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22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 And some one said to him, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" And he said to them, 24 "Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, `Lord, open to us.' He will answer you, `I do not know where you come from.' 26 Then...

William Hinson, president of a major renewal organization, dropped a bombshell during May's United Methodist General Conference: "I believe the time has come when we must begin to explore an amicable and just separation that will free us both from our cycle of pain and conflict". We find in large sections of mainline churches a sub-Christian religion with alternate doctrines of biblical authority, the church, and even salvation. Most Methodists, left and right, responded with shock, rallied around the flag of unity, and declared their dismay. This is an understandable reaction and shows a good instinct for one's church. But...

I don't know why they just don't call it "The Bible for Idiots." That would be a better name for the new translation approved by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. Instead, it's called "Good as New." Sounds like something that should be sold only in a used bookstore. Williams' hucksterism for this new translation seems determined to give used-car salesmen a bad name. What's wrong with it? Let's see. Where do I start? Not only is the translation dumbed down to the level of a 21st century third-grade student suffering in the clutches of the government school monopoly, not only...

KNOXVILLE - Since 1995, Bob Parker has sent nearly 2,000 honorary medallions to survivors of soldiers, police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty. Parker and his nonprofit organization Fallen Friend has 17 more medallions to give, including one for Pat Tillman, the football player who quit the NFL to become an Army Ranger and was killed in April in Afghanistan. But Tillman's family and others won't receive their medallions. The Army has stopped helping Parker and Fallen Friend distribute the medals because there is a reference to a Bible verse on the back, according to two letters...

May 15, 2004 Marion (AP) - A biblical verse painted on Marion's new fire truck will remain there despite concerns that it promotes religion on a taxpayer-funded vehicle, the city's mayor says. Mayor Wayne Seybold said he chose to allow the verse to remain because the inscription does not say it comes from the Bible and makes no reference to God. The fire truck's side contains part of the 23rd Psalm: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." Seybold said he received numerous calls, e-mails and letters from people who...

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. — The American Civil Liberties Union (search), perhaps better known for helping keep religion out of the classroom, came to the defense of a high school graduate whose yearbook entry was censored because it contained a biblical verse. The organization's Michigan chapter announced a settlement Tuesday with Utica Community Schools that restores Abby Moler's message to Stevenson High School's (search) 2001 yearbook. Moler, the class of 2001 valedictorian, was among a group of students asked by school officials to offer their thoughts for the yearbook. Her entry included the biblical verse, Jeremiah 29:11: "'For I know the...

Following in the Howard Dean tradition, Hanoi John French Kerry took the stage before the Anti-Defamation League and preached the teachings of Jesus, "love thy neighbor" as Old Testament theocracy found in the 10 Commandments.

Bible passage on Marion firetruck questioned Associated Press MARION - A biblical verse painted on the city's new firetruck should be removed because it mixes government and religion, a city councilwoman said. Marion Fire Chief Steve Gorrell said department members considering slogans to go on the new truck settled on part of the 23rd Psalm: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." "The firefighters wanted to put something on there to show the public how they represent themselves," Gorrell told the Chronicle-Tribune for a story Thursday. The department chose the...

My thoughts on the Movie, The Passion of The Christ by Randy Alcorn Randy Alcorn is an absolutely powerful writer. I especially enjoy (and am often pained by) his Christian fiction (see Deadline, Safely Home, and Dominion for my favorites) so I was very interested when I found out he had reviewed The Passion of The Christ. Even though TPOTC has been released over 4 weeks now, I believe others will find Randy Alcorn's review both joyful and sobering. It is also well worth your while to bookmark and spend some time on his website Eternal Perspectives Ministries. RileyD, nwJ...

Genesis: Chapter 16 Verses 1-16 /Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children. She had, however, an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. Sarai said to Abram: "The LORD has kept me from bearing children. Have intercourse, then, with my maid; perhaps I shall have sons through her." Abram heeded Sarai's request. Thus, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, his wife Sarai took her maid, Hagar the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his concubine. He had intercourse with her, and she became pregnant./ /When she became aware of her pregnancy, she looked...

For the American politician working the stump there is seldom anything risky about quoting the Bible. Doing so has been one of the most effective ways of winning over the mass of American voters. Unless, that is, one happens to be a Roman Catholic who quotes a certain verse from the Epistle of James, which Sen. John Kerry did last Sunday in St. Louis. "The Scriptures say, 'What does it profit my brother if someone says he has faith but does not have works?'" preached Kerry at the North Side Baptist Church, paraphrasing James chapter two, verse fourteen. "When we...

