Friday, April 13, 2012

THE CHRISTIAN POST "Front Page" Friday April 13 2012 Nisan 21, 5772

New York pastors
(Photo: COPGNY / Chris Capozziello)

Christianity the Only Means of Eternal Life? Some Pastors Disagree

By Katherine Weber

A recent survey conducted by LifeWay Research found that while a majority of Protestant pastors believe Christianity is the only way to obtain eternal life, there is a small percentage who strongly feel other religions offer eternal salvation as well.

Eddie Long-Linked Businessman Hit With Federal Lawsuit for $11M Ponzi Scheme

By Luiza Oleszczuk

A charismatic businessman accused last year of defrauding members of Eddie Long's New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, has been charged by the federal government with orchestrating a $11 million Ponzi scheme "that targeted socially-conscious investors in church congregations."

US

Mitt Romney

Major Pro-Life Group Endorses Romney; Vows to Spend $10M to Defeat Obama

By Paul Stanley

The Susan B. Anthony List, a national pro-life group, announced on Thursday their endorsement of the presumed Republican presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, promising to spend millions to defeat President Obama in November.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a proclamation Thursday in which it calls for the U.S. government, among others, to stop "discriminating" against the church -- for the sake of all Americans.

One Goh, the man who allegedly killed seven people at the Oikos University Christian college in Oakland, Calif., on April 3, has said that he is "deeply sorry" for his actions, but realizes his remorse cannot bring back the victims.

Democratic National Committee strategist Hilary Rosen apologized Thursday for saying that Ann Romney, wife of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, "has never actually worked a day in her life."

Trayvon Martin's mother, Sybrina Fulton, has told reporters that she thanks Jesus Christ for the arrest of George Zimmerman in the fatal shooting of her son, at a news conference in Washington DC.

Church & Ministries

Ligon Duncan

Ligon Duncan: Don't Underestimate God

By Alex Murashko

When Christians become discouraged it should be taken as an opportunity to learn what God is teaching them about their priorities, a prominent Presbyterian minister said before a large crowd of church leaders.

A megachurch in Ohio has started a giving program in which on select Sundays it donates $1 to charity for every individual who attends a service on one of its campuses or online.

A continuing congregation of The Episcopal Church held its first Easter service in a Virginia church since the majority of the members voted to break away from the denomination.

Santorum Post-Campaign: 'I'm the Only Conservative Who Tried to Do Anything'

Former GOP Republican presidential candidate Rick ...

Pregnant Texas Teacher Fired From Christian School for Being Unmarried

A Texas teacher fired from her position at a Christian middle school for being pregnant and unmarried said she will be taking the school to court for violating her equal employment rights.

Students Challenge Vanderbilt University's New 'Anti-Faith' Policy

In an act of unity, 11 Christian student ...

'Revelation' Study Guide Author: No One Has All the Answers

A new study guide on the Book of Revelation ...

With Santorum Out, Will Romney Reach Out to Social Conservatives?

The path to the Republican nomination is clear ...

Economist: Expiring Unemployment Benefits Would Help Economy

An economist with experience on Capitol Hill has ...

Nebraska County Approves Nat'l Day of Prayer Event on Courthouse Steps

Officials of a Nebraska county have agreed to ...

George Zimmerman's Second-Degree Murder Charge Shocks Legal Experts

After investigating the Trayvon Martin case for ...

Were Adam and Eve 'Cavemen?' Christian Apologetics Debate Continues

What should Christians make of "cavemen" fossils ...

Pastor Joel Hunter: Impossible for Church to Feed Poor in Place of Gov't

It's not uncommon to hear the idealistic argument ...

Entertainment

Bubba Watson

Bubba Watson Speaks About Giving His Life to Jesus, PGA Bible Study

By Christine Thomasos

Bubba Watson, first-time winner of a Masters Tournament who earned his green jacket on Easter Sunday, recently spoke about tweeting for God, the PGA Bible study he took part in and his newly adopted son.

Pam Tebow, mother of New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow, was the keynote speaker at the Carolina Pregnancy Center fundraiser Tuesday night and shared with those in attendance what she describes as the miraculous story of her son's birth.

