Loyal Defender

Interfaith concert looks to reclaim Jan. 6 as day of unity, five years after Capitol riots (whatever the issue addressed, there should not be this type of blatantly syncretistic service. This “Lutheran” church is ultraliberal. I’ve been in their space years ago.)

Hagiographies and Unearned Halos: Why Bonhoeffer Was Made Into A Martyr

Five Quick Things: Minnesota Goes to Hell (Again) | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

Happy 80th Birthday, John Piper - Christianity Today

2 shot by Border Patrol in Portland, sparking outcry from state and local leaders - oregonlive.com

‘Straight out of the authoritarian playbook’: Oregon leaders react to shooting by Border Patrol in Portland - oregonlive.com

January 10

Trump & Greenland: Only Congress Can Decide Territory | National Review

Here is how not to be shot by ICE officers

Lutherans install first woman and openly gay bishop (Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Atlantic District Bishop Emeritus David Benke said on the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau Forum on January 8, 2026: “Something that has caught my attention here in New York is the pretty much constant social media presence of the recently inaugurated ELCA Bishop for Metropolitan New York, Rev. Katrina Foster. She carries herself seriously but not solemnly in her post. And she is invariably on message, invariably. It's about the communion of saints following Jesus, inviting others to follow Jesus through Word and Sacrament, and bringing hope and healing in word and deed. And she invariably mentions individuals and congregations who are active in ministry. Whatever theological differences I have with the ELCA, she is acting and performing her ministry in good faith, plain and simple.”)

January 11

Casey Anthony Calls Out JD Vance Over Minneapolis ICE Shooting Comments - Newsweek

January 12

Comforting fictions about assisted suicide | WORLD

January 13

Curb Your Americentrism - by Garry Kasparov - The Next Move

Female Athletes, GOP AGs Defend Women's Sports At SCOTUS

January 14

Another Antinomian, Another Shattered Marriage

Homosexuality | Philip Yancey (Philip Yancey took a weak position on homosexuality in 2009, seventeen years ago.)

Christian author Robert Wolgemuth dies at 77 | Church & Ministries

Don’t Try to Make Christianity Look Good

Supreme Court Transgender Athlete Cases: Most Basic Differences Between Men and Women Key | National Review

A spiritual resource for warfighters | WORLD

Elon Musk Custody Fight Underscores Problems Of Situationships

Gorsuch, Barrett Buy Into 'Trans' Ideology In Girls' Sports Case

A Distraction From the Epstein Files? - The American Conservative

January 15

Massacre of Christians ongoing in Nigeria as Fulani kill 13 | World

Josh Hawley grills expert Democrat witness about pregnant men | Politics

Trump-Vance is the most anti-life GOP administration in history

Can men get pregnant? Is our society going insane? | WORLD

Trump's Proposed Credit Card Interest Cap Is a Scam | National Review

Lawsuit dismissed after Trump admin quietly restored tens of millions to Planned Parenthood - POLITICO

Aging Trump’s MAGA Agenda Means Gutting America’s Truly Great Past

White House Sends Mixed Signals to Pro-Life Groups amid Health Care Negotiations | National Review

January 16

Trump and Dictators | National Review

Evangelical leader criticizes Trump for flipping off auto worker | U.S.

Canada’s cold proposal for free speech | WORLD

'Great Healthcare Plan' Fact Sheet: No Mention of Hyde Amendment | National Review

Why Is RFK Jr.’s FDA Allowing Abortionists to Flood Red States With Pills? | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

Pastoral Meanderings: Book Lust. . . (read at least some of the books you already have)

US airstrikes in Nigeria offer 'fragile hope' for Christians long under attack

Banned from Gaza for alleged links to Hamas, World Vision must come clean

Mohammad El Halabi Trial Overview | West Bank | World Vision International

Free Press, State Media - by Garry Kasparov - The Next Move

Reading Philip Yancey after His Confession

When Did Trump Decide He Wanted to End the Western Alliance?

January 17

White Coat Supremacy, Greenland Style | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

How Trump Turned a Foreign Country Into a Piggybank

Abortion opponents warn Trump: Hold the line or risk midterms ‘devastation’ - POLITICO

Ex-SC Rep. RJ May sentenced to federal prison on child sex abuse material charges

Republican sent to prison for child sexual abuse imagery

Vice President JD Vance to speak at 53rd annual March for Life | Politics

Would a Christian Nation Steal Greenland?

Trump, pro-life leaders at odds in recent developments | Baptist Press

Threat to the Religious Defense in Canada's Hate Speech Law - Juicy Ecumenism

January 18

Heritage Foundation warns family crisis, proposes $2,500 accounts | Fox News

Putin’s attempt to murder 20 Evangelical pastors backfired

‘I stand on my faith’ - The Christian Chronicle (profile of DeMeco Ryans)

MLK Jr. And Thich Nhat Hanh: The Friendship That Shaped A Beloved Community (for information purposes)

When Everything Seems Uncertain | Answers in Genesis

The Sunday Poem - Real Patriotism with Terry Moran

Thousands march in Greenland to support Arctic island in the face of Trump's threats to take it over | AP News

Trump’s Campaign Manager Ditches Lawsuit Against Daily Beast – The Daily Beast

CBS Surrendered to Karoline Leavitt Over Donald Trump Interview Threat: Leak

Firings at Justice Department create fear among career lawyers | AP News

January 19

‘We Choose Denmark,’ Greenlanders Say, in Wake of US Threats - GlobalPost

Leaving America in January 2026 (For a Few Weeks) (message from Chris Matthews)

Trump and Greenland: A NATO Test | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

Donald Trump’s Insane New Threat Leaves No Doubt: It’s Time for the 25th Amendment

I’m a White House reporter. Here’s the side of the Trump administration you don’t see on TV | The Independent

ICE protestors disrupt Minnesota worship service | Baptist Press

Opinion | Alexei Navalny’s widow: Putin fears lawyers, just like all dictators - The Washington Post

Watch: Unhinged Don Lemon Chases Elderly Christian Into the Snow After Church Attack; 'We're Done Here'

January 20

The FAQs: What Should Churches Do When Protest Enters the Sanctuary?

