MercyMe: This is Who We Are
CBN News
February 18, 2008
CBNNews.com - They could never imagine.
Ever since MercyMe made their debut in 2001 with their smash hit, I Can Only Imagine, they have released an album every year except for 2003.
The song was number one on Christian radio, then garnered mainstream success when the song was played on radio stations across the country in 2003. Success of this song was driven by the American public calling in to radio stations begging them to play the song.
Click on the video player to hear more from Mercy Me on the 700 Club.
I Can Only Imagine was written by lead singer Bart Millard in just ten minutes (Bart's father died in 1991 due to cancer).
"When my father died, he left me with the assurance that he was headed to a better place," says Bart. "For several years after his death, I would find myself writing the phrase I can only imagine on anything I could find."
Years later when the band was writing songs for its freshman project, Bart stumbled across an old notebook with the phrase penned on it "I can only imagine." People think it's amazing that Bart wrote the song in a short time.
"Really it had been on my heart for almost ten years," he says. The song continues to comfort grieving people everywhere and is still a favorite on radio playlists nationwide today.
If there ever was a dilemma with the success of that song, it was that the song went mainstream. The band found themselves wondering, "Can we get on Leno again?" They had to get to the point where they didn't care whether they got on late-night television.
"That was probably the first time we really sat down as a band and started asking questions like What is it we are called to do? We realized that for whatever reason, our call is to reach out to the hurting, to help people get through difficult times," says Bart. "We just decided this is who we are and what we are called to do."
All That Is within
Their latest project, All That is Within Me, is an album that came out of the band members' hearts.
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Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Pastor opposes 'sex club' at daughter's high school
Pastor opposes 'sex club' at daughter's high school
Jeff Johnson - OneNewsNow - 2/18/2008 11:00:00 AM
Ken Hutcherson, a pro-family pastor near Seattle, is objecting to the activities of what he calls a "sex club" in his daughter's public high school -- and to the fact that the club is allotted a whole day on the school calendar to promote its agenda. (Editor's note: This story addresses mature subject matter not appropriate for children.)
Pastor Ken Hutcherson is developing a "history," so to speak, with Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie, Washington. When his daughter's senior class invited the pro-family activist to speak on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, two pro-homosexual teachers interrupted the assembly. Hutcherson then had to remove his daughter from one of those teacher's classrooms because of alleged harassment. (See earlier article)
Now Hutcherson is upset because of a poster promoting the Gay Straight Alliance at the school. The poster displays silhouettes of three teenage couples -- one male-female, one female-female, and one male-male -- all embracing in front of a rainbow, as if they are about to kiss. It announces the weekly meetings of the GSA, a teacher-sponsored student group that promotes homosexuality, bi-sexuality, and gender confusion.
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Jeff Johnson - OneNewsNow - 2/18/2008 11:00:00 AM
Ken Hutcherson, a pro-family pastor near Seattle, is objecting to the activities of what he calls a "sex club" in his daughter's public high school -- and to the fact that the club is allotted a whole day on the school calendar to promote its agenda. (Editor's note: This story addresses mature subject matter not appropriate for children.)
Pastor Ken Hutcherson is developing a "history," so to speak, with Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie, Washington. When his daughter's senior class invited the pro-family activist to speak on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, two pro-homosexual teachers interrupted the assembly. Hutcherson then had to remove his daughter from one of those teacher's classrooms because of alleged harassment. (See earlier article)
Now Hutcherson is upset because of a poster promoting the Gay Straight Alliance at the school. The poster displays silhouettes of three teenage couples -- one male-female, one female-female, and one male-male -- all embracing in front of a rainbow, as if they are about to kiss. It announces the weekly meetings of the GSA, a teacher-sponsored student group that promotes homosexuality, bi-sexuality, and gender confusion.
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'Evolution as fact' among Florida's new proposed education standards
'Evolution as fact' among Florida's new proposed education standards
Pete Chagnon - OneNewsNow - 2/18/2008 2:30:00 PM
The Florida State Board of Education will be voting on new educations standards on Tuesday, but one of the more than a dozen "big ideas" being proposed has parents across the state up in arms.
