Just the facts.

Trump Claims Yearly IRS Audits May Be Because He’s “Strong Christian”

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Christian News Network reports:

In speaking about being audited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) each year, the thrice-married, unbridled tongued Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said Thursday night that perhaps he is being targeted by the government because he is a “strong Christian.”

“I’m always audited by the IRS, which I think is very unfair,” he told CNN’s Chris Cuomo following the GOP debate in Houston. “I don’t know, maybe because of religion, maybe because of something else, maybe because I’m doing this, although this is just recently.”

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After Obama, the commander in chief will also be entertainer in chief

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According to USA Today:

Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush and John Kasich all say so: America is electing a commander in chief, not an “entertainer in chief.’’ Civics teachers everywhere say, amen!

But a candidate who wants to beat one outstanding entertainer (Donald Trump) for the right to succeed another (Barack Obama) must be able to put on a show, and to go on one. An ability to entertain — in even quirky settings — has become part of the job.

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Mega-Ministry Methods: David Jeremiah Sows the Wind and Reaps the Windfall

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Warren Throckmorton of Patheos has some disturbing news about Pastor David Jeremiah’s business dealings:

One of the key events that led to the demise of Mars Hill Church in 2014 was the revelation that the church leaders had used around $250,000 of church money to strategically buy a spot on the New York Times bestseller list for Mark and Grace Driscoll’s 2011 book Real Marriage. Manipulating bestseller lists became a debated topic for several months after it was learned that other leading Christian authors had also used Result Source to manipulate the bestseller list (e.g., Les & Leslie Parrott, and David Jeremiah). Articles in World, Christianity Today, and this blog examined the ethics of the matter.

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“Together 2016”: Denominations link arms with Chrislebrities to erase doctrinal divisions

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Berean Research reports on yet another attempt to unite denominations:

Wolf in sheep's clothing

Doctrinal distinctives? Divisions? Not any more. Several major denominations will be blended up smoother than a Vitamix cocktail in a few weeks.

This summer, a “Next Great Awakening” is bringing Assemblies of God Supt. George O. Wood and Southern Baptist Convention president Ronnie Floyd together to link arms in spiritual unity with the Pentecostal Charismatic Churches of North America, Grace Communion International (formerly the Armstrongism Worldwide Church of God), and a host of familiar Chrislebrities including Hillsong United, Francis Chan, Hillsong’s pastorix Christine Caine, Ravi Zacharias, Kari Jobe, Josh McDowell, Lois Palau and others. The number organizers have in mind: One Million.

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Azusa redux: Lou Engle, Greg Laurie uniting denominations?

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From Berean Examiner:

“Can you believe with us that denominations will unite, that the races could come together, that God could make us one, as the antidote to the terrific division in our day? Could you believe with us for stadium Christianity where signs and wonders are breaking out and mass evangelism explodes across our country- the Third Great Awakening?”

So asks NAR-affiliated false teacher Lou Engle, founder of the “Azusa Now: The Call” set for April 9th at the LA Coliseum. “We are believing for an outbreak of God’s glory that will touch the Lord on this day! If we move together, we can see a shift in the body of Christ, unto a day of greater healings and a great awakening for America!”

When Azusa Now calls all denominations, it includes the Church of Rome:

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Newsweek calls those who believe in divine creation “evangelical extremists”

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Noah's ArkIn today’s The Briefing Albert Mohler discussed an article that appeared in Newsweek entitled “Noah’s Ark Rises In Kentucky, Dinosaurs And All” that has to do with the Ark Encounter, the replica of Noah’s Ark being built by the ministry Answers in Genesis. According to Mohler, “The article itself is an attack on the ministry and an attack on the project, but what’s really, really interesting is the subhead in the article, because it speaks of evangelical Christians who deny the theory of evolution and believe in divine creation as,

“evangelical extremists.”

