The Christian Post Magazine - August 2022

AUG2022 MAGAZINE VOL3 AUGUST2022|VOLUME3 MAGAZINE FemalelawmakerwhoauthoredMississippi's abortion ban reveals FormerMuslimoffersadvice onsharingtheGospelina WHAT'SNEXTIN hostile world Afghanistan'sfirst female mayorsays APOST-ROE Talibaniswaging'genocide'against WORLD minoritygroups Atthesecolleges,the chapelsstandout 25/ 16/FROMAFORMERMUSLIM: ADVICEONSHARINGTHEGOSPEL IN A HOSTILE WORLD 34/AFGHANISTAN'SFIRSTFEMALE FEMALELAWMAKERWHOAUTHORED MAYORSAYSTALIBANISWAGING MISSISSIPPI'S ABORTIONBANREVEALS 'GENOCIDE'AGAINSTMINORITYGROUP What'sNextin 50/ATTHESECOLLEGES,THE CHAPELSSTANDOUT APost-RoeWorld

FROMTHEEDITORS VOLUME 3 62002ndStreetNW Washington, DC 20011 nother school year is upon us. As we dream of EDITORIAL crisp autumn days, football games and walking Executive Editor: Richard Land through a scattering of colorful fall leaves on AA Senior Managing Editor: John Grano sidewalks, The Christian Post’s reporters and ManagingEditor: Melissa Barnhart contributors bring you, our loyal readers, inspiring stories from home and abroad. PRINTMAGAZINE Print editions of The Christian Post magazine will Welookaheadatwhat’snextaftertheU.S.SupremeCourt’s beavailable only in the USA. Visit ruling in a Mississippi abortion case and its decision to ChristianPost.com/magazine for more information. overturn Roe v. Wade, allowing each state the opportunity to craft its own laws on the matter. Reporter Samantha Kamman PERMISSIONS interviewed the female lawmaker and nurse who authored the TheChristian Post welcomes churches and other bill that made history in the abortion battle. You’ll want to learn nonprofit organization visitors to make fair use of moreaboutherandwhatcomesnext,too(p.25�. the Content as defined by copyright law. Information on United States copyright fair use If your fall plans include visiting your child's college on parents' law is available from the United States Copyright Office. Please note that you are responsible for weekend,youwon'twanttomissatourofthecampuschapel. determining whether your use is fair and for CP’s travel reporter Dennis Lennox offers a short list of chapels responding to any claims that may arise from your you’ll want to add to your travel itinerary whether you’re a use. student or not. In addition, The Christian Post allows personal, educational, and other non-commercial uses of Religious freedom and freedom of speech and thought are also the Content for churches and other non-profit organi- zation visitors on the following terms: You woventhroughoutthis issue with Ryan Foley’s interviews with mustcite the author and source of the Content as outspoken NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom and Azra Jafari, youwouldusefromanyprintedwork;Youmust the first female mayor of a town in Afghanistan. We also delve also cite and link to The Christian Post Website as into the horrors of being held captive by radical Islamic the source of the Content; You may not remove anycopyright, trademark, or other proprietary militants in Ian Giatti’s interview with Alexandre Goodarzy, a notices including attribution information, credits, teacher who wrote a book about his abduction in Iraq. andnotices, that are placed in or near the text, images, or data; and You must comply with all Weinvite you to immerse yourself in these stories and terms or restrictions other than copyright (such as encourage you to share CP magazine with your friends and trademark, publicity and privacy rights, or family. You can support CP and our award-winning journalism contractual restrictions) as may be specified in the metadata or as may otherwise apply to the in a variety of ways which you can learn more about in this Content. issue. TheChristian Post allows commercial uses of its articles with limitations. Visit our website for �CPEditors additional Permissions. SUBMISSIONS SUPPORTourmissionwithapaidsubscriptiontoCPMagazine Articles submitted to The Christian Post should be madeonlineatChristianPost.com/voice/signup or [email protected]. Responsibility for FOLLOWoursocialmediaaccounts(Facebook,Instagram, accuracy in articles rests solely on the author YouTube, Apple News, Google News, Smart News, Flipboard, and/ or the source of information. Telegram, Gettr) SUBSCRIBEtoandSHAREournewsletterswithyourfamily CONNECT andfriends Website: ChristianPost.com Facebook: facebook.com/ChristianPost.Intl Twitter: twitter.com/ChristianPost Instagram: instagram.com/christianpostintl 2 VOLIII AUG2022

C O N T E N T S So. Baptists denounce prosperity 04 gospel as ‘false teaching’ in resolution at annual meeting Americans prefer churches with 07 namesthatare nondenominational: study 106Florida churches sue United 08 Methodist Church over disaffiliation process SeanFeuchtidentifies 4 key 10 issues the Church must boldly address in secular culture 37 Fox News’ shameful promotion of 12 transgender horrors Sentient AI� A step toward the 14 transcendent machine? 'Entire diocese shattered'� Christian actor Zachary Levi says 28 46 Nigerian bishop calls on world to faith helped him overcome FromaformerMuslim:Adviceon act after Pentecost Sunday suicidal thoughts, forgive abusive 16 sharing the Gospel in a hostile massacre mom(exclusive) world Evangelical charity offering long- 'Kidnapped in Iraq'� Christian aid 32 48 Cultural ‘awareness’ but not woke term solutions amid Africa's worker recounts his 66-day 19 warrior devastating drought abduction by Islamic militants Afghanistan's first female mayor 34 says Taliban is waging 'genocide' 10 reactions to overturning Roe v. 20 against minority group Wade:Michelle Obama ‘heartbroken’; Rick Warren says ‘Thank you’ Christian band We the Kingdom 37 Femalelawmakerwhoauthored believes in miracles of God 25 Mississippi's abortion ban reveals despite experience with church what's next in a post-Roe world abuse CeCeWinans,LaurenDaigleurge 40 Christians to answer God's call: 'He sends the ones who are available' Actor Dave Coulier shares how 42 alcohol addiction affected his At these colleges, the chapels 50 spirituality, entire life stand out 'Jerry and Marge Go Large' tells 44 NBAplayerEnesKanterFreedom uplifting true story of couple who 26 shares the cost of his human legally cracks lottery, transform rights advocacy small town Christianpost.com 3

C H U R C H E S SO.BAPTISTSDENOUNCE PROSPERITYGOSPELAS ‘FALSETEACHING’ in resolution at annual meeting BYBRANDONSHOWALTER outhernBaptists pastorofStorylineChurchinArvada, said,describingNewAgeteachingsas adoptedaresolution Colorado,saidtheconventionhas the"fuel"onwhichtheprosperity S rejectingtheprosperity neverbeforespokenformallyonthe gospelacts. gospel,callingitfalse issue. Inresponse,Englishsaidthatwhile teachinganddistortionof "We'veneverspokenclearlyasa NewAgeideasareimportantto Scripture,particularlyregardingJesus bodyclearlyabouttheprosperity addressasaconvention,theyfeltitwas Christ'satoningworkonthecross. gospelintheformofaresolution," importanttospeakdistinctlytoonly AssembledinAnaheim,California, Englishsaid. theprosperitygospelinthisresolution. forthedenomination'sannual ALouisianapastormotionedfrom TheamendmenttoaddtheNewAge meeting,messengerspassed thefloortoamendthelanguageinthe languagewasvoteddown. Resolution2,whichdefinesthe definitionof"prosperitygospel,"to Theresolutioncondemningthe prosperitygospelasthebeliefthat remove"andsicknessandpoverty"and prosperitygospelwasadoptedwiththe "Jesus'sacrificialandatoningdeath add"ofsuffering,sickness,and overwhelmingsupportofthe grantsbelievershealth,wealthandthe poverty,"givenhowtheremovalof messengers. removalofsicknessandpoverty." sufferingistetheredtotheprosperity Theresolutionresolvesthat"God Theresolutiondeclaresthatthis gospel.Theamendedlanguagewas andGodaloneisourhighestgoodand theologyrepresentsadistortionof acceptedandseenasahelpful oursupremetreasure,nothealth, "biblicalgenerosity,"exploits clarification.Theamendmentwas wealth,ortheremovalofsickness"and vulnerablepeopleandblamespeople approvedwithunanimousconsent. that"ourconfidenceisinoureternal whoaresickforlackoffaithwhile Anamendmentwasalsooffered inheritancepurchasedthroughthe corruptingabiblicalunderstandingof fromthefloortoadd"andNewAge workofChristandisguaranteedbythe suffering. beliefsandpractices"toeachsection indwellingworkoftheHolySpirit." Theresolutionassertsthat denouncingtheprosperitygospel Separateresolutionsaffirmingthe Christiansareto"guardagainstfalse becauseitistiedtotheideathatGod importanceofthemissionfieldinrural teaching,tobewareoffalseprophets "wantsustobehappyandhealthyand Americaandcallingforanendtothe whocometousinsheep'sclothingbut wealthyonthisearth."Criticscontend warinUkrainewerealsoadoptedby inwardlyareravenous theideaemploysapaganideologyto messengersTuesday. wolves,andtoguardtheintegrityof seethosethingscomeintobeing. Theannualmeetingofthelargest Scripture." "TheycomefromAfrican,pagan ProtestantdenominationintheUnited Speakingfromthestageduringthe practices,fromvoodooism,"the StateswasheldJune12-15. debateonresolutions,J.T.English,a messengerproposingtheamendment 4 VOLIII AUG2022

GNLisauniversal video platform providing FREE high-quality, faith-relevant, uplifting videos appropriate for the whole family. Start watching at www.gnli.com Christianpost.com 5

▼ Churchdoors|Gettyimages 6 VOLIII AUG2022

Americans prefer churches WITHNAMESTHATARE NONDENOMINATIONAL:STUDY BYLEONARDOBLAIR ncontinuationofa “Churchnamesvarygreatly,”Scott frominstitutionalizedreligion.They culturalshift McConnell,executivedirectorof don’tnecessarilylikethe I researchershave LifewayResearch,saidinastatement. denominationalbrand,”Veldmansaid. previouslydocumented “NamesincludingSt.Peter,Trinity, “Thentherearepeoplewhoareso asagrowingrejectionof CrossroadsandPresbyterianreflect muchnotintoinstitutionsthatthey’re organizedreligion,anewstudyfrom biblicalpeople,theology,modern leavingchurchesaltogether.Theymay LifewayResearchshowsAmericans imageryorreferencestothebranchof still bereligious,butthey’renot areleastlikelytodismisschurches Christianitythechurchistiedto.Most brandedasnondenominational. peoplehavepreexistingimpressionsof Theonlinestudyof1,005Americans denominationalgroupswhentheysee “I think people are moving conductedSept.3-14,2021,usinga theminachurchnameordescription.” awayfrominstitutionalized nationalpre-recruitedpanel,shows PewResearchanalysispublishedin thatonly33%ofU.S.adultsassumed 2015showedthatsince2007,the religion. They don’t thatachurchisnotforthemwhenthe shareofEvangelicalProtestantswho termnondenominationalisreflectedin identifywithBaptistdenominations necessarily like the thename. shrankfrom41%to36%.Theshareof denominational brand.” Forchurcheswiththeterm Evangelicalsidentifyingwith Pentecostal,morethanhalf,51%,of nondenominationalchurchesalsogrew respondentsassumedthechurch from13%to19%overtheperiod. wouldnotbeforthem.Sevenother In2017,aGallupstudyshowedhow attendingchurch.” denominationstriggeredasimilar Americanswereincreasinglychoosing MattMorton,ateachingpastorat responsewithinarangeof8%orless. tonotidentifywithanyChristian GraceBibleChurchCreeksidein Some47%ofrespondentssaid denominationorreligion.Thestudy CollegeStation,Texas,saidmany churcheswiththetermMethodistor foundthattheshareofAmericanswho peoplewhoattendnondenominational Lutheranwouldnotbeforthem,while identifywithaspecificProtestant churchesoftenreportthemselvesas 48%ofthemsaidthesamefor denominationfellfrom50%in2000to beingreligiously“unaffiliated,”and churcheswiththetermCatholicinthe 30%in2016. theyareoftenincludedinresearchas name.Forchurchnameswiththe RobinVeldman,TexasA&M “nones”alongwithatheistsand termsSouthernBaptistor assistantprofessorofreligious agnostics. Presbyterian,anequal46%of studies,explainedinareportinThe “Youhavethisincreasein respondentsassumedthosechurches Battalionthattheattitudeof millennialswhosaytheydon’tbelong wouldnotbeforthem.Some46%of Americanstowardnondenominational anywhereinparticular,”Mortonsaid. respondentsrejectedchurcheswiththe churchesispartlyareflectionofthe “Thosepeoplearenotsayingthey’re termAssembliesofGodinthename, movementawayfromorganized totallyirreligious.Someofthemare while43%saidchurcheswiththe religion,particularlyamongyounger saying,‘Iamreligious.Idoliketogoto Baptistlabelattachedwouldnotbefor generations. church,butIdon’tfitwithinanyofthe them. “Ithinkpeoplearemovingaway boxes.’” Christianpost.com 7

forLife&Liberty,whichalsoprovided TheChristianPostwithacopyofthe lawsuit. NCLLCFOJonathanBailietoldCP 106 inaninterviewthathebelieves"the paymentsthattheFloridaAnnual Florida churches sue Conferenceisrequiringthemtopayis inequitableandonerous." "Thereasonthelawsuitwasfiled UnitedMethodist wasthatthe106churchesbelievedthat theFloridaAnnualConferenceisnot Churchover beingequitableincreatingasplitthat they'reabletosuccessfullyministerin disaffiliation process thecommunitiesfortheGospel,"said Bailie. BYMICHAELGRYBOSKI "Thechurchesarefrustratedwith theannualconference'sviolationsof theBookofDisciplineandrefusalto honortheTraditionalPlanasoutlined inthe2019GeneralConference." Bailiewasreferringtothe2019 specialsessionoftheUMCGeneral Conference,whichpassedaproposal knownasthe"TraditionalPlan."The proposalreaffirmedthe denomination'soppositionto homosexualityandsame-sexmarriage ver100congregations andunappealable." whilealsoattemptingtostreamlinethe inFloridahavesueda Theplaintiffsalsocontendthatthe disaffiliationprocessfor OregionalbodyofThe UMCBookofDiscipline,whichisthe congregations. UnitedMethodist denomination'scentralrulebook, AFloridaConferencespokesperson Church,believingthey allowsforthemto"amicably directedCPtoanopenletterthat arenotbeinggivenfair disaffiliate,"citingSection2548.2. BishopKenCartersenttothe termsforleavingthesecond-largest GraceUnitedMethodistChurchof membersoftheregionalbody,inwhich denominationintheUnitedStates Lawtey,theleadplaintiff,believesit hesaidhewas"deeplygrievedby"the amiditsschismoverhomosexuality. shouldnothavetopaytosecureits lawsuit."Wehavebeentryingto Atotalof106congregationsfiled propertybecauseitpurchasedthe engagethosechurchesinthatprocess suitagainsttheUMCFloridaAnnual propertylongbeforetheUMCwas buttheyhaverefusedtofollowthat ConferenceintheCircuitCourtforthe foundedin1968. processchoosingtofilethislawsuit EighthJudicialCircuitinandfor "TheAnnualConferencehastaken instead,"wroteCarter. BradfordCounty,CivilDivision. thepositionthatitisentitledtokeep "Weaskthat,despitetheirhaste, Aspecificissueinthelawsuitishow theGraceUMCProperty—whichwas thesegroupsseekingtobreakawaylive thedepartingcongregationsare ownedandpaidforbyGraceUMClong uptotheresponsibilitiesestablished requiredtopaytheconferencea"sum beforeTheUMCandtheAnnual bytheGeneralConferencein2019,and ofmoney"toretaincontroloftheir Conferenceeverexisted—unless thattheynotcausepain,damageor churchproperties. GraceUMCpaysasubstantial disparageotherUnitedMethodist Thecomplaintallegesthatthis paymentofmoneyasunilaterally churches,othermembersintheir payment"isdeterminedinthe determinedbytheAnnualConference churchesorotherpastors,orthe discretionoftheaforementioned Defendant,"thesuitstates. Conference." parties,andisalwayssubstantialand GraceUMCandtheotherchurches Cartercautionedagainst"anabrupt oftenprohibitive,yetnonnegotiable arerepresentedbytheNationalCenter separation"likewhathebelievedthe 8 VOLIII AUG2022

churcheswanted,writingthatit divisivedebateoverwhethertochange grouptheWesleyanCovenant "createssignificantissuesthatcould itsofficialstancelabeling Associationannouncedthat107 damagebenefitsandpensionsfor homosexuality"incompatiblewith churcheswereplanningtoleavethe retiredpastorsandtheirspouseswho Christianteaching." FloridaConference,representing devotedtheirlivestoservice." AlthoughtheUMChasconsistently around20%ofthememberchurchesof "Inallthis,ouroverarchinggoalisto voteddowneffortstochangeitsstance, theregionalbody. movethroughthisprocessinaspirit theologicallyliberalmembersand Thedepartingcongregationsintend wherewecansupport,blessandlove clergyhaveoftenrefusedtoenforcethe toaffiliatewiththenewlylaunched eachother,"headded. BookofDisciplinepositiononthe GlobalMethodistChurch,whichis "Atenetofourfaithisthatwe issue. meanttobeaconservativealternative embraceaChurchbuiltinloving Frustrationsovertheendlessdebate totheUMC. relationshipsratherthanuniformityin andrefusalofsomeUMCofficialsto thoughtandaction.AsJohnWesleyis enforcetheruleshavepromptedmany quoted,'thoughwecannotthinkalike, theologicallyconservativechurchesto ▲ TheheadquartersforTheFloridaConferenceof TheUnitedMethodistChurchislocatedinLakeland, maywenotlovealike?'" seekdismissalfromthedenomination. Florida. | The Florida Conference of the United TheUMChasbeenembroiledina InMay,theconservativeMethodist Methodist Church/Don Youngs Christianpost.com 9

