(ABP) — “For every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven … a time to weep and a time to laugh,” according to the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. What is the role of…
A Time to Laugh: Baptist humorist says to paint a picture with words
SAN ANGELO, Texas (ABP) — The secret to being humorous is the same as most things in life, Bill Thorn believes — take what God has entrusted to you, work hard to polish it and be the individual you were…
A Time to Laugh: Grieving comic says faith, hope and laughter abide
SHREVEPORT, La. (ABP)—Jinny Henson began doing stand-up comedy when she was a student at Baylor University. While working on a master’s degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, she began touring nationwide. Jinny Henson entertains at Gateway Church in South Lake,…
A Time to Laugh: Was Jesus a jokester?
(ABP) — The story goes that Jesus and Satan had argued for days about who was more tech-savvy, and God grew sick of the bickering. He told them he would judge a two-hour task set. They e-mailed, e-mailed with attachments,…
Christian leaders from left, right call for civility amid poisoned discourse
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Even as Democratic members of Congress report death threats over their votes in favor of health-care reform and a prominent conservative broadcaster continues his attacks on a left-leaning evangelical leader for advocating social justice, a group of…
Wallis says Glenn Beck has helped advance social justice
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Social-justice advocate Jim Wallis said recent attacks by broadcaster Glenn Beck have ironically given new life to the concept of fighting social ills like poverty and inequality in Jesus' name. Wallis Wallis said Sojourners, the group he…
Seminary professors attack new book by Brian McLaren
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — Brian McLaren, a leader in the "emergent church" movement who roiled evangelical waters in 2004 with his book A Generous Orthodoxy, is at it again. In his previous book, McLaren argued that instead of focusing on…
Southern Baptist Seminary professors attack new book by Brian McLaren
Brian McLaren's "A New Kind of Christianity" is published by HarperOne. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — Brian McLaren, a leader in the emerging-church movement who roiled evangelical waters in 2004 with his book A Generous Orthodoxy, is at it again. In…
RIGHT or WRONG? Fair pay
Many Christian institutions provide comparatively low pay and relatively weak benefits but still advertise for positions with the phrase “enjoy working in a Christian atmosphere.” Isn’t this hypocritical? By Cynthia Holmes Whether such advertising is hypocritical may depend more on…
A Time to Laugh: The late Grady Nutt was a pioneer of Christian comedy
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — Singer-songwriter Don McLean’s 1970s hit record “American Pie” mourned the 1959 plane crash that killed rock-and-roll pioneers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper as “the day the music died.” For a generation of humor-loving…
Grady Nutt a pacesetter for Christian comedy
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP)—Singer-songwriter Don McLean’s 1970s hit record “American Pie” mourned the 1959 plane crash that killed rock-and-roll pioneers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper as “the day the music died.” For a generation of humor-loving Baptists, Nov….
A Time to Laugh: When laughter ceases to be the best medicine
(ABP) — Something that strikes one person as funny — even something heard at church — may seem inappropriate to another. How can believers strike a balance as they use humor and laughter in ministry? Individuals need to understand the…