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WEEKLY NEWS SUMMARY - JUNE 12, 2024
Last week we launched our Think Biblically course, and already hundreds of churches, small groups, and individuals have started the series. I am confident it will transform the way Christians view some of today’s most pressing issues. Guided by faith leaders across the country, Think Biblically dives into six current cultural issues. Have you signed up yet? Joining is incredibly easy, and we are offering it to you for FREE at ThinkBiblicallySeries.org.
In this week's Intersect, read about:
The Christian Origin of Father’s Day
“Just as America's Founding Fathers have exercised an enormous formative influence over the foundation and development of the United States, so fathers—within the family—exercise remarkable influence upon the character of their families in general and their children in particular. In the Bible, God commands that children are to "honor" their fathers and mothers (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-2). Since secularists, atheists, and the irreligious recognize no obligation to honor anyone or anything but themselves, it is not surprising that holidays such as Mother's Day and Father's Day—and the vast majority of national holidays—have originated within Christianity, which recognizes and teaches that human relationships are to be honored. Like Mother's Day, the observance of Father's Day also arose within the Christian Church.” read more at Christian Heritage Fellowship
THINK.
- In a blog post titled "Reasons Why We Celebrate Father's Day", it’s noted that “In the 1920s and 1930s, a movement actually attempted to eradicate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. The movement’s supporters called for replacing those holidays with Parent’s Day, in which both parents are celebrated. Despite the movement’s efforts, Mother’s Day stayed on the calendar, and Father’s Day would eventually be added to the national calendar.” Father’s Day was finally made a national holiday in 1972 by President Nixon. It’s a good thing because, as Dr. Ryan Anderson said, “[T]here is no such thing as ‘parenting.’ There is mothering, and there is fathering—children do best with both.”
- Views on the family are related to your political stance. A new poll by Pew Research reveals a wide divergence in views between voters who plan on supporting President Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential election and those intending to back former President Donald Trump on issues related to marriage, traditional values, abortion, sexuality and the role of religion in American life. When asked if they believed “society is better off if people make marriage and having children a priority,” a majority (59%) of Trump supporters answered in the affirmative compared to just 19% of Biden supporters.
- As Voddie Baucham points out, we’ve heard it said, “As the family goes, so goes the nation.” But it can also be said that “as the father goes, so goes the family.” Fathers are being challenged right now to lead—but if fathers don’t lead, the world is far too eager to step in and take over. Although in today’s world, it is unpopular to say so, the best and only family is still the one that God designed: a father and a mother. Of course, in a sin-cursed world where divorce and single parenting are a reality, this is not always possible. We should certainly have compassion for those who are living in broken homes, but that doesn’t mean that the church should shy away from boldly proclaiming God’s design for the family.
PRAY.
Lord, thank you that You are not simply our God, but our Heavenly Father. Thank You for bringing me into Your family. Thank You for my father; help me to honor him if I have the opportunity. Forgive our nation, Lord, for ignoring the importance of fathers. Help us to honor Your design for the family, build up the fathers in our community, and equip them to bring up their children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) In Your Son’s name, Amen.
ACT.
Watch our past interview with Stephen Kendrick of the Kendrick Brothers, the creators of the popular movies War Room, Overcomer, Fireproof, and Courageous. In this interview, Stephen shares behind-the-scenes insights into their powerful documentary, Show Me The Father. He discusses the reasons for making the documentary and the vital role of fathers in society from a biblical perspective. Stephen uses biblical truths to challenge us to rethink our views on earthly fathers and our relationship with God.
Biden’s Edict on Southern Border Is an Election Year Stunt, Republicans Say
“President Joe Biden signed an executive order Tuesday giving himself the authority to close the border when the seven-day average of daily border crossings between ports of entry exceeds 2,500. The order is set to take effect immediately since the daily threshold has already been met. The border will only reopen if crossings between ports fall to a seven-day daily average of 1,500 or less.” read more at the Daily Signal
THINK.
- According to the Associated Press, the legal authority being invoked by President Biden comes under Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows a president to limit entries for certain migrants if their entry is deemed “detrimental” to the national interest. This same law was used by President Trump and every president since Reagan. The fact that Biden waited until 5 months before the election – after 9 million people had illegally entered – to invoke this authority gives credence to the claim that this was done to gain votes.
- In politics governed by fallen people, we aren’t surprised when good policies are enacted because of self-interest. But is this a good policy? The ACLU says no. They are planning to sue the administration, saying the order will “severely restrict people’s legal right to seek asylum, putting tens of thousands of lives at risk.” Many conservatives, on the other hand, say it doesn’t go far enough. Former Trump administration officials involved in immigration said Biden’s order legitimizes up to 2,500 illegal crossings each day. That would still amount to over 912,000 illegal entries per year.
- Immigration is a top concern for many voters. Our current divide seems to stem from two different assumptions. One assumption is that people basically have a right to immigrate, and a nation should only restrict them in extraordinary circumstances (like when the country is overwhelmed). The other assumption is that nations have the authority to decide how many and who can enter based on the best interests of the country. What do you think? Creating and enforcing immigration policy for the good of our nation does not have to stem from selfishness. It should come from a recognition that without a just policy that maintains order and protects the innocent, our country won’t be a land of opportunity for anyone.
PRAY.
Lord, You “gave the nations their inheritance,” and “marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands,” so that we would seek and find You. (Deut. 32:8a; Acts 17:26, 27) We trust Your sovereignty, and ask that You use the United States for Your glory. Let us be a place where law and liberty prevail so that many are free to seek and worship You! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
ACT.
