How do we know which books should be part of the canon of the New Testament, i.e., the books considered to be the actual Word of God? Author and theologian Dr. Gavin Ortlund believes that the answer to that question can be found in the authority of the church and in having faith that God guided the process of canonization. 

“We can trust God’s guidance of the process of canonization in the early church, even though it was a fallible process,” said Ortlund in a video published Dec. 31, adding, “The church’s reception of the canon can be fallible and yet still trustworthy.”

Gavin Ortlund: ‘A Fallible Process Can Be Trustworthy’

Gavin Ortlund referenced a YouTube video from his friend Cameron Bertuzzi of Capturing Christianity that also addressed the topic of the New Testament canon, although Ortlund said his video is not a refutation of Bertuzzi’s. 

Ortlund said that his own video, which is nine minutes long, would answer the question as “briefly and compactly as possible,” even though it would consequently be “more vulnerable to criticism.” Viewers who wish to dive deeper into the topic can explore Ortlund’s other videos and the books linked below his video. 

Ortlund’s first reason for relying on church authority and faith to determine the New Testament canon is that the Old Testament was assembled by fallible people, yet Jesus referred to the Law, Psalms, and Prophets as Scripture.

RELATED: Does the Early Old Testament Talk About the Afterlife? Gavin Ortlund Shares His Thoughts

Second, the early and medieval church used the same fallible process to receive the New Testament. “There were no infallible operations deciding the canon during that first 1,500 years of the church,” said Ortlund, who said that the late 4th century councils were “local” and “fallible.”

“And yet despite the absence of any infallible operations, the church came to a virtually universal agreement about the New Testament somewhere around the 4th century, or really a little earlier than that, but totally finalized around then,” Ortlund said, explaining that the process of canonization was “organic and cumulative and gradual.” It was “a bottom-up process,” not a “top-down” decision, and there was  “widespread consensus” based on a variety of criteria, “not an official proclamation.”

Ortlund noted that the question of canonicity is relevant to Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox believers as well as to Protestants. “If a fallible reception of the canon is a problem for Protestants, that’s a question that other Christians, like the Oriental Orthodox will have to face as well,” he said.

Following his resignation last November, Justin Welby formally ends his role as Archbishop of Canterbury today (Jan. 6). On what is also his 69th birthday, Welby will lead two Epiphany services before formally laying down his ceremonial staff. Traditionally, most Archbishops of Canterbury serve until age 70.

Welby has led the Church of England and its 85 million worldwide members since 2013. He resigned after a report criticized his handling of egregious sexual abuse allegations against church camp volunteer John Smyth, now deceased.

RELATED: Justin Welby Resigns as Head of Church of England Following Damning Report on Sex Abuse Cover-Up

After a disastrous Dec. 5 farewell speech in the House of Lords, Welby apologized and then stepped back from the spotlight. He didn’t preach on Christmas or deliver a New Year’s message, and the Children’s Society rejected on principle his holiday donation.

Safeguarding Debate Brings Down Justin Welby

Justin Welby resisted initial calls to step down. But in his Nov. 12 resignation statement, the archbishop acknowledged he had to take “personal and institutional responsibility” for not acting sooner on alleged “heinous abuses” by Smyth.

Smyth, an attorney who died in 2018, is suspected of abusing more than 120 boys and young men sexually, physically, and mentally. He volunteered at church camps starting in the late 1970s and also allegedly abused students at numerous schools. “His abuse was prolific, brutal, and horrific,” stated last November’s Makin Review, a report spearheaded by safeguarding specialist Keith Makin.

Smyth relocated to Africa in 1983, and the report noted that “Church officers knew of the abuse [at that time] and failed to take the steps necessary to prevent further abuse occurring.” Welby “could and should have done more” in the case, it added.

In his resignation announcement, Welby said he had “no idea or suspicion” of abuse by Smyth before 2013, when Welby became the Archbishop of Canterbury. But he added that he “personally failed to ensure that after disclosure in 2013, the awful tragedy was energetically investigated.”

According to the Makin Review, Welby said he believed that someone had reported Smyth to police. However, police weren’t involved until after BBC Channel 4 investigated the case in 2017. Smyth was never tried for the alleged crimes.