The Board of Education has proposed 18 "big ideas" in an attempt to raise educational standards across the Sunshine State. But one of the supposedly major ideas mandates that evolution be taught as fact, and that it be taught as the "fundamental concept underlying all of biology."
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Pete Chagnon - OneNewsNow - 2/18/2008 2:30:00 PM
The Florida State Board of Education will be voting on new educations standards on Tuesday, but one of the more than a dozen "big ideas" being proposed has parents across the state up in arms.
The Board of Education has proposed 18 "big ideas" in an attempt to raise educational standards across the Sunshine State. But one of the supposedly major ideas mandates that evolution be taught as fact, and that it be taught as the "fundamental concept underlying all of biology."
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China's actions questionable, says Michigan Republican
China's actions questionable, says Michigan Republican
Jim Brown - OneNewsNow - 2/19/2008 8:00:00 AM
Congressman Thad McCotter says a Chinese company's planned buyout of U.S. telecom equipment-maker 3Com threatens national security.
While Chinese nationals are currently facing espionage charges for allegedly selling U.S. military secrets to the communist Chinese government, an executive with a Chinese company looking to take part in the planned buyout of 3Com is lashing out in a profane manner against U.S. lawmakers who warn the deal could threaten America's security.
Huawei Technologies is seeking to buy 16.5 percent of 3Com, which makes cyber-defense technologies used by clients such as the Pentagon. The deal has raised concerns among some lawmakers, including Congressman Thad McCotter (R-Michigan), who calls the buyout proposal a "stealth assault on America's national security."
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Jim Brown - OneNewsNow - 2/19/2008 8:00:00 AM
Congressman Thad McCotter says a Chinese company's planned buyout of U.S. telecom equipment-maker 3Com threatens national security.
While Chinese nationals are currently facing espionage charges for allegedly selling U.S. military secrets to the communist Chinese government, an executive with a Chinese company looking to take part in the planned buyout of 3Com is lashing out in a profane manner against U.S. lawmakers who warn the deal could threaten America's security.
Huawei Technologies is seeking to buy 16.5 percent of 3Com, which makes cyber-defense technologies used by clients such as the Pentagon. The deal has raised concerns among some lawmakers, including Congressman Thad McCotter (R-Michigan), who calls the buyout proposal a "stealth assault on America's national security."
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Colson calls for caution on Muslim call for unity
Colson calls for caution on Muslim call for unity
Allie Martin - OneNewsNow - 2/19/2008 6:00:00 AM
Evangelical Christian leader Chuck Colson says a move by Muslim clerics calling for interfaith cooperation to achieve world peace has no merit until Islamic scholars renounce violence.
More than 250 Christian leaders signed an official response to "A Common Word Between Us and You" -- a document drafted by 138 Muslim scholars and clerics. The document calls for dialogue to foster better relations between Islam and Christianity. It also seeks to reshape Christian and Muslim communities.
But Prison Fellowship founder Chuck Colson says there are many problems with the proposal. "The position I took immediately was Christians ought not to respond until Islam scholars will renounce violence," Colson advises. "So these guys, [these] imams, may be well meaning, but until they're ready to renounce violence, I'm not ready to talk to them. I think it's a mistake to talk to them."
Prominent Christian leaders signing the response included Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church, and Harvard theologian Harvey Cox.
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Allie Martin - OneNewsNow - 2/19/2008 6:00:00 AM
Evangelical Christian leader Chuck Colson says a move by Muslim clerics calling for interfaith cooperation to achieve world peace has no merit until Islamic scholars renounce violence.
More than 250 Christian leaders signed an official response to "A Common Word Between Us and You" -- a document drafted by 138 Muslim scholars and clerics. The document calls for dialogue to foster better relations between Islam and Christianity. It also seeks to reshape Christian and Muslim communities.
But Prison Fellowship founder Chuck Colson says there are many problems with the proposal. "The position I took immediately was Christians ought not to respond until Islam scholars will renounce violence," Colson advises. "So these guys, [these] imams, may be well meaning, but until they're ready to renounce violence, I'm not ready to talk to them. I think it's a mistake to talk to them."
Prominent Christian leaders signing the response included Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church, and Harvard theologian Harvey Cox.