Now Is the Time to Admit It, America: Donald Trump Is a Dangerous, Lunatic Moron

A church invaded | WORLD

A bureaucratic roadblock for adoptive families | WORLD

Was That Church Attack the Tipping Point in Minnesota? | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

Trump's Do-Nothing Minnesota Response Is An Embarrassment

Like Don Lemon, Media Are Literally Just Doing Far-Left Activism

The Desecration of Cities Church – Denny Burk

ELCA Lutheran pastor’s Christmas sermon: “Mary was raped” - EXPOSING THE ELCA

January 21

White House Fumes at Giant Jeffrey Epstein Donald Trump Birthday Card in D.C.

When Parents Say "Divorce" - Them Before Us

Tearing Apart NATO, over a Trinket | National Review

Trump says God is 'very proud' of first year, blasts Don Lemon | Politics

Don Lemon likens church storming to Jesus cleansing temple | U.S.

New York Times: Trump has used the presidency to make $1.4 billion – The Way of Improvement Leads Home

Trump Tariff Threats Make Greenland Crisis Worse | National Review

A Response to the Disruption of Our January 18 Worship Service | Cities Church

Cities Church in Minnesota is considering legal options after anti-ICE protest

No Nobel, No Peace - John Dickerson

Don Lemon Is Relevant Again. He Should Be In Federal Custody

Yes, Pastors Can Work For ICE Enforcing U.S. Immigration Laws

January 22

March for Life Invitation to JD Vance to Speak Miscalculation | National Review

Greenland: All Cost, No Benefit | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

This Year, Protections for the Unborn Won’t Come from Washington - Christianity Today

Trump steps back from the brink on Greenland. But the damage has been done. - POLITICO

January 23

Israeli strike in Gaza kills three journalists, first responders say

The March for Life should send Vance a tough message

The Trump administration has a Nazi problem | Mehdi Hasan | The Guardian

When the march ends | WORLD

Why Donald Trump’s Board of Peace Is Doomed to Fail - Newsweek

Here's Where J.D. Vance And Pro-Lifers Should Compromise

Rome's lure for young Protestant belivers | WORLD

Trump revokes Canada's invitation to join Board of Peace | Reuters

January 24

Between Carney and Trump - by Garry Kasparov

Prominent "Orthodox Baptist" Seminary Hires Female Anglican Priest to Train Baptist Pastors

The Post-Dobbs Era Demands Fresh Pro-Life Thinking| National Catholic Register

V.P Mike Pence Reflects on 5 Year Anniversary of January 6th - Advancing American Freedom

Advancing American Freedom Hires Former Heritage Foundation Legal, Economic and Data Directors - Advancing American Freedom

AAF Responds to Marijuana Rescheduling Executive Order - Advancing American Freedom

V.P. Pence Calls for Release of Jimmy Lai Following Conviction - Advancing American Freedom

AAF Calls for Removal of RFK Jr. - Advancing American Freedom

Pence Opposes RFK Jr. Nomination to HHS Secretary - Advancing American Freedom

Helped by Trump, Beijing Wriggles Out from Under the TikTok Ban | National Review

Ryan Anderson: The March for Life Is Needed ‘to Rejuvenate the Pro-Life Grassroots’| National Catholic Register

Philadelphia sues after slavery exhibits were taken down from President's House site

JD Vance: Abortion debate a question of choosing God or paganism | Politics

53rd March for Life declares ‘Life is a Gift’ | Baptist Press

Vance: Anti-abortion Republicans need focus on the 'state level'

Trump Administration Sued After Removing Slavery Exhibit - Newsweek

Bad Bunny plans to use Super Bowl halftime show to ‘honor queer icons,’ plans to wear a dress: report | The Post Millennial | thepostmillennial.com

The March for Life continues — the work is not over

March for Life airs tensions with Trump's 'flexibility' on Hyde Amendment

The imperial aesthetic at the heart of Donald Trump’s presidency - The Washington Post

VP Vance At March For Life: ‘You Have An Ally In The White House’

The Nobel Prize Trump Didn’t Earn | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

'The Shack' film stirs debate as did preceding book | Baptist Press

January 25

Evangelicals decry Egypt's new Easter paid leave policy | World

SBA Statement Following VP Vance’s March for Life Remarks - SBA Pro-Life America

Was Jesus a Social Justice Warrior? | Answers in Genesis

Russia issues arrest order for chess legend Garry Kasparov amid terrorism allegations

Tulsi Gabbard’s history with Russia is even more concerning than you think | The Independent

Tucker Carlson says he’s ‘definitely more sympathetic to Putin than Zelensky’ because Russia is ‘thriving’ | The Independent

White House Calls Daily Beast ‘Mentally Ill’ For Exposing Trump’s Decline

Pro-abortion James Talarico’s deceptive campaign for the Senate

ICE memo argues for home searches without judicial warrant | WORLD

Gospel musician Richard Smallwood remembered with music-filled funeral

Renee Good Shooting: Trump Justice Department Not Acting by the Book | National Review

Taiwan is reading the writing on the wall

Opinion | DOGE’s mishandling of Social Security data violated privacy rights - The Washington Post

Introduction - Part 3 of 3

LCMS/EFCA ON LOYALDEFENDER.INFO

Some readers have sometimes have asked where I am at in terms of theological standards and beliefs. I’ve intentionally not been publicly specific about this, for a variety of reasons. I’ve been a member and attender of a variety of different Christian denomination affiliated churches through my years, as has my wife. We are a part of the universal Christian church through faith in Christ.