Welby has commended abuse survivors for speaking out. He also expressed regret for not meeting “quickly with victims after the full horror of the abuse was revealed.”

Following a 35-10 win over the Cleveland Browns, the Baltimore Ravens ended their winning season with a 12-5 record. As the Ravens won the AFC North, head coach John Harbaugh had much to say about his team, his coaches, and his God. This isn’t anything new, as Harbaugh has often prayed and read Scripture with his team.

“To God be the glory—whatever we accomplish this year,” said Harbaugh.

John Harbaugh Points to a ‘Greater Glory’ as the Baltimore Ravens Head Into the Playoffs

Described as a “man of God,” Harbaugh is a practicing Catholic who carries his faith with him on and off the field. He accepted the head coach position for the Baltimore Ravens back in 2008 and has led the team with strategy, grit, and faith. The Ravens had much to celebrate as they ended their season clinching the top spot in the AFC North.

While wearing a “How Great Is our God” shirt during the postgame press conference, Harbaugh pointed to a “greater glory.” While he talked about players, stats, coaches, and plays, the head coach focused the credit on God.

“Everything was going to be for one another and for a greater glory,” said Harbaugh. “To God be the glory—whatever we accomplish this year.”

Harbaugh spent several minutes, as expected, crediting the team for an incredible win. Two game balls were given after the game: one to Michael Pierce for “the most crazy, amazing play in NFL history” and another to offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

Pierce, a 355-pound defensive tackle, intercepted the ball for the first time in his NFL career. He had the opportunity to run the ball, but, instead, Pierce chose to slide after just six yards.

“There’s a long history of turning big-guy interceptions and fumbles and all that stuff into memes,” said Pierce after the game. “At the risk of ruining a career play like that for myself, it’s time to go home. So, the bus was out of gas. We’re good.”

Monken led the Ravens offense to more than 4,000 passing and 3,000 rushing yards in a season.

Harbaugh was also captured on video after the game with his team in the locker room. With nearly 150,000 views, the video of Harbaugh leading his team not only to the AFC North victory—but also later leading them in the Lord’s Prayer—has gone viral.

As the video begins, Harbaugh says, “To God be the glory,” and then leads the team in the Lord’s Prayer.

“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread,” the men prayed. “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”

TRENDING: John Harbaugh leading the #Ravens in a post-game locker room prayer after clinching the AFC North.

“Our Father, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread…”
pic.twitter.com/SvCnCBrjyd

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 5, 2025

An Arizona pastor is facing felony charges after being accused of hiding a camera in the women’s restroom at his church. 

Arturo Laguna of Casa de Adoracion in Phoenix was arrested after a woman said that the camera fell out of a dryer in the bathroom while she was changing her baby’s diaper. 

Casa de Adoracion has deactivated its Facebook page, and its website does not mention Laguna. However, according to FOX 10, Laguna was listed on Casa de Adoracion’s Facebook page as the church’s pastor prior to its deactivation.

Casa de Adoracion is part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination, according to its website. 

RELATED: PA Man Arrested After Confessing to Pastor About Murder-for-Hire Plot Against His Estranged Wife

Laguna was interviewed by Associated Press (AP) for an unrelated story in October 2024. At that time, AP reported that Casa de Adoracion had roughly 100 attenders. 

Speaking to AP about the 2024 presidential election, Laguna highlighted the complexity that faced Latino evangelicals in choosing how to cast their ballots. 

“We’re in a complicated moment because, on the one hand, we are against abortion, and on the other, we are concerned about the sharp rhetoric around immigration and lack of reform,” he said. “It’s a difficult choice.”

Laguna now remains in custody and faces four counts of unlawfully recording a person. 

Police reported that after investigating the recording device’s SD card, detectives obtained a screenshot of Laguna placing the camera in the bathroom.

RELATED: Former Youth Pastor Charged With Nearly 150 Sex Crimes Related to Voyeurism

They also found four videos of women using the bathroom. 

“Christians will make up 87% of voting members in the Senate and House of Representatives, combined, in the 2025-27 congressional session,” reads the report.