Lindsay Tucker’s piece, says Mohler, “is really not all that important, but the headline is. It tells us that, according to the liberal secular elites in this country, if you believe in the biblical account of creation, you are an evangelical extremist. The dominant secular academy so committed to the worldview of Darwinism and evolution finds it inconceivable that a large sector of Americans still refuse to accept evolution and still believe in the biblical account of creation. So what exactly do they think of us? As being eccentric, or odd, or confessional, convictional? No, as this headline makes very clear, they consider us “evangelical extremists.” Who knew that merely believing in the total truthfulness and the historicity of the book of Genesis would earn us the label “evangelical extremists” in Newsweek magazine, but there it is in plain print.”

View Newsweek’s article

New book: Homosexuals & everyone else need Gospel

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The book was penned by Denny Burk and Heath Lambert of Boyce College. Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, wrote the forward. Baptist Press has the story:

The Gospel demands change for homosexuals just as it demands change for all people, two Baptist collegiate professors write in a new book, “Transforming Homosexuality: What the Bible Says About Sexual Orientation and Change.”

“If we withhold that truth from them out of fear of offending them, then we don’t love them. We cut them off from salvation,” Denny Burk and Heath Lambert write. “The only way for them to be saved is to receive Christ. The only way to receive Christ is by repentance and faith.”

Burk and Lambert are faculty members at Boyce College, the undergraduate school of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.

Burk, professor of biblical studies, and Lambert, visiting professor of biblical counseling who also is executive director of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, acknowledge that homosexuality can be an uncomfortable subject to talk about amid the championing of the Bible’s clear standards for sexuality.

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Marco Rubio’s deputy campaign manager is a gay “marriage” activist

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Life Site News reports:

A pivotal member of Marco Rubio’s campaign actively encouraged the Supreme Court to impose gay “marriage” on the entire nation by judicial fiat.

Senator Rubio’s deputy campaign manager, Rich Beeson, signed a legal brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to redefine marriage in last summer’s Obergefell v. Hodges case.

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Utah Governor Says Using Anesthesia on Babies Being Murdered May Be “Most Humane” Abortion Method

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Christian News Network reports:

The Republican governor of Utah said on Wednesday that he would consider signing a proposed bill requiring the use of anesthesia on babies that are being murdered in the womb, opining that it may be the “most humane” way of ending a child’s life.

Gov. Gary Herbert said that he is personally opposed to abortion, but remarked that if the practice is considered legal in America, it should be carried out as “humanely” as possible.

“You know, abortion is a very emotional issue,” he told reporters at a news conference. “Rather than get into the abortion debate, I guess the question is: If we’re going to have abortion, what is the most humane way to do it?”

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Pope Francis calls Donald Trump “not Christian” over wall stance

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From Berean Research:

Ironically this is a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Many Protestants believe that Pope Francis isn’t a true Christian either. Why? Because he teaches a false gospel. (See our White Paper on the RCC). That aside, the Pope of Rome has no business injecting his personal views into American politics the way he has. Could his aim be to sway the election? Two out of six candidates are Catholics — Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio. Would the pontiff like to see a Catholic win the nomination and go on to become the next President of the United States? Of course he would! I mean, think about it. Should either Bush or Rubio become president, the RCC would be in a much better position…..to rule the world.

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Beck begs South Carolinians to support Ted Cruz — “Fall to your knees and pray to God to reveal to you what the hour is”

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Wolf in sheeps clothing 4What many people don’t realize is that New Age Mormon Glenn Beck held a rally at a “church” whose senior pastor is New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) “Apostle” and wolf in sheep’s clothing Rick Joyner. Beck is in South Carolina stumping for GOP candidate Ted Cruz whose father, Rafael Cruz, is also ensconced in the heretical NAR movement. Just last week the senior Cruz received an “anointing” from Kenneth Copeland, a notorious Word of Faith/prosperity preacher.

According to Breitbart :

At a campaign rally held last week at the MorningStar Fellowship Church in Fort Mill, South Carolina, for GOP presidential hopeful Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), radio talk show host Glenn Beck begged those in attendance to support Cruz’s campaign.

“I am telling you right now, this is your last call, America,” Beck proclaimed. “This is your last call.”

A video compilation created by the People for the American Way’s RightWingWatch.org shows Beck imploring attendees to seek God and ask Him who they should vote for in the forthcoming presidential elections.