The finances of Thomas Kinkade have surfaced following the well-known painter's death that came unexpectedly over the weekend.

World

Youcef Nadarkhani, 34, was the pastor of a 400 member congregation in Iran before he was

Easter Sunday Trial of Iranian Christians Complete; Verdict Still to Come

By Jeff Schapiro

While Christians around the world were celebrating Resurrection Sunday, 12 Iranian believers were defending themselves before a judge in the city of Rasht after being arrested for practicing their faith.

The controversy surrounding the Jesus Tomb discovery in Jerusalem continues as scholars and archeologists argue over a 2,000-year-old "Jonah Whale" engraving that some say represents the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Others suggest, however, that the team behind the discovery has been deceiving the public.

A deadly church bombing related to an Easter service held in Nigeria has once again prompted a persecution watchdog to ask for prayers aimed at helping Christians in the country respond to the violence appropriately.

Is the "aggressive polemic" concerning faith and animosity toward the church in the United Kingdom easing off? In his final Easter sermon as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams suggested Sunday that "there are a few signs that the climate is shifting ever so slightly."

Tech & Biz

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2

Ice Cream Sandwich Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 Coming to U.S. Soon

By Vincent Funaro

Samsung recently announced that its new line of Ice Cream Sandwich powered Galaxy Tab 2's will be launching in the U.S. in the near future.

The Mac virus affecting anywhere from 300,000 to 600,000 of Apple's signature computers can be fixed, although it is tricky. More importantly, the company could be forced to be more open with their software, or Apple viruses could get much worse.

Samsung has released a pink version of its Galaxy Note smartphone-tablet hybrid device in South Korea.

CJ Mahaney: How Pastors Can Resist Losing Heart

By Michelle A. Vu

Prominent evangelical pastor C.J. Mahaney knows a thing or two about losing heart, having just returned earlier this year after temporarily stepping down from leading Sovereign Grace Ministries over allegations of character flaws by former SGM leaders. Mahaney delivered an emotional message on the opening day of the Together for the Gospel conference during which he immersed the attendees in studying the letter of Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth about not losing heart.

SERIES

Inside Church Planting: Poor, Struggling, but Sold Out on the Vision (Part 2)

Bill Craig, a church planter and founder of Kaleomark Church, takes a photo of himself in front of his SUV, which is parked on the side of the road and covered in a banner to advertise the new church.

As the campus pastor of a church plant, I have heard funny, sad and inspiring stories about what it is like to be a part of a new church in its earliest stages of life. It can be a painful process at times, and church planters often work long hours for little pay in order to see the vision that God has given them fulfilled. Sometimes, it seems, vision is all they have, but in the tough times it can also be enough to get them by.

CHURCH

False Conversions Are the Suicide of the Church, Pastor Warns

mark dever

False conversions are a serious problem that could lead not only to the "suicide of the church" but also to the defaming of God's name, an evangelical pastor warned. Mark Dever fears there are thousands, if not millions, of people in churches who are not truly converted.

OPINION

Religion in the Public Square

flag, cross

I'm thrilled public schools are now teaching religion all over the country. But, you'll have to guess which country.

LIVING

Eight Wrong Reasons for Dating a Girl

perry noble

"She's Hot!" – So is hell! "I'm bored & lonely!" – So, because you want "entertainment" you are actually going allow yourself to play games with the heart of a woman

U.S.

NYT Columnist at Q Conference: Bad Religion, Not Atheism, Replacing Christianity

The New York Times' youngest-ever op-ed columnist and also one of the few conservative Christians at the esteemed newspaper, Ross Douthat, made the case at the Q Conference Tuesday evening that it is not atheism that is replacing American Christianity, but bad religion.

COLUMN

Angry Nerds

preach

Is it me or is there a growing number of theologically conservative preachers, teachers and seminary students who just seem ticked off all of the time?

OPINION

The Need for Strong Marriages

rings

If strong marriages are the foundation of a healthy society, we've got a lot of repair work to do.

COLUMN

Considering (and Surviving) Unhealthy Christian Organizations, Part 2

pews

If you do find yourself in an unhealthy Christian organization, I would encourage you to consider that God may want you to leave it. My own standard is this: will staying here hurt my walk with God or harm my family?

