#AsiaBibi has been wrongfully incarcerated for more than 8 years. Now she has been freed by courageous judges in Pakistan. #Persecution
Asia Bibi and Why She Matters
Why God Cares for the Poor: An Old Testament Perspective
The Old Testament locates justice in God and understands that people called by his name ought also to practice justice, beginning with their own families and their own covenant community. The rationale behind such a design is organic and seems inescapable. How could an Israelite demand in the name of God that justice be carried out... Continue Reading →
How Mark Links Christ to Persecuted Christians
The Bible is the one written word of God from Genesis (original creation) to Revelation (the new heavens and the new earth). There is one consistent story (creation-fall-redemption) narrated throughout the 66 books of the Bible. The four gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are early attempts to consolidate the entire story into short... Continue Reading →
Stop the Intolerants
[...the conclusion to Tuesday's post] A PERSONAL EXAMPLE In the same Spirit which animated Paul’s protest at Philippi, Barronelle Stutzman is standing against injustice—and paying a price for it. Stutzman’s polite refusal to make a floral arrangement for a homosexual couple was rooted in her firm belief that she would not be loving her neighbors... Continue Reading →
So What, if We Face Persecution?
I posted an article a couple of days ago to remind us of the trend in the U.S. toward losing our religious liberty. Today, I want to speak a little more as to why this conversation matters. I spoke once with a Christian lawyer friend who was arguing with me about the increasing power... Continue Reading →
America Looking More Like China on Religious Liberty – Gregory C. Cochran
I am re-posting this blog from four years ago because time is proving just how true it was. The trajectory now appears set in stone. Of the three top candidates for president, two (Clinton, Johnson) enthusiastically support the diminishing of First Amendment rights including religious liberty. The third (Trump) may not be reliable. I re-post... Continue Reading →
The Look of Love in Pakistan
This past May, a young Christian woman was under assault from her Muslim neighbors in Pakistan. According to Open Doors, Sonia Gill, 23, was accused of insulting the prophet Muhammad by using an old banner bearing the prophet's name as a covering for her floor. As it turns out, the banners she used were old... Continue Reading →
What’s a Christian Response to the New Marriage Culture?
After the Obergfell decision this past year, Christians have tried to cope with a new definition of marriage. What does this new definition mean for church Marriage Retreats? for childcare? or for conversations in youth groups about sexual intercourse? So many questions have risen since June 26, 2015, when the Supreme Court verdict was released.... Continue Reading →
The Most Mistreated Minority in the World Is …
I am teaching a college course today on the scope of the persecution problem around the world. Naturally, I found this little post to be a helpful reminder.
Back in November, I wrote a blog post about German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in which it was noted that Merkel was taking a great deal of heat for claiming that Christians are the most persecuted group in the world. That is not a headline that sells in America, as many folks still love to decry the “moral majority” of America’s past.
Nonetheless, time is proving Merkel right. Studies have shown that Christians are harassed more than any religion in the 
world. A new collaborative work by Paul Marshall, Lela Gilbert, and Nina Shea of the Hudson Institute covers the worldwide persecution of Christians in great detail. The Book, Persecuted: The Global Assault on Christians, is now in print.
The book demonstrates just how bad the problem is and how, particularly, Christians in the Middle East are being targeted for extinction with little concern from Americans in general and…
View original post 217 more words
Why You Should Change Your Profile Pic for the Next Month
Asia Bibi (aka Aasiya Noreen or Asia Noreen) is married, a mother of 5 children. She has not been at home with her husband or children since the summer of 2009 (what was your family like in 2009? Where were you?) More than 5 years have passed since her family last lived together because Asia... Continue Reading →
What Happened to the 7 Missing Disciples?
In Acts 2, the Apostle Peter stood in the assembly and proclaimed Jesus Christ as Lord. Though he had organized no great event, nor had he enlisted an army of volunteers to corral the crowds, Peter saw great fruit as three thousand souls were saved and added to the church in a single day. While... Continue Reading →
What Is the Media Really Hiding from Us?
Years ago (like back in the ‘80’s), I came across a very important fellow with long hair and knickers. Francis Schaeffer, author of How Should We Then Live (and a host of other great books) proved to be prophetic in many of his warnings to the western church. One of the warnings which demonstrated Schaeffer’s... Continue Reading →
Biblical Morality–A Crime Against Humanity?
UPDATE: The Scott Lively case concerning a lawsuit from an international law perspective is still moving forward, despite motions to dismiss and motions to stay while court decisions are reviewed. Scott Lively is being sued under international law for “severe deprivation of fundamental rights contrary to international law ” on account of his belief that homosexuality is sin.
Current events did not take long to prove Dr. Mohler correct in his assertion yesterday that gay rights has become the centerpiece of a new moral “McCarthyism.” Dr. Mohler’s commentary concerning “The Giglio Imbroglio” has proved prescient. Today, news has come out that an American pastor is being sued for “crimes against humanity” because of his views on homosexuality.
Scott Lively, a pastor and activist who believes that homosexuality is a sinful undermining of traditional marriage and family norms, has been sued by SMUG (Sexual Minorities of Uganda–a political action group funded by George Soros). The lawsuit has been filed in federal district court and appeals to international law, citing a trip that Lively took to Uganda to speak out against the homosexual lifestyle.
The case seems important to me for two different reasons. On the one hand, it is troubling that an American citizen…
View original post 223 more words
Christian Rappers Neither Disobedient nor Cowards
Last week, the National Center for Family-Integrated Churches (NCFIC) unleashed a maelstrom of confusion and discontent among Christians over the place of Rap in Christian worship. As is always the case in situations like this, there is inevitably more heat than light. Emotions are running high, and unfortunate (and unnecessary) divisions are now forming. After... Continue Reading →
RT @heritage: Margaret Thatcher’s Life
RT @heritage: Margaret Thatcher's Life in Pictures: http://t.co/rcuSF4VTEn
Gregory C. Cochran 