Capitol Conversations

Matt and Steven give a rundown of the Congressional landscape in the weeks leading up to the August recess. Includes: updates to human trafficking law, pro-life measures in appropriations, gender reassignment surgery in the military, and healthcare in the Senate. Also, the chatter among Evangelicals and Eugene Peterson. Congressional activity House Passes Several Bills to Combat Human Trafficking - ERLC, The Weekly McCain's absence exposes McConnell's shaky health vote math - FoxNews Eugene Peterson Should we still read Eugene Peterson? by Russell Moore Actually, Eugene Peterson Does Not Support Same-Sex Marriage - Christianity Today

Travis Wussow moderates a panel event on Capitol Hill to discuss the implications of the Supreme Court’s opinion in Trinity Lutheran. Cohosted by the ERLC and the Alliance Defending freedom, the conversation features attorney David Cortman, Rep. Vicky Hartzler (MO-4), Kevin Smith of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, and Russell Moore.    Guest bios David Cortman, ADF Rep. Vicky Hartzler, U.S. House of Representatives Russell Moore, ERLC Kevin Smith, BCM/D   Case resources Trinity Lutheran content via ERLC.com Top quotes from the Trinity Lutheran Supreme Court win Previous podcast episode on Trinity Lutheran with ADF attorney Erik Stanley Case explainer from ADF Case coverage by SCOTUSBlog ERLC’s amicus brief (PDF)

Travis Wussow moderates a panel event on Capitol Hill to discuss the implications of the Supreme Court’s opinion in Trinity Lutheran. Cohosted by the ERLC and the Alliance Defending freedom, the conversation features attorney David Cortman, Rep. Vicky Hartzler (MO-4), Kevin Smith of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, and Russell Moore.    Guest bios David Cortman, ADF Rep. Vicky Hartzler, U.S. House of Representatives Russell Moore, ERLC Kevin Smith, BCM/D   Case resources Trinity Lutheran content via ERLC.com Top quotes from the Trinity Lutheran Supreme Court win Previous podcast episode on Trinity Lutheran with ADF attorney Erik Stanley Case explainer from ADF Case coverage by SCOTUSBlog ERLC’s amicus brief (PDF)

Senator Lankford on physician assisted suicide Senator Lankford, Oklahoma (webpage) Explainer: How to reject physician-assisted suicide - ERLC.com Extended podcast interview with ethicist Ben Mitchell on assisted suicide - ERLC.com What I said to my state's legislators about assisted suicide - ERLC.com SBC Resolutions related to assisted suicide and sanctity of life Russell Moore on Criminal Justice Reform Justice Declaration including full white paper - Prison Fellowship SBC Resolutions on the growing prison population (2013) and capital punishment (2000)   Justice reform resources from Prison Fellowship

Senator Lankford on physician assisted suicide Senator Lankford, Oklahoma (webpage) Explainer: How to reject physician-assisted suicide - ERLC.com Extended podcast interview with ethicist Ben Mitchell on assisted suicide - ERLC.com What I said to my state's legislators about assisted suicide - ERLC.com SBC Resolutions related to assisted suicide and sanctity of life Russell Moore on Criminal Justice Reform Justice Declaration including full white paper - Prison Fellowship SBC Resolutions on the growing prison population (2013) and capital punishment (2000)   Justice reform resources from Prison Fellowship

The ERLC D.C. team analyzes the draft health care bill revealed by the Senate. Trinity Lutheran wins, 7-2, at the Supreme Court Why Trinity Lutheran Matters - Russell Moore Explainer via ERLC Top quotes from the Trinity Lutheran Supreme Court win - ERLC Russell Moore calls Trinity Lutheran Supreme Court ruling “triumph for religious freedom” Case resource page via Alliance Defending Freedom Full case log via SCOTUSBlog EVENT: Capitol Conversations Live, cohosted with ADF The ERLC and Alliance Defending Freedom host a conversation about the implications of the Trinity Lutheran Supreme Court decision. Free registration. Panelists include: Russell Moore - President, The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission David Cortman - Senior Counsel and Vice President of U.S. Litigation, Alliance Defending Freedom Kevin Smith, Executive Director, Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) Senate’s discussion draft of healthcare bill in motion The final-ish countdown...revisions and CBO score out today… - Examiner

The ERLC D.C. team analyzes the draft health care bill revealed by the Senate. Trinity Lutheran wins, 7-2, at the Supreme Court Why Trinity Lutheran Matters - Russell Moore Explainer via ERLC Top quotes from the Trinity Lutheran Supreme Court win - ERLC Russell Moore calls Trinity Lutheran Supreme Court ruling “triumph for religious freedom” Case resource page via Alliance Defending Freedom Full case log via SCOTUSBlog EVENT: Capitol Conversations Live, cohosted with ADF The ERLC and Alliance Defending Freedom host a conversation about the implications of the Trinity Lutheran Supreme Court decision. Free registration. Panelists include: Russell Moore - President, The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission David Cortman - Senior Counsel and Vice President of U.S. Litigation, Alliance Defending Freedom Kevin Smith, Executive Director, Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) Senate’s discussion draft of healthcare bill in motion The final-ish countdown...revisions and CBO score out today… - Examiner

Russell Moore interviews Pastor Nathan Carter of Immanuel Baptist Church in Chicago. Immanuel Baptist is facing unlawful zoning restrictions and seeks relief under The Religious Land Use and Institutional Persons Act (RLUIPA). Also, Russell Moore’s report to the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. 

