Perspectives
I've Been Invited to a Gay Wedding: Should I Go?
Of all the questions I am asked, this is one of the most frequent. A relative, a friend or someone at work who has identified themselves as being "gay" has invited you to their wedding or "commitment ceremony," and you feel unsure as how to respond. Would it be wrong to attend considering the Biblical sexual ethic that you try to live by and teach others? Would accepting the invitation be misconstrued as approval of a relationship that you believe is sinful? This predicament is only magnified when it is a loved family member who has offered the invitation. How should you proceed?
Lifestyle Evangelism: Persecution
The last three months has been quite the experience for me writing this series. A lot can happen in only three months. I´ve formed new friendships, visited new countries, learned about faith and grace in rich, new ways, and also learned about myself in deeper, meaningful ways.
Today, we conclude the "Lifestyle Evangelism" series with a topic that is pertinent to discuss.
Politics, Presidents, and Prayer
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." -- 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Today a new president is chosen for the United States. I wrote an article in response to social media several months ago titled Christians, Politics, and Social Media. It's obvious by the feel and tone of posts I see that people have many polarized feelings and opinions about the election: who should or shouldn't be president, who is or isn't qualified to be in office, and perhaps if we should even have a president in the first place. Many of the feelings and fears people have come from real concerns that are okay to have.
Update on Scott Green: Brain Tumor Blues
Editor's note: God sent Scott and Lynne Green to plant our church in Hong Kong in 1987 and to send our first underground churches into mainland China before leading the Seattle Church of Christ for 17 years and the Berlin Church of Christ or the last two years. Disciples around the world prayed for Lynne as she battled cancer and is now a nine-year survivor. Disciples now are praying for God’s help and healing for Scott.
Only about one American in 15,000 can write this in 2016: I have a brain tumor. Since we found out a month ago in Berlin, Lynne and I have been the recipients of an astonishing level of kindness, encouragement, abundant prayers and heart-moving generosity. In fact, last week, Lynne had asked me what three words defined my last month, and I replied, “patience, pain, and generosity,” including her own. Lynne has been my best friend, my help, my security, and often my caretaker, and in this, reflects the love of God. I am really lucky.
Citizens of a Holy Nation
Just a week away from electing the next leader of the free world, passions are high. There is much at stake. The candidates want our vote, they propose their solutions to our problems and their roadmaps to our collective future. The people of the United States want a better future and worry about the consequences of choosing the wrong person for the job. Many fear that both candidates are the wrong person for the job. Perceived threats from within are topped only by perceived threats from the outside. ISIS, illegal immigration, and rising tensions with Russia are at the top of everyone's list.
How Does a Christian Watch Political News and Remain a Christian?
My name is Jack and I watch the news too much…
HotNews Responds to the ICC
While it has been common place for critical articles about the ICOC to appear previously at the Portland website (when Mckean led that congregation) and now at the City of Angels Church's website where Kip McKean is the minister, it seemed time for us here at ICOC HotNews to respond.
Going Above and Beyond: How Do We Share More than an Invitation?
We are fashioned for a specific purpose: to glorify God with our lives, loving him above all else, and to "save others by snatching them from the fire;" (Jude 1:23). The domain of darkness of the world spreads like a wildfire, demolishing and incinerating everyone and everything that opposes its mighty force. As disciples, we are actively fighting the evils of the world -- with God as the head of our armed forces. We resist the urge to falter and struggle to stand firm in our faith. We are soldiers in God's army, and we wage war, using our heavenly weapons that are made powerful by God (see Part 1 of Lifestyle Evangelism).
Road Notes: A Weekend with the ICOC
Editor's note: The following article is republished here with permission from The Christian Chronicle, the international newspaper for the Churches of Christ..Leaders of the International Churches of Christ look toward a promising future, while acknowledging sins of the past.
ST. LOUIS — In the Dome at America’s Center, where football fans once gathered to watch the St. Louis Rams, more than 18,000 souls sang praises to the Lord — including an uplifting, a cappella rendition of “On Zion’s Glorious Summit.”
A Christian Response to U.S. Supreme Court's Decision Legalizing Gay Marriage
In just the last 24 hours, since the United States Supreme Court handed down their historic decision allowing gay marriage to be legal in all 50 states, my inbox has been inundated with emails from panicked Christians from U.S. churches looking for guidance on this issue. The Canadian Supreme Court passed the same law ten years ago, so this has been our reality north of the 49th paralell for a decade now. Welcome to the club!
Let me start here. The Bible is abundantly clear that a heterosexual, monogamous relationship as first presented in Genesis is the only model of wedded union and sexual expression that is consistently praised in both Old and New Testaments and is the standard upheld as the ideal throughout all scripture. Not once is homosexuality in any context ever praised or left as an example of something that should be emulated. (Genesis 2:22-24, Matthew 19:4, Ephesians 5:22-25, Mark 10:9, Leviticus 18:22, 20:30, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 Timothy 1:9-10).