PHILADELPHIA – The Justice Conference was designed to redeem the word "justice," founder Ken Wytsma explained at a Saturday press conference and interview with The Christian Post. Too often "justice" was simply an arguing point in a political debate between liberals and conservatives, but that misrepresents justice, he explained.

Justice is similar to truth, Wytsma explained, in that it exists always, everywhere, regardless of whether or not one thinks about it or searches for it. But, the way that justice has been used in political debates misrepresents its meaning.

"In the communities I've grown up in, there is this kinda left/right, Democratic/Republican, whatever it might be, battle that has gone on for a very long time where justice was thrown in as an arguing point in that debate, which really destroys the nature of what justice actually is. It throws it into a category or definition that is not correct. Until we understand justice correctly, we can't really have the right conversation. So, The Justice Conference was really my desire to try to redeem the word 'justice,'" Wytsma said. more >>

PHILADELPHIA – Christians should not just seek to change the world, but to let the search for justice change them so that justice does not become just a fad, Ken Wytsma urged during his Friday keynote address at The Justice Conference in Philadelphia, Penn.

"A lot of people are wondering if justice is just a fad," said Wytsma, who founded the conference, now in its third year. "There might be some faddish elements to justice," but he is encouraged that today's generation of Christians want a deeper understanding of justice.

Wytsma is also the founder of Kilns College in Bend, Ore., lead pastor at Antioch Church, and has worked with World Relief and Food for the Hungry. more >>

Evangelistic athlete Tim Tebow announced on Thursday that he has canceled his scheduled appearance to talk at First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, led by Pastor Robert Jeffress, whom some media are decrying as "anti-gay."

Although not being specific about his reasoning, the N.Y. Jets quarterback posted on Facebook:

"While I was looking forward to sharing a message of hope and Christ's unconditional love with the faithful members of the historic First Baptist Church of Dallas in April, due to new information that has been brought to my attention, I have decided to cancel my upcoming appearance. I will continue to use the platform God has blessed me with to bring Faith, Hope and Love to all those needing a brighter day. Thank you for all of your love and support. God Bless!" more >>

WASHINGTON – The Bible is not sufficient for evangelicals when they address public policy issues, participants agreed at a Wednesday conference at the American Enterprise Institute called "Is the Good Book good enough? Evangelical perspectives on public policy."

Tackling issues as diverse as poverty, immigration, criminal justice, economic regulation, nuclear proliferation, and human rights, the panelists demonstrated how evangelical traditions could make, or have made, unique contributions to public policy debates. Most of the participants were contributors to an edited book of the same name, first published in 2011.

The conference began with a keynote address by Michael Cromartie, vice president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, which addressed how evangelicals should engage in public policy. He encouraged evangelicals to rethink how they have typically been involved in politics in the past. Evangelicals who enter the public square should practice civility and prudence, should draw upon their traditional teaching about natural law and common grace, to develop a broadly accessible language to address policy concerns, and should develop an "Augustinian sensibility" regarding what could be accomplished through politics. more >>

Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) professor Howard Hendricks, who was considered a mentor and friend of many of today's prominent Christian leaders, died early Wednesday morning after a battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 88.

"No man has meant more to me in my adult life than Dr. Howard G. Hendricks, whom all of us know as simply, 'Prof,'" evangelical pastor Chuck Swindoll wrote in a statement published on a DTS tribute page on its website. "What a magnificent man he has been to so many of us, so much so, it was easy for us to assume he would be here forever."

Despite authoring 18 books and preaching around the world in more than 80 countries, Hendricks was perhaps best known for his influence on other Christian leaders, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) stated Wednesday. In addition to Swindoll, other leaders – such as Tony Evans, Joseph Stowell and David Jeremiah – also counted him as their mentor. more >>

Pop singer Justin Bieber may have helped boost sales of Pastor Judah Smith's new book after the Canadian sensation told his 6.8 million Instagram followers to read Jesus Is: Find a New Way to Be Human. The book from The City Church pastor, made available on Amazon on Tuesday, currently holds the no. 1 spot among Christian books on the retailer's website.

Bieber, 18, shared an Instagram photo of the cover of Smith's book Tuesday, writing, "So proud of my pastor. This book comes out on the 26th. Judah is the best speaker of our generation. Read this book [you] won't regret it."

Although Feb. 26 is listed on Amazon as the official publication date for Jesus Is, Smith's book went on sale yesterday, according to the promotional website launched by publisher Thomas Nelson, Inc. more >>