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...]
What a Christian worldview of politics looks like
Editors’ note: This is the first of a four-part series on a Christian worldview. The series will hopefully inform, provoke thought, generate feedback and serve as a call to action. This first article briefly attempts to define “worldview” and then examines the importance of having a Christian worldview when it comes to public policy (politics). I have heard younger evangelicals, the Gen Xers and the Millennials, declare their frustration over being defined as “one-issue Christians” (that … [Read more...]
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