Author Archives: Marsha West

About Marsha West

Marsha West is the owner and managing editor of Christian Research Network, Apprising Ministries (the late Ken Silva’s blog) and On Solid Rock Resources. She is also co-founder of Berean Research. For two decades Marsha was the owner and managing editor of Email Brigade website as well as the EMB News Report, a bi-weekly email report for conservative people of faith. For many years Marsha was a regular contributor to several blogs including CRN, RenewAmerica, News With Views and Web Commantary as well as popular websites she no longer endorses: American Family Association, Worldview Weekend, Stand Up For The Truth, The Christian Post and Christian Headlines. Although Marsha still blogs, her primary focus is CRN. Marsha also writes Research Papers (White Papers) on various topics that are published on CRN, Berean Research and On Solid Rock Resources. Visit Marsha’s other sites: On Solid Rock Resources https://www.onsolidrockresources.com/ Apprising Ministries http://apprising.org Marsha’s RenewAmerica Column http://renewamerica.com/columns/mwest Marsha’s Facebook Page http://facebook.com/marsha.west.77

Be celibate or leave the priesthood, pope tells gay priests

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He urged homosexuals who are already priests or nuns to be celibate and responsible to avoid creating scandal. “It is better that they leave the priesthood or the consecrated life rather than live a double life,”

(Philip Pullella – Reuters)  Men with deep-rooted homosexual tendencies should not be admitted to the Catholic clergy, and it would be better for priests who are actively gay to leave rather than lead a double life, Pope Francis says in a new book.

While he has previously spoken of the need for better screening of candidates for the religious life, his comments suggesting that priests who cannot keep their vows of celibacy should leave are some of his clearest to date. Continue reading →

The Terrifying Report About Children And Pornography That Every Parent Needs To Read

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“This may shock us, but it shouldn’t. What else can we expect? The average child gets his first smart phone at the age of 10. That means many kids are getting phones even earlier. Just ask any third grade teacher about all the 8-year-olds coming to class with iPhones.”

(Matt Walsh – The Daily Wire)  A local news report in Kansas City should spark the interest of every parent. Children’s Mercy Hospital has noticed a trend in the child sexual assault cases they encounter: half of the perpetrators of these crimes are children themselves. Nurses at the hospital think porn plays a prominent role: Continue reading →

Read my lips: Media’s love for George H.W. Bush more about hatred of Donald Trump

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“All the sudden praise, all the accolades, this surprise love affair with George H.W. Bush. It is all just another vehicle for demonstrating their hatred for Donald Trump.”

(Charles Hurt – The Washington Times)   It has been nothing short of miraculous in this new season of Advent to hear all the Hosannas and applause for our recently departed former President George H.W. Bush.

In The New York Times, Mr. Bush was heralded for his “uncommon grace.”

The Washington Post called him a “giant of a man.” Continue reading →

Discovery of Giant Synapsid Fossil in Poland ‘Throws a Wrench’ in Evolutionary Expectations for Triassic Layers

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“Brian Thomas, a science researcher with the Institute for Creation Research, said the discovery of the Lisowicia bojani—while those who wrote the report on the find might not see it as such—points to the handiwork of the Creator.”

(Heather Clark – Christian News)  The remains of a large synapsid the size of an elephant has been discovered in Triassic rock layers in Poland, much to the surprise of researchers who thought that colossal mammal-like creatures had died out prior to the existence of dinosaurs. Christians, however, state that the find is no surprise and again points to the Great Flood. Continue reading →

Prosperity gospel boosts mood, encourages financial risk, weak on theology, study finds

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“Mood-boosting effects, rather than the religious content, seem to be more directly responsible for the growth of the prosperity gospel movement.”

(Stoyan Zaimov – Christian Post)  People who listen to prosperity gospel teachings feel more positive but they’re not necessarily learning any theological content, a new study suggests.

The University of Toronto released last month a study in the journal of Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, which named such preachers as Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes and Creflo Dollar.  Continue reading →

University hosts ‘critical look at whiteness’ forum and decides Veggie Tales is racist

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“Another project suggested that the children’s Christian television show, “VeggieTales,” perpetuates racial stereotypes. A female student who worked on the project said in an interview that the accents of the evil characters tend to sound ethnic, such as Latino, while the good characters sound white.”

(Drew Van Voorhis – The College Fix)  The Christian cartoon “VeggieTales” is racist because the villains are vegetables of color. The NFL is racist since most players are black and most coaches and owners are white. White women advance white supremacy when they support President Donald Trump. Continue reading →

Five Remarkable Things About the Ben Shapiro and John MacArthur Interview

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“I think virtually all of us thought that MacArthur would speak more about Social Justice and political conservatism. Shapiro certainly tried to steer it there. But every time the conversation drifted away from the Gospel, MacArthur would politely lend his opinion on the subject (from ungodly political leaders to the Enlightenment) and then BAM back to the Gospel again. Gospel. Gospel. Gospel.”

Watch the video!