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BREAKING NEWS: Fidel Castro resigns
BREAKING NEWS: Fidel Castro resigns
AP - 2/19/2008 2:10:00 AM
HAVANA - Cuban dictator, Fidel Castro, announced early this morning that he will resign.
In a letter published by Cuba's official media, the ailing leader said he would not accept a new term when the newly elected parliament meets on Sunday.
"I will not aspire nor accept - I repeat I will not aspire or accept, the post of President of the Council of State and Commander in Chief," read a letter signed by Castro published quietly overnight without advance warning in the online edition of the Communist Party daily Granma.
The new National Assembly is meeting for first time Sunday since January elections to pick the governing Council of State, including the presidency Castro holds. There had been wide speculation about whether he would accept a nomination for reelection to that post or retire.
The 81-year-old Castro's overnight announcement effectively ends his rule of almost 50 years over Cuba, positioning his 76-year-old brother Raul for permanent succession to the presidency.
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AP - 2/19/2008 2:10:00 AM
HAVANA - Cuban dictator, Fidel Castro, announced early this morning that he will resign.
In a letter published by Cuba's official media, the ailing leader said he would not accept a new term when the newly elected parliament meets on Sunday.
"I will not aspire nor accept - I repeat I will not aspire or accept, the post of President of the Council of State and Commander in Chief," read a letter signed by Castro published quietly overnight without advance warning in the online edition of the Communist Party daily Granma.
The new National Assembly is meeting for first time Sunday since January elections to pick the governing Council of State, including the presidency Castro holds. There had been wide speculation about whether he would accept a nomination for reelection to that post or retire.
The 81-year-old Castro's overnight announcement effectively ends his rule of almost 50 years over Cuba, positioning his 76-year-old brother Raul for permanent succession to the presidency.
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Bank reserves category goes negative
Bank reserves category goes negative
Fed: We are concerned but not alarmed
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Posted: February 18, 2008
4:16 pm Eastern
By Jerome R. Corsi
© 2008 WorldNetDaily
A new report from the Federal Reserve has confirmed the non-borrowed reserves of U.S. banks plummeted to a negative $18 billion at a recent accounting, reflecting an apparently worsening situation from the negative $8.8 billion reported at the end of January.
The numbers appeared particularly alarming in that the Fed, going back to1959, never before had reported that the non-borrowed reserves of depository institutions had been in the red.
But experts said the assumption bank assets had deteriorated so badly that financial institutions would be bankrupt if the Fed did not provide billions in liquidity to prop up bank balance sheets is alarmist.
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Fed: We are concerned but not alarmed
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Posted: February 18, 2008
4:16 pm Eastern
By Jerome R. Corsi
© 2008 WorldNetDaily
A new report from the Federal Reserve has confirmed the non-borrowed reserves of U.S. banks plummeted to a negative $18 billion at a recent accounting, reflecting an apparently worsening situation from the negative $8.8 billion reported at the end of January.
The numbers appeared particularly alarming in that the Fed, going back to1959, never before had reported that the non-borrowed reserves of depository institutions had been in the red.
But experts said the assumption bank assets had deteriorated so badly that financial institutions would be bankrupt if the Fed did not provide billions in liquidity to prop up bank balance sheets is alarmist.
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Lawmakers want to track charity by sexual orientation
Lawmakers want to track charity by sexual orientation
Bill 'fatally flawed' because it links homosexuals with disadvantaged
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Posted: February 18, 2008
9:07 pm Eastern
© 2008 WorldNetDaily
A law firm says a new plan in the California Legislature to track charity by sexual orientation is fatally flawed because it links homosexuals with the disadvantaged.
The warning comes from the Pacific Justice Institute, whose chief, Brad Dacus, said the proposal from state lawmakers who just a year ago gave taxpayers a mandatory homosexual indoctrination plan in public schools originally would have demanded personal sexual orientation information about board members and employees of charitable organizations.
The organization said the public outcry as well as opposition from pro-familiy organizations to AB 624 prompted its author to delete "some of its most controversial provisions."
But the plan that earlier would have demanded large charities disclose and post on their websites the race, gender and sexual orientations of their board members and staff still requires the collection and posting of race and gender information.
