In the study of the New Testament canon, scholars like to highlight the first time we see a complete list of 27 books. Inevitably, the list contained in Athanasius’ famous Festal Letter (c.367) is mentioned as the first time this happened.

As a result, it is often claimed that the New Testament was a late phenomenon. We didn’t have a New Testament, according to Athanasius, until the end of the fourth century.

But, this sort of reasoning is problematic on a number of levels. First, we don’t measure the existence of the New Testament just by the existence of lists. When we examine the way certain books were used by the early church fathers, it is evident that there was a functioning canon long before the fourth century. Indeed, by the second century, there is already a “core” collection of New Testament books functioning as Scripture.

The National Association of Evangelicals announced a softening of its position on capital punishment. The change reflects a shift in opinion among evangelicals—particularly evangelicals who are most active in their faith.

For over 40 years, the official position of the NAE has been supportive of the death penalty. The new resolution does not reverse its position; it does acknowledge a diversity of positions within evangelicals.

The NAE is the largest evangelical coalition in the country, representing 40 denominations and 45,000 congregations. NAE resolutions are not binding, but they do represent the views of evangelical leaders and their organizations. According to Washington Post, some NAE members would not support a reversal, but there was agreement that a statement recognizing differences among evangelicals.

Shane Claiborne is an evangelical and death penalty activist. He welcomed the NAE decision.

“Here’s why the NAE’s announcement is a big deal.,” Claiborne said. “In addition to being distinguished by a personal relationship with Jesus and a high view of Scripture, evangelicals have provided an unwavering political base and a solid theological backbone for the death penalty in America — until now.”

Being a Mother has been the most rewarding, challenging, adventurous, and fulfilling role in my life. Being a Mom has stretched me, grown me, and taught me so much about life and leadership. I wouldn’t be the leader I am today, had I not gone through the boot camp of motherhood.

I have two adult daughters now and two amazing sons (in-laws) and three of the most adorable grandchildren on the planet (I will be glad to share pictures and stories!).

Being a mom I have learned to:

1. Let go of perfect.

2. Die to self.

3. Go the distance.

4. Be all in.

THE NEWSPAPERS for the last few weeks have been a source of grievous affliction to humane minds. The brutalities which they have recorded have shown a diabolical refinement of cruelty which makes us blush to belong to the race of man. When we read of a wretch driving a poor horse for miles with its feet broken, bleeding at every step it took upon its poor stumps, we shudder and our blood runs cold; but when we hear a trifling sentence pronounced upon such a monster we feel that same blood tingling in our cheeks as our whole nature turns with indignation at such a failure of justice. If there be no law which would award the lash to such a fiend incarnate an Act ought to be passed at once, or Mr. Justice Lynch might for once be invoked to give the demon his reward in an irregular Manner. The hideous story brings to our mind the none too forcible lines of a much-abused poet, when he pleads for a worn-out horse:—

Liveth there no advocate for him? no judge to avenge his wrongs?
No voice that shall be heard in his defense? no sentence to be passed on his oppressor?
Yea, the sad eye of the tortured pleadeth pathetically for him;
Yea, all the justice in heaven is roused in indignation at his woes;
Yea, all the pity upon earth shall call down a curse upon the cruel;
Yea, the burning malice of the wicked is their own exceeding punishment.
The Angel of Mercy stoppeth not to comfort, but passeth by on the other side,
Anti hath no tear to shed, when a cruel man is damned."

Months of terrible headlines about the content of undercover videos — content even supporters like Hillary Rodham Clinton called “disturbing” — have taken their toll on Planned Parenthood. In its latest attempt at damage control, it decided it would no longer accept money in exchange for organs from fetuses killed via abortion.

Reactions have been predictable.

Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, says this removes any doubt about whether her organization “has a financial interest” in obtaining body parts.

David Daleiden, who created the videos, called the announcement an “admission of guilt.”

Both reactions, along with media coverage, have assumed that the central issue of the scandal was about how much money exchanged hands when Planned Parenthood provided body parts for research.

This is simply not true.