Welcome to G3 Weekly—a summary of this week’s top news stories on Christianity and the public square.
This week, multiple Christian tourism groups were stranded in Israel as Hamas terrorists committed violence. Senator Tommy Tuberville continues to block military nominations as the Defense Department bankrolls abortions. Meanwhile, an association of Italian evangelicals warned a worldwide evangelical group about their partnership with the Roman Church.
American Church Groups Rush to Leave Israel
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
Various Christian tourism groups were stranded in Israel as violence erupted in the nation.
Hamas terrorists crossed into Israel last weekend and murdered hundreds of civilians, prompting Israel to form an emergency war government and retaliate. One group of fifty believers from Sunnyside Baptist Church in Kingsport, Tennessee returned to the United States earlier this week as historic sites across the country closed. Members of Gospel Assembly Church in Urbandale, Iowa rushed home after they were awakened one morning to air sirens.
“We are all so appreciative of the prayers of our families, church, community, and all over the states,” Tammy Rogers, the director of children’s services at Sunnyside Baptist Church, told local news. “It’s been very scary at times and going into a safe area from air strikes is something I pray we never have to do again. But God is in control and he holds our tomorrows.”
As several airlines suspend their flights to Israel, federal officials are working to provide Americans with charter flights to Europe if they desire to leave the region.
Tuberville Continues to Block Pentagon Nominations
“You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, and my wrath will burn” (Exodus 22:22-24).
Biden administration officials continue to rebuke Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville as he withholds votes on military appointments due to Pentagon moves to fund abortions.
Staffers for Tuberville have estimated that as many as 4,100 abortions could be conducted on an annual basis in the military as a result of the policy, which was implemented by the Biden administration after the overturn of Roe v. Wade. National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby defended the policy during a recent press briefing, contending that the policy is “not unlawful” as Tuberville and other lawmakers have suggested.
“All that they’re doing is providing some travel ability for female members of the military or their families,” Kirby commented. “They’re stationed in a place where the laws are restricted. They can go get the reproductive care that they deserve, that they have every right to expect.”
White House officials renewed their criticism of Tuberville as the Pentagon moved aircraft carriers to the eastern Mediterranean amid conflict in the Middle East. The block from Tuberville means that the commander of the Navy’s Fifth Fleet still awaits promotion.
Italian Evangelicals Warn about Links with Roman Church
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).
The Italian Evangelical Alliance, which represents the majority of the nation’s Protestants, warned the World Evangelical Alliance about their ecumenical activities with the Roman Church.
The general secretary for the World Evangelical Alliance prayed last month ahead of a Roman synod with liberal Protestants and Eastern Orthodox clergy. The prayer occurred in front of a portrait of Mary and alongside Pope Francis in Saint Peter’s Square, according to a statement recently released by the Italian Evangelical Alliance.
Leaders within the Italian Evangelical Alliance contended that the presence of World Evangelical Alliance members at the event contradicted the “historic positions of evangelical unity being distinct if not opposed to ecumenical unity,” a reference to movements that seek to spiritually unite Protestants with the Roman Church.
“We are committed to the cause of evangelical unity grounded in the gospel,” the Italian ministers said. “Let the gospel of Jesus Christ, not the ecumenical agenda, be our guide.”
