New York exhibit examines ‘the Man of Sorrows’

An acclaimed exhibit ending a four-month run in New York City has given art lovers the chance to explore a single theme, Christ as the Man of Sorrows, and the Venetian artistic tradition that gave it full flowering.

“Passion in Venice: Crivelli to Tintoretto and Veronese” at the Museum of Biblical Art in Manhattan has been a rare opportunity to see how the theme of Christ depicted between death and resurrection evolved throughout history.

While the exhibit of 60 objects include the works of such notables as 16th century painters Jacopo Tintoretto and Paolo Veronese and 15th century artisans Carlo Crivelli and Michele Giambono, they also include the work of such later masters as Albrecht Durer, Edouard Manet and Paul Cezanne, as well as contemporary artist Bill Viola. Read more of this post

American Idol Winner Scotty McCreery Says Although He Is Number One, He Is Also Second

After a record-breaking 122 million votes, born-again Christian country singer, Scotty McCreer, has been declared this year’s winner of American Idol.

The two finalists, Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery, had taken part in Tuesday night’s final, in one of the most hotly debated seasons of the Fox show’s 10-year-history, and finally Scotty was declared the winner.

Fox announced that more than 122 million votes poured in, marking a new record in “Idol” history, bringing the season total to more than 730 million votes. Read more of this post

A Task Not A Timetable

The world did not end today as predicted by Harold Camping, the 89 year-old retired engineer-turned-biblical numerologist and radio evangelist. This is not the first time Camping has erroneously predicted the date that the end world would end, or rather the date of the beginning of the end. However, in spite of that, he managed to lead others to believe that he had now arrived at the correct date because he had corrected his previously faulty metrics. And, once again, like others before him, Camping was wrong. Behind Camping’s failed prediction are gullible people who stopped making their mortgage payments, gave away all of their possessions, euthanized pets, and more as they anticipated the event that did not happen today. Camping also spent millions on billboard advertising and recreational vehicles wrapped in doomsday advertisements. All of these things will remain, for a time, as mute testimony to Camping’s failed prediction. Read more of this post

Muslim outreach in Dearborn, Michigan continues this year

Near the place Henry Ford launched the American automobile industry, the Muslim call to prayer can be heard above the cacophony of street noise. Outside the local mosque is one pastor distributing Christian literature, ready to point Muslims toward the light and truth found in Jesus Christ.

“Muslims are here from all over the world and we want to reach out to them,” says Pastor George Saieg, founder of the M2M Network. “This is the time to be equipped to reach them,” he says. “Our prayer is that they will be touched by the Holy Spirit and their eyes will be opened to see the truth.” Read more of this post

Children — Not For Sale

There is no more horrible sin or crime than the abuse of children, in any of its ugly manifestations. Yet, do you ever wonder whether the things we allow to happen to our children, and their treatment in so many ways, represent even further forms of child abuse?

I am rounding out the week at the Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference in Estes Park. One of the two such annual events chaired by Marlene Bagnull (the other is in Philadelphia in August), this conference is a magnet for veteran writers, aspiring writers, editors, and publishers. It overflows with practical training and teaching, but not the least of its offerings – and blessings – is the spiritual uplift. Read more of this post

Bible Apps Quickly Becoming Technology Tool for Great Commission Work Worldwide

When Bible apps began to appear in the App Store and the Android Market, very few would have predicted the rapid growth and quick acceptance of the technology by millions within the faith community and beyond.

According to a news release from Audio Bible Ministry Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH), with the success of apps like YouVersion, Olive Tree and FCBH’s Bible.is, the way people access God’s Word has been dramatically transformed.

Because of the portability of the devices the apps run on, people can essentially carry their Bible with them wherever they go. FCBH said in some cases, they have access to Scripture in multiple versions and languages right in the palm of their hand. Read more of this post

Church-Goers in Tornado-Ravaged Towns across South Pray for Help from Devastation of Deadly Storms

Parishioners in tornado-ravaged towns across the south prayed for help Sunday – many in the open air outside churches leveled by the deadly storms.

According to a story by Lukas Alpert for the New York Daily News, the devastating wave of twisters was indiscriminate in its destruction. It toppled churches at the heart of communities as well as thousands of homes throughout the region.

However, church leaders were determined to gather. “This service is our response to tragedy. It shows that we are not victims. We are victors. We are visible victors,” said Pastor T.L. Lewis, who led a flock of 5,000 outside the remains of Bethel Baptist Church in Pratt City, Ala. Read more of this post

White House Issues Presidential Proclamation declaring the 60th Annual Observance of the National Day of Prayer

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO (April 29, 2011) – Earlier today, the White House released President Barack Obama’s Presidential Proclamation marking the 60th annual observance of the National Day of Prayer, which will take place on Thursday, May 5th. In his proclamation, Barack Obama recognizes the important role that prayer has played in the United States, saying, “Throughout our history, Americans have turned to prayer for strength, inspiration, and solidarity. Prayer has played an important role in the American story and in shaping our Nation’s leaders.” Read more of this post

Fuller Theological Seminary Approves the Common English Bible for Official School Use

Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA, has approved the new Common English Bible — http://CommonEnglishBible.com or at Twitter http://twitter.com/commonengbible — as a translation for use in biblical studies courses for its more than 4,000 students, and particularly for all master’s-level instruction in the seminary’s School of Theology, School of Psychology, and School of Intercultural Studies on all eight of its campuses.

“Fuller’s mission is to prepare men and women for the manifold ministries of Christ and his church. We work out this calling with an eye toward both academic excellence and service to the church. The Biblical Division’s decision to approve the Common English Bible for classroom use reflects these commitments,” says J. R. Daniel Kirk, assistant professor of New Testament at Fuller. “We’ve approved the Common English Bible because it’s an academically excellent translation, because it communicates the underlying Greek and Hebrew texts in a clear and accessible fashion, and because it reflects the reality that the communities for which the Bible was written consist of both women and men.” Read more of this post