The Bethlehem Institute represents the adult Christian education/discipleship/training vehicle of Bethlehem Baptist Church, where I had the privilege of spending a few years with Pastors John Piper, Tom Steller, and many other wonderful leaders. They have launched a new website, which gives a helpful overview of the ministry and highlights the three training tracks offered. (I was a part of this one.) Also, churches will soon be able to purchase curricula for their own use. … [Read more...] about The Bethlehem Institute
Archives for 2007
David Frum on the Upcoming Romney Speech
David Frum contrasts the challenge Romney faces with Kennedy's situation in 1960: Nobody expected Kennedy to defend the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist, or the idea of intercession by saints, or the use of images in Catholic places of worship. He spoke in Houston as a politician, explaining his understanding of the boundaries between religion and politics. Romney faces a very different problem - and a very different set of questions. Nobody doubts that Mormons as a community and as individuals honor and respect the rules of the American constitutional system. But precisely because … [Read more...] about David Frum on the Upcoming Romney Speech
Romney’s Upcoming Speech on His Mormon Faith
Daniel Larison explains the inherent difficulty: The impossible balancing act is stressing the political irrelevance of the theological differences Mormonism really does have with Christianity while simultaneously claiming that this very same religion, whose distinctive substance is supposed to be irrelevant, informs and shapes his “values” that he will rely on to make judgements about policy. Another part of the balancing act (which is where it becomes really dangerous politically) is to declare that it is “un-American” to judge a candidate based on his religion without insulting the … [Read more...] about Romney’s Upcoming Speech on His Mormon Faith
The Tax Policies of Mike Huckabee
Mike Huckabee is surging in the polls: He is in first place in Iowa (5 points ahead of Romney), virtually tied for second place in New Hampshire, and in second place nationwide (within just 3 points of Giuliani). Of course, this has resulted in a spike of attack ads, on issues such as Huckabee's tax policies as Governor of Arkansas (1996-2007). Joe Carter, Director of Research for the Huckabee Campaign, pens a rebuttal to these attacks (read Joe's lengthy comment below the actual post) and points to a balanced piece in the NY Times (of all places). Update: Dick Morris argues that Governor … [Read more...] about The Tax Policies of Mike Huckabee
Church of England Ordains More Women Than Men
According to the BBC, 213 women and 210 men were ordained as Anglican priests last year. (HT: David Kotter) … [Read more...] about Church of England Ordains More Women Than Men
Marvin Olasky on Freedom vs. Democracy
Olasky provocatively raises the issue of Pakistan--where both democracy and liberty are in short supply: "Pro-American dictator or anti-American democracy? That's the choice in Pakistan now, where President (and top general) Pervez Musharraf has suspended his country's constitution, fired the country's chief justice, and shut down nongovernmental television stations. He said that had he not acted, Islamist extremists would have taken over the country."Olasky suggests that the U.S. finds itself in this position because it prioritized the advocacy of democracy over the advocacy of liberty. He … [Read more...] about Marvin Olasky on Freedom vs. Democracy