After the Holocaust, the world said “never again.” Never again will we stand by and watch while millions are slaughtered. After the Cambodian genocide of the 1970s, the world said “never again.” After the Rwandan genocide of 1994, the world…
Baptist leaders propose nixing Arkansas newspaper board
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (ABP) — Arkansas Baptist leaders will try to turn control of the Arkansas Baptist News over to the state convention staff, replacing the independent board that currently governs the newspaper. A task force, appointed last year by…
Page warns SBC leaders ‘be relevant, avoid arrogance, overcome factions’
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — New Southern Baptist Convention president Frank Page warned his fellow SBC leaders Sept. 18 that the denomination must retain its relevancy in a rapidly changing world. “I thank God that the [SBC's] battle for [biblical] inerrancy…
ABP announces new columns, other features on website
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP) — Associated Baptist Press is publishing a new series of syndicated columns, starting with Baptist ethicists David Gushee and Elizabeth Newman. The new columns are among several changes announced for ABP's website, ABPNews.com, including a daily collection…
McKissic asks SBC to add policy on tongues to statement of faith
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — A Southern Baptist trustee, whose recent seminary chapel sermon was partially censored over his comments on speaking in tongues, has asked that the denomination address the issue in its official confession of faith. Dwight McKissic, pastor…
Texas study finds many state schools violating laws on teaching religion
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — The vast majority of Texas school districts offering courses on the Bible are doing so in an inadequate and unconstitutional manner, and districts in other states are probably no better, according to a study from a…
Blue Like Jazz mirrors debate about direction of Christianity
DALLAS (ABP) — Reactions among evangelical Christians to Donald Miller's best-selling book Blue Like Jazz are about as diverse as reactions to the idea of postmodern Christianity itself. Although the book debuted three years ago, its steadily growing popularity has…
Navy chaplain fined, reprimanded for disobeying commander’s order
NORFOLK, Va. (ABP) — A Navy chaplain who has accused his superiors of violating his religious freedom has been convicted by a court-martial for appearing in uniform at a rally to protest military policy on chaplains. A military jury in…
Tutu says apartheid, sin shattered when humans gather together
DALLAS (ABP) — The man who helped defeat legal segregation in South Africa said such sin cannot be overcome without the gathering of humans together with each other and God. Speaking to an overflow crowd at a Dallas Episcopal church…
CBF awarded $1.5 million grant to encourage ‘missional churches’
ATLANTA (ABP) — The foundation Christ Is Our Salvation has given the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship a $1.5 million grant to transform CBF churches into “missional” