Boos Follow Sadie Robertson's Dance, Pope's Evolution Views Spark Furor and the Rise of Protestantism: The Biggest Faith and Culture Stories of the Week

It's been a busy week in faith and culture news, so here's your recap of our must-read stories:

Pope Francis drew the ire of some conservatives last week when he announced that evolution and the Big Bang are not incompatible with a biblical worldview. While this frustrated some conservatives, others were more disturbed over the media's coverage of his comments — find out why.

And it's been 497 years since Martin Luther posted his “Ninety-Five Theses” to the door of All Saints’ Church in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany — an act that had sweeping and everlasting ramifications for the Christian faith. So, what led to the transformational event? A professor just gave us the details.

Listen to his explanation below:

On another note, a Massachusetts school district has changed the name of “Christmas Break” to “Holiday Break.” The move comes after a parent emailed the superintendent asking if the school would consider making the change.

Despite all the controversy and the 443 signatures on a petition urging officials to reconsider the decision, the district isn't budging.

Also, did you catch the reason why at least six judges have resigned in North Carolina?

Pope Francis celebrates a Mass of reconciliation at Seoul's main cathedral, in South Korea, Monday, Aug. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

And if you missed the recent story about churches in California being forced to cover abortions in their healthcare plans, be sure to read that here. Casey Mattox, senior counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal firm involved in the case, told TheBlaze that the battle could head to court.

“If the Obama administration is going to ignore the federal law that they are responsible for enforcing, then we would have to take action in court to make sure these churches are protected," he said.

Lance Ford, author of  “Revangelical,” recently sat down with TheBlaze to tell us about his new book, pointing out that many negative stereotypes surround evangelicals today. He cited one study that found that only 3 percent of non-Christian 20 to 30-year-old Americans hold a favorable view of evangelicals. He plans to use this book as a wake-up call to challenge Christians to use their faith to benefit others.

On a lighter note, if you missed "Duck Dynasty" star Sadie Robertson's performance on "Dancing With the Stars" last week, you might want to check it out. Pay special attention to the reason that the audience loudly booed afterword, too.

Sadie Robertson and partner Mark Ballas (Image via YouTube)

But on a heavier note, did you know her uncle, Jep, was recently on life support following a terrifying health scare?

And Brittany Maynard, the cancer-stricken woman who had declared she would end her life November 1 — then said this week she would delay the act — went ahead with her plan, a spokesman said Sunday, taking lethal drugs prescribed by a doctor in Oregon.

Apple chief executive and Alabama native Tim Cook waves to the crowd during an Alabama Academy of Honor ceremony at the state Capitol Monday, Oct. 27, 2014, in Montgomery, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

On another front, the CEO of a company that we are all familiar with just revealed that he is gay. Apple leader Tim Cook wrote in an op-ed for Bloomberg Businessweek that he felt like it was time to let people know about his sexuality, which he said is “among the greatest gifts God has given” him.

We'll leave you with these pastors' reactions to a church-state separatist group's recent reminder that politics simply aren't permitted to be spouted from the pulpit (hint: these preachers are in rare form) — oh, and be sure to read all of our faith and culture stories here.