‘Christian’ denomination installs first transgender bishop

September 13, 2021 — WND.com reports: “He calls himself ‘they,’ and he is now the first transgender bishop in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

The Rev. Megan Rohrer was installed Saturday at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, according to The Associated Press.

‘My call is … to be up to the same messy, loving things I was up to before,’ Rohrer said in a statement.

‘But mostly, if you’ll let me, and I think you will, my hope is to love you and beyond that, to love what you love.

I step into this role because a diverse community of Lutherans in Northern California and Nevada prayerfully and thoughtfully voted to do a historic thing,’ he said…”  (For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. – Romans 1:18-32)

62 percent of Self-Identified Christians Do Not Believe the Holy Spirit Is Real

September 13, 2021 — ChristianHeadlines.com reports: “A new study from the Cultural Research Center of Arizona Christian University found that of about 176 million Christians who identify as Christian, more than half of them do not believe that the Holy Spirit exists.

The study from the Arizona college was recently released as part of the American Worldview Inventory, an annual survey that looks at the worldview of U.S. adults.

According to the study, a majority of America’s self-identified Christians, including those who identify as evangelicals, believe that God is all-powerful, all-knowing and the Creator of the universe.

However, more than half of that do not believe in some notable biblical teachings, such as the existence of the Holy Spirit, and only about 6 percent hold a biblical worldview, The Christian Post reports.

A majority also said that they believe that all religious faiths are of equal value and that people are ‘basically good’ and can use those ‘acts of goodness’ to earn their way into Heaven…” (This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their’s also was. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. – II Timothy 3:1-17.)

25 Texas Churches Fight Heartbeat Ban, Label Abortion a ‘Moral and Social Good’

September 7, 2021 — ChristianHeadlines.com reports: “A coalition of Texas churches is opposing the state’s heartbeat law and promoting the continued legalization of abortion in what pro-life activist Albert Mohler calls a ‘tragic intersection of liberal religion and abortion politics.’

The 25 Texas churches were designated as ‘Reproductive Freedom Congregations’ at a press conference in late August by Just Texas, a liberal organization that says the goal of the churches is to ‘eradicate stigma around reproductive freedom in Texas … one congregation at a time.’

Erika Forbes, the faith and outreach manager for Just Texas, said at the press conference on Aug. 25 that the designation was the ‘first of its kind in the entire country.’ Significantly, the designation came one week before a state law took effect that prohibits abortion if an unborn babies heartbeat is detected…”  (Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! – Isaiah 5:20 -21.  And woe unto these churches for standing on the same side as the Satanic Temple – see the next report.)

Satanic Temple Argues New Texas Heartbeat Law Infringes on Its Religious Freedom

September 8, 2021 — ChristianHeadlines.com reports: “The Satanic Temple is arguing that the new Texas heartbeat law, the law that bans most abortions in Texas after six weeks’ gestation, infringes on the group’s religious freedom.

According to The Christian Post, the Massachusetts-based group The Satanic Temple says the Texas law imposes an ‘undue burden’ on its ‘satanic abortion ritual.’

‘The Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act (TRFRA) provides a mechanism to seek an exemption from any law that restricts the free exercise of religion. Because S.B. 8 imposes an undue burden on the ability of TST members to undergo the Satanic Abortion Ritual, the first step in defending the rights of its members is to seek an exemption under TRFRA. If the state declines to provide such an exemption, TST can then seek judicial relief from the law,’ the Satanic Temple said in a statement on its website…”

Man charged with murdering mother because she converted to Christianity

September 27, 2021 — The Times of Israel reports: “A 27-year-old man from northern Israel was charged on Monday with murdering his mother and hiding her body last month, after she converted from Islam to Orthodox Christianity.

According to the charge sheet, Rasha Muklasha, 46, left her husband and severed ties with her five children — including the suspect, Muad Hib — in 2006. She then moved from the town of Zarzir to Nof HaGalil and converted to Christianity.

Recently, she resumed contact with her children following the death of her ex-husband. Prosecutors allege that her conversion, which greatly angered Hib, was the motive for the murder.

According to the indictment, the murder was premediated, with Hib setting up a meeting with his mother on August 5 near Nazareth with the intention of killing her and disposing of her remains…”  (Great persecution will soon overtake most Christians in a majority of the world. USA Today reported that Christianity is the most hated religion in the world. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. – Matthew 5:10 – 12. However: Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. – Revelation 2:10.  See the next two reports.)

