Category Archives: apologetics

Case for the Reliability of the Gospel Accounts

Copy of Cumulative Case for the Reliability of the Gospel Accounts Bible Insert

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FORMER PRINCE OF ISIS TURNS TO CHRIST: “I SAW A LOVE THAT DIDN’T EXIST IN ISLAM”

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

He had a dream in which he saw “an envelope dripping blood with great fragrance.”

(The Middle East)—[CBN News] A “Prince of ISIS” has done what many would consider unthinkable, making a commitment to turn away from his horrifying past to unite with a new way of life through Jesus Christ. (Screengrab image: via Leading the Way)

The former ISIS leader, whose identity has been disguised for his safety, is being called Mohammad. The miraculous circumstances that led to his transformation were reported by Dr. Michael Youssef’s Leading The Way ministry.

Since the launch of its Christian satellite TV station, THE KINGDOM SAT, Leading the Way is working to touch “some of the most unreachable lives in the Arabic world,” including people like this notorious “Prince if ISIS.”

A video testimony from the ministry reported that one of their follow-up coordinators named Peter received a call several years ago from a man who pleaded to meet with him.

The man on the other end of the phone with Peter turned out to be a spiritual leader in the terrorist group. Even though Peter knew it was possible that Mohammad may try to kill him, he believed God was leading him to go ahead with the meeting.

In a reenacted testimony, Mohammad opened up about his dramatic shift from Islam to Christianity. “One day, somebody asked me why I am a Muslim,” he said. Scrambling for answers, Mohammad began to search in the Quran, Hadith, and Sunnah.

“I wanted to find proof and evidence that Allah exists and Islam is right … I found nothing,” he said.

But that wasn’t the initial reason why Mohammad met with Peter. He says he had just wanted to kill Peter, but during their first encounter, Peter boldly spoke the Word of Jesus over the ISIS leader.

The meeting did not end on a positive note. Mohammad became frustrated and struggled to grasp what Peter had told him about who God really is.

Then the two met for a second time.

Charisma News reports that Leading The Way’s senior director of ministry outreach Maged Atalla explained what happened in the next meeting. “The second time they met, Mohammad told Peter he had a dream and saw an envelope dripping blood with great fragrance,” he said. (Screengrab image: via Leading the Way)

Peter explained that the dream was God telling him that blood had to be shed for the forgiveness of sins.

“Peter told him, ‘Jesus is sending you a message and you need to give your life to Him.’ At that moment, he surrendered his life to Jesus. Mohammed then told Peter that the first time they met he had a knife in his pocket and wanted to kill him on the spot, but something prevented him from doing this,” said Atalla.

Now Mohammad’s burning life questions have been answered and his life dramatically turned around.

After repenting, Mohammad experienced a peace he had never felt before.

“I saw a love that didn’t exist in Islam,” he said.

Because of his regular meetings with Peter, this so-called ‘Prince of ISIS’ accepted Jesus Christ into his life and began his journey as a Christian.

“The true book, in my opinion, is the Bible,” declared Mohammad. “I found the truth in Jesus Christ. And because I have surrendered my life to the Lord, I am certain He will never forsake me.”

Chris Pratt Responds to Ellen Page’s Church Shaming Comments

Chris Pratt. We’re fans. The openly-Christian studmuffin has a special place in our collective hearts. Naturally, when the hateful lesbian Ellen Page marked him for disownment, we got a bit defensive. But just now, what is still morning on the Pacific time zone from whence Chris Pratt hails, Chris Pratt shared this on his Instagram stories. Don’t worry, I’ll transcribe it for you below the screenshot.

<img class=”aligncenter wp-image-79070″ src=”https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_4846.jpeg&#8221; alt=”Chris Pratt Responds to Ellen Page” width=”412″ height=”729″ srcset=”https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_4846.jpeg 1125w, https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_4846-170×300.jpeg 170w, https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_4846-768×1358.jpeg 768w, https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_4846-579×1024.jpeg 579w” sizes=”(max-width: 412px) 100vw, 412px” />

Transcript:

It has recently been suggested that I belong to a church which “hates a certain group of people” and is “infamously anti-LGBTQ.” Nothing could be further from the truth. I go to a church that opens their doors to absolutely everyone.

Despite what the Bible says about divorce, my church community was there for me every step of the way, never judging, just gracefully accompanying me on my walk. They helped me tremendously offering love and support. It is what I have seen them do for others on countless occasions regardless of sexual orientation, race or gender.

My faith is important to me but no church defines me or my life, and I am not a spokesman for any church or any group of people. My values define who I am. We need less hate in this world, not more. I am a man who believes that everyone is entitled to love who they want from the judgment of their fellow man.

Jesus said “I give you a new command, love one another.”

This is what guides me in my life. He is a god of Love, Acceptance and Forgiveness. Hate has no place in my or this world.

All in all, a decent, safe response to Ellen Page and her butch-cutted acolytes. One which won’t get him fired from Hollywood.

For the most part, every Christian church has the same motto: love the sinner, hate the sin. Everyone is welcome to just about every Christian church I can think of. It doesn’t matter who you love or what you’ve done in your past. Jesus forgives those who ask for it. Not a single one of us is perfect, we’re all struggling. As such, most Christian churches accept you with few if any questions asked, then offer love and support. Even if your fellow faithful disagree with your personal choices.

Secondly, neither Pratt nor anyone else is personally responsible for what someone else says, whether that someone else is a member of the same church, political party, wine club, or Furry cosplay troupe.

Now is Pratt’s statement perfectly perfect to which we all agree on all points? No, but don’t throw Chris Pratt away just because he may have said a thing you’re not 100% on board with. At least I’d advise against it. If we pull back, if we look at the bigger picture here, it seems Chris Pratt wants to move the culture in a positive, faithful way. He is a mortal man like any other and makes mistakes like any other. If you expect him to be perfect he will always disappoint you.

But what I see here is a man who didn’t apologize for his church, for his values, for his religion. He explained some basic truths to a society quick to condemn anyone who isn’t exactly like them, marching in lockstep to the far-leftist beat.

I thank him for it.

Original Article