“Members of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee voted for the waiving of attorney client privilege within the scope of an independent third-party investigation of the EC concerning the handling of sexual abuse claims.” - BPNews

Related:

“Besides his heralded work for the NIH, Collins is known widely for writing on religion and science and reconciling the two. Last year, he was awarded … the Templeton Prize, for demonstrating how religious faith can motivate scientific research.” - RNS

See also: As he steps down as the head of NIH, he has a warning about future pandemics

“Though we don’t have precise data, we estimate that there are over one million bi-vocational pastors and church staff in North America alone. That number is increasing during the pandemic. Indeed, most churches have at least one bi-vocational staff member.” - Thom Rainer

” Just before posting that entry, I came across a more recent study that around 20% of both Trump supporters and Biden supporters would like their man to just rule by decree.” - Veith

“A webinar about the facts, falsehoods, and theological implications of critical race theory—and the way forward for the church.” - C.Today

“As writers like Maryanne Wolf worry, our daily deluge of ‘eye-byte-sized information’ creates the illusion we are well-informed and, at the same time, strangles our critical thinking capacities.” - TGC

“Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston will plead not guilty to illegally concealing alleged child abuse by his father, his lawyer told a court on Tuesday.” - RNS

“This is the fourth article in a series of excerpts from my book that highlight some of the key biblical principles from the theology of work that come out of a specific book or genre.” - IFWE

Jesus said in Matthew 6:2,

“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”

What is your view as to what “sound the trumpet” means?

Poll Results

What is “sounding the trumpet” in Matthew 6:2

“The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee is scheduled to hold a special session on Tuesday (Oct. 5) …. The central issue of meeting is the finalization of an agreement with Guidepost Solutions and the matter of waiving of the EC’s attorney-client privilege” - BPNews

“A Christian philosopher pushes back on attempts to rid ourselves of this unloved emotion.” - C.Today

“One of the most meaningful gifts I ever received was not for me but for my wife. A member noticed her tires were getting worn, so he gave us a new set of tires––and washed our car!” - Lifeway

“Once banned from BBC Radio for being sacrilegious, the hit musical has now become a brand in and of itself.” - RNS

“MIT Technology Review recently showed that troll farms had reached over 140 million users on Facebook before the 2020 election. A troll farm is an organized group of users (or even bots) who intentionally craft content to exploit division and sow discord in society.” - C.Leaders

Archaeologists discovered several ancient Near Eastern law codes in the first half of the twentieth century. Many of the laws contained in these codes bear a striking resemblance to some of the Mosaic laws of the Old Testament. This fact has forced Old Testament critics to revise their late date for the Pentateuch (Albright, 109). But the relationship between Mosaic Law and the ancient Near East legal codes has also given rise to another form of criticism. Modern critics argue that Moses (or whoever authored the Pentateuch) received his laws from his ancient Near Eastern neighbors. This claim raises an important question for the Bible-believing Christian: Did the Mosaic Law ultimately originate with God or with pagan societies?

“Countries with religion-related terrorist activity at a record low of 49 after five consecutive years of decline. Yet 28 nations still suffered more than 50 people injured or killed.” - CToday

“Former pastors are almost twice as likely as current pastors to say they felt isolated in their role (62% to 35%). When asked with whom they shared struggles at least once a month in their last pastorate….Fewer than half said they met with another pastor (44%)” - Lifeway

“Two Mississippi street preachers who were convicted of misdemeanor simple assault for calling a woman a ‘Jezebel’ and waving a Bible in a man’s face were released from jail Wednesday after a judge found they were being held under ‘grossly unreasonable’ bond.” - C.Leaders

“One can imagine how difficult (not to mention discouraging) it might be for women who are repeatedly called to submit to see their husbands and church leaders refuse to submit to the authorities over them.” - TGC

“Reformation Sunday is an opportunity to affirm our doctrinal convictions and to praise God for His ongoing reformation in the Church. The Alliance wants to promote your event to our members.” - Ref21

“Various state conventions and groups in states have taken unprecedented action to state their displeasure with the Executive Committee’s action to thumb their nose at the messengers of the 2021 SBC Annual Meeting and refuse to take appropriate action to deal with sexual abuse.” - SBC Voices

Those who have visited Answers in Genesis’ Ark Encounter or Creation Museum will have their own perspective on the experience and its value. I’ve just returned from my own first-time visit to both and have some observations and thoughts for those who haven’t yet made the pilgrimage.

Is it just a big entertainment business making a few people rich?

Revenue is an inherently tempting thing. Just getting a paycheck every couple of weeks brings hazards as well as blessings. One of the hazards is that as revenue increases, my life and work might become increasingly about revenue.

“This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Jesus answers them by saying, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.” - Karen Swallow Prior

The Five Love Languages “will mark its 30th anniversary next year, and it’s still crushing records. It was the top-selling Christian book for much of 2021. It has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide.” - C.Today

“The Church in Wales, composed of six Anglican dioceses in the United Kingdom, does not allow clergy to conduct legally binding same-sex marriage ceremonies. However, in a Sept. 6 vote of 28 to 12 in favor with two abstentions, clergy were approved to host blessing ceremonies for same-sex unions in their churches.” - C.Post

“Bethany Christian Services (BCS) branches in Arkansas, South Carolina, South Dakota, Wyoming and the Florida panhandle have transitioned to Lifeline Children’s Services since March 1, when the nearly 80-year-old, evangelical Christian organization disclosed its policy reversal.” - BPNews

“How Christians can respond to their own dread about the last years’ uptick in violence and property damage.” - CToday

“Lewis modeled disagreement in a variety of helpful ways. Sometimes, he declared that particular ideas were wrong. …Sometimes, he softened his words when others might have sharpened theirs.” - TGC

“When, like Timothy, you’re facing a challenge that seems too big for you, it’s helpful to know that … our Father has not given us a panicking kind of spirit. But it’s also helpful to know what he has given us. Paul specifies three gifts from an omnipotent, gracious, knowledgeable, and sympathetic Father.” - Olinger

“I got my advance copies in the mail a couple of weeks ago. It was a strange feeling looking down at the thing I had spent over five years writing and nearly twelve years studying.” - Paul Hennebury