Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.
In today's edition:
- Most Christians Against Gender-Inclusive Bible Translations
- Study: Christian Singles Not Waiting for Marriage
- After Conflict, Mexican Village Agrees to Promote Religious Freedom
- 'Miracle Village' a Ray of Hope in Haiti
Most Christians Against Gender-Inclusive Bible Translations
A LifeWay study found 82 percent of Bible-reading Christians prefer literal translations of masculine words that describe people in general, rather than more gender-inclusive approaches, Christian Today reports. The study also found that 61 percent prefer word-for-word translations of the original Greek and Hebrew instead of "thought-for-thought translations, where the translators attempt to reproduce the intent of the original thought rather than translating the exact words," said Scott McConnell, director of LifeWay Research. Additionally, 46 percent said they preferred traditional language, over 27 percent who favored contemporary language, and 75 percent said accuracy to the original words mattered more than easy readability.
Study: Christian Singles Not Waiting for Marriage
A recent study found that 80 percent of unmarried evangelical young adults (18 to 29) have had sex, slightly less than 88 percent of unmarried adults, according to CNN. An article in Relevant magazine analyzed the study and theorized about why it was so hard for many young Christians to wait, including the saturation of sex in popular culture, the prevalence of pornography and the popular "do what feels good" philosophy. The article also noted that the average age for marriage has been increasing in the U.S. for the last 40 years. Dr. Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said: "The delay of marriage is unwise, not only because of the demonstrated risk of sexual immorality, but because of the loss of so much God gives to us in marriage."
After Conflict, Mexican Village Agrees to Promote Religious Freedom
In Puebla State, Catholic leaders, Protestant leaders and the local government signed an agreement to promote religious freedom and tolerance in a village where religious conflicts had recently escalated, ASSIST News Service reports. In September, a group of traditionalist Catholics threatened to "lynch and crucify" approximately 70 Protestants, who then pleaded with the government to step in. Puebla State officials helped the Catholic and Protestant communities negotiate an agreement, while the Catholic church removed the local priest accused of instigating the conflict. Conflict between Catholics and Protestants is common in many Mexican states, and Mexican law dictates that resolution should be sought through dialogue.
'Miracle Village' a Ray of Hope in Haiti
In the 21 months since the devastating 7.1-magnitude earthquake in Haiti, only 20 percent of the rubble has been cleared and 600,000 remain homeless. However, one private charity has forged ahead with recovery plans and completed construction on a new village with almost 500 homes, the Christian Newswire reports. Fully funded by donors and built by Love A Child, Inc., the houses in "Vilage Mirak" (Miracle Village) are constructed from lumber instead of concrete for safety in future earthquakes and built to withstand hurricane-force winds. Each house was given to its family fully furnished with a small garden area to grow fresh produce. The village contains wells, playgrounds and a medical clinic, and Love A Child plans to build a marketplace to help the community become self-sustainable.
Publication date: October 5, 2011
