A few years ago I had the honor of meeting Dr. Andrew Jackson at a GodBlogCon Conference here in California.  Andy is a Pastor and a missionary and writes at the blog Smart Christian.

One thing that has always impressed me about Andy is his love for missions and in particular the nation of Turkey.  Recently Andy heard from a Pastor friend of his from Turkey who told him about the brutal murders of these men last week.  Andy reported on April 18th the following on his blog:

I just received word that at least three Christians were murdered in the provice of Malayta.  They were tied up and their throats were cut.  The victims were two Turkish Christians, Necati Aydin, father of two, and Ugur Yuksel. The identity of the third victim is thought to be Tilman Geske, a German citizen, father of four. All three were married.  6 young men were arrested for the murders.   

P
lease pray.  The Turkish Pastor of one of the Turkish Christians murdered is coming to stay with me today from Turkey.  This was a planned trip.  Please continue to pray for the lost land of the Bible.

On April 19th Andy updated his blog with this link to coverage of a press conference that took place in Turkey concerning these slain Christians.

On the 21st Andy linked to a very graphic and gruesome report of what the slain Christians went through.  You can read that here, but be forewarned - it is very graphic and disturbing, although there are no pictures.

For more information on this horrific hate crime against Christians see the following reports.

Turkey Christians Anxious After Muslims Kill Three Believers - Interesting note in this article is that the three slain Christians were all FORMER Muslims.

Slain German Missionary Hightlights Christian Insecurity in Turkey - This is a very touching article that discusses the slain German’s funeral and his wives and childrens forgiving response to his martyrdom.

5 Arrested in Turkey on Charges of Murdering Christians - Some reports are saying that there is potentially a dozen killers involved in these brutal murders.

Islamic Council Condems Murder of Christians

by Stacy L. Harp

God placed us in one of the greatest areas of spiritual need in the entire world.  Over 80 million Americans do not read the Bible or even own one. - David Rambo

The quote above is how this brand new book, from Crossway Publishers, Taking Back the Good Book: How America Forgot the Bible and Why It Matters to You by Woodrow Kroll begins.  If it surprises you that so many Americans do not read the Bible or even own one, I can testify as a member of the Auxilary of the Gideons International that this is a complete and true  statement.

In my work, as a women’s Chaplain for the Gideon’s organization, I have been trained concerning how to distribute the Word of God and also share the gospel message contained within it’s pages.  When I have gone on distributions I have personally seen the joy on the faces of those who say they have either read the Bible and how it changed their lives, or the joy from those who are receiving God’s word for the first time because they have never received a copy.  And there is the third group of people who tell me they have the Bible, but have never read it  - or rarely read it because they do not understand it. There truly is a famine in America concerning biblical illiteracy and Kroll who has authored this book, has written a powerful and easy to read exposé on the current problem in America.

Woodroll Kroll is no stranger to the bible either.  He is the President of Back to the Bible which is a worldwide ministry that uses media to lead people into a relationship with Jesus Christ and grow them into mature Christians.  Kroll has also written over 50 books and has served as the President of Practical Bible College (now named Davis College ) in Binghamton, New York.

Among those who endorsed this book are biblical scholars and researchers Albert Mohler Jr. the President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Charles Caldwell Ryrie, author of the Ryrie Study Bible, Erwin W. Lutzer, Senior Pastor at The Moody Church and Norman L. Geisler, of Southwestern Evangelical Seminary as well as others.

Taking Back the Good Book is organized into six different parts.  Kroll begins by explaining why the Bible is unique and necessary for everyone to read.  He explains how God is the author of this book and how we dishonor God when we fail to read the book.   Kroll also says,

"The Bible helps make sense in my life when the world doesn’t.  When you fail to read the Bible, you rob God of the honor of being the Author of a well-read book.  But you also rob yourself of peace, comfort, strength, and a sense that God will make all things right.  If you ask me, that’s a price too high to pay."

In the second and third part of the book Kroll takes a look at the historic influence the Bible has had on America and also the decline the bible’s influence has had on America.  Keeping with the focus of the Bible’s influence on America, and not the rest of the world, Kroll admits having gone to over 100 countries and says that he is convinced that he believes that a great deal of that divine blessing on America is because of her biblical roots in her infancy. 

