According to Voice of the Martyrs (VOM), more than 70,000 Christians have been displaced and forced to live in refugee camps:"At the Peyton Sahi relief camp which houses 35 families and 130 distraught tribals, Chabila Naik, a man who ran an orphanage for 50 children in Sarangada spent three days in the forest after their houses and churches were razed [with fire]. He has not been reunited with the children," VOM sources said. Stories coming from persecuted believers in Orissa are heartbreaking. Christians spent days hiding in the forest following the attacks that erupted on August 24, after … [Read more...] about More than 70,000 Christians displaced in Orissa, India
Culture
Thinking Biblically About Facebook
Justin Buzzard offers some wise thoughts. [Full disclosure: I occasionally get on (find someone, add a friend), but I mostly read the occasional notes in my e-mail. Per my choice, my wife has my Facebook password and time on the site is strictly monitored. Otherwise I simply cannot control the vortex!] … [Read more...] about Thinking Biblically About Facebook
How To Argue Like Jesus
Hot off the press (as in, today) is this new book by Joe Carter and John Coleman, How to Argue like Jesus: Learning Persuasion from History's Greatest Communicator. Many of you will recognize Joe as the founder of the Evangelical Outpost, now under new management. Joe now blogs at Culture 11. About the book, the Publisher's description: Uses Jesus’ words and actions found in the New Testament to systematically evaluate his rhetorical stylings, drawing real lessons from his teachings that today’s readers can employ. Jesus of Nazareth never wrote a book, held political office, or wielded a … [Read more...] about How To Argue Like Jesus
Abortion After Obama
Joseph Bottum, writing for First Things, pens a compelling, thoughtful essay on what is to become of the pro-life rationale now that Obama has won. He interacts with those who think the issue should "just go away", and gives a prediction on where Obama will go with regard to these matters. On Obama:On abortion, Obama is the complete man, his support so ingrained that even his carefully controlled public speaking can’t help revealing it. He’s not a fanatic about abortion; he’s what lies beyond fanaticism. He’s the end product of hard-line support for abortion: a man for whom the very question … [Read more...] about Abortion After Obama
R.C. Sproul: Principle vs. Pragmatism
Ligonier Ministries has posted Dr. R.C. Sproul's article from the January 2009 issue of Tabletalk. Dr. Sproul observes: What is pragmatism? Pragmatism is the only philosophy native to America. Pragmatism eschews any hope of discovering ultimate truth. It is skeptical with respect to objective principles of righteousness and defines truth as “that which works.” In this philosophy, the end always justifies the means. The driving force behind decisions within the scope of pragmatism is the force of expediency.Sproul's closing paragraph: Expediency is an obscene word. It is the word that is ever … [Read more...] about R.C. Sproul: Principle vs. Pragmatism
Interview (Part II) with Justin Reimer of The Elisha Foundation
This is part II of an interview with Mr. Justin Reimer about a ministry he and his wife launched called The Elisha Foundation. Part I of the interview can be found here. Describe your ministry a bit. What is your vision? Scope? Mission? Our overriding mission is to encourage families of people with special needs (kids and adults) to a more intimate faith in Christ, lived out with passion and love. In our experience we have seen that relational intimacy, faith, passion and real love all commonly suffer in the lives of those affected by a disability or other complication. As the focus shifts … [Read more...] about Interview (Part II) with Justin Reimer of The Elisha Foundation