Wednesday, June 13, 2012

THE CHRISTIAN POST: Wednesday June 13, 2012 Sivan 23, 5772

Obama
(Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

Obama's New Message: I Need More Time

By Napp Nazworth

In a Thursday speech, President Barack Obama will argue that he needs four more years to undo the damage done under his predecessor, President George W. Bush.

Liberal, Conservative Evangelicals Unite for Immigration Reform

By Michael Gryboski

Evangelicals from across the political and racial spectrum have come together to voice their support for comprehensive immigration reform. Political opposites like Jim Wallis and Richard Land were among those endorsing the "Evangelical Statement of Principles for Immigration Reform."

US

national debt

Study Says National Debt Is Bigger Than You Think – $50,000,000,000,000

By Napp Nazworth

The national debt is much larger than most people think, $50 trillion instead of $15.7 trillion, a report by financial services firm Deloitte says. Besides the true debt, the report describes four additional risk factors that deserve attention when considering the extent of the U.S. debt crisis.

An atheist activist group is claiming a victory in its ongoing effort to keep religious expression and symbols out of the U.S. armed services after it was announced that the Department of Defense is removing military edition Bibles from its exchange stores. A chaplain alliance group is asking Congress to investigate whether the action taken was religious discrimination.

A former staffer to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords easily won the special election for her vacant Arizona congressional seat on Tuesday. Democrat Ron Barber cruised to an easy victory over Republican Jesse Kelly, 52 to 45 percent.

Backpage.com has filed a lawsuit over a new anti-sex trafficking law it believes violates the First Amendment and would place an unbearable burden on companies that host third-party, although it has been shown that its services help facilitate the sex abuse of minors.

Church & Ministries

Greg Laurie

Nearly 900 Churches Commit to Host Greg Laurie's Harvest America Webcast

By Alex Murashko

Nearly 900 churches and venues have signed up to host a live simulcast of Harvest America, a first-of-its-kind evangelism event organized by Greg Laurie and his ministry to be held in late summer.

"Are you sucked into the vortex of vulgarity?" asked pastor Ed Young of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas, during his Sunday sermon on vulgarity, the second in his ongoing "Cool Aid" series exploring the crossroads of Christianity and culture.

Three Maryland clergymen who were originally ordained in The Episcopal Church have accepted ordination into the Roman Catholic Church this past weekend.

Chinese Officials Beat 7-Month Pregnant Woman; Abort Baby

A seven-month pregnant mother in China was ...

Recession Has Already Begun, Analyst Says

The U.S. economy is currently entering a ...

Westboro Protests Billy Graham for Preaching 'Sugary Lies,' God's Love

Members of the notorious Westboro Baptist Church ...

Focus on the Family Leader Joins Call for Immigration Reform

Focus on the Family President Jim Daly on Monday ...

Tired of Christian Left, Right? You Are Not Alone, Says Author

The best-selling author of a newly released book ...

Mass. Town Can Fine People for Public Profanity

Don't like hearing people use profanity when walking down the street? One Massachusetts town has decided to make it easier for police to enforce a no-swearing by-law in an attempt to cut down on cussing in public.

Watch Toddler Walk After Being Thrown From Car During High-Speed Chase

A newly released video from a police dashcam ...

Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Christian 'Candy Cane' Case

The Supreme Court refused to hear oral arguments ...

Wisconsin Exit Poll Favoring Obama May Have Flaws

A Wisconsin exit poll cited by Democrats nationwide as reason why President Obama is still in the safe zone in November may have serious flaws, according to polling experts. A well-known polling analyst asserts that in order for ...

Fla. Presbyterian Church Splits Over Gay Ordination

A Florida congregation has split over the ...

Entertainment

NBA

Okla. Pastor Rallies Thunder Fans With David and Goliath Sermon Ahead of NBA Finals

By Stoyan Zaimov

As the Oklahoma City Thunder get ready for their first game against the Miami Heat in the NBA finals tonight, the team's fans are finding inspiration in a popular story preached by the Thunder's chaplain – the biblical account of David, the underdog, facing the giant Goliath.

