Author: edengelbrecht6

Death Penalty Repeal Gains Support from Latino Evangelicals

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Roman Catholics, Latino and African American Evangelicals share a common opposition to capital punishment. White Evangelicals are key religious supporters of capital punishment, which remains legal in 32 states. In tension would be biblical teaching on the topic, which clearly supports capital punishment (e.g., Paul’s comments about the sword in Romans 10 and numerous laws in the Books of Moses), and issues of justice since bias and legal processes have been proven to be unfair in some cases. It is worth noting that St. Paul himself died from capital punishment. According to tradition, he was beheaded under the emperor Nero.

Death Penalty Repeal Gains Support from Latino Evangelical Co… | Gleanings | ChristianityToday.com.

Rev. Lyle E. Schaller Dies at 91. Church Growth Consultant

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Highly influential church growth consultant, Lyle Schaller, taught sociological principles to churches, which made them more attractive and effective in gaining audiences. His approach helped shape modern churches, although it also raised concerns about whether sociology should trump biblical theology’s emphasis on God’s role in conversion and the role of tradition in guiding congregational life. Rev. Lyle E. Schaller Dies at 91; Helped Protestant Churches Survive and Grow – NYTimes.com.

What Did Jesus Look Like? National Geographic

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These depictions of Jesus provide a pretty good overview. However, when the article asserts that Jesus was not depicted with a beard until the fourth century, I would question that conclusion. The fresco at Dura Europos (second image) might have included a beard on Jesus’ chin. The state of the image makes it difficult to tell. Other early depictions borrowed from existing Greco-Roman depictions of gods or heroes (think stock art), who typically did not have beards. So the evidence is not quite so helpful for determining how to depict Jesus.

Isaiah 50:6 speaks prophetically about Jesus’ suffering and describes Him as bearded. That prophecy may have helped settle early Christian depictions that became standard in later centuries. It would be interesting to research the history of interpretation for Isaiah 50. That Jesus was of Jewish descent is beyond dispute.

The Evolving Look of Jesus – Killing Jesus Gallery – National Geographic Channel.

Julio Ribeiro. Indian Christians. History of Conversion

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Julio Ribeiro is a retired police officer who was a leading figure in India’s governance in decades past. He recently offered complaint about religiously motivated violence in India and the role of mass conversions in sparking such violence. This two part article offers analysis in view of India’s history. It is not an easy read but does help one sort through the roles of Hindu, Muslim, and Christian views in the present conflict as well as the history contributing to such conflict. Key to the author’s argument is the role of the caste system in holding people back and that people chose to convert to other religions in order to escape the dominant caste system.

via Part 1: Julio Ribeiro and the choices before Indian Christians | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis.

Part 2: Julio Ribeiro and the choice before Indian Christians.

Early Christian Persecution Compared with Modern. Jonathan Cahn

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This article begins with news that Christian author, Jonathan Cahn will speak at the United Nations about Christian persecution by radical Muslims. The end of the article provides some history on persecution. However, I think some of the history is a bit off. Early on, the Muslims valued the Christians in the Roman Empire because they needed their help in making functional government after their conquests. There were pressures to convert but the most intense persecution from Muslims came much later.

‘Harbinger’ author to speak at United Nations.