I will note, however, that in 2020 I did put on loyaldefender.info a comparison of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the Evangelical Free Church of America. A link to that is below, along with the content of the link.

Loyal Defender: The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the Evangelical Free Church of America

I recently asked Dr. Martin Noland, a pastor, historian, author and theologian, for his opinion on the similarities and differences between the LCMS and the EFCA. Below is his response.

* * *

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) have some similarities, but are quite different doctrinally.

SIMILARITIES:

Both churches came out of the conservative reaction to the liberalization of European churches, universities, divinity schools, and mission agencies in the 19^th century. LCMS was a German conservative response; EFCA was a Scandinavian conservative response (Swedish and Danish-Norwegian).
Both churches were founded in the USA by emigrants from their respective countries, and remained essentially an ethnic enclave until the 20^th century.
Both churches remained in touch, in several ways, with their conservative counterparts in the state churches of Europe, many of whom founded independent, i.e., free church, synods or associations, in Europe.
Both churches were distrustful of church hierarchies, and laid great stress on the autonomy of the local congregation.
Both churches were, at their founding, organized at the synodical level in order to train pastors and train and support missionaries. Overseas mission work became a defining focus of their work, energy, and budget.
Both churches were European-Protestant, which meant that they had little love for the Roman Catholic church and were suspicious of its agencies, were even more suspicious of Liberal Protestants and their agencies, and were often ambivalent with regard to conservative American church-bodies and fundamentalism—because they were, well, American. 😊 That attitude began to change in the later 20^th century, at least in the LCMS.
Doctrinally, it appears that they agree on the doctrines of:

The inspiration of Scripture
The Trinity
Jesus’ deity
Jesus’ incarnation by the virgin Mary
The vicarious atonement as the basis of justification
The bodily resurrection of Jesus
The exaltation of Jesus to the right hand of God after his ascension
The creation of man in God’s image and the loss of that image
Man’s need for rebirth through faith in the work of Christ, through which faith they are born of the Holy Spirit (LCMS emphasizes baptism at this point) and become God’s children.
The bodily resurrection of believers to everlasting life and bliss, and of unbelievers to judgement and everlasting conscious punishment.

DIFFERENCES:

LCMS has a full-bodied and strict confessional subscription for all its rostered church-workers and member congregations. EFCA has a 12 point doctrinal statement, and I don’t know how members of that church confess it or subscribe to it, if they do.
LCMS subscribes to the 1580/1584 Book of Concord, which includes the three ecumenical creeds, which confessions determine all of its binding doctrines. EFCA has only the 12 point doctrinal statement, which contains the points noted in #7a-j above, plus a few others, otherwise it has an aversion to creedal commitments.
LCMS confesses that the work of the Holy Spirit is only through the means of the Word and Sacraments. EFCA apparently does not confess that, but does affirm the work of the Holy Spirit.
LCMS confesses that baptism is a means of grace by which faith and the Holy Spirit are given. EFCA says that baptism is a necessary ordinance, but is not a means of grace or of the Holy Spirit.
LCMS confesses that the Lord’s supper is a means of grace, by which our Lord’s body and blood are received orally to all who eat the bread and drink the wine, to the spiritual benefit of those who discern Christ’s body and blood, and to the spiritual judgment of those who do not discern it. EFCA says that the Lord’s supper is a necessary ordinance, but is not a means of grace, nor is there any “real presence” of His body and blood but it is only a memorial, thus following the Zwinglian view.
LCMS confesses with Article VIII of the Augsburg Confession that hypocrites and unbelievers may be present in a local congregation or the church-at-large, and that if this is discovered and confirmed, they should be removed from membership. EFCA restricts membership in the local congregation to only members of the true church, and I am not sure how that works out in practice.
LCMS rejects both the Calvinist and Arminian doctrinal positions, confessing a third position detailed in the Book of Concord. EFCA tolerates doctrinal positions of both Calvinists and Arminians.
LCMS follows the positions on divorce and remarriage found in Luther’s writings of 1522 (Luther’s Works 45:11-50) and 1530 (Luther’s Works 46:259-320) and developed over the years in the German-Lutheran church orders and Pastoral Theologies, although since the advent of no-fault divorce in the USA, most congregations are reluctant to enforce those positions. EFCA takes no official stand on divorce and remarriage.
LCMS has always permitted its members to drink alcoholic beverages of all types and to use tobacco. Some EFCA congregations prohibit, and all strongly discourage, the use of alcohol and tobacco.
LCMS has always rejected all forms of millennialism, on the basis of Augsburg Confession Article XVII. EFCA has found millennialism, especially dispensationalism, to be agreeable to its theology.
LCMS has not formed unions or formal associations with American conservative Protestants, Fundamentalists, or Evangelicals, though our theologians and synod presidents may participate in some of their conferences and alliances for specific purposes, like opposition to abortion. EFCA intentionally strives to bring together these sorts of conservative Protestants.
LCMS listens to the history of Christian theology, specifically the orthodox tradition of Lutheranism, starting with Luther, Melanchthon, and Chemitz, going through the end of the 17^th century, with a revival of the same in the 19^th and 20^th centuries. Our theologians learn German and/or Latin in order to have access to these older theologians. We also listen to the orthodox tradition of the early church, as late as Augustine, but read the medieval theologians much more critically. EFCA seems to only have interest in its own roots from the 19^th century, but that could be just an impression.
LCMS has trained its preachers and pastors to be especially mindful of the distinction between the Law and Gospel, so that the Gospel always predominates in preaching and pastoral care. I don’t know if that is true in the EFCA, so cannot say on that point.

