The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of BCNN1. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s).

One of the things I learned from years of teaching students how to defend their faith is sometimes the best way to test an idea is through questions: “What do you mean by that?” “Why do you believe that?” and “Can you define that?”

My colleague Joseph Backholm is a master of asking these revealing questions. You may know him from a viral video from a few years back when he asked university students whether they would accept him if he identified as a six-foot-five Chinese woman. They reluctantly all said “yes,” even though Joseph is a not-even six-foot white guy.

Over the last year, Joseph has led the Colson Center’s “What Would You Say?” video series. As part of this project, Joseph traveled to Washington, D.C. a few weeks ago to interview participants at two very different demonstrations: First, the Women’s March, and then, the March for Life. His question this time was probing, and the answers were revealing.

“What is a woman?” It seems like answering that question would be a prerequisite for participating in, I don’t know, a women’s march. Yet incredibly, none of the women he talked to—despite their passionate advocacy of women’s rights—could give him a clear answer.

“A woman is anything that she wants to be defined as,” said one. “A woman is someone who chooses to express themselves,” said another. “That’s a trick question,” said still another. Two other women who were selling uterus pins told Joseph that they don’t think having a uterus is what makes a person a woman!

Joseph and I talk about these interviews on the latest episode of the BreakPoint Podcast. He explains how the video wasn’t produced by cherry-picking or selective editing. None of the women he talked with could clearly or objectively define a woman.

“They have been catechized so effectively,” Joseph said, “that they don’t spend any time thinking about whether what they say is true or consistent.”

SOURCE: Christian Post, John Stonestreet and G. Shane Morris

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On Monday, the Tim Tebow Foundation (TTF) released its official “Night to Shine” 2020 Highlight Video, honoring all of the people with special needs who were able to attend the sixth annual “Night to Shine.”

With a song track performed by Rascal Flatts, the four-minute video captures the fun and fulfillment experienced by thousands of “prom” queens and kings. 

The annual “Night to Shine” event gives people over the age of 14 an opportunity to have an “unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love.”

As CBN News has reported, former NFL quarterback turned professional baseball player Tim Tebow created the event in an effort “to bring faith, hope, and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need.”

“In 2015, Tebow’s foundation launched an idea to honor people with special needs with a celebration of God’s love for them. Now, every year around the world hundreds of thousands come together on one night around one dream,” Tebow wrote in a statement posted along with the video to Instagram.

“I want to say thank you to all of the host churches and coordinators, volunteers, vendors, prayer warriors, and donors who have helped make Night to Shine possible not only this year but every year,” he continued. “We’re so incredibly grateful for each of you, and truly could not do this without your support. Thank you for being a part of this family, this movement, and this effort to value every person’s life. I sincerely believe us coming together is making a huge difference in the lives of individuals all over the world!”

In 2015, the Tim Tebow Foundation launched an idea to honor people with special needs with a celebration of God’s love for them. Now, every year around the world hundreds of thousands come together on one night around one dream… #NightToShine Thank you to all of the host churches and coordinators, volunteers, vendors, prayer warriors, and donors who have helped make Night to Shine possible not only this year, but every year. We’re so incredibly grateful for each of you, and truly could not do this without your support. Thank you for being a part of this family, this movement, and this effort to value every person’s life. I sincerely believe us coming together is making a huge difference in the lives of individuals all over the world! Thank you to our Night to Shine Global Partners: @ars_rescuerooter & @1sharehealth

A post shared by Tim Tebow (@timtebow) on Feb 10, 2020 at 4:41pm PST

“This year, we saw 721 host churches come together, across all 50 states and 34 countries, through the support of 215,000 volunteers celebrate 110,000 honored guests!” the foundation reveals in the video posted to several social media platforms, including YouTube. 

The event holds a special place in the hearts of Tebow and his wife Demi-Leigh. The couple met during a Night to Shine event that Demi-Leigh attended with her sister Franje, who suffered from cerebellar agenesis. Sadly, Franje passed away in 2019 at the age of 13. 

TTF recently announced the launch of a new ministry that is connected with Night to Shine. “Shine On” centers on nine special needs ministries that are lending their knowledge and experience to Night to Shine host churches.

One church that is associated with Shine On shared a positive response.

“I am so excited about Shine On,” Lynn Ebner from Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church said. “The families we serve really appreciate the ministry, and we are forming wonderful relationships. I’m so excited to share the rest of the resources you have sent with our special needs ministry team. God is so very good.”

TTF wrote on their website, “It is our hope, our prayer, and our belief that God will use Shine On to encourage and equip each and every church to continue loving, celebrating, and living out the Gospel to those with special needs in a way that goes far beyond Night to Shine.

