Faith News Network

The Church of God Historical Commission has announced the winners of the Charles W. Conn Historical Writing Award. The 2014-2016 award winners are Wade H. Phillips for his book, Quest to Restore God’s House: A Theological History of the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), Volume 1, 1886-1923 (CPT Press, 2015), and Wanda Thompson LeRoy for her article-length publication co-authored with David G. Roebuck, “‘Making Full Proof of Their Ministry:’ Women in Church of God Missions” (International Journal of Pentecostal Missiology, Vol. 3, 2014).

By Mimi Teixeira/The Acton Institute

In an Acton University lecture titled “Religious Freedom: The Dawn of the First Amendment,” John Pinheiro sought to give a fuller understanding of the meaning of the First Amendment through its historical context. Contrary to a current widespread belief, religious freedom has not always been valued in the United States and has been almost constantly threatened, even after the ratification of the Constitution. Pinheiro described the Founders’ fight for religious liberty as both radical and counter-cultural because of the religious conflict and disdain for true religious freedom that existed throughout the history of the United States and continues today.

Mastering Life Ministries has given the award to “Restored Hope Network” and its leader, Anne Paulk.

On July 4, 1776, America declared independence from British rule. The extraordinary Declaration of Independence remains the centerpiece of the Fourth of July holiday which is still observed in America today.