Puritan preachers taught that the Roman Catholic view was unbiblical, even satanic. They cited Paul, who said that the prohibition of marriage is a doctrine of devils (1 Tim. 4:1–3). Even the Puritan definitions of marriage implied the conjugal act. For example, Perkins defines marriage as “the lawful conjunction of the two married persons; that... Continue Reading

The extraordinary, subversive book, with its lessons on charity, compassion and respect for others inspired generations to rebel against tyrannies of all kinds – dictators, addictions, vices. Men and women dedicated their lives to its teachings – and were ready to die for it. But today it seems that a host of martyrs lost their... Continue Reading

Here’s where we find the genius and hope of Ecclesiastes. Not in denying reality, but in redeeming it, where ‘under the sun’ holds the harsh reality but not the answer. The answer is not found in reformation but in transformation, and that not in ourselves but by the redemptive plan and hand of God. In... Continue Reading

False accusations of blasphemy, forced marriages, and social hostility face Christians in Pakistan, where many view non-Muslims as a lower class and not even Pakistani, according to International Christian Concern’s William Stark. Pakistan’s anti-blasphemy law makes it illegal to speak against Islam. Todd Nettleton, director of media development at Voice of the Martyrs, said the... Continue Reading

Barrett claimed to be shocked by the school’s action. But it appears that he was purposefully dishonest. He told the Boston Globe that he was raised a Catholic and that he was informed by school officials during the interview process that employees are expected to follow Catholic doctrine. However, he did not tell the school that he was openly... Continue Reading

We weren’t “ready” for marriage. We hadn’t tried it out. According to conventional wisdom, we were “unprepared.” We didn’t take a turn in the Marriage Simulator. We didn’t live together for seven years and slowly glide into it. We were two, apart, only dating — courting, really — until we were one. We were unmarried,... Continue Reading

Mayor de Blasio said Monday that he’d move forward with closing schools for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, two Muslim holy days, and for Lunar New Year. But he was hesitant regarding Hindu festival Diwali… A spokesman for the Indian community appealed to the mayor to recognize the Hindu holiday.   New York City is... Continue Reading

A report in the U.K. Telegraph says that a decade after the U.S. government overthrew Saddam Hussein’s secular regime, the Christian population has dropped from over a million to as little as 200,000.   Some church buildings in Iraq were built as far back as the ninth century. Even though many of these structures have survived, they... Continue Reading

Doesn’t it seem that when a pitcher thinks about how he looks as he’s throwing the ball, and demands applause after each curve ball, he’s on the way to the minors? Could one of the reasons for problems from divorce to politics to decreased church attendance be that we demand complete satisfaction?    On these... Continue Reading

The U.K.-based publication Christian Today quotes research as saying attacks on Christians have increased in the last twenty years because local Christian mission groups have been helping the poor people – Dalits and Tribals – with social needs. The research shows these groups have been empowered by Christians through the gospel, education and social support, and have... Continue Reading