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A U.S. Air Force base in Illinois has removed a commander’s name from a prayer breakfast invitation in response to a complaint from one of the nation’s leading secular legal organizations. 

Last Thursday, the New Mexico-based Military Religious Freedom Foundation sent a demand letter to Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County on behalf of 15 unnamed Air Force officers, enlisted personnel and civilians.

The letter was sent to Col. Jerimiah Heathman, objecting to a mass email he sent out to those stationed at the installation. The email included an invitation to the “National Prayer Breakfast” scheduled to take place on Feb. 25 at the base’s event center. The invitation was sent under Heathman’s formal title of commander of the 375th Air Mobility Wing.

Because Heathman urged recipients to send in their RSVPs, MRFF argues that the invitation signified a “command priority.”

MRFF also contends that Heathman violated the constitutional rights of subordinates under his command by “establishing religion” in a manner that violates the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights.

“You have additionally created a de facto ‘religious test,’” MRFF President Michael Weinstein said in the letter.

MRFF further argued that Heathman “blatantly breached the bounds” of several Department of Defense and U.S. Air Force directives, instructions and regulations. The letter cites Air Force Instruction 1-1, Section 2.12, which states that “leaders at all levels must balance constitutional protections for their own free exercise of religion.”

SOURCE: Christian Post, Samuel Smith

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South Carolina preacher Perry Noble revealed that the celebrity Christian life left him “empty” as he announced that he is looking to expand his congregation into a 28,000-square-foot building just a year after launching Second Chance Church.

Noble, who founded the popular NewSpring Church in Anderson, served as senior pastor of that megachurch where weekly attendance was 30,000 until he was fired in 2016 for alcohol abuse and other “unfortunate choices and decisions.”

A year after launching Second Chance Church, also in Anderson, in a return to ministry, Noble told his approximately 350-member congregation that the current location was getting too small and that he wanted to expand in the 28,000-square-foot building that at one point served as a Walmart.

“We’re going to be able to build an auditorium that seats 700, which allows us to double in size from where we are right now. We’re going to be able to have children’s ministry, birth through fifth grade,” he said.

Responding to critics who feel he just wants to build another big church to return to the limelight, Noble bluntly declared: “I don’t.”

“I’ve seen the Christian celebrity side, just to be real honest: the book deals, the conference circuit, the magazine articles, churches being written up, talked about and bragged about. You know what? I don’t care if I ever see that again,” Noble said.

“The thing to me that is the most important is individual people meeting Jesus and finding hope again. And the magazines and the book deals and the conference circuits can go do everything they want to do. I’ve had that, I’ve tasted it, it left me empty. What fills my cup is seeing people who feel like they’ve been lost and abandoned by God find hope again. That’s why we’re going to do this.”

SOURCE: Christian Post, Leonardo Blair

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Authorities in Egypt have again delayed the court hearing for a Coptic Christian activist jailed last November on “preposterous charges,” according to a persecution watchdog group. 

It’s been over two months since plainclothes police officers in Cairo raided the home of Christian activist Rami Kamil during the early hours of the morning. He was taken into custody and reportedly accused of joining a terror group as well as broadcasting false information.

However, advocates contend that Kamil was targeted because of his advocacy for human rights and religious freedom. Kamil is part of the Maspero Youth Union, an activist group fighting for equality and civil rights for the Coptic community. He has also written about the mistreatment suffered by Christians in Egypt.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a United Nations-recognized NGO that works in several countries to assist persecuted communities, reports that Kamil was slated to appear before the Supreme State Security Prosecution on Jan. 19.

But on the day of his hearing, Kamil’s lawyers waited several hours before being informed that the Ministry of Interior did not bring Kamil from Torra prison to the SSSP office for the hearing.

According to CSW, this is not the first time that the government ministry failed to transfer Kamil from the prison to the hearing.

Sources who spoke with the nonprofit agency believe that failure to bring Kamil to his scheduled hearings are an attempt to prolong his legal process as well as increase psychological pressure.

There have been several “procedural irregularities” in Kamil’s case. According to CSW, Kamil’s detention was extended by 15 days after an interrogation by prosecutors. Defense attorneys were informed that Kamil’s detention would be extended again even though he has not been formally charged with a crime.

It is not yet clear when the next hearing is scheduled.

“Mr. Kamil’s detention increasingly appears to be an effort to punish him for his work as a human rights defender,” CSW Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said in a statement. “We call for his immediate and unconditional release, and for due process to be observed.”

SOURCE: Christian Post, Samuel Smith

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Rev. Michael Evans is leading Berean Presbyterian, a 140-year-old church on Broad Street near Diamond, through a time of “transformation and transition.”

“We’re on the cusp of changing,” Evans said. “It’s important because of what’s going on financially and with the ministry service.”

