Virtual Friendship – it trivializes the notion of friendship and it erodes our sense of community.
Electronic culture separates as it disembodies. The paradox is that it links us to folk far away while it separates those from whom we are closest. Let’s begin with a reasonably safe prediction: you are not likely to finish this article. That is not merely because of the prose of the author (though I concede... Continue Reading
On “Dupes” and the Religious Left (Part 3)
Editor’s Note: This is the third part in a continuing series of interviews with Dr. Paul Kengor, Director of the Center for Vision and Values at Grove City College. V&V: Dr. Kengor, picking up from the last segment, what were some of the communist campaigns that successfully duped liberal Christians? Dr. Paul Kengor: The most... Continue Reading
Appeals court grants indefinite stay to lawsuit; leaves “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” enforcement in place
The Senate is expected to attempt to overturn “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” during a post-election, lame-duck session. The House of Representatives approved such legislation with a 234-194 vote in May. The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on November 1 extended its postponement of a federal judge’s suspension of the ban on open homosexuals serving... Continue Reading
PCA Proposed AC Funding Changes more restrictive than current PCUSA Policy, official explains
“It would be a shame if your General Assembly were to adopt a policy more restrictive than the one currently in force in the PCUSA.” “I can’t imagine that the PCA wants to be viewed as MORE draconian than the PCUSA.” The Aquila Report has received permission to reprint what had been a personal email... Continue Reading
Religious Americans Enjoy Higher Well-being
A new analysis of more than 550,000 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index interviews conducted over the last year and a half finds that Americans who are the most religious also have the highest levels of wellbeing The statistically significant relationship between religiousness and wellbeing holds up after controlling for numerous demographic variables. Higher levels of healthy behaviors,... Continue Reading
Life in the Balance – Are We Targeting the Weak?
Here, we learn, as Joni writes, that all humans are created in the image of God, with intrinsic value. In fact, she says, “the image of God is especially mirrored in the weak” and disabled. A young man named Doug made a startling announcement to a friend. “When I get married,” he said, “I hope... Continue Reading
Manhattan Declaration a Year Later: Half a Million Support Pro-Life Values
The authors penned their declaration a year ago not knowing it would spur an international movement. Now, nearly a half million backers have signed the Manhattan Declaration, a “call of Christian conscience” originally spurred by concern that U.S. leaders had lost sight of the meaning of religious freedom. In the months since, the declaration has... Continue Reading
What Bible is the Vatican reading?
Bishops in Rome tossed the theological equivalent of a hand grenade, threatening to blow up decades of efforts to improve Catholic-Jewish relations. This past Saturday, a synod of bishops in Rome tossed the theological equivalent of a hand grenade, threatening to blow up decades of efforts to improve Catholic- Jewish relations. In a press conference... Continue Reading
Practical Shepherding: How much vacation time should a pastor take?
Editor’s Note: This is our first selection from a relatively new blog. Brian Croft is Senior Pastor of Auburndale Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. The name of his blog tells us it’s purpose: Practical Shepherding. We look forward to more articles from this blog in the future. You may begin reading this post with the... Continue Reading
Seven Reasons Halloween Judgment Houses Often Miss the Mark
How many people do you know who came to know Christ through a Halloween “Judgment House” or “Hell House”? If you know one, you’re outpacing me, and everyone I’ve ever talked to about this. 1. They’re not scary enough. To speak of hell, Jesus used the imagery of a garbage dump overun with worms, a... Continue Reading