Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.
In today's edition:
- MacArthur Says Emerging Church Dangers Go Far beyond 'Style Issues'
- Pakistan's Abuse of Blasphemy Laws Decried
- 'Jesus' Film on Verge of Reaching 1,000th Translation
- Vatican Releases "10 Commandments for Drivers"
MacArthur Says Emerging Church Dangers Go Far beyond 'Style Issues'
OneNewsNow.com reports that John MacArthur believes most Christians are not aware of the dangers posed by the "emergent church" movement, which he says is counter to scripture in its underlying theology. MacArthur's new book The Truth War: Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception, says while the emergent church talks of reaching people by appealing to the culture, emergent church leaders do not have a high regard for the unchanging truth of God's Word. And too many Christians aren't aware of the problems associated with that.
Pakistan's Abuse of Blasphemy Laws Decried
Incessant persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan is generating increased concern from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, Baptist Press reports. The USCIRF expressed outrage recently over Pakistan's abuse of its blasphemy laws, which implement punishments, including death, to any person who defiles the name of Muhammad. "Pakistan's blasphemy laws are inherently arbitrary, and they de facto restrict freedom of speech and other freedoms guaranteed by international human rights norms," said Commission Chair Felice D. Gaer in a written statement. "These insidious laws lend themselves to misuse and abuse, resulting frequently in severe violations of freedom of religion or belief in Pakistan."
'Jesus' Film on Verge of Reaching 1,000th Translation
According to The Christian Post, the ”Jesus” film – the most translated and widely distributed film in history – announced Tuesday that it is on the verge of reaching its 1000th translation. As one of the most effective evangelism tools with more than 6 billon viewers globally over 28 years, the “Jesus” film has been seen and translated far more times than even the best-loved Oscar-winning films. When the 1,000th translation milestone is reached, the one million primarily Ho speaking people in India will be able to hear the Gospel story in their “heart language.”
Vatican Releases "10 Commandments for Drivers"
The Vatican on Tuesday issued a set of "Ten Commandments" for drivers, the AP reports, which tells motorists not to kill, not to drink and drive, and to help fellow travelers in case of accidents. An unusual document from the Vatican's office for migrants and itinerant people also warned that cars can be "an occasion of sin" — particularly when they are used for dangerous passing or for prostitution, or in incidents of road rage. Cardinal Renato Martino said the Vatican felt it necessary to address the pastoral needs of motorists because driving had become such a big part of contemporary life. The "Drivers' Ten Commandments," as listed by the document, are: 1) You shall not kill; 2) The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm; 3) Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events; 4) Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents; 5) Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin; 6) Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so; 7) Support the families of accident victims; 8) Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness; 9) On the road, protect the more vulnerable party; 10) Feel responsible toward others.
