3.3.2017
It’s illegal, or at least dangerous, for Muslims to convert in Muslim-majority countries.
CHR Comment: Jesus began appearing to the father in his dreams. Several months later the whole family was baptized. One bishop reports over 100 such Baptisms at his church alone.
Source: Why some Muslim Syrian refugees are converting to Christianity
3.3.2017
New polls show that, while support for a travel ban has dropped among most religious faiths, it has grown among Evangelicals – a sign of their cultural evolution and growing bond with the Trump administration.
CHR Comment: The article argues that Evangelicals have a “Christian America” theology, which feels threatened by Islam.
Source: Why Evangelicals are Trump’s strongest travel-ban supporters – CSMonitor.com
2.27.2017
And so are our impossible expectations for them.
CHR Comment: According to Barna, one out of eleven Protestant clergy in America is a woman, though they tend to serve smaller congregations.
Source: Study: Female Pastors Are on the Rise | CT Women | Christianity Today
2.26.2017
The influential Reformed leader is moving away from his NYC pulpit as his church becomes three.
CHR Comment: Keller will continue service to the broader church by teaching at Reformed Theological Seminary in New York.
Source: Tim Keller Stepping Down as Redeemer Senior Pastor | News & Reporting | Christianity Today
2.25.2017
The 1,500-year-old structure, now a museum, has symbolized Turkey’s secular society.
CHR Comment: The article rehearses some of the history, noting the shift in Turkish society away from secularism toward emphasizing Islamic heritage at the expense of Christian heritage.
Source: Turks push to turn iconic Hagia Sophia back into a mosque
2.23.2017
The pontiff criticizes those who claim to be ‘very Catholic’ but won’t pay workers a fair wage.
CHR Comment: Hypocrisy was the target of Francis’s comments on economic issues. He also warned against confidence that God would forgive such hypocrisy.
2.23.2017
An L.A. artist created a statue called “False Idol” that features The Life of Pablo’s artist’s likeness.
CHR Comment: A pop culture use of the story of Jesus’ crucifixion as commentary on the Hollywood culture of attacking its own idols.
Source: A Gold Kanye West Jesus Statue Appears In Downtown L.A.
2.21.2017
In interview, front-runner Geert Wilders says anti-immigrant fervor is sweeping Europe.
CHR Comment: Wilders sees Christian and Jewish values as foundational to Dutch society. An example of European politics looking to religion for direction.
2.21.2017
His Fellowship is the force behind DC discipleship and the National Prayer Breakfast.
CHR Comment: Coe formed the Foundation Fellowship, which counseled political leaders. He started out as a Methodist youth pastor.
Source: Died: Doug Coe, Humble Faith in the Halls of Power | News & Reporting | Christianity Today
2.21.2017
An “average” church pastor is the president of the 2017 Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference.
CHR Comment: The article describes the election of a smaller church pastor to the presidency of the Pastor’s Conference and highlights differences between leadership from larger churches and from smaller churches, where most Southern Baptists attend.
church history review 