The Weekly is a highlight of the work the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission is doing to strengthen you and our churches for God’s glory.

Explainer: Planned Parenthood urged to return $80 million in COVID-19 relief funds

What just happened?

As part of the economic response to the COVID-19 crisis, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which made it possible for some small businesses, nonprofits, and houses of worship to qualify for a portion of the $367 billion in Small Business Administration (SBA) loan guarantees and subsidies, known as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

More than three dozen Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country also took advantage of the program, receiving more than $80 million in forgivable loans. The Small Business Administration, Congressional Republican, and pro-life leaders are calling on the abortion provider to return the money.

“At a time when all of us are concerned about protecting lives and livelihoods,” said ERLC president Russell Moore, “it is maddening to see, once more, that nothing—not even a global pandemic—will keep Planned Parenthood from pursuing death."

The federal government is "rightfully requesting" the return of the loans, added Moore, “We must remain focused on defeating this virus and saving lives. Planned Parenthood's actions show it is not interested in the former because it has never cared about the latter.”

This Week at the ERLC

• Chelsea Patterson Sobolik has an article at The Gospel Coalition about intercountry adoption.
   
• Russell Moore appeared on a webinar panel titled, “Speaking Confidently About Race.”
   
• Jason Thacker joined the Theology Curator podcast to discuss AI and the future of humanity.

Helpful Resources On COVID-19

• Keep up with the ERLC’s latest resources on coronavirus at ERLC.com/COVID19
   
• Keep up with the latest CDC news and resources at coronavirus.gov
   
• From The White House | Coronavirus Guidelines for All Americans

What You Need to Read

• Conrad Close and Jason Thacker with 5 things you need to know about TikTok 

By now, you’ve probably heard of the rapidly growing social media app called TikTok that is taking the United States and the world by storm. It’s hard to describe just how influential and far-reaching TikTok has become so quickly. In less than two years since it was released, it has been downloaded over 2 billion times. In just the last quarter, TikTok was downloaded 315 million times—the best quarter for any app, ever. However, many Americans don’t know exactly what it is or how it works.

• Casey B. Hough with How to have hope in hard times

So, when we find ourselves struggling, wondering, asking, “Am I going to make it? Am I going to be OK? Will I inherit the promises that God has made to me?”, we need to see Christ, like an anchor for our souls, immovably fixed behind the curtain in the presence of God the Father. He reminds us that because the Father is pleased with him, he is also pleased with those who have put their trust in him. And just as sure as Jesus was raised from the dead with immortal life, so we will also be raised with him. God is committed to us. In fact, God is more committed to bringing us safely through the storms of this life than we are to ourselves.

• Lindsay Nicolet with How can marriages thrive in the midst of suffering? A Q&A with Jeff and Sarah Walton

Jeff and Sarah Walton: What God has been showing us and what we’d encourage other couples to see in this unusual time, is that God is not surprised by any of this—and he is at work within it. Rather than viewing our lives and marriage as if they’re being tossed wherever the wind blows, we have to remember that God is sovereign over both, and is able to guard and even grow our marriage through them. Instead of fixing our eyes on what feels impossible or what we can’t control right now, let’s allow this season to drive us deeper in God’s Word and prayer, asking him to provide for what we need, both in life and our marriage relationship.

News From Capitol Hill

• On Tuesday, the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) held a hearing on Capitol Hill on the importance of charitable giving during the coronavirus crisis. Propelling American generosity to churches and charities serving the vulnerable in this crisis is an ongoing priority of the ERLC’s advocacy in Washington, D.C. The hearing was an important contribution to this debate which has gained interest because of the strain nonprofits are under from the pandemic. Those who value the ministries of churches and the work of charities can be encouraged by this week’s hearing that many in Congress are moving in the direction of supporting a UCD. Learn more about what happened and the takeaways from the hearing here.
   
• Also in Washington this week, on Sunday, several thousand Christians from churches across the D.C. metro area marched in solidarity with the protests calling attention to systemic racial injustice after the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. The march was organized by Faith + Works DC, a Christian advocacy group out of Anacostia River Church pastored by Thabiti Anyabwile, and McLean Bible Church pastored by David Platt.
  
  Our own Chelsea Patterson Sobolik and Brooke Kramer participated in the march and reflected on their experience here. They write:

“Chronicled online with the hashtag #FaithThatWorks, the march started from the South East quadrant of the city; neighborhoods known for being largely non-white and underserved. The start and endpoints (Wards 7 and 8 to the White House) reflected just how geographically close two places can be while being worlds apart in resources, influence, and even physical safety.

Pastors Anyabwile and Platt blessed and prayed over the protestors starting in Ward 8 before crossing the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge.

The march was entirely peaceful with folks proudly displaying signs of God’s love for both peace and justice. A common refrain chanted by the protestors was ‘Do justice! Love mercy!’ from the Bible verse Micah 6:8. Singing with other believers  ‘This Little Light of Mine’ while walking down the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue is a moment we’ll never forget.”

Featured Podcasts

From The Public Square

'Gospel Above All' drives diversity, unity, missions, abuse prevention
Diane Chandler, Baptist Press

Promoting diversity, unity, missions and sex abuse prevention are goals the Southern Baptist Convention must continue to pursue in order to put the "Gospel Above All," SBC President J.D. Greear said in his 2020 presidential address Tuesday (June 9).

Christians Fight to Bring Adopted Kids Home from Overseas
Maria Baer, Christianity Today

The pandemic left families stranded, plans delayed, and some adoptions called off entirely, following a year of historic lows and increased government regulations.

Trump order on global religious liberty praised
Tom Strode, Baptist Press

Religious liberty advocates have applauded President Trump's new executive order to promote "America's first freedom" globally.

Doctors Now Assist Suicides via Zoom
Wesley J. Smith, National Review Online

As sold, assisted suicide was supposed to only be engaged between doctors of long-standing and patients well known to the prescriber. That was violated in the very first legal assisted suicide in Oregon.