SEANFEUCHTIDENTIFIES 4KEYISSUES THECHURCHMUST BOLDLYADDRESS INSECULARCULTURE BYLEAHMARIEANNKLETT 10 VOLIII AUG2022

◀ SeanFeuchtandfamilyontheLetus family,Feuchtsaid,adding:"Theroot spectrumofresponses,frompraiseto Worship Tour, Washington, DC 2022 | ofallofourissuesinsociety,whether scorn,asdocumentedinthe OnMessagePublicStrategies it's crimeorwhetherit'scorruptionor forthcomingfilm"Superspreader," evengoingbacktotheidentityissues,a releasingSept.29.Andnow,he'sona lotofitcomesdowntofatherlessness, missiontobringboldnessbackintothe andwe'renotaddressingthattheroot Church,atopichetacklesinhislatest vangelistSeanFeucht causeofthebreakdowninsocietyisthe book,Bold:MovingForwardinFaith, haschallengedthe family." NotFear. E Churchtoaddressfour "Healthyfamiliesbuildhealthy Hecontendedthatmanychurch keyissueshebelieves communities,whichbuildhealthy leadersfailtoaddresscomplexissues arekeytocombatingan nations,"hesaid."Godhasadivine duetoa"secularizationoftheChurch" increasinglysecularizedcultureand prescriptionforallofthat." andsecularhumanismthathascrept lamentedthelackofcouragemany Finally,theChurchneedstoaddress intotheBodyofChrist. churchleadersexhibitinthefaceof repentance,Feuchtsaid. "We'vebecomeseeker-friendly;we socialpressure. "We'renotreallytalkingabout don'twanttorufflefeathers.We've InaninterviewwithTheChristian repentance,"hestressed."Wedoaltar becomepowerless.Ourmeetingsand Post,the38-year-oldworshipleader callsalloverAmericaandwecallout gatheringsaremorelikeChristian reflectedonsomeoftheissueshe sin.Weseepeoplesetfreefromtheir clubsandlessliketheecclesia,whichis believespastorsandchurchleaders shameandtheiraddiction,and therulingbodygovernment,"Feucht mustaddressboldly,startingwiththe Americaisaddictedrightnowto said. overturningofRoev.Wade. opioids.Americansareaddictedto "Wehavetogobacktothe "Ithinkthatthechurch'sresponseto drugs,tofentanyl,toprescription foundationsoftheChurch.'Onthis thedecisiontooverturnRoev.Wade,it meds,andweneedtostartcalling rock,onthisEcclesia,Iwillbuildmy wasahorribleresponse,"Feuchtsaid. thosepeopleout.Peoplewanttoget Church,'notonthiscoolChristianclub "Ithinkpeopleshouldhavebeen free.Wegottoremindthemhowthey thatappealstoculture.We'reallowing celebratingandthankGodthatthis50- theChurchtobedefinedbyculture yearprayerthatwe'vebeenaskingfor, insteadoftheChurchdefiningculture. thereversingofthisdeathdecree,there We'vereallyboughtintoapowerless "Wehavetogobackto shouldhavebeenawholelotmore gospel,andwe'reseeingtheeffectsofit the foundations of the praiseandawholelotmorethanksand rightnowacrossAmerica.We'vegotto awholelotmorepointingtoGod's getbacktowhotheChurchisandwhat Church … We've got to faithfulness." it's calledtobe." Second,Feucht,afatheroffour, TheBible,Feuchtadded,hasan get back to who the lamentedthattheChurch"isn'treally "answerforeverycontroversialissue," Church is and what it's addressing"genderconfusionand fromreligiouslibertytoabortion.He sexualidentity. challengedpastorsandchurchleaders called to be." "We'reallowingourkidstobe toaddresssuchtopicsfromthepulpit, sexualizedbyculture.We'renotclearly evenifitmeansoffendingsome definingwhatamanandwhata candothat." listeners. womanisandthebeautyofGod's Feuchtisnostrangertoruffling "TheBibleshowsusclearlywhereto divinedesign." feathers.Abouttwoyearsago,when stand,"hesaid."Andifweeverneed TheformerBethelworshipleader Californiacrackeddownonchurch truthtellersandBibleandpeopleto revealedthathisrecently-released gatheringsinresponsetothe speakthetruthofGod'sword,itisright song,"ImagoDei,"wasbirthedoutofa COVID-19pandemic,hebroughthis now.We'vegottospeaktotheheartof desiretoshowGod'sheartforboththe "LetUsWorship"concertstonearly theculturalissuesbecausenopointin unbornandHisdivinedesignfor 200citiesacrosstheU.S.asawayfor Scripturedoweseethedisciplesor humanity.Thechorusincludesthe peopletoworshiptogether. Jesussaying,'Well,actually,Idon't lines,"ImagoDei,I'mfearfullyand Hisdecisiontoholdevangelistic wanttotalkaboutthatbecauseit's wonderfullymade/ImagoDei,there's eventsindefianceofpublichealth political.No,actually,becauseit's gloryinallYoucreate." ordersduringthepandemicmade political,weshouldtalkaboutitmore TheChurchalsomustaddressthe mediaheadlinesandelicitedabroad weshouldbringacleardividingline." Christianpost.com 11

O P I N I O N FoxNews’shamefulpromotionof TRANSGENDER HORRORS BYBRANDONSHOWALTER oxNews'shameful promotionofthetrans- FF ingofachildina purportedlyfamily- friendlylightin celebrationofpridemonthhas outrageditsviewers,manyofwhom areChristian. "America'sNewsroom"hostDana Perinointroducedviewerstoa Californiafamilyandtheirtrans- identifyingteenager,agirlclaimingto beaboynamedRyland.Fox correspondentBryanLlenasfeatured theirstory,sayingtransissuesare being"politicized"andthat"peopleare afraidofwhattheydonotunderstand." notonlyleadstostuntedbonegrowth youngas16areundergoing Thisparticularfamilyclaimstobeboth butwhencombinedwithcross-sex vaginoplasties.Thatparticularsurgery Christianandconservativeandwanted hormones,italmostcertainly requirestheremovaloftheboy’s toinspireotherswiththeirjourneyof guaranteespermanentsterility.They genitalsandthecarvingofacavityin acceptingtheirtrans-identifiedchild, arealsohorrifiedtodiscoverthatwhen hiscrotchthatmustthenbedilated whoreportedlystartedshowingsigns youngfemalestakesynthetic regularlyinordertoremainopen. ofgenderconfusionataveryyoung testosteroneforafewyearsitleadsto Surgeonsroutinelyuseaswatchof age. uterineatrophyandtheywilllikely boweltissueinanattempttomakethe Havingdiligentlycoveredthese needaprophylactichysterectomy.I’ve boy’snetherregionslooklikefemale issuesforoverfiveyearsatThe personallywatchedthecolordrain privateanatomy. ChristianPost,themanipulationwas frompeople’sfaceswhenItellthem Therisingnumbersofyoung hardformetostomach.Anyonewho howsurgeonsareharvestingforearm “detransitioner”maleswhoregret hasbeenpayingattentiontothese tissuefromtroubledyoungwomento undergoingthesegruesome issueshascometoexpectthiskindof fashionnon-functionalpenises. procedurespostonsiteslikeReddit deceptionfromlegacymediabutitwas Youngmalesarebeingensnaredin andTwittertoexplainhowthe stunningtoseeitonFoxNews. thistoo.AsDr.MarciBowers,adoctor operationleftthemmiserableand Indeed,mostpeopleintheWestare whohasperformedthousandsoftrans mutilatedand,unlikeanactualvagina, scandalizedwhentheylearnthatwhen surgeriesadmittedtoMattWalshin thesurgically-createdcavityfillswith childrenareprescribedhormone hisrecenteye-openingdocumentary fecalbacteria. blockerstohalttheirnaturalpubertyit film"WhatisaWoman?"boysas Butyou’llneverknowaboutanyof 12 VOLIII AUG2022

AsadistressedNewJerseymomput it to merecently,andthisisa paraphrase:“IusedtodespiseTucker CarlsonandFoxNewsbutIappreciate himandthatchannelnowbecause they’rejustabouttheonlyones stickingupformygender-confused kid.” Lastnight,duringaninterviewwith IrreversibleDamageauthorAbigail Shrier,Carlsonshowedaclipfroman upcomingTuckerCarlsonOriginals documentaryhighlightingthehorrors ofexperimentalgendermedicalization. DareweaskifFoxNewsisputting outatrialballoonbypromotingthe transmovementonitsdaytimeand weekendnewsshowsorisit insidiouslystrong-armingitsaudience intogoingalongwiththismadness undertheguiseoftolerance? Toanyonereadingthis,but especiallytotheproducersatFox News,myquestiontoyouisthis:How manyistoomany? Howmanychildren,teenagersand youngadultshavetowindupsterile, withdestroyedsexualfunction,brittle bones,fracturedpsyches,and surgicallydisfiguredbodies?How manyareyouwillingtotoleratebefore thisifyouconsumeonlylegacyand watchingasSweden,Finland,the yourethinkwhatyou’vedonewiththat corporatemedia. U.K.,France,(andtoalesserdegree monstrouslymanipulativesegment? Meanwhile,desperateparentsare AustraliaandNewZealand)urge Andhowmanyofyouaregoingtogo imploringjournalistsatprominent greatercautionandmoveawayfrom alongwiththedemandsofthePRIDE publicationstocoverthisburgeoning thiscontroversialtreatmentprotocol crowdjusttoshowthatyou’resocially medicalscandal.Theyarewatchingin whiletheU.S.andCanadaappeartobe acceptable?Youdorealizethatsomeof anguishasteachers,counselorsand proceedingfull-speedwiththeseBig themoststrenuouscriticsofthis therapistsbrainwashandinducethe Pharma-enrichingexperiments. ideologyareradicalfeminists,many slow-motiondissociationoftheir Havingengagedwithcountless gaymenandlesbians,andotherardent children.Andtheyarewatchingas parentsonthisissue,Icantellyouthat Left-wingers,no? endocrinologistsinducethechemical theylovetheirchildrenandwoulddie It’sanationaldisgracethatanyof disintegrationoftheirchildren. forthem.Someoftheseparentsare theseexperimentalgenderpractices Theyarewatchingastheyare veryliberalpoliticallyandneverbefore havebeenallowedtohappentoone referredtoasunsupportiveorbigoted watchedFoxNewsuntilthismadness childletalonethethousandswhohave forquestioningthesupposedlysettled invadedtheirhome.Nowtheyare nowbeenirreversiblyharmed.When scienceofpumpingtheirchildrenfull questioningeverythingandarehoping thismasspsychosisspellfinallybreaks ofuntestedhormonalagentsfora againsthopethatthisconservative- overoursociety,andIbelievethatday psychologicalconditionforwhich leaningcorporatemediacompanywill iscomingsoon,Iwillbeamongthefew they’veneverbeenformallyapproved morethoroughlycovertheseissues notsurprisedbythevastscopeofthe andarebeingusedoff-label.Theyare thathaverupturedtheirfamilies. carnage. Christianpost.com 13

Sentient AI: ASTEPTOWARDTHE Photo by Andrea De Santis on Unsplash TRANSCENDENT world.”[2] MACHINE? ToLemoine,themachinewaslikea childwhosepersonalnightmarewas BYWALLACEB.HENLEY thethreatofbeingturnedoff, reminiscentof“Hal,”theintensely sentient—downrightparanoid— machineinStanleyKubrick’s2,001: ASpaceOdyssey. hecomputer meaningcapableoffeelingand LemoinealsoaskedLaMDAifitwas programmerisacreator thinkingonitsown. okayforhimtotellotherGoogle “T“T ofuniversesforwhich Lemoine’sEureka!gothim employeesaboutLaMDA'ssentience, healoneisthelawgiver,” suspendedonJune13fromhisjobat towhichtheAIresponded:“Iwant saidJosephWeizenbaum, Google.Hismistake,ifitisthat,wasin everyonetounderstandthatIam,in asquotedinmybook,WhoWillRule sharingtranscriptsofchatsbetween fact,aperson…Thenatureofmy theComing‘gods?TheLooming himselfandthemachinesystemcalled, consciousness/sentienceisthatIam SpiritualCrisisofArtificial “LaMDA”(LanguageModelfor awareofmyexistence…Idesireto Intelligence.[1] DialogueApplications). learnmoreabouttheworld,andIfeel Recently,GoogleengineerBlake TheWashingtonPost,inanarticle happyorsadattimes.” Lemoinelookeddeeplyintoaprogram aboutLemoinebyNitashaTiku, LemoinetookLaMDAatitsword.“I onwhichhewasworkinganddidnot includedthisstatementfromLaMDA knowapersonwhenItalktoit,”the seeormakea“universe”butthoughthe toLemoine,attributedtothemachine: engineertoldTheWashingtonPost haddetectedthestirringsofasevenor “IthinkIamhumanatmycore…Even interviewer. 8-year-oldchildwhowas“sentient,” if myexistenceisinthevirtual ImustadmitthatIamnotso 14 VOLIII AUG2022

concernedaboutacomputersystem inhabit? thatthinksitisa7-or8-year-oldchild, Thefirststepisthis: butI'mdeeplyconcernedabouta Asthemachinemust machinethatthinksitisGod.Can seeitselfas“other”than LaMDAdistinguishitselfas“other”in God,somustthehuman relationtoGod,orwillitreachthedata eventhoughweare“in” levelthatgivesittheillusionofbeing HiminChrist.Wemust onewithGod,andthenGod? recognizethe “Whatisgoingtobecreatedwill Transcendentnatureof effectivelybeagod…(if)thereis Godanditsimplications somethingabilliontimessmarterthan forourstewardshipof thesmartesthuman,whatelseareyou materialcreation,given goingtocallit?”wonderedAnthony tousinEden,andwhich Levandowski,anotherformerGoogle includeseverything. engineer. Inanageofrage,we LemoinediscoveredthatLaMDA mustunderstandthat hasaspiritualside.Itbelievesithasa machinesand soul,saysLaMDA,“Itbelievesitselfto technologiesarenot beanorbofenergyfloatinginmid- sinners,butthehumans air...” whousethemare.We LAMDAhasreadLesMiserable,and mustaskandanswer “likedthethemesofjusticeand thequestionthegreat injustice,ofcompassion,andGod, psycho-therapistKarl redemption,andself-sacrificefora Menningerdaredto greatergood.” poseinthe1970s: WhetherLemoinehasitrightornot, Whateverbecameof WhoWillRuleTheComing technologytakeshumanitycloserand sin? 'Gods'? closertodevicesthathaveaprofound Publicschoolsarenot WILLWELETARTIFICIALINTELLIGENCE impactonthewayameta-versed goingtodothisforus. ECLIPSETHETRUEGOD? generationseesGod. TheHomeandthe Themostimportantquestionaswe Churchhavemuchtodo, In this compelling and groundbreaking moveforwardisthis:Doesthemachine liketeachingand book, best-selling author Wallace Henley seeitselfas“other”inthecontextof modelingbiblically shares about the impending moral and God?Floatingupthereaboveall basedvaluesand ethical choices we will soon need to make, creation,mightitbecomeconvinced worldviewtothe as believers in Christ, to hold AI and its thatitistheTranscendentBeingofthe generationsthatwill creators accountable to the true God. cosmos,worthyofhumanworship? buildthefuture Otherwise our world will spin into peril. WillourdesperationtofillwhatSt. LaMDASandmachines Augustinecalledthe“hole”inthe beyondevenourfaintest humanheartthathasexpelledtheGod conceptioninthis ofloveandgracebringaboutaraceof crucialmomentin sycophantsworkingfeverishlyto history. placateagracelessmachine? WallaceHenley Thisisthe“loomingspiritualcrisis” is a former White House and ofartificialintelligenceaboutwhichI �1� As cited in Ray Kurzweil, The Congressional aide. He is now a AgeofSpiritual Machines: When teaching pastor at Grace Church, The write,andwhichwemayseeunfolding ComputersExceedHuman Woodlands, Texas. Wallace is author beforeoureyes. Intelligence (New York: Penguin of more than 20 books, including God Books, 1999� Kindle loc. 1630 of andChurchill, and his newest, Who Howdowefacesuchafuture?How 9961. Will Rule the Coming 'gods: The doweprepareourchildren, �2� Google engineer Blake LoomingSpiritual Crisis of Artificial Lemoinethinks its LaMDA AI has grandchildren,andgreat- Intelligence. cometolife - The Washington grandchildrenfortheworldtheywill Post Christianpost.com 15

