Gospel.com Blog

The Sermon Index reports that it’s hit 5 million sermon downloads! Since its inception in December 2002, Sermon Index has provided sermons and other study material for free download; those resources have now been downloaded millions of times in over 150 countries. Read more about the milestone at the Sermon Index forums–and while you’re there, take some time to browse around the many audio and text sermons, podcasts, photos, and other study resources they make available.

A recent report in Wired Magazine highlighted a new generation of atheists, discussing what drives them and how they’re approaching the worlds of Christianity and religion. At the GetReligion blog, Douglas LeBlanc takes a close look at the story, and at several recently-published books about modern atheism and the people leading the public resurgence of atheist philosophy.

With religious–Christianity and Islam particularly–so often in the news today, it’s uncommon that the spotlight is focused on atheism–take a few minutes to read through the Wired article, LeBlanc’s analysis, and the numerous links in his post.

How should Christians understand the movies we watch? Is there more to the media we consume than what’s on the surface? Past the Popcorn is a new ministry founded by Greg Wright, a Christian film critic who’s written extensively at Hollywood Jesus and elsewhere about the intersection of faith and film, and a team of Christian critics and writers.

Past the Popcorn launches today with interviews with Neale Donald Walsch and documentarian Amy Berg. Check back regularly as Greg Wright, Mike Smith, and other Christian film critics weigh in about the films we watch, the people who make them, and the ways that Christians can better engage the culture of art and entertainment.

Sammy Tippit has launched two new webcasts–”Renewal,” which talks about ways to deepend your relationship with Christ, and “Legacy,” which focuses on family-related topics. The webcasts can be listened to online or downloaded, and complete archives of both are available at the Sammy Tippit Ministries website. (And while you’re at the STM site, be sure to check out their extensive collection of devotionals!)

Facing the Giants has been hailed by many Christian film critics as one of the most inspiring movies of the year. Among other things, it was the source of some controversy when the MPAA assigned it a PG rating due to its religious content. So what’s the real story–is Facing the Giants a Christian film? Is it a true story, or has it been inflated with religious messages?

Phil Boatwright of Preview went straight to the source to find out more about the story behind the film–he interviewed Alex Kendrick, the director. Read about Kendrick’s prayerful approach to the film, the feedback he’s received from non-Christians, and more.

What’s in the news lately about biology, evolution, and creationism? Answers in Genesis has a weekly feature called News to Note in which they look at recent news reports from a creationist perspective. This week, the News to Note column covers some Creation Museum updates, efforts to put Darwin’s writings online, and recent buzz about a newly-discovered fossil, among other things.

Have you been considering a mission trip to another country? Mission Possible has posted a list of its planned 2007 misison trips, which includes destinations like Mexico, Romania, India, and others. And if the listed trips aren’t a good match for you, Mission Possible can also work with your group to put together a mission trip to one of many other destinations. If the idea of a mission trip has been on your mind, it’s not too early to start planning!

The ThinkChristian blog has just posted an audio interview with Greg Wright, a Christian film critic who’s written extensively for Hollywood Jesus and who is getting ready to launch a new film site called Past the Popcorn.

Listen to Greg as he talks about his approach to Christian film analysis and explains Past the Popcorn’s unique take on the challenge of understanding faith and film.

Peace talks between Lebanon and Israel continue to falter, but that isn’t stopping one Christian ministry. The SAT-7 ministry’s staff stayed at their posts throughout the summer military conflict and continues to broadcast its message of hope. Read about SAT-7′s ministry in the wake of war in a new special report from Mission Network News.

Nobody said marriage was easy–but it’s especially challenging when both people are working in academia! At InterVarsity’s Graduate and Faculty Ministries site, one woman recounts the challenges that academia posed to her engagement and marriage, and how God provided for their family in ways that she never expected.