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Bill 'fatally flawed' because it links homosexuals with disadvantaged
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Posted: February 18, 2008
9:07 pm Eastern
© 2008 WorldNetDaily
A law firm says a new plan in the California Legislature to track charity by sexual orientation is fatally flawed because it links homosexuals with the disadvantaged.
The warning comes from the Pacific Justice Institute, whose chief, Brad Dacus, said the proposal from state lawmakers who just a year ago gave taxpayers a mandatory homosexual indoctrination plan in public schools originally would have demanded personal sexual orientation information about board members and employees of charitable organizations.
The organization said the public outcry as well as opposition from pro-familiy organizations to AB 624 prompted its author to delete "some of its most controversial provisions."
But the plan that earlier would have demanded large charities disclose and post on their websites the race, gender and sexual orientations of their board members and staff still requires the collection and posting of race and gender information.
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Counselors ordered to argue for homosexuality
Counselors ordered to argue for homosexuality
Professional association warns doing otherwise may be unethical
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Posted: February 18, 2008
5:00 pm Eastern
© 2008 WorldNetDaily
A ruling by the American Counseling Association that members must not help homosexual clients change their sexual orientation is not sitting well with some in the professional organization who are seeking clarification to avoid “future legal actions.”
The official policy of the ACA is that counselors asked by clients for help in changing their sexual orientation must offer only "gay affirmative" arguments. If the client persists, counselors must explore the "religious influences that underpin homophobia that may be harming the client."
At issue is a ruling from the association concerning clients who seek help in clarifying their sexual orientation as that matching their physical characteristics.
Such questions from clients need to be met with that "gay affirmative" response, the organization's leaders have stated, and if a client insists on seeking such treatment, a counselor who even refers a client to anyone offering reparative counseling could be violating the association's ethical guidelines.
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Professional association warns doing otherwise may be unethical
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Posted: February 18, 2008
5:00 pm Eastern
© 2008 WorldNetDaily
A ruling by the American Counseling Association that members must not help homosexual clients change their sexual orientation is not sitting well with some in the professional organization who are seeking clarification to avoid “future legal actions.”
The official policy of the ACA is that counselors asked by clients for help in changing their sexual orientation must offer only "gay affirmative" arguments. If the client persists, counselors must explore the "religious influences that underpin homophobia that may be harming the client."
At issue is a ruling from the association concerning clients who seek help in clarifying their sexual orientation as that matching their physical characteristics.
Such questions from clients need to be met with that "gay affirmative" response, the organization's leaders have stated, and if a client insists on seeking such treatment, a counselor who even refers a client to anyone offering reparative counseling could be violating the association's ethical guidelines.
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Monday, February 11, 2008
Water or Money?
Water or Money?
by: Evidence Bible at www.LivingWaters.com
If you were offered a handful of $1,000 bills or a glass of cool water, which would you choose? The $1,000 bills, of course—anyone in his right mind would. However, if you were crawling through a desert, dying of thirst, and you were offered a glass of water or a handful of $1,000 bills, which would you take? The water, of course—anyone in his right mind would. That’s called “circumstantial priorities.” Your priorities change according to your circumstances. If there were a way to find everlasting life, would you want to know about it? The answer is “yes,” of course—anyone in his right mind would. What the Bible contains may surprise you.
The Scriptures speak of riches beyond our wildest dreams—the “riches” of everlasting life—and they are offered in the form of cool, clear water: “Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). At the moment, you may not be interested in the offer, but on Judgment Day your circumstances will radically change. Then it will be too late.
by: Evidence Bible at www.LivingWaters.com
If you were offered a handful of $1,000 bills or a glass of cool water, which would you choose? The $1,000 bills, of course—anyone in his right mind would. However, if you were crawling through a desert, dying of thirst, and you were offered a glass of water or a handful of $1,000 bills, which would you take? The water, of course—anyone in his right mind would. That’s called “circumstantial priorities.” Your priorities change according to your circumstances. If there were a way to find everlasting life, would you want to know about it? The answer is “yes,” of course—anyone in his right mind would. What the Bible contains may surprise you.
The Scriptures speak of riches beyond our wildest dreams—the “riches” of everlasting life—and they are offered in the form of cool, clear water: “Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). At the moment, you may not be interested in the offer, but on Judgment Day your circumstances will radically change. Then it will be too late.