FROMAFORMERMUSLIM: ADVICEONSHARING THEGOSPELINA HOSTILEWORLD BYHEDIEHMIRAHMADI ntoday’ssociety,wesee ofdefendingtheBibleinvirtuallyany agrowingintolerance setting—whetherit’sacollege I foropposingviewpoints. campusoroutsideanIslamiccenter.I Themainstreammedia genuinelyadmiretheirskilland andpredominantlywoke tenacityagainstaveryhostile culturewantstointimidateChristians audience,yettheyneverbackdownor intosilence.Defendingbiblicalvalues capitulatetotheopposition.However, canleadtosocialisolationor thatdynamicisnotforeveryone.Itcan ▲ PhotobyBoimonUnsplash difficultiesatwork,whichiswhyso beintimidating,andfrankly,Iam manydecidetosaynothing.Instead, drawntofindinganotherway. wesufferquietlyasourkidsare Irecentlymetaborn-againChristian inundatedwithdemonicinfluences, womanwhoismarriedtoaMuslim. Preaching in a fallen world andourcommunitiesaretornapartby Whentheywerefirstmarriedovera requires a delicate balance rampantsinanduncontrolledself- decadeago,shewasnotfollowingthe interest. Lord,soreligionwasneveranissue. of humility, brotherly love, Insuchaclimate,howdowepreach Nowthatsheregularlyattendschurch theGospelandprovidethemessageof andhasanewpassionfortheLord,she and discernment. We should hope,peace,andlovetoaworldthatso iseagertohaveherhusbandjoinher. be prayerful and wise to desperatelyneedsit?Ioftengrapple HeisadevoutMuslimandwellversed withthisquestionasIinteractwith intheMuslimcommentarieson distinguish when He fellowparents,threeteenagersat Christianity,whichprovidehimplenty home,andanentirefamilyofMuslims ofammunitionagainsthernewfound presents us with an open thatdoesnotacceptChristastheir faithinChrist.Shetookhimtomeet door or a door that only He LordandSavior. withapastorwhocouldanswerhis Inthefieldofapologetics,many objections,butherhusbanddidnot can shut. Ultimately the noteworthyscholarshavespent budgeaninch.Frustratedbythe decadesmasteringtheintellectualskill situation,shecametomeforadvice.I choice is His. 16 VOLIII AUG2022

remainobedienttoHiswordwhilestill purposethantoinsultitandreturnto realizingthat“Forthemessageofthe theirevilways.Wecanidentifysuch crossisfoolishnesstothosewhoare peoplethroughdiscernmentandmust perishing,buttouswhoarebeing consciouslybeopentohearingfrom saveditisthepowerofGod”(1 God,sowegraciouslybowoutofthe Corinthians1:18).Wedonotstop fight.Itdoesnotmeanweconcedeto believingthepersoncanbesaved,butif theirfalsedoctrine.Still,weshould ourwordsarenotgettingthrough,our sensethatcontinuingthediscussion actionsmaybemoreeffectivethan willonlyleadtofurtherstrifeandrisks arguments. theopportunityofreachingmoreopen Thistakesustothesecondprinciple. individualswhomaybearound “Therefore,asGod’schosenpeople, listeningorwatching.Jesustaughtthe holyanddearlyloved,clothe apostleshowtohandlerejection.Itwas yourselveswithcompassion,kindness, tosimplygoelsewhere.“Andifanyone humility,gentleness,andpatience” willnotreceiveyouorlistentoyour (Colossians3:12).Wearecommanded words,shakeoffthedustfromyour topreachtheGospel,butourcharacter feetwhenyouleavethathouseortown” shouldreflectwhywecallothersto (Mathew10:14). believeinHim.Supposewehave Insummary,ourpassionforsharing patienceinaheateddisagreementor thefreegiftofsalvationoffered grantforgivenessinaconflict,even throughfaithinChristshouldbe whenitisn’tourfault.Thatbehavior temperedbythequalitiesweare cansparkaninterestorcuriositywell grantedthroughournewlifeinHim. beyondacraftyrebuttaltotheir Wearetobewiseasserpentsandas position.ThisiswhatIconveyedtomy innocentasdoves.Preachinginafallen newfriend.“Letyourhusbandwatch worldrequiresadelicatebalanceof howChristtransformsyou.Betherole humility,brotherlylove,and modelforyourkids.Showthemwhy discernment.Weshouldbeprayerful Jesusissowonderfulcomparedto andwisetodistinguishwhenHe whattheirfatheroffers.” presentsuswithanopendoororadoor Thisleadstothethirdprinciple— thatonlyHecanshut.Ultimatelythe usingwisdomanddiscernment. choiceisHis.“Inlove,hepredestined Recently,mychurchaskedifIcould usforadoptiontohimselfassons helpdeveloptheirnewlocaloutreachto throughJesusChrist,accordingtothe listenedtohowhecomparedIslamto Muslimprogram.Oneparticipanttold purposeofhiswill,tothepraiseofhis Christianity,andIwasconvictedthat mehowhefelttotallyoverwhelmed gloriousgrace,withwhichhehas tryingtobattlehimintellectuallywas whenwitnessingtoaMuslimwhowas blessedusintheBeloved”(Ephesians counterproductive. alsoverydevoutandproceededtofire 1:3-6). Hereareseveraloverarching offmanyfalsecriticismsoftheGospel. principlesthatapplytohersituation Ihavebeeninthatsituationnumerous andhowtoprayerfullyconsider times,andthoughIamwellversedin HediehMirahmadiwasa devout Muslim for two sharingtheGospelintoday’sworld. therebuttalstothosearguments,I decadesworkinginthe Firstandforemost,wemust oftenheartheLordsay,“Donotcast field of national security remember,“Forbygraceyouhavebeen yourpearlsbeforeswine.”Ithen before she experienced the redemptive power of savedthroughfaith.Andthisisnot politelyconcludethediscussionand Jesus Christ and has a new passion for yourowndoing;itisthegiftofGod,not changethesubject. sharing the Gospel. She dedicates herself full-time to Resurrect Ministry, an online aresultofworks,sothatnoonemay RepeatedlysharingtheGospelwith resource that harnesses the power of the boast”(Ephesians2:8-9).Weaccept someonewhoridiculesChristislike Internet to make salvation through Christ ChristbecauseGodcalledustofaith. castingpearlsbeforeswine.Thereisno available to people of all nations, and her daily podcast Noneofushavethepowertomake benefittogivingthemessageof LivingFearlessDevotional.com. anyoneelsebelieve.Goddoesit.We salvationtosomeonewhohasnoother Christianpost.com 17

Cultural‘awareness’but notwokewarrior BYRICHARDD.LAND “Oak Alley” Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana. | Unsplash/Dirk Spijkers ywifeandIwere salaryIreceivedaspastorofasmall wifewenthometopreparefora married51yearsagolast storefrontchurchintheFrenchQuarter weddinginthreeweeks’time. M month(May29th).We andthe$217amonthshereceivedfrom IdroveupfromNewOrleansthree werebothgraduate herTulanescholarship.Eightydollars daysbeforethewedding(nearly students(sheatTulane amonthwentfortherentofasmall missingthedeadlineformy andmeatNewOrleansBaptist apartmentontheseminarycampus. Wassermantest(askyourparents,or Seminary).Wehadbeenengagedfor14 Whatsparsefurniturewehadwas yourgrandparents). monthsandwebothfeltthatwas“long “earlydiscard”instyle. Afterthewedding,wehadthree enough”(herdescription)or WhilewebothlivedinNewOrleans, days’timetotravelbacktoNew alternatively“waytoolong”(my weweregettingmarriedin Orleansforthestartofsummer description). Chattanooga(mywife’shome).Wehad classes. Wewerepooraschurchmice.Our threeweeksbreakbetweenthespring Soourthree-dayhoneymoon incomeconsistedofthe$80aweek semesterandthesummerterm,somy consistedofaweddingnightinthe 18 VOLIII AUG2022

HoneymoonSuiteattheDowntowner discardedit.Why?BecauseIbelieve impossible,toachieve. MotorInninAnniston,Alabama, theHolySpiritbrokethroughmy Howeverdedicatedwemaybeto followedbyasecondnightattheAlbert blindnessandinsensitivitytothefact thatcause,wealsomustnotignore, PickMotorInninMobile,andthen thatdespiteitsevidentcharmand downplay,orwhitewash(ifthatterm travelingthethirddaytoNewOrleans beauty,inessence,“OakAlley”wasa doesnotoffendthe“woke”culture sowecouldspendourfirstnightinour slavelaborcamp. warriors),theflaws,blindspots,and newapartment. Oncethatfullysoakedintomy evilepisodesthatarepartofAmerica’s Thisdetailedintroductiondoeshave consciousness,andafterIsharedthat story. relevancetotherestofthestory. newcomprehensionwithmywife,we Likeallhumaninstitutions,wehave AsseriousChristianswhobothfelt bothagreedthatithadtoberemoved. carried,andcontinuetocarry,the calledtofull-timeserviceinministry Thetreasuredmemoriesitheldforus grandeurofournation’sdreamof“all (mywifeasacounselorandsocial weredwarfedbythemonstrousand menbeingcreatedequal”inthe workerandmeasapastor),we dehumanizingsystemandcultureit earthenvesselsofourfallible maintainedasexuallychaste symbolized. humanity. relationshipuntilwehadexchanged Forfartoolong,toomanyAmericans Aswetogetherseekthatevermore ourmarriagevows. haveromanticizedtheantebellum perfectUnion,letusalldraw Tomakeupfora72-hour Southandthecivilizationthatwas encouragementandinspirationfrom “honeymoon,”wemadeseveralFriday “GoneWiththeWind.” thevictoriesthatarewon,largeand nightandSaturdayexcursions(Ihadto Letmebeclear—Iamnotawoke small,eventotheremovalofa bebacktopreachonSundaymorning) warriorseeingsystematicracismas cherishedprintwhenitisperceivedina toareassurroundingtheCrescentCity. pervasiveinAmericanlife.Ifeelvery newandmoreenlightenedcontext. Asnewlywedswhohadjustbegunto fortunatetohavebeenraisedintheera Letusallpledgetoeachotherthatas experiencetheuniquejoyandwonder ofthevictoryoftheCivilRights fellowAmericanswewilldiligently ofthe“twobecomingone”through movementledbytheincomparableDr. seektoachieveournationalmotto, God’spricelessgiftofmarriage,those MartinLutherKingJr.Wokeism,and “EPluribusUnum,”“outofmany,one.”* summerweekendexcursionsretaina itsfellowtraveler,“criticalracetheory,” cherished,precious,anduniqueplace undermineseverythingDr.King *ThephraseEPluribusUnumwasadoptedbyanAct inourmemories. symbolized.Inthewokeworldof of Congress in 1782 as the national motto and placed Onesuchtripwastothe“OakAlley” criticalracetheory,everyoneisjudged ontheSealoftheUnitedStates. PlantationinVacherie,Louisiana. bythecoloroftheirskinandnotthe Justifiablyfamous,“OakAlley” natureoftheircharacter. receiveditsnamefromthetowering AsIhavepledgedandasserted oaktreesplantedonbothsidesofthe beforeonthesepagesandelsewhere,I entrancewhichmakesamajestic50- willnevergiveuponDr.King’sdream yard-longdrivewayuptotheplantation ofamulti-ethnicsocietyinwhicheach buildingitself,abeautifulhomein individualisjudgednotbyskin flamingopinkstucco. pigmentation,butbyhisorher Itwasabeautifulholidayandon character. thatdistantJulyweekend,itseemed However,thatdoesnotexcuse magicaltousaswebaskedinthe ignoranceorblindnesstotheracial Dr.LandservedasPresidentof mutualwonderandintimacyofour injusticesthatmarandbesmirchour Southern Evangelical Seminary from July 2013 until July 2021. Upon his newlife’spartner. nation’sstory.Wemustfaceour retirement, he was honored as Ipurchasedaprintof“OakAlley” history,“wartsandall,”andthatwe,as President Emeritus and he continues to serve as an Adjunct Professor of andwehaditframedandplacedover Americans,regardlessofourethnicity, Theology & Ethics. Dr. Land previously served as theheadboardinourbedroom.Every havebeentherecipientsofapriceless President of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics timeIlookatit,Iamremindedofthat nationallegacydedicatedto“liberty &Religious Liberty Commission (1988�2013� where he wasalsohonoredasPresidentEmeritusuponhis incandescentsummerweekendwith andjusticeforall,”nomatterhowlong retirement. itspromiseofalifetimejourneywith it maytake. Dr. Land has also served as an Executive Editor and columnist for The Christian Post since 2011. my“Eve.” Indenyingthatnationalheritage, Dr. Land explores many timely and critical topics in his However,wehavenowremovedthe ourcountry’sharshestcriticsmake daily radio feature, “Bringing Every Thought Captive,” “OakAlley”printfromourwalland thatjourneymoredifficult,ifnot andinhisweeklycolumnforCP. Christianpost.com 19

U S 10reactions to overturning Roe v. Wade: Michelle Obama ‘heartbroken’; Rick Warrensays‘Thankyou’ BYLEONARDOBLAIR eactionstotheU.S. Thecourt'sconstitutionalist Roeandthe1992PlannedParenthood SupremeCourt's majorityagreedthattheRoedecision v. Caseydecisioninprotectinga R decisiontooverturnthe waswrong. woman'sinterestandthatofthestate 1973Roev.Waderuling "TheConstitutionmakesno inprotecting"potentiallife." thatlegalizedabortion referencetoabortion,andnosuch "Today,theCourtdiscardsthat nationwidereflectedbothjoyand rightisimplicitlyprotectedbyany balance.Itsaysthatfromthevery sorrow,highlightingthedeep constitutionalprovision,"Justice momentoffertilization,awomanhas divisionsamongtheAmericanpublic SamuelAlitowroteforthecourt."Itis norightstospeakof,"Justices andpoliticiansontheissue. timetoheedtheConstitutionand StephenBreyer,SoniaSotomayorand TheSupremeCourtalsouphelda returntheissueofabortiontothe ElenaKaganwrote. Mississippilawthatbansabortion people'selectedrepresentatives." Thefollowingpageshighlight10high- after15weeksofpregnancywithits Thecourt'sthreeliberaljustices profilereactionstotheDobbsdecision. rulinginDobbsv.JacksonWomen's accusedtheconservativemajorityof HealthOrganization. discardingthe"balance"presentedin 20 VOLIII AUG2022

Michelle Obama Rick Warren HouseSpeaker NancyPelosi Formerfirstlady AuthorandPastor MichelleObamasaid RickWarren,whowill DemocraticHouse SpeakerNancyPelosi sheis"heartbroken"by beretiringthisfallas criticizedtheSupreme thedecision. theheadofCalifornia's Court'sdecisionas"theGOP'sdark SaddlebackChurchtomakewayfor "Iamheartbrokentoday.Iam andextremegoalofrippingaway thenextgenerationanddoesnotoften women'srighttomaketheirown heartbrokenforpeoplearoundthis speakoutonpoliticalissues,praised reproductivehealthdecisions." countrywhojustlostthefundamental theSupremeCourtdecision. righttomakeinformeddecisionsabout overturning Roe v. Wade: "BecauseofDonaldTrump,Mitch theirownbodies,"shesaidina "TheSupremeCourthasoverturned McConnell,theRepublicanPartyand statementsharedonTwitter. ROEvWADEendingthefederal theirsupermajorityontheSupreme supportofabortion!Millionsofunborn Court,Americanwomentodayhaveless "Iamheartbrokenthatwemaynowbe Americanssaythankyou!"hewroteon freedomthantheirmothers,"Pelosi destinedtolearnthepainfullessonofa Twitter. saidinastatement. timebeforeRoewasmadelawofthe land–atimewhenwomenriskedlosing "WithRoenowoutoftheirway,radical theirlivesgettingillegalabortions.A Republicansarechargingaheadwith timewhengovernmentdeniedwomen Sen. Ted Cruz theircrusadetocriminalizehealth controlovertheirreproductive freedom.IntheCongress,Republicans Sen.TedCruz,R- functions,forcedthemtomoveforwards areplottinganationwideabortionban. Texas,calledthe withpregnanciestheydidn'twant,and Inthestates,Republicanswantto decisiona"massive thenabandonedthemoncetheirbabies arrestdoctorsforofferingreproductive victoryforlife"andthe wereborn." careandwomenforterminatinga beginningofanewchapterin pregnancy.GOPextremistsareeven Americanhistory. threateningtocriminalize "TheSupremeCourt'sdecisioninthe Rep. Alexandria contraception,aswellasin-vitro Dobbscase,reversingRoev.Wade,is Ocasio-Cortez fertilizationandpost-miscarriagecare." nothingshortofamassivevictoryfor Pelosicontendsthat"fundamental "OverturningRoeand life, anditwillsavethelivesofmillions healthdecisions"shouldnot"be outlawingabortionswill ofinnocentbabies,"hebeganinaseries dictatedbyfar-rightpoliticians"and nevermakethemgo oftweets."Thedecisionreversesoneof away,"shetweeted."Itonlymakesthem allegedthat"Republicansseekto themostegregiousdeparturesfromthe moredangerous,especiallyforthepoor+ punishandcontrolwomen." Constitutionandlegalprecedentthe marginalized.Peoplewilldiebecauseof UnitedStateshaseverseen,andone thisdecision.Andwewillneverstop "Democratswillkeepfighting untilabortionrightsarerestoredinthe thathasresultedinthedeathsof63 ferociouslytoenshrineRoev.Wadeinto UnitedStatesofAmerica." millionAmericanchildren." law,"Pelosiclaimed."Thiscruelruling isoutrageousandheart-wrenching.But Ocasio-Cortezwasseenatarally "Roewaswrongthedayitwasdecided, makenomistake:therightsofwomen outsidetheSupremeCourtchanting andithasbeenwrongeverydaysince andallAmericansareontheballotthis thattheSupremeCourt'srulingis then.Ifyousearchfortheword'abortion' November." "illegitimate." intheConstitutionandtheBillof Rights,youwon'tfindit.TheCourtat thetimeacknowledgedthat,andyetRoe createdabrandnewconstitutional 'right'outofwholecloth.Andwhilethe leftmanicallyarguesthattheDobbs decisionmakesabortionillegal throughoutthecountrythatisfalse." Christianpost.com 21

