Friday, May 16, 2014

Christian Publisher leaving NRB because of the book God and the Gay Christian

The NRB (National Religious Broadcasters) is parting ways with WaterBrook Multnomah because of its association with a new book called God and the Gay Christian. Even though WaterBrook Multnomah handles many best-sellers, including books by Kay Arthur, John Piper and David Jeremiah, the company that owns WaterBrook Multnomah choose to publish Matthew Vines' book God and the Gay Christian under the Convergent Books imprint. In the book, Vines argues for same-gender sex, claiming it is not sinful. Convergent Books and WaterBrook Multnomah are both owned by Penguin Random House.  The Convergent staff wrote an explanation about why God and the Gay Christian was published here.

Singer in Christian Metal Band Gets 6 Years

A San Diego judge sentenced Tim Lambesis of the Christian metal band As I Lay Dying to serve six years in prison after he was convicted of trying to kill his wife, Meggan Lambesis. Tim Lambesis plead guilty earlier this year--and he returns to court soon to face a $2 million lawsuit filed by his wife. Read more details from San Diego's KGTV here and from the local newspaper, UT San Diego here.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Bill Gothard resigns

Conservative Christian leader Bill Gothard is being accused of making unwanted sexual advances--by more than two dozen women including some underage teenagers. He resigned from the Institute in Basic Life Principles after denying the allegations. In a statement he said that when he touched women, it was never with sexual intent. He spent more than half a century leading the Institute, which has produced materials for home-schoolers. A group called Recovering Grace published the allegations against Gothard online here. Gothard is 79 years old, has never been married and not been charged with a crime. His brother, Steve Gothard, resigned from the organization in the 1980s after being accused of having affairs with several employees.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Can Christians make funny movies?

A new movie genre debuts at the box office this weekend: the Christian comedy, writes Eric Marrapodi at CNN.com. "Moms’ Night Out" starring Patricia Heaton and Sean Astin is opening on more than 1,000 screens, and it aims to do something no other Christian major motion picture has endeavored to do: make you laugh. On purpose. Read more here.