CP BLOG

Can You Be a 'Gay Christian?'

Matt Moore, formerly a practicing homosexual, is now a Christian who openly shares his testimony of how God rescued him from his partying lifestyle.

I receive multitudes of emails on a daily basis from people who encourage me to accept my homosexual feelings rather than turn from them. These people claim that they know Christ, and that His will is for them to pursue their homosexual preferences. In the video posted here I will expound on why this can't be true.

CP BLOG

Hell: It Has Its Problems!

Have you ever had an experience similar to mine? I talked with a man who told me that he stopped believing in God and going to church when he heard that most of his friends, and a lot of people in other parts of the world who had never heard of Jesus were going to go to Hell.

VIDEO

The 10 Most Common Objections to Christianity - Part 2 (Origins of Life)

The 10 Most Common Objections to Christianity Part 2 - Origins of Life (Alex McFarland)

Special Guest Alex McFarland of Southern Evangelical Seminary leads us through Objection 2 from his book "The 10 Most Common Objections to Christianity."

CP BLOG

Newborn Baby Found Alive in Morgue 12 Hours After Being Declared Dead

baby feeet

A newborn in Argentina was found very much alive in a morgue by her mother 12 hours after hospital staff had declared the baby dead. The mother, Analia Bouguet, tells TeleNoticias TV that the hospital still has issued her only a death certificate for the infant rather than a birth certificate.

POLITICS

Expert: Black Leaders Fueling Racial Division for Political Gain

Carol Swain

Black political leaders, such as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, have used the death of Trayvon Martin to stir racial division for political gain, Carol Swain, professor of law and political science at Vanderbilt University, argued in a Tuesday interview with The Christian Post.

LIVING

What Do You Think of Using the Internet to Find a Spouse?

ChristianMingle

The feeling it has made me feel is, "I wish the church would do this better. Why should people have to go to the internet, for goodness sakes, to find a spouse!?"

CP BLOG

Duke Taber - April Blogger of the Month

The Christian Post would like to recognize our first Blogger of the Month: Duke Taber, the author of the Small Town Preacher - Big Time God blog.

OPINION

On Race and Love and Trying to Understand

Trayvon Martin

When it comes to racial reconciliation—and here I'm thinking primarily of blacks and whites—there are certain things I think each group wishes the other would understand.

THEOLOGY

Law and Gospel: Part 2

Tullian Tchividjian

All of God's Word in the Bible comes to us in two forms of speech: God's word of demand (law) and God's word of deliverance (gospel).

CP BLOG

Ten Ways to Really Love a Woman

young couple

This is an excerpt from my new book Man Alive. I wrote Man Alive because I'm tired of watching men go to events, get all amped up, charge out determined to do better, soar briefly, then glide (or crash) back to earth. In my experience these men are deeply frustrated that they can't sustain the change.

CP BLOG

Were the Gospels Based on Pagan Myths?

pagan

It's an accusation that's been around a long time. Even in ancient times, critics of Christianity noticed some parallels between Christian beliefs and pre-Christian myths. In the late second century, a pagan philosopher named Celsus charged, “The Christians have used the myths of Danae and the and the Melanippe, of the Auge and Antiope in fabricating this story of virgin birth!”

CP BLOG

Don’t Build Prayer into Your Life, Build Your Life Around Prayer

prayer

We all know that prayer is supposed to be a regular part of our lives, but how do we cultivate a greater, more robust prayer life? On this matter, I can think of no better example than Martin Luther. Luther spent years developing his prayer life; he saw prayer as the “daily business of a Christian.”

PASTORS

Rick Warren Talks About Tim Tebow, Mormons, Gay Marriage and Exclusivity of Christ

In an Easter Sunday interview on ABC's "This Week," megachurch pastor and best-selling author Rick Warren talked about a range of cultural and political issues, including President Obama's birth control mandate, the intersection of religion and politics and whether one can get to Heaven by being a good person.

CP BLOG

What Does it Mean to Be Unequally Yoked?

A while back I had a person come to me considering a relationship with a person that was obviously not a good match for them. They said to me, “well they are a believer so we are not unequally yoked“. Every time I hear a believer bring up this scripture I inwardly cringe.

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