Kim Davis, an elected official in Rowan County, was scheduled to appear in court Thursday on contempt charges for refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples.

Source: Kentucky Clerk Seeks Same-Sex Marriage License Reprieve

Reuter’s points out that Kim Davis, who continues to make headlines, is an Apostolic Christian, a member of a conservative Anabaptist group that settled in the American Midwest. The “ACs” are known for their deep personal faith commitment and also for patriotism, though members of the church do not fill combat roles in the military.

When Pope Francis arrives in the U.S., he will find a Catholic public that is remarkably accepting of a variety of non-traditional families, according to a new survey on family life, sexuality and Catholic identity.

Source: U.S. Catholics Open to Non-Traditional Families | Pew Research Center

This recent survey of American Catholicism provides interesting insights about the current state of the church.

A prophecy regarding the upcoming Blood Moon predicts the end of the world sometime between September 21 to September 28.

Source: Blood Moon Prophecy: Christians Predict End Of The World On Lunar Eclipse : News : Food World News

The prophecy hounds are at it again, opening the book of Revelation alongside their newspaper to predict the end of the world. In contrast, Jesus clearly teaches that no one knows the day or the hour of His return (Matthew 24:36). Predictors this time include John Hagee, Mark Blitz, and Efrain Rodriguez, according to the article.

“+NDXOXCHWDRGHDXORVI+” — Does that mean anything to you?

Source: British Library needs help deciphering inscription on this medieval sword

This blade inscription begins and ends with crosses and may include a Christian invocation, written in code or abbreviations. A good place to start searching for a solution would be in the Psalms, if any patterns in language should appear.

Source: The Christian purge has begun: Chaplains banned from preaching that homosexuality is a sin | Fox News

The chaplains who were locked out had served as many as thirteen years offering God’s Word and counsel to troubled youth. The state now requires chaplains to agree that homosexuality is not sinful in order for them to visit prisoners.

BORGOMANERO — Two months ago, they were desperately boarding boats along the Libyan coast to escape poverty and the revenge of Islamist terror group

Source: Italy’s New Gospel Choir, Whose Members Fled Boko Haram

These women met one another after making the crossing to Italy. They formed an inspirational choir that sings Nigerian hymns. Compelling personal stories of faith and freedom.

The ancient city of Norcia in central Italy is known for its wild boar sausages and black truffles, but now it’s known for something else: Its singing monks.

Source: Singing monks in Italian city of Norcia top the charts

Gregorian chant continues to draw a broad audience of listeners who reveal in its sacred and peaceful tones. The article describes a number of monastic choirs that have produced widely purchased cds.

A Quran manuscript long held by a British university is now believed to be among the world’s oldest, written close to the time of the prophet Mohammed.

Source: Quran manuscript dated to beginnings of Islam

This Quran is written in Hijazi Arabic. The Hijazi were Christians at this time. Their script (see above) looks remarkably like Early Christian Syriac. Many church fathers regarded Islam as a type of Christian heresy, since Mohammed includes elements of Christian teaching in his writings but departs from the Scriptures on key points such as the divinity of Christ.

Growing conservative disaffection with Pope Francis appears to be taking a toll on his once Teflon-grade popularity in the U.S.

Source: Pope Francis’ approval ratings slump sharply in U.S.

Since I’ve been tracking news stories about Christianity, I have noticed that he press does love to write about Francis, providing major stories on his every move. This could certainly explain his initial popularity and perhaps now his decline in popularity as his views on particular issues become more apparent. One thing is very apparent: Pope Francis is not an American capitalist.

Source: Review of Biblical Literature

The Epistle to Diognetus (with the Fragment of Quadratus): Introduction, Text, and Commentary explores how the letter was written. The author assumes it was first created orally and then committed to writing and editing.