• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Current
  • Home
  • About
    • About Current
    • Masthead
  • Podcasts
  • Blogs
    • The Way of Improvement Leads Home
    • The Arena
  • Reviews
  • 🔎
  • Way of Improvement

Evangelical roundup for October 9, 2023

John Fea   |  October 9, 2023

First published in 1962 by Zondervan Publishing House

What is going on in Evangelical land?

The number of evangelicals who believe the “earth is in crisis” is dropping.

Italian evangelicals oppose the participation of the World Evangelical Alliance’s in a Vatican-sponsored prayer vigil.

Denver Seminary hosts a conference on Christian nationalism.

Evangelicals who champion a better border policy and compassion for immigrants.

Evangelicals support Pope Francis’s climate change exhortation.

An evangelical argues that progressives should be pro-life.

The story of an evangelical minister who cared for a deposed East German communist leader. Uwe Holmer has died.

Enrollment at Christian Reformed colleges and universities.

Shane grieves:

Let’s grieve each Palestinian life lost.
And let’s grieve each Israeli life lost.
Every human being is equally precious and made in the image of God.

Let’s do all we can to work for peace, and for justice.

— Shane Claiborne (@ShaneClaiborne) October 8, 2023

Shane shows us how to make a shovel out of a gun barrel:

I tell my evangelical friends that this is what a gun looks like when it gets “born again”! pic.twitter.com/4T7ozGm6ol

— Shane Claiborne (@ShaneClaiborne) October 7, 2023

The legacy of New Testament scholar D.A. Carson.

A New Jersey thrift store meets the spiritual needs of the community.

Russell Moore: Evangelicals should stand with Israel.

A win for an evangelical foster care agency.

Alabama Baptists bring aid and encouragement to Romanian Baptists.

GOP members of Congress fight to keep a German evangelical homeschooling family from deportation.

Evangelicalism on the rise in Brazil:

The growth of evangelicalism in Brazil: pic.twitter.com/22L3dGoCAi

— Daniel Silliman (@danielsilliman) October 6, 2023

Oral Roberts University recieves a $2.2. million grant from the Department of Education to help at-risk students.

Evangelical theologian Roger Olson: Christians should not legislate morality.

Loren Cunningham, the founder of Youth With A Mission (YWAM), has died. Rick Warren responds:

Early this morning, another spiritual giant, Loren Cunningham, founder of YWAM -Youth With A Mission passed into glory. I'll write later about my dear, compassionate friend, coworker, Great Commission visionary & inspiration to millions. "Well done, good & faithful servant!" pic.twitter.com/W6gjGtkn4N

— Rick Warren (@RickWarren) October 6, 2023

Rick Warren remembers Calvary Chapel founder Chuck Smith.

J.D. Greear on Tim Keller.

The National Association of Evangelicals on defending democracy.

Blast from the past:

More evangelicals behaving badly.

Southern Baptists continue to criticize Atlanta-area megachurch pastor Andy Stanley and his Unconditional Conference for LGBTQ parents and pastors. Charlie Kirk is also weighing-in:

Andy Stanley and Pope Francis are both falling into the same heretical trap that has ensnared countless Christian leaders for centuries: Thinking they can win people by conceding everything, and saying what the weakest people want to hear.

Both of them will get the same result…

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) October 6, 2023

Preston Sprinkle on Andy Stanley’s approach to LGBTQ issues.

Tom Buck: Stanley’s soul is in danger:

It is vital that we expose this dangerous false teaching of Andy Stanley. Not only does it put Andy’s soul in danger but the souls of the thousands who could follow his apostasy.https://t.co/aDKVNwEk6Q

— Tom Buck (Five Point Buck) (@TomBuck) October 3, 2023

Faith & Freedom Coalition responds to the Hamas attacks on Israel:

"The full extent of this morning’s invasion by Hamas in Israel is still not known. But the days and weeks ahead are likely to be difficult for Israel and its supporters. Together, we must work to ensure the Jewish state has what it needs to protect itself…

— Faith & Freedom (@FaithandFreedom) October 7, 2023

"…and we must make it abundantly clear to the world that the United States stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our friends. The United States must stand with our ally Israel as it rightfully takes action to protect its citizens."

— Faith & Freedom (@FaithandFreedom) October 7, 2023

Ralph Reed is apparently working for the Dave McCormick for PA Senate campaign. Also, is a call for peace “an embarrassment?”

