Editor's Note:  This is the first part of a series examining different aspects of Bible translation, inspired by the recent controversy surrounding Wycliffe Bible Translators and its translation for a Muslim context.  While The Christian Post series will not be focusing exclusively on the Wycliffe controversy, the topics in the series are related to the situation and are helpful to understanding the complicated nature of Bible translation. 

It's business as usual for the Wycliffe Bible Translators, one of the world's biggest Bible translation companies, while its policies continue to be reviewed by an independent panel, prompted by controversy beginning last year over translations that some termed more "Muslim friendly" and less accurate.

"This last year there's been controversy over what's called 'divine familial' terms – how 'Son,' 'Son of God,' and how Father are translated, particularly in Muslim context," Wycliffe USA Chief Operations Officer Russ Hersman told The Christian Post. "The translations that our folks have been involved in had been translating for meaning so in the vast majority of cases the common word in that language for son or for father is what's used and it works just fine." more >>

Planetshakers, one of the most influential church movements in Australia is making its United States conference debut at Rock Church in San Diego, Calif., during a three-day event that began Thursday. A live webcast on Friday will feature the founders of Planetshakers City Church in Melbourne and the Planetshakers worship band.

"At Planetshakers Limitless Conference San Diego, it's our desire to see people empowered, so they can increasingly impact their world in a way that points people to Christ and encourages them to live life to the full," founder and senior pastor Russell Evans told The Christian Post via email Thursday.

"We will have passionate praise and worship and teaching from some great pastors from various parts of the world," Evans said. Every continent will be represented during the webcast. "We are pretty excited to have the honor of bringing our conference to the USA for the first time. We are expecting those in attendance to be touched by God in a powerful way," he stated. more >>

Volunteers from a Florida-based group have distributed Bibles to the lunchrooms of several high schools in the Sunshine State.

World Changers of Florida, a conservative organization, distributed the Bibles on Wednesday, with a focus on high schools in Orange County.

Greg Harper, vice president of Education for World Changers, wrote in a blog entry, "We have given out thousands of Bibles over the last few years and we are working to expand the program to many other school districts." more >>

The president of the Gospel for Asia mission organization recently called the conditions for women in India "a horrendous evil that is worsening" after authorities arrested six men in the north of the country for the alleged gang-rape of a woman traveling on a bus, just weeks after the gang-rape and subsequent death of a 23-year-old student in New Delhi rocked the country.

"This just shows the wickedness of the human heart. I pray the government will take strong action to protect the innocent. We all grieve for what is happening. God have mercy on us," K. P. Yohannan, president of Gospel for Asia, a mission organization working in South Asia, said in a Jan. 15 press release.

The Associated Press has reported that on Jan. 11, a 29-year-old woman was traveling via bus to visit family in the Punjab region of Northern India when she was taken and allegedly raped by the bus driver, conductor, and five other suspects. more >>

Seattle-based Mars Hill Church is taking its record label that features an eclectic brand of worship music to the next level by partnering with two renowned record label and recording studio companies that have featured such Christian favorites as Jeremy Camp, KJ-52, Kutless, and Falling Up.

Mars Hill Music announced on Tuesday that it will be partnering with Tooth & Nail Records and BEC Recordings to share the variety of worship bands coming from Mars Hill Church. Both companies work closely with EMI Records, one of the largest music distribution companies in the world.

"We have already been incredibly blessed with the number of people we've been able to reach with our music so far," Mars Hill communications director Justin Dean told The Christian Post. "For Mars Hill Music this partnership with Tooth & Nail means taking our record label from previously being able to reach thousands to possibly reaching millions through Tooth & Nails' distribution channels." more >>

In a U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey conducted in 2010 by the Pew Forum, Christians managed to correctly answer only half of the questions pertaining to the Bible and their faith. In addition, poll after poll continues to reveal that Christians are growing more divided over what they believe the Bible actually teaches about the tenets of their faith. Canadian minister John Murray hopes his recently published book, Real Faith: What's at the Heart of the Gospel, can bring some clarity where there appears to be much confusion about what and why Christians believe.

Real Faith, published Sept. 2012 by Ambassador International, was inspired by Murray's own faith journey, with the author telling The Christian Post that it isn't uncommon for recent converts and young Christians to be left to their own devices in figuring out their new-found faith. Divided into 11 chapters with suggested ideas for group study, Real Faith asks questions such as "Why do we believe?", "Who is God the Father?" and "What is Christian conversion?"

Aiming to expose the heart of evangelical Christianity, Murray presents a catechism of sorts on subjects such as the Trinity, the inspiration of Scripture and God's character. The author rounds out Real Faith by examining what is expected of those who believe in Jesus Christ and desire to be mature and credible witnesses. more >>