Russell Moore interviews Pastor Nathan Carter of Immanuel Baptist Church in Chicago. Immanuel Baptist is facing unlawful zoning restrictions and seeks relief under The Religious Land Use and Institutional Persons Act (RLUIPA). Also, Russell Moore’s report to the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. 

Matthew and Travis welcome Ben Mitchell, PhD to discuss physician-assisted suicide and the biblical ethics that inform a Christian view of the issue. The roundtable reviews domestic religious freedom items including Senator Bernie Sanders’ religious test for public office, a Southern Baptist church facing zoning restrictions in Chicago, and recent ERLC meetings with Executive Branch officials as they seek to correct breaches of religious freedom by federal agencies.

Matthew and Travis welcome Ben Mitchell, PhD to discuss physician-assisted suicide and the biblical ethics that inform a Christian view of the issue. The roundtable reviews domestic religious freedom items including Senator Bernie Sanders’ religious test for public office, a Southern Baptist church facing zoning restrictions in Chicago, and recent ERLC meetings with Executive Branch officials as they seek to correct breaches of religious freedom by federal agencies.

Matthew Hawkins and Steven Harris welcome Lori Windham, Senior Counsel at Becket to review the leaked draft of a new rule from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Travis Wussow explains how the DOJ could help Southern Baptist plaintiffs in the HHS lawsuits and Jeff Pickering highlights the plans for the ERLC’s summer DC interns. Also, non-hockey fans talk hockey and reveal we don’t know what we’re talking about. Leaked HHS rule The “HHS mandate” presently requires employer to facilitate all FDA approved contraceptives, abortion-causing drugs, and sterilization procedures as a part of their health insurance. Sufficient exceptions do not yet exist for organizations who object to such products on moral or religious grounds. Becket.org Bio: Lori Windham The “leaked” rule draft (PDF) HHS Info Central via Becket Here we stand: Southern Baptists and the HHS Mandate Past HHS mandate content from ERLC.com Roundtable Internships at ERLC What’s Best Next? How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done - by Matt Perman

Matthew Hawkins and Steven Harris welcome Lori Windham, Senior Counsel at Becket to review the leaked draft of a new rule from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Travis Wussow explains how the DOJ could help Southern Baptist plaintiffs in the HHS lawsuits and Jeff Pickering highlights the plans for the ERLC’s summer DC interns. Also, non-hockey fans talk hockey and reveal we don’t know what we’re talking about. Leaked HHS rule The “HHS mandate” presently requires employer to facilitate all FDA approved contraceptives, abortion-causing drugs, and sterilization procedures as a part of their health insurance. Sufficient exceptions do not yet exist for organizations who object to such products on moral or religious grounds. Becket.org Bio: Lori Windham The “leaked” rule draft (PDF) HHS Info Central via Becket Here we stand: Southern Baptists and the HHS Mandate Past HHS mandate content from ERLC.com Roundtable Internships at ERLC What’s Best Next? How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done - by Matt Perman

The ERLC welcomes David French for a conversation over lunch, ranging from terrorism to pronouns to The Rock for President. Policy Associate Jeff Pickering joins to discuss an adoption crisis in Ethiopia. Lunch with David French The World Is Too Comfortable with Terror - David French Chelsea Manning and the Problem with Pronouns - David French Why We Love — and Need — The Rock - David French Refugees Content about refugees from ERLC Video: Ministering to refugees and immigrants - Evangelicals for Life ERLC Academy sample videos (via Facebook Live) Framework for Christian Ethics (part 1) Framework for Christian Ethics (part 2) Decision Making Roundtable Did the Turkish President’s Security Detail Attack Protesters in Washington? What the Video Shows - NY Times Study: Smartphones could be changing the way we make moral decisions Book: 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You - Tony Reinke Podcast: Russell Moore with Andy Crouch on family and technology - Signposts

The ERLC welcomes David French for a conversation over lunch, ranging from terrorism to pronouns to The Rock for President. Policy Associate Jeff Pickering joins to discuss an adoption crisis in Ethiopia. Lunch with David French The World Is Too Comfortable with Terror - David French Chelsea Manning and the Problem with Pronouns - David French Why We Love — and Need — The Rock - David French Refugees Content about refugees from ERLC Video: Ministering to refugees and immigrants - Evangelicals for Life ERLC Academy sample videos (via Facebook Live) Framework for Christian Ethics (part 1) Framework for Christian Ethics (part 2) Decision Making Roundtable Did the Turkish President’s Security Detail Attack Protesters in Washington? What the Video Shows - NY Times Study: Smartphones could be changing the way we make moral decisions Book: 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You - Tony Reinke Podcast: Russell Moore with Andy Crouch on family and technology - Signposts