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Only one way to salvation?

I remember a discussion while still in seminary, as I was training for pastoral ministry. Our professor posed the question to our small group – “is Jesus the only way to salvation”? There were about 10 people in our group and only two answered, “yes” to that question. The sad thing was that the professor himself denied the exclusivity of Christ. In the years since then I have come to realize that this view is not uncommon among professing Christians. More and more people deny that faith in Jesus is the only way to be saved. This is tragic. The bible is crystal clear that ...

What’s going on when the Virgin Mary appears and statues weep?

By Mathew Schmalz College of the Holy Cross The Conversation Claims of appearances of the Virgin Mary and weeping statues have been common in Catholicism. And now they’re going to get a closer look – but on a worldwide scale. The Pontificia Academia Mariana Internationalis, or PAMI, recently announced an “observatory” to investigate claims of appearances of the Virgin Mary and reports of statues of her weeping oil and blood. This announcement extends PAMI’s mission of promoting devotion to Mary and study of phenomena related to her. While still waiting for full Vatican ...

Religion Briefs

Editor’s note: To submit a nonprofit announcement to The Sentinel’s Religion section, contact Tom Laub at (717) 248-6741 or by email at living@lewistownsentinel.com. Items also may be faxed to (717) 248-3481 or sent to The Sentinel, 352 Sixth St., Lewistown, PA 17044. Items must be received by Tuesday for publication in the Saturday edition. Submissions will be published as space allows. The editor reserves the right to edit all submissions. ••• First Bakers UMC to host Bible study LEWISTOWN — First Bakers United Methodist Church will host a Bible study every Wednesday ...

Mexican Spanish, a unique American dialect, survives mostly in prayers

HOLMAN, N.M. (AP) — On a spring Saturday afternoon, two “hermanos” knelt to pray in the chapel of their Catholic brotherhood of St. Isidore the Farmer, nestled by the pine forest outside this hamlet in a high mountain valley. Fidel Trujillo and Leo Paul Pacheco’s words resounded in New Mexican Spanish, a unique dialect that evolved through the mixing of medieval Spanish and Indigenous forms. The historic, endangered dialect is as central to these communities as their iconic adobe churches, and its best chance of survival might be through faith, too. “Prayers sung or recited ...

The fourth person essential in Trinity

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” — Matthew 28:18-20 It has defied explanation for centuries. It remains a great mystery, and nothing in this world will ever compare with it, and yet it is true. Men and women have testified that they have seen, experienced and been ...

A turtle on the mission to do its job

Good morning, dear friends! This chilly morning, as I sit huddled on the couch under a blanket (dawning my Outer Banks sweatshirt), I'm reflecting on a recent trip I took. I was so very blessed to be asked to go along on a week-long trip to the Outer Banks. And what a wonderful time it was. I had been to the Outer Banks only once, and that was equally dear to my heart, as I went with family and friends. This trip consisted of five girlfriends, all of us older grandma's just needing some 'down' time. What transpired was a lovely week of shared love and laughter, long walks on the ...