Evans wants to attract young members to Berean, a congregation of mostly people 70-years and older, he said.

“Church is not a top priority,” Evans said. “You find more people in the mall on Sunday than you do in church. You find more people at the football game or something like that. At one time, you couldn’t find anything else open but a church.”

Historically Black churches around Temple are facing declining attendance and deterioration of their buildings. The Temple News asked church leaders and congregants what it will take for the churches to endure through the future.

Berean Presbyterian Church

In 1955, Rev. Benjamin Glasco Sr. and the Berean family bought Bethlehem Presbyterian Church’s building on Broad Street near Diamond. The church has remained there ever since, Evans said.

Between 60 and 80 people attend service at Berean each week, Evans said.

“We have some financial hardships, but we’re optimistic,” said Alison King, Berean’s clerk of session.

Part of the church’s income comes from fundraisers and renting out space in the church, King added.

Temple rents space in Berean for its Pan-African Studies Community Education Program, King said. Temple’s acapella groups, Broad Street Line and Singchronize, also rent space. Other renters include Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services and Narcotics Anonymous.

“We have to be more visible,” Evans said. “We have all this space. We have this resource that God has given us. How do we take this resource and be more functional in the community?”

The church will host a fundraiser, Berean Jazz Fest, on March 21, which attracts hundreds of attendees, Stewart said.

In January, Temple students and community residents gathered in Berean for a reading of Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech, The Temple News reported.

“This church is the best experience that I had, because I got to be a part of so many things that I always wanted to do,” said Margaret Searles, who has attended Berean for 42 years. “And there are so many people I’ve met that I never thought I would meet.”

“There are so many places I have been in the world, but this tops it all,” added Searles, who lives on Duval Street near Morton in Mt. Airy.

Jones Tabernacle A.M.E. Church

Rev. Richard Wright, Jr. founded Jones Tabernacle on 20th Street near Susquehanna Avenue in 1930 after splitting from Morris Brown African Methodist Episcopal Church. This year, Jones will be celebrating its 90th anniversary with a “year of celebration” which includes a series of workshops for community residents and a neighborhood block party, The Temple News reported.

“We’re maintaining [our historical significance],” said John Griswold, Jones’ longest-attending member. “It’s become very difficult because of the size of the congregation. It’s way down.”

Griswold, 91, remembers when Jones Tabernacle had more than a thousand members. Now, membership is less than 200 people, said Rev. Miriam Burnett, Jones’ first female pastor.

Source: Temple News

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Welcome to The Prophet Daniel’s Report. This is report #668.

My name is Daniel Whyte III here to remind you that Jesus Christ is coming back soon and that you need to be prepared. This broadcast is not about predictions, nor is it about setting dates as some foolishly have done, however it is all about preparation.

First, today, let’s look at some Signs of His Coming in the news.

The disciples asked Jesus in Matthew 24:3, “What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Jesus Christ gave them (and us) clear signs that show us when we can begin to expect to see the Coming of the Lord and the end of the world. Looking at world events through the lens of the Word of God, let’s look at some headlines from today’s news that point to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

First, today, under the Sign category of TURMOIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST — According to Ynet News, Blue & White chairman Benny Gantz announced he will bring a peace plan for the Middle East proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump for Knesset approval next week. Gantz, speaking at the 13th International INSS Research Institute Conference, said, “In recent months, we met with U.S. President Donald Trump’s team, led by his adviser Jared Kushner, U.S. Ambassador David Friedman and Ambassador to the Middle East Avi Berkowitz, and discussed the U.S. government’s peace plan. As an Israeli patriot, I tell you that the program faithfully reflects the basic principles of Blue & White’s agenda and forms the basis for future settlement in the Middle East.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced earlier that he intends to approve a motion to apply Israeli sovereignty over West Bank settlements during a Security Cabinet meeting. Gantz said he would bring the U.S. peace plan – which includes Israeli approval to grant Palestinian statehood – for Knesset to vote on next week. The former IDF chief didn’t miss an opportunity to take a jibe at Netanyahu, mentioning the premier’s legal woes and considering them detrimental to his part in the implementation of the plan. Gantz said: “The Deal of the Century was the second most-historic moment this week. The first and saddening event was when indictments against an incumbent prime minister were filed at court. In order to bring the Trump peace plan to fruition, we need an honest, trustworthy and available prime minister. This is a historic opportunity to shape the borders and future of Israel and find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict instead of running it.”