An embarrassment. https://t.co/jRHg0xgCR6

— Ralph Reed (@ralphreed) October 7, 2023

Paula White is praying for Israel:

"I want to come to you during this urgent time and call you to prayer, as we stand with Israel." -Paula
WATCH: https://t.co/VCZ5wbIfrV

— Paula White-Cain (@Paula_White) October 8, 2023

Trump court journalist David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network makes the case for Israel:

Why supporting Israel is America First:

1) Genesis 12:3 explains how God promised Abram a land, a nation, and a blessing. “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” America is blessed…

— David Brody (@DBrodyReports) October 8, 2023

Here is Brody’s entire tweet:

Why supporting Israel is America First: 1) Genesis 12:3 explains how God promised Abram a land, a nation, and a blessing. “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” America is blessed because they have blessed Israel. It’s that simple. Walking away from Israel is walking away from God’s promise. This is a crucial SPIRITUAL element. We discount it at our peril.

2)America and Israel share many of the same enemies especially a Muslim Middle East dominated by the hatred of America and Israel. Remember, you often see violent mobs burning both American and Israeli flags side by side in the Islamic world. We are in this together. Israel is considered, “The Little Satan.” America is, “The Great Satan.”

3) Israel holds up its end of the bargain when it comes to defending itself. In 2020, Israel spent 5.6 percent of its GDP on defense, compared to 2.2 percent in Britain, 2.1 percent in France and 1.4 percent in Germany. Bottom line: Israel does more, and asks less than many other American allies.

4) Israel is a better, more trustworthy, and more useful ally than most of the NATO countries.

5) We need Israel’s democracy in the crazy Muslim hotbed of hatred. Without Israel around, Arab Nations would be warring with each other over the land, leading to a total destabilization of the regime and with that comes a major risk to American National Security and Economic interests. Israel continues to help the United States deal with traditional security threats. Let’s remember: the countries share intelligence on terrorism, nuclear proliferation, etc.

And this:

Every single person who calls himself or herself a Born-Again Christian should be standing with Israel at this moment. Full stop. No qualifiers. The Abrahamic Covenant stands. https://t.co/8Q26iJSH4B

— David Brody (@DBrodyReports) October 8, 2023

Brody is also retweeting “the great” Stephen Miller:

Read all of this from the great @StephenM https://t.co/F8Ov4xsm6q

— David Brody (@DBrodyReports) October 8, 2023

Lance is prophesying about Israel and the Middle East:

Is this WWIII? Israel at war. pic.twitter.com/tOdcwBvwSj

— Lance Wallnau (@lancewallnau) October 8, 2023

Samuel Rodriguez weighs-in:

Hamas is the new ISIS and must be stopped! We call upon all Christians and people of faith to pray for Israel. We call upon the US government to provide all the support Israel requires in order to secure a victorious outcome and eradicate Hamas once and for all.

— Samuel Rodriguez (@nhclc) October 8, 2023

Calling up on all pastors and leaders to pray for the peace and security of Israel. Join the Congress of Christian Leaders, the NHCLC and others who will take time from our respective Sunday church service schedule to pray for Israel.

— Samuel Rodriguez (@nhclc) October 7, 2023

I’m guessing this trip will be canceled:

Will you join me in Israel? https://t.co/7deH0Ylw7B

— David Barton (@DavidBartonWB) September 24, 2023

The PR guy who organized Trump’s court evangelicals:

When 9/11 happened, the Prime Minister of Israel was also @netanyahu & he famously said “today, we are all Americans.”

Now, we Americans say: we are all Israelis.

No question: @Israel is strong & will win this battle.

And 🇺🇸 help is on the way. https://t.co/DtkSGEUwYF pic.twitter.com/sD5x52eEOk

— Rev. Johnnie Moore ن (@JohnnieM) October 9, 2023

The Rev. Johnnie Moore has issued an emergency call to prayer "for the peace and security of Israel."

