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The Least Of These, Oxford Martyrs, and the Chosen Race
A controversy over the “least of these,” several controversial statements by pastors, the history of the Oxford Martyrs, and much more.
It's Saturday, October 19, 2024.
Today’s edition covers a controversy over the “least of these,” several controversial statements by pastors, the history of the Oxford Martyrs, and much more.
“A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might” (Proverbs 24:5).
Of Christian Concern
THE “LEAST OF THESE” CLASH: RUSSELL MOORE RESPONDS TO ALLIE BETH STUCKEY’S INTERPRETATION
Left to right: Allie Beth Stuckey, her new book, and Russell Moore. (Photos: Gage Skidmore and Theology147)
Christianity Today’s Editor in Chief Russell Moore added to the sparks that flew this week around Christian conservative podcaster Allie Beth Stuckey, who released her book Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion on Tuesday. Moore wrote an article responding to a social media post from Stuckey in which she alluded to Matthew 25:31-46, asserting,
“The least of these” is referring to persecuted Christians, not the poor. So, I’m voting for the set of policies that will best protect the truly least of these: Jack Phillips, Joan Bell, David Daleiden & other believers who have had their lives ruined by progressive activists. No chance I could vote for the party that routinely targets Christians for harassment, discrimination & lawfare.
In comments that journalist Megan Basham called “appalling,” Moore accused Stuckey’s position of “demythologiz[ing]” Jesus “with all the frenzy” of a Nazi soldier. Stuckey responded to the article on social media, saying in part,
Moore mischaracterizes my point (of course), taking my post to mean that Christians shouldn’t care for the poor. That’s not what I said at all. It’s just that that passage isn’t talking about caring for the poor in general. …My point was that citing helping “the least of these” to vote Democrat is dumb. My point still stands.
This dust-up is relevant to the point of her new book, which denounces “toxic empathy.” In another post, she defines precisely what she means by that term:
Toxic Empathy is a tool of emotional manipulation employed by progressives to convince Christians (especially Christian women) that the progressive side of an issue is the compassionate, loving one.
Here’s the formula they follow:
- Hoist up a victim
- Tell their gut-wrenching story, urging you to feel how they feel (aka empathy)
- Point to conservative or Christian ideas as the source of the victim’s pain
- Lead the reader to conclude that the only way to alleviate the victim’s pain is to support left-wing policies
In every case, they ignore the people on the other side of the issue. They ignore the factual or moral problems with their proposal. And, by getting you to feel deeply, they want you to ignore it, too.
The book is currently #1 in the category of “Church & State Religious Studies” on Amazon.
Also Noteworthy
Left to right: pastors Andy Stanley, Matt chandler, and Josh Howerton.
→ A coalition of parents, teachers, and others are suing Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters for requiring instruction from the Bible in public schools. Walters says he “will never back down to the woke mob,” writing, “The simple fact is that understanding how the Bible has impacted our nation, in its proper historical and literary context, was the norm in America until the 1960s and its removal has coincided with a precipitous decline in American schools.”
→ Pastor Andy Stanley controversially claimed in a recent sermon that Christians only need to believe in two miracles.
→ Stories from around the globe:
Italy passed a law banning citizens from using surrogacy abroad, adding to the ban already in place domestically. In April, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called surrogacy an “inhuman” practice that treats babies as “supermarket products.”
A proposed bill in Malaysia would give Muslim courts “greater authority,” International Christian Concern reports, “potentially eroding the rights of non-Muslims.”
Christians in the U.K. are being increasingly discriminated against, according to the country’s Commission of Inquiry into Discrimination of Christians (CIDAC), whose preliminary findings are that “there appears clear evidence that the freedom to practice and manifest Christian belief is being progressively reduced; and even, on occasion, deliberately ignored.”
Praying at home or displaying a Bible verse in the window may be illegal in some places due to Scotland’s new “safe access zones” abortion laws.
→ U.S. Supreme Court stories:
The Supreme Court ruled the Biden administration cannot force emergency room doctors to perform abortions.
The Supreme Court rejected a Colorado church’s effort to secure protections against future lockdowns like those imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Later this year, the Supreme Court will hear United States of America v. Skrmetti, a case that will “decide whether states can protect children from experimental medical procedures,” Alliance Defending Freedom reports.
