Thursday, May 18th, in the year of our Lord 2017
By Adam McManus
Christian Governor in Indonesia Sentenced to Two Years in Prison
Indonesian Christian Governor Basuki Purnama received his prison sentence of two years for a blasphemy charge last week in this 87% Muslim country.
Prosecutors will attempt to appeal Purnama’s sentence. The World View spoke to Daniel Harris, the South East Asia manager for International Christian Concern, who addressed whether or not it was possible for the conviction to be overturned.
“His conviction will not be overturned, not because there is evidence against him. Because there’s not, but because the entire case that’s been brought against him has been based more on political pressure by ultra conservative Islamic groups, than actual evidence of blasphemy.”
Harris said that despite Purnama’s conviction he has been supported by Muslims and Christians alike.
“What’s really amazing is that his support really was across the board. Muslims and Christians were supporting him. One of the things that speaks to the quality of the work that he did as a governor for the people is the fact that he was a double minority. He was Chinese which are overall very disliked in Indonesia. And he’s a Christian. Yet, he did win the majority of the first election.”
Revelation 2:10 says, “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Mainstream Denominations in Canada Decline While Evangelical Churches Grow
Over the past 50 years, Canada’s mainstream denominations have lost 50 percent of their members, according to Christianity Today.
However, evangelical churches in the country have seen growth by contrast. Sociologists found these growing churches to share a common respect for the Bible as the Word of God and also the belief in the power of prayer.
President Trump Tells Turkish President to Return Imprisoned Pastor to the US
President Donald Trump met with Turkey’s president on Tuesday. The White House stated Trump asked for the Turkish government to “expeditiously return” Pastor Andrew Brunson to the United States. Brunson, who’s been a missionary in Turkey for 20+ years, has been detained since 2016 on a trumped up charge that he was allegedly connected to a failed coup attempt.
Putin Says He Will Provide Records of His Meeting with Trump
On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced he would hand over records of an Oval Office meeting to the U.S. Congress.
This comes amid claims that President Trump disclosed classified information with Russian officials, which Putin denies.
Last Planned Parenthood Facility in Wyoming About to Close Down
On July 21, the last Planned Parenthood facility in the state of Wyoming plans to close for financial reasons, reportsLife News.
While the facility did not offer abortions, they did refer for them. The murder giant’s Rocky Mountain affiliate is shutting down five other abortion mills besides the one in Wyoming.
Texas Considers Anti-Homosexual Legislation
Texas officials have proposed legislation that LGBT activists say is “an all-out assault on LGBT people,” according to USA Today.
One bill would make it legal to refuse to offer adoption services to homosexuals. Another measure would refuse marriage licenses to homosexual couples. And yet another proposal would require that transgender people use the bathroom that corresponds with their biological gender.
American Households Deeper in Debt than Ever
Household debt in the U.S. has reached all-time highs at $12.73 trillion in the first three months of this year, surpassing the 2008 peak at $12.68 trillion, reported CNN Money.
Student loan balances have also been growing, from $34 billion in 2014 to $1.34 trillion now. Auto loan balances have grown from $10 billion to $1.17 trillion in the last six years.
King Solomon reminds us, “the borrower is the slave of the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7)
14-Year-Old Boy Graduates from University with a Degree in Physics
Carson Huey-You is the youngest graduate of Texas Christian University at 14 years of age with a degree in physics, according to the school. Carson started at 11 with a great aptitude for math, and his mother gave thanks to God for her son’s accomplishments!
And that’s the World View in Five Minutes.