'Mom,' 'dad,' banned; now 600,000 students could go
'Mom,' 'dad,' banned; now 600,000 students could go
Alternatives offered to parents worried about 'repudiation' of Christian morals
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Posted: February 07, 2008
12:46 pm Eastern
By Bob Unruh
© 2008 WorldNetDaily
Only months after a new state law effectively banned "mom" and "dad" from California schools, 600,000 students soon could be following them out the door because of what has been described as the "repudiation" of 2,000 years of Christian morality, according to leaders of a new campaign assembling education alternatives.
The campaign is called California Exodus and is being headed by Ron Gleason, pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Yorba Linda, who said while the country excels in social, economic, scientific and political accomplishments, it "gets low grades on the education of its children."
The issue is the state legislature's adoption of Senate Bill 777, which requires only positive portrayals of homosexual, bisexual, transgender and other alternative lifestyle choices.
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Alternatives offered to parents worried about 'repudiation' of Christian morals
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Posted: February 07, 2008
12:46 pm Eastern
By Bob Unruh
© 2008 WorldNetDaily
Only months after a new state law effectively banned "mom" and "dad" from California schools, 600,000 students soon could be following them out the door because of what has been described as the "repudiation" of 2,000 years of Christian morality, according to leaders of a new campaign assembling education alternatives.
The campaign is called California Exodus and is being headed by Ron Gleason, pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Yorba Linda, who said while the country excels in social, economic, scientific and political accomplishments, it "gets low grades on the education of its children."
The issue is the state legislature's adoption of Senate Bill 777, which requires only positive portrayals of homosexual, bisexual, transgender and other alternative lifestyle choices.
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Intelligent design costs prof his job
Intelligent design costs prof his job
Regents reject tenure request without evidence, testimony
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Posted: February 07, 2008
4:15 pm Eastern
© 2008 WorldNetDaily
Iowa State University regents, who earlier ruled against accepting evidence or hearing testimony from a professor in a dispute over the school's denial of his tenure, now have turned down his appeal.
The case involves Guillermo Gonzalez, an honored assistant professor of astronomy who has been actively working on theories of intelligent design, an effort that ultimately cost him his job, supporters say. Tenure is roughly the equivalent of a lifetime appointment.
The school has continued to deny the handling of Gonzalez' case was related to his support of ID, even though the Des Moines Register documented e-mails that confirmed Gonzalez' colleagues wanted him flushed out of the system for that reason.
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Regents reject tenure request without evidence, testimony
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: February 07, 2008
4:15 pm Eastern
© 2008 WorldNetDaily
Iowa State University regents, who earlier ruled against accepting evidence or hearing testimony from a professor in a dispute over the school's denial of his tenure, now have turned down his appeal.
The case involves Guillermo Gonzalez, an honored assistant professor of astronomy who has been actively working on theories of intelligent design, an effort that ultimately cost him his job, supporters say. Tenure is roughly the equivalent of a lifetime appointment.
The school has continued to deny the handling of Gonzalez' case was related to his support of ID, even though the Des Moines Register documented e-mails that confirmed Gonzalez' colleagues wanted him flushed out of the system for that reason.
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8-year-old boy returning to class as girl
8-year-old boy returning to class as girl
Teachers making accommodations, preparing to counsel other students
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Posted: February 08, 2008
10:48 am Eastern
© 2008 WorldNetDaily
An 8-year-old boy is preparing to return to his home school district in Colorado as a girl, so school officials are designating two school restrooms as unisex facilities, and preparing to counsel other students on the issue of transgenderism.
The report comes from KUSA-Television in Denver, which did not identify the third-grade student or his family in the Castle Rock suburban district.
But the report said the student had attended his home district several years ago, as a boy, and then had taken classes in another district for a time.
One parent, identified by the television station as Dave M., said children in the elementary school are going to wonder what's going on.
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Teachers making accommodations, preparing to counsel other students
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: February 08, 2008
10:48 am Eastern
© 2008 WorldNetDaily
An 8-year-old boy is preparing to return to his home school district in Colorado as a girl, so school officials are designating two school restrooms as unisex facilities, and preparing to counsel other students on the issue of transgenderism.