→ U.S. 2024 election-related stories:
Pastor Matt Chandler, in comments that critics call “debunked” and a “false narrative,” argued in a recent sermon that Republicans have strategically co-opted Christians on the issue of abortion since the 1970s. Christian author Ron Henzel offers historical context (here and here) in response to the “ridiculously cynical and grotesquely misinformed” claims.
Vice President Kamala Harris told protestors at a Thursday rally in Wisconsin, “Oh, you guys are at the wrong rally,” right after one demonstrator seemingly shouted, “Jesus is Lord!”
Former President Donald Trump said at a Wednesday town hall that some states’ abortion laws are overly strict and will be “redone”: “And, some of them, I agree—they’re too tough. Too tough. And those are going to be redone.”
Pastor Josh Howerton of Lakepointe Church came under fire this week for preaching that, in a constitutional republic, Christians failing to vote is usually a sinful abdication of God-given leadership authority.
Content Catch-Up
Recent, notable content of Christian interest.*
Screenshot of an interview with a martyr’s widow.
→ The Religion of Marxism: In a thread on X, anti-Communist scholar James Lindsay, himself an atheist, articulates how “to understand Marxism as a Communist religion.” (Thread)
→ Martyrs’ Widows Speak: In a short video clip, Coptic Christian women, who are reportedly widows of martyrs in Islamic countries, boldly express their faith. One says, “The Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, whipped and tortured for our sake. Can’t we resist a little bit! Can’t we shed few drops of blood for His sake!” (Video)
*Not necessarily an endorsement
Church History Tidbit
The Oxford Martyrs
The burning of Latimer and Ridley, as portrayed in the 1563 edition of John Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. (Public Domain)
On October 16, 1555 (469 years ago this past Wednesday), two of “England’s most influential Reformers” were burned at the stake, writes Scott Hubbard of Desiring God.
Hugh Latimer (c. 1487-1555) was an ardent Catholic for the first three decades of his life, but once convinced of Protestant doctrine from the Scripture, became its tireless preacher. He was highly influential especially among the middle and lower classes in England. The twenty-years-younger Nicholas Ridley (c. 1500-1555) was a talented scholar who likewise took a bold stance against the Catholic Church, including his rejection of the pope’s supremacy and the doctrine of transubstantiation.
Latimer and Ridley lived during the reigns of four different monarchs, starting with Henry VII. English Protestantism experienced “Henry VIII’s tentative acceptance, Edward VI’s warm embrace, and Mary I’s violent resistance to Reformed doctrine.” It was that “violent resistance” of Mary I (“Bloody Mary”) to which Latimer and Ridley owe their deaths.
At the stake with his fellow bishop, Latimer reportedly said, “Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man; we shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.”
History Today relates what followed:
As the fire took hold, Latimer was stifled by the smoke and died without pain, but poor Ridley was not so lucky. The wood was piled up above his head, but he writhed in agony and repeatedly cried out, ‘Lord, have mercy upon me’ and ‘I cannot burn’.
Their fellow Reformer, the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556), who was forced to watch, was executed the following year. Together, these three are known as the Oxford Martyrs.
The Bible, Briefly
The Solution to Racism (Part 4)
Photo: Fauxels
A New Race
In a fallen world with imperfect discipleship and “weeds among the wheat” (Matthew 13:24-30), there will always be professed Christians and churches that care about racial differences. But, as we’ve seen, those folks are doing it wrong. Christianity, rightly understood, annihilates racism because it brings all “races” together into one new race, as the apostle Peter wrote:
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
That’s what’s going on in the apostle John’s famous vision of heaven, too:
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” (Revelation 7:9-10)
The Solution
At the end of times, every tribe, people, and language is represented in a massive assembly. Everyone is clothed in white, signfying their unified and unblemished state in glory. This is the ultimate picture of unity in diversity.
And before Whom do they stand and cry out in worship? They stand “before the throne and before the Lamb.” That is, before God the Father and Jesus Christ.
So, it is Jesus who changes all these people’s hearts and brings them all together. They are at peace with one another because they are united in worship of Him. Indeed, there can be no true and lasting unity apart from Him.
Bottom line: The solution to racism has been under our noses the entire time. It’s Christ.
What did you think of today’s briefing?
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