Though the share of Christian members of Congress slightly decreased since the last session, 88%, and from a decade ago, 92%, the House and Senate are still significantly more Christian than the American public, which has dropped below two-thirds Christian (62%).  

Less than 1% of Congress members identify as religiously unaffiliated, also called “nones,” though they account for 28% of the American population. Three Congress members reported being religiously unaffiliated, two more than in the previous session.

The new session will include 71 non-Christian members — six more than the 118th Congress — including 32 Jews, four Muslims, four Hindus, three Unitarian Universalists, three Buddhists, three unaffiliated and one Humanist. All but five of the non-Christian members are Democrats.

The new Congress will have a total of 461 Christian members, including 295 members who identify as Protestant. As in previous sessions, Baptists are the most represented denomination, with 75 Baptist members, eight more than in the last session. The report doesn’t specify which Baptist group members affiliate with. The other most represented Protestant denominations are Methodists and Presbyterians, with 26 members each; Episcopalians, with 22 members; and Lutherans, with 19 members.

These four denominations have had dwindling memberships in recent decades and have also seen their share shrink in Congress. The report’s first edition, published in 2011 for the 112th Congress, counted 51 Methodists, 45 Presbyterians, 41 Episcopalians and 26 Lutherans.

The share of Baptists is slightly higher in the House, 15%, than in the Senate, 12%. Catholics, too, will be more present in the House than in the Senate, respectively 29% and 24%; whereas, there is a higher percentage of Presbyterians, Episcopalians and Lutherans in the Senate than the House.

Among the 295 Protestant members, 101 didn’t specify which denomination they affiliated with. The report noted that many gave “broad or vague answers” like “Protestant” or “evangelical Protestant.” Over the last decade, more members of Congress have given similar answers. In 2015, when the 114th session of Congress started, only 58 members reported being “just Christian” without specifying a denomination.

Of the 218 Republican representatives and senators, 98% identified as Christians. Only five Republican members are not Christians — three are Jewish, one is religiously unaffiliated and one person responded “refused/don’t know.” While congressional Christians on either side of the aisle are more likely to be Protestant than Catholic, Democrats have a higher percentage of Catholics (32%) than Republicans have (25%).

Congressional Democrats are significantly more religiously diverse than Republicans. Though three-quarters are Christian, there are also 29 Jews, three Buddhists, four Muslims, four Hindus, three Unitarian Universalists, one Humanist and two unaffiliated. Twenty congressional Democrats responded “refused/don’t know.”

A 26-year-old youth minister and former basketball coach in Desoto County, Mississippi, has been indicted by a grand jury for sexual battery of a minor by a person of trust or authority. Lindsey Whiteside was employed at Getwell Church Hernando, and her victim is said to have been 17 years old at the time of the alleged crime.

Editor’s note: This article refers to reports of child sex abuse, which some readers might find triggering and/or disturbing.

“While this is an ongoing case, and we must be careful not to disclose information that could compromise the victim’s privacy,” the Desoto County District Attorney’s Office told ChurchLeaders in a statement, “we can confirm that the December Grand Jury of DeSoto County has indicted Lindsey Whiteside on the charge of sexual battery of a minor child by a person of trust or authority.”

“Prior to this indictment, Lindsey Whiteside served as a youth ministry leader and basketball coach—positions that carry a profound responsibility to protect and guide others,” said the D.A.’s office.

RELATED: New Jersey Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting a 6-Year-Old Girl at Prayer Meeting

Lindsey Whiteside ‘No Longer Employed’ at the Church

Lindsey Whiteside, 26, is accused of sexually assaulting a female minor while in a position of trust or authority. Whiteside allegedly had sex with the minor between May 14, 2024, and Nov. 6, 2024. She was arrested on Nov. 21 and was indicted by a Desoto grand jury on Dec. 13, according to ABC24. Whiteside faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

Whiteside played basketball in high school and in college for Rhodes College and Lipscomb University. She was an assistant basketball coach at DeSoto Central High School, the same school where her father, Shan Whiteside, coached basketball. Shan Whiteside passed away from cancer in 2006 at age 34. An article written in his remembrance says that Shan’s father and grandfather were both Methodist ministers.

