Saturday, June 9, 2012

THE CHRISTIAN POST Saturday June 9, 2012 Sivan 19, 5772

(Photo: The Christian Post)

Most SBC Pastors Reluctant to Use 'Great Commission Baptists' Descriptor

By Anugrah Kumar

Contrary to the recent recommendation by a Southern Baptist Convention task force that the denomination introduce an "informal" optional title – "Great Commission Baptists" – more than half of SBC pastors say they would not like to use the tagline.

SC School Lets Student Cite Bible in Graduation Speech

By Lillian Kwon

A South Carolina high school has reversed course and is now allowing its student of the year to cite a Bible verse in her graduation speech Saturday.

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Carlos Bobadilla and Karen Ulliksen of Chile attend the

New Yorkers Join Religious Freedom Rally to Protest Obamacare

By Katherine Weber

Hundreds gathered in New York City's Financial District on Friday to attend the Stand Up for Religious Freedom rally, held in protest of President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

Student Who Wrecked Pro-Life Display With Car to Face Judge

By Jeff Schapiro

A 22-year-old Dartmouth College student will appear in court early next week after he allegedly used his car to run over a pro-life display set up by a student organization.

Gov. Bobby Jindal Signs 2 Pro-Life Bills

By Michael Gryboski

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signed into law on Thursday two bills that would further regulate and restrict the abortion procedure.

Pro-Family Marylanders Get Same-Sex Marriage Issue on Ballot

By Paul Stanley

Pastors and pro-family advocates in Maryland have secured enough signatures to bring a vote on same-sex marriage to the November ballot, a move that means the heavily Democratic state could override the governor and state legislature by outlawing gay marriage at the ballot box.

U.S. Army soldiers walk back to their base after a patrol near Combat Outpost Nolen in Arghandab Valley, north of Kandahar in this April, 2011 file photo.

US Army Suicides Hit One Per Day; Higher Than Combat Casualties

By Stoyan Zaimov

A worrying trend has developed in the U.S. military – soldiers are killing themselves at a rate of one per day, new figures have shown, which are the highest since the U.S. began its military operations in Afghanistan in 2001.

Church & Ministries

Theologian: Christians Should Ground Themselves in Scripture, Not Fads

By Napp Nazworth

Christians need to recognize the primacy of Scripture in their lives and not be drawn to fads, a theologian told CP at the Pastorum Live conference this week.

Hundreds Defend Creflo Dollar After Alleged Assault on Daughter

By Audrey Barrick

Creflo Dollar, pastor of a 30,000-strong congregation in Georgia, is drawing an outpouring of support and prayers amid reports that he assaulted his teenage daughter.

Crystal Cathedral Congregants' Move to Catholic Church 'Significant for Revival'

By Ivana Kvesic

The Crystal Cathedral Ministries congregation will be moving to a new location next summer, it was announced on Thursday, with the ministry's leader calling the move a "significant step" in their revival.

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Creflo Dollar, Megachurch Pastor, Arrested for Battery Charges

Creflo Dollar Jr., founder and senior pastor of ...

Hundreds Defend Creflo Dollar After Alleged Assault on Daughter

Creflo Dollar, pastor of a 30,000-strong congregation in Georgia, is drawing an outpouring of support and prayers amid reports that he assaulted his teenage daughter.

No Such Thing as Ex-Gay

Should Christians try to help homosexuals who want to change their sexual orientation? Why is that even a question?

Southern Baptists and Salvation: It's Time to Talk

A recent statement on the doctrine of salvation ...

Seattle-Based Megachurch Launches Mars Hill Music Label

Seattle-based Mars Hill Church has taken its ...

Emma Watson in Talks to Join Biblical Epic Film 'Noah'

"Harry Potter" star Emma Watson is in talks for a ...

Appeals Court Hears Case on Texas Funding Ban of Planned Parenthood

An appeals court heard arguments in a case ...

Santorum to Mobilize 1M Conservative Voters for November Elections

Former GOP presidential front-runner and U.S. ...

Christian School Rescinds Decision to Hire Music Teacher After Learning He's Gay

Bishop TD Jakes to Celebrate 35th Anniversary at Star-Studded Gala

A black-tie gala featuring a surprise ...

Creflo Dollar, Megachurch Pastor, Arrested for Battery Charges

Creflo Dollar Jr., founder and senior pastor of ...

Rand Paul Endorses Romney; Tea Party, Ron Paul Support to Follow?

