Category: Current Religious News
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Roman Catholic Dialogue and Collaboration with Buddhism
Here is a link to the official Vatican statement in Italian and here is a link to a Google translation of it. On Friday, June 17 at the Vatican Pope Francis welcomed a delegation of dozens of Thai Buddhist and Catholic representatives. They met to commemorate the 50th anniversary meeting…
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When Your Church Changes, What Do You Do?
This article provides some helpful counsel. I appreciated this point: Large churches can provide many resources (thank the Lord for the large churches that remain faithful), but the strength of the church at large is in the number of faithful small churches that are committed to Biblical disciple making in…
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What Do United Methodists and Muslims Have In Common?
According to at least one pastor, they worship the same God! The front page of the United Methodist Church website points to an article detailing how one of their pastors is observing the fast Muslims observe during their holiest month, Ramadan. Listen to his opening statement: “I have no doubt that Muslims…
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Defend the Faith Biblical Challenge
I received an email today from one of many news services about religious items. Wow, talk about invective! The low-down: An author asks folks to supply evidence that he has used the Bible incorrectly in his latest book, The Case Against Evangelical Christianity, specifically these points: The book makes several controversial…
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Content Matters
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the…
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What Do You Have In Common With Mormonism?
The National Association of Evangelicals (hereafter NAE) met today with a representative of the Mormon church for dialogue. In its press release, NAE president Leith Anderson said, The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) Board of Directors, which includes the CEOs of 40 denominations and representatives of a broad array of…
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Who Said Liberalism is Dead?
It’s been the opinion of some that theological liberalism is dead. Simplistically, theological liberalism describes those who call themselves Christians but deny many (if not most) of the doctrines that make Christianity Christianity. Some believe that liberalism’s sun has set and its dead and buried. I don’t think so. Come…
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Rick Warren’s Latest
Several of the folks of Orwell Bible Church came because the church they were attending bought into the “Purpose Driven Church” philosophy promoted by Rick Warren. I think it is important to be aware of what men like Rick Warren are doing, but not for the purpose of being on…
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Date Setting Gone Crazy
I’ve mentioned before to our church folks about the kookiness of Harold Camping. He’s “discovered” the date of the rapture, May 21, 2011, and here’s his reasoning: By Camping’s understanding, the Bible was dictated by God and every word and number carries a spiritual significance. He noticed that particular numbers appeared in the…
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Okaaaaay
Gay churches don’t have the built-in ability to attract families with children, teenagers with youth programs, and young people with church services like rock concerts. There are no “crying rooms” for babies at Joy MCC or Sunday-school classrooms or a day-care center during the week. … “What I’m finding is…
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Jehoshaphat
2 Chronicles 17-20 relates the reign of King Jehoshaphat over the Southern Kingdom. He was a godly king who sought the Lord and did much to encourage the people he led to also seek the Lord. You will do well by carefully reading this account to learn what is involved…
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Problem Here
Okay, I just got another Christian Book Distributor’s catalog, their Christmas Gifts edition. Now, I order a few books from CBD [heh heh], so it’s not all bad. But remember–it’s a business. Sadly, in order to make a buck they sell a fair amount of trinkets. What I saw on…
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Rock ‘n Roll in the House of God
Today’s New York Times has an interesting article (“Plugging In to Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord“) and accompanying video about the use of rock music and bands in churches. Such churches “now provide one of the major ways that Americans hear live music.” Tom Mercer, who pastors High…
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Talk About Church Marketing
A church in our area recently (in the last six months or so) has taken some active steps to increase their attendance, having community concerts, hoedowns, and other assorted activities. Their news release in this week’s paper goes way too far, though: Back massages? lip treatments? chilled eye pads?? deep…