ST. LOUIS - It took John Kerry a moment before his hands picked up the rhythm of the Baptist choir, pausing in midclap to catch up to the beat. But by the time the former altar boy got his chance to speak, he had his own Amen corner in this presidential bellwether state. In a short address at the New Northside Baptist Church filled with references to prayer and Scripture, Kerry quoted the Bible in a way that offended the Bush-Cheney campaign. "'The Scriptures say, 'What does it profit, my brethen, if someone says he has faith but does not...

Bush Campaign Blasts Kerry's Bible Quote Monday March 29, 2004 3:16 AM By NEDRA PICKLER Associated Press Writer ST. LOUIS (AP) - John Kerry cited a Bible verse Sunday to criticize leaders who have ``faith but has no deeds,'' prompting President Bush's spokesman to accuse Kerry of exploiting Scripture for a political attack. Kerry never mentioned Bush by name during his speech at New North Side Baptist Church, but aimed his criticism at ``our present national leadership.'' Kerry cited Scripture in his appeal for the worshippers, including James 2:14, ``What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to...

The Neverending StoryAn ongoing debate on Scripture, Tradition, History and Interpretation. Statesmen may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue. - John Adams Previous Thread

'Silver scrolls' are oldest O.T. scripture, archaeologist says Feb 27, 2004 By Gary D. Myers Significant scrollGabriel Barkay, in silhouette, shows a picture of how one of the silver scrolls looked shortly after it was removed from the tomb at Ketef Hinnom. Scholars determined that the scrolls were inscribed with the ‘priestly blessing’ found in Numbers 6:24-26. Photo by Gary D. Myers NEW ORLEANS (BP)--While excavating a burial tomb near Jerusalem in 1979, Gabriel Barkay uncovered the oldest known copy of Old Testament scripture. The priestly blessing, recorded in Numbers 6:24-26, was discovered on two small silver scrolls dated to...

The Rest of the Story? Do we have the complete story of Jesus Christ's life and death? For centuries alternative ideas have circulated as to whether Christ was who the Gospels say He was. Did the early Church suppress more than 80 alternative gospel accounts of Christ's life? Now a best-selling book popularizes one of these stories. What is the truth? Can we be sure we have the rest of the story? by Darris McNeely For a Christian, there is no more central tenet of faith than the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. On...

A man who had served in the army tells an amusing story about a routine inspection carried out on a small base by the newly arrived commanding officer. As the full colonel walked briskly by the soldiers lined up before him, he came to a sudden and unexpected halt. Looking at a young private standing before him, the colonel shouted, "Button that pocket, soldier!" The soldier, visibly shaken by this confrontation replied, "Shall I do it right now, sir?" "Of course, right now!" was the immediate reply. In response, the soldier very carefully reached out and buttoned the flap on...

<p>Tikrit, Iraq -- Editor's note: Chronicle staff writer Matthew B. Stannard was riding along with a U.S. Army convoy in Iraq that came under attack Saturday..</p> <p>It ended with fire and blood and death, but Lt. Col. Steve Russell's Saturday night patrol began quietly, his convoy of three humvees cruising calmly out of the north gate of Saddam Hussein's presidential compound in Tikrit under a sky filled with glittering stars.</p>

This year I began a Small Group Ministry at my University Catholic Center to reach out to the Catholic Community at my school. The principle element of this program, are small groups that meet once a week for Bible Study, Prayer, etc. Originally I was pushed by someone (a liberal) into not having an overarching "this is what this scripture means" approach, rather having a "what do you get out of this scripture approach." I was happy to have my Study, and didn't complain, well, now I am being more proactive and I am changing that approach. For Each study...

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A federal appeals court Tuesday upheld a lower court ruling that Hewlett-Packard Co. did not violate the rights of a devout Christian employee when it fired him for posting Biblical scriptures on his cubicle that were critical of homosexuality. The San Francisco-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit held that HP did not discriminate against Richard Peterson when it fired him after he posted quotes from the Bible in his cubicle in response to company posters featuring gay employees. The HP posters, which carried the slogan "Diversity is Our Strength," were part of an...