In the Oscar-winning film, “Braveheart,” there is a scene where Queen Isabella whispers a great truth in the ear of the evil English King Longshanks on his death bed. “You see?” the queen says. “Death comes to us all.” Of all the trials and sufferings in my life, none have tested my faith in Christ and my commitment to fulfill God’s purpose for my life than when confronted by death. I did not think there could be anything more painful than watching my 60-year-old daddy draw his last … [Read more...]
Ezekiel 33 warning and the Missouri Senate
A Southern Baptist professor recently referred to The Pathway as an “Ezekiel 33-type publication.” The Pathway takes Ezekiel 33:6 seriously. We will warn churches when and where theological danger lurks. An amendment to a Motor Vehicle Administration bill in the Senate, introduced by Sen. Bill Eigel, R-St. Charles, and passed by the body, prohibits “vaccine passports.” But before the amendment passed, Sen. Greg Razor, D-Kansas City, one of six homosexual members of the Missouri General … [Read more...]
Thoughts on SBU, Equality Act, National Day of Prayer
Southwest Baptist University trustees are displaying wisdom. Their hiring of a world-class executive search firm like CarterBaldwin to assist in the search for the school’s 26th president is a smart move. Missouri Baptists should have great confidence in the trustees and ex officio members of the Presidential Search Committee. CarterBaldwin will greatly assist in what will be a nation-wide search. The firm’s experience in dealing with evangelical institutions will be invaluable. In … [Read more...]
Taking the vaccine is safe, with a clear conscience
Coronavirus activity in Missouri has declined steadily for the past two months and average number of daily cases remains the second-lowest in the United States, trailing only Hawaii. COVID-19 hospitalizations fell below 1,000 for the first time since September and have dropped by 64 percent since the first week of January. Deaths are rapidly declining as vaccines become more available, especially to those 65 years of age and older. Three vaccines have now been approved and are being … [Read more...]
Blessed to be part of God’s work among Missouri Baptists
I came to Missouri because God called me here. I felt God wanted to do something great in Missouri, and He invited me to join in. It has been 19 years, and I do not regret one second of the time I have spent serving the Lord in Missouri. It has not always been easy, but such is to be expected in a fallen world. When you start a newspaper with zero readers, it is a God-sized project. Given the continuing battle over the Bible between conservatives and moderates as well as legal control of … [Read more...]
COVID liability protection bill becomes attack on churches
For Missouri churches, it could be a case of “the camel’s nose entering the tent.” After all, if the camel gets its nose inside a tent, it will be impossible to prevent the rest of it from entering. This Arab proverb is a metaphor for a small, seemingly innocuous act or decision that will lead to much larger, more serious, and less desirable consequences down the line. The “camel’s nose” is Senate Bill 51. It began as a much-needed and generally regarded non-controversial piece of … [Read more...]
Stop monkeying around, Missouri needs school choice
It would be enough to drive Charles Scopes bananas. Nearly a century after the famed Scopes Monkey Trial led to the teaching of evolution in public schools and decades of in-fighting over increasingly liberal curriculums in public schools, a King Kong competitor may be emerging in increasingly conservative Missouri. After gaining passage by the Senate Education Committee, Jan. 21, a major education reform measure (Senate Bill 55) that includes school choice is headed to the full Senate for … [Read more...]
Obscure, but Jan. 16 is Religious Freedom Day
One of the greatest impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the attacks on religious liberty. In too many instances political leaders have used public safety as an excuse – and ultimately a weapon – against churches services and faith-based gatherings. They have often done so while allowing certain types of businesses to remain open. One of the most egregious violations of religious liberty has been perpetrated against nursing homes. Too often pastors have not been allowed to visit … [Read more...]
Christmas at the Hinkle home remembered with gratitude
I left home, in Nashville, Tenn., for the Air Force when I was 23. Other than for two brief years working as a business reporter for The Tennessean newspaper in Nashville, I have been gone from my homeland for the entire time. That would be 43 years (now I have given away my age!). When one lives far from home, it is rare to get home for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mom has always insisted on Christmas. So I have made it home for Christmas every year, but one since I left home. Santa … [Read more...]
History an essential element of a Christian worldview
“To be ignorant of what happened before you were born is to be ever a child.” – Cicero One of the passions of The Pathway staff is our love for history. Especially the history of Christianity, but also of the world, of America, of the church, of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and the Missouri Baptist Convention. Our love for history is derived from Scripture, since God is the author of history, the Alpha and Omega. I have always been interested in history. A considerable percentage … [Read more...]
A Veteran’s Day salute to three friends, ‘Centurions’
One of the great blessings in the ministry to which God has called me is the opportunity to know a multitude of faithful brothers in Christ who are veterans, true leaders with impeccable integrity, intellectual giftedness, courage, unselfishness and loyalty. As a veteran, I have come to appreciate the observance of Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11. Not because I am a veteran, but because of the veterans I have had the privilege of knowing. Each were willing to give their last, full measure of … [Read more...]
America is being driven to its knees – and that’s good
“My creed leads me to think that prayer is efficacious, and surely a day’s asking God to overrule all events for good is not lost.” – James Gilmour I hope we can agree that if there was ever a time we should be praying for our nation it is now. Sickness and strife are driving America to its knees. Let us make good use of such posture. E.M. Bounds wrote a classic on the subject, titled On Prayer. He writes: “The prayers of God’s saints are the capital stock in heaven by which Christ … [Read more...]
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