I think these are the major points of agreement and disagreement. You can share this message with your friend or others.

Yours in Christ, Martin R. Noland

May 22, 2020

David Becker comments:

Among Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod pastor-scholar-author-theologians, John Warwick Montgomery and David Scaer have written books referencing the Evangelical Free Church of America. In his autobiography, Fighting the Good Fight (Fighting the Good Fight, 3rd and Enlarged Edition- Wipf and Stock Publishers), Dr. Montgomery references the fact that he was a professor at an EFCA seminary (at the same time he also taught classes at an LCMS seminary—apparently, it was not an issue at either end in the early 1970s). The Southern California law school that Montgomery founded, then known as the Simon Greenleaf School of Law, is now Trinity Law School and has been associated with the EFCA for many years now. Montgomery is often favorable to the EFCA in his book, noting among other things that the EFCA library had conservative AND liberal books in their library, while liberal seminaries often had only liberal books in their library. Scaer is less favorable to the EFCA and Montgomery by extension in his own autobiography, Surviving the Storms (Surviving the Storms: Memoirs of David P. Scaer - Kindle edition by Scaer, David P.. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.). Both men have been very outspoken and prominent and are still living today (January 3, 2021).

Looking at Dr. Noland’s comments on the EFCA and the LCMS, I offer the following remarks:

The similarities are basically correct, including the 7.h. observation about baptism (EFCA could perhaps emphasize baptism more than it does)

The differences
1. I think EFCA is strict on the doctrines it does affirm. Deviations in doctrine and practice may be dealt with at least as well as the LCMS does.
2. Basically accurate observation by Dr. Noland
3. EFCA affirms the Bible as authority – not sure that there is an issue there
4. The EFCA statement on Baptism and Lord’s Supper should be looked at carefully. In my opinion, it could possibly be understood as compatible with Lutheran view, though many would disagree. There is a discussion in the EFCA published book, Evangelical Convictions (Evangelical Convictions - Kindle edition by EFCA, Strand, Greg, Kynes, Bill, Hamel, William. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.)
5. Probably true that EFCA is sympathetic to Zwingli but EFCA statement perhaps offers wiggle room
6. EFCA modified its view about hypocrites in the church. Basically EFCA wants doctrinal/practice discipline in the church. I’m not sure that the EFCA and LCMS differ on this issue
7. EFCA is neither Calvinist nor Arminian. Is this the same as LCMS? This issue should be explored further.
8. EFCA doesn’t like divorce, not sure there is a real difference between EFCA and LCMS on this. Issue should be explored further
9. Probably fair to say EFCA discourages, not sure it’s fair to say EFCA prohibits alcohol and tobacco. Some in EFCA drink alcohol in moderation.
10. EFCA no longer formally upholds millennialism (EFCA Now Considers Premillennialism a Non-Essential...... | News & Reporting | Christianity Today). LCMS is out of date on recognizing this 2019 EFCA development – note the discussion in this denominational listing: (Denominations - Frequently Asked Questions - The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (lcms.org). LCMS is lazy in not noticing the latest development on this.
11. Basically correct view on the ecumenical aspect of EFCA. LCMS attitudes toward ecumenism are kind of incoherent
12. I would say it’s opposite of what Dr. Noland asserts here. LCMS (often though by no means always) looks only to its own roots and traditions. EFCA has a far more broad approach.
13. There can be good preaching in both LCMS and EFCA. These days, many sermons are available online.
I would also add the difference that officially, LCMS upholds six day creation and worldwide flood, while EFCA holds the line on Adam and Eve. This is not to say that many in EFCA don’t unofficially hold to six day creation and young earth. Also, there are some in LCMS who don’t. Practically speaking, there might not be a huge difference between the two denominations, but the official doctrinal statements are not the same.

Introduction - Part 2 of 3

Christian News summaries at loyaldefender.info

Yesterday, I referenced the independent Missouri-based Lutheran newspaper, Christian News (CN), which has a website at christiannewsmo.com. I have had many contributions published there through the years, especially when the long-time founding editor of CN was alive.

After the founding editor died in 2019, I along with others was invited provide continued input to CN, with a direct invitation to continue contributing material, and several items from me were printed in CN 2019-2025. Even through one reader suggested that I do so, I did not apply to be the editor of CN, because I didn’t belong to a church was totally aligned doctrinally with CN (although I fully agree on what I would say are fundamental Biblical teachings). Please recognize that I have no formal association with CN, nor CN with me. I have just been published there, as some reading this may already know.

Since 2020, though, I have put on the Internet a brief summary of the weekly editions of CN, week by week. The link to that is below. This is more than what CN itself does. The reader is invited to check out the below link for your consideration.

Loyal Defender: Christian News

Introduction - Part 1 of 3

Introduction to loyaldefender.info (part 1 of 3)

I intentionally make this blog as low maintenance and bare bones as I can so as to not draw attention to myself. It’s intended to glorify God and provide relevant information and not to focus on myself. Having said that, it might be appropriate and indeed long overdue to say SOMETHING about what I’m trying to do with loyaldefender.info, and so I am starting out 2026 doing this. My wonderful wife, Sandy, who is a great support in putting this blog out, wisely suggested that I do so.

I was born October 31, 1958, and I’ve been involved in Christian journalism since 1979, when I first got published in the independent Missouri-based conservative Lutheran newspaper, Christian News. Starting in 1994 I did a web site and email list that was then called “Religion and Politics Digest.” In 2012 I started loyaldefender.info but did not do much with it.

