By Stan Friedman
CHICAGO, IL (April 25, 2014) — Many Covenanters routinely share links to social media articles and videos with one another that Covenant News Service believes may be of interest to others. Each Friday we post five of them. Following is a sample of those submissions—their inclusion does not represent an endorsement of any views expressed.
Six People Who Should Be Banned from Evangelicalism
I was surprised by who made this list. It’s more than clever.
Improbable Reprieve at Iran Execution
Everyone thought the mother of an 18-year-old man murdered in Iran would exercise her right to kick out the chair from under the convicted killer who was being hanged. But as she approached, the mother surprised everyone when she slapped him instead and announced she forgave him. That was not the end of the grace-filled moment that spared the murderer’s life, however. Be sure to watch the video of the photographer describing the moment. The photos are wrenching, but they caused me to think back to the cross and the forgiveness offered us.
Men Linked to Pat Tillman Tragedy Begin to Reconcile
The Army Ranger who was next to Pat Tillman when the ex-football player was killed by “friendly fire” in Afghanistan had hated the Ranger who pulled the trigger for 10 years. But after seeing Steven Elliott on an ESPN special report describe how he had suffered in the decade following the fateful moment, Tillman’s friend began to have a change of heart.
Why Aren’t We Teaching Christians How to Study the Bible?
It’s so much harder and time-consuming to teach people how to do something than it is to teach about it. Is it possible that church leaders also retain a bit of pre-Reformation distrust that individuals really can interpret the Bible? Have we made it sound too intimidating?
Stop Dressing So Tacky for Church
Perhaps we need to rethink our “come as you are” attitude about church. This is an interesting article (if not a bit holier-than-thou and slightly marred by a dismissive reference to megachurch pastors who dress in jeans). As the author points out, casual dress in churches is common. But have we taken that relaxed approach too far?
