A German couple and their children could be forced to “self-deport” 15 years after coming to America to flee their country’s homeschooling ban. Uwe and Hannelore Romeike and their seven children, who had deferred action status for 10 years, live in Morristown, Tennessee. 

But according to Washington Times reporter Mark A. Kellner, they were told during a Sept. 6 routine Immigration and Customs Enforcement office check-in they had “four weeks to obtain German passports and return there.” They have no idea what will happen once they do.

Kevin Boden, an attorney with Home School Legal Defense Association, told Mr. Kellner the family — including two children born in the U.S. — plans to comply with the law despite all the uncertainty. Read more here.

Meanwhile, an Arizona school board member is suing her own district after secular groups complained following her decision to quote the Bible during public meetings.

“An elected member of one of Arizona’s largest school boards has filed a federal lawsuit claiming the board improperly ordered her to stop quoting Bible verses during public meetings after two secular advocacy groups complained,” Mr. Kellner writes. “Heather Rooks filed the lawsuit Tuesday against the Peoria Unified School District Governing Board, asking that her actions be declared ‘nothing unlawful.’”

Find out more about the complaint here.

Video event: Navigating back-to-school challenges

Higher Ground last week hosted a conversation with Washington Times columnist Everett Piper and Billy Hallowell, host of the Higher Ground podcast. The riveting discussion for families of faith with children in pre-school to graduate school centers around back-to-school challenges and applies to any school setting — public schools, homeschooling, private Christian schools and college. 

Mr. Piper and Mr. Hallowell shared advice, strategies and ideas on how to navigate today’s educational climate while defending truth with grace. Watch it here.

A stunning biblical discovery 

Archaeologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reported finding an ancient inscription paraphrasing the first two verses of Psalm 86. 

The inscription, dating to the sixth century, was recently located at a dig site. Here’s why the finding is so unique. 

Courts side with drag queens

A federal judge has tossed out Texas’ “drag ban” — a law prohibiting “sexually oriented performances” in public or when kids might view them — citing an infringement on free speech, as The Times’ Valerie Richardson reports.

“U.S. District Judge David Hittner issued a permanent injunction Tuesday against Senate Bill 12, citing case precedent that found ‘drag performances are expressive content that is afforded First Amendment protection,’” Ms. Richardson notes.

Drag queens also have been victorious in Tennessee and Florida. Here’s the full story.

 

Biden administration delays Title IX rule

On the political front, the Biden administration might be holding out on finalizing its proposed regulations extending Title IX protections to transgender students, including athletes. Considering the flammable nature of the issue — and President Biden’s low approval ratings — officials appear to be dragging their feet. 

“After pushing back the release date from May to October, the Education Department is poised to blow past Halloween without announcing its Title IX proposals,” Ms. Richardson writes. “The department isn’t making further predictions on timing.”

The moves come as polls show “most Americans don’t want male-born athletes competing in female sports.” More on the story here.

Progressivism and the Christian church

Is progressivism invading the church? Is Jesus being “hijacked?” 

Apologist Jason Jimenez joined “Higher Ground With Billy Hallowell” this past week to discuss his new book “Hijacking Jesus: How Progressive Christians Are Remaking Him and Taking Over His Church” and what he believes is unfolding in American houses of worship — and culture — today. 

Listen to the episode here.

Karen Pence’s powerful message

Plus, former second lady Karen Pence joined Higher Ground to share how she and her husband, former Vice President Mike Pence, leaned on their faith during years of government service. 

Her new book “When It’s Your Turn to Serve: Experiencing God’s Grace in His Calling For Your Life” takes readers on the journey of what it means to trust God in all areas of life. Watch her discuss faith, the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and more.

Ask Dr. E: Everett Piper responds to a reader question: Can a homosexual or trans person be a Christian? Mr. Piper explains how Christians can react when criticized for suggesting an active transgender or homosexual person can’t be an authentic believer. 

Read what he has to say.

Christian genocide? Mr. Hallowell ponders why Mr. Biden and his administration have been so silent as “one of the oldest Christian communities in the world is being destroyed.” 

“It’s hard to imagine this dreadful truth unfolding in the 21st century, yet this is the situation happening right now in Nagorno-Karabakh, the small, landlocked region between Azerbaijan and Armenia,” Mr. Hallowell writes. 

Here’s what’s happening to Armenian Christians there and why it matters.  

Other must-read opinion piece

• John and Nisha Whitehead are sounding the alarm on the “right to not be offended” — something that’s not in the U.S. Constitution yet has become “court-sanctioned.”
•  James Spencer argues why more public funding won’t help graduation rates or rising college costs.
• Lisa Gable explores how parents can support and encourage their children’s faith journeys.