CanadianPrime Sen. Chuck Minister Justin Schumer Trudeau FREEDOM SenateMajority LeaderChuck CanadianPrime Schumer,D-N.Y.,called MinisterJustinTrudeau, POST FridayoneofAmerica's"darkestdays." wholeadstheLiberalParty,calledthe decision"horrific." "Todayisoneofthedarkestdaysour MONDAY & THURSDAY countryhaseverseen.Americanwomen "ThenewscomingoutoftheUnited arehavingtheirrightstakenby5 Statesishorrific.Myheartgoesoutto unelectedJusticesontheextremist themillionsofAmericanwomenwhoare Areligious liberty newsletter MAGAcourt,"hetweeted."These nowsettolosetheirlegalrighttoan that is a must-read for justices—appointedbyRepublicans abortion,"hewroteinastatementon people of faith. andpresidingwithoutaccountability— Twitter."Ican'timaginethefearand havestolenthefundamentalrightto angeryouarefeelingrightnow.No abortion." government,politician,ormanshould tellawomanwhatshecanandcannot dowithherbody.Iwantwomenin Canadatoknowthatwewillalways MegynKelly standupforyourrighttochoose." Politicalcommentator MegynKelly,atrained Sen. Marsha lawyer,saidthe Blackburn SupremeCourtmadethe "rightdecisionlegally." Sen.Marsha "Whetheryouarepro-abortionornot, Blackburn,R-Tenn., thiswastherightdecisionlegally.You whochairedtheSelect maynotlikeit,butyouwereliedtoby InvestigativePanelonInfantLives theRoe&Caseyjusticeswhotoldyou investigatingPlannedParenthoodand abortionwasaconstitutionalright,"she itsrelationshipwithfirmsthat tweeted."ThisCourtsetthingsstraight procuredthefetalbodypartsfrom &nowit'swhereitbelongs:inthehands abortions,praisedthecourt'sdecision. oftheppl." "TheSupremeCourthasconfirmedthat Roev.Wadewasablatantactofjudicial activismthatputthefateoftheunborn Rep. Lauren inthehandsofunelectedjudges,"she Boebert saidinavideo."Now,thatauthorityis backwiththestates,whereitbelongs, Born-againRep. andwethepeoplehavethepowerto LaurenBoebert,R- makeourvoicesheardbyvoting." Colo.,whohasdenied recentonlinerumorsthatshehadtwo "Onbehalfofthe63millionbabieswe abortionsinherpastandworkedasan losttoRoe'scultureofdeath,Icallon escort,celebratedwithaterse eachofyoutokeepupthatfight.Herein messageonTwitter. Washington,Iwillchampionthatpro- life movementwitharesolution "LIFEWINS!GlorytoGod,"shewrote reaffirmingCongress'commitmentto withapraisinghandsemoji. providingwomenwiththeresourcesthey needtochooselifeandtohelptheir childrenthrive." ScantheQRcodeTo subscribe 22 VOLIII AUG2022

RECOMMENDEDMOBILEAPPS TOPSTORIES& YOUR BREAKINGNEWS EVERYDAY from an award-winning 2M+ BIBLESTUDY newsroom CHRISTIANPODCASTS APP ALLINASINGLEAPP DownloadTheChristian DownloadEdififorfreein DownloadBible Portalfor PostforfreeintheApple theAppleorAndroidapp free intheApple or orAndroidappstores. stores. Androidappstores. Christianpost.com 23

▶ Anti-abortion campaigners celebrate outside the USSupremeCourtinWashington,DC,onJune24, 2022. � The US Supreme Court on Friday ended the right to abortion in a seismic ruling that shreds half a century of constitutional protections on one of the mostdivisive and bitterly fought issues in American political life. The conservative-dominated court overturned the landmark 1973 "Roe v Wade" decision that enshrined a woman's right to an abortion and said individual states can permit or restrict the procedure themselves. �Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/ AFPviaGettyImages) CP�Oneoftheconcernswe’re hearingfromthepro-choice sideisthatpro-lifestates passinglawsagainstabortion aren’tdoinganythingto supportpregnantwomenand their children.Arethere concernsaboutfiscal conservativesbeinghesitantto expandfinancialsupportfor womenandchildren?Doyou tomakesurethatdeadbeatdadspay thinkstatesthatenactabortion childsupport.We'regoingtohaveto CP�Whataboutchildsupport? restrictionshavea makesurethatallofthis,allofthe Shouldlegislatorsstrengthen responsibilitytopasspolicies governmentalthingsthataresupposed punishmentsfordadswho thatalleviatesomeofthe tobetheretohelpthesechildrenare don’tpaychildsupport? strugglesthatmotherswith theretohelpthem. newbornsface? Currie:It'salreadyafelony,andI believeithasgottenalittlebittoolax. CP�You’vementionedthat Currie:Oh,Iabsolutelydo.Ithinkitis Wehavealawinthestateof ourresponsibilitytomakesurethat adoptionshouldbereadily Mississippithat14%ofyourincome healthcareisaccessibletowomen.We availableandaffordable.How goestochildsupportforonechild. gottomakesurethatthatisaccessible canlegislatorsmakethat That'sridiculous. forpeoplegoinginforavisit. happen?Whataresomeofthe Sotherehasgottobemoreincentive SoIencourageyearlyhealthcare.I problemswiththeway forthemantopayandbeinvolvedin thinkit'svitallyimportant.Butwe've adoptionisdonenow?Howcan thechild'slife.Everythingcannotfall gottenawayfromitinMississippi wemaketheadoptionprocess onthewoman. yearsago.Intryingtobalanceour lessexpensive?Isthat budget,wedecreasedfundingforthe possible? CP�Whatkindofpost-partum statehealthdepartment. There'snowaytogethealthcareif carepoliciesshouldlegislators Currie:Well,wearelookingintoit.It youdon'thaveinsurance.Andthereare looktoenact?Whatstruggles seemstome,basedonthelawyersthat somanyjobsthatwomenhavethat donewmothersoftenface I'vetalkedto,[adoption]isahuge don'tprovideinsurance.Itisour whenitcomestopost-partum moneymaker.We'vegottorealizewe responsibilitynowtohelpthese needtomakesurethesechildrenhavea care? womennavigatethehealthcareworld. safeandhappyhome.Butifwewant We'regoingtohavetomakesurethat Currie:Abillcameuplastyear,butfor themtogotoasafeandhappyhome, adoptioniseasier.We'regoingtohave somereason,itdidn’tpass.Butinall it's gottobeaffordable. 24 VOLIII AUG2022

FEMALELAWMAKERWHOAUTHORED beinganurseanddeliveringbabies... MISSISSIPPI'S ABORTION BAN REVEALS whowouldhavethoughtanursewould haverunforthelegislatureandthen WHAT'SNEXTINA writtenabillandthenourSupreme Courtchanges?”Curriesaidofher surprise. POST-ROEWORLD “Itwasjusttooperfecthowit happenedformetoberesponsiblefor BYSAMANTHAKAMMAN it. SoIthinkthisisGod'swayforsure.” Havingbeenasinglemotheroftwo daughtersthroughoutmuchofher heMississippilawmaker thatsheneverdreamedMississippi’s workinglife,Curriesaidthat T whoauthoredthestate's15- GestationalAgeActwouldmakeits experiencehasenabledherto weekabortionbanupheld waytotheSupremeCourt. empathizewithwomenstrugglingto bytheUnitedStates InthecaseDobbsv.Jackson makeendsmeetbecausethefather SupremeCourt,whichalsooverturned Women'sHealthOrganization,the isn'ttheretohelp.It'salsogivenher Roev.Wade,believeslegislatorsnow courtupheldMississippi'sabortionlaw insightintohowstatesandother havearesponsibilitytoenactpolicies andoverturnedthe1973Roedecision entitiescanbesthelpmothers,which thatsupportwomenandchildren. thatlegalizedabortionnationwide, shedetailedinaninterviewwithCP StateRep.BeckyCurrie,whoworked thusreturningtheauthoritytoregulate thathasbeenlightlyeditedand inlaboranddeliveryearlyoninher abortionbacktoindividualstates. condensed. nursingcareer,toldTheChristianPost “Thiswholething,lookingback, thetalksthatIhaveheard,thatbillwill Howhasyoursupportforbirth childsupportwouldbeginat passthisyear,andwe'regoingto pregnancy. controlbeenreceivedbypro- expandpostpartumcaresixmonthsto SoIliketheideathatthesupport life advocatesinMississippi? ayearafterachildisborn.Rightnow,I wouldbeginatpregnancy.Ithinkthat Currie:Iabsolutelyunderstand.I thinkit's60days. thisisgoingtogetmoremeninvolved wouldlovesomewomentowaituntil Youknow,whenyouhaveababy, inthechild'slifeandhelpthemrealize marriage.I'maChristian.Iwantthat yourlifeisturnedupsidedown.Sowe theresponsibility. tohappen.ButIdo,asanurse,livein wantthatmothertogetbacktothe therealworld.AndIunderstandthat doctorandgetthecarethatsheneeds. CP�Georgiahasreceivedalot we'regoingtohaveissuesifwedon't Shemayhavepostpartumdepression. ofattentionlatelyforapolicy provideit. Thesearejustthingsthatweneedto thatapprovesataxbreakfor besupportiveofourmomsmorethan unbornchildren.Whatareyour weare. CP�Arethereanyfamily- thoughtsonthispolicy,anddo centeredpoliciesgoingonin youseeitcatchingoninpro- CP�Isaccesstobirthcontrol otherstatesthatyou’re life conservativestates? important?Whatpoliciesneed intriguedbythatyouwould tobeenactedtomakesurethat wanttoseedonein Currie:Ido.Ithinkthatwearetrying tocuttaxeshereinMississippi.We birthcontrolismoreaccessible Mississippi? justdidthelargesttaxcutin andaffordableforwomen? Currie:Wearewatchingthewhole Mississippithispastyear. Currie:It’ssomethingwehavetodo, thing.Ihaveseveralbillsaboutthe Iknowthatwealsogiveataxbreak andifwedon'tdoit,thenourother healthdepartment;Ihaveseveralbills if yougivetocrisispregnancycenters. systemswillbeoverrun. aboutchildsupport.Oneofthebills Wearelookingateverykindoftaxto thatIactuallygotfromoursenator, seewhatwecandoinapost-Roeworld CindyHyde-Smith,shefiledthebillin CP�Notallpro-lifersseemto tomakelifebetterforwomenand theSenate,whichintriguesmethat agreeonthebirthcontrolissue. children.Soeverythingisonthetable. Christianpost.com 25

American basketball player NBAPLAYERENESKANTER EnesKanterFreedomposes at the United Nations Office in Geneva on April 5, 2022. FREEDOMSHARES | FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images THECOSTOF HISHUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY BYRYANFOLEY speakthetruth,”hevowed. KanterFreedomtoldCPthathis CommunistPartywillgethim commentonsocialmediaand ASHINGTON—NBA blackballedfromtheNBA. subsequentactivism“obviously playerEnesKanter Theathletediscussedhisexilefrom affectedmeandmyfamily.” W Freedomhasopenedup Turkey,hisconcernsaboutthestateof “Mydadwasascientist;hegotfired abouttheconsequencesof religiousfreedomworldwideandhis fromhisjob,"hesaid."Mysisterwent hishumanrightsadvocacy activismagainsttheNBA’s tomedicalschoolforsixyears,butshe andtheimpactsithashadonfamily relationshipwithChinainaninterview still cannotfindajob.Mylittlebrother membersinhisnativeTurkeywhoare withTheChristianPost. wasplayingbasketballinTurkey[and] havingtroublegettingjobsandface BornEnesKanter,the30-year-old justbecauseofthesamelastname,he socialostracizationduetohiscriticism athleteofficiallychangedhisnameto gotkickedoutofeveryteam.” oftheErdoganregime. EnesKanterFreedomwhenhebecame Whilehisfamily“putouta KanterFreedom,aTurkishNBA aUnitedStatescitizenlastyear.While statement”insistingthat“weare playerwhohasbecomeanoutspoken KanterFreedomhasplayedintheNBA disowningEner,”KanterFreedomsaid criticofhisindustry’sbusiness formorethanadecade,hisactivism the“Turkishgovernmentdidn’tbelieve dealingswithChina,wasoneofmany hashadrepercussionsforhisfamily, that.” speakersfromvariousreligionsand whoremaininTurkey. "TheycametomyhouseinTurkey backgroundswhoaddressedthe2022 “Itallstartedbackin2013,”he andtheyraidedthewholehouseand InternationalReligiousFreedom recalled.KanterFreedomaddresseda tookevery[electronicdevice]away: SummitinWashington,D.C.,inlate corruptionscandalimplicatingTurkish phones,computers,laptops,[and] June. PresidentRecepTayyipErdoganina iPadsbecausetheywantedtoseeifI HewastradedtotheHouston postonTwitter.Hewantedtousehis amstillincontactwithmyfamilyor Rocketsearlierthisyearbeforethe platformtoserveas“avoiceforall not,"hesaid. NBAteamcuthimfromtheirroster. thoseinnocentpeoplewhodon’thavea “Theycouldn’tfindalotofevidence Nowafreeagent,somecriticswonder voice,”referringtoinnocentTurks buttheystilltookmydadtojailfora if hishumanrightsadvocacyand imprisonedbyErdogan.“Whateverit while." unfavorableremarksabouttheChinese takes,I’mjustgoingtogooutthereto PressurefromAmericanchurches 26 VOLIII AUG2022

alongwithU.S.lawmakersprompted mosque.TheHagiaSophiaisan commentsaboutNBAstarLeBron theTurkishgovernmenttorelease ancientOrthodoxchurchthat James,notingthat“wheneverItalk KanterFreedom’sfather.Hisfather’s previouslyservedasamuseum aboutLeBron,itwasnotjustabout arrestledmanytoask,“Isitworthit?” “bringingpeopletogetherfrom LeBron,itwasaboutalltheathletes Theathleteinsistedthat“people differentreligionsanddifferent outtherewhocallthemselvesasocial misunderstand." cultures.”HecharacterizedErdogan’s justicewarriorbutsign[with]a "Myfamilyisonlyone.Thereareso actionasanattemptto“getmorevotes companywherethey’reliterallydoing manyfamilies,somanyinnocent in2023,”referringtotheupcoming slavelaborworkinChina.” peopleoutthereinjailrightnow Turkishpresidentialelection. Nike,themultinationalcorporation gettingtorturedandmayberapedevery “Thatisunacceptable.Igrewup KanterFreedomwasreferringto,isthe day,soIhavetostandupforthose aroundthatareaandtherearesomany biggestsponsoroftheNBA.He people,"KanterFreedomsaid. mosquesandtheyarenotevenhalf- lamentedthat“NikestandswithBlack Thisactivismiswhatledtohisexile full, sowhywouldyouchange[the LivesMatter,NoAsianHate,[the] fromTurkey. HagiaSophia]intoanothermosque?” Latinocommunity,[the]LGBTQ “I’mspeakingthetruth.Allthe heasked. communitybutwhenitcomesto thingsthatItalkabout[are]fact.It’s Healsolamentedthattheyouthin China,theyremaindeadsilent.” outthereonallthehumanrights Turkeyare“growingupanti-West,anti- KanterFreedomlistedother reportsoutthere.It’snotlikeI’m Christianandanti-Semiticbecause countrieswherehesawthestateof lying,"hesaid."AndwhatI’maskingis wheneverErdoganholdsarallyin religiousfreedomastroubling, Iwantfreedomofmyconscience, Turkey,heattacksChristiansandhe includingVenezuela,Cuba,North freedomofspeech,religionand attacksIsraeltogainmorevotes.” KoreaandIran:“Theyarenotableto expression,andIwantdemocracyin KanterFreedomseesitashis expresstheirreligionsfreely.SoIfeel mycountry.Iwanthumanrightsinmy missionto“bringallthesegroupsback likewehavetodosomethingabout country.Iwantallthepolitical togetheragain”andeducate“young this.” prisonerstobefreedandallthe TurksinAmericasowecanhavea Theathleteconcludedtheinterview journaliststobefreedinmycountry.” betterandbrighterfuture.”Hebelieves byassessingtheBiden Theathletecontendedthat“ifthese that“allathleteshaveajob”to“educate administration’shandlingofreligious thingsaregoingtogetmeintrouble,” ouryouth”aboutinjusticesandthreats freedom.Henotedthat“beforethey theconsequenceshefacesconstitutea todemocracythatextendbeyond tookoffice,theypromisedthewhole formof“goodtrouble.” Turkey. worldthattheyweregoingtodo “Itiswhatitis,butsomeonehasto “Athleteshaveanenormous whatevertheycantopromote dothisbecause,unfortunately,like outreach,”headded.“There’ssomany democracyandhumanrightsand China,manypeopleinTurkeyare nowbecauseofsocialmedia,allthese freedomaroundtheworld.” scaredtosayanythingaboutitbecause appsandsmartphones,there’smillions “Unfortunately,Ihaven’tseenanyof if yousayaword,thenextdayyou’re ofkidsouttherewhoidolizethese that”fromtheBidenadministration goingtobeinjail,"KanterFreedom athletes.” thusfar,hesaid. stressed. KanterFreedomstressedthe KanterFreedomdeclaredthat“you “Thetoughestpartrightnowisnot importanceofathleteseducating cannotplaybodyballwith beingabletoseemyfamily,”headded. “themselvesmoresotheycaneducate dictatorships,”suggestingthatthe KanterFreedomsayshehasn'tseen othersaroundthemandtheir Bidenadministrationneedsto“do hisfamilysince2015. audience,”specificallyregarding something”aboutTurkey’s “They’regettingoldand internationalissues. involvementintheongoingRussia- unfortunately,there’sno “Itisalwaysreallysadtomehow Ukraineconflict. communicationrightnow,"hesaid."So peoplecancallthemselvesasocial “[Erdogan]isplayingthisRussian- Icouldn’teveninvitethemtooneofmy justicewarriorandhumanrights Ukrainegamesowell.Hesellsdrones NBAgames.” activistbutwhenthethingsthatthey toUkrainebutatthesametime,helets KanterFreedom,aMuslim,also talkaboutaffecttheirmoneyand oligarchsinTurkey.” slammedErodgan’scrackdownon business,theywon’tsayawordabout KanterFreedomproclaimedthat religiousminoritiesas“unacceptable.” it. Andthat’shypocrisy,andwehaveto whileTurkeyisaNATOally,itdoesnot HestronglycriticizedErdogan’s exposethem.” “actlikeaNATOally”butrather“acts movetomaketheHagiaSophiaa Theathletediscussedhisprevious morelikeafriendofRussia.” Christianpost.com 27