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Republican presidential ...

Only Half of Gay People in UK See Marriage as 'Personally Important'

A poll conducted in England seeking to see where ...

190 Suspected Child Predators Arrested in Nationwide Undercover Operation

Federal agents, in a month-long nationwide sting ...

Minn. Student Barred From Wearing Rosary in Support of Ill Grandmother

A 15-year-old Minnesota high school student has been told by school district officials to remove the rosary beads he wears in support of his cancer-stricken grandmother, saying the religious item could be mistaken as a symbol of ...

Christian Boxing Champion on Being Single Mother, Working Three Jobs

Tori "Sho Nuff" Nelson, like many single mothers, ...

Christian Photographers to Appeal Decision Forcing Them to Cover Gay Marriages

A New Mexico court has upheld a ruling that it is illegal for a Christian couple to refuse their services to same-sex couples because of their faith, as it would be discriminating against a person's sexual orientation. Attorneys ...

Entertainment

Brian Presley portrays Scott Murphy, a former high school football star whose promising athletic career ended after a knee injury during a championship game his senior year.

Brian Presley on Melissa Stetten Twitter Claims: 'I'll Be More Careful Who I Say Hello to'

By Daniel Blake

Brian Presley has denied claims by model Melissa Stetten that he was hitting on her in a recent red eye flight earlier this week.

Seattle-Based Megachurch Launches Mars Hill Music Label

By Alex Murashko

Seattle-based Mars Hill Church has taken its eclectic brand of worship music, led by a variety of band singers and musicians serving at its 14 locations, and formed its own recording label, the megachurch announced earlier this week.

Ridley Scott Talks Plan for Moses Film, Calls Religion 'Source of Evil'

By Stoyan Zaimov

Movie director Ridley Scott revealed that he is planning a movie based on the biblical account of Moses, and shared that he is skeptical of religion, calling it "the biggest source of evil."

World

Local and foreign tourists visit the Byzantine monument of Hagia Sophia, or Ayasofya, which is now a museum in Istanbul June 7, 2012.

Muslims in Turkey Demand Historic Cathedral Be Turned Into Mosque

By Nicola Menzie

Thousands of Muslims in Turkey, preparing to celebrate the Ottoman conquest of the country 500 years ago, are demanding that authorities allow them to convert the Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque, despite laws forbidding worship at what was once the world's most renowned Christian church.

An empty classroom is seen in this undated file photo.

South Korean Creationists Removing Evolution References From Textbooks

By Stoyan Zaimov

Efforts to challenge and even remove the theory of evolution from the public school system in South Korea have been gaining ground after a petition last month seeking to make notable changes to textbooks in favor of creationism proved successful.

UN Monitors in Syria Shot at Trying to Reach Site of Massacre

By Ivana Kvesic

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that U.N. monitors where shot at Thursday while trying to reach the village where another Syrian massacre took the lives of at least 78 villagers.

A truck carrying victims of a bomb attack is parked in front of a mortuary in Nigeria's northern city of Kano January 21, 2012.

Boko Haram and Nigerian Military Engage in Deadly Shootout

By Stoyan Zaimov

Violence in Nigeria has taken another 19 lives after members of the radical Islamist group Boko Haram engaged in a gunfight with government soldiers Tuesday evening in the cities of Kano and Maiduguri.

John Schneider on Christian Films: 'People Have to Show Up'

Actor John Schneider recently stopped by The ...

Scotty McCreery Graduates From High School After Win at CMT Music Awards

Scotty McCreery snagged his first CMT Music Award ...

Gina Chon, Wall Street Journal Reporter, In Alleged Affair With Brett McGurk

Gina Chon, a Wall Street Journal reporter, could ...

American Idol's Phillip Phillips Undergoes Surgery, 'Ready to Start Jammin' (VIDEO)

Manny Pacquiao Praying for Jailed Floyd Mayweather; Says He's a 'Brother' Not an 'Enemy'

Rihanna Says Forget Chris Brown Rumors, Claims She Lives 'for God'

Rihanna revealed that she still has hope of ...

Ray Bradbury Dead at 91, Said His Work Was 'God-Given'

Author Ray Bradbury, whose novel "Fahrenheit 451" ...

Ex-NFL Player Wade Davis Announces He Is Gay

Wade Davis, a former NFL player, has announced he ...

