Doug Oldham Dies

Christian singer Doug Oldham has died at the age of 79. An associate of Jerry Falwell, he passed away at the University of Virginia Medical Center while awaiting surgery for a recent back injury. Oldham was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2006. He recorded more than 64 albums and sang with the Billy Graham and for five presidents.

Focus Going Social

Focus on the Family say it is going to do "everything Facebook lets a company do." The ministry founded by James Dobson plans to use social media and extensively even though it didn't have a Facebook page until last year. Even then, it was a supporter and not an employee who started it. The site now has 51,000 fans. Facebook says it has surpassed 500 million active users, making it the largest social network in the world.

Megachurch Pastor Injured

Rick Warren is recovering from accident that severely burned his eyes. He was pruning in his garden Monday when he inadvertently wiped the toxic sap of a firestick plant in his eyes. Warren was hospitalized and released the next day. The California pastor has been on a leave from preaching at his church to write the church's fall curriculum on Christian service.

CS Lewis off-Broadway

Two different plays are running off-Broadway right now about CS Lewis. There is a stage adaptation of his Screwtape Letters while Freud's Last Session is based on a book by Armand Nicholi called The Question of God which contrasts the views of Freud and Lewis. The play turns into a lively debate about God, sex, and politics. Neither show is marketed to a specifically Christian audience.

OK Law on Hold

An Oklahoma abortion law will not go into affect because a judge has issued an injunction to block it. This extends an order issued in May. The law would require women seeking abortions to have an ultrasound and listen to a detailed description of the fetus. It's is being challenged by the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Millions to Study Character

Wake Forest University has been given $3.67 million to study the nature of character. Three professors from the Winston-Salem, North Carolina school - one in philosophy and two in psychology will lead the study. The funding comes from the John Templeton Foundation for The Character Project.

The Legend of Caine

Will Smith may star in re-telling of the biblical story of Cain and Abel. Smith will reportedly be the producer of The Legend Of Caine which will be brought up to date with the inclusion of a Vampire-like twist. The script was written by Caleeb Pinket, Will Smith's brother-in-law.

Gospel Album Called Sick Joke

A record label executive says Tom Jones new Gospel album is a "sick joke." Island records vice president David Sharpe has since apologized for the remark after Jones demanded one. Jones left EMI last year and signed with Island Records. The 70-year-old's decision to release an album of blues-flavored gospels and spirituals called Praise & Blame came as a surprise.

Prayers for Gulf Families

Evangelical groups are promoting today as a National Day of Prayer for the Gulf. The National Association of Evangelicals and the Evangelical Environmental Network are asking Christians to pray for Gulf Coast residents affected by the BP oil spill. Congregations across the U.S. and as far away as New Zealand will observe the National Day of Prayer for the Gulf from their own church location. Churches in Gulf Shores, Alabama took part in an inter-denominational sunrise service Sunday on the beach at Gulf State Park this morning.