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It's been a tough week for Christians living in the United States. I never thought I would write that sentence, but it certainly seems like an obvious statement to me right now. Our federal Health and Human Services Secretary is mandating that the Roman Catholic Church and it's institutions provide health insurance coverage for procedures the church finds morally unacceptable. New York City Schools will no longer rent space to churches. These are issues that are deeper than slogans. And they require responses that go deeper than slogans and self-preservation. Let me recommend four articles from various sources that are helping me face these issues with some depth of thought and a gospel-of-grace perspective.
Two evangelical leaders speak to the challenge of the Roman Catholic Church
First They Came for the Catholics: Obama's Contraceptive Mandate by Timothy George and Charles Colson, 02.08.12 on Christianity Today.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
As you probably know by now, Obama Administration has refused to grant religious organizations an exemption from purchasing health insurance that covers abortion-inducing drugs, surgical sterilization, and contraception.
The Catholic bishops in America have responded quickly, decrying the Administration's decision for what it is—an egregious, dangerous violation of religious liberty—and mobilizing a vast grassroots movement to persuade the Administration to reverse its decision.
We evangelicals must stand unequivocally with our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters. Because when the government violates the religious liberty of one group, it threatens the religious liberty of all. Click Here for the full article.
As you probably know by now, Obama Administration has refused to grant religious organizations an exemption from purchasing health insurance that covers abortion-inducing drugs, surgical sterilization, and contraception.
The Catholic bishops in America have responded quickly, decrying the Administration's decision for what it is—an egregious, dangerous violation of religious liberty—and mobilizing a vast grassroots movement to persuade the Administration to reverse its decision.
We evangelicals must stand unequivocally with our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters. Because when the government violates the religious liberty of one group, it threatens the religious liberty of all. Click Here for the full article.
A secular perspective that analyzes the negative impact on medical costs and personal freedom.
The Real Trouble With the Birth-Control Mandate - by John Cochrane in the Wall Street Journal, 02.09.12.
When the administration affirmed last month that church-affiliated employers must buy health insurance that covers birth control, the outcry was instant. Critics complained that certain institutions should be exempt as a matter of religious freedom. Although the ruling was meant to be final, presidential advisers said this week that the administration might look for a compromise.
Critics are missing the larger point. Why should the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) decree that any of us must pay for "insurance" that covers contraceptives? Click Here for the full article.
When the administration affirmed last month that church-affiliated employers must buy health insurance that covers birth control, the outcry was instant. Critics complained that certain institutions should be exempt as a matter of religious freedom. Although the ruling was meant to be final, presidential advisers said this week that the administration might look for a compromise.
Critics are missing the larger point. Why should the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) decree that any of us must pay for "insurance" that covers contraceptives? Click Here for the full article.
Tim Keller on “NYC School’s Decision to Ban Churches” in NYCReligion Blog on 02.07.12
I disagree with the opinion written by Judge Pierre Leval that: “A worship service is an act of organized religion that consecrates the place in which it is performed, making it a church.” This is an erroneous theological judgment; I know of no Christian church or denomination that believes that merely holding a service in a building somehow “consecrates” it, setting it apart from all common or profane use. To base a legal opinion on such a superstitious view is surely invalid. Click Here for the full article.
I disagree with the opinion written by Judge Pierre Leval that: “A worship service is an act of organized religion that consecrates the place in which it is performed, making it a church.” This is an erroneous theological judgment; I know of no Christian church or denomination that believes that merely holding a service in a building somehow “consecrates” it, setting it apart from all common or profane use. To base a legal opinion on such a superstitious view is surely invalid. Click Here for the full article.
For background on the New York City School Board Decision
What's Next for New York Churches by John Starke, 12.08.12 on the Gospel Coalition Blog
"Don't Leave Our Church Homeless" read the signs distributed during Thursday's press conference outside New York City Hall. More than 60 churches in New York meet in public schools for their Sunday services. When the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear their appeal this week, the churches learned they will need to find a new location before February 12. Click Here for the full article.
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