I contributed to Christian News in the 2010s both with my own items and providing the CN staff with links of online articles that I thought would be interesting and significant. In 2020, I started posting essentially the same type of links on the Internet, through loyaldefender.info. The reader will note that they cover a wide variety of subjects, literary styles, and in some cases viewpoints. Some of the items referenced are devotional in character. I rely on the reader to use his or her own discretion as to what is the most worthy to read and consider.

The linked articles are listed month by month and the reader can search loyaldefender.info for words that are of interest.

Since 2021, I have been posting many book reviews. These are available privately on social media. If you want to read them on X, send me a follow request at @davidmarkbecker. My current goal for 2026 is to get all of them on the book platform Goodreads and to phase out X (formerly Twitter).

Although few people have been doing so, comments from readers are open at loyaldefender.info. Readers are always welcome to react and provide feedback and constructive criticism, whether on X or at loyaldefender.info Of course, please encourage others to read the blog and regularly read it yourself if you find it helpful.

The name of the blog was inspired by the sainted pastor, Rev. Julius Kimpel (1912-1994), who I knew and who at one time put out a newsletter that he called “The Loyal Defender.” My direction has been somewhat different than his but certainly not totally.

Below are the theme Bible verses and a hymn that I posted in 2012. They still guide my mindset undergirding loyaldefender.info

Loyal Defender: Theme Bible Passages

At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the proclamation might be fully made through me and all the Gentiles might hear. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever! Amen. (2 Timothy 4:16-18) (HCSB)

but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. (2 Peter 3:15-17) (NASB)

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2) (NIV 1984)

Loyal Defender: Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense

"Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense"
by unknown author, 1653
Translated based on Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878
Text From:
THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
(St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942)p.155

1. Jesus Christ, my sure Defense
And my Savior, ever Iiveth;
Knowing this, my confidence
Rests upon the hope it giveth
Though the night of death be fraught
Still with many an anxious thought.

2. Jesus, my Redeemer, lives;
I, too, unto life shall waken.
Endless joy my Savior gives;
Shall my courage, then, be shaken?
Shall I fear, or could the Head
Rise and leave His members dead?

3. Nay, too closely am I bound
Unto Him by hope forever;
Faith's strong hand the Rock hath found,
Grasped it, and will leave it never;
Even death now cannot part
From its Lord the trusting heart.

4. I am flesh and must return
Unto dust, whence I am taken;
But by faith I now discern
That from death I shall awaken
With my Savior to abide
In His glory, at His side.

5. Glorified, I shall anew
With this flesh then be enshrouded;
In this body I shall view
God, my Lord, with eyes unclouded;
In this flesh I then shall see
Jesus Christ eternally.

6. Then these eyes my Lord shall know,
My Redeemer and my Brother;
In His love my soul shall glow,--
I myself, and not another!
Then the weakness I feel here
Shall forever disappear.

7. They who sorrow here and moan
There in gladness shall be reigning;
Earthly here the seed is sown,
There immortal life attaining.
Here our sinful bodies die,
Glorified to dwell on high.

8. Then take comfort and rejoice,
For His members Christ will cherish.
Fear not, they will hear His voice;
Dying, they shall never perish;
For the very grave is stirred
When the trumpet's blast is heard.

9. Laugh to scorn the gloomy grave
And at death no longer tremble;
He, the Lord, who came to save
Will at last His own assemble.
They will go their Lord to meet,
Treading death beneath their feet.

10. Oh, then, draw away your hearts
Now from pleasures base and hollow.
There to share what He imparts,
Here His footsteps ye must follow.
Fix your hearts beyond the skies,
Whether ye yourselves would rise.

Monday, December 01, 2025

Interesting Links From December 2025

America, Please Put Some Pants On | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

December 2

Jelly Roll gives God the glory for 3 Grammy nominations | Entertainment

9 Marks President Jonathan Leeman Regrets Past Comments on Voting For Dems. ‘That was wrong’

Daniel Silliman leaves “Christianity Today”; joins “The Roys Report” – The Way of Improvement Leads Home

Pastoral Meanderings: Small and smaller. . .

Quebec’s Bill 9 Would Outlaw Public Prayer

Norman Rockwell's paintings have no place in DHS propaganda | Opinion

Chinese Pastor Released After 12 Years Behind Bars | The Roys Report

NYC Church That Confirmed Gay TV Anchor Should Be Disciplined (No indication that it has happened yet or that it ever will)

December 8

Study Shows Republicans Have Stronger Christian Values Than Democrats - LifeNews.com

The Horror of Hell - Founders Ministries

God Is Your Father, Not Your Dad - Christianity Today

2000 Christians call for religious freedom protections amid rising violence in India | Baptist Press

Pentagon Pete Hegseth Torched by Franklin the Turtle's Publisher Over ‘Violent’ Meme

December 3

Sexual Harassment Went Unchecked at Christianity Today - Christianity Today

We Fell Short in Protecting Our Employees - Christianity Today

Divorce Propaganda and the Myth of the Do-Nothing Dad

First trans mayor in Pa. stokes backlash for doxxing ICE agents | U.S.