The report comes from KUSA-Television in Denver, which did not identify the third-grade student or his family in the Castle Rock suburban district.
But the report said the student had attended his home district several years ago, as a boy, and then had taken classes in another district for a time.
One parent, identified by the television station as Dave M., said children in the elementary school are going to wonder what's going on.
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Bishop: Christians don't go to heaven
Bishop: Christians don't go to heaven
Anglican challenges widespread belief, says believers asleep until God returns
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Posted: February 10, 2008
2:49 pm Eastern
© 2008 WorldNetDaily
A bishop described as "one of the most formidable figures in the world of Christian thought" is now challenging the widely held belief that Christians go to heaven when they die.
N.T. "Tom" Wright, the fourth most senior cleric in the Church of England who has been praised for his staunch defense of the literal resurrection of Jesus Christ, has published a new book in which he says people do not ascend to God's dwelling place. Instead, deceased believers are in a sleep-like state until God comes back to Earth.
"Never at any point do the Gospels or Paul say Jesus has been raised, therefore we are we are all going to heaven," Wright told Time Magazine. "I've often heard people say, 'I'm going to heaven soon, and I won't need this stupid body there, thank goodness.' That's a very damaging distortion, all the more so for being unintentional."
When asked to explain why he rejects that typical sentiment, he said, "There are several important respects in which it's unsupported by the New Testament. First, the timing. In the Bible we are told that you die, and enter an intermediate state. [The Apostle] Paul is very clear that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead already, but that nobody else has yet. Secondly, our physical state. The New Testament says that when Christ does return, the dead will experience a whole new life: not just our soul, but our bodies. And finally, the location. At no point do the resurrection narratives in the four Gospels say, 'Jesus has been raised, therefore we are all going to heaven.' It says that Christ is coming here, to join together the heavens and the Earth in an act of new creation."
In the Gospel of John, Jesus himself is quoted as saying, "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven." (John 3:13)
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Anglican challenges widespread belief, says believers asleep until God returns
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: February 10, 2008
2:49 pm Eastern
© 2008 WorldNetDaily
A bishop described as "one of the most formidable figures in the world of Christian thought" is now challenging the widely held belief that Christians go to heaven when they die.
N.T. "Tom" Wright, the fourth most senior cleric in the Church of England who has been praised for his staunch defense of the literal resurrection of Jesus Christ, has published a new book in which he says people do not ascend to God's dwelling place. Instead, deceased believers are in a sleep-like state until God comes back to Earth.
"Never at any point do the Gospels or Paul say Jesus has been raised, therefore we are we are all going to heaven," Wright told Time Magazine. "I've often heard people say, 'I'm going to heaven soon, and I won't need this stupid body there, thank goodness.' That's a very damaging distortion, all the more so for being unintentional."
When asked to explain why he rejects that typical sentiment, he said, "There are several important respects in which it's unsupported by the New Testament. First, the timing. In the Bible we are told that you die, and enter an intermediate state. [The Apostle] Paul is very clear that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead already, but that nobody else has yet. Secondly, our physical state. The New Testament says that when Christ does return, the dead will experience a whole new life: not just our soul, but our bodies. And finally, the location. At no point do the resurrection narratives in the four Gospels say, 'Jesus has been raised, therefore we are all going to heaven.' It says that Christ is coming here, to join together the heavens and the Earth in an act of new creation."
In the Gospel of John, Jesus himself is quoted as saying, "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven." (John 3:13)
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Tornado Victims Turn to Churches, Faith
Tornado Victims Turn to Churches, Faith
By Ryan Lenz
Associated Press Writer
February 9, 2008
CBNNews.com - LAFAYETTE, Tenn. - On the way to a storm-ravaged community, a billboard bubbling with fresh paste rises over a rural road with a message from the Gospel of Matthew: "Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
In Macon County and other predominantly Christian areas where tornadoes laid a deadly path, churches - and individuals' faith - are playing a vital role in the aftermath.
Faith is a way of life there. Many have volunteered services, opened disaster centers with food and shelter, clothing and medicine, while those who escaped death when so many did not say they are finding hope in stories of survival.
