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Christianity Today News Briefs

Campus evangelism at New Orleans, Passion sales, the ark hunt fails, and the persecution watch.

University Relents on Evangelism

In August, the University of New Orleans relented and said it will allow distribution of an evangelistic tract on campus by a messianic Jewish missionary. The American Center for Law and Justice has agreed to drop a lawsuit filed in summer 2003 against the school on behalf of Michelle Beadle, a worker with CJF Ministries. The university had objected to a pamphlet that said, “Jews should believe in Jesus.”

Passion Sales Boom

DVD and video sales of Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ topped 9 million copies in the first three weeks, including 4.1 million copies the first day, September 1—still trailing the one-day sales record of Finding Nemo (8 million copies). Industry analysts predict sales will reach 15 million to 18 million copies, generating more than $400 million in revenue—putting it in the neighborhood of blockbusters such as The Lord of the Rings and Spider-Man. The film has earned $610 million in theaters worldwide since its spring release.

Ark Expedition Sunk

Citing security concerns, Turkey’s government denied a request by Honolulu multimillionaire and explorer Daniel McGivern to seek Noah’s Ark on Mount Ararat. The sensitive area borders Iran. McGivern claims that satellite images show man-made structures that he believes are the remains of the biblical vessel.

Churches Under Fire

Police in Iran detained 80 members of the Assemblies of God church in Karaj on September 9—including 10 pastors. Within days, all but 1 pastor—Hamid Pourmand, 47—were released. • Five Afghan men who had converted to Christianity from Islam have been killed since late June in eastern Afghanistan, according to Compass Direct. • For the second time in four months, police in Pakistan have tortured and killed a Christian, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide. Arrested on false charges of theft on August 16, Nasir Masih died three days later after sustaining 20 injuries while in custody. • Masked gunmen stormed a Christian and Missionary Alliance church during a prayer service on September 4 in Obrero, Colombia, killing 3 people and seriously injuring 14, according to Compass Direct. No one has been arrested.

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

The American Center for Law and Justice has more information about settling its lawsuit against the University of New Orleans.

Weblog covered the end of the Noah’s Ark Expedition.

Box Office Mojo has the sales totals on The Passion of the Christ.

Assist News Service has more information about the arrested pastors in Iran.

Compass Direct and Christian Solidarity Worldwide have information about the murders of Afghan men and the Pakistani Christian killed.

Compass Direct also has more information about the storming of a Colombian church by masked gunmen.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Cover Story

The Emergent Mystique

Opportunity Denied

Defending Our Neighbor

Emergent Evangelism

Editorial

Fill an Empty Cradle

Editorial

For Whom Would Jesus Vote?

Hope for Abraham's Sons

Journalism for Jesus

Musings that Swirl

Mutual Mayhem

Dangerous Meditations

Parsing Pop Lyrics

News

Quotation Marks

The Way of Salvation

The Chinese Church's Delicate Dance

Why I Apologized to Planned Parenthood

Winking at Corruption No More

Security Gaffes

Praying for Terrorists

News

Passages

News

Go Figure

Wire Story

TBN Under the Microscope

Review

Good News from the Doctor

Q & A: Bobby Welch

Rubber Sharks and Real Kids

The Politics of Stem Cells

News

Hurt by Success

Silencing Rights Talk

Serious Love

The Virtue of Vulnerability

Back to the Basics

Bad Believers, Non-Believers

Breaking Covenant

Can This Institution Be Saved?

View issue

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Testimony

My Deconstruction Became a Demolition

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The Event Horizon of Advent

The Christmas season shows us our redeemed past and hopeful future.

How Insecurity Thwarts a Kingdom

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The Song of Mary Still Echoes Today

How the Magnificat speaks to God’s care for the lowly.

Paving The Way For God’s Perfect Plan

John the Baptist reveals the call for preparation.

The Unexpected Fruit of Barrenness

How the kingdom of God delights in grand reversals.

After disaster, God draws near

How Jeremiah’s prophecy points to Advent’s promise.

The Surprising Arrival of a Servant

Jesus’ introduction of justice through gentleness.

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