Don't Fund Abuse This Christmas

And other significant updates

Nov 28, 2022

Hey there,

This past week was a blur of family and feasting as we celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a family birthday together. (Don’t worry; our family wholeheartedly participates in Advent and will remember the true meaning of Christmas for the next month!) But given the various travel schedules, we had a major family gathering on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!

However, I don’t want you to miss out on four significant updates!

(1) I was honored to publish the essay “Don’t Fund Abuse This Christmas” in The Roys Report. As you pray about which ministries to fund on Giving Tuesday and throughout the end of the year, I hope these six principles will help you give with confidence and joy.

Speaking of which, Uncommon Pursuit needs your support! If you have benefitted from this ministry, please become a monthly donor. Your financial partnership will enable me to keep creating content to serve you and many others. On our Donate page, you can get started in less than a minute.

(2) Today’s event, with Dr. Michael LeFebvre, is on a question that has perplexed me for decades: what is Genesis 1 all about? There is a fierce debate about whether the Bible teaches a young earth or an old earth. Or - could Genesis 1 be focused on something else?

We must remember that, first and foremost, Genesis 1 is a Biblical text — so we need to listen to biblical scholars about how to interpret it. If you want clarity on this important matter, register for free on the event page. Or if you’d prefer to watch the recording of our discussion, subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss it: https://www.youtube.com/@UncommonPursuit.

(3) Another investigative report confirmed, yet again, the abusive environment that existed at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. A team of five apologists — Dr. William Lane Craig, Dr. Sean McDowell, Dr. Paul Copan, Dr. Mike Licona, and Debbie Licona — invested an enormous amount of effort into reviewing what happened. They write,

Our investigative process ultimately included approximately 1,000 hours of research. We interviewed 25 people, some on multiple occasions, obtained and studied copious amounts of supporting documentation, and consulted with experts on abuse and institutional response to abuse, including Dr. Wade Mullen.

You can read their thorough report at this link.

Sadly, some have responded to this report by ignoring it or dismissing it. It’s remarkable to see the evidence piled up by numerous independent investigations yet be pushed aside by Christian leaders - even Christian apologists! I invite you to consider what that reveals about the human condition.

Still, I find this report to be validating and encouraging. It’s rare and noteworthy that some of the most respected leaders of the apologetics community, who by no means had to get involved in this controversy, decided to put their reputations on the line. I’m grateful that they sought out the truth and, ultimately, spoke up for those who have been so grievously harmed.

Please join me in praying that their report will protect and purify the integrity of our Christian witness.

(4) Finally, tonight, I’ll be speaking to a student ministry at a local college campus on the reliability of the Scriptures. I’d be grateful for your prayers as I finish my preparations and spend time with these students. I love speaking to college ministry groups! It reminds me of the ten years I spent in full-time campus ministry - those were some of the happiest and most meaningful years of my life.

Thank you for the opportunity to touch base. It’s an honor and a joy to serve you!

Carson

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