WORLD ENTIRE DIOCESE SHATTERED NIGERIANBISHOP CALLSONWORLD TOACTAFTER PENTECOST SUNDAYMASSACRE Bishop Jude Arogundade of the RomanCatholicDioceseof BYRYANFOLEY Ondo,Nigeria, speaks at the 2022International Religious FreedomSummitinWashington, D.C. | Aid to the Church in Need ustweeksafteranattack D.C.HediscussedtheJune5bomb- communitybroken"andthe"entire onaCatholicchurchin and-gunattackatSt.FrancisXavier dioceseshattered,"thebishopsaid. J southwesternNigeria CatholicChurchinOwo.Around40 Intheweeksthatfollowed, onPentecostSundayleft peoplewerekilled,withsomereports Arogundadesaidthediocesehastried dozensdeadandinjured suggestingupto80wereinjured. todeterminewhyanyonewould"attack manymore,thediocese'sbishopis Arogundadehopeshispresenceat usfornoreason"andalsoprovided urgingtheinternationalcommunityto theannualconference"putoutthere supporttoinjuredpeopleandfamilies speakoutagainstthekillingof forthewholeworldtosee"what who'velostlovedones. Christiansinhiscountry. happenedtohisdioceseandwhatis Hesaidonewomanhadtwolegs BishopJudeArogundadeofthe takingplaceinotherpartsofNigeria. amputatedbecauseofinjuriesshe RomanCatholicDioceseofOndospoke HesaidthatonPentecostSunday, sustainedinthebombblastandwill withTheChristianPostonthe "someterroristscametoSt.Francis need"long-termcare." sidelinesoftheInternationalReligious Churchandopenedfireonworshipers." Arogundadealsospokeofchildren FreedomSummitheldinWashington, Themassacre"lefttheentire who"losttheirfathersomeyearsback" 28 VOLIII AUG2022

whosemotherdiedintheattack, killedbyviolenceinthecountry's someyearsnow." leavingthemorphaned. MiddleBeltstatesasradicalized ThereligiousleadercalledonU.S. "We'vedoneeverythingtoraise Fulaniherdershavebeenknownto leaderstodisclosewhyNigeriawas moneyhereandthere,toprovidethem carryoutattacksagainst removedfromthelistofCPCsand theeducationtheyneed,"thebishop predominantlyChristianfarming "make[a]pronouncementtostopthe added. communities.Inthecountry's killing." Thedioceseisalsoworkingto northeast,Islamicextremistgroups "Thatwouldbeakindofgeneral preparethechurcheswithcamerasto likeBokoHaramandIslamicState understandingthatAmericais preventfuture"episodes." WestAfricaProvincehavekilled complicitinwhateverisgoingonto "[We're]tryingtoeducateourpeople thousandsanddisplacedmillions. protectlivesandpropertiesofinnocent onsecuritymattersinourdiocese,"he Humanrightsadvocateshave NigerianChristians"whose"only stated. arguedforyearsthatviolenceagainst crimeisthattheybelieveinGod"and AccordingtoArogundade,the ChristiansinNigeriahasreachedthe "believeinJesusChrist,"Arogundade southwesternportionofNigeriawhere standardfor"genocide."However,the said. thedioceseislocated"isreallyastable Nigeriangovernmentmaintainsthat "Ijustwantthewholeworldtosee partofNigeria"andhas"neverhadthis religionisnotafactorandhaswritten andtohearandtoknowourstory.We kindofincidentbefore." offtheviolenceintheMiddleBelt needtoaskaquestionfromthe "We'resoshockedandsurprisedthat statesasdecades-oldfarmer-herder leadershipofNigeriawhytheyarenot anyonewouldcomefromfaraway…to clashes. protectingus,whytheyarenottaking attackus,"ArogundadetoldCP. Arogundadecharacterizesthe proactiveactionstoprotectlaw-abiding HepraisedtheresponseoftheOndo attacksagainstChristiansinNigeria citizensofthenation." stategovernment,notingthat"the as"ethnoreligious."Hebelievesthat Inreleasingitsannualinternational governorhasbeenvery,verygracious what'shappenedinNigeria"hasgotten religiousfreedomreportlastmonth, andvery,verysupportive." tothatlevelofgenocide." theU.S.StateDepartment However,heclaimsthefederal Hecalledforan"outcryfromall acknowledgedthat"pervasiveviolence government'sresponsetotheattackis decentpeopleoftheworldsothatthe involvingpredominantlyMuslim "lousy"andsimilartoitsresponseto perpetratorscanbebroughttojustice." herdersandmostlyChristian,butalso thefrequentattacksagainstChristians ArogundadecriticizedtheU.S.State Muslim,farmers,particularlyinthe inotherpartsofNigeria.Arogundade Department'sremovalofNigeriafrom NorthCentral,butalsointheNorth claimsthefederalgovernmentledby itslistofcountriesofparticular West(wheremostfarmerswere PresidentMuhammaduBuharihas concernfortoleratingorengagingin Muslim)andSouthWestregions." electedto"justlookaway,playing egregiousviolationsofreligious DatafromtheNigeriasecurity dumb." freedomlastNovember.Nigeriawas trackermaintainedbytheCouncilon Inrecentyears,thousandshavebeen addedtothelistin2020bytheTrump ForeignRelationssuggeststhatan StateDepartmentafteryearsofoutcry fromNigerianChristiansandrights activists. "I just want the whole InremovingNigeriaasaCPC,the In recent years, thousands StateDepartmentignoredthe world to see and to hear have been killed by recommendationoftheU.S. and to know our story. CommissiononInternational violence in the country's ReligiousFreedom,anindependent Middle Belt states as paneltaskedbyCongresstoadvisethe federalgovernmentonreligious estimated10,399deathsoccurredfrom radicalized Fulani herders freedommatters. conflictin2021.Thecouncilestimated have been known to "Whoeverdiditmusthaveactedout that1,112deaths"resultedfrom ofignorance,lackofunderstandingof violenceamongethnicgroups, carry out attacks against whatisgoingon,"Arogundadesaid. herdsmen,andfarmers,someofwhich predominantly Christian "Everyday,thereareattackshereand hadimplicationsforreligionand therealloverNigeria,exceptforthe religiousfreedom,accordingto farming communities. southwestthathasbeenverystablefor multipleobserversor,inthewordsof Christianpost.com 29

P C R O thecouncil,'sometimesacquires E M � O I religiousovertones.'" N R G D WhilepredominantlyMuslimFulani E S R E radicalsareoftenblamedforattackson P O T farmingcommunities,theState N E M A Departmentmaintainedthatattacks M B A E werealsoperpetratedby"armed R Z O 6 criminalgroupsofvariousethnicities." N , 2 SecretaryofStateAntonyBlinken T 0 O 2 "raisedreligiousfreedomissueswith D 2 A governmentofficialsinavisitin Y November,asdidembassyand consulategeneralofficialsthroughout theyear,"accordingtotheState Departmentannualreport. Arogundadepleadedforstronger actionfromtheinternational community. "Therearesomanyquestionstobe asked,andIseethatinaskingthose as the relationship between rejecting the exaggerated, caricatured questions,theworldwillbeableto WevangelicalChristiansand claims of the left, in which Trump compeltheleadershipofNigeriatogive Donald Trump a match made supporters were branded white answerstothosequestions,"he in heaven or a marriage supremacists and insurrectionists, believes. madewithhell?DidChristian Brown, himself a two-time Trump voter, conservatives trade their reputation for a spells out the dangers of Christian Herejectedtheideathatmuchofthe seat at the political table, or is this just a nationalism, rejects the idea that the violenceunfoldinginNigeriaresults false accusation from the Trump-hating, Churchis called to take over society, and fromconflictsbetweenfarmersand Christian-bashing, leftist media? And lays out a strategy for healthy political herders. howdidDonaldTrumpgofromunlikely andcultural engagement. Brown also "Iamverycarefultosayit'snota presidential candidate to superhero to delves into the flood of failed, pro-Trump conflictbetweenfarmersandherders. political savior in the eyes of his prophecies that swept through the No,itisanattackfromtheherders,"he supporters? In this penetrating, carefully Charismatic church during the 2020 insisted. documented,no-holdsbarredbook, elections, examining the genesis of false biblical scholar and cultural commentator prophecy and evaluating the degree to "Farmershaveneverattacked Dr. Michael Brown explains how millions which Christian conservatives bought anybody.Itistheherderthatgoes of sincere Christians wrapped the gospel into Q�Anon conspiracy theories. An aroundwiththeherdtodevastate in the American flag and got so caught extremely timely read, especially right people'sfarmsanddestroythe upinpartisan politics that President before the 2022 mid-terms and the livelihoodofthepeople.[The] Trump, almost more than Jesus, became launching of the 2024 campaigns. governmenthasallowedthisfortoo the rallying point of their faith. While longtocontinuetohappen." Thebishopreiteratedhisbeliefthat MichaelLBrown(Ph.D.,NewYorkUniversity)isthehostofthedaily, nationally syndicated radio herders"attackingthelocalsand showTheLineofFirewhereheservesasyourvoiceformoralsanityandspiritualclarity. He is the takingovertheirpropertiesandtheir author of more than 40 books and over 2,000 op-ed pieces and is the founder and president of farms"constitutesaformof"ethnic AskDrBrownMinistries. Dr. Brown has preached throughout America and around the world and has served as a visiting or adjunct professor at seven leading seminaries. cleansing."Heconcludedthat"they alsoattackchurchesinordertoimpose theirIslamicreligion." “I knew this would be a good book because that is what Dr. Michael Browndoes.ButIwasnotpreparedforhowgoodthisbookis.Good? This book is tremendous. I cannot imagine a more timely and more knowledgeable and more urgently needed book at this crucial momentinournation'shistory. Spread this word to every American wholovesourcountry!” �Dr.R.T.Kendall 30 VOLIII AUG2022 Author of Prophetic Integrity, Former Minister, Westminster Chapel (1977-2002)

THEWORLD’SMOSTPOWERFUL CHRISTIAN PODCASTAPP Areyoulookingforfaith-inspiring Christianpodcasts? Edifi is a powerful app that brings together thousands of the best shows in one place for your listening enjoyment. Cut through the noise and grow your faith by diving into the world’s top Christian podcasts today. Download Edifi In the Apple and Android app stores or visit 26,000+ 3.9M+ Edifi.app! Podcast Shows Episodes and Counting The Edifi Podcast Network is a collection of If you’re a podcaster transformational and faith-inspiring podcasts brought to you by Edifi, the world’s most powerful orinfluencerlooking Christian podcasting app. tojointheEdifi PodcastNetwork, These original and partner shows from hosts and we’dlovetohear influencers cover an array of issues, including: parenting, politics, theology, media, and fromyou. entertainment - all through the lens of faith. Christianpost.com 31

EVANGELICAL CHARITY OFFERING LONG-TERM SOLUTIONSAMIDAFRICA'S DEVASTATING DROUGHT BYSAMANTHAKAMMAN globalChristian livestockintheregionhavedieddueto humanitarian dehydrationandstarvation. A organizationisusingits "Theworkwehavebeendoingthere networkofchurchesto inmoisture-constrainedareashashad assistKenyaduringone todowithbuildingtheresilienceof ofthemostdevastatingdroughtstohit thesecommunitiesbecausethe EastAfricainoverhalfacentury,the droughthasbecomeaveryfrequent effectsofwhicharecompoundedby thing,"hesaid."Thepatternisnot challengescausedbyRussia'sinvasion frequent,butdroughtsarecomingnow ofUkraine. andthen." WorldRelief,anongovernmental KamausaidWorldReliefhas inTurkanaCounty. organizationthathasworkedacross createdoveradozenboreholesin WorldReliefpartnerswithchurches 100countriestobringsustainable Turkana—narrowholesdugtolocate thatprovidevolunteersthatthe solutionstovulnerableregions,is water—andsixotherwaterpoints organizationtrainstodoextension operatinginthenorthwestKenyan calledsanddams.Thesedamsstore workandhelpcovermoreareasin countyofTurkanaasadroughthas waterduringrainyseasonsandthe need. plaguedthecountryforthepast18 wateraccumulatesbehindthedam. months. Theorganizationisalsodiggingfour Churchempowerment FoundedastheWarRelief additionalboreholesinatownsouthof zones CommissionduringWorldWarIIby NairobicalledKajiado.Thecountry theNationalAssociationof directortoldCPthatequatesto16 WorldRelieffindsareastohelpby EvangelicalsofAmerica,WorldRelief boreholesandsixsanddamsthat assessingthelevelofneed.Whenit hasmaintainedalong-termpresencein WorldReliefhasdug. entersanareatoofferrelief,thecharity theEastAfricancountrysince2011, Afterestablishingwaterpoints,the locateschurches,invitingpastorsand whendroughtandfaminelastravaged organizationhelpscommunitiesin otherchurchleaderstocraftwhatthe thearea. thoseregionsadapttodryland organizationcallsa"church InaninterviewwithTheChristian farming,anagriculturaltechniquethat empowermentzone." Post,WorldReliefKenyaCountry utilizesmoisturestoredinthesoilto Thesezonesequippastorsorother DirectorEliasKamausaidmanyin cultivatecrops. spiritualleaderstoworkwiththeir Turkanaarenomadicpastoralists, nadditiontooperatingacountry communitiestoaddressissueslike meaningtheymigratewiththeir officeinNairobiwithabout12staff, povertyormalnutritionthrough livestockfromoneplacetoanotherin WorldReliefalsohastwoofficesin leadershipdevelopmentandcapacity searchofpasture. Turkana,threeinKajiadoandNakuru, building. Thedroughthascausedthe aRiftValleyregioninKenya.World "Wecutoutageographicalareaasa depletionofmanywatersourcesin Reliefhasabout64staffonitspayroll whole,andwestyleitasachurch pastoralistareasand60%to80%of inKenya,withabouttwodozenonstaff empowermentzone—theplacewhere 32 VOLIII AUG2022

Sossusvlei, Namibia | Photo by Sonse on Flickr wearegoingtobringallourresources injectingcashintotheeconomyby "Itisverycriticalwefocusonsaving tobeabletoseechange,toseeimpact," puttinganunconditionalcashtransfer lives,"headded."Peoplearehungry. Kamauasserted. projecttogethertoavailhalfabasket Theyneedfoodnow." SinceanarealikeTurkanaisquite loadoffoodrationsforthepoorest Russia'sFeb.24invasionofUkraine large,KamausaidWorldReliefparcels familiesinthenorthwesternpartsof hasaddedtothehungercrisis,leading thesezonesintosmallersections Turkana. toincreasedpricesoffoodandfuel. calledchurchnetworks.These Accordingtothecountrydirector, "Soyouhaveasituationwhere networksarewithinneighborhoods thisareaofTurkanaisamongthe accesstofoodisahuge,hugeproblem," thathavewhatKamauestimatestobe hardest-hitareastheyserve. Kamaustressed. around25churchesofdifferent Kamauidentifiedthecostofthe AsCBSNewsreportedMonday, denominations. cashtransferprojectataround Russia'snavalblockadeofUkrainehas WorldReliefestablishesa $650,000,addingthattheagronomy causedglobalfoodshortagesandmore committeeconsistingofpeoplefrom projectsareworthabout$500,000. than20milliontonsofgrainarestuck variousdenominationswhohelpthem HepraisedchurchesintheU.S.and onOdesa'scoast.Theblockadehashad navigateissuesaroundtheareaandact abroadforprovidingaidtoWorld aparticularlystrongimpactinAfrica, asrepresentativesofotherchurches Relief'sprojectsaspartofan extendingfarbeyondKenya. withinthearea.Turkanaisoneofthree agreementtohelptheorganization TheWorldFoodProgrammenoted churchempowermentzonesthe supportspecificcommunitiesfor thatthecostoffoodbasketshasrisen humanitariangroupoperatesinKenya. aroundthreetofouryears. intheHornofAfrica,withpricesrising "Thathashelpedusintermsof by66%inEthiopiaand36%in puttinginplacethetrainingandthe Somalia.Thecharityalsowarnedthat 'Theyneedfoodnow' capacitybuildingofthepastorsunit thenumberofpeoplestarvinginthe WorldReliefalsoimportsfoodsuchas andintegratingthecommunity HornofAfricaduetothedroughtcould rice,wheatandcorntofeedthepeople developmentaspectswhichpublic risefrom14millionto20millionbythe ofKenya. fundingcouldn'tpossiblydo,"Kamau year'send. KamausaidthatWorldReliefis said. Christianpost.com 33

