A few years ago I joined leaders of LifeWay Christian Resources in a meeting with executives of a Nashville TV station. They were preparing to launch a new program catering to gays and lesbians. We asked them to reconsider. Among the TV executives was a lesbian. She wanted to know why Christians couldn’t just accept her for who she is. It was the only time I recall speaking up, and I said something like this: “I accept you for who you are, if you accept me. We are both sinners who … [Read more...]
Pop Quiz: What do you know about Islam?
Islam is the youngest and fastest-growing major religion in the world. But how much do you know about the beliefs and practices that Muhammad and his followers began exporting from the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century? Here’s a chance to test your knowledge. The correct answers follow the quiz. 1. The Arabic word “Islam” means: a) Holy war; b) Allah saves; c) Submission; d) True religion 2. Muslims believe the final written authority from Allah is: a) The Bible; b) The Qur’an; c) The … [Read more...]
Missouri Cooperative Program giving off to fast start in January, February
Missouri Baptists are giving more to missions through the Cooperative Program (CP) so far in 2013, according to just-released figures from the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC). In January and February, CP giving from MBC churches totaled $2.527 million, compared with $2.423 million during the same two months in 2012. That’s an increase of more than 4 percent. In addition, CP giving in the first two months of the year is running nearly 5 percent ahead of budget. Several factors are … [Read more...]
Are religion and science closer than we think?
A Missouri pastor recently sent me a Huffington Post article in which MIT Astrophysicist Max Tegmark assures us that religion and science are much closer than one might suspect, as evidenced by the results of a new MIT Survey on Science, Religion and Origins. You can read the results and view the survey questions on MIT’s website (http://space.mit.edu/home/tegmark/survey.html). Tegmark and his colleagues present a detailed survey of how different U.S. faith communities view the science of … [Read more...]
Why some are cast out of the kingdom?
One of the more humbling experiences from my days in corporate life was being told that my reserved seat on a company jet was revoked at the last minute to make room for a late-arriving executive. Not to worry. I was offered the one remaining seat, located in the plane’s lavatory, where the toilet came equipped with a safety belt. Rather than cool my heels on the tarmac, I swallowed my pride and took my place on the aluminum throne. It reminded me of Jesus’ parable rebuking those who … [Read more...]
Questions for Proof of Heaven’s author
Christian apologetics is more than being ready to give an answer to anyone who asks a reason for the hope in us (1 Pet. 3:15). Sometimes it means asking tough questions of those who deny – or sincerely misunderstand – the Christian faith. A case in point is Eben Alexander, a celebrated neurosurgeon who recently granted an interview with FoxNews.com’s online magazine. Alexander knows a great deal about the human brain, and for years he used that knowledge to refute claims by those who said … [Read more...]
ROB PHILLIPS: The ultimate role model: Jesus or Muhammad?
Muslims have a high regard for Jesus. They believe He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, and spoke prophetic truth. He is in heaven today and is poised to return triumphantly to earth. Yet it is Muhammad to whom Muslims pin their hopes. While they confess Jesus as a prophet, they say Muhammad is the greatest of Allah’s messengers and the one through whom Allah chose to reveal supreme truth in the Qur’an. Therefore, Muhammad, not Jesus, is the ultimate role … [Read more...]
Paul and James in Thunderdome
I like to watch certain films again and again no matter how many times I have seen them. My list of honey-please-back-away-from-the-remote movies includes “Gladiator,” “Saving Private Ryan,” “The Outlaw Josie Wales,” and just about any 007 film. Oh, and don’t forget the Mad Max trilogy starring Mel Gibson. One of my favorite scenes in the third film features Max squaring off against a brutal, masked bodyguard named Blaster in Thunderdome, a caged orb in which the only rule is: “Two men … [Read more...]
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