Friday, January 10, 2014

Should Christians Read Through the Entire Bible i... | Christianity Today

Should Christians Read Through the Entire Bible i... | Christianity Today: "More than 7.5 million reading plans were completed by YouVersion users last year (25 of its 700+ are whole-Bible plans). BibleGateway.com will begin tracking completion rates for its 15 plans this year. We asked several experts whether Christians should try to read through the whole Bible in a year. We've arranged their answers below along a spectrum from the "yes" answers at the top to "no" answers at the bottom."

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Will Utah Eventually End America's Same-Sex Marriage Debate? | Gleanings | ChristianityToday.com

Will Utah Eventually End America's Same-Sex Marriage Debate? | Gleanings | ChristianityToday.com: "Yesterday's emergency ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court not only ended a record run of nearly 1,000 marriages in Utah. The apparently unanimous decision to temporarily restore Utah's state law banning same-sex marriages suggests this case could be the legal battle both sides of the debate have been waiting for."

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Aiming for 'Effective Anger': The Top 50 Countries Where It's Hardest To Be a Christian | Gleanings | ChristianityToday.com

Aiming for 'Effective Anger': The Top 50 Countries Where It's Hardest To Be a Christian | Gleanings | ChristianityToday.com: "Twice as many Christians were killed for their faith in 2013 as in 2012, according to the latest report on the world's top 50 violators of Christian religious freedom.
However, the 2014 World Watch List (see full list below) from Open Doors International—which notes the increased impact of "failed states" and reveals its methodology for the first time—calculates a far lower total for Christian martyrdoms than recent estimates by other groups."

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Thursday, January 9, 2014

Watchman Fellowship, Inc. - James vs. Paul: Salvation by Grace or Works?

Watchman Fellowship, Inc. - James vs. Paul: Salvation by Grace or Works?: "Is salvation by faith in Christ alone or in faith plus works?

This is one of the most important questions that must be answered when Christians witness to those in the cults.

Almost uniformly, cults teach that salvation is obtained through a combination of a person's faith plus works."

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How to begin learning the Bible

How to begin learning the Bible: "1. Pray. Tell God that you want to study the Bible. Ask Him to provide everything you need (e.g., a Bible, uninterrupted time, motivation, self-discipline, confidence, concentration). Ask Him to give you wisdom to schedule a daily time slot for Bible reading and prayer."

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King James Bible Facts and Statistics

King James Bible Facts and Statistics: "The system of chapters was introduced in A.D. 1238 by Cardinal Hugo de S. Caro, while the verse notations were added in 1551 by Robertus Stephanus, after the advent of printing."

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The Deaths of the 12 Apostles | When & How the 12 Apostles died.

The Deaths of the 12 Apostles | When & How the 12 Apostles died.: "Summary:  The Bible only mentions the deaths of two apostles, James who was put to death by Herod Agrippa I in 44 AD and Judas Iscariot who committed suicide shortly after the death of Christ.    The details of the deaths of three of the apostles (John, the Beloved, Bartholomew and Simon the Canaanite) are not known at all, either by tradition or early historians. The deaths of the other seven apostles are known by tradition or the writings of early Christian historians.  According to traditions and the Bible, eight of the Apostles died as Martyrs.  At least two of the Apostles, Peter and Andrew were crucified."

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The Comfort Zone: Words of Comfort: Galileo wasn't an atheist.

The Comfort Zone: Words of Comfort: Galileo wasn't an atheist.: ""Galileo was censured by the church, and he's far from the only example. When the church would claim dominion over that which rightfully belongs to science, then atheists have every right to be angry at it for preventing human advancement. Would we have ever landed on the moon if the church had kept convincing everyone the Earth was flat?”"

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Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Why Evangelism Is Hard, But Necessary

Why Evangelism Is Hard, But Necessary: " have been leading a ministry called “Dare 2 Share” for the last twenty years or so. During that timeframe we’ve had the privilege of inspiring and equipping a half million teenagers to share their faith. We truly believe that, because 85% of those who trust in Jesus do so by 18 years of age, a student-led movement of teenagers reaching teenagers with the gospel can transform this nation for Christ."

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The Alabama Baptist - A Resource for Christian Living

The Alabama Baptist - A Resource for Christian Living: "I am laying aside our weekly study of the book of Acts to do something I rarely do on Sunday mornings: address the most discussed issue of this moment.

Gay "marriage" is being thrust upon us constantly by the media and in our courts. A message this week by Lee Strobel challenged pastors to equip their people to respond to the challenges to our faith. I felt impelled by the Holy Spirit to preach this sermon — not necessarily to spark debate on this issue, but to help the Christian in the pew know how to respond when this issue is raised.

Too often we Christians are known more for what we are against than who we are for. We are for people."

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