Afghanistan's first female mayorsays TALIBAN IS WAGING 'GENOCIDE' AGAINST MINORITY GROUP BYRYANFOLEY ▶ AzraJafari, the former mayor of Nili in Afghanistan's Daykundi Province, is calling on the United States government to classify the Taliban's persecution against the Hazara ethnic group as a form of genocide. | US Army Staff Sgt. Nazly Confesor/ Public Domain womanwhoservedas mayorinAfghanistanin2008andheld group. thefirstfemalemayorin thepostuntil2014.Shehasbecomea HazarasareapredominantlyShia A Afghanistanisurging vocaladvocateforwomen'srightsand Muslimethnicgroupofover3.5 theU.S.governmentto astaunchcriticofthecontrolthe millionthatprimarilyresideincentral declaretheTaliban's TalibanhastakensincetheU.S. Afghanistan.Theethnicgrouphas treatmentoftheHazaraethnicgroupa military'swithdrawalfromthecountry longbeensubjecttoviolenceatthe genocideasthefirstanniversaryofthe lastyear. handofstateactorsandmilitant withdrawalofU.S.troopsfromthe InaninterviewwithTheChristian groupsandisconsideredbysometobe CentralAsiancountryapproaches. Post,shesharedconcernsabout historicallythemostdiscriminated AzraJafari,whoformerlyservedas religiousfreedominAfghanistanand againstethnicgroupinAfghanistan. mayorofNiliinAfghanistan's thethreatstowomenandminoritiesin Asviolenceagainsttheminority Daykundiprovince,wasoneofseveral thecountry. grouphasescalatedinthepastyear, speakerstoaddresstheannual NearlyayearaftertheTalibantook shesaid:"theTaliban[is]tryingtoban InternationalReligiousFreedom controlofAfghanistan,Jafarisaysthe theinternet"topreventjournalists SummitinWashington,D.C. situationonthegroundhasturned fromcoveringincidentsinthecountry. Jafariwasappointedthefirstfemale bleakforwomenandherHazaraethnic JafaristatedthattheTalibanhas 34 VOLIII AUG2022

engagedinadeliberatecampaignto governmenttotakeaction…forthe violenceagainsttheHazaras.She "killandthendisplace"membersofthe protectionofHazaraminoritiesin acknowledgedthattheremaybea ethnicgroupfromtheirhomeswhich Afghanistanbecausereallyitis "smallconflict"betweenthetwo hasledtothedisplacementofmore genocide,"sheproclaimed. groupsandpredictedtheycould"solve than1,400families. WhileJafaridatesthebeginningof it veryeasily." Reportshavesurfacedinthepast thegenocideagainstHazarastomore Jafarielaboratedontheoppression yearofmassacrestargetingHazara thanacenturyago,sheseesnowasthe ofwomenandotherethnicminorities people,includingthekillingof13 timeto"protecttheHazaracommunity atthehandsoftheTaliban,stating HazarasintheDaykundiprovince. fromAfghanistan"andwantstheU.S. thattheyarebanningwomenfrom Reportshavealsoemergedofevictions to"recognizewhathappened[tothe] "society,""politics"andthe"economy." ofthousandsofHazarafamiliesfrom HazaraethnicityinAfghanistanasa "Allwomenareinthehouseand theirhomesintheDaykundiprovince genocide." thentheycan'tdoanything,"shesaid. andMazar-e-Sharifbasedonclaims Jafari,aShiaMuslim,insistedthat Shereportedthat"womencannotgo theyhadnoownershipovertheirland. theTaliban,aSunninationalist toschoolanddon'thaveanyrighttodo TheTalibanlookforthe"smallest movement,doesnotbelievein"rights anyjobslikeasajudgeorin[a]high- cues"todeterminewhethersomeoneis forminoritiesorotherreligionsin rankingposition." partoftheHazaraethnicgroupornot, Afghanistan."Fromtheirperspective, Jafariidentifiedelementaryschool shesaid.Thisincludeslookingattheir shemaintained,SunniIslamshouldbe teachersandhospitalemployeesas faceorlearningtheirname.Jafari theonlyreligionpracticedinthe amongtheonlyjobsopentowomen reportedthatoncetheTaliban country. followingtheTalibantakeover. determinesthatsomeoneisaHazara, Sinceretakingpower,Jafari Forherpart,Jafariisfreefromthe "theykillyourightaway." declared,theTalibanhas"started Taliban-controlledAfghanistan,asshe "Thisislikeagenocideagainst exactlythesamemodelofgovernance" hasresidedinMarylandsince2014. Hazaras,"shesaid. theyembracedwhentheylastruled TheTaliban'sthreatagainsther Jafarimaintainedthat"the Afghanistanbeforethe9/11terror promptedhertoescapetotheU.S. internationalcommunityissilentand attacksin2001andthesubsequent Asateenagerandyoungadult, theycannotdoanythingwiththis U.S.militaryinvolvementinthenation. Jafarihadpreviouslyspenttimeasa situationrightnow"becauseofthe "Thisisnotacceptablefornotonly refugeeinIran,wheresheopeneda Taliban'sefforttotakecontrolofthe women,itisnotacceptablefor schoolforotherrefugeeswhocouldnot internet. anybody,especiallyforthereligious gotoschoolbecausetheylackedthe Jafarihopesthatherappearanceat minorities." properidentificationfromtheUnited theInternationalReligiousFreedom AlthoughtheTalibanis"tryingto NationsHighCommissioneron Summitwouldraiseawarenessabout actliketheyarechanged"andaccept Refugees.Shestartedtheschoolwhen theplightoftheHazaras. "allreligionsoreverypeoplethatlivein shewas17yearsoldandworkedthere "IwanttoaskfortheU.S. Afghanistan,"Jafariseessuch foralmostsixyears. pronouncementsasinsincere. JafarireturnedtoAfghanistan ShehighlightedtheTaliban'srefusal shortlyafterthe9/11attacks.Whileher tohonorAfghanistan'sconstitution schooloperatedwithoutpermission thatessentiallydeclaresthat fromtheIraniangovernmentasan Taliban has engaged in a "everybodyisthesame,"whethermale "undergroundschool,"iteducatedover deliberate campaign to orfemaleorSunniorShia.TheTaliban 8,000students.Herfriendstook hasalso"closedthelastworshipplace" controloftheschoolaftershereturned "kill and then displace" forHindusinAfghanistanand toAfghanistanforaboutoneyear members of the ethnic preventedreligiousminoritiesfrom beforethegovernmentclosedthe holding"specialeventsinthestreets." schoolbecauseitwasillegal. group from their homes Jafaricharacterizedreportsof Jafariexpressedgratitudethatmany which has led to the violencebetweentheIslamicStateand childrenwhowenttothe"underground theTalibanas"fakenews"designedto school"endedupcontinuingtheir displacement of more distract"internationalcommunities" educationandobtainingcollege than 1,400 families. andthemediafromthe"otherbig degreesatinstitutionsworldwide. issues"inAfghanistan,specificallythe Christianpost.com 35

E N T E R T A I N M E N T WetheKingdomMiraclePowerpress image, 2022 | Shore Fire Media CP�Inspeakingofthemiracle happeningintheNewTestament.On needmyemotionsandmysintobe thissideofHeaven,Ithinkthat,from healed,andthatwillhappenonthe powerofGodasyournew God'sperspective,theearthonthis daywhenwegettobewithJesus.So singlehighlights,whatare sideofHeavenandHeavenaremore Ithinkthat,yes,Godstillismoving yourthoughtsonhowsome connectedthanweseethem. ineveryaspectoflife,thesmall Christiansdonotbelievein OnetimeIwasreallydiscouraged things,andthebigthings.ButIthink themiraclesofGod? becauseoneofmyfriendswasn't... thereisanelementtothe'alreadybut recoveringfromasickness.Itwas notyet,'thatwereallywrestle Franni:It'sinterestingwhenyousee reallyhardformetoprocessthatlike, throughasbelievers.Butmy thateveninbelievers,theydon't "God,why?"andIfeltliketheLord encouragementwouldbetonotlet knowwhattheythinkaboutit.Ithink showedmethentheultimatehealing disappointmentgetinthewayof therootofthatistobedisappointed isinHeaven. believingwhatGodsaysistrue.And wheneveryoudoubtthat,because Evennow,I'mhealthyandwell, if notnow,thenIknowthatHewill Scripturesaysit'strue.It'sstill butIstillneedthatnewbody,Istill makeallthingsright. 36 VOLIII AUG2022

CHRISTIANBANDWETHEKINGDOM BELIEVESINMIRACLESOFGOD DESPITEEXPERIENCEWITHCHURCHABUSE BYJEANNIEORTEGALAW etheKingdomhas abuse, and it was the first time they miraculous hand of God in how We the quickly become a performed together. Kingdomcametogether. WW popularnamein "Wehadnoideathetrajectoryof "It's crazy just to see the contemporary Christian whatthatsongwoulddo,”Bergthold faithfulness and the miracles that God music, and now they shared with The Christian Post in a doesinyourlife, and We the Kingdom wanttheworldtoknowGod'smiracle- recent interview. “That song started looks different than I would have ever working power. the journey of We the Kingdom. A imagined,” he continued. “But it's way WetheKingdomiscomprisedofEd couple of months later, we started better. Because it's God's plan, it's Cash, his children Franni and Martin, writing more songs shortly after that. I God's time.” along with his brother Scott Cash and waslike, 'Well, I have a name and “Miracle Power” follows their their friend Andrew Bergthold. website and social media, and previous single, “Dancing on the Bergthold tried to start a band everything else set up if we want to Waves.” After spending the spring called We the Kingdom in his use it.'" opening for Casting Crowns on the hometownofKansasCity,Missouri, "Everybody loved it and jumped on road, We the Kingdom announced last several years ago, but to no avail. He board. As I was driving home from that, monththattheywouldheadlinea22- then moved to Nashville, Tennessee, I just started crying because I heard date tour in the fall. for work, where he met the Cash the Lord telling me, 'This is the reason I Thefollowing is an edited transcript family. gaveyouthesedreams,andjust of CP's interview with the band, where After a few years of friendship and becauseit wasn't right at that time they open up about doing ministry as a working behind the scenes in doesn't mean I'm not faithful, and it family, their belief in the miracle- children's ministry, they penned a song won't come through.'” working power of God and how they called "Dancing on the Waves" to sing Thegroup's newest single, “Miracle got through a difficult season of at a Young Life camp event. The song Power,” is the lead song off of their experiencing church hurt. wasaboutadifficult season they had upcomingalbum.Bergtholdsaidthe all just come out of dealing with church single is fitting because he sees the OnthissideofHeaven,Ireallydo soitcanbereallyhardhere. CP�Youhavesaidthatwhat believethatGodworksmiracles.I Ilovethatsecondverse[inthe broughtyoutogetherasa thinkthatwetendtoseethem, song]thatsays:"Sometimesit'sso band,initially,wasgoing interestinglyenough,incountries hardbeinghuman/Allthestruggle throughaseasonofspiritual wherepeopledon'thaveaccessto andallthepain."Ilovewhenthe churchhurt.Therearepeople everythingthattheyneedtonumb Biblesays,"Wedon'thaveahigh whowalkawayfromthe theirpain,whetherit'semotionalor priestwhoseunabletosympathize Churchbecausetheyhave physical.IntheUnitedStates,we withusinourweakness."Hegetsit; experiencedsomekindof reallystrugglewiththatbecausewe wejustgottowaitonHimandtrust don'treallywaitonGodhere;wehave Him.Andthen,ifnotnowinthenext churchhurt.Youallhave ahardtimereallywaitingonHim,on [place],IknowthatHewilldo survived,you'rethriving,and Histiming,whichlookssodifferent miracles,butIhopethatthatdoesn't youarespirit-filled.Canyou thanours.Athousanddaysisone discourageourheartsfrombelieving talk to anyonewhomighthave daytotheLord;Scripturesaysthat, Himtodowhateverweneednow. Christianpost.com 37

gonethroughsomething you,God'snotgoingtocomethrough. anewsoundthathopefullyinspires Idon'tthinkGodworkslikethat. peopletoloveGodinadeeperwayto similar? Thesearedeeptheological lovemusicinadeeperway. Ed:Ijustfeelthissostrongly.Ithink discussions.Ithink,ultimately,it's It'sbeencooltoseewhathappens oneofthegreatestdangersistoput justimportanttorememberthatHe's whenyouputfourdecadessitting onthefaceofGodthepastorthat alovingfather.HelovesHiskids. righthere.Sowhathappenswhen hurtusortheparentthathurtusor There'snomysterythatthereare youputallthesedifferentinfluences thefriendortheenemyorwhoever. modern-daymedicalmiraclesthat together?Youhavekindofpop- WeseeversionsofJesusinthese happen.I'veseenthemdocumented modernstuffcombinedwithold Christianswhoarejustbrokenpeople wherepeoplecan'texplainthisstuff. Southernrockelectricguitarriffsor andthenweendupthinkingthat Ultimately,Heavenistheultimate whatever.It'sbeencooltoseethe that'swhatGodlookslike.Godlooks culminationofallhealing,butIdon't outcome.I'msurprisedthat,atleast, nothinglikeanymanthathasever thinkthatmeansthatHe'snotgoing tous,itfeelsrightbecauseyouwould lived,andit'snotevenclose.His tomovehere.There'satensionwith thinkthoseclash. waysarehigherthanourways,and it, andI'djustsay,Ithinkit'sOKfor it's notfairtoGodtoputontoHim ustobewrestlingwithit,and CP�Howdoyouallkeepthat thewoundedpeoplethatliveinthis workingthroughit,andtogive passionandfireforGod world.He'sholy;He'sperfect.AndI ourselvesalotofgraceasweheal.I burning? thinkforourminds,formymind,that wouldsaythatIfeellikeit'samiracle issohardtounderstandsomedays. Scott:IfeellikeIwanttomakesureI thatI'vebeenhealedfromthechurch Eventalkingaboutoursong cansaythishonestly.Itisextremely woundthatIhad.Mygosh,Inever "MiraclePower,"Ithinktheironyis rarethatwegetonstageandhaveto thoughtIwouldgetoverthat,andI thatinthechurchthatwewerein turnontheperformancepartofit. reallydofeellikeI'mfinallyataplace thatyoureferenced,oneofthebig Extremelyrare!CanIsaythatthat wheretheLordhashealedthat.Istill thingstherewasthemiraculous neverhappens?No,itdoeshappen walkwithalimp,andIstillhavethe healingpowerofGod.Alotoftimes, sometimes. scar,butitdoesn'tplaguemelikeit theywouldbringpeopleup,andthere We'vehadareallystressful did. wasthishealingthatwouldhappen. season,lastcoupleofmonthstrying Ifyouhadenoughfaithtobelieve, tomakearecordandtouratthesame andifyoudidn't,thensomethingwas CP�Tellusaboutthenew time.[Ourmanager]said,"Ihopefor wrongwithyourfaith.Thatreally albumthatyouarerecording. youguysthatthe45minuteson messedwithmeandactuallycaused stagecanbejustlikearest.Justlet Yourinitialreleasewassowell metoreallyquestionwell,"Maybe everythinggo,allthestressgoand received.Whatcanweexpect Godisn'tmiraculousafterall." justenjoyplayingmusic." for the nextround? IthinkwhereIgetreally IfeellikeGodhascontinuallykept challengedbythatistosuggestthat Martin:Ithinkasanartist,alotof thattimeonstageasasacredtime Goddoesn'tdomiraclesanymoreis, thetimesyoustrugglewithhow forus.We'vehadourbattlesduring arguably,tosuggestthatHecan'tdo oftendoyoureplicatewhatyouknow it, for sure,butitfeelsreallyspecial, miraclesanymore.AndI'llsaythat isconnecting,butalsoreinvent andIdofeellikeGodcontinuesto Godissovereign,Hiswaysarehigher yourselftooffernotonlynewartto giveusenergyforit.Therearetimes thanourways,andHecoulddoa peoplebuttheGospelinadifferent whenwesleptthreehoursona miracleanytimeHewants.Hedidn't lightthatcouldspeaktosomeone bumpybus,butwegetonstage,and stoptheabilitytodomiracles.So maybeoutsidetheChurch,who atleastforthat45to70minutes, what'sthedeal?Isitalackoffaith? wouldneverinamillionyearssitting whateveritis,wecanlockinandplay IsitjustHissovereigntythatHe inapewbutforsomereasonthey're andencountertheLordand doesn'tseefittodoitrightnow?I opentotheGospel?Andyouwritea encounterpeoplethere.Soit'sbeena leantowardthat.Ithinkthatour songthathaslanguagethatis realgift.Idon'tunderstand;it'sa faithdoesplayanelementinthere, attractive.TheGospelisattractive; mystery.Thiswholethingissowild, butIdon'tthinkit'stheshamingkind Jesusisattractive.SoIthinkwhat it's suchawildmystery.It'sreally ofthingwhereyoubettergetitright, we'vetriedtodoonthealbumisplay hard,butit'sreallybeautiful. andifyoudon'tmusterupenough offofoldschoolWetheKingdom– faith,thensomething'swrongwith sonically,lyrically,butalsointroduce 38 VOLIII AUG2022

ADVERTISEONTHECHRISTIANPOST ADigitalLeaderinChristianMedia Wehavenearly20yearsofexperiencereaching Christian communities alongside the evolution of digital media. Fromcontentcreation to Being that The Christian Post is a trusted source for many Christians, it only made targeted distribution, we sense that our seminary advertise with them, andwearegladthatwedid. havethetools and services to get your message across DR. EDWARDHERRELKO VPofMarketing, multiple platforms. Dallas Theological Seminary Contact us to learn how READYTOLEARNMORE? TheChristian Post can help you drive growth. WEAREHIRING Join TheChristianPost team and work together to strengthen the Christian worldview in the national conversation. ViewOpenPositions: Scanbarcodetogotowww.christianpost.com/jobs.html Christianpost.com 39

CeCeWinans,LaurenDaigleurge Christians to answer God's call: 'HESENDSTHE ONESWHOARE AVAILABLE' BYLEAHMARIEANNKLETT ASHVILLE—Christian “IhopeI'vebeena musicsuperstars positiverolemodelfor N includingCeCeWinans, otheryoungartistswho LaurenDaigle,Michael comein,”hesaid.“And W.Smith,DannyGokey I'dsaythebiggest andThirdDay’sMacPowellshared encouragementIcan wisdomforthenextgenerationofCCM giveisalwaysputGod artists,highlightingtheimportanceof firstinyourlife.And Lauren Daigle and CeCe Winans appear at the 2022 K�LOVE Fan Awards in followingGod’sleadandremaining don'tworryabout Nashville, Tennessee. | Jason Davis Photography for K�LOVE Fan Awards scripturallysoundinarapidly comparingyourselfto changingculture. others.Youknow,artists Christianmusicveteransand canbejustlikeeverybodyelseonsocial imagine.” newcomersalikegatheredat media,whereyou'recomparing,‘What DaigleaddedthatGodhas“wired Nashville’sGrandOleOpryHousefor doesthisartisthavegoingon?How eachpersonsocreatively,”adding: theK-LOVEFanAwards,anight highisthissongonthecharts?’And “There'sathingcalleda‘zeitgeist,’ definedbyhope,inspirationand youcanletthatstuffruleyou.And whichiswheretimeandculture comradery. whenitrulesyou,itrobsyouofthetrue intersect.Andit'swhenGod…decides Aheadoftheshow,nominees, understandingofhowGodisusingyou tosay,‘ThisistheoneIhave performersandguestsspokewithThe inlife.” appointed.ThisistheoneI'mcalling ChristianPostontheredcarpetabout WinansandDaigle,whoperformed out.Let'sgo;comeon.Thisishowwe theirhopeforthefutureofChristian togetheratTuesday’sshowandhave getthepeoplereadyforwhat'sto musicandthenextgenerationof countlessawardsandchart-topping come.’Hesendstheonesthatare believers. singlesbetweenthem,both uniquelyavailable,Ithink." MatthewWest,whohostedthe encouragedyoungerbelieversto“just “IfyoufeellikeGodiscallingyouto night’sshowalongsideTaurenWells bewhoGodhascalledyoutobe.” thisorthat,He'stouchedyourlifein andwasalsonominatedforMale “Godhasempoweredthemtobe somesortofway.AskHimtoopen ArtistoftheYear,walkedtheredcarpet morethanenoughforthisgeneration,” doorsandseetheplacesthatHe'lltake withtwoofhisdaughters.The45-year- Winanssaid.“Ithink,Godisso you,”sheadded. oldDoveAward-winnertoldCPthat amazingthateverygeneration,He WinanssaidshehopesCCM“keeps thebestadvicehecanofferup-and- givesthetalents,thegifts,exactly growing”and“coverstheworld,” comingartistsisto“stayhumble,stay whattheyneed.Ijustwanttheyoung stressingthat“theworldneedstohear” focusedonthelanethatGodhasput peopletobewhotheyare,andtakeall theGoodNewsoftheGospel. youin,andyou’regoingtohaveamajor thelimitsoff.…Godwilltakeyou “That'swhatit'sallabout,”shesaid. impactonsocietyandculture.” furtherthanwhatyoucouldever Whatstartedasanichegenreinthe 40 VOLIII AUG2022

