U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia predicted that when the high court struck down state laws against homosexuality in the Lawrence v. Texas case in 2003 and more recently a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), it would only be a matter of time before the court would force states to recognize homosexual marriages – and ultimately other types as well. Polygamists, for example, already are advancing a case in the federal courts, using the same arguments exploited by … [Read more...]
Don Hinkle: Painful truth about the American Cancer Society
I made a few donations to the American Cancer Society (ACS) after the disease caused my father’s death in 1989 at the age of 60. I will never give the ACS another penny. And I say this as a person who has lost a kidney to cancer and despite some good research to battle the disease by the ACS. Why do I decline to donate to the ACS? Because of its increasingly liberal politics and excursions into causes that violate my conscience by ultimately disobeying God’s Word. Am I calling for a … [Read more...]
DON HINKLE: Reflecting on Houston, homosexuality, RU-486
Some random thoughts on a variety of subjects as we enter the summer of 2013: Three thoughts come to mind as I reflect on this year’s Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting in Houston June 11-12. 1. The low attendance. Barely 5,000 messengers showed up and the question everyone wants answered is why? The SBC surveys messengers to gauge their feelings about various aspects of the meeting. It may be awhile before we have that data, but I am sure it will be studied closely. I … [Read more...]
Stand firm, speak boldly, pray for fire from heaven
Since its establishment by the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Executive Board in June 2002, The Pathway has attempted to shine the truth of Scripture on the issues of the day. We are motivated by our passion for the Truth – and Lordship – of Christ to permeate all of reality. We aggressively do so by taking full advantage of the God-given rights that come with being American. Christians in America have been blessed with the freedom to express our faith in the marketplace of ideas, not … [Read more...]
Learning from Diocletian: Christians in the military
My friend, historian and author Bill Federer, reminded me in his May 1 “American Minute” series that one of the greatest periods of persecution against Christians occurred in the third century AD under the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Following a series of battlefield losses to the Persians, his generals blamed the setbacks on Romans not worshipping their pagan gods. Consequently Diocletian launched a reign of terror on Christianity, starting with the military which he ordered to worship Roman … [Read more...]
Alive, but stopped dead in my tracks
Cancer. Hear a doctor use it to describe your condition and your life is instantly changed. It alters your life physically, emotionally and spiritually. The enormity of the challenge also impacts the lives of those closest to you. I know because my wife, Bernadette, and I had that reality come crashing into our lives three weeks ago when I received an unexpected Friday phone call from my doctor. He said I had cancer. He could not tell me if it had spread beyond my left kidney where an MRI … [Read more...]
Intersection of hot issues: For faith, public policy, media
Missouri’s legal definition of spouse is being challenged in court after the surviving “partner” of a deceased police officer filed a lawsuit seeking death benefits. The benefits are being denied under state law because of Missouri’s definition of “spouse” as being either a man or a woman. The lawsuit involves two homosexual men. Their attorney argues that the two men had a long-term relationship and that the surviving man should receive survivor benefits. The Missouri case is similar to … [Read more...]
DON HINKLE: Ferocious news media smear a fine pastor
I first encountered Robert Jeffress, pastor, First Baptist Church, Dallas, in 1998 while working as a national correspondent for Baptist Press. My assignment was to cover an escalating controversy between First Baptist Church, Wichita Falls, Texas, where Jeffress pastored at the time, the Wichita Falls Public Library and the Wichita Falls City Council. A church member discovered that the library was making available to children two books promoting homosexuality. The member brought the books … [Read more...]
DON HINKLE: Confronting unloving culture, winsomely, with passion
And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” – Acts 23:1-3 The term “culture warrior” has become a pejorative descriptor for people like … [Read more...]
HINKLE: Don’t let envy be our poison ivy
I love yard work. I never lack amazement at the grandeur of God’s creation – even in my rocky backyard. But amidst the beauty of it all, I do not understand it all. For example, I have yet to discover any value in poison ivy. Once I get a little, it quickly turns into a lot – of misery. The spreading blisters and itching can last for weeks. I’m itching now, just thinking about it. It is the same way with poison envy. I say poison because envy is just that to our lives. Once it gets on us … [Read more...]
HINKLE: Welcome new readers to The Pathway’s 2nd decade
Ten years ago this month the first print edition of The Pathway rolled off the presses for a few thousand paid subscribers. They were mostly pastors and leaders within the conservative movement known as Project 1000 that saved the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) from theological liberalism and created The Pathway. God has blessed The Pathway ministry because of the prayers of Missouri Southern Baptists and its faithfulness to His Word. The Pathway’s founding verse, Jeremiah 6:16 (“Stand … [Read more...]
DON HINKLE: Give others Christmas gifts, give money to Lottie Moon
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23 My wife, Bernadette, and I were recently debating what to give family members for Christmas. Of course, one of the options is always money, something no doubt people could use as they please, particularly in these difficult economic times. By doing so, the reasoning goes, they can buy whatever they want or need. After all, it is the thought that counts. Perhaps I am becoming … [Read more...]