This Month’s Updates:
biblical worldview
Launch The Truth Project in Your Church Now
(August 1, 2009) – As part of FACT’s efforts to help the people of Tennessee build a strong biblical worldview, FACT is working with Focus on the Family to present The Truth Project™ training. The Truth Project™ is a powerful, DVD-based, small-group educational experience on developing a biblical worldview. Many of the problems in American culture are due to an ignorance of biblical principles. Too often even devoted, born-again church members hold a dualistic worldview in which they think biblically on religious topics (i.e. heaven, salvation, Jesus, etc.), but they think in worldly terms when it comes to other topics such as ethics, evolution, history, politics, finances, work, marriage, parenting, entertainment, etc.
Focus on the Family has created this informative, entertaining, and biblically sound curriculum to equip Christians on living out their faith in a post-Christian culture.
FACT Director of Church & Community Relations, Dr. David Shelley, who holds a Ph.D. in theology, says:
“In creating this tool for mass usage across the world, Focus on the Family wisely avoided the controversial areas of ecclesiastical doctrine that tend to cause division among the churches and denominations (i.e. methods of baptism, free will vs. predestination, Catholic vs. Protestant, church polity, pneumatology, etc.). Instead, they focused on the fundamental questions of systematic theology: Is there absolute truth? Can the Bible be trusted? Who is God? Who is mankind? What is the purpose of mankind? etc.
As a pastor, I’ve always longed for a way to help members of my congregation move from a shallow, “pop-culture” concept of Christianity to a deeply held, theologically sound understanding of the faith. The Truth Project ™ is by far the best curriculum I’ve ever seen, in 20+ years of ministry, to equip believers with a solid, Bible-based worldview.”
The Truth Project ™ is being used of God all over the world. The latest numbers indicate that since 2005, Focus on the Family has held over 35 regional training conferences, equipping over 65,000 leaders, and has seen over 1.3 million participants enroll in the course worldwide!
You Can Start The Truth Project in Your Church NOW
Because of FACT’s association with Focus on the Family, FACT can now offer local training to potential group leaders at any church in the state of Tennessee. No longer do you have to wait for Focus on the Family to hold a large, regional conference. Dr. Shelley can literally come to your church, or to a group of churches in your area, and train your small group leaders on using the Truth Project™ ... AND ... the training takes less than 4 hours. This can be completed on a Saturday morning, Sunday afternoon or a weeknight. Trainees will leave with a box of The Truth Project™ DVDs, access to the leader web site and all the information needed to begin offering The Truth Project™ right away.
Please call Dr. Shelley, (615) 469-4139, about scheduling a Truth Project™ Training soon. E-mail him at David.Shelley@FACTn.org or learn more at www.FACTn.org/truthproject.htm.
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marriage
Stand Strong for God-Given Marriage
(August 1, 2009) – Even though the 1996 federal Defense of Marriage Act and the 2006 Marriage Amendment to the Tennessee State Constitution demonstrated overwhelmingly that Americans believe marriage is between one man and one woman, the determined minority who oppose this view are making inroads throughout the nation at the city and county levels. Recently, there were efforts in Shelby County and currently there are efforts in Nashville to create—and legally protect under local laws—new civil rights based on “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.”
Creating new civil rights based on perverse sexual attractions not only affirms by law behavior contrary to God’s design (Genesis 1, 19; Leviticus 18, 20; Romans 1; I Corinthians 6; I Timothy 1, etc.), but it also creates legal problems for the state.
The American Psychological Association’s position is that same-gender orientation is not scientifically proven to be biologically or genetically caused. This makes it clear that orientation and gender identity are not immutable, physical characteristics like race, gender, etc. Thus the inevitable lawsuits alleging discrimination will be a challenge to defend. And these new civil rights are on a collision course with First Amendment rights to religious liberty and freedom of association. In an October 2008, Los Angeles Times article:
Chai Feldblum, a Georgetown University law professor who helps draft federal legislation on this issue, said when asked about the possible conflict between religion and sexual liberty, “I’m having a hard time coming up with any case in which religious liberty should win.”
Nashville’s Metro Council members need our prayers as they decide how to vote this month. We need to appreciate that God will not be mocked; protecting and even fostering behaviors that violate God’s creational design for marriage and intimacy cannot, in the long run, serve the common good as they undermine the God-endowed foundational importance of the family.
FACT has created a downloadable church bulletin insert to educate believers on this issue. It is very important that Christians in Tennessee know about this situation, as the foundation of society is built upon the God-given design for the family. To learn more and find ways that you can pray for these city and county officials, visit www.FACTn.org.
“Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts ... let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:15, 24).
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networking
FACT in the Spotlight at National Training
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Pictured (left to right) at the national gathering of state family policy councils were: Tom Minnery, Focus on the Family’s vice president of public policy; David Fowler; Brad Miller, director of Focus on the Family’s Family Policy Council Department; and David Shelley.
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(August 1, 2009) – Last month David Fowler and David Shelley attended a national meeting in Atlanta, hosted by Focus on the Family, for all 36 state family policy councils from around the country. It is encouraging to know that others across the country are standing up for the family, some in rather hostile environments.
One of the days was set aside for key pro-family state legislators from various states, and Mr. Fowler was privileged to speak to the issue of why truth matters in the political and governmental arena. The response was very positive, and plans are underway by participants at the conference to establish another venue during which Mr. Fowler’s remarks could be professionally captured on video for broader distribution.
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legislation
Regional Debriefings Continue across State
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David Fowler, shown here in Memphis, is crisscrossing the state, offering supporters and friends an inside glance at the 2009 legislative session.
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(August 1, 2009) – July also saw FACT hosting legislative debriefings for interested constituents in Memphis, Chattanooga and Nashville. These meetings provided a great opportunity for supporters of the family to get an “inside baseball” view of what took place during the legislative session, including the various victories for the family.
Each meeting also provided an opportunity for friendships to be renewed and new friendships started. Additional community briefings will be help around the state in the coming months. Keep an eye on our speaking schedule to find if a community meeting is coming to an area near you.
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biblical worldview
Seminar on Biblical View of Government
(August 1, 2009) – On August 2, David Fowler will present a seminar at Woodland Park Baptist Church (Hamilton County) from 6:00 to 7:45 p.m. EDT on a biblical view of government and law as it relates to the prevailing understanding of separation of church and state.
Mr. Fowler will also talk about the implications of our worldview when it comes to the Christian’s role in civil government. If any of you live in the Chattanooga area, feel free to attend. The church address is 6735 Standifer Gap, Chattanooga, and reservations are not required.
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News and Notes (August 2009) 