UMC Pastor Shocks Congregants By Revealing Himself To Be Transgender During Sermon

26 Ways to Be Generous in 2026 | Thrivent

Generous Love: The Salvation Army - Juicy Ecumenism

The American Conservative Declines Invitation to Report at the Pentagon - The American Conservative

Trump’s War on Democracy in Honduras - The American Conservative

Opinion | Trump, Hegseth and a sickening moral slum of an administration - The Washington Post

December 4

How Sleepy Trump, 79, Became the D.C. Sequel Nobody Wanted to See

The Bible Is on Trial in Europe - by Kara Kennedy

Can America Survive Without Christianity? - Juicy Ecumenism

As Illinois Advances Assisted Suicide, Opponents Warn of Devalued Life - Juicy Ecumenism

December 5

Young women are leaving the Church for a reason

Rev. Phil Phaneuf’s ‘Transition’ Shows United Methodist Church in Turmoil | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

MAGA Pastor Spills on Stuart Knechtle Late-Night Religious Call With Barron Trump (Barron Trump reportedly “very close” to putting his faith in Christ)

The pros and cons of a 50-year mortgage

December 6

Transgender health leader’s name changed on her official HHS portrait : Shots - Health News : NPR (If he legally changed his name, maybe that should still be used. Please refer to him as male, though, as the biological reality.)

Facing violence, Nigeria’s Christians pray and take… | WORLD

December 7

Athanasius, Arius, and . . . Santa Claus? | Answers in Genesis

TPUSA's Erika Kirk set for town hall with CBS' Bari Weiss | U.S.

Kirk Cameron Denies ‘Eternal Conscious Torment,’ Is Now An Annihilationist?

Trump's piggy comment meant to shame women into submission | Opinion

Truth For Life - Daily (on “once saved always saved” teaching)

Daly: The Pipe-Bomber Arrest Blew up a Lot of MAGA Nonsense

Advent in all its terror | The Christian Century

The Lonely Joys of Christmas Cards - The American Conservative

Fellows - Templeton Pluralism Fellowship (for information purposes – it would be hard though perhaps not impossible for an evangelism focused evangelical to participate in such a group)

December 8

Study Shows Republicans Have Stronger Christian Values Than Democrats - LifeNews.com

The Horror of Hell - Founders Ministries

God Is Your Father, Not Your Dad - Christianity Today

2000 Christians call for religious freedom protections amid rising violence in India | Baptist Press

December 9

Chick-Fil-A Waffles on Wokeness with Same-Sex Marriage Post and DEI Focus

Correcting the record | WORLD

What is the social gospel? | GotQuestions.org

Happy Bodhi Day - by Marvin Olasky - Olasky (why is Marvin Olasky suggesting we celebrate a Buddhist holiday? I don’t think he should be.)

We Are Not Depression Proof | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

‘Explain to Us Why We Kill People Who Are Not Armed’ - The American Conservative

December 10

The 6 Favorite Christmas Hymns of Keith and Kristyn Getty | Crossway

Presidential Message on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception – The White House (for information purposes only - Donald Trump is the first U.S. president to put out such a declaration, which in my opinion he shouldn’t have done – check the next message)

Rome Examined: If the Blessed Virgin Mary Was Conceived without Original Sin (5) - wolfmueller.co (“nothing should be taken away from the honor which is due to Mary. For she is properly praised when one confers that praise which accords with Scripture: ‘From now on, all generations shall praise me as blessed. For He has done great things to me, for He is mighty.’ This is how she herself sings, and we honor and love her canticle. But any other sort of reverence she herself would consider unwelcomed.”)

PCA leader resigns after blessing pastor who became Catholic | Church & Ministries

Right-wing influencer to sue Portland for $10 million after arrest at ICE protests - OPB

Pope Leo XIV and Patriarch Bartholomew sign document urging progress on Christian unity

Pro-Life Group Demands FDA Commissioner Be ‘Fired Immediately’ for Slow Walking Abortion Pill Review | National Review

I've Said Enough, So… - by Erick-Woods Erickson (about China)

Port: North Dakota farmers need competent trade policies, not a bailout

Tony Evans’ son takes over his father’s Dallas megachurch | The Roys Report

It's Ridiculous To Compare The Holy Family To Illegal Immigrants

Trump’s Clemency Machine Deserves More Right-Wing Scrutiny - The American Conservative

December 11

Pete Hegseth: Secretary of Dishonor. - by Frank Schaeffer

7 amazing facts about St. Joseph, the quiet giant of Christmas

Jubilant Sykes, noted baritone and Grace Community Church member, killed at his home | The Roys Report

Hindu Nationalists Trash JD Vance for Wanting His Wife to Share His Christian Faith | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

The Chinese Christian Behind 2,000 Hymns - Christianity Today

D.C. Appeals Court Upholds Trump's 'Trans' Military Prohibition

Evangelist Ray Comfort Addresses Kirk Cameron Hell Controversy: ‘he’s not settled on the matter’

Are we really in the midst of a religious revival? – The Way of Improvement Leads Home

Murdoch Paper Wall Street Journal Slams Donald Trump Deal as Worse Than the Sale of Manhattan

The deadly danger of remodeling hell | WORLD

December 12

Grace Community Church mourns murder of Jubilant Sykes | Church & Ministries

Loving Aging Parents Well | Desiring God

Pastoral Meanderings: Sinners need not apply. . .

Hollow Sanctuaries: When Churches Become Mosques | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

Kevin Costner says his acting career began in church | Entertainment

Kevin Costner brings gritty, reverent lens to Nativity: review | Entertainment

December 13

Oprah accused of fueling family estrangement crisis she now warns about | Fox News

Anglican Church leader should be put on trial: inquiry board | Church & Ministries

Anglican Archbishop Steve Wood Case to Proceed to Trial - Juicy Ecumenism

The Optics of Accommodation: Pope Leo’s Audience with Pro-Abortion Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

Pritzker Signs Law Welcoming State-Sanctioned Suicide To Illinois

A list of major clergy abuse payouts by the Catholic Church | AP News

December 14

Valparaiso University marks 100 years of Lutheran control

Profanity isn't just in vogue in Washington. It's bipartisan | AP News (this gratuitous vulgarity is not good)

U.S. Pastors Become Willing Ambassadors for Israel’s War - The American Conservative

New York Archdiocese says it's setting up a $300M fund for sexual abuse victims | AP News

Judge OKs settlement for New Orleans Archdiocese to pay hundreds of clergy abuse victims | AP News

December 15

You’re saved by being a good person — not

Philip Rivers, Fatherhood, and the Witness Our Culture Still Needs

Trump’s response to Rob Reiner’s death proves he is a bad, bad person

JD Vance and the Antichrist Billionaires.