"I was in a tornado - and I lived," said James Krueger, a 49-year-old electrician, as tears streamed from his eyes blackened in the storm. When the winds hit, his 100-year-old home flew from the foundation until he lay on barren ground.
It was an unlikely survival he cannot help but attribute to a higher power.
"The bottom line is something kept me there," he said, shaking his head in disbelief.
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By Ryan Lenz
Associated Press Writer
February 9, 2008
CBNNews.com - LAFAYETTE, Tenn. - On the way to a storm-ravaged community, a billboard bubbling with fresh paste rises over a rural road with a message from the Gospel of Matthew: "Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
In Macon County and other predominantly Christian areas where tornadoes laid a deadly path, churches - and individuals' faith - are playing a vital role in the aftermath.
Faith is a way of life there. Many have volunteered services, opened disaster centers with food and shelter, clothing and medicine, while those who escaped death when so many did not say they are finding hope in stories of survival.
"I was in a tornado - and I lived," said James Krueger, a 49-year-old electrician, as tears streamed from his eyes blackened in the storm. When the winds hit, his 100-year-old home flew from the foundation until he lay on barren ground.
It was an unlikely survival he cannot help but attribute to a higher power.
"The bottom line is something kept me there," he said, shaking his head in disbelief.
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Kidnappings of U.S. citizens on rise
Sophisticated Mexican groups plot abductions
By Tony Manolatos
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Organized, well-financed and violent Mexican kidnapping cells are targeting a growing number of U.S. citizens visiting communities popular with San Diegans and other California residents.
Last year, at least 26 San Diego County residents were kidnapped and held for ransom in Tijuana, Rosarito Beach or Ensenada, local FBI agents overseeing the cases said yesterday. In 2006, at least 11 county residents had been kidnapped in the three communities.
“Some of the 26 were recovered, some were hurt and some were killed,” said agent Alex Horan, who directs the FBI's violent-crime squad in San Diego.
“It's not a pleasant experience. Victims have reported beatings, torture and there have been rapes. . . . Handcuffs and hoods over the head are common,” he said.
When contrasted to the 40 million border crossings made every year at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the kidnapping numbers are small. Most of the victims have business interests or family members in Mexico.
But authorities said anyone planning to visit Mexico should be cautious.
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By Tony Manolatos
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Organized, well-financed and violent Mexican kidnapping cells are targeting a growing number of U.S. citizens visiting communities popular with San Diegans and other California residents.
Last year, at least 26 San Diego County residents were kidnapped and held for ransom in Tijuana, Rosarito Beach or Ensenada, local FBI agents overseeing the cases said yesterday. In 2006, at least 11 county residents had been kidnapped in the three communities.
“Some of the 26 were recovered, some were hurt and some were killed,” said agent Alex Horan, who directs the FBI's violent-crime squad in San Diego.
“It's not a pleasant experience. Victims have reported beatings, torture and there have been rapes. . . . Handcuffs and hoods over the head are common,” he said.
When contrasted to the 40 million border crossings made every year at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the kidnapping numbers are small. Most of the victims have business interests or family members in Mexico.
But authorities said anyone planning to visit Mexico should be cautious.
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Uproar as archbishop says sharia law inevitable in UK
Uproar as archbishop says sharia law inevitable in UK
Williams argues official status for Islamic law could aid social cohesion
Riazat Butt, religious affairs correspondent
The Archbishop of Canterbury drew criticism from across the political spectrum last night after he backed the introduction of sharia law in Britain and argued that adopting some aspects of it seemed "unavoidable". Rowan Williams, the most senior figure in the Church of England, said that giving Islamic law official status in the UK would help to achieve social cohesion because some Muslims did not relate to the British legal system.
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Williams argues official status for Islamic law could aid social cohesion
Riazat Butt, religious affairs correspondent
The Archbishop of Canterbury drew criticism from across the political spectrum last night after he backed the introduction of sharia law in Britain and argued that adopting some aspects of it seemed "unavoidable". Rowan Williams, the most senior figure in the Church of England, said that giving Islamic law official status in the UK would help to achieve social cohesion because some Muslims did not relate to the British legal system.
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