Robert H. Schuller, founder of the historic Crystal Cathedral Ministries in Garden Grove, Calif., has spoken out about the sale of the church to a Roman Catholic diocese, reassuring concerned observers that the church's beliefs are not going to suddenly change. The 85-year-old minister said he has always respected the Roman Catholic faith and considers it the "mother church." Schuller said he drew inspiration from Catholic Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen who hosted the radio program "The Catholic Hour" for 20 years. Read article here.

 

I would have to say the turning point in my conversion came when it became clear Jesus had not simply died for the sins of the world, but He died for my sins in order to be my Sin-bearer in order to bring me to God (1 Pet 3:18). Prior to that moment I had been taught that Jesus's death and resurrection had made me "savable," but my obedience to the laws and sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church determined whether or not I would truly be saved. Even if I was able to be fairly obedient to the church's demands its teaching virtually guaranteed I would also have to endure a season in Purgatory after death. What is it that pierced this spiritual darkness? It was these simple biblical truths: all of my sin had already been paid for by Christ on Calvary; heaven was not secured by Jesus plus my baptism and religious works; and when Jesus cried out from the cross "It is finished" (meaning: paid in full) He really meant it. The good news of the Gospel transformed me from the inside out. I was born again from above. God had called me and saved me by His initiating grace. Like Paul, the apostle, I had exchanged my self-righteousness for the righteousness of Jesus (Phil 3:9). The changes the true gospel made in my life were immediate. Within one month I sensed a desire to someday be in vocational ministry. Read complete testimony of Pastor Paul Tautges, Immanuel Baptist Church, Sheboygan, WI here.

 

"Peace negotiations in the Middle East must tackle the issue of the status of the holy sites of Jerusalem", Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, head of the Vatican's Council for Interreligious Dialogue, declared several days ago in Rome. The Vatican's former foreign minister asked to place some Israeli holy places under Vatican authority, alluding to the Cenacle on Mount Zion and the garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
The first site also houses what is referred to as King David's tomb.  "There will not be peace if the question of the holy sites is not adequately resolved", Tauran said. "The part of Jerusalem within the walls - with the holy sites of the three religions - is humanity's heritage. The sacred and unique character of the area must be safeguarded and it can only be done with a special, internationally-guaranteed statute". Read complete article here.

 

Mary will lead humanity back to her Son. Mary will free us from the sins of our modern times. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe - She who crushes the head of the serpent, is leading the new evangelization.  The proximity of the apparitions to the site of the temple of the Aztec mother-goddess Tonantzin had an amazing effect on the Aztecs because they saw that Tonantzin (Our Mother) or Teonantzin (God's Mother) was to replace the Aztec mother-goddess. Thus, the Mother of God led the Indigenous people away from the Aztec religion to the Catholic Faith. So, how is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Immaculate Conception connected? A commentary for the Roman Catholic Douay-Rheims translation says "the woman crushes the serpent's head." Read article here. 

Plans to construct multi-million dollar interfaith complex in America's heartland are underway. The new project will be the first development of its kind in the world and hopes to shed light on the similarities between Jews, Muslims and Christians. The new Tri-Faith Project will be developed in Omaha on a former country club and golf course that spans 35 acres and will comprise three sites: Temple Israel, the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska (including a church) and the American Institute of Islamic Studies and Culture (which includes a mosque), as well as the large central Tri-Faith Center connecting the three religious centers for common events and meetings. Read complete article here.

The world's first inter-religious university has completed its first semester. Claremont Lincoln University, once a Methodist seminary, decided to add other religious schools to its program, including several Eastern religions. In June 2010, Claremont School of Theology's president announced the seminary will be partnering with Jewish and Islamic schools to offer training to seminarians of various faiths. Christian students are instructed to refrain from proselytizing during class discussions. Read complete article here.

In response to the statement, "I believe the earth is approximately 6,000 years old," 34 percent of pastors strongly disagree. However, 30 percent strongly agree. Nine percent somewhat disagree, and 16 percent somewhat agree. Read complete article here. For excellent resources on creation and the age of the earth visit Biblical Discipleship Ministries here.