News

Gleanings: April 2019

Important developments in the church and the world (as they appeared in our April issue).

RaStudio / Getty

Asia Bibi exonerated, awaits asylum

After eight years in prison and on death row, Asia Bibi no longer faces legal threats over allegations of blasphemy. In January, the Supreme Court upheld her acquittal and denied requests for further review made by the Muslim leader who brought charges against her. But the Pakistani Christian remains in danger of violence from vigilantes and has struggled to obtain asylum elsewhere, as her daughters have in Canada. At the start of the year, more than 500 Pakistani clerics signed a historic declaration referencing her case and condemning extrajudicial killings and attacks on Christians.

Evangelicals’ favorite rabbi dies

As founder of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), the late Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein brought the two faiths together in support of Israel, raising $140 million a year for humanitarian projects and deepening Christian understanding of the Holy Land. He died suddenly in Jerusalem in February at age 67. Eckstein earned the nickname “evangelicals’ favorite rabbi” as IFCJ worked with Zionist believers around the globe. His leadership helped channel evangelicals’ concern for Israel into “concrete action,” said David Neff, former CT editor in chief and a leader in Jewish-evangelical dialogue.

NAE president announces retirement

Leith Anderson, who has served as president of the National Association of Evangelicals for 13 years, will step down at the end of 2019. Anderson brought together leaders from 40 denominations and top evangelical institutions. Evangelical figures commended the former Minnesota pastor for his steady guidance of the organization through the scandal involving previous president Ted Haggard, a period of financial crisis, and the recent debate over evangelical identity in the US. “Some try to define evangelicals by politics,” Anderson said. “That is a big mistake. We are defined by our faith.”

Philippine church bombing kills 20 in Muslim region

A Sunday morning terrorist attack killed 20 and injured at least 100 more at a Catholic cathedral on the island of Jolo, home to Abu Sayyaf terrorists. “They bravely stayed . . . in spite of the threats and insecurities,” said Romeo Saniel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. “I believe they have died for their Christian faith.” The incident came after surrounding islands voted in January to form an autonomous region among the Muslim strongholds in an effort to end ongoing clashes between Philippine forces and separatists.

South Carolina foster ministry secures waiver

A ministry that recruits 1 in 6 foster families in the Palmetto State gets to keep its Protestants-only policy for foster families, thanks to a federal waiver issued at the start of the year. Miracle Hill Ministries risked losing its license and $500,000 in annual funding before the US Department of Health and Human Services stepped in. South Carolina’s faith-based nonprofits were granted an exception to antidiscrimination policies as long as they refer ineligible families to other agencies.

Missionary in Brazil accused of encroaching on isolated tribe

The government has launched an investigation against an American missionary who allegedly crossed onto protected territory belonging to the Himarimã, an isolated tribe in the Amazon. Steve Campbell, a second-generation missionary who spent over 50 years among the neighboring Jamamadí people, said he was helping map their land. Fellow missionaries defended his work on behalf of indigenous people. Meanwhile, Brazil’s uncontacted tribes face mounting economic and political threats.

Southern Baptists confront abuse crisis

An investigation by the Houston Chronicle in February uncovered abuse allegations against more than 380 Southern Baptist leaders over the past 20 years. Spanning 20 states and 700 victims, the report offered the most comprehensive look at abuse in the nation’s largest Protestant denomination. “We need to repent of a culture that has made abuse, cover-ups, and evading accountability far too easy,” said Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) president J. D. Greear, who commissioned a study group last year to evaluate church policies on abuse. The SBC also moved toward adding employing a sex offender as explict grounds for disfellowshiping a church.

Also in this issue

Explore how missions organizations are changing the way they use data and how, conversely, that data is altering missions strategies. Far from merely counting converts, ministries today are analyzing the numbers for new insights into where to focus their efforts.

Our Latest

New Archbishop of Canterbury Steps into Anglican Divides

Conservatives call on Sarah Mullally, the first woman at the spiritual helm of the Church of England, to uphold biblical faith amid same-sex blessings debate.

News

FDA Approves Generic Abortion Pill

Students for Life leader calls the move “a stain on the Trump presidency.”

News

John Cornyn’s MAGA-land Challenge

The incumbent senator is up against his strongest challenge yet in populist-right leader Ken Paxton.

Fighting Korea’s Loneliness Epidemic with Cafés and Convenience Stores

Seoul recently introduced free public services to tackle social isolation. Christians have been doing that for years.

You Haven’t Heard Worship Music like This

John Van Deusen’s praise is hard-won and occasionally wordless.

Excerpt

‘Don’t Take It If You Don’t Need It’

The Trump administration releases new recommendations for Tylenol use during pregnancy.

The Russell Moore Show

BONUS: Lecrae on Reconstruction after Disillusionment

 Lecrae joins Russell Moore to take questions from Christianity Today subscribers

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube