Sunday, May 6, 2012

SUNDAY EDITION (6): "The Christian Post" WEEK-IN-REVIEW May 6, 2012 Iyyar 14, 5772

(Photo: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)

Obama Kicks Off Re-Election Bid; Rips Into Romney

By Anugrah Kumar

President Barack Obama lambasted presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney on a range of issues including his economic policies, and defended his own record in office as he launched his campaign for a new term by holding public rallies in Ohio and Virginia Saturday.

Focus on the Family Withdraws Religious Freedom Measure in Colorado

By Paul Stanley

Focus on the Family Senior Executive Tom Minnery said the pro-family organization is withdrawing its ballot initiative for a constitutional amendment in Colorado that would prohibit the state from interfering with the religious freedoms of an organization or person.

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US

Arizona Gov. Signs Bill Banning Funding for Planned Parenthood

By Anugrah Kumar

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has signed into law a bill that bans public funding of Planned Parenthood, a group that provides reproductive health services, including contraceptives and abortions.

Chick-fil-A Leadercast: Tim Tebow, Former Coach Talk Qualities of a Good Leader

By Jeff Schapiro

Tim Tebow and his former coach Urban Meyer were reunited on Friday to share their thoughts on leadership at the live Chick-fil-A leadership event watched by 125,000 people across the United States.

'It's OK to Be Gay' Article in Tenn. High School Yearbook Stirs Ruckus

By Anugrah Kumar

An article profiling the life of a gay student published in the yearbook of a high school in Lenoir City, Tenn., is invoking strong reactions for and against it and might lead to protests during the upcoming graduation ceremonies.

Church & Ministries

Evangelicals: We Must Stand Firm on Biblical Authority, Exclusivity of Christ

By Lillian Kwon

Evangelical theologians who firmly hold to the inerrancy and authority of Scripture are preparing to help fellow believers stand firm in their faith amid an increasingly hostile culture.

Dr, Ken Hutcherson, Sr. Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church

Evangelical Pastor Ken Hutcherson: 'I Am the Gayest Man I Know'

By Paul Stanley

Dr. Ken Hutcherson, the pastor of Antioch Bible Church in Redmond, Wash., posted an announcement earlier this week that many close to him – including his wife – have known for years. Hutcherson revealed that he is the "gayest man I know."

United Methodists Vote Down Israel Divestment Proposals

By Michael Gryboski

Delegates of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church have voted down two proposals that would divest the denomination's funds from companies that did business in Israel.

Gay Activists Stage Protest at UMC Conference After Failed Amendment

By Michael Gryboski

A gay rights group staged a protest at the General Conference of the United Methodist Church Thursday after it failed to pass an amendment that would have changed the denomination's language regarding homosexuality.

Calvary Chapel Founder Considers Options for Cancer Treatment

By Alex Murashko

Calvary Chapel movement founder Chuck Smith is considering his options for treatment of cancer in his lungs after doctors who initially recommended surgery are now against the procedure after air capacity test results were unfavorable.

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Evangelical Pastor Ken Hutcherson: 'I Am the Gayest Man I Know'

Dr. Ken Hutcherson, the pastor of Antioch Bible ...

Joyce Meyer's Ex-Bodyguard Convicted of Murder

Christopher Coleman, the former security chief for televangelist Joyce Meyer, was found guilty this week of murdering his family. Jurors also determined that he is eligible for the death penalty.

The 10 Warning Signs of an Inwardly Obsessed Church

Any healthy church must have some level of inward ...

Delegate Jo Ann Carlotto (left) of the New England Conference wipes her eyes with a rainbow stole after delegates voted to maintain the United Methodist Church's stance on sexuality during the denomination's at 2012 General Conference in Tampa, Fla.

Methodists Strike Down Amendment to 'Agree to Disagree' on Homosexuality

The United Methodist Church's General Conference, ...

Christians 'Most Persecuted' Religious Group in the World, Says Expert

The head of a California-based evangelical religious liberty group stated Thursday that Christianity is presently the most persecuted religion on earth based on evidence gathered.

Andy Stanley Adds More Confusion: How Is the Church Supposed to Respond to Gays?

Pastor Andy Stanley Responds to Questions Over Homosexuality Stance

Pastor Andy Stanley recently left some Christians ...

Andy Stanley Didn't Leave Any Wiggle Room

Anyone who has been richly blessed over the years ...

Is the Megachurch the New Liberalism?

A shot now reverberating around the evangelical ...

Andy Stanley's Sermon That Brought Into Question His Position on Homosexuality (Video)

Younger, Poorer People Likely to Believe the World Is Coming to an End?

A new survey has found that one in seven of ...

Study: Correlation Between Wal-Mart Stores and Hate Groups

The president and CEO of a national women's ...

Groupon Offers Playboy Mansion Event After Torture Porn Tours

An anti-pornography group's call for a national ...

Pastor Crawford Loritts: Caring for Orphans Is Heart of God, Not a Fad

A growing movement among Christians to combat a ...

Nebraska, 3 US Cities Establish 'Day of Reason' Following California's Example

Atheist Activist Who Became Christian Returns to Atheism

Patrick Greene, an atheist activist in Texas who ...

Youcef Nadarkhani's Attorney Sentenced to Prison; Iranian Pastor's Fate Unknown

Entertainment

American Idol's Fantasia Barrino Exonerated of $15,000 Theft From Church

By Christine Thomasos

Fantasia Barrino, American Idol season 3 winner, and her manager Brian Dickens, were recently exonerated from accusations that they took $15,000 from Harvest Family Church and failed to honor a scheduled appearance at the place of worship.

New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera waves to fans after recording his career record 602nd save against the Minnesota Twins after their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York September 19, 2011.

Mariano Rivera Faithful in God's Plan After Possible Career-Ending Injury; Praying for Next Move

By Christine Thomasos

Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees closer and 12-time All-Star, tore his ACL and meniscus Thursday night before his team played Kansas City. Some observers have questioned whether Rivera will have to retire, but the Christian baseball star has said he is not questioning the Lord's plan.

Christian rapper Lecrae Moore appears in this undated file photo.

Lecrae's 'Church Clothes' Video Exposes Christian Hypocrisy?

By Nicola Menzie

Lecrae Moore, among a long list of artists popular for preaching the Gospel in rap, has released a video for his upcoming mixtape "Church Clothes." The video has apparently won approval from fans pleased to see the hypocrisy present in some churches, and its affect on unbelievers, brought center stage.

World

Rick and Kay Warren, Francis Chan Urge Christians to End Orphan Crisis

By Alex Murashko

The focus on helping orphans worldwide needs to shift from simply perpetuating orphanages to equipping local churches in connecting children to parents, said leaders at the Christian Alliance for Orphans' annual summit this week.

Persecution Brief: Violence Reigns in Nigeria, Kenya; Iranian Pastor's Attorney Arrested

By CP News Briefs

Among the recent cases of most striking persecution of Christians around the world were new attacks in Africa and, notably, the arrest of an attorney who tried to come to the aid of imprisoned Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani.

King Victor Emanuel III, (R) Adolf Hitler (C) and Benito Mussolini (L) watch fascist troops march past from a balcony in central Rome in this 1941 television file footage.

Hitler Had Developed a 'God Complex,' According to WWII Documents

By Stoyan Zaimov

Infamous German dictator Adolf Hitler, whose World War II concentration camps killed millions of people, believed himself to be the "incarnation of the spirit of good," according to a newly unveiled report.

DeMarcus Corley Inspired By Jesus Christ While Preparing to Fight Paul McCloskey

'October Baby' Sweeps Box Office, Tops $5 Million

Micro-budget film "October Baby" has proven to be ...

'Trade of Innocents' Producer: Plight of Child Sex Slaves 'Close to God's Heart'

Interview With Della Reese: 'God's Had a Bad Agent'

The Reverend Della Reese will turn 80 years old ...

Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch Dies: A Look Back at His Career

The hip-hop community lost a true pioneer today ...

Manny Pacquiao Praying for Mayweather Amid Allegations of Drug Use

Manny Pacquiao, 33-year-old high-profile Filipino ...

Tim Tebow Helping or Hindering His Christian Influence by Playing in NYC?

Tim Tebow, the New York Jets' newest quarterback, ...

China's Underground Christians Supported Blind Activist

Underground Christians in China were among those ...

Anglican Preacher Pulled From Pulpit After Advocating Traditional Marriage

An Anglican lay minister has been temporarily banned from preaching at a church in the U.K. after a service in which he advocated for the traditional definition of marriage upset some of those in attendance.

Nigerian Christians Defy Fear of Bloodshed and Continue Church Worship

Nigerian Christians have faced constant attacks ...

Colombian Judges Redefine 'Family,' Catholic Church Outraged

The highest court in Colombia has controversially ruled that the word "family" is not longer to be used only to address one's own kin or marriage, and the decision is causing serious backlash among pro-family groups.

'Offending' God, Quran or Muhammad Could Mean Death for Kuwait's Muslims

The Kuwaiti Parliament has approved a law that ...

Atheist in Indonesia Facing 11 Years in Prison for Saying 'God Doesn't Exist'

Church of England's Search for New Archbishop Reveals Rifts Over Race?

With the search for a new leader for the Church ...

CP Cartoons

Tech & Biz

Samsung Galaxy S3's Answer to Siri Is S-Voice

By Vincent Funaro

Samsung debuted the long awaited Samsung Galaxy S3 at its "Mobile Unpacked" event that took place in London, England and also showed off the device's impressive new feature, S-Voice.

HeavenUp: Brand New Christian Social Media Site Launched

By Emma Koonse

Uniting Christian worshipers worldwide, HeavenUp.com has officially launched Tuesday as the newest social networking site.

Religious Websites More Likely to Give You a Virus Than Pornographic Pages?

By Vincent Funaro

Religious websites might now actually be more of a threat to believers than pornographic pages.

iPhone 5 Rumors: Device to Feature Longer 4-Inch Screen and Metal Backing

By Vincent Funaro

iLounge editor Jeremy Horowitz reported some interesting news on the iPhone 5 this week.

Right Relationships

In its time

Pastor Mason Betha Returning to Rap

Kutcher, Lambert Reconcile at Kentucky Derby

Treasure Hunter Located bin Laden; Hopes to Recover Body in June

Anna Paquin Says 'Dark Designs Suit Me' (PHOTO)

Khloe Loses 20 Pounds: Kardashian Boasts Drastic Weight Loss in Just 20 Days

Ann Romney Bird Shirt Off the Rack at $990 (PHOTO)

Seminary Woes

He Who Works His Land

Relinquishing Grace or Truth Actually Sacrifices Both

By Dan Delzell

When God created Adam and Eve, He placed them in a garden which had boundaries. They were told to respect those boundaries and obey the truth. They chose to cross God's boundary line. The rest is history.

COLUMN

Politically Incorrect: A Badge of Honor

By Miles McPherson

It's that season. Super Political Action Committees are funneling lottery-sized sums of cash into political ads. Pundits on television are popping veins in heated "discussions" that wind up right back where they started. All joking aside, I can't deny how critical it has become in this day and age to be politically aware. Let me be clear, I didn't say politically correct.

END TIMES

Will the World End in Your Lifetime?

By Jim Denison

Twenty-two percent of Americans think the world will end in their lifetime. According to a recent Reuters poll, nearly 15 percent of people worldwide agree. The numbers range from 6 percent in France to 22 percent in Turkey and the U.S. What explains this phenomenon?

OPINION

Bigotry on the Ballot? No, Dishonesty in the Editorial

By R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

The New York Times regularly promotes same-sex marriage in its editorials and news coverage. Even so, the paper's latest editorial serves as a display of how the argument for homosexual marriage is often pressed with what can only be described as undisguised intellectual dishonesty.

PASTORS

Five of the Most Difficult Challenges for Pastors

By Thom S. Rainer

It may be one of the most difficult jobs in the world. Indeed, it may be an impossible job to do in our own strength. So I asked the question: What specific part of being a pastor is the most difficult for you?

COLUMN

Eight Ways to Tell That I Might Be a Pharisee

By Perry Noble

I am a recovering Pharisee. I became obsessed with religious rules and legalism and forgot all about the grace that God had poured out on me through Jesus.

OPINION

New York and Christianity

By Eric Metaxas

It's like the Sinatra song: If Christianity can make it there, it can make it anywhere. I'm talking about New York, New York, my home town.