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FCC commissioner: U.S. tradition of free expression slipping away

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Washington Examiner reports:

The American traditions of free expression and respectful discourse are slipping away, and college campuses and Twitter are prime examples, according to a member of the Federal Communications Commission.

“I think that poses a special danger to a country that cherishes First Amendment speech, freedom of expression, even freedom of association,” FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai told the Washington Examiner. “I think it’s dangerous, frankly, that we don’t see more often people espousing the First Amendment view that we should have a robust marketplace of ideas where everybody should be willing and able to participate.

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Baptists take sides in Texas abortion case

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According to Baptist News:

Conservative groups including the Southern Baptist Convention say a law regulating abortion clinics is beneficial for women’s health, while individuals aligned with the moderate Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and progressive Alliance of Baptists say a woman’s religious views — not those of legislators — is what matters in reproductive choice.

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“Keep Your $10”: “Christian” Rapper Andy Mineo Mocks Fans, Defends Use of Profanity

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Christian News Network has the story:

An unrepentant professing Christian rapper, who is associated with similar artists such as Lecrae, Tedashii and Sho Baraka, is claiming that it is permissible for Christians to use profanity and is arguing in defense of those who profess Jesus but use expletives.

Andy Mineo, known for his “God Belongs in My City” nationwide concert tour, recently began a discussion on his Twitter page by posing the question, “Do you guys really think if a person uses ‘profanity’ (words we’ve given meaning) in their music they couldn’t possibly be Christian? Why?”

The question soon turned into repeated defense as followers opined that profanity is not becoming of a Christian.

“Well, the tongue is ‘full of poison.’ Let me ask this, if a preacher uses profanity on the stage what would that look like?” one follower, identified as Seth, asked.

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“Pope Francis” Nominates Over 1,000 “Super Confessors” to Forgive Certain Sins

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According to Christian News Network:

Roman Catholic leader Jorge Bergoglio, also known as Pope Francis, recently nominated over 1,000 priests to be “super confessors” and forgive sins that only top level officials would normally claim authority to forgive.

As the Vatican has declared 2016 as being the “Jubilee Year of Mercy,” the pontiff selected 1,142 priests that he dubbed “missionaries of mercy” and sent them out to receive confession from those who had committed especially grave sins in the eyes of the Roman Catholic Church.

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Trump Says He’d Consider Bill Pryor for Supreme Court, AG Who Prosecuted “Ten Commandments” Judge

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Christian News Network reports:

During Saturday night’s Republican presidential debate in South Carolina, Donald Trump said that if he were to nominate a judge to replace Justice Antonin Scalia, he would consider Diane Sykes or Bill Pryor, the latter of which prosecuted “Ten Commandments Judge” Roy Moore.

“If I were president now, I would certainly want to try and nominate a justice. And I’m absolutely sure that president Obama will try and do it,” he said in light of Scalia’s sudden death Friday night. “I hope that our Senate, Mitch and the entire group, is going to be able to do something about it in terms of delay.”

“We could have a Diane Sykes or a Bill Pryor,” he added, providing examples of who he would nominate if he were president. “We have some fantastic people.”

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Senior U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia found dead

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My San Antonio reports:

Associate Justice Antonin Scalia was found dead of apparent natural causes Saturday on a luxury resort in West Texas, federal officials said.

Scalia, 79, was a guest at the Cibolo Creek Ranch, a resort in the Big Bend region south of Marfa.

According to a report, Scalia arrived at the ranch on Friday and attended a private party with about 40 people. When he did not appear for breakfast, a person associated with the ranch went to his room and found a body.

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Millennials Pick Socialism Over Capitalism

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Breitbart reports:

As Santayana said, those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Less than two decades after socialism seemed to have been confined to the dust-heap of history, another generation may have to learn hard lessons.

The survey, taken at the end of January, found that 43 percent of Americans under 30 had a favorable view of socialism. Less than a third of millennials had a favorable view of capitalism. No other age or ethnic demographic preferred socialism over capitalism.

