NRB Splits with Publisher over Pro-Gay Book
WaterBrook Multnomah has resigned from the National Religious Broadcasters over a controversial new book published by the same company under a different trade name
NRB is an industry association of mostly radio and television broadcasters, but it also includes some major Christian publishing houses. Its code of ethics states, “I will refrain from any sexual conduct or life-style, such as homosexuality or adultery, which is inconsistent with Scripture, or any promotion of the same.” (WNS)–The publisher of numerous... Continue Reading
What Does It Mean That Christ “Descended into Hell”?
Because the phrase, “He descended into hell,” was added to the Creed later it has generated a certain level of confusion
The ambiguity continued into the Reformation period, when for example Luther interpreted the statement to refer to a literal visit by Christ to hell, while Calvin argued that it referenced Christ’s sufferings in this life and especially on the cross. The Puritans interpreted the descent clause as a reference to Christ continuing “under the power... Continue Reading
Judge Silences Pro-Life Criticism of the NAACP
A U.S. district court judge sided with the NAACP in a trademark case against an African-American pro-life leader who parodied the group’s name
Ryan Bomberger, the founder of the pro-life group Radiance Foundation, wrote an article on LifeNews.com in January 2013 entitled “NAACP: National Association for the Abortion of Colored People,” which pointed out the organization’s ongoing support for pro-abortion groups. The cause is personal to Bomberger, who was conceived through rape. (WNS)–A U.S. district court judge... Continue Reading
First Round Freedom Win for Dordt College and Cornerstone University Against HHS Mandate
A federal court issued an order halting enforcement of the HHS mandate against Dordt College in Iowa and Cornerstone University in Michigan
ADF attorneys represent the colleges in a lawsuitchallenging the administration’s mandate that forces employers, regardless of their religious or moral convictions and under threat of heavy penalties, to provide insurance coverage for pills and procedures that many Christians oppose. The two colleges object to the government’s conclusion that they are not sufficiently religious to qualify... Continue Reading
Reconciliation Between Believers in Israel and Palestine
The gospel of Christ is the only real pathway for reconciliation between believers in Israel and Palestine
The gospel of Christ must be at the center of reconciliation. We are exhorted in Psalm 122:6, “to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” We must pray for those believers who do forgive because it comes at a cost. Those on either side who embrace the other side will be shunned and chastised by their... Continue Reading
Churches, Cage Matches and the Schlep
Schlep: The semantic range includes designating a person to be generally useless; more commonly it means a slow, arduous and sometimes tedious journey
The schlepping church is frequently dull, often goofy and almost always a step (or a lot more) behind cultural trends. But to paraphrase George Bailey the schlepping church has done most of the working and paying and living and dying in Christ’s Kingdom. Growing up in a Jewish neighborhood meant that even among the goyim common... Continue Reading
Sudden Impact
Films that deal fairly with Christians are getting a respectful audience at major film festivals
The Tribeca Film Festival, though only 12 years old, is growing into one of the major festivals along with Sundance, Toronto, and South By Southwest. The festival circuit has grown more and more influential as independent films draw wider audiences and more dollars. (WNS)–The credits rolled at a screening and an audience at a... Continue Reading
Muslim Clerics Resist Pakistan’s Efforts to End Child Marriage
Marrying off girls as young as 10 is still a widespread practice in Pakistan, Afghanistan and elsewhere in Asia and Africa
The United Nations Human Rights Council estimates that more than 140 million girls will be married before their 18th birthdays over the next decade and that almost 50 percent of these child brides are in South Asia. Child marriage can have devastating consequences for these women. Lahore, Pakistan (RNS) When police raided a marriage... Continue Reading
The United States – From Christian Pluralism to Polytheism
Ten resolutions for consideration by Christians
The idea of neutrality is a myth. Jesus said, “Whoever is not with Me is against Me.” No one is non-religious. Whatever or whoever is your ultimate source of authority is your god. The world view you hold, derived from your authority, is your religion. The idea of the separation of church and state has... Continue Reading
A Few Practical Questions
How do you pastor people engaged in serious repeated sin?
But what if the person is not sinning those common sins but is addicted to adultery? Or visiting prostitutes? What does pastoral counsel look like in such circumstances? Should you just declare to the man who has cheated on his wife for the twentieth time, “It’s all about One Way Love because you are a... Continue Reading