1| Gergen: Trump Naming “Radical Islam” Is Like Reagan Calling USSR An “Evil Empire”
…On the second point, radical Islam if I may be permitted a quick story. Back in the early 1980s, President Reagan was trying to decide whether to call the Soviet Union an evil empire. I was among those who urged him not to do that on his staff. I thought it was wrong. I thought it would upset the Soviets. I think in retrospect I was wrong. He used the term. I think it worked well. Tony Dolan who was a speechwriter was the one who persuaded him. He had the better argument and that is rhetorically confronting, telling, having plain-spoken truth about what you’re facing helps to clarify and helps to strengthen your hand.”
***See also my piece, “David Gergen, North Carolina HB2, cellophane citizenship: Moral grandstanding without risk”
2| Steve Gaines elected SBC president after J.D. Greear withdraws |Baptist Press
Tennessee pastor Steve Gaines was elected by acclamation as Southern Baptist Convention president after fellow candidate J.D. Greear withdrew his candidacy June 15 in a display of unity.
Greear’s withdrawal followed a runoff vote that didn’t produce a majority winner on Tuesday (June 14). His decision avoided a second runoff and left Gaines elected by acclamation as president of the SBC during the annual meeting in St. Louis.
Greear told the convention he prayed the night before and believed “we need to leave St. Louis united.” He made the motion for Gaines to be elected by acclamation.
Gaines said he, too, had decided internally Tuesday night to withdraw but agreed to serve as president after a conversation with Greear. “There’s no way God is not doing something in all of this.”
“I just wanted Jesus to be lifted high” and the convention to be united, Gaines said.
3|My friend Carmen LaBerge: Radio Host says Orlando Tragedy Is a Defining Moment for the Church |CBN
“The Savior whose name we bear as Christ-followers, said he came so that we might have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10),” she wrote on her site. “It’s the enemy who Jesus calls the thief that comes to steal and kill and destroy. Does the carnage at Pulse look like life or death? Does the agenda of ISIS look to you like a promotion of life or death?”
“I don’t see Christians apologizing for what scripture says about moral issues like homosexual behavior, (but) I do see Christians putting flesh on the Gospel by reaching out to people regardless of the things that we might differ on sociologically, morally, or even politically,” she told CBN News.
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