RELATIONSHIP

Five Myths About Living Together Before Marriage

By Dan Delzell

So you think there are advantages to living together rather than getting married. Before you close your mind any tighter on the issue, check out these five myths:

LEGAL

A Double Mandate to Silence Religious Freedom

By Erik W. Stanley

The battle over President Obama's abortion pill mandate does not show signs of letting up any time soon, and it manifests itself almost daily in various skirmishes.

PERSECUTION

Christians 'Most Persecuted' Religious Group in the World, Says Expert

By Michael Gryboski

The head of a California-based evangelical religious liberty group stated Thursday that Christianity is presently the most persecuted religion on earth based on evidence gathered.

INTERVIEW

Is 'the Culture' Really the Church's Problem?

By Ginny Mooney

Author Ken Myers doesn't believe "the culture" is the biggest challenge facing the Church today. Rather, it's the culture in the church that's the problem as many believers live not fully transformed by the Gospel.

CP BLOG

Miracles and the Laws of Science

By Christian Post Guest Voices

If this week I put a thousand pounds in the drawer of my desk, add two thousand next week and another thousand the week thereafter, the laws of arithmetic allow me to predict that the next time I come to my drawer, I shall find four thousand pounds.

TESTIMONY

Katie's Story

By Greg Stier

I didn't really grow up in a Christian household. I had some things happen to me as a kid that no girl should ever have to go through. I got this idea in my head that I had to pay for being such a screw up.

COLUMN

The 10 Warning Signs of an Inwardly Obsessed Church

By Thom S. Rainer

Any healthy church must have some level of inward focus. Those in the church should be discipled. But churches can lose their outward focus and become preoccupied with the perceived needs and desires of the members.

OPINION

Pastors Who Preach Grace, but Need Grace

By Paul Tripp

I was a very angry man. The problem was that I didn't know I was an angry man. My wife, Luella, knew that I was angry. My kids knew I was angry. But I didn't know. Luella was very faithful in bringing that anger before me with its resultant failures to love my family. She did it often and with much grace. But I would not listen.

CHURCH & MINISTRIES

Inside Church Planting: Outreach in an Unfamiliar Territory (Part 4)

By Jeff Schapiro

When most people hear the word "missionary" they probably imagine a Christian worker in a faraway land who is trying to adapt to a new culture while also trying to share the Gospel with the indigenous people. Church planters, in many ways, view themselves similar to that of a missionary because they have to know the people and the culture they are trying to reach in order to effectively share the message of Jesus Christ.

CP BLOG

A Faith of Our Own: Following Jesus Beyond the Culture Wars (PT 2)

By Book Stop

The Book Stop Blog is featuring excerpts from chapter one of A Faith of Our Own: Following Jesus Beyond the Culture Wars by Jonathan Merritt.

COUNSELING CORNER

Forgiveness: Who's Left Holding the Bag?

By June Hunt

While leading a Forgiveness workshop in Indiana, I asked attendees, "How many of you have had a huge struggle forgiving someone who has hurt you deeply?" Instantly, hands shot up across the room. Though my question came at the beginning of my session, it wasn't until the final 15 minutes that I looked out into the audience, made eye contact with a young man who'd earlier raised his hand, and asked him to join me on stage.

STATISTICS

Religion Census: Increase in Evangelicals, Mormons, Muslims; Decrease in Catholics, Mainline Protestants

By Napp Nazworth

A decennial census of U.S. religions in America was released Tuesday by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies (ASARB). The results show a dramatic increase in the number of Latter-day Saints, or Mormons, and Muslims, a modest increase in the number of evangelical Protestants, and a drop in the number of Catholics and mainline Protestants.

WOMEN

Some Complementarians Deny Women More Opportunities Than the Bible Does?

By John Piper

It's a delicate thing when you're not dealing with the clear, black-and-white issues of elder and non-elder. What kind of Sunday school classes they teach, what ages of boys they teach — those are ambiguities.

WORLD

Which Country Believes in God the Most, Least?

By Jeff Schapiro

A recently released report from the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago shows which countries have the most, and the least, belief in God by population percentage.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

SUNDAY EDITION (6): "The Christian Post" WEEK-IN-REVIEW May 6, 2012 Iyyar 14, 5772

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