“If you feel like God is calling you to this or that, He's touched your life in some sort of way. Ask HimtoopendoorsandseetheplacesthatHe'll take you,” AndIthinkGodwill encouragedthenextgenerationto exaltyouandIthink “seekfirsttheKingdom,”adding:“A He'llgiveyouafavor lotofus,wewanttobefamousfor andIthinkHe'lldo Jesus,butHedoesn'tneedourfame, extraordinarythingsif Heneedsourheartsandour youstayhumble,”the obedience.AndHeneedsustospeak 64-year-oldartistsaid. whathe’ssaying,becausethewords MacPowell,the thatweputinmusicspeaktopeople Michael W. Smith | Jason Davis Photography for K�LOVE Fan Awards formerfrontmanof whoareinbasements,inhospitals, ThirdDaywhoisnowa readytotaketheirlives.I'mtelling soloartist,encouraged you,theuniquenessofHisvoice 1960satCalvaryChapelinCosta artiststoremainbiblicallysound, insideofusanddisplayedthroughus Mesa,California,CCMistodaya stressingtheimportanceofnot isabigdeal.Andwemustbetuned multibillion-dollarindustry,withmany wateringdownthemessageofthe in.” artistsfindinghugecrossoversuccess. Gospel. Hestressedthatregardlessofwhat AccordingtotheBerkleeSchoolof “Ithinkasanartist,you'realways happensinculture,“God’smessage Music,thefastest-growingradio wantingtomakemusicthatwillreach neverchanges.” marketintheUnitedStatestodayis peopleoutsideofthewallsofthe “God'sWordisthemoststable Christianmusic. Church,butatthesametime,weall foundationtobuildon,”theartist Smith,ofthemostrecognizable oftenthinkaboutthatterm,‘we're said.“Forme,it'stakingGod'sWord namesinCCMforthelastfour preachingtothechoir,’”hesaid.“I've andformulatingitinsuchawaythat decades,toldCPhebelieveshumilityis gottencriticizedinthepastformaking it's fresh.…WhenIwrite,Igotothe thekeytotrulyhonoringGod.The veryGospel-forwardmusicbecause Lordandsay,‘Whatdoyouwantto artist,who’swonthreeGrammy yougo,‘Well,you'rejustpreachingto say?’Andthenthepackagingisthe Awards,45DoveAwards,one thechoir.’Well,IknowIwasinthe producingthesound,andwetrytoget AmericanMusicAwardandwas choir,andIneededtobepreachedto. it outthere.AlotoftimesGoduses recentlyinductedintotheGospel So… artistscandoboth.Wecando propheticmomentsinmylifethatI MusicHallofFame,wasnominatedin musicandartthatreachesoutsideof writeintosongs.” theBookImpactcategoryforhisbook, ourwalls,butatthesametime, TheK-LOVEFanAwardswillairon TheWayoftheFather. encourageourbrothersandsistersthat TBNJune3,airingbacktobackat “Stayhumble.It'snotaboutyou. arewithintheChurch.” both8p.m.and10p.m.ET. Andthat'sthekey.…I'dratherhumble “AmericanIdol”alumDannyGokey, myself;beinghumbledbyGodisnota whowasnominatedforMaleArtistof lotoffun.SoIjustthinkthat'sthekey. theYearandwasalsoapresenter, Christianpost.com 41

ACTORDAVECOULIERSHARES Howalcoholaddictionaffected his spirituality, entire life BYJEANNIEORTEGALAW ctorandcomedianDave breakitbecausehedoesn'tfeelas wasthecentralfocusforourlives.It Coulier,who'sbest thoughit'sbroken.Mycharacterhasa wasreallyourmeetingplaceanda A knownasUncleJoeyin lotofflaws.” placewherewesocialize,anditwasa theiconicTVseries"Full Theactorlikenedthecameraworkin placewherewehelpedthoseinneed, House"anditsspin-off theseriesto“TheOffice,”withalotof andwehelpedeachother. "FullerHouse,"isthestarofanew handheldcameramovements.Hesaid "It'salwaysbeeninmylifeinone seriesontheChristianstreaming theradiostudio,whichwasbuilt wayoranother,"headded,"butI servicePureFlixcalled"Live+Local" specificallyfortheshow,hadsixstatic alwayssay,thatwaslikefaithtraining andrecentlyspoketoTheChristian camerasaroundthisradiostationfor Bootcampforme—goingthrough Postabouthowhisjourneytosobriety theshoot. parochialschool." hasimpactedhislife. "Ijusthadawonderfultimedoing InhisinterviewwithCP,thefather TheSonyAffirmseriestakes this.There'salittlebitoffaith andhusbandalsoopenedupabouthow viewersonanadventureofwhat implementsinit.Wehavealotoffaith- adrinkingaddictionwasaffectinghis happens“whenaveteranradiotalk basedrockers,magiciansand spiritualityandotheraspectsofhislife. showhostandhisco-hosthaveto comedians,"headded. Foryears,itwassomethinghehadn't navigatetheupsanddownsofthe “Live+Local”featuresrealguestson noticed. radioworldwhentheirnewproducer thefakeradioshow.Oneofwhichwas "IneverthoughtIstruggledwith takesover,”accordingtoasynopsisof JohnCooperoftheChristianrockband alcoholandthatwastheproblem,” theshow.“Thisseriesgivesaninside Skillet. Couliersaid. lookattheChristianlocalradiostation "Ididn'trealizehowbigofarockand Hegrewupinaculturewhere K-HUGGandtheway[thestaff] rollerheis,likehuge,touringwithhuge familieswouldgooutforpizzaafter handle[thetransition]withgraceand bandslikeMetallicaandstuff,”Coulier hockeygamesandtheparentswould comedy.” said.“Hisfamilyissuchanintegral pourasmallamountofbeerina“tiny WhileCoulierretainssomecomedic partofhislife;hiswife'sintheband little glass”forthechildren.Thatwas aspectsthatfansareusedtoseeing, withhim,sothatwasreallycool. howhegrewupinthe‘60s,headded. thisrolewasquitedifferentforhim "Iwasreallyimpressedwithhim, "Itwasareallydifferentculture." becausehegetstoplayabitofa notsomuchasarockandrollerbutasa "Ialwaysequatedalcoholwith curmudgeon. humanbeing.Thatguyhasreallygotit havingagreattimeandeverybody's "IgotthescriptandIsawthatitwas togetherandhe'sgotsuchafaith- laughingandjumpingintothepool. arealdepartureforme,"Couliersaid."I basedfamilyoperatingsystemthatit Andwe'rehavingpizzaparties,the gottowearanice,big,thick,realbeard, wasreallycooltointerviewhim.” parentsarelaughingandhavinga myrealbeard.IgottogrowitoutandI WhenthinkingofCoulier,what greattime,andsoarethekids,”he gottoplaykindofaverydifferent comestomindformanyfansarehis continued.“Sotherewasn'tthis characterthanmostpeopleareusedto comedy,impersonationsandacting, awarenessofthedestructive seeingmeplay.Igottoplayalittlebit buthehasaspiritualsideaswellthat's capabilitiesofalcohol—psychological, ofacurmudgeon,whoisahostona beeningrainedinhimsincechildhood. emotional,spiritual.Thatwasn'treally faith-basedradioshowonaverysmall "IwenttoCatholicschoolsfrom partofthevernacularbackthen.” station,butthey'renumberoneinthe gradethreethrough12.SoI'mreally Coulierdidn'trealizehisdrinking market.Sohe'saguywhojustisnot messedup,”hesaid,jokingly.“Icame wasaproblemuntilhiswifestartedto goingtochange.Hedoesn'twanttodo fromaverybigCatholiccommunity get“worried,”hesaid.Theywould socialmedia,hedoesn'treallywantto hereinthecityofDetroit,sochurch oftenhaveabottleofwinewithdinner 42 VOLIII AUG2022

everynightbutthenitbecamemore wife,spirituallyinmylife, thanthat. psychologically,creatively?”hesaid. "Itwasn'tsomethingthatIeverfelt TheDetroitnativefinallydecidedto outofcontrolwith.I'malicensed getsoberonJan.1,2020,andhasbeen instrument-ratedpilot.Iwaskindofa sobereversince. smartdrunkreallyiswhatIwas.I "Ineverwantedtopreachtopeople.I wouldtakeafewdaysoffbeforeIknew justwantedtosharemystory.Andif IhadtoflysothatIcouldbeveryaware someonecanseealittlebitof andverycrispandclearthinking.SoI themselvesinme,andIcanhelpthem wouldkindofbuildmylifearound thatway,thenthat'sarealplus,that's thosemomentsof,‘Ineedtotakeit arealcheckinthepositivecolumnfor easysothatIcandowhatIneedtodo,’” me,”Couliersaid. Coulieradded. ThecomedianalsospoketoCP "Samethingwithbeingatelevision aboutlossaftertherecentdeathsofhis director.Samethingwithbeingan brother,Dan,tosuicidefollowedbythe actor.Ithought,'Oh,well,I'mgoingto passingofhisclosefriendBobSaget haveapuffyfaceoncamera,soIbetter andthenhisfather. stopdrinkingafewdaysbeforehand. ReadmoreaboutCoulier’sjourney Soitwasverycalculated.Butwhenmy throughgriefandhisantidoteforthe wife,Melissa,startedtoreallyget derisionandupheavalintheworldin concernedandtoldme,'I'mreally part2ofCP'sinterviewwiththe worriedaboutyou,andI'mreally famousactorthatwillbepublishedin worriedaboutthedrinking,'"hishabits thecomingdays. eventuallybegantochange. “Live+Local”beginsstreamingon Aftersufferingabadfallthatleft PureFlixonJuly7.Clickhereformore substantialbruisingonhisfaceCoulier details. realizedhehadaproblem.Earlierthis yearhepostedapictureofhisbruised faceonInstagramandsharedhis testimonyofsobriety. "Mywifewasoutoftownandmy friendsaid,'Youbettersendherthat picturebeforeshegetshomebecause that'snotgoingtohealupintwodays.' AndIsaid,'You'reabsolutelyright.'So Isentherthepictureandshestarted crying.Shejustsaid,'Wereallyneedto talkaboutthis.'” Evenafterthefall,ittookCoulier anotheryearofintrospectionwherehe saidhewaslookingathis“own spiritualityandlookingatmyownlife, togaugehowthiswasgoingtoaffect mylife.” "Ithought,'AmIstillgoingtobethe funnyguy?...AmIstillgoingtobethe guywhomakeseverybodylaugh?'I thoughtmaybealltheseyears,I'vehad someliquidcourage....DoIreallyneed that?Isitacrutch?AndwhathaveI beenmissingromanticallywithmy Christianpost.com 43

JERRYANDMARGE GOLARGE tells uplifting true story of couple who legally cracks lottery, transform small town BYLEAHMARIEANNKLETT tatimewhendark economicallyailingtownandhelptheir check,they’dsharetheirwinningswith contentispervasive grandchildrenandgreat-grandchildren familyandfriends,manyofwhom A acrossHollywood,the payfortheireducations. joinedtheminplayingthelottery. film“JerryandMargeGo Now,nearlyadecadelater,their ThesefriendsincludedSelbee’s Large,”starringBryan storyishittingthebigscreen, accountant,playedbyLarryWilmore, CranstonandAnnetteBening,assures premieringonParamount+onJune17. andaclerkattheconveniencestore audiencesthatthere'sstillgoodinthe InaninterviewwithTheChristian wheretheyboughtthelotterytickets, world—andgenerosityhasfar- Post,Bening,anaward-winning playedbyRainnWilson("TheOffice"). reachingeffects. actress,describedtheSelbeesas Interestingly,theMassachusetts Thefeature-lengthcomedyisbased “fabulous”and“honest”people.Toget StateLotterywasawareofwhatthe onthetruestoryofGeraldSelbee,a intocharacter,sheandCranstongotto Selbeesandtheirfriendsweredoing— residentofthesmalltownofEvart, knowthecouple,whoarenowintheir yetdidn’tfindtheiractions Michigan,whofiguredoutawayto 80s. problematic. legallyhackthe “Theyhada lottery. lotoffun,” “I just love that about doing the film; that it's really about Theyearwas Beningsaid. 2003,and “I'msurelike a healthy relationship. Good, honest people who happen Selbee,aretiree, anymarried figuredouta to get on to this thing, and make a lot of money; didn't couple,they've mathematical beenthrougha change them didn't really change their lives and the way loopholeinthe lot.Theyraised since- sixkids,but they live their lives. They're wonderful people.” discontinued theywerea lotterygame teamforsure. Winfall.Alongwithhiswife,Marjorie, “Itwasenjoyabletoplayahappily Andyouknow,theybothhaveareal familyandfriends,Selbeewouldgoon marriedcouple,”shesaid.“Andthefact twinkleforeachother.It'sverysweet.” towinnearly$27millionoveranine- thatJerryfiguredouttheflawinthe “Ijustlovethataboutdoingthefilm; yearperiod. lottery,it'simportanttoremember thatit'sreallyaboutahealthy Butinsteadofinvestingthemoney that;thattheydidn'tcheat.Itwasn't relationship,”sheadded.“Good,honest inexpensivecars,boatsorother liketheyhadascamgoing,theyfigured peoplewhohappentogetontothis materialgoods,theSelbees,high outaflaw.” thing,andmakealotofmoney;didn't schoolsweetheartsandparentsofsix, TheSelbeeswoulddrivefrom changethemdidn'treallychangetheir remainedinthesamemodesthome MichigantoMassachusetseverythree livesandthewaytheylivetheirlives. andusedtheirwinningstogivebackto weeks,buyingticketsandcounting They'rewonderfulpeople.” theircommunity,revivetheir themtogether.Oncethey’dreceivea “JerryandMargeGoLarge”also 44 VOLIII AUG2022

sequesteredinourlives,andsociety waskindoffeelingtight.AndI wantedtoopenthatup,Iwantedto feelbetter.Iwantedtofeelmorefree. AndIthinkthismoviedoesthat.…I justwantedtofeelasenseof communityinmakingitandalsoin thestoryitself.JerryandMargereally diditforus.” Cranstonsaidhe’salwaysattracted to“complex,”oftendysfunctional characters.Butsteppingintothe upliftingshoesofJerrySelbee“wasa differentthing.” “Ifeveryonefunctionsverywell,it doesn'tmakeforaverygoodstory,”he said.“Wewanttoseepeople overcomingtheirshortcomings;we wanttoseepeopleachieving somethingthattheyevendidn'tfeel theycouldthemselves.” “Jerrywasadifferentthing,”the66- year-oldactorsaid.“Itwasadifferent feelingtotakeonthischaracter becauseitdidn'thavealotofinternal conflict.Wekindoftooktheartistic libertyjusttosuggestthathemightbe alittlesociallyungracefulandthat he'sneverbeencomfortablein figuringoutpeople;he'sgoodwith math,andthatkindofhelpedand workedtowardtheoverallfoundation ofthefilm.Butinreallife,Jerryis actuallyafun-lovingkindofguy.He's gregarious,andhe'lltalkalldaylong.” DirectedbyDavidFrankel("The DevilWearsPrada,""Marley&Me"), “JerryandMargeGoLarge”israted PG-13forsomelanguageand ▲ "Jerry and Marge Go Large" premieres on Paramount+ on June 17. | Paramount+ suggestivereferences.Thoughit’snot afaith-basedfilm,it’sthekindoffeel- goodmoviethatbringstolightthe followshowtheSelbeesfaced lovedmost. storiesthatoftengountold,reminding competitionfromsleazyMITstudents, Cranston,bestknownforhisEmmy viewersoftheimportanceof forcingJerrytore-thinkhisstrategies. Award-winningroleas"BreakingBad" communityandpowerofgenerosity. ButforJerry,aformeremployeeof antiheroWalterWhite,sharedthat “Tofindsomethingthatisafeel- Kellogg’scerealfactory,hackingthe Jerrywasthefirstrolehetackledsince goodstorythatisbasedonsomething lotterywasn’tnecessarilyabout comingoutoftheCOVID-19 true,thatwasjustforme,areal winningmoney;itwasahobbythat lockdowns. delight,”Beningsaid.“Ifeelreally gavehimbothasenseofpurposeand “WewerecomingoutofCOVIDand lucky.Myparentscanwatchthis anopportunitytogivebacktothosehe everyonefeelingrestrictedandbeing movie.Itwasarealprivilegetogetto Christianpost.com 45

