Northeast

The Book of Revelation has been the focus of ongoing discussion for those looking into what, if any, relevance the prophetic book might hold for present times, and an in-depth study by one author suggests that some views on the prophetic book, including the rapture and tribulation, may be misguided.

Revelation is commonly viewed as a prophetic book full of challenging imagery and descriptions that seem to tell of future events concerning the apocalypse, or the end of the world. While some scholars argue that the events described in Revelation have already occurred, many Christians believe the book, attributed to the apostle John, tells of a future apocalypse. 

A survey released last year by the National Association of Evangelicals revealed that a majority of evangelical Christian leaders believe that Jesus Christ will return to Earth and reign with his followers for 1,000 years, as described in the Book of Revelation. The theological stance, referred to as premillenialism, was shared by 65 percent of those surveyed. more >>

Christian missionary Becky Morlock landed on U.S. soil March 24 after being stuck in India for more than four years due to complications in obtaining a visa for her adopted son, Kyle.

"I am so incredibly happy and thankful to finally see my family and friends. And, I am really excited for everyone to finally meet Kyle," said Morlock in an interview Thursday with The Christian Post.

"Kyle is doing pretty well, adjusting to his new home," Morlock continued. "This is a big change for him … new faces, a new house, a new car seat … new everything. He is enjoying it and warmed up to the family right away, but we definitely need to take a lot of breaks and just go slow." more >>

Deeming such topics too problematic, the New York City Department of Education (DOE) has suggested that faith-related subjects, such as "Christmas" and "evolution," be omitted from standardized tests. Critics claim the request from the education department, which has  "television" and "birthdays" on its list, borders on absurdity in its effort to be politically correct. 

The list of over 50 topics was suggested to potential test publishers in the city's "request for proposal" this week. The department is obliged to prepare guidelines for potential contractors on how tests should be prepared, including which topics are to be avoided when publishers create the tests. The list, made available for The Christian Post's review, is a "guide to assist writers in avoiding subject matter that would probably cause a selection to be deemed unacceptable by the New York City Department of Education," according to the document.

The goal is to avoid "anything that may be interpreted as disrespectful or demeaning to any group," the city recommends in the document. A topic might be "unacceptable" for any of the following reasons: it could "evoke unpleasant emotions in the students that might hamper their ability to take the remainder of the test in the optimal frame of mind;" it is "controversial among the adult population and might not be acceptable in a state-mandated testing situation," or it "has been overused in standardized tests or textbooks and is thus overly familiar." A topic can also be banned if it "appears biased against (or toward) some group of people." more >>

Many people know Jimmy Carter as the 39th president of the United States and winner of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize. But for many Christians, President Carter is one of the world's most famous Sunday School teachers, having taught classes for over 30 years. He currently teaches at his local church Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga.

His Sunday School teachings and interpretation of Scripture are included in a new study Bible called, NIV Lessons from Life Bible: Personal Reflections with Jimmy Carter.

President Carter spoke to The Christian Post about his new Bible book and shared his Christian beliefs when it comes to difficult topics in the Bible such as abortion, women in leadership, homosexuality, and salvation.  more >>

Bishop T.D. Jakes, pastor of The Potter's House in Dallas, Texas, has taken to national television to promote his new book, Let It Go, and to express his views regarding the Trayvon Martin case, which has attracted worldwide attention since details of the Florida teen's shooting death were made public. The minister, whose book deals with forgiveness, says, in light of such cases, "Forgiveness does not exonerate the perpetrator."

In Let It Go: Forgive So You Can Be Forgiven, The Potter's House senior pastor speaks on the importance of forgiveness in living a full, happy life. Naturally, correspondents questioned Jakes about the topic of forgiveness in direct reference to the Trayvon Martin shooting, which has upset many Americans, including his parents, who are demanding justice.

Martin, 17, was walking home the night of Feb. 26 in a Sanford, Fla., gated residential community when he got into a violent confrontation with neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman, 28. Zimmerman, who is Hispanic and white, shot and killed the African-American teen in what he says was self-defense, because Martin allegedly attacked him. However, the incident has given rise to a heated national discussion on racial profiling and has put Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, which allows for use of deadly force as self-defense, under the microscope. more >>

[Editor's Note 3/31/2012: An earlier version of this story neglected to include the remarks by moderator Dr. Anthony Bradley. The revised version includes his remarks. The Christian Post regrets the confusion and misunderstandings that were generated by the first version of the article.]

NEW YORK – At a live discussion on race and the Gospel this week in New York City, evangelical pastors John Piper and Tim Keller discussed why racism still persists in today's Church and shared struggles that pastors, including themselves, face in pursuing racial diversity in their churches.

Piper, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minn., and Keller, pastor of Redeemer Church in New York City, headlined a conversation called "Race and the Christian," held Wednesday at the New York Society for Ethical Culture. Dr. Anthony Bradley, Professor of Theology at The King's College in New York City moderated the talk. Piper's latest book Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian was the impetus for the event. more >>