At my church on Sunday, one of our regular greeters pulled me aside to tell me he had just passed his arduous citizenship test and would now officially be sworn in as a US citizen. He was so proud and has been working towards this for over 5 years. I asked if he was going to celebrate somehow and he said, “Flag Day is coming up and I’m putting up a flag pole in front of my house to show everyone that I’m an American!” On Friday, June 14, which is Flag Day, will you fly an American flag with him? I know I will be!
European Elections Show Growing Conservative Movement
“Conservatives are gaining significant ground in Europe, following the weekend’s European Union (EU) elections. All 27 EU member states hosted elections over the weekend for the European Parliament and some countries also hosted local elections. While votes are still being counted across the continent, early projections are showing conservative parties and candidates gaining significant ground, with centrist parties making minimal gains and left-wing parties suffering moderate to significant losses so far.” read more at the Washington Stand
THINK.
- Elections in 27 countries for the European Parliament ended on Sunday and results could amount to a powerful gauge of voter dissatisfaction and a rebuke of the political mainstream. While the European Parliament’s main powers are to approve or amend EU rules, laws, and trade deals, the twice-decade vote offers an indicator of Europe’s political mood. More than 370 million people were eligible to vote in the European Parliament elections, the world's biggest democratic exercise after India's elections.
- In response, French President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the lower house of parliament and called for snap elections later this month after projections showed the far-right National Rally party defeating pro-European centrist Renew party in elections to represent the country in the European Parliament. According to Euro News, legislative elections are usually held in France every five years, weeks after a new president has been elected. The next ones should therefore have been held in mid-2027. The snap elections are a massive gamble for Macron, who lost his absolute majority in the national assembly after being re-elected in 2022. And Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander de Croo resigned after his liberal party suffered large losses over the weekend.
- 2024 is the biggest election year in human history with over 4.2 billion of the world's 8.1 billion people participating in national or major regional elections. This month, Leftist Claudia Sheinbaum became Mexico’s first female President. Mexico’s election was particularly violent, with over 38 candidates for various offices being murdered. And voters in the world’s largest democracy handed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a narrower win than expected, securing a historic third term, but his party has now lost its majority rule in Parliament for the first time in a decade.
PRAY.
Lord, help us to see that voting is an opportunity to promote, protect, and preserve a God-fearing government. Passing up that opportunity means letting those who would denigrate Your name have their way in our lives. The leaders we elect—or do nothing to remove—have great influence on our freedoms. They can choose to protect our First Amendment right to religious freedom and the right to spread the gospel, or they can restrict those rights. They can lead our nation toward righteousness or moral disaster. May we take the responsibility and privilege to bring our faith into the voting booth seriously.
ACT.
You can impact voter turnout here in November! Join the Write Now campaign and commit to sending letters to Christians in a swing state, encouraging them to vote. We give you everything you need—from what to write, to the mailing addresses—you can choose how many you’d like to do. Help us reach our goal of 3,000 volunteers by June 15! Sign up here.
Jury Finds Hunter Biden Guilty on Three Felony Gun-related Charges
“A Delaware jury on Tuesday found President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden guilty of lying on paperwork to purchase a firearm and possessing that firearm while addicted to drugs. The jury made their case after just three hours of deliberations that began Monday. Hunter Biden’s lawyers rested their case earlier that day. They did not call their client to the witness stand. The court will determine Hunter Biden’s sentence at a later date.” read more at World News Group
THINK.
- It’s the first time in history that a child of a sitting president has been found guilty of a federal crime. Before the conviction, President Biden said he would not pardon his son but would accept the court’s decision. Hunter has not been sentenced yet and will likely appeal. He will face another trial in September over felony tax fraud charges. House Republicans last week recommended that he and his uncle, James Biden, be prosecuted for allegedly lying to Congress.
- The verdict is being hailed as a win for the rule of law, but some say it’s an attempt to draw attention away from more serious alleged crimes that could implicate his father. U.S. Representative James Comer (R-KY), stated, Today’s verdict is a step toward accountability,” but said the Department of Justice needs to investigate “everyone involved in the Bidens’ corrupt influence peddling schemes that generated over $18 million in foreign payments to the Biden family…” Comer chairs the House Oversight Committee, which has been investigating evidence that Hunter profited from foreign businesses by selling access to his father when he was Vice President.
- Whatever influence this verdict does or doesn’t have on the public, it is good when justice is done. Proverbs 24:23 says, “Partiality in judging is not good.” Verses 19 and 20 tell us, “Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future…” The Lord wants us to seek justice but also gives us comfort in the fact that whether our earthly courts render just or corrupt decisions, all wrongdoing will one day be brought to light by the perfect Judge.
PRAY.
Micah 6:8 says, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Father, we all fall short of those three commands. But Jesus perfectly fulfills them! Help us to be more like Him, reflecting His goodness to our culture.
ACT.
Do you “think biblically” about justice? Understanding justice from a biblical perspective is essential for Christians, as it aligns with righteousness and reflects God's character. Justice is not optional; it is a requirement for all people, emphasized throughout Scripture. You can study this in our new Think Biblically video series that includes reflection guides. Voddie Baucham leads this module on the topic of justice in a powerful and meaningful way. You can do this study on your own or with a group. Get started (for free) here.
My Faith Votes— is a ministry that motivates, equips, and activates Christians in America to vote in every election, transforming our communities and influencing our nation with biblical truth. An estimated 25 million Christians who are registered to vote, fail to vote in presidential elections. My Faith Votes is on a mission to change this statistic by helping Christians act on their faith and vote in every election. When we pray unceasingly for our nation, think biblically about the issues, and vote consistently in every election the impact of Christians taking action from the local to the state and federal level will be unprecedented.
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