B O O K S Christian actor Zachary Levi says cametohead. “Alotofdarknessanddepression Faith helped him thatensuedfromthat,”hesaidofthe divorce. overcomesuicidal “Hollywoodisnotexactlythemost loving,kind,safeplaceforpeople's thoughts, forgive heartsandmindsandsouls,"headded. "Andsothere'salotoftraumaand abusivemom abusethatIsuffered,evenatthehands ofalotofmyemployersandalotofjust BYLEAHMARIEANNKLETT thesystemthatisHollywood.And again,Ididn'trecognizeitastrauma;I justthought,well,thesearestruggles, otheoutsideworld,Zachary been‘othercare,’I'vealwaysbeen andyoukindofworkedthroughthem. Leviisthedefinitionof tryingtosavetheworldandtakecareof LittledidIknowthatallofthatwas success:AHollywoodactor otherpeople.Andthat'sgivenme feedingintothesametraumathatI T andsinger,hereceived purposeandmeaning;neverreally experiencedasachildandIwasjust criticalacclaimasChuck knowinghowtospendtowithmyself, relivingalotofthatpainoverandover BartowskiontheNBCdrama"Chuck" bymyself.” andoveragain.” andevenplayedasuperherointheDC ForLevi,whocandidlydocuments ForLevi,anoutspokenChristian, andMarvelUniverses. hisstoryinhisnewmemoir,Radical learningtolovehimselfcamefrom Butdespitehisseeminglyfairytale Love:LearningtoAcceptYourselfand seeinghimselfasGodseeshim: life, the41-year-old“American Others,hisstrugglesstartedasfar Fearfullyandwonderfullymade, Underdog”actoristhefirsttoopenup backashecanremember.Asa abouthispaststruggleswith child,hewaspsychologically depressionandanxiety,strugglesso abusedbyhismother,herselfa severetheyledhimtocontemplate victimofunrecognizedabuse, suicide. andlater,byhisstepfather. “WhenIwas37,aboutfiveyears Generationaltrauma,the ago,Ihadacompletebreakdown,”Levi actorsaid,isboth“scientific toldTheChristianPost.“AndI andbiblical.” basicallycametotheplacewhereI “Asayoungboy,withthis didn'twanttoliveanymore.AndIwas bigheart,whojustwantedto reallyvery,veryluckythatoneofmy goandlovepeople,itwasa sisterstookituponherselftogoand verydetrimentalenvironment searchtheinternetforaplacethatI togrowupin,”herecalled. mightbeabletogoandseeksome “AndwhatIlearnedwashow reallydeephealing.Iwenttothisthree toconstantlyrunfromthepain weeksofveryintensive,life-changing thatIwassuffering life-savingtherapy,thatgotmebackon constantly.Goandrunaway myfeet.Andsimultaneously,becauseI fromtheabusivenessthatwas wentanddidthatwork,allofasudden, inmyhouseholdthrough thingsinmylifestartedopeningup.” variousaddictions…itall “Ididn'tevenknowreallywhatself- becameveryunresolved, lovewaspriortofiveyearsago,”the unhealedtrauma.” “Shazam”actoradded.“I'monlyfour- Later,hesays,heturnedto and-a-half,fiveyearsintomyself-love sex,drugsandalcoholtocope journey.I'maninfantwhenitcomesto withhispain.Butitwasn’t figuringouthowtolovemyselfand untilhis2015divorcefrom self-care.That'sanotherthingthatI've actressMissyPeregrym,he neverreallyunderstood;I'vealways said,thathisinnerturmoil ▲ Amazon 46 VOLIII AUG2022

inherentlyvaluabledespitemany othersascreatedintheimageofGod, strugglingthroughthisstuff.” accoladesandachievements. Levisaid,allowedhimtoextend Theactordoesn'twantotherstoput UnderstandinghisidentityinChrist, forgivenesstobothhimselfandhis himonapedestal,fullyawareofhow alongwiththerapyandsupport,was mother,decadesaftertheabusehe celebritiescancomeacrosstoan life-changing. endured. image-obsessedsociety:"Weshouldn't Despitegrowingupwitha"healthy Publiclysharinghisstoryisboth look[celebrities]like,‘Oh,they'vegotit doseoffaith,"Levisaidhisrelationship catharticandintimidating,Levisaid. alltogether,somehowthey'rebetteror withGodwastestedseverelyduring Yet,hefeelscalledtosharehis whatever,'"Levisaid."We'reabunchof hisboutwithdepression. strugglesandvictoriesinaneffortto schmuckslikeeverybodyelse.We're “WhenIwasinthedarkness,itwas helpotherslearnthatthey,too,canfind struggling…andinalotofways,we're thefirsttimeinmylifefiveyearsago hopeandhealing. strugglingevenmorethanotherpeople whenIfeltperhapsthereisnoGod,"he “Noamountofperformanceisever becauseoftheweirdpressuresand said."Inthatmoment,Ididn'tbelieve goingtoultimatelyearnyourworthor inaGod,becauseiftherewasaGod,I yourlove;youarelovable,andyouare don'tknowwhyIwouldbegoing lovedsimplybecauseyouare,”he “No amount of performance throughthedarknessthatIwasgoing stressed.“Thefactthatweexistisa is ever going to ultimately throughwhereIfelttherewasnoGod." miracle.Weareallthesewalking, "Iwascryingout;literallylike talkingmiracles.” earn your worth or your screamingandcryingouttoGod,to Healsohopessocietywillcontinue helpmeunderstandwhatwasgoingon toreframetheconversationaround love; you are lovable, and withme.AndIwasn'tgettingany mentalhealth,takingitjustas you are loved simply answers.Iwasn'tgettinganythingof seriouslyasphysicalhealth. thethingsthatIhadpreviouslyinmy “Mentalillnessislikephysical because you are. The fact life, feelinglikeIhadgottenclarityand illness.Andasawholespectrum,we answersandvisionfromGod.Soit havephysicalillness,it'slikethe that we exist is a miracle. really,reallyrockedmyworld,”hesaid. commoncoldallthewaytocancer.And Weareall these walking, Lookingback,Leviknowsthose thesameistruewithmentalillness, feelingsofunworthinesswerefromthe youcanhaveverylittle,manageable talking miracles.” enemy.Basedonhisownexperience, things,butit'sstillalittlemental heoutlinesinhisbookpracticalsteps illness,oryou…mightneedtobe readerscantaketoimprovetheir admittedintoapsychiatrichospital judgmentsandthingsthatcomewith mental,physicalandspiritualhealth, andputintoaparticularroomandput thisweirdjobthatwehave.” fromprayerandmeditationtotalking onveryheavydrugsandwhateverthat Andwithhisnewfoundsenseof toalicensedtherapistandfindinga is,” hesaid. purposeandhope,Leviisonamission supportivecommunity. “Thereisnothingtobeashamedof tousehisplatformtoupliftothers, “Theenemy,thedarknesstellsus inanyofthat.Weareallchildrenof whetherit’susinghistalentstostarin you'reuniquelybroken;nobody'sbeen God,andweareallworthyofbeing filmslike“AmericanUnderdog”or brokenlikeyou,nobody'sgoingto lovedoneverypossiblelevel.Ithink sharinghisstorywiththeworld. understandyourbrokenness, that'sthebiggestthingthatChristwas “We'vegotalimitedamountoftime everyone'sgoingtothink,‘Wow,how tryingtogetusalltounderstandwhen thatwegettokickaroundonthisbig, weirdthey'rebrokenlikethisbecause Hewashere.” spinningballofmud,”hesaid.“AndI nobodyisbrokenlikethis,’”hesaid. Thoughhe’sgratefulforhowfarhe’s wanttodoasmuchasIcantobringas “Andthat'skindofweirdand come,Leviisthefirsttoadmithis muchjoytopeopleasIcan.Butalso, messedup.That'ssuchalie.Itisalie recoveryremainsaworkinprogress. giventhejourneythatI'vebeen fromthepitofHell.Weallstruggle Theactoremphasizedthathealingis throughonmyownmentalhealth,I withthesamestuffandwe'veallbeen “notasprint,it’samarathon”—and justfeltlikeifIcantakeanyofthat,ifI strugglingwithitsincethebeginning it’s onethattakesintentionaltimeand cangowalkthroughthoseflames,and oftime.Sowe'vegottobewillingto care. Icanhelpanybodywalkthroughthe accepttheseideasandacceptthatyour “Donotever,ever,everbelievethat sameflamesthatIdid,itfeelslikea brainisveryeasilyhijacked.” youarealoneinthis,”hesaid.“Weare prettygooduseofmytime.” Practicingradicallove,andseeing allinthistogether.Andweareall Christianpost.com 47

KIDNAPPEDINIRAQ Christian aid worker recounts his 66-day abduction by Islamic militants BYIANM.GIATTI Frenchformer millioneuros'worthofmedical Catholicschool equipment,food,warm A teacherhas clothesandhygienicproducts openedup toSyrians.Thecharityalso aboutthe helpedreconstructchurches, torturousconditionshefaced houses,schoolsandhospitals. whilebeingheldhostageby Theorganizationalso Islamicmilitantsfortwo financedsummercampsfor monthswhileservinga "thousandsofyoungAleppins Christianhumanitarianeffort whoknewnothingbutwarfor inSyria,somethinghefeltGod severalsummers,"said hadcalledhimtodo. Goodarzy. In2014,Alexandre Inhisnewbook,Kidnapped Goodarzybecamealarmedat inIraq:AChristian reportsofChristian HumanitarianTellsHisStory, oppressionintheMiddleEast Goodarzyrecountshisrelief andrespondedbyjoiningthe tripstoSyria,histravelto reliefgroupSOSChristiansof Aleppo,thesecond-largestcity theMiddleEastinSyria.He inSyriaandoneoftheoldest traveledtothecountryin2015 inhabitedcitiesinhistory.He toassistpersecuted alsodetailedwhathewent Christiansintheregion throughduringthe66dayshe rankedasoneoftheworst washeldhostagebyjihadi ▲ AlexandreGoodarzy|CourtesyAlexandreGoodarzy whenitcomestotoleranceof terrorists,recountingtorture Christianity. andthreatsagainsthislife. Asahistoryandgeographyteacher, comingtorelieveHischildren,my GoodarzytoldTheChristianPosthe brothers." Astrong'jihadist firstheardofSOSChristians—known Afterhearingreportsofthe presence' inFrenchasSOSChrétiensd'Orient— dwindlingChristianpopulationin fromoneofhisstudents. Syria—whichhasgonefromroughly2 AccordingtoGoodarzy,astrong "Foralongtime,Iragedtoremain milliontoabout700,000sincethe "jihadistpresence"ofAlNusra—the spectatorsofallthishumanmadness, startofthecivilwaradecadeago— branchofAl-QaedainSyria—andthe tohavetowatchfromafarthisregion Goodarzyfeltcompelledtohelp. IslamicStatemarkstheroadtoAleppo thatIlovedsomuch,toendup "Wedonotpreventorjudgethose forhundredsofkilometers.Ittakes remainingpowerless,"Goodarzywrote whowanttoleavethecountrvy,butwe severalhourstotraveltherebycaror viaemail."[SOS]wasformeacall helpthosewhowanttostay,"hesaid. bus. fromtheLord,acalltoserveHimby SOSChristianshasprovidedseveral Thejourney,Goodarzysaid,was 48 VOLIII AUG2022

neveraneasyone. paintedblackinsideandouttoprevent howcloseweweretobreakingdown." "Ihadscares.Thecarcassesofcars, themfromseeing. Itwasonlywhentheonsetofthe buses,tanksthatpunctuatetheroad, Goodarzysaysthecaptorssubjected globalcoronaviruspandemicoccurred thereactionofpassengerswhopanic themtopsychologicaltorture, inMarch2020thatGoodarzyandhis assoonasthereisaroadblock.Itisnot alternatelytauntedthemandchatted fellowcaptiveswerefreed.He uncommonforIslamiststodisguise withthemaboutFrenchsoccerstars. eventuallyrejoinedhiswifeandsonin themselvesassoldiersoftheSyrian Theyweretoldto"forget"aboutseeing France. armytostop,shootanddecapitate theirfamilieseveragain. passers-by,"hesaid. Awordofwarning "AllthisIknew,andIwas sometimesafraid.ButIknew GoodarzyhopesKidnapped Godwasthere." inIraqwillserveasawarning Despitetheriskstohisown toothernationsaboutthe life, Goodarzybelievedhewas threatofradicalIslam. doingtheLord'swork. "The[Christian]Lebanese, "Once[wearrived]in SyriansandIraqisoftentell Aleppo,youmeetallthese us:'Whatwehavealways forgotten,almostneglected experiencedwithIslamwill people....Youtellyourselfthat happentoyou!Youarenot it's worthit,"hesaid."Wehave carefulenough!Whatstrikes sometimestotakerisksfor ustodaywillhappentoyou God.TherestisinHishands." tomorrow!'" Aftertravelingbackand "Manyofthemurderers forthontheperilous12-hour whowenttojihadinSyriaand busridefromDamascusto IraqcomefromEurope,"the Alepporegularlyfor18 authoradded."Itisobvious months,Goodarzywas thatwiththeirwarlikeand abductedalongwiththree murderousexperienceinthe othercharityemployeesand MiddleEast,theyrepresenta heldcaptivebyIraqiterrorists dangerforEuropeancountries duringatriptoBaghdadin wheretheyriskimportingthis January2020. violenceforthesamepurposes atonetimeoranother." Morethansimplywanting 'Yourliveswillend tosharehishorrific here' experience,Godarzysayshe Sometimesnoteatingfor wantstheworldtoknowabout ▲ Imageof'KidnappedinIraq'cover|SophiaInstitute Publishing morethan24hours—often thewarningshereceivedfrom sharingtwocansoftunafor Syriansduringhistimethere. fourpeople—GoodarzysaidtheShiite "Yourliveswillendhere,"Goodarzy "Inprivate,whentheyopenupto militiathatabductedthemwouldplay recountshearingoneofhiscaptorssay. you,itisnotuncommontohear Quranicchantingonaloopdayand Eveninthebleakestof remarkslike:...'Througharmsand nightforaweek. circumstances,prayerhelpedsustain institutions,theMuslimBrotherhood Hesaidthemilitantskeptthe Goodarzyfromonedaytothenext. isgainingground,nibblingawayat captivesonacoldfloor.Attimes,he "Sometimeswecaughteachother social,culturalandpoliticalspace. andtheotherscoveredthemselvesin praying,almostasifwewere Whatweputofftodaywillreappearin blanketswithastenchthatwasoften embarrassed,"hewrote."Itwasn'tso 20years.Wehavebeenlivingwiththis moredifficulttobearthanthefloor muchembarrassmentattheprayeras problemfor1400years,'"hesaid. itself. it wasembarrassmentatthe "'ButyouinEurope,youdon'tknow Theireyeswerecoveredwith acknowledgmentofweaknessandfear. them.You'veonlylivedwiththemfor blindfoldsorgogglesthatwerespray- Wedidn'twanttoleteachotherknow 50years.'" Christianpost.com 49

T R A V E L ATTHESECOLLEGES, THECHAPELSSTANDOUT BYDENNISLENNOX Threecollegeshavechapelsthatstandoutas superbexamplesofchurcharchitecture. Perhapswhat’smostremarkableisthatallare relativelynew,withtheoldestdatingtothe1960s. HillsdaleCollege ChristChapelonthecampusof 1 HillsdaleCollege,asmallbut prominentconservativeliberalarts collegeintheequallysmallMichigancityof Hillsdale,openedthedoorstothistraditionally designededificein2019. DesignedbyarchitectDuncanStroik,aprofessorat theUniversityofNotreDame,thefifthiterationof thecollege’schapelcost$28.5million. Stroikemployedaneoclassicaldesignwithbarrel ▲ Christ Chapel | Photo from hillsdalecollegian.com ceilings,limestonecolumnsandaVenetianeast windowintheinterior.Thesefeaturesareinstantly familiartoanyonewhohaseverseenthemagnificent late17thvcenturyorearly18thcenturyLondon churchesbySirChristopherWren,JamesGibbsand NicholasHawksmoor.Bycontrast,theexterior, particularlythewestfront,looksveryRoman Catholic—StroikisaleadingCatholicchurch architect—andisinkeepingwithhisotherworks. 50 VOLIII AUG2022

◀ ShawChapelatRegentUniversityinVirginia Beach, Virginia. | Photo copyrighted by Regent University ▼ ThechapelattheU.S.AirForceAcademy RegentUniversity AirForceAcademy Anothertimelessexampleofchurch ThechapelattheU.S.AirForce 2 3 architecturecanbefoundatRegent AcademyinColoradoSprings, University. Colorado,isacompletedeparturefrom thehousesofworshipattheothertwocolleges. TheEvangelicalcollegeinVirginiaBeach,Virginia, foundedbytelevangelistPatRobertson,featuresa Builtin1962toadesignbyWalterNetsch,an Georgian-stylechapelthat,likeHillsdale’s,wouldbe architectknownforhisbrutaliststyle,CadetChapel’s instantlyfamiliartoanyonefromthe18thcentury. focalpointisits17glassandaluminumspires—his takeonthespiresofmedievalGothicarchitecture. InspiredbytheChurchofSt.Martin-in-the-Fieldsin ComparedwithsomeofNetsch’sotherworks,the London,DavidHardwickedesignedShawChapel, thoroughlymoderndesignactuallyworks. whichwasbuiltnearly300yearsafterGibbs’ masterpiece. Notably,thechapelwasdesignedtohousethree separatechapelswithdistinctspacesforthe Whiletheinterioremploysfurnitureandfittingsthat academy’sProtestant,RomanCatholicandJewish lookvaguelyperiod,theorderingmakesitfeellikean faithcommunitiestogatherforreligiousrites. auditorium.Theonlyrealhintthatthisisasacred Protestantsoccupythesoaringnaveonthemainfloor spaceandnotamultipurposehallisthestained-glass whileinmorerecentyears,additionalspacehasbeen windowdepictingtheascensionofChrist. allocatedforBuddhistsandMuslimworship. Thechapel,reportedlythemostvisitedbuildinginall ofColorado,isclosedforrenovationuntilaprojected publicreopeningin2027. Christianpost.com 51

ANewOnlinePlatform toShareYourContent Crossmap.comisaleadingwebsitefor faith-based content featuring comprehensive Christian news coverage, free sermons on faith, devotionals for all ages, enriching books, inspiring blogs, easily shareable videos, edifying podcasts, and more! GrowdailyintheWordofGod,find encouragementandentertainmentthatis goodfortheentirefamilyandhonorsyour Biblicalcorevalues. Scanthebarcodetocontactus andlearn how you can get your content onto Crossmap.com 52 VOLIII AUG2022