RELATED: Colorado Minister Sleeps Outside To Raise Funds for Unhoused People

In 2022, Lindsey Whiteside left her position as assistant basketball coach to work as a youth pastor at Getwell Church Hernando, south of Memphis, Tennessee. In a video posted by the church, Whiteside described turning away from her ambitions as a college basketball player to pursue God’s call to ministry.

Whiteside’s Facebook page contains posts of herself participating in church activities, being with her family, and spending time with students. In one post with the caption, “been one of those really fun weeks as your local student pastor,” she is pictured baptizing someone.

The College Football Playoff (CFP) field is now winnowed down to four teams, but the number of athletes talking about their Christian faith continues to expand. During bowl season, numerous NCAA football players and coaches are using their platform to talk about Jesus and their relationship with him.

That continued this week with the CFP quarterfinal matchups. Through victory and defeat, outspoken Christians are deflecting the spotlight from themselves and shining it on God and his faithfulness.

RELATED: Boise State Football Coach: ‘We’ve All Been Called’ To Make an Impact

5 College Football Players Who Glorify Jesus

Before and after this week’s bowl games, several college gridiron greats shared the gospel during interviews and press conferences. Here are five that went viral:

Notre Dame Quarterback Riley Leonard

After his team defeated Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday (Jan. 2), Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard began a post-game interview by thanking “my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” adding, “without him, I wouldn’t be here.” Speaking to an ESPN reporter about adversities his team has faced, Leonard said, “When you trust in the Lord, anything can happen.”

In a recent Players Tribune article, Leonard, 22, described feeling a “weird emptiness inside” as a high school freshman, despite having athletic success. That’s when he began attending church and “diving into the Bible.”

Leonard, who transferred from Duke to Notre Dame for his senior year, wrote that faith keeps sports fame in perspective for him:

It’s tempting to put yourself above other people. It’s tempting to start to think that you’re somebody. But you’re not. One of my favorite Bible verses, Matthew 23:12. It says: “Those who exalt themselves or praise themselves will be humbled, but those who humble themselves will be praised.” I wear those words on my wrist every game.

Charitable giving is down among evangelicals, according to a new report from Grey Matter Research and Infinity Concepts. According to the report, evangelicals’ financial generosity is down in every metric measured in a similar survey conducted three years ago. 

In 2021, Grey Matter Research and Infinity Concepts found that the average evangelical gave away only 3.2% of their household income to either church or charity, and 19% had not made any charitable gifts in the previous 12 months. 

In February 2024, the researchers gathered new data and found that among evangelicals, 61% gave to church in the previous 12 months, 50% gave to a charity or charities outside of the local church, and 42% gave to both.

Eleven percent of evangelicals gave to political causes, and 8% gave only to charities outside of the church. However, 31% did not make any charitable contributions in the previous year. 

RELATED: 67% of Pastors Have Personal History of Porn Use, Reports Barna

The percentage of evangelicals who gave to their local church fell from 74% in 2021 to 61% in 2024. The proportion of evangelicals who did not make any charitable contributions inside or outside the church rose from 19% in 2021 to 31% in 2024. 

“Giving is down for every single segment of the evangelical population we reviewed,” the report said. “The proportion who gave to either church or charity dropped 24% among the lowest income evangelicals, but also 7% among those earning $100,000 or more.”

“It fell 21% among people who infrequently or never attend church worship services, but also 10% among those who attend at least once a month,” the report continued. “It fell 19% among the youngest evangelicals, but also 6% among the oldest believers. Every group has shown a decrease in the proportion who give to either church or charity.”

The overall size of donations has also decreased relative to income since the previous study was conducted in 2021. In 2024, the average evangelical donor gave 3.3% of household income in the previous 12 months. That figure is down from 4% in 2021. 

Some patterns remained consistent across the two reports, including the fact that older evangelicals are still more likely to donate than those from younger generations. Evangelicals with higher incomes are also still more likely to give than evangelicals with lower incomes. 

RELATED: Report: What Church Leaders Need To Know About How Gen Z Approaches the Bible

The report also found that evangelicals who attended church and engaged in spiritual disciplines more regularly were more likely to practice generosity.