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Judge Rules Against ACLU as Kim Davis Hasn’t “Interfered” With Issuance of “Gay Marriage” Licenses

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Christian News Network reports:

A federal judge in Kentucky has ruled that Kentucky clerk Kim Davis did not violate his order not to interfere with her deputies’ issuance of “marriage” licenses to homosexuals when she removed her name and other identifying information from the documents.

As previously reported, Davis had requested last year that then-Gov. Steve Beshear allow for her name to be removed from any marriage licenses as the U.S. Supreme Court was set to consider the issue of same-sex “marriage.”

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Transgender issues: High school athletics and a bathroom bill killed

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Sexual confusionGrand Forks Herald: Legislation against transgender high school athletes proceeds in South Dakota

Legislation intended to overturn a policy allowing transgender students to participate in athletic competition at the high school level in South Dakota won approval Tuesday in the state House of Representatives.

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Associated Press:Transgender bathroom bill dies in Virginia committee

A legislative panel has killed a bill that would have required students to use the bathroom that corresponds with their biological sex.

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Cruz, Rubio back bill to keep Obama from opening draft to women

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According to Stars and Stripes:

Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio are supporting legislation that could put the brakes on women in the military draft, adding momentum to growing opposition on Capitol Hill.

The Republican presidential candidates confirmed Thursday that they will back Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and his upcoming bill barring the White House or the courts from changing the law, which requires only men to register with Selective Service in case they need to be drafted into combat.

A bipartisan bill was introduced in the House on Thursday that would completely abolish the draft.

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Is Twitter Censoring Non-Politically Correct Viewpoints?

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According to The Daily Signal:

TwitterThe folks running Twitter may be too young to have heard of George Orwell, or perhaps they simply do not care that their new advisory council sounds frighteningly Orwellian. Either way, the brand new “Twitter Trust and Safety Council” seems like a board ready to censor comments in deference to political correctness.

It doesn’t help that among the more than 40 organizations that make up the council, one finds such groups as the “Dangerous Speech Project,” a group with ties to the liberal John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and to financier George Soros’ Open Society Institute.

Another council member is GLAAD, formerly an acronym for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (the organization now goes by just its initials). Feminist Frequency, which also seeks to monitor free speech, is another member of the council.

The council does include some groups that appear to do good work preventing cyber-bullying against the young. Absent, however, are any conservative-leaning groups.

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Wheaton to Invite Muslim, Jewish Scholar to School in Parting Agreement With “Same God” Professor

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Christian News Network reports:

Officials at Wheaton College have announced that their parting agreement with an associate political science director who will be leaving the college following controversy over her assertion that Christians and Muslims worship the same God will include an annual visit from a Muslim or Jewish scholar.

“Each year we will invite a scholar from the Jewish or Muslim community for respectful dialogue about interfaith relations,” Wheaton President Philip Ryken announced at a press conference on Wednesday. “And today, I announce that in the name of Dr. Hawkins we are establishing an endowed scholarship for interns to pursue a summer program or project in peace and conflict studies.”

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Kirk Franklin to Appear on Kanye West’s Blasphemous “Gospel Album With a Whole Lot of Cursing”

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Christian News Network reports:

Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin recently joined blasphemous rapper Kanye West in the studio as he is set to appear on the rapper’s seventh release, which is self-described as a “gospel album with a whole lot of cursing.”

A photo surfaced online days ago showing Franklin with the profanity-laden West, alongside other secular artists such as Kid Cudi, Puff Daddy, 2 Chainz and French Montana. West, who also goes by the name Yeezus, a spin off of Jesus, confirmed Franklin’s contribution to the project this past week.

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Rev. Graham: Gay Marriage, Transgenders, “Just the Beginning of a Moral Onslaught on This Nation”

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CNS News reports:

Rev. Franklin Graham urged evangelical Christians to get involved in the electioral process and “make their vote count,” adding that the 2016 race is vitally important because homosexual marriage, abortion, and now transgender laws are on the table, marking “just the beginning of a moral onslaught on the nation.”

“[T]his is ridiculous,” said Rev. Graham,” for a person to be able to wake up in the morning and say, ‘You know, I feel like I’m a woman today,’ For a man to say, ‘I feel like a woman, I’m going to go into a woman’s bathroom.’ … This is ridiculous.”

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