News and Good News

In a time of fake news and biased news, we should not lose sight of this reality -- the church is a product of the news.

The word "gospel" in the language of the New Testament means “good news.” Once the “good news” that God reconciles sinners to Himself through His Son's work has invaded our lives and brought us into Christ's church, we are able to see the news in light of this gospel.

We may not rejoice at all the news we read or hear. Some news should grieve us. Some news should anger us. Yet, the "good news" opens our eyes to understand God is doing all things in this world for His glory and for the good of His people. We may not understand God's ways as events unfold, but that does not diminish the fact He is working providentially to fulfill His purposes.

It is especially important to be aware of news that affects Christ's church or reflects the good or evil actions of human beings in the world. Beginning with this post, I will seek to provide some periodic posts that consist of brief introductions and links to such news. And in some cases, they may include an article I have written for Baptist Press.

Here is the news this time:

1. Terrorists continue to attack and kill Christians

Most of the attention in this country of late has been focused on terrorist attacks in Great Britain, but Islamic extremists have unleashed their violence on Christians recently in countries such as Egypt and the Philippines. See articles here and here.

2. Worst famine globally since World War II occurs in Africa

An estimated 20 million people in four countries -- Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen -- are at risk of dying of starvation. The cause of the famine is man-made, according to this report.

3. Sanders applies unconstitutional religious test to Christian

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont recently labeled a nominee to be deputy director of the White House Office of Management and Budget as an Islamaphobe for defending the biblical doctrine that salvation is only through Jesus. In opposing Russell Vought, the 2016 candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination used a religious test for office the U.S. Constitution forbids. Here is the article.

4. Planned Parenthood again shows abortion is its priority

Planned Parenthood, the country's leading abortion provider, demonstrated once again abortion is its main business. The organization's latest annual report showed it upped its abortion count by more than 4,000 while some other services for women fell and the money kept rolling in. Pro-lifers continue to call for federal defunding. See article here.