In a helpful previous commentary, Karl Harmdierks covered the occult concepts behind the Twilight stories that are so terribly popular these days – both in printed word and on silver screen – and even more could be said.  However, there is an additional aspect about these stories that make them very dangerous to their obsessively devoted young fans – and to their not-so-young fans, as well.

Is it the destiny of Europe to become more actively involved in the Middle East as events hurtle toward the climactic return of Jesus Christ? Will it begin to exercise a strong influence in the region of, and even militarily occupy, the Holy Land? Your Bible plainly affirms that this will be the case.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has sparked a heated debate with the Greek Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and Italian mayors over the role of the crucifix in Italian society (Christian Science Monitor, November 3, 2009). But, a more fundamental issue should be addressed. Is the cross even a Christian symbol in the first place?

Recently, the pop culture society has been super-charged by the upcoming latest installment of the Twilight movies – movies centered on the romance of a girl and a vampire.  As I write this, hundreds of thousands of movie-goers flocked to the theaters to see the very first midnight showing. The Los Angeles Times reported that this movie broke the single day ticket sales records, and it is expected to be among the five top-grossing weekends overall.  Even a local fast-food restaurant gave me my food in a bag advertising the movie, encouraging me to "devour" my meal.

Little Angela Kasner, daughter of a Lutheran pastor in Russian-dominated East Germany, was barely two years old when an American radio preacher published in his magazine an astonishing statement: "The way is being prepared for a colossal third force in world politics—a European Federation of Nations more powerful than either Russia or the United States!… We have shown years in advance what would happen to Russia's ill-fated Empire in Eastern Europe" (Plain Truth, December 1956, p. 3).