Written by David E. Smith
Difficult questions deserve wise, well-reasoned, and truthful answers. During the Q&A session of the 2020 IFI Worldview Conference, Dr. Michael Brown and Dr. Robert Gagnon provided just such answers to some tough questions. Drawing from the authority of Scripture and their areas of expertise, Drs. Brown and Gagnon addressed queries regarding pro-life activism, freedom of speech and religious freedom, the Equality Act, homosexuality and transgenderism issues, and the implications for Christians in the upcoming election.… Continue Reading
Written by Dr. Everett Piper
Over the past couple of months, while the world has been distracted by all-things-COVID-19, a very important bit of news slipped under our radar and went virtually unnoticed. The contemporary church sold its soul to the Devil for a pot of political porridge.
Consider the evidence.
Last week “pro-life” evangelicals across the land started stumbling over themselves to endorse a political party and a candidate who is openly against life and against evangelicals.… Continue Reading
Written by Rev. Thorin Anderson
As a Christian and a pastor, I have spent a lot of time getting to know God. It goes with the territory! But it raises a serious question in my mind. Why do so many have such a visceral hatred for God? Of course, I know the answer, but I think everyone needs to understand what this attitude is really about.… Continue Reading
Written by David E. Smith
Is 2020 the worst year ever? With the combination of a global pandemic, violence, looting, rioting, and devastating wildfires, plus the drama of a fiercely contested general election, this year might seem to be a strong contender for such a dubious honor. So, what should a Christian do when faced with 2020’s chaos and uncertainty?… Continue Reading
Written by David E. Smith
If you’re in need of encouragement (and truly, who among us isn’t), this edition of Spotlight will speak to your soul as we feature more prayer and exhortation from the recent Rally for Jesus. Rev. Ron Citlau references 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 as a model for Christians to engage with the world and strengthen the Church.… Continue Reading
Written by Laure Lee Caum
As Election Day approaches, American Christians may be weighing their options for U.S. president and may have reservations about voting for either President Donald Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden. Despite these concerns, there are good reasons why American Christians might consider supporting President Trump in November. Let’s consider evidence from Old Testament history and President Trump’s first-term accomplishments.… Continue Reading
Tags: Affordable Care Act, Alex Azar, Donald Trump, Eric Holder, Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, Global Equality Fund, Hillary Clinton, International Religious Freedom Alliance, Joe Biden, King Artaxerxes, LGBT Human Rights, Little Sisters of the Poor, Mike Pompeo, Nehemiah, Sylvia Burwell, United Nations, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, William Barr, Xerxes
Faith & Religion, Federal Elections, Political | David E. Smith | 
August 29, 2020 4:00 AM | 
Comments Off on Biblical and Practical Considerations for the November Election
Written by Benjamin Smith
This edition of Spotlight features Illinois State Representative Darren Bailey and IFI Executive Director David Smith as they address attendees at a recent Rally for Jesus at Calvary Church in Orland Park. David relates how the current moral and cultural climate of our state and nation is expressed in Matthew 24:12 and he calls for individual and national repentance from sin that distracts us from serving and glorifying God.… Continue Reading
Written by Benjamin Smith
As we dive into the last month of summer, David Smith and Monte Larrick welcome Jim Davids, attorney and chief counsel for the newly-formed Justice & Freedom Law Center, to this week’s Spotlight. Jim, David, and Monte explore the concept of “muscular Christianity” and a possible Christian “protest” response – Jesus’ Life Mattered. They also consider J.B.… Continue Reading
Written by Dr. Paul Kengor
Last weekend I overheard two recent grads (both musicians) discussing America’s greatest composers. The usual names were raised: Copland, Gershwin, Bernstein, Sousa … Foster.
“Who?” said one.
“Stephen Foster,” replied the other.
Only one knew who Foster was, and neither knew he was from Pittsburgh. Both, ironically, recently spent a lot of time in Oakland, where the Stephen Foster statue once stood outside the Carnegie.… Continue Reading
Tags: Alexander Hamilton, Ben Franklin, Bernstein, Columbus, Copland, Dr. Paul Kengor, Flinn, Foster, George Washington, Gershwin, Giuseppe Moretti, Highland Park, John F. Kennedy, KKK, Lenin, Lincoln, Margaret Sanger, Oh! Susannah!, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Sousa, St. Junipero Serra, statues, Stonewall Jackson, Teddy Roosevelt, the Confederacy, Ulysses S. Grant
Faith & Religion, Federal Issues | Benjamin D. Smith | July 18, 2020 4:00 AM | Comments Off on Tear All The Statues Down?
Written by Dr. Everett Piper
At a Black Lives Matter protest in Cary, North Carolina, a white woman takes to her megaphone. “We repent on behalf of, uh, Caucasian people,” she shouts, as she calls upon the crowd to kneel before two Black pastors seated before them on a park bench. Several audibly weep as they bow in obeisance.
At a church in Atlanta, Dan Cathy, CEO of Chick-fil-A, genuflects before a Black colleague while shining his shoes in a ritual atoning for the collective “shame” of being White.… Continue Reading
