Though the research leaves open the possibility of divine intervention, investigators don't claim any "miraculous event." They instead focus on scientifically quantifiable factors, such as prayer's ability to prime a more selfless state of mind. "This is not an attempt to proselytize; our position is one of absolute neutrality," says study co-author Frank Fincham, a world expert on relationship science.
Read moreA religious revolution is transforming Indonesia. Part of the spiritual blossoming entails Muslims embracing a more conservative form of faith, mirroring global trends that have meant a proliferation of headscarves and beards in modern Islamic capitals. More surprising, though, is the boom in Christianity - officially Indonesia's second largest faith and a growing force throughout Asia.
Read moreThe Great Omission
It is so obvious. Indeed it is so clear that I am surprised at my neglect of this factor. Stated simply, the evangelistic churches that I have researched for the past twenty years have one or more highly evangelistic Christians.
Read moreWith tomorrow being designated Internet Evangelism Day (by the Internet Evangelism Coalition), Michelle Diedrich of GMO said she wants "to change the way we think" about the Internet.
"We are the first generation - ever - to hold in our hands the technology to give every person on earth multiple chances to accept Jesus Christ," Ms. Diedrich, GMO's communications director, said in the Wednesday seminar.
Read moreLight for the Nations
I. The Covenant background
The theme I have been asked to address is being a 'Light for the nations'. Yesterday we heard about being a Covenant People. In the Covenant with Abraham we note that Abraham was called by God to be a blessing to the nations. In Gen 18:19 we note that Yahweh says:
Illust Covt. Walking between the Pieces - Gen 15:17 - Yahweh binds himself on oath. His word is backed up by his life.
Read moreThis, along with the Great Commission, is a well-known text for mission. Few of us could deny that in our contexts there are crowds of harassed and helpless people, like sheep without a shepherd. They are the harvest, and the harvest is, indeed, plentiful. Isaiah records God asking, "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?"
Read moreHoly Trinity is best known as the place where the Alpha Course-which teaches seekers the basics of the Christian faith-launched in the late 1970s and has since been used by over 13 million people worldwide. Tomlin, who has led several Alpha courses, says the class works "because it offers an unthreatening, lively context in which to hear more about Christianity, but crucially also the chance to disagree, debate, and tell stories.
Read more"I feel like this (the story) is a testimony of God's faithfulness to people called into places that are risky and people who respond to that call to go to the places that most people wouldn't go," said Henry O. Arnold, co-author of the book Kabul24 and producer of the documentary version of the story, in an interview last week.
Read moreThe revelation angered some church leaders, who eventually asked Bennett to resign. "His experience was explosive because the Episcopal Church is known to be a very proper, intellectual and historic church," said Rita Bennett, the rector's widow and president of the Christian Renewal Association in Edmonds, Wash. "Some people were happy and said they wanted to be prayed over too. But others were not happy at all. They didn't understand."
Read moreThat percentage hasn't changed over the past 31 years. An unscientific poll conducted over the past four months by ETF asking respondents which they favor - the 1928 Book of Common Prayer (BCP) or the 1979 revision - has shown that the percentage favoring the traditional BCP has held steady despite more than three decades of diluted liturgy. The poll does not reveal how many respondents are still in the Church.
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