(JD Hall – Pulpit & Pen)  John MacArthur, a wildly popular evangelical preacher, recently appeared on Ben Shapiro’s program, a wildly popular podcast host and conservative pundit. I am a fan of both. When I heard Shapiro was going to host JMAC on his weekend special show, I almost had a coronary from the excitement. The following is my review.  Continue reading →

Popular CCM Artist Lauren Daigle: ‘I Can’t Say One Way or the Other’ If Homosexuality Is Sin, ‘I’m Not God’

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Joel Osteen, who is more of a life coach than a pastor, is mentioned in the Christian News article. Heather Clark reveals that a few years ago Osteen caused concern when he was asked by the Huffington Post whether God accepts homosexuals. Here’s the so-called pastor’s response: “The Scripture teaches the way people are going to know His disciples is for our love for one another, and so, I’m not preaching hate [or] pushing people down. I’m not here to tell everybody what they’re doing wrong.”  Joel Osteen is also not here to teach what the Holy Spirit inspired, infallible Word of God says about homosexuality, that it’s sinful!

Following in Joel Osteen’s footsteps, “Christian” entertainer Lauren Daigle said during an interview that she doesn’t know if homosexuality is a sin. Clearly, Daigle doesn’t read the Bible, because if she read it she’d know the answer to the question is yes, homosexuality is a sin against God. Christian News has the story: Continue reading →

CRTV, TheBlaze merge, bringing together conservatives Glenn Beck, Mark Levin

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“Blaze Media will compete with other conservative entities such as Breitbart and The Daily Wire, with the latter featuring popular conservative host and columnist Ben Shapiro.”

(Joe Concha – The Hill)  TheBlaze and CRTV have merged to create Blaze Media, the companies announced on Monday, in a move they say will allow the new conservative entity to reach 165 million people via television, online and on social media.

The Blaze was founded by former Fox News host Glenn Beck in 2011 not long after parting ways with the network, while CRTV was founded in 2014 by current Fox News host Mark Levin, who also hosts a nationally syndicated radio program. Continue reading →

Dutch court denies businessman’s request to legally identify as 20 years younger

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The court said it acknowledged “a trend in society for people to feel fit and healthy for longer, but did not regard that as a valid argument for amending a person’s date of birth.”

(Lucia I. Suarez Sang – Fox News)  The Dutch businessman who claimed he was a “young god” when he launched a legal battle last month to officially roll back his age 20 years will remain 69.

A Dutch court on Monday rejected Emile Ratelband’s request to shave off two decades from his age, saying that amending his date of birth would “cause 20 years of records to vanish.” Continue reading →

Brian Houston awarded honorary doctorate while still under police investigation

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“While the legal noose is tightening around Brian Houston’s neck and the media reports have been damning in recent weeks, this smoke-screen of self-aggrandizing, self-congratulating sideshow is attempting to make it appear that all is well with Brian Houston and Hillsong Church.”

(JD Hall – Pulpit & Pen)  While investigators are closing in on Brian Houston for Hillsong’s cover-up of their pedophilia scandal, and as Houston blamed the victim for “tempting” the perpetrator, he has awarded himself an honorary doctorate degree.  Continue reading →

Exorcist: Agenda Behind Céline Dion’s Gender-Neutral Children’s Clothing Line Is ‘Satanic’

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Kim Kardashian’s nephew wearing a shirt from Celine Dion’s new “Satanic” clothing line for kids.

“I’m convinced that the way this gender thing has spread is demonic, It’s false. I don’t even know how many genders there’s supposed to be now, but there are only two that God made.” 

(Kassy Dillon – Daily Wire)  A priest who has been an exorcist for over 40 years has labeled the “mindset” inspiring Céline Dion’s new gender-neutral children’s clothing line as “definitely satanic.”

As The Daily Wire’s Amanda Prestigiacomo reported, the clothing line was promoted in a video advertisement featuring Dion breaking into a hospital, blowing glitter out of her hand, and magically changing infants’ pink and blue blankets and clothing into gender-neutral clothing from her line. The gender-neutral clothing includes black and white colors with stars and the slogan “New Order.” Continue reading →

Is Persisting Sin Our Identity And May We Offer It To God?

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“Romans 7 is brutally realistic about the ongoing effects (and affects) of the fall. They are real but our sins do not define us. They mark us, they scar us, but those who are united to Christ through faith, by the Holy Spirit, who are adopted sons, by grace alone, through faith alone, are defined by those realities and truths not by their sins.”

(R. Scott Clark – Abounding Grace Radio)  A complex question came over the electronic transom this morning. It has at least two parts: (1) Is persistent sin (e.g., sexual sin or desire) our identity, who we are; (2) Does the Lord want us to offer this sin to him? The question arises out of the recent Revoice conference and other sources, where it has apparently become fashionable (1) to identify one’s self by one’s persistent sins; (2) to offer that identity to the Lord as a sacrifice as though one is giving up something truly valuable in order to follow Christ. Continue reading →

Catholic university defends drag show, transgender policies in defiance of archbishop

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“It is important for the institutional Church to understand the lived experiences of gay, lesbian and transgender Catholics. It is also important for this group of Catholics to understand what the Church believes and teaches.”