History’s Judgment of Those Who Go Along | The New Yorker

Hong Kong court finds Jimmy Lai guilty of national security violations - The Washington Post

Keep the King James in Christmas | WORLD

Trump says Rob Reiner, victims of possible homicide, died of 'Trump derangement syndrome'

Pastoral Meanderings: A Christmas present of death. . .

Reaction to Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai's guilty verdict in national security trial | Reuters

Hong Kong court finds tycoon Jimmy Lai guilty in landmark security trial | Reuters

December 16

This is the kind of propaganda you might read from a Soviet dictator – The Way of Improvement Leads Home

Nicaragua Bans Tourists From Bringing Bibles Into the Country

Nicaragua Bans Tourists From Bringing Bibles Into the Country – Faithwire

Trump sues BBC for $10 billion, accusing it of defamation : NPR

Jimmy Lai's Conviction Is The Penalty For Doing Real Journalism

Killed: Acclaimed Gospel Vocalist Jubilant Sykes - Christianity Today

Pronouns in the WELS - by Philip Hahn - The Other Dr. Phil

December 17

Son accused of murdering Jubilant Sykes was homeless | U.S.

Pastoral Meanderings: What is the Lutheran problem. . .

The Catholic Conundrum That Is Steve Bannon

Weighing Trump’s Social Media Post on Rob Reiner’s Murder, Without the Hysteria | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

The Unborn Gospel - by Them Before Us and ProlifeWrites

Sexual Abuse, Hazing, Intimidation: How the Sins of a Televangelist Power Couple Threatened to Destroy a Christian Media Empire

December 18

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai Convicted - Juicy Ecumenism

A New Low: England Debates Letting Pregnant Women Kill Themselves | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

State-Sanctioned Suicide Is The 4th Leading Cause Of Death In Canada

Ending Mail-Order Abortion Would Fulfill Trump's Promises

Why Vivek Ramaswamy Is Wrong About American Identity

Killing Of Nigerian Christians Underscores Islam Is Incompatible With Safety And Freedom

December 19

When You Get Accused | Desiring God

Expert Raises Grave Fears of a ‘Christmas Massacre’ in Nigeria | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

Vice, violence, and profanity—for children? | WORLD

Focus' Jim Daly to Pres. Trump: Strongly and Unequivocally Oppose Reclassification of Marijuana - Daily Citizen

Trump Fast-Tracks Marijuana Rescheduling - The American Conservative

The Trump Mean Streak - The American Conservative

Trump’s pardons wipe out payments to defrauded victims - The Washington Post

It’s Okay to Criticize Trump | National Review

Amid Fear of Attacks, Many Nigerians Mute Christmas - Christianity Today

RFK Jr. announces HHS crackdown on 'sex-rejecting' surgeries | Politics

Jelly Roll pardoned by Tennessee governor for robbery, drug convictions - CBS News

December 20

The Trump Kennedy Center: Trumpgrad's Newest Attraction

The moral anchor of a fighting force | WORLD

What Charlie Kirk Got Right — And Wrong — About His Love For The Jewish Sabbath

Trump's Marijuana EO Is Woefully Half-Baked

Newsom acts like a king when it comes to the death penalty

Trump abandons the pro-life movement

Trump's second term and the rise of vice

The Chiseler - Hardball with Chris Matthews

Prominent Priest Promotes Pro-Homosexuality Book, Author

December 21

How Science Confirms a Literal, Historical Adam and Eve | Answers in Genesis

IVF Embryo Deaths Now Surpass Abortion Deaths | Answers in Genesis

Richard Land criticizes Trump’s remarks after Reiner tragedy | Politics

Judith Miller: Putin critic Alexei Navalny's poisoning cries out for Trump, European allies to act -- quickly | Fox News

Hong Kong, Once Free, Now Suppresses Any Dissent | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

The Right’s Simmering Tensions over Abortion | National Review

Christmas was not a quaint, quiet affair. It was an invasion.

December 29

Marijuana Rescheduling Rewards Big Weed, Leaves Social Debate Unresolved - The American Conservative

Pastors urged to carry on Charlie Kirk's 'torch' against abortion | Politics

Brett Ratner, 'Rush Hour' director, photo in Epstein files (for information purposes)

Melania Trump on nude modeling, bikini photos she posted on Twitter (for information purposes)

White House threatens Smithsonian funds in sweeping content review - The Washington Post

Good Men Are Hard To Find, So Why Are Women Divorcing Them?

Trump’s Marijuana Order Could Be a Terrible Mistake - First Things

Thousands Gather At Stonehenge For Winter Solstice, Including Druids and Witches

The Nation Must Face the Abortion Pill Legal Monster | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

What’s the right way to honor Mary? | WORLD

Ben Sasse reveals terminal cancer, points to faith in Christ | Politics

No, feminism isn't fixed by repealing the 19th Amendment

Nigerian Christian sentenced to death by hanging granted pardon | World

Why it's Time to End "Gay Marriage"

The Nativity scene makes no earthly sense

Jesus Is Unashamed to Take Awkward Family Christmas Photos

Christian Leaders Must Meet the Living Palestinian Stones - The American Conservative

Christmas: O Holy Night | National Review

Muslims block Christians from celebrating Christmas in Indonesia - Christian Daily International

Sen. Ben Sasse to Christians: Prioritize Jesus and His Coming Kingdom Over America | U.S.

