In Colorado, cake artist Jack Phillips declined to bake a specialty cake for a same-sex wedding. Why? Well, Jack Phillips is a Christian and the “what would Jesus do” question is real for him. That leads us to ask what Joy Behar asked Jack Phillips during an episode of The View last month. “Would Jesus have baked…
In retraction, popular author affirms ‘a biblical view of everything’—including marriage. (By Kate Shellnutt, Christianity Today). A day after a Religion News Service interview portrayed retired pastor and author Eugene Peterson as shifting to endorse same-sex marriage, the evangelical leader retracted his comment and upheld the traditional Christian stance instead. “To clarify, I affirm a…
(By Samuel D. James, First Things). This week, Eugene Peterson became arguably the most consequential evangelical to endorse same-sex relationships and marriage. His short interview with Jonathan Merritt isn’t always clear; there is some hedging and “as far as I’m concerned” moral equivalency. But his testimony leaves little doubt, especially since it feels so very familiar. Peterson’s…
(By Owen Strachan, Patheos). I have read and appreciated Eugene Peterson’s books for years. His take on pastoral ministry, with a focus on the theological nature of the work and a deep engagement with the beauty of spirituality, has marked me. I am not alone in this respect–not by a long shot. Even as I have…
(By Jonathan Merritt, Religion News Service). When a journalist has a chance to interview a paragon of the Christian faith like Eugene Peterson, there’s a lot of pressure to pick the perfect questions. I’d asked him about why he was leaving the public eye and if he was afraid of death. I’d asked him about Donald Trump and the state of…
(By Samuel Smith, The Christian Post). A congregation in Kentucky could soon be evicted from its church building by its regional Presbyterian Church (USA) governing body after the congregation voiced disapproval with the denomination’s decision to recognize and allow gay marriage. The Presbytery of Western Kentucky has given First Presbyterian Church of Calvert City until April…
(By Laurel Black, The Paducah Sun, KY) A Calvert City congregation is facing [eviction] after disagreeing with its national governing body over same-sex marriage. The First Presbyterian Church of Calvert City, 639 Evergreen St., asked to be dismissed from the denomination after its national governing body, the Presbyterian Church (USA), changed its description of marriage…
(By Joe Carter, The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission). The Washington State Supreme Court ruled against a Christian florist who refused to serve a same-sex wedding because of “her relationship with Jesus Christ.” In their unanimous decision the state court claims that, “discrimination based on same-sex marriage constitutes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The…
For Evangelicals, same-sex marriage is not an “agree to disagree” issue. (By Ed Stetzer, The Exchange). Marriage, as Jesus defines it in Matthew 19—where a man leaves his father and mother and joins with his wife in covenant marriage—is a core evangelical belief. It might not seem that way these days, when we hear of…
Editor’s Note: Dr. Nicholas Wolterstorff is Noah Porter Professor Emeritus of Philosophical Theology at Yale University. Before going toYale he was Professor of Philosophy at Calvin College inGrand Rapids, Michigan, for thirty years.. He is well-known in Christian Reformed Church circles and is considered to be a a well-known Christian philosopher. Nicholas Wolterstorff spoke publicly on…