WASHINGTON (RNS)—As a Christian philosopher, author and political activist, Francis Schaeffer urged conservative Christians to battle abortion and engage the secular culture. But he would have recoiled from the “snide” comments and jeering at this summer’s Republican National Convention, his…
Survey: On foreign policy, U.S. both blessed by God and on wrong track
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A new study described as the first of its kind suggests Americans believe the United States is both especially blessed by God and especially responsible to use its power wisely. Echoing the results of another recent poll,…
Marse Grant, longtime N.C. editor, dies at 88
RALEIGH, N.C. (ABP) — Marse Grant, editor emeritus of North Carolina Baptists’ Biblical Recorder, died Oct. 17 at his home in Raleigh. He was 88. Grant edited the Recorder from 1960-82, longer than any other editor in the paper’s history….
Counselor: Digital age poses pastoral challenges to church
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — A mother and son were estranged. She demanded his password for a social-networking website to make sure he wasn’t doing anything untoward. He refused because he felt it invaded his privacy. With such an impasse on…
Constitution aside, why should churches avoid partisanship?
WASHINGTON (ABP)—The forbidden idea of churches and other tax-exempt organizations endorsing political parties or candidates has started to sound like a good one, in recent decades, to many conservative evangelicals in the United States. In fact, a group of pastors…
SBC seminary professor labels birth control a ‘sin’
Thomas White (Photo: Southwestern Seminary)FORT WORTH, Texas (ABP) — A Southern Baptist seminary professor has sparked controversy with a recent sermon labeling use of birth-control pills a sin. Thomas White, vice president for student services and communications and associate professor…
Although Bible says it, Baptists haven’t settled it, historian says
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Throughout their history, Baptists have uniformly revered the Bible but passionately disagreed about what it means, historian Bill Leonard told a Baylor University audience. Leonard delivered the annual Parchman Lectures at the Texas Baptist school’s George…
Evolution critics added to panel that recommends Texas school standards
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Three of six members of a panel appointed to review proposed curriculum standards for science classes in Texas public schools have criticized evolution. And the additions could have an impact far beyond the 4.6 million students…
Book proposes ‘triage’ amid lukewarm church giving
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (ABP) — Christians in the United States could engage every "unreached" people group around the world and stop up to two-thirds of child deaths for pennies a day if only they gave, according to a new book. Because…
View salvation as more than transaction with God, Leonard urges
WACO—To preserve spiritual vitality, Baptists must reconsider salvation as more than a mere transaction with God, church historian Bill Leonard noted during the Parchman lectures at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary. In 1612, just three years after he helped found…
Poll: Latino Protestants switching back to Democrats this election
WASHINGTON (ABP) — According to a new survey, Latino Protestants view immigration reform as a moral issue on par with abortion and — even after overwhelmingly voting for President Bush four years ago — now lean toward Barack Obama in…
Baptism remains Baptists’ symbol, but ‘problems’ must be answered
WACO, Texas (ABP) — After four centuries, believers’ baptism remains the symbol of Baptist identity, historian Bill Leonard stressed during a lecture series at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. But in the 21st century, Baptists must respond to…