In a recent commentary for Relevant, Andy Stanley sparked controversy when he said that Christians have no obligation to obey commands found in the Old Testament. 

Stanley, a pastor at North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia, opened the commentary discussing the controversies over public displays of the Ten Commandments. He said, “But how many times have you seen Christians trying to post the text of the sermon on the mount in a public place? Or the all-encompassing command Jesus gave us? “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” –John 13:34.”

This brought Stanley into the controversial section of his remarks. He said, “Doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it? But if we’re going to create a monument to stand as a testament to our faith, shouldn’t it at least be a monument of something that actually applies to us?”

Stanley then argued that Jesus issued his one command to replace all the Old Testament commands. “Participants in the new covenant (that’s Christians) are not required to obey any of the commandments found in the first part of their Bibles.” He continued, “Participants in the new covenant are expected to obey the single command Jesus issued as part of his new covenant: as I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

Stanley provoked strong…

In the midst of the Chinese government tightening its controls over religious communities in the communist country, 344 pastors have signed a statement standing up to the regime.

According to the St. Charles Institute, a group of 344 pastors – with the list growing daily – have signed a public joint statement titled “A Declaration of the Christian Faith.” 

The statement begins with the pastors asserting that they are both Chinese and Christians and that they have been ordained by God to serve as pastors. The letter reads, “We are a group of Chinese Christians, chosen by the Most High God to be His humble servants, serving as pastors for Christian churches throughout various towns and cities.”

The statement continues, “We believe and are obligated to teach the world that the one true and living Triune God is the Creator of the universe, of the world, and of all people. All men should worship God and not any man or thing. We believe and are obligated to teach the world that all men, from national leaders to beggars and prisoners, have sinned. They will die once and then be judged in righteousness. Apart from the grace and redemption of God, all men would eternally perish. We believe and are obligated to teach the world that the crucified and risen Jesus is the only Head of the global church, the sole Savior of all mankind, and the everlasting Ruler and…

Audrey Stevenson, a former volunteer at the Potter’s House of Fort Worth, Texas, who was caught on video being handcuffed and physically removed from the church during a dispute with an elder in March, has filed a lawsuit against T.D. Jakes Ministries and several other parties over the incident.

In the lawsuit cited by the Star-Telegram, Stevenson, 22, names Potter’s House church administrator Rhonda Lewis, security guard Brandon Amie, and Deonte Greham, another Potter’s House employee, for alleged false imprisonment and emotional distress. In the suit, Arnie is also accused of assault.  

She also accuses both The Potter’s House in Dallas and Fort Worth along with T.D. Jakes Ministries of negligence and negligent hiring.

Stevenson made a video recording of a portion of the controversial encounter with church officials that stemmed from a dispute over whether she was allowed to be on the Fort Worth church’s stage.

The video below allegedly shows Stevenson greeting members at Potter’s House of Fort Worth…

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh Monday denied sexually assaulting anyone – “not in high school, not ever” – and labeled the allegations against him “false.”

Kavanaugh is scheduled to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday along with Christine Blasey Ford, who says he sexually assaulted her in high school when he was 17 and she was 15.

“I want a fair process where I can defend my integrity,” Kavanaugh told Fox News in an interview. “And I know I’m telling the truth. I know my life-long record, and I’m not going to let false accusations drive me out of this process. I have faith in God, and I have faith in the fairness of the American people. America’s about fairness and hearing from both sides. And I didn’t do this or anything resembling this. This is wrong.”

Pushing back against allegations he was involved in sexually charged parties, Kavanaugh said he was a virgin.

“I did not have sexual intercourse or anything close to sexual intercourse in high school or for many years thereafter,” he said.

Kavanaugh said he’s not “questioning” and has “not questioned that perhaps Dr. Ford at some point in her life was sexually assaulted by someone in some place.” Kavanaugh, though, says it was not him. 

“I have never sexually assaulted anyone, not in high school, not ever,” he said….

Protestors forced Sen. Ted Cruz out of a Washington restaurant Monday, questioning the senator on his vote for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

Kavanaugh has been accused of sexual misconduct. One woman, Christine Blasey Ford, says he assaulted her in the 1980s when she and Kavanaugh were in high school. Another woman, Deborah Ramirez, says Kavanaugh exposed himself to her at a party during their freshman year at Yale.

Cruz had said earlier this year that he supported the nominee, saying that Kavanaugh “is one of the most respected federal judges in the country, and I look forward to supporting his nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States.”

Criticism of that support came Monday night when Cruz and his wife, Heidi, were walking to their table at Fiola, an Italian restaurant.

“There are now three people who have come forward and who have said that Brett Kavanaugh has attacked them,” a woman told the senator. “I know that you’re close friends with him. Did you talk to him about that? Did you talk to him about his position?”

Cruz was also told: “Senator, I have a right to know what your position is on Brett Kavanaugh.”

Cruz responded, “God bless you, ma’am.”

Protestors then gathered around the senator’s table, chanting, “We believe survivors,” until Cruz and his wife left. According to reports, the protestors cheered as…

The National Association of Evangelicals says the U.S. government has much to apologize for, such as the “genocide against Native Americans” and “the exploitation of immigrants and the descendants of slaves,” in its updated public policy guide. 

“The foundational truth in ‘For the Health of the Nation’ is that all people are made in the image of God. Each principle in the document flows from that truth. Our hope is that this guide will help those of shared faith work together to bless others in the public square,” NAE President Leith Anderson said in a statement on Monday.

While the original “For the Health of the Nation” guide was adopted in 2004, a new revised version was adopted earlier this year, and published on Monday, to address the “shifting American context.”

The guide focuses on eight principles of Christian political engagement, starting…

Clemson’s new starting quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, may appear he’d be better suited for the bright lights and big city atmosphere of Los Angeles, but his coaches say he’s actually the opposite. 

“He is just laid back,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said of the player who is known for his long blonde hair, according to TheClemsonInsider.com. “He does not really ask or want anything. He just comes to work. That’s it.”

Lawrence, a 6-foot-5 true freshman for the No 3 and undefeated Tigers (4-0), also is someone who is open about his Christian faith. Lawrence was the top-rated high school quarterback in the 2018 class according to Rivals.com, but has kept football in perspective.

“Football is important to me, obviously, but it is not my life,” he said. “It is not like the biggest thing in my life. My faith is. That just comes from kind of knowing who I am outside of that. I just know, no matter how big the situation is, it is not really going to define me.”

Lawrence was named the team’s starter Monday after coming off the bench to throw four touchdown passes in Clemson’s 49-21 win over Georgia Tech. 

“He really played well,” Swinney said. “He was very poised. The game has slowed down for him, and he’s making good decisions. … He made some beautiful throws … and there’s just some technical things to clean up.”

Football,…