The Outlaw Larry Norman

A documentary about Larry Norman will finally see the light of day. The Jesus Music pioneer recorded several albums in the early 70's that impacted many later Contemporary Christian musicians. The film called Fallen Angel: the Outlaw Larry Norman has suffered from legal delays as Norman's family tried to block its release. They eventually settled out of court. The film will be shown this coming Tuesday in Nashville (click here for more info). It suggests Norman cheated partners out of music royalties and fathered a child out of wedlock. Norman's family denies several claims in the film. N0rman died in 2008 at the age of 60.

Day of Prayer Struck Down

A federal judge in Wisconsin says the National Day of Prayer violates the constitutional ban on government-backed religion. Judge Barbara Crabb struck down the federal statute today. Defendants in the case, President Obama and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs will be able to exhaust their appeal before the injunction against the 1952 law that created the National Day of Prayer takes effect. The Obama administration says Obama intends to recognize this year's National Day of Prayer on May 6.

Seminary Prof Resigns over Evolution Dispute

An Old Testament scholar was forced to resign from his position at Reformed Theological Seminary after endorsing evolution. Bruce K. Waltke was a professor at the Florida school until he posted a video on his blog. It's carried by the BioLogos Foundation, an organization promoting harmony between science and theology. Waltkes says he stands beside what he said on the video but also believes in "in the inerrancy of Scripture." Here's more on the story from USA Today.

Philosopher Dies

British Philosopher Antony Flew has died at the age of 87. He spent most of his life denying the existence of God but dramatically renounced his atheism in 2004. This shocked many of his admirers. He had long been regarded as one of their foremost champions of nonbelievers. Yet Flew's "conversion" did not included a belief in the afterlife, good and evil or divine intervention in human affairs. He was especially known for his work on the eighteenth-century philosopher David Hume and on the philosophy of religion. His paper Theology and Falsification was one of the most frequently-quoted philosophical publication of the second half of the 20th century.

Christian Singer Says She's Gay

Christian singer Jennifer Knapp says she's a lesbian. She's been out of the music spotlight for 7 years but plans a return. The 36-year-old, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter has a new album coming out on May 11 called Letting Go. The songs are mainstream, rather than Christian-oriented. Her last album was the 2001 The Way I Am release. Knapp says she still considers herself a “person of faith” and has not turned her back on the church.

Missionary Killed

A Southern Baptist student missionary has died in Mozambique. 21-year-old Jeremiah Johnson was killed yesterday in a motorcycle accident and his passenger was injured. Johnson was a member of Royal Palms Baptist Church in Phoenix and a student at Glendale Community College.

Former TBN Pastor Sentenced

A former TBN pastor got only 5 years probation for injuring a man on his way to the headquarters of the Trinity Broadcasting Company in Costa Mesa. Stephen Eugene Galiher was driving over 85 miles per hour and three times over the legal drinking limit almost one year ago when he injured David Rhodes who passed away within six months. Galiher will also pay restitution and was ordered by an Orange County judge to stay away from alcohol during the probation. Galiher spent 3 months in a alcoholism clinic and four months under house arrest at his Tennessee home before facing any sentence. The judge suggested he wanted to give Galiher more time but was constrained by the law.

John Tesh and Oprah

A new biography about Oprah claims she had a romantic relationship with John Tesh, known for his Contemporary Christian praise music. The book is rewritten by Kitty Kelley who says the two lived together in Nashville during the 70's but parted ways because the social pressure of an interracial couple at the time proved too much for Tesh. The book comes out tomorrow.

College Firings on Hold

A judge has issued a temporary injunction stopping the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church from removing 14 Erskine College board members. Three of the trustees filed suit against the church. Students at the South Carolina school have complained that professors are promoting nonChristian views in the classrooms.

Slain in the Spirit Ruling

Michigan's highest court says a woman injured when she was "slain in the Spirit" is entitled to money from Mount Hope Church in Delta Township. A jury had awarded Judith Dadd more than $317,000. Dadd claimed pastor Dave Williams defamed her when he sent a letter to members accusing her of insurance fraud, faking her injuries and renouncing her faith. An appeals court had said she was entitled to money from the negligence claim ($40,000) but not $273,000 in damages for libel, slander and false light. However, the 5-2 ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court reverses that decision.