Second, today, under the Sign category of WARS & RUMOURS OF WARS — According to The Jerusalem Post, The IDF attacked Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip in response to a barrage of rockets sent into Israel a few hours prior. IDF airplanes and fighter jets attacked a long line of terrorist targets belonging to Hamas in the southern Gaza Strip. Among other targets, the IDF struck an underground cell belonging to the terrorist organization. The attack significantly deterred Hamas’s ability to build upwards. A few hours earlier, three rockets entered Israel from the Gaza Strip, two of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome system and one which landed in an open field near Sapir [SAH-PEER] College in Sderot [SDEHR-ROHT]. In addition, the day was plagued with numerous incendiary balloons entering Israel from the Gaza Strip.

Third, today, under the Sign category of PESTILENCES & FATAL EPIDEMIC DISEASES — According to NHK News, China’s agriculture ministry says the highly pathogenic H5N6 strain of bird flu has been confirmed at a poultry farm in the southwestern province of Sichuan [SEH-CHU-AWN]. The ministry says that 1,840 out of about 2,500 chickens at the poultry farm died of avian flu caused by the H5N6 virus. The remaining chickens were culled to prevent the infection from spreading. Earlier this month, the ministry said that the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of bird flu was detected at a poultry farm in Hunan [HOO-NAHN] Province. Chinese authorities are apparently stepping up measures against the series of bird flu outbreaks as they also contend with the spread of new coronavirus [KR-OW-NUH-VAI-RUHS] infections in the country.

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Now, it’s time for Prophecy Bootcamp.

Prophecy Bootcamp is where we deal with the basics of prophecy, the Second Coming of Christ, and what will happen in the future according to the Bible. Our aim here is not to make predictions but to help you get prepared by understanding how things will unfold in the end times.

Our topic for today is titled “A Variety of Views, Part 3” from Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson’s book “The Essential Guide to Bible Prophecy.”

Pre-millennial. This view says that Christ will return at the end of the church age to set up His kingdom on earth for a literal 1000 years. Most pre-millennialists also believe there will be a period of great tribulation on earth prior to the return of Christ. Some pre-millennialists believe the church will go through the Tribulation (post-tribulationists), others believe the church will be raptured prior to the Tribulation (pre-tribulationists), and a small number believe the church will be raptured in the middle of the Tribulation (mid-tribulationists). Despite these differences in regard to the rapture of the church, pre-millennialists generally believe in the future restoration of the state of Israel and the eventual conversion of the Jews to Christianity.

Most evangelical Christians hold to the dispensational pre-millennial view of eschatology, which looks forward to the rapture of believers to heaven as the next major prophetic event to be fulfilled. This, they believe, will end the church age and prepare the way for the Tribulation and the return of Christ. One Bible passage that suggests the rapture is 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Early Christians were unquestionably pre-millennialists. The disciples and those they taught anticipated the return of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom on earth in their lifetime. Detractors of the pre-millennial view claim that it is relatively new theology. But scholars have demonstrated that pre-millennialism was the dominant view held during the first three centuries of the early church.

Lord willing, we will continue looking at this topic in our next podcast.

In closing, let’s consider what God wants you and I to do in light of His Second Coming.

Jesus Christ said in Luke 19:13 to “Occupy till I come.” In light of that, we are continuing our journey through the book, “Coming Events and Present Duties,” by J.C. Ryle. It is a collection of what he called “prophetic tracts” that focus on the believer’s duty in light of the signs which point to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

This section is titled, “Idolatry to be Destroyed at Christ’s Coming” (Part 1). J.C. Ryle writes:

Isaiah 11:18 reads, “The idols He shall utterly abolish.”

The time here spoken of will be plain to all who take the prophecy of Isaiah in its literal meaning. It is the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,–the day when “He ariseth to shake terribly the earth.” The event is part of that mighty purification which will then take place in His professing Church–the abolishing of all idols; and the principal subject which claims your consideration in the text is idolatry.

Without further preface, I desire to ask your attention to the four following points:–

1. The definition of idolatry. What is it?
2. The cause of idolatry. Whence comes it?
3. The form idolatry assumes in the visible Church of Christ. Where is it?
4. The ultimate abolition of idolatry. What will end it?

I feel that the subject is encompassed with many difficulties. Our lot is cast in an age when truth is constantly in danger of being sacrificed to toleration, charity, and peace falsely so called. Nevertheless, I cannot forget that I am a minister of a Church which has given no uncertain sound on the subject of idolatry; and, unless I am greatly mistaken, truth about idolatry is, in the highest sense, truth for the times.

If the Lord tarries His Coming and we live, we will continue looking at this topic in our next broadcast/podcast.

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CLOSING PRAYER
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Remember the words of the Lord in Matthew 24:42: “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” Matthew 24:44 says, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

If you are not ready for the Return of Jesus Christ, may I encourage you to get ready today by receiving Him as your Savior. Here is how:

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…” Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Now that is bad news, but here is the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.

Romans 10:9-13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh. Let us join in the prayer of John the Revelator — “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” God bless you.

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