World Lutheran News Digest From Kfuo Radio

Chaplain Craig Muehler, Director of LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces, discusses the meaning of Veterans Day, as we've passed the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day. Find more about Ministry to the Armed Forces at lcms.org/armedforces.

Erik Lunsford, managing photojournalist for the LCMS communications team,  shares his recent experiences on this week’s World Lutheran News Digest. View many of his images at photo.lcms.org and in the Lutherans Engage magazine at engage.lcms.org.

Michael Berry, Deputy General Counsel and Director of Military Affairs for First Liberty Institute, is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case of Sweet Cakes by Melissa, an Oregon-based custom bakery shut down for refusing to create a special cake celebrating a lesbian marriage. Read more at firstliberty.org/news/this-one-takes-the-cake.

Brent Keilen, Director of FRC Action, the legislative affiliate of the Family Research Council, joins host Kip Allen to discuss the Values Voter Summit issues onWorld Lutheran News Digest. Learn about FRC Action and find voting resources at frcaction.org.

The Johnson Amendment prevents non-profit organizations, such as churches, from addressing certain issues. What the Johnson Amendment does and does not do is the topic of discussion between host Kip Allen and David Christensen, Vice President of Governmental Affairs with the Family Research Council.

The federal government is contracting with a company that is under criminal investigation by the Justice Department for selling aborted baby body parts for profit. David Daleiden, citizen journalist and head of the Center for Medical Progress, talks about this with host Kip Allen on World Lutheran News Digest.

Students for Life of America Media Director Matt Lamb talks about preparing for the new school year for pro-lifers in today’s World Lutheran News Digest with host Kip Allen. Learn more about Students for Life of America at studentsforlife.org, or on social media at twitter.com/StudentsforLife, facebook.com/studentsforlife, and instagram.com/studentsforlife.

Chaplain Army Major Scott Squires and his assistant, Staff Sergeant Kacie Griffin, are cleared of “dereliction of duty” charges. Mike Berry, Deputy General Counsel and Director of Military Affairs with First Liberty Institute, discusses the case on today’s World Lutheran News Digest.

The New York Times recently published an editorial criticizing the administration for having the State Department convene a conference on the subject of international religious liberty. The editorial, titled “A Too-Narrow Vision of Religious Freedom,” struck an anti-Christian tone. Commentator Jonathan S. Tobin wrote a response in National Review Online. Hear the conversation between Mr. Tobin and host Kip Allen in this episode.

Host Kip Allen interviews Lori Wagoner, a woman who recently learned she has only months to live. Lore says she’s sustained because of God’s love for her. As she puts it, “I’m a winner. I know God.”

Nearly two years ago, Presbyterian Pastor Andrew Brunson was arrested by Turkish authorities who accused him of associating with terrorists. American authorities, including the president, vice president and secretary of state, say it’s a matter of persecution. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom is closely watching the case. Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga discusses the pastor’s plight on today’s World Lutheran News Digest.

Host Kip Allen discusses New Media and the Gospel Message with LCMS Social Media Manger Peter Slayton and KFUO Radio Digital Media Specialist Sarah Gulseth on today’s World Lutheran News Digest.

Focus on the Family Vice President Tim Goeglein, a long-time acquaintance of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, discusses the president’s choice on today’s World Lutheran News Digest.

A new man has been selected as the 20th Chaplain of the Marine Corps. Rear Admiral Gregory N. Todd, a ordained LCMS minister, has served in the military for 32 years. Director of the LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces Chaplain Craig Muehler attended Todd’s promotion ceremony in the nation’s capital. World Lutheran News Digest host Kip Allen speaks with Chaplain Muehler about Chaplain Todd and the role of the Chaplain’s Corps in today’s military. View the gallery of photos from Chaplain Todd’s ceremony at lcmsphoto.photoshelter.com.

Can secularism be a religion? One Lutheran scholar not only believe it can, but has become the unofficial state religion of the United States. Guest Russel Dawn, Associate Professor of History and Political Thought and Director of the Pre-Law Program at Concordia University, Irvine, joins host Kip Allen to discuss this issue and how it affects you.

Guest Alison Centofante, Director of Strategic Communication with Live Action, speaks with host Kip Allen about a report exposing Planned Parenthood’s failure to report child sexual abuse, human trafficking and statutory rape. Learn more about Live Action at liveaction.org.

Jeremy Dys, Esq., Deputy General Counsel for First Liberty Institute and host of the First Liberty Briefing, discusses the case of Sweet Cakes by Melissa. As with Jack Phillips of Masterpiece Cakeshop, Sweet Cakes owners, Aaron and Melissa Klein, balked at creating a special wedding cake for a lesbian couple. Because of their stand, the state of Oregon put them out of business and fined them $135,000. The case has been appealed to the Oregon Supreme Court, and Dys says if necessary, the case will go to the U.S. Supreme Court. Learn more about First Liberty at firstliberty.org.

The United States Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Jack Phillips of Masterpiece Cakeshop. He is the baker who refused to make a wedding cake celebrating gay marriage. Guest attorney David French, senior fellow with the National Review Institute, joins host Kip Allen to talk about what the decision actually means, what it didn’t settle, and what happens now.

The United States this month moved its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to the ancient city of Jerusalem. Israel has always claimed Jerusalem as its capital, and the American Congress called for placing our embassy there since 1995. Israel hailed the move, as did many Americans, but there was condemnation from other corners. What are the political and religious implications of the embassy move? Middle East expert Dr. Timothy Furnish joins Kip Allen on today's episode to discuss this issue.

Placing children in loving homes for adoption should be non-controversial. Unfortunately, some LGBT forces have decided to attack faith-based adoption agencies for following Biblical teachings. There is a movement in Congress to protect these agencies and children. Family Research Council’s Director of the Center for Religious Liberty Travis Weber discusses the “Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act” on today’s episode. Learn more about the FRC at frc.org and follow them at @FRCdc.