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IDAHOT – Love makes a family

May 17 is IDAHOT Day—International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

Debating issues around sexuality can cause controversy in the Christian faith but open dialogue is the key to progress in an age where the LGBTIQ community still faces significant violence and discrimination. Sue Hutchinson explores how church members can be truly supportive of LGBTIQ individuals and their families. “Families are at the heart of all our lives. Whether it’s the ...

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Faith and the big 4-0

Feet on dusty road

The number 40 is mentioned in Holy Scripture over 100 times and its use seems to have less to do with an actual number and more to do with signalling a time of completion and fulfilment, or trial and testing. The following seven stories from the Old and New Testaments where the number 40 is prominent illustrate ways in which ...

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Friday’s religion wrap

Photo of a magnifying glass over an open Bible.

The Journey team selects stories that got us talking this week.  Rise in dough for Christian bakers The Belfast Telegraph reports on the profit rise for a Northern Irish Christian bakery that was involved in a legal stoush over their refusal to bake a cake promoting gay marriage. Ashers Bakery was found guilty of discrimination after it refused service to a gay activist ...

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Book review: The Shack

The Shack. Photo: Windblown Media

William Paul Young’s novel The Shack became a mega sensation after solid word-of-mouth from America’s Christian community transformed it from a little-known novel from a tiny publishing outfit (operating on a shoestring marketing budget) to a USA Today best-seller. With the film adaptation—featuring Hollywood stars Sam Worthington and Octavia Spencer—about to hit Aussie cinemas, Rodney Eivers reviews the 2008 book ...

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Book review: The Boy and the Homeless Man

The Boy and the Homeless Man. Photo: Supplied

African-Australian author Edison Yongai writes a modern day parable about the way in which God invites and challenges the church to love unconditionally and serve selflessly, especially to those in need. Ben Tupou reviews. What a time for this tale to be told. In the year 2017 where phrases such as “Let’s build a wall” or “Send them back to ...

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Friday’s religion wrap

Photo of a magnifying glass over an open Bible.

The Journey team selects stories that got us talking this week.  Christchurch woman concerned about religious influence Radio NZ reports on the looming battle in New Zealand between the Secular Education Network and the government over religious favouritism in state schools. A spokesman for the Secular Education Network claimed that Christianity is being given preferential treatment in the classroom and that, “it is ...

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The Fault in Ourselves: Trump, the Media, and the Modern Malaise

Trump, the media and our modern malaise

Donald Trump’s presidential win shook the foundations of the global political establishment and forced much contemplation about how his brash, America-first campaign successfully connected with many voters despite the torrent of scandals surrounding him. Scott Stephens examines the media’s role in the US election and the “fake news” hysteria generated in the wake of President Trump. If there is one ...

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Friday’s religion wrap

Photo of a magnifying glass over an open Bible.

The Journey team selects stories that got us talking this week.  Novelty Air Pontiffs are a slam dunk hit   Relevant Magazine reports on a pair of interesting gifts given to Pope Francis from the University of Michigan’s Wolverine football team: a Michigan helmet and a custom pair of Nike Air Jordans. It is unclear whether Pope Francis will indeed wear the popular ...

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What if every church … engaged young people meaningfully?

Engaging young people meaningfully

The youth will inherit the future but they are also a vital part of the present. Have our churches done enough to meaningfully transition leadership and responsibility from one generation to the next? Scott Guyatt writes. “Young people are the future of the church,” as the saying goes. Sometimes the implication is that we have to get the youth involved ...

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Friday’s religion wrap

Magnifying glass over an open Bible.

NFL star’s end of life marked with John 3:16 The Washington Post reports on the suicide of controversial NFL star Aaron Hernandez and the alleged Bible citation written on his forehead. Hernandez, a former New England Patriots tight end, was found dead in his prison cell with John 3:16 written in red across his forehead. He was serving life without ...

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