Manny Pacquiao lost his first fight in seven years Saturday after undergoing a spiritual awakening. The boxer has maintained his faith despite the outrage of fans and split decision-loss of his WBO welterweight championship title to Timothy Bradley.

Country music star Carrie Underwood has spoken up about her support of same-sex marriage in a recent interview. Her surprising contradiction to traditional Christian beliefs is causing controversy.

World

Anglican Primate

Anglican, Roman Catholic Churches in UK Issue Defense of Traditional Marriage

By Stoyan Zaimov

Anglican and Roman Catholic authorities in Britain issued on Tuesday official declarations stating their firm opposition to government plans to change the legal definition of marriage, saying that despite reassurances claiming otherwise, clergy may very well be forced to perform same-sex marriages.

Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has fallen into a "full coma," nine days after being sentenced to life in prison for failing to contain the outbreaks of violence last year when the military seized power, leading to the deaths of over 850 people.

At least six people were killed and dozens injured after a suicide bomber allegedly from Islamist terror group Boko Haram detonated explosives outside a church, and gunmen from the same outfit opened fire at worshippers in another church on Sunday.

Legislation that was recently passed by the Chilean National Congress has many pro-family groups worried about the possible fallout which, they feel, would lead to the unwarranted persecutions of Christians in the country.

Colombian Bishop Allegedly Sued for Discrimination for Opposing Same-Sex Marriage

A bishop in Colombia has allegedly been sued for discrimination over his opposition to same-sex marriage.

Muslims in Turkey Demand Historic Cathedral Be Turned Into Mosque

Thousands of Muslims in Turkey, preparing to ...

South Korean Creationists Removing Evolution References From Textbooks

Efforts to challenge and even remove the theory ...

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

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said ...

Egypt's Secular Parties Get Equal Role in Constitution Drafting

The Speaker of Egypt's parliament said lawmakers ...

Christian Counseling Center Celebrates 50th Anniversary in Scotland

A Church of Scotland counseling center will ...

Tech & Biz

MacBook Pro

Apple Announcement, iOS 6 and MacBook Pro Released

By Vincent Funaro

Apple's World Wide Developers Conference is taking place all this week and the company unveiled the next-generation MacBook Pro line of laptops there earlier today.

Photos of what could be the next-generation version of the Motorola Droid Razr were leaked by Droid-Life last week.

Apple unveiled iOS 6 at its World Wide Developers Conference yesterday and also stated that it would be available as an update for iPhone, iPod and iPad owners in the fall of this year.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 is arguably the most anticipated smartphone of this year and with it comes a slew of cool accessories to enhance a users experience with the device.

Black and White and Red All Over: Why Racial Justice Is a Gospel Issue

By Russell D. Moore

The arguments for racial reconciliation were persuasive, ultimately, to orthodox Christians because they appealed to a higher authority than the cultural captivity of white supremacy. This authority couldn't easily be muted by a claim to a "different interpretation"

CHURCH

Why the Mission of the Church Discussion Still Matters

By Kevin DeYoung

Church

For many churches and many Christians our mission work and mission aims have become indistinguishable from that of any number of humanitarian organizations.

OPINION

Religious Freedom Rallies Bring Christians Together

By Dr. Tony Beam

Woman holds a sign at the Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally, held in New York City on June 8 to protest President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act.

Christians from every walk of life and every religious persuasion are declaring in one voice that we will not be ruled by an out of control, bloated bureaucracy intent on taking our freedom.

OPINION

Where There's a Will, There's a Way

By Ken Connor

Ken Connor

In America, the Left and Right are ever-engaged in a fierce debate over whether we truly are a land of opportunity for all. What, exactly, does equal opportunity mean?