Anet Jackson, co-founder of Faith Comes By Hearing, dies at 90 | Church & Ministries

ELCA Pastor Bashes John The Baptist For Being Violent, Hate-Filled and Inflammatory

Relief from a world in flux | WORLD

What Will It Take For Trump To Suspend Chinese Student Visas?

The case against Christmas - by Titania McGrath (satire)

Inside Stephen Miller’s Dark Plot to Build a MAGA Terror State | The New Republic (for information purposes – I will be reviewing a 2020 book about Stephen Miller)

Christian Almost Murdered Twice By Islamists Finds Home In Canada For Christmas

It's Your Civic Duty To Reject 'Nation Of Immigrants' Lie (for information purposes)

People Always Ruin Christmas - Christianity Today

The audacity of Christmas | WORLD

The humble King | WORLD

I Love Stupid Christmas Chick Flicks | National Review

Celebrating the wrong Jesus of Christmas

Amateur Sleuths Beat Bondi with Copy-Paste and Expose Epstein's Entire Client List (for information purposes)

Pope Leo XIV: Chicago's pontiff forges special ties to Vatican (for information purposes – The Chicago Tribune has been VERY friendly and favorable to the Pope)

Meet The Saint Who Shaped The Modern Nativity Scene (for information purposes – had not heard of Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373) before)

Trump answers children’s Christmas calls from Mar-a-Lago - The Washington Post

Opinion | DHS is selling out Burma’s Christians and democracy activists - The Washington Post

Trump admin's drug policy is incoherent

Reflections of a Christmas baby | WORLD

Life Issues Are a Lost Cause - The American Conservative

The Brazen Cruelty of the Trump Regime - Robert Reich

The Nightmare Before (Russian Orthodox) Christmas

Trump Posts Nearly 150 Times in Unhinged Christmas Day Spree

Pastoral Meanderings: I'm okay, you're okay. . .

Trump Posts Every Two Minutes in Crazed Early Morning Spree

Soap for the Nation’s Potty Mouth - Today's Catholic

Ben Sasse Reveals Terminal Cancer Diagnosis ‘Death is a wicked thief…we hope in a real Deliverer — a rescuing God’

People wear crosses for many reasons, not all of them religious - Washington Post

Armenia imprisons half its archbishops amid church crackdown

Lawmaker wants to investigate 'Trump Derangement Syndrome'

U.S. Strikes Nigerian Terrorists, Claims Christians Under Attack

I’m Christian. My Wife Is Jewish. Our Marriage Is an Act of Faith. (for information purposes – that’s where First Things remains a suspect publication – there needs to be a shared faith in Christ)

Putin Humiliates Trump With Kyiv Strike on Eve of Peace Talks

Faith leaders who died in 2025: Pope Francis, theologians and activists

Why We Should Abolish the Family (for information purposes only – BAD commentary from a liberal intellectual journal)

Opinion | The Epstein files document dump was a Justice Department fiasco - The Washington Post

Zelensky Cracks at Trump’s Bizarre Putin Claim

A Trump-Worthy Year for the Military | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

Trump, Meeting Zelensky, Says Russia–Ukraine Diplomacy in ‘Final Stages’ - The American Conservative

Christian leaders accused of justifying Hamas violence | The Jerusalem Post

New York Legalizes Doctors Prescribing Death

Trump’s DOJ Busted Tracking Epstein Reporter on Day He Was Arrested

Now in Their 50s, Trans Latinas Reclaim a Youthful Rite of Passage (for information purposes – USA Today also published this ridiculous article)

Thirteen good things that happened in 2025 - Washington Times

December 30

No, Vladimir Putin Does Not Want to See Ukraine ‘Succeed’ | National Review National Review’s Jim Geraghty noted: “Despite what must be the most gentle and dulcet tones imaginable in his phone conversations with Trump, Putin has taken no action to indicate he wants peace this year. From From January through October, Russia dropped about 40,000 bombs on Ukraine. In October alone, Russia dropped 5,328 bombs on the positions of Ukrainian forces and frontline cities, according to the Ukrainian military.

“Russia’s bombing targets in 2025 have included 340 schools and educational facilities and, between January and June, at least 198 hospitals and medical facilities. (The Russians eventually bombed the hospital in Sumy Oblast that I visited in February. When I visited that hospital, located about an hour from the front at that time, Ukrainian medical staff were treating Russian senior citizens who had been victims of errant Russian bombs over on the old Russian side of the border.)

“According to the United Nations, through October, Russian attacks had killed 12,062 civilians, significantly higher than the total through the same period in 2024. From the beginning of the war to October, there have been more than 53,000 civilian deaths.

“For there to be peace, all Putin would have to do is issue the order, “Stop bombing and stop shooting,’ and peace would occur.”

December 31

Marjorie Taylor Greene says Trump 'does not have any faith' | Politics

Erika Kirk opens up about her conversations with God | U.S.

Richard Smallwood, contemporary gospel musician known for ‘Total Praise,’ dies at 77

2025 Departures: Remembering those we lost this year | WORLD

10 Striking Biblical Archaeology Stories of 2025 - Christianity Today

Loyal Defender

Friday, January 02, 2026

Interesting Links From January 2026

Introduction - Part 3 of 3

Introduction - Part 2 of 3

Introduction - Part 1 of 3

Monday, December 01, 2025

Interesting Links From December 2025

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