Horace Greeley, Editor of the New York Tribune (1840-1870) said, "It is impossible to enslave mentally or socially a Bible-reading people.  The principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom."

John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States, said, "So great is my veneration of the Bible…I have for many years made it a practice to read through the Bible once every year."

Kroll also cites the National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools research which says that "34 percent of the contents of America’s founding documents were direct quotations from the Bible."  He also gives a lengthy discussion on the Bible and the foundation of the American educational system with numerous quotes and citations from American educators including Noah Webster who said, "Education is useless without the Bible."

When discussing the decline in biblical illiteracy Kroll uses hard statistics and research from Gallup, Barna and numerous other reliable sources which not only give different views, but also insight as to why biblical illiteracy is so prominent within a nation that has millions of bibles available for purchase and use.

One of the most fascinating parts of Taking Back the Good Book was the research Kroll did to explain how biblical illiteracy has become an unintential part of Christian media. He explains the role of Christian radio programming and changing formats over the years and how that has led to biblical illiteracy.  He also explains how the publishing industry and our information overload has led to many unbiblical sources under the umbrella of Christian media.

One of the concerns that Kroll shares throughout the pages of this book is his desire to see Christians come to a place of biblical maturity.  His concern is not only within the church, but also within the seminaries and theology training institutes within our nation.  Since he understands the biblical illiteracy in America has far reaching consequences for the morality and success of America…as well as biblical literacy.

Thankfully, Kroll ends this outstanding book explaining how to recover biblical literacy in America.  He is hopeful that like others in ages past who have recovered from biblical illiteracy, America can do it again.

The way to begin is by realizing that when we read the bible, we connect with the Author, and that is really the underlying and main reason to read the Scripture because when we read the bible we are reaching out to God and He is reaching out to us. 

However, the Church cannot become biblically literate without first admitting she has a problem and repenting from her sin.  Kroll makes it very clear that it is a problem that must be dealt with honestly and without excuses.  And he doesn’t leave the reader without help, as he discusses this issue, instead he offers numerous ways and resources within the final pages of this book to help the reader, pastor and leaders to begin to recover from biblical illiteracy.

Alber Mohler Jr. says, "Christians who lack biblical knowledge are the products of churches that marginalize bibical knowlege." This is something that can be overcome if the leaders take the lead in taking back the good book for the kingdom of God.  There is help and there are many resources, the question is are you up for the challenge?

Kroll offers a few challenges at the end of the book for all of those who are serious about Taking Back the Good Book.  I highly recommend this book as a companion to your Bible, and especially to any pastor or teacher who needs to inspire their students, congregants and friends to read the Bible for all it’s worth.

- Stacy L. Harp, is the President of Active Christian Media and contributor to numerous internet news sites and has appeared on numerous radio programs and on the Fox News program Dayside. -

Christian Today is reporting that liberal lesbian Rosie O’Donnell has been challenged to debate Bill Keller regarding her anti Christian hate speech in a column titled Rosie O’Donnell Challenged on ‘Anti-Christian Hate Speech’.

I predict that Rosie will turn down the debate because she knows she will get creamed and anyone who has listened to this woman blather her point of “view” knows that she is ignorant, uneducated and anything but a critical thinker.

Yesterday was the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network’s “Day of Silence” which is an event used to silence anyone who disagrees with the homosexual lifestyle, while at the same time using youngsters who in many cases do not understand fully the very thing in which they are promoting. GLSEN tells these youngsters that they are actually standing for those who have been bullied and silenced. The truth is the stats show that this is simply a lie…and GLSEN knows it.

It is being reported that one school district has actually suspended two students who were promoting the Day of Silence because the school district did not approve this activity. Take note: This is also a tactic of GLSEN to intentionally violate the rules of those schools who chose not to participate.

The story from the News-Press website says the following regarding this incident:

Ironically, today is the Day of Truth which is sponsored by the Alliance Defense Fund and a judge ruled that students could not wear a shirt that says “Be Happy, Not Gay” because the school has a policy “to preserve the notion that kids shouldn’t make negative or derogatory comments about other students.”

And yet, isn’t it ironic and rather hypocritical that participants in the Day of Silence are making negative and derogatory statements about anyone who opposes the homosexual agenda.

I wonder if GLSEN’s Byard would support the wearing of this shirt, after all it is that student’s “free speech”.