Theology

The word "cult," once simply used by certain groups to denote a system of religious practice, has become a topic of intense national debate. After Dr. Robert Jeffress' explosive comments in October regarding Mitt Romney, Mormonism and cults, defining the term may even be a crucial factor in the 2012 presidential race.

The inflammatory word is also quickly fueling a need to clearly distinguish the difference between biblical Christianity and religious groups who claim to be of the same faith.

"Defining terms is really important when addressing live cultural issues," said preeminent evangelical theologian R. Albert Mohler, Jr., in a March 3 radio broadcast of "The Briefing." Christians need to "make sure we know what we're saying," he said. more >>

A Gallup poll released Monday highlights the religious spilt between Democrats and Republicans, showing that 52 percent of Democrats seldom or never attend church. And the percentage of Democrats who attend church weekly has dropped two percentage points – down from 29 to 27 percent – since the first quarter of 2008.

The survey digs deeper in the demographics of Democrats in America, finding they are becoming less white and more liberal from a similar sampling surveyed in early 2008, allowing political scientists to see how the Democrats have evolved since President Obama has occupied the White House.

Democrats by and large, are moving further to the left in their political views. Of those polled, 37 percent identified themselves as “liberals,” compared to 35 percent in 2008. Interestingly, this move leftward occurred during the same time that Republicans were winning more seats in Congress and in state houses around the country, thus deepening the divide between the two major parties. more >>

A Christian commentator takes Twilight series author Stephanie Meyer to task for "ruining" the vampire genre by taking the traditional staples about the eternally damned bloodsuckers and "softening them with teen romantic tripe," otherwise ignoring "the eternal nature of death in sin."

In a post for Think Christian, a collaborative Christian blog that discusses "Christ, culture, and the ways that faith plays out in everyday life," John J. Thompson, a songwriter, musician and the Creative Director at EMI CMG Publishing, expresses his belief that "the whole world needs good vampire stories because they are so importantly Christian."

Meyer, who published the first Twilight novel in 2005, created the male protagonist of the popular book series and movie franchise as a romantic and lovable guy. Meyer's leading man and hero, Edward Cullen, is described as "inhumanly beautiful" - quite the opposite of the vampires seen in "Nosferatu" and the numerous "Dracula" films or "Blade." more >>

An evangelical pastor who grew up in a Mormon family and later embraced the biblical Christian faith said traditional Christians should talk “real issues” with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints instead of just calling it a cult.

“It is very clear there are very significant theological differences between Mormonism and traditional Christianity,” acknowledged Ross Anderson, who was raised in California as an active member of the Mormon faith and is now a teaching pastor at Alpine Church in northern Utah.

But the word “cult,” as it is commonly understood, does not rightly describe Mormonism, he told Standard Examiner Friday while talking about his new book, Understanding Your Mormon Neighbor. more >>

The Pew Research Center released a new poll Thursday that shows the culture war over same-sex marriage won't be cooling down anytime soon.

The survey – titled "The Generation Gap and the 2012 Election" – is part of a wider study gauging generational changes among Americans on social and political issues before the next presidential election. The section on same-sex marriage shows that Americans are nearing a deadlock on the issue, with 46 percent of those surveyed favoring legalization of same-sex marriage and 44 percent opposing it.

"This is a trend I've been watching unfold for the last ten years," said S. Michael Craven, president and founder of the Center for Christ & Culture on Friday. "Our culture is crossing a boundary concerning absolute monogamy. We're eroding what has historically proven to be the essential institution for a healthy society – the family." more >>

A National Association of Evangelicals board member is calling on African-Americans to vote for their conservative convictions in the 2012 election, describing President Barack Obama as a theologically liberal candidate.

Bishop Harry R. Jackson. Jr., senior pastor of Hope Christian Church outside of Washington, D.C., asked blacks to re-evaluate their tendency to “flock the polls” in support of Democratic leaders in an opinion piece published Friday in The Wall Street Journal.

Blacks, he noted, espouse traditional, conservative beliefs on social issues rooted in their faith. Yet, they often vote for Democratic leaders with liberal leanings. more >>