Posts in Christianity
Book Excerpt: Marvin Olasky’s ‘Pivot Points’

(EXCERPT) Whenever we pivot in life, freedom from fear requires either a colossal ego or a colossal God. Ego leads us to grab what is not ours. The path to contentment starts with faith in God. In this sequel to “Lament for a Father,” Marvin Olasky first describes his journey from Judaism to atheism to Marxism to Christ and then his adventures in evangelical, conservative, compassionate, and journalistic circles.  

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Some Theologians Call for ‘Liturgical Audit’ To Combat Antisemitism

Acutely aware of the painful history of Christian participation and complicity in antisemitism, and a sharp increase in antisemitic incidents nationally and globally, Christian scholars and clergy are calling for a new level of reflection and accountability for churches, starting from the pulpit.

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Haiti On The Brink: Did Evangelicals Break The Caribbean Nation?

(ANALYSIS) The news coming from Haiti is not good. It’s not been good for years, for decades, but today it’s even worse. Gangs now control much of the country. It is essentially a failed state, with the lowest per capita income of any country in the Western Hemisphere and among the lowest on the planet. These are hard realities, but evangelicals need to face a hard reality of our own when it comes to Haiti.

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‘Sacred Alaska’: Q&A With Film Director Simon Scionka On Native Culture and Orthodox Spirituality

“Sacred Alaska” is an award-winning, visually stunning documentary with compelling storytelling. The film explores the profound influence of Orthodoxy, brought by St. Herman and Russian monks in the late 18th century, on Native Alaskan society. It also highlights the unique fusion of Native Alaskan indigenous beliefs with Orthodox traditions.

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‘Cabrini’ Biopic Visually Stunning (But Largely Boring) Toxic Outrage

(REVIEW) Angel Studios’ latest film “Cabrini” has haunting visuals and solid messages, but can’t seem to care about the real-life people the movie is based on beyond their status of victim or oppressor. The film follows Catholic nun Francesca Cabrini who, after witnessing poverty in the slums of New York, embarks on a daring journey to help hundreds of orphaned children.

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Why Popular Faith-Based Films Like ‘The Chosen’ Aren’t Nominated For Oscars

Are faith projects such as “The Chosen” not considered for secular awards because of anti-Christian bias? While there is plenty of bias in Hollywood, the reason is a much more complicated one. Film critic Joseph Holmes delves into the issue in time for this Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony.

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Fast Food’s Quest To Feed Body And Soul During Lent And Beyond

Fast food aficionados and practicing Catholics alike are often familiar with the Filet-O-Fish story and how the sandwich was born as a result of Lent. Catholics aren’t the only religious group chain restaurants cater to because of faith and dietary restrictions. Here’s a look at some of the biggest menu options from around the world.

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Christian Nationalism: Is It A Threat To Democracy?

(OPINION) Are you a Christian nationalist if you love Jesus and love your country? Are you a Christian nationalist if you are simply a patriotic Christian? Are you a Christian nationalist if you believe that America was founded on Christian principles and that, the more we adhere to those principles the more our nation will be blessed? And were the Founding Fathers Christian nationalists?

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Christian Women Punished For Praying In Nicaraguan Prisons

Christian women wrongfully imprisoned in Nicaragua have been beaten and denied time outdoors for praying aloud with rosaries, Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported on March 6.

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5 Houses Of Worship To Explore When Visiting Ireland

(TRAVEL) Ireland is a country that offers tourists a captivating blend of stunning landscapes and a rich history, making it an incredibly fun place to visit. The Emerald Isle’s many churches — some 4,000 in all — offers a captivating journey through Ireland's rich religious heritage dating back centuries. In time for St. Patrick’s Day, here are five Catholic houses of worship that stand out.

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Artificial Intelligence And The Pulpit: Should Pastors Accept Help?

As artificial intelligence is rapidly advancing, harnessing its abilities is becoming a frequent topic of conversation among church leaders. More pastors are considering AI’s assistance in various tasks, including creating, developing, and repurposing sermons. Others worry that relying on AI undermines the pastoral calling and threatens to divorce pastors from communicating with God.

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On Religion: Evangelicals And Catholics Share Concerns About The Migrant Crisis

(ANALYSIS) It's clear that both American evangelicals and Catholics feel compelled to show compassion when it comes to the issue of immigration — but also think that when it comes to politics, they seek solutions that include the notion that the enforcement of America's laws is not unkind.

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Religious Freedom Can Be About Recognizing Our Brokenness During Lent

(ANALYSIS) Despite the often polarized views on religious freedom, its essence remains timeless and profound, particularly for Christians. For believers, religious freedom finds its most profound expression in the image of a God baby born over two millennia ago to a virgin. This freedom is not just about the ability to practice one’s faith openly, but also about the freedom to cultivate a personal relationship with Christ and to navigate the intricate tapestry of His church and the world. It's about recognizing our brokenness.

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Connecting With God And Others: How Chaplains Support Denver’s Unhoused

Chaplains have to be delicate on what questions and subjects they talk about if they want to establish a connection. “It can be very difficult because many times, they may feel that they have been abandoned by families and friends and by God. So we will try to help them, hopefully, to understand that we personally do not feel that they are abandoned by God,” said Rene Palacios, director of chaplaincy and community care at the Denver Rescue Mission.

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From Super Bowl-winning Chaplain To Unique Ministry As ‘Life Coach’

For 14 seasons, Pastor Rod Hairston served as a chaplain for the Baltimore Ravens, where he helped the NFL franchise build a winning culture among the front office executives, coaches and players. After two Super Bowl rings and serving as a sports chaplain from Howard University to UCLA, Hairston, 57, is a “life coach” working with couples.

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Pastor Says His ‘Heart Has Kind Of Sunk’ Following Texas Wildfires

Pastor Bob Bynum has become somewhat of a rancher’s helper, wrestling cattle at times and helping when needed among the 20 or so ranchers who worship at Locust Grove Baptist Church. The Smokehouse Creek Fire, the largest in Texas history, came within a mile of a church member’s ranch, Bynum said, but none of the church’s members have reported any direct losses.

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How Catholicism Shaped America Through Movies And The Politics Of Today

(ANALYSIS) Think back to a time well before the internet when anyone could own a little bit of property in the suburbs. “God” had just been added to the pledge and father always knew best. Sound perfect? Great, even? This sepia-infused vision of mid-century America informs an entire political movement today.

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