R. Albert Mohler Jr/president, Southern Seminary LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) – On the last day of its term, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled today on two same-sex marriage cases. Both are important cases, and both will go far in redefining the most basic institution of human civilization. The court knew it was making history. A majority of the justices clearly intended to make history, and future generations will indeed remember this day. But for what? In the first decision handed down today, the … [Read more...]
Supreme Court decisions do not end marriage debate
JEFFERSON CITY - Decisions June 26 by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding California’s Proposition 8 and a key provision in the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) do not sound the death knell for the marriage debate, according to John Yeats, executive director of the Missouri Baptist Convention. The Court let stand a lower court ruling setting aside Prop 8, which California voters enacted in 2008 barring same-sex unions. Prop 8 is similar to laws in more than 30 other states. The court … [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...]
Gov. Nixon vetoes ‘anti-Sharia’ bill
JEFFERSON CITY (BP) – Missouri’s governor vetoed legislation June 3 that some were calling an anti-Sharia law bill, keeping Missouri from becoming the seventh state to prohibit judges from considering foreign laws – including Islamic law – in their decisions. The legislation, Senate Bill (SB) 267, passed both chambers in May to create a Civil Liberties Defense Act mandating that any court, arbitration, tribunal or administrative agency ruling would be unenforceable if based on a foreign … [Read more...]
Pro-life bills finish strong as session ends at Capitol
JEFFERSON CITY – Pro-life issues gained considerable ground during the 2013 session of Missouri’s General Assembly which ended May 17. In its final week, the Legislature passed House Bill 400 (HB 400) which requires the same safety features for chemical abortions as exist for surgical abortions; that is, a medical doctor with hospital privileges must be physically present in the room when a woman takes the medication to abort her baby. Kerry Messer, lobbyist for Missouri Baptist … [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...]
Race to kill gambling bill nears finish line
JEFFERSON CITY – With just days remaining in this year’s General Assembly, Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) churches are being urged to contact their state senators and ask them to vote against House Bill 747 (HB 747). HB 747 was sponsored by Rep. Dwight Scharnhorst, R-St. Louis. Its purpose is to permit casinos to accept credit cards and other credit instruments from gamblers in exchange for chips, tokens, or electronic tokens that can be used to continue their gambling after their cash … [Read more...]
Churches urged to consider marriage policy
JEFFERSON CITY – With the U.S. Supreme Court weighing the issue of gay marriage and the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, now is a good time for Missouri Baptist churches to develop policies that clearly define their biblical stance on marriage. That’s the advice of Michael K. Whitehead, the Missouri Baptist Convention’s (MBC) chief legal advisor and principal of Whitehead Law Firm LLC in Kansas City. “Southern Baptist churches around the country are considering ways to … [Read more...]
Liquor control bills seek balance
JEFFERSON CITY – Much of the state’s public policy may be contingent on the outcome of two liquor control bills before the General Assembly which address liquor law regulations struck down earlier by a federal judge. Kerry Messer, lobbyist for Missouri Baptist Convention’s Christian Life Commission, said Missouri Baptist churches should take note and, preferably take action. Missouri’s regulatory structure divides the industry into three basic categories – producers, distributors and … [Read more...]
Gambling expansion possible
JEFFERSON CITY – The legislative liaison for the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) said it is imperative that Missouri Baptists become involved in two issues during the current General Assembly that involve the gambling industry. Kerry Messer, president of Missouri Family Network which provides lobbying services for the MBC’s Christian Life Commission, reported that the state lottery is hoping to expand its offerings without going through the formal legislative process. He also reported … [Read more...]
When did it become unconstitutional?
Perhaps the most important question asked in the Supreme Court during the two days of argument on gay marriage was a rhetorical question posed by Associate Justice Antonin Scalia to pro-gay marriage attorney Ted Olson. “When did it become unconstitutional to exclude homosexual couples from marriage?” Implicit in the question “when did it change” is the question “who changed it?” The answer to those questions exposes the fundamental difference between two competing worldviews in the … [Read more...]
A mother finally finds peace, forgiveness following abortion
COLUMBIA — In 1974, Rhonda Porter got an abortion. It was legal. It was simple. It was done. “I believed there was nothing wrong with it,” she said. Now she is a mother of four and a grandmother of five who has become a Christian. At 59, she is a member of Open Heart Baptist Church who prays for God to save babies at the local abortion clinic. Her ministry to the church uplifts forgiveness, the releasing of pain, and the healing hand of a God who eases sorrow. “I feel that people who … [Read more...]