This week’s Wednesday News & Views is dedicated to Thomas Helwys (1575 –1616), an English lawyer and theologian who played a major role in the development of the people now known as Baptists. During the last 20 years of his life, two groups tried to correct perceived abuses in the Anglican Church. The Puritans worked from within the church, while the Separatists left the church all together. Helwys was a leader among the separatist group that evolved into the first Baptist church. When King James I assumed the throne in 1603, he began persecuting these separatist groups. King James I believed in the divine right of kings and did not tolerate groups that believed in religious liberty or created problems in his kingdom. In 1612 Helwys wrote a book titled “The Mystery of Iniquity” in which he argued that people should have the freedom to choose their own religion, without government interference. He believed that the king, “although a king, was but a mortal man and as a mortal man, though a king, had no authority whatever over the consciences of his subjects.” King James had him arrested and imprisoned. He died in 1616 at the Newgate Jail. Helwys influence is felt today, even if most people have never heard of him. He is another member of that “great cloud of witnesses” mentioned in the book of Hebrews. So today’s News & Views is dedicated to this wealthy, educated lawyer and preacher who sacrificed much for Christ and freedom of religion.

Now to the News & Views:

For all you golf fans, Phil Mickelson had a great July. He won both the Scottish Open and the British Open, earning $2,167,500. That’s the good news. The bad news is that he’ll pay over $1.3 million in taxes. That’s 61 percent. Forty five percent goes to Great Britain, 13% to California and the remaining will go to the US government. Amazing! I think it’s unethical for the government to take that much of anyone’s money in taxes…but that is the world in which we now live.

Don’t be stingy! Earlier this week I ate lunch at one of my favorite restaurants and I could tell the couple seated nearby was having an intense discussion. While the woman went to the restroom, the husband stood and began to fidget with stuff on the table as he prepared to leave. Later the waitress shared with me that the lady had put a $5 bill on the table for a tip, but the husband picked it up after she left. The fidgeting I had noticed was him finding a $1 bill and some change to put on the table for a tip in place of the $5. CHEAP and DECEITFUL! I wonder what their marriage is really like. I wonder what kind of man he really is. I wonder how the waitress felt. I wonder why some people are so stingy. I wonder why some Christians are stingy.

We need your help showing Jesus’ love to the teachers in our school district. FBC, along with Westminster Presbyterian, North Rock Hill Church, Remedy Church, and Hill City Church, are collecting supplies that will be presented to every teacher in our district in mid-August. This is the beginning of these and other churches working together to love our city and its people. Teachers influence kids and we want them to know that God’s people care and are praying for them. Help us make this expression of love extravagant.

Finally, I’m looking forward to Sunday. First, I return to the pulpit after being on vacation in July. The time off has been good for me and I appreciate the opportunity to rest and spend time with my family. Second, ZAPPED kicks off Sunday night and I hope you’re inviting all the kids in your neighborhood.

Pastor Steve Hogg