"Churches all over the world will gather this weekend standing with Israel and dedicating time to pray for Israel," he said.https://t.co/fORZeSboPN

— Rev. Johnnie Moore ن (@JohnnieM) October 8, 2023

Gary Bauer:

This is an attack by Iran. Iran owns Hamas, and Hamas it is attacking Israel. Why now? Because Biden just gave Iran billions for hostages. So, Hamas is attacking Israel and taking hostages. There would NOT be happening if Donald Trump were president.https://t.co/NfwZpOpEht

— Gary L Bauer (@GaryLBauer) October 7, 2023

Tony Perkins gets political:

Pray for the state of Israel, the region, and all those who could be emboldened worldwide to cause further havoc. And pray for America. It is hard not to connect this attack on Israel to the current chaos in Congress and lack of leadership from the White House. Israel’s…

— Tony Perkins (@tperkins) October 7, 2023

Christian Zionist John Hagee:

Israel is under attack. Please watch this urgent prayer request from Pastor John Hagee. pic.twitter.com/zY6bDmRXpw

— Pastor John Hagee (@PastorJohnHagee) October 7, 2023

Ed Stetzer:

https://twitter.com/edstetzer/status/1710603049847181668

Ken Buck and Matt Gaetz, two right-wing members of Congress who voted to oust Kevin McCarthy, just recieved awards from the Family Research Council.

A “Bible thumper” is running for mayor of Franklin, Tennessee.

Conservative evangelicals are gaining power on Saskatchewan school boards.

Trump-supporting Robert Jeffress continues to push a book on the 10 Commandments as the answer for a nation that has “lost its way”:

Without boundaries, freedom turns into chaos. The Ten Commandments are our boundaries, but we must choose to stay inside them. I explore these invitations to live a blessed life in The 10: How to Live and Love in a World that Has Lost Its Way.
Order nowhttps://t.co/ggUOZiwgbg pic.twitter.com/7tLPfXmQRt

— Dr. Robert Jeffress (@robertjeffress) October 6, 2023

Expect to see the name Joel Rosenberg a lot in evangelical media this week. He is where a lot of pro-Israel evangelicals go for news about the Middle East:

For all who want onsite updates and commentary on the war on terror follow @JoelCRosenberg and @all_israel_news https://t.co/0TJ3udTvi0

— Jack Graham (@jackngraham) October 7, 2023

Franklin Graham on Israel:

I joined @Greta Van Susteren on her @Newsmax special report this afternoon about the devastating attack on Israel. I encourage everyone to #pray for peace. Take just a few minutes to watch… pic.twitter.com/HLijTFogBb

— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) October 8, 2023

Jack Hibbs seems to have the Israeli war all figured out:

Rare praise from Huckabee for the Biden administration:

I'm grateful for the unequivocal position of the Biden Administration to stand w/ @Israel & @IsraeliPM & America should be united in support of our ally Israel against the savage & cowardly assault against innocent civilians by Hamas & Palestinian terrorists. https://t.co/0khfPuLf4p

— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) October 7, 2023

Megachurch pastor Greg Lauri’e’s new film is a documentary about Alice Cooper, Darryl Strawberry, Steve McQueen, and Johnny Cash.

Eric Metaxas and Greg Locke talk about casting out demons:

Jack Hibbs is worried about an “AI thing” getting “possessed by a demonic spirit.”

Apparently Kenneth Copeland needs a new jet.

What’s wrong with making kids brush?:

No kidding. Front page political news in today’s edition of The Times (London). pic.twitter.com/SUDkUzcGWh

— Albert Mohler (@albertmohler) October 6, 2023

Jim Wallis on Columbus Day: Christopher Columbus was a white Christian nationalist.

“He Gets Us” billboards in Chicago:

https://twitter.com/edstetzer/status/1710845945716392237

Sean Feucht is still not happy about John MacArthur’s “cessationist” conference.

Filed Under: Way of Improvement Tagged With: Evangelical roundup, evangelicalism

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Richard says

    October 9, 2023 at 7:33 pm

    Hello.
    I was suprised and saddened to see the banner promoting the work of John Walvoord.
    As an adolescent his brand of prophecy and theology was a staple in the church and parachurch exposure I received.
    In college and seminary I learned enough of biblical studies and the history of theology to learn–and accept–that dispensationalism was/is not rooted in biblical and historical contexts.
    In recent decades it has become a dangerous subtext for certain political activists.
    Every crisis in the Middle East fans the embers of apocalyptic fervor that has zero relevance for a healthy, honest theology (and ethic).

  2. John Fea says

    October 9, 2023 at 9:35 pm

    Hi Richard. I was not promoting Walvoord by any means. If you have followed the roundup, you know that I approach the opening image and the “Blast from the past” as a historian might. Do you think Walvoord should remain absent from the history of American evangelical views of foreign policy?