John Piper took the unusual step of interviewing famed pastor Rick Warren and giving him a chance to address the countless criticisms he has received since the publication of The Purpose Driven Life.The entire 98-minute talk was centered on doctrine, which Warren admitted he was rarely asked of in interviews. But with 40 years of "seriously" studying Scripture under his belt, Warren had no problem discussing the central tenets of Christianity with a preacher whose Reformed camp has been less than kind to Warren. The interview was recorded earlier this month and released on Friday. Piper, well aware of Warren's critics, distanced himself from them."Frankly, I'm appalled at the kinds of slander that have been brought against this book by people whose methods of critique, if they were consistently applied to the Bible, would undo it as the Word of God," Piper said, referring to The Purpose Driven Life. "I'm one of these Reformed types and my types tend to get on your case pretty often." Watch interview here.

Tim Staples, the Director of Apologetics and Evangelization at Catholic Answers,has challenged me to a written debate on the topic of "Once Saved, Always Saved." The debate will take place over the next 5 months and then be presented in This Rock, the monthly magazine of Catholic Answers. Staples was raised a Southern Baptist, but later enrolled at the Jimmy Swaggart Bible College and became a youth minister with the Assembly of God community. In 1988 he converted to Catholicism and spent the following six years in formation for the Catholic priesthood. When he realized his calling was not to the priesthood, he left the seminary in 1994 and began working in Catholic apologetics and evangelization. 

The debate will include 5 exchanges of 350 words each from each writer. I will be taking the position that the Gospel of Jesus Christ promises eternal, everlasting life to those God justifies.

A dispute between Jack Van Impe and the Trinity Broadcasting Network arose over the issue of advocating "Chrislam" and other efforts seeking to find "common ground" between Christians and Muslims. TBN declined to air one of Van Impe's programs that contained sharp criticisms of leaders such as Rick Warren of "The Purpose Driven Life" fame and Robert Schuller. The dispute erupted last week, when Van Impe's ministry said they would expose Christians who want to incorporate beliefs or practices of Islam into their Christian organizations. Van Impe said, "When I see heretical teaching leading to apostasy, I will speak out."

Editor's Note: We commend Jack for speaking out against those who are seeking unity between Muslims and Christians, but we wonder where his discernment was when he said the Catechism of the Catholic Church blessed his heart. Please let us know your thoughts on this. Read more.

Dear Mike and Jane,

The Catholic and Protestant churches are looking more and more similar every day as they drift from Christian precepts into humanism and the spirit of Antichrist. The people who did not like your teaching are people who cannot stand to move themselves off center stage long enough to see past themselves to the glory of Christ. We know that the words of God are heard in a life changing way by only a few, remnant. We know of no other couple in America that share our beliefs as closely as you, and we thank God to know you are there. We rest in the knowledge that Christ will be glorified by all in due time Come Lord Jesus, Come. C.C. Mariaville, ME

Pope Benedict XVI has formed a commission to investigate if Our Lady truly appeared in Medjugorje, a small town in Bosnia. The commission is part of the Congregation for the Doctrine of  the Faith and Cardinal Camillo Ruini will preside over the commission. He is the pope's former vicar of Rome's diocese. Ruini's goal will be to explain to the pope what's happening at the sanctuary which has become the third most visited site in Europe. Allegedly, at least 6 people have witnessed the Virgin's apparitions there since 1981. Aside from the large crowds of pilgrims who visit the sanctuary, the Vatican has not commented on the alleged apparitions, but in 1991 the local bishops said they were not aware of any supernatural apparitions. This investigation will put an end to any doubts and it'll be critical for the millions of pilgrims who visit this shrine every year. Watch video.

The nature of deception is such that no one knows they are deceived until they are confronted with the truth. Tragically many go to their graves not knowing they embraced the fatal lie that good people go to heaven. As Christians, you and I have been entrusted with the truth and we must share it with those who are lost. We must point them to the only Way to the Father (John 14:6). Only the truth of God's Word can expose the lies of the devil. May God help us to be more faithful to His Great Commission as we encounter people throughout the day. Leaving Gospel tracts with people is a good way to sow the imperishable seed of God's Word. To order the thought provoking Gospel tract "Have You Ever Been Deceived?" click here.

Central United Methodist Church is spreading the word that homosexuality is a gift from God. The church announced it is "intended to be a gift to those who have experienced hurt and discrimination because of their real or perceived sexual orientation." Jeff Buchanan, the director of Exodus Church Equipping & Student Ministries, agrees that the Church must display love and compassion for those in the LGBT community. But he opposes the message that CUMC is sending through their "Being Gay is a Gift from God" campaign. "Why would God bestow this 'gift' only to condemn it throughout the Bible? The Toledo church is hoping to move the public towards tolerance, and not perpetuate anti-gay attitudes and behaviors, which were harming the LGBT community. Read more.

Asking questions is a highly effective method of evangelism.The Lord Jesus asked hard questions of the religious people of His day who were blinded by religious traditions. This message offers similar questions for Roman Catholics that will hopefully provoke them to examine the object of their faith. The second message on this DVD looks at Roman Catholicism through the lens of Scripture. Many Catholics and Evangelicals do not know how diametrically opposed the two faiths are when it comes to life's most critical issues. By denying the supreme authority of Scripture and the sufficiency of Jesus Christ, Catholicism has created another gospel that is powerless to save souls. Order here.