Muslim Gunmen Open Fire on Christians in Pakistan, Wounding Six

September 17, 2021 — Breitbart.com reports: “A group of Muslims armed with automatic weapons opened fire on the houses of Christian residents in Lahore, Pakistan, wounding six, the Barnabas Fund reported this week.

According to one version of the incident, the assault originated in a dispute between a Christian named Asghar Masih and a Muslim called Dilshad Dogar, although other reports deny that this was the motive.

In the afternoon of September 6, Dogar reportedly approached Asghar’s house along with several armed young Muslims. Not finding Asghar at home the gunmen began firing at the church building and then opened fire on Christians’ houses.

The gunfire wounded five Christian women, one of whom was pregnant, as well as one man, Asif Masih, who was shot in both legs when returning home from work…

Christians Concerned About Turkish Attacks in Northeast Syria

September 15, 2021 — Voice of America News reports: “Syrian Christian leaders are expressing concerns over escalating Turkish attacks in northeast Syria, saying the recent military activity has driven many Christians and members of other minority groups from their homes.

Military officials in the region said last week that Turkey carried out attacks against the Christian-majority town of Tel Tamer and surrounding villages.

‘The Turkish shelling recently destroyed two schools, a municipal building, a bakery and a power line in the area,’ said Matai Hanna, a spokesman for the Syriac Military Council, a major Christian militia in northeast Syria.

‘This is against international law, which prohibits the targeting of civilian infrastructure,’ he told VOA…”

North Korea Portrays Christians as Blood Sucking Monsters, Murderers and Spies to Deter Faith

September 27, 2021 — FaithWire.com reports: “It’s no secret the North Korean regime has no tolerance for religion, but a recent report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) details how the Workers Party of Korea led by Kim Jong Un targets and tortures Christians and other people of faith while going to great lengths to conceal its crimes.

The report spells out the acts of terror committed by the regime ‘designed to remove all traces of Christianity’ and reveals ‘the campaign to exterminate all Christian adherents and institutions…has been brutally effective.’

North Korea’s secret police, the Ministry of State Security, are incentivized with promotions when they apprehend Christians and other believers.

‘Those charged with Christianity often face execution or are forced to live out the rest of their lives in political prison camps,’ testified Inje Hwang, an investigator with Korea Future Initiative, during a webinar hosted by USCIRF…”  (If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.  But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.  If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.  He that hateth me hateth my Father also.  If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.  But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:  And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning – John 15:18-27.  See the next two reports.)

Chinese Communist Authorities Raid Christian Music School, Take Students, Teachers into Custody, Arrest Principal

September 17, 2021 — ChristianHeadlines.com reports: “Communist authorities in China’s Heilongjiang province took dozens of students and teachers from a Christian music school into custody and arrested a principal at a raid at the school.

The students and teachers were released after about 24 hours of interrogation.

The raid happened when more than 30 officials from the Chinese Communist Party, including SWAT officers, police officers, religious affairs bureau officials and local school district administrators raided Maizi Christian Music High School in Harbin city last Saturday, the U.S.-based rights group China Aid reported.

Just before the raid, as the school principal was driving his child to school, police took him into custody. It’s unclear whether the principal has been charged with a crime and where exactly he is being detained…”

Chinese Communist Party Bans Tributes to Christian Martyrs, Demands Churches Pray for Dead Communist Soldiers

September 8, 2021 — ChristianHeadlines.com reports: “The Chinese Communist Party recently mandated Christians to pray for dead Communist soldiers while banning all commemorations for martyrs of the faith.

According to religious liberty magazine Bitter Winter, as the country celebrated the 76th anniversary of its victory in the Anti-Fascist War, the CCP reportedly issued the directive to all churches involved with the state-sponsored Protestant Three-Self Church.

‘This year marks the 76th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War,’ the CCP said in a statement to the churches. ‘In order to actively respond to the initiative of the Peace Committee of China’s Religious Circles, a notice is now issued to the two Christian associations of all provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government).’…

Further, Christians are banned from paying tribute to martyrs of the faith during imperial China and those killed by the CCP, lest comparisons are made.

According to Bitter Winter, the CCP threatened churches in the ordinance, saying they will face consequences if they fail to comply with the orders…”