Why Catholic Schools Are Reconsidering Common Core

edengelbrecht6Leave a comment

In light of recent backlash against implementation of the controversial learning standards in public schools, private Catholic schools around the country are reconsidering Common Core and how it may fit within the Catholic mission.

CHR Comment: Mission is the key element in these changes. Common Core is designed to prepare children for college, which is important. But Roman Catholic educators wish to reestablish the spiritual goals of their work: creating faithful believers who will go to heaven.

Source: Why Catholic schools are reconsidering Common Core – CSMonitor.com

Pope Francis Declares Extraordinary Jubilee

edengelbrecht6Leave a comment

Pope Francis opened the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica on Tuesday, marking the beginning of the Jubilee of Mercy — a special Holy Year, amid heightened security. More than 10 million pilgrims are expected.

CHR Comment: While visiting the Central African Republic, Pope Francis announced an extraordinary Jubilee. According to the article, a jubilee of mercy and indulgences typically occurs every 25 years. But Pope Francis has declares this new one after only 15 years.

Source: Pope Francis opens Holy Door to begin Jubilee of Mercy

Vatican Appoints PricewaterhouseCoopers to Audit Accounts

edengelbrecht6Leave a comment

For the first time the Vatican submits its finances to an external auditor as part of Pope Francis’ bid to bring greater transparency to the Catholic Church.

CHR Comment: To learn more about the financial controversy, visit the second link below.

Source: Vatican appoints PricewaterhouseCoopers to audit accounts – BBC News

https://churchhistoryreview.org/2015/11/03/vatican-arrests-2-accused-of-leaking-documents/

World’s Largest Christian University Allows Concealed Firearms

edengelbrecht61 Comment

The president of Liberty University urged his students Friday to carry concealed firearms on campus, adding to diverse university rhetoric on the issue of gun control.

CHR Comment: Christian traditions differ significantly on the issue of bearing arms. For example, many Anabaptist groups are committed to pacifism. The Falwell family church, Thomas Road Baptist Church, is affiliated with the Baptist Bible Fellowship and the Southern Baptist Convention. English Baptists have traditionally supported self-defense, the right to bear arms, and just war.

Source: Liberty University students urged to carry guns. Do other schools agree? – CSMonitor.com

Praying During Times of Tragedy

edengelbrecht6Leave a comment

Why do Christians keep offering prayers every time there is an act of terror, civil unrest or a natural disaster? To many in our world, praying to God at times like these seems foolish and even ina…

CHR Comment: Recent political comments about turning to prayer in times of tragedy sparked this helpful article on why Christians turn to God in prayer. The article illustrates that prayer is not inaction but a most appropriate action for a Christian to take.

Source: Praying During Times of Tragedy

11 Facts You Might Not Know about Christmas Trees

edengelbrecht6Leave a comment

From contentious early history to new scientific experiments, these facts will help you see this holiday fixture anew.

CHR Comment: The use of trees in Christmas celebrations first appeared in the medieval period in northern Europe, not during the era of the “Early Church” as the article states (the examples are from the Age of Orthodoxy after the Reformation). Christmas trees likely came from the customs of burning trees/logs during the darkest days of winter since the winter solstice falls near the time of Christmas (December 25). Although some church leaders opposed the use of the trees, others saw no harm in it. The second link, from the History Channel, provides further information.

Source: 11 Facts You Might Not Know About Christmas Trees | Mental Floss

http://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas-trees

Prayer Described as Inaction

edengelbrecht6Leave a comment

The front cover of New York’s ‘Daily News’ for Thursday takes a strong stance against how some politicians are reacting to the San Bernardino shooting with calls for prayer instead of tighter gun control laws.

CHR Comment: Christians may too easily say, “I am praying about it” or “I will pray for you” instead of “fixing” things, as the front cover of New York Daily News complains (see second link below). Yet ruling out prayer as part of the solution is also unhelpful. Underneath the headlines are differing views about the problems of gun violence and mass shootings in America. One group sees gun laws as the source of the problem or part of the solution. Another group sees mental health care as the trigger to the problem. By faith, Christians may view prayer as sincere action and seek God’s guidance on what they should do to address this very real issue in modern life.

Source: ‘Daily News’ provokes with cover on Calif. shooting: ‘God isn’t fixing this’

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/gop-candidates-call-prayers-calf-massacre-article-1.2453261