When we followed Jesus’ call to at Desiring God ministry. The prayer has seeking the face of God every day in the Uniformity Act, Criminal Justice Reform, repentance, God gave us His light. been widely circulated. I want to share a spirit of Romans 13. Payday Lending, the Iraq and Syria Geno- It does not take much discernment to portion of it with you. The Ethics and Religious Liberty Com- cide Emergency Relief and Accountabil- know that spiritual darkness is domi- Piper asked the Heavenly Father, mission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist ity Act, reauthorization of the Traffick- nating the United States of America. As “... that [Y]our name would be hallowed Convention recently published their 2017 ing Victims Protection Act and fighting recent evidence, review the Women’s in Washington, and hallowed by Donald Legislative Agenda. I would like to point global antisemitism. A complete copy of March on Washington on Jan. 21. At the Trump and his family, his cabinet, the out some highlights of the report and in- the 2017 Legislative Agenda is available at event and at simultaneous rallies across congress; that [Y]our kingdom would vite you to pray for this ministry and the ERLC.com. the country, speakers were profane in come, that [Y]our will would be done leaders they influence in our country. Pray for the leaders who serve us in their speech and vile in their message. there. The opening paragraph says the Washington, our states and our commu- Profound hypocrisy characterized the “To that end Lord, we ask that [Y]ou agenda is not exhaustive, but “provides nities. Pray for those who live in dark- events. would bring Donald Trump out of dark- insight into the range of issues the ERLC ness. Our responsibility is to be the light Performing at the Washington march, ness and into light. Give him a spirit of will focus on this year.” The first cat- and to introduce them to the One who is the singer Madonna told the crowd she brokenness and humility. ‘Unless you turn egory, labeled Sanctity of Human Life, the light of the world.