POLITICS

Evangelicals and Climate Change: What Does the Future Hold? (Pt. 1)

By Napp Nazworth

A view of the Runge reservoir in the town of Runge, some 60 km (37 miles) north of Santiago February 3, 2012. Heavy droughts, a result of the La Nina weather front, have hit farms and put reservoirs and underground waters at record low levels, according t

When it comes to the issue of global warming, the label conservative and liberal won't necessarily help you determine if an evangelical Christian is a proponent or skeptic. Why? Because even within the inner core of conservative evangelical circles people are divided over the issue, with both sides asserting that science is clearly on their side.

CP BLOG

No, John Piper . . . It’s NOT a Sin!

By George W. Sarris

“It's sin not to like the true doctrine of election. It's sin not to like what God likes.” So states John Piper in a post dated June 4, and prominently displayed for over a week on the front page of ChristianPost.com. Dr. Piper’s logic is correct. It is ultimately a sin not to like what God in fact likes. However,his premise is wrong.

THEOLOGY

Did the Death of Jesus Accomplish Anything for the Non-Elect?

By John Piper

cross

Frankly, I'm not sure how to answer the question. But I think in telling you why I'm not sure you'll be able to get a grasp on it. In one sense, as soon as we sin we should be punished eternally. We shouldn't get another breath.

CHURCH & MINISTRIES

Is Tithing an Iron-Clad Rule for Christians?

By Lillian Kwon

church offering

The question remains for many Christians today: Does the Bible require believers to tithe (or give 10 percent of their income) just as God's followers did in the Old Testament?

CP BLOG

How To Deal With Disappointment

By Duke Taber

All through life's journey, we get disappointed by people. They tell us that they will do something and they don't, or they behave in ways that bring harm to you or themselves or people you love. They do dumb things. Just today I shared with my church the need to have patience and forebearance.

MISSIONS

Reverse Missions to the 'Dark Continent' (Part 1)

By Wallace Henley

wallace henley

"This is such a dark place." The irony stopped me in my tracks. The speaker was Jonas Kouassi-Zessia, an African émigré to Europe who had planted a church there. In the 19th and 20th centuries Europe – and America – was sending missionaries to Africa. Europeans and Americans referred to Africa as the "Dark Continent."

PASTORS

Pastors: You Need to Grow Too

By Eric Mason

pulpit

Being a pastor can be one of the most enjoyable and fruitful roles to play in the scheme of God's redemptive story. It is this growth toward being more like Christ that drives what we do. We're driven to see the church grow, people grow, and gospel opportunities grow. However, if we're not careful, the most important area of growth can become neglected, our own spiritual growth.

OPINIONS

Temperance: The Least-Understood Virtue

By Eric Metaxas

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!

CP BLOG

Profile of a Hatetheist

By Robin Schumacher

Over the past six or so years, I’ve engaged in many dialogs with individuals who claim that God does not exist. The typical label applied to such a person is atheist. However, with all the conversations and interactions I’ve had, I see a distinct pattern emerging between an atheist and someone that instead I believe can be categorized as a hatetheist.

COLUMN

Cheap Law

By Tullian Tchividjian

Tullian Tchividjian

Jesus shows unambiguously that the greatest obstacle to getting the gospel is not "cheap grace" but "cheap law" – the idea that God accepts anything less than the perfect righteousness of Jesus.

THEOLOGY

Can Deliberate Sin Negate Your Conversion Experience?

By Dan Delzell

worship

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?

CP BLOG

Why I Am Not a Catholic (Part 2)

By Michael Greiner

Then he invited me to hear the glories of the Roman church. I politely let him know that I respected his zeal, since I myself was once part of the Roman church, but was no longer. I thought that would slow him down. Not a chance. He drilled in deeper.

CP BLOG

The UnSexy Early Church

By Christian Post Guest Voices

There seems to be a widespread feeling of romanticism in many of the minds of modern Christians that the early church was; firing on all cylinders, sharing everything in common, passing the love around to each other and totally committed to God. I’m sorry to crumble your picture of the early church but it has to come down.

ENTERTAINMENT

Upcoming Film 'Hellbound?' Explores Ugly Debate on Hell

By Lillian Kwon

Hellbound

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

Fetus

"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

Southern Baptist

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.

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