Sean Michael Afable on 'Hardflip': 'Keep Your Focus on Christ'

"Hardflip" hit theaters on Friday, and Sean ...

Christian Counseling Center Celebrates 50th Anniversary in Scotland

A Church of Scotland counseling center will ...

Organized Crime Finds Fertile Ground Across Latin America

Gangs and drug trafficking groups are getting ...

Majority of Christians Hate Christian TV, Survey Finds

Chief Executive of DoersTV.com, Pastor David ...

Uptick in Church Closures, Attacks in Indonesia

The number of violations of Christians' religious ...

Repentant Christian Thief Returns Money and Apologizes to Victims in Brazil

An unidentified thief, who stole from a house in ...

New Bible Translation Initiative Aimed at 'Most Marginalized People'

A Bible translation organization wants to help ...

Hosni Mubarak's Health Enters 'Dangerous Phase'

Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is said ...

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Tech & Biz

Samsung Galaxy S3 Ban Opposed by Electronics Giant

By Vincent Funaro

Samsung issued a statement yesterday stating that it plans to fight a recent patent infringement claim that was filed by Apple earlier this week.

Survey of Facebook Users Show Many Are 'Bored'

By Myles Collier

A new survey suggests that Facebook users may actually be getting bored with the social networking site after a botched IPO and those new sentiments have investors worried.

Groupon Boycott a Success, Says Anti-Porn Group

By Michael Gryboski

The deal-of-the-day website Groupon has decided to discontinue its business association with a California-based torture porn group.

LinkedIn Passwords Leaked, Users Advised to Update Account

By Brittney R. Villalva

LinkedIn, the professional networking site, is currently investigating a rumor that a hacker has accessed company information and leaked over 6.5 million users' passwords.

Euro 2012 Schedule: Germany vs Portugal LIVE Stream, Where to Watch?

Evangelicals Fight Against Possible Ban on Christian TV Programs in Brazil

Creflo Dollar Arrested Latest: Pastor Responds on Facebook

Creflo Dollar's Wife, Taffi Dollar, Home at Time of Alleged Assault

Erin Moran Trailer Park Dilemma: Happy Days' Joanie Cunningham Facing Financial Hardship

Judge Judy Ratings Soar: New Queen of Daytime TV Following Oprah's Departure

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World Record Oldest Siblings Have Combined Age of 213 Years

Temperance: The Least-Understood Virtue

By Eric Metaxas

Temperance is one of the four cardinal virtues, which the ancients saw as character qualities necessary for people to live a truly good life. It would help to know what temperance is in the first place — and, incredibly, we don't!

THEOLOGY

Can Deliberate Sin Negate Your Conversion Experience?

By Dan Delzell

Every Christian hits rough spots at times where a particular sin just seems to get the upper hand for awhile. It might be a grudge....or impure thoughts....or jealousy....or whatever. By God's grace, believers somehow manage to bounce back and get beyond these spiritual setbacks. But what about the professing believer who never bounces back?

ENTERTAINMENT

Upcoming Film 'Hellbound?' Explores Ugly Debate on Hell

By Lillian Kwon

When it comes to the debate on hell, Kevin Miller sees nothing short of an ugly battle where Christians tend to dehumanize those who disagree with their views and show little humility.

OPINIONS

'Fetus Testing' and the Relentless Quest for the New Human

By Wallace Henley

"Scientists could soon be able to routinely screen unborn babies for thousands of genetic conditions, raising concern the breakthrough could lead to more abortions," said a June 6 headline in The Telegraph, a British newspaper.

CHURCH

The Five Myths About Small Groups

By Thom S. Rainer

Discipleship is a hot topic within the local church right now. Discipleship manifests itself in the local church most often through small groups. But they often struggle to be successful and transformational because of wrong expectations, beliefs, or myths about how they work best.

CP BLOG

Cinema in Focus: Men in Black III - 2 Stars

By Denny Wayman

It has been ten years since the last Men in Black film came out in 2002. Following up on the first film in 1997, the second film was a disappointment as its sarcasm left us unimpressed. So it is understandable that the franchise waited for a decade before attempting another film based on the creation of Lowell Cunningham.

OPINION

Southern Baptists and Salvation: It's Time to Talk

By R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

A recent statement on the doctrine of salvation has received a good bit of attention in recent days. It is no small matter that Southern Baptists are discussing how best to speak of God's salvation, even as we are fully engaged in the task of reaching the nations with the Gospel of Christ.

OPINION

No Such Thing as Ex-Gay

By Eric Metaxas

Should Christians try to help homosexuals who want to change their sexual orientation? Why is that even a question?

COLUMN

Two Things to Keep in Mind When Evangelicals Turn Catholic

By Kevin DeYoung

I want to remind of us two points that we can easily forget when a somewhat high profile evangelical converts (or seems about to convert) to Rome. Let's remember that the traffic across the Tiber is not one way, not by a long shot.

OPINION

Can Christians Use Birth Control?

By R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

The effective separation of sex from procreation may be one of the most important defining marks of our age–and one of the most ominous. This awareness is spreading among American evangelicals, and it threatens to set loose a firestorm.

CP BLOG

A Christian Doctor’s Views On Energy Work: Is it Dangerous?

By Rita Hancock MD

Because I'm a pain management physician, patients sometimes ask me about non-medicinal alternatives to pain control. Here's my short answer to patients who ask about energy work: I think energy work is dangerous if people try to do it. On the other hand, if God decides to heal people somehow through energy, that's up to Him.

CHURCH

Snake-Handling Christians: Faith, Prophecy and Obedience

By Nicola Menzie

The recent death of a Christian minister from West Virginia who believed that the Bible instructs the faithful to handle snakes and drink poison has put into question a doctrine many believe is unbiblical and dangerous but that its adherents, biblical literalists, say they are compelled to obey.

OPINIONS

Planned Parenthood: Using Our Money to Oppose Our Freedom

By Doug H. Napier

On June 12, North Dakotans will have the opportunity to freely decide the fate of that state's Religious Liberty Freedom Amendment…unless, of course, Planned Parenthood dumps another half a million dollars into state coffers from places as distant as California and New York, to confuse voters in what will or won't be the status of religious liberty in North Dakota.

CP BLOG

Extraordinary Claims, Extraordinary Evidence, and Belief in God

By Robin Schumacher

When it comes to belief in God, is extraordinary evidence truly needed? If it is, does such a thing exist for God? Lastly, if such a standard is necessary, then does it also apply to the atheist worldview if it makes extraordinary claims?

LIVING

Getting Off the Treadmill of Guilt

By Joyce Meyer

Guilt is a dangerous emotion because it can shut us down spiritually if we let it. We make mistakes and then start wondering where we stand in our relationship with God.

COUNSELING CORNER

Parenting and Setting Boundaries: The 2 'Rs' Kids Need to Understand

By June Hunt

Parenting is demanding work. Those who raise children are required to wear many hats (CEO and janitor, nutritionist and nurse, counselor and cook, plumber and many others). So, how can parents guide their children into successful adulthood? One of the essential requirements is learning how to establish healthy boundaries.

OPINIONS

America's Moral Schizophrenia

By Ken Connor

We find ourselves living in a society where our elected officials see nothing strange about using the power of government to impose a morality of nutrition while shying away from using that power to protect the lives of innocent unborn children.

THEOLOGY

Is It Sin for Me Not to Like the Doctrine of Election?

By John Piper

It's sin not to like the true doctrine of election. It's sin not to like what God likes. I want to say it like that because many people have conceptions of doctrines—all kinds of doctrines—that are inaccurate.

PASTOR

Five Secrets Pastors Refuse to Tell

By Thom S. Rainer

By their very nature, pastors are a confidential lot. But most people don't realize pastors have their own secrets. These spiritual leaders refuse to share their thoughts or pains for fear that their own ministries will be damaged. So they keep the secrets.

OPINIONS

Hugging Homosexuals: An Evangelical Epidemic

By Ken Hutcherson and James Hansen

Maybe you're suffering with this disorder. From what we've been reading and hearing, a number of Christians are showing these symptoms across the country. Case in point, The Christian Post recently ran a three part series of articles suggesting ways in which the Evangelical community should love homosexual couples who come into the church. What we would like to know, though, is why all the preferential treatment?

PARENTING

Thoughts on Homosexual Comic Book Characters

By Jim Daly

There was a time when comic book themes, however fantastical, were still pretty much tame and moral fare. They tended to champion good vs. evil. But now that both comic book lines have committed to plowing this new ground regarding homosexuality, what's a parent of a teenager (both the Marvel and DC series in question have an age-15-and-up rating) who reads the comics to do?

Saturday, June 9, 2012

THE CHRISTIAN POST Saturday June 9, 2012 Sivan 19, 5772

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