(Lisa Bourne – LifeSiteNews)Leaders at a Colorado Catholic university pushed back after their local bishop called out their move to host an on-campus drag show and other efforts to promote gender ideology.

Denver Archbishop Samuel Aquila said Regis University Provost Janet Houser used her position of influence to advance gender ideology in several ways at Regis University that conflict with the Catholic faith. Continue reading →

Feminists Release Commentaries on Bible Passages to ‘Emancipate’ Women From ‘Lingering Patriarchal Readings’

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“Emancipation for women is the freedom to live as a person, not as a rule; the freedom to choose what is the ‘best part,’ not to conform to norms. We want to empower women and men to live who they are, in confidence to their vocation as Christians…”

(Heather Clark – Christian News)  A group of 20 female theologians from around the world have released a book of commentaries about Scriptures that pertain to women in an effort to tackle what they call “the lingering patriarchal readings that have justified numerous restrictions and bans on women.” Continue reading →

Tuberculosis, Chicken Pox, HIV/AIDS: A Third of Caravan Migrants Have Serious Health Problems

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[Some] people have chosen to accept offers of temporary work and asylum from Mexico, yet most still remain committed to entering the United States.

(Lucas Mikelionis – LifeZette)  Migrants who came with the caravan are suffering from respiratory infections, tuberculosis, chickenpox and other serious health issues, Tijuana’s Health Department warned on Thursday morning.

The spokesman told Fox News that out of 6,000 migrants currently residing in the city, over a third of them (2,267) are being treated for health-related issues. Continue reading →

Why Are So Many Millennials Ignorant Anti-Americans?

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The survey also asked which is better for America’ future: capitalism or socialism? Overall, 61% of the public favors capitalism. Given the appalling record of socialism, that is a shockingly low percentage.

(Investors Business Daily)  Mis-education: Congratulations to the leftists who’ve taken over the nation’s public education system. They’re now producing generations of Americans who know little about their own country, other than that they hate it. That’s what a new survey shows, anyway. Continue reading →

Should Christians opt out of Christmas due to its supposedly pagan origins?

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Bible study author, speaker and blogger Michelle Lesley was asked the question:

I’ve been hearing a lot of things about Christmas having pagan origins, from Santa’s elves starting out as demons to the Roman winter solstice celebration of Saturnalia morphing into Christmas. Are these things true, and, if so, should Christians be celebrating Christmas?

Here’s Michelle’s thoughtful –and biblical–response: Continue reading →

The Hate For Melania’s Christmas Decor Is Even Worse This Year. Here Are The Many Cruel Things Leftists Are Saying.

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“It’s 2018: It’s well-established that we live in hell. It only makes sense that the first lady’s Christmas decorations would match the bleakness of the Trump era.”

(Paul Bois – Daily Wire)  You may love Melania Trump’s taste in Christmas decorations; you may indeed dislike them, or perhaps even detest them. To each his own. But the venom leftists have spewed at the First Lady these past two years regarding her Christmas decor goes beyond mere differences in taste and into pure “Mean Girls” territory. Continue reading →

10 Lessons From the Death of John Chau

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“The world can’t understand. Even if you explain it to them slowly and as clearly as you can, all they hear is utter foolishness. The Gospel itself is foolish to the ears of the perishing as the Bible tells us (1 Cor. 1:18). No church or ministry should get any advice from the world, and yet it seems to be a trend these days.”

(Jordan Standridge – The Cripplegate)  Would you be willing to die for the Gospel?

That’s a question every Christian needs to ask themselves. And really, it should be a part of our discussions in Sunday school with our kids and everyone we evangelize. We aren’t just calling people to new life, we are calling people to die to self and be willing to die for the sake of others. Continue reading →

Abortion: An American Institution Built on Lies

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“There is talk that the current 5-4 majority in the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade. But even if that occurs, states will be able to pass laws permitting abortions.”

(Laura Hollis – Townhall)  The new head of Planned Parenthood, Dr. Leana Wen, stated in a recent interview that she intends to expand the organization’s services and reach. If by “expand” she means services other than abortion, then more power to her. But that is hard to square with Planned Parenthood’s status as the single largest provider of abortion in the United States. It performed nearly 330,000 abortions in 2016. Abortion is also its biggest moneymaker. Continue reading →

James White Joins Controversial ‘Booze and Tattoos’ Church

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It is unclear, at the time of publication, whether White is leaving Phoenix Reformed Baptist Church as elder and member, however, dual-membership is not really something that happens regularly in Reformed Baptist Churches.

(Pulpit & Pen)  Apologia Church is the congregation that became embroiled in a controversy after the Christians News Network posted an article about a number of questionable fundraisers undertaken by the church. On two separate occasions, church members hosted separate events that exchanged booze and tattoos (respectively) for money designated to a Hawaii church plant. Christian News Network found a video posted online under the church’s affiliated media ministry (by the same name), in which a man was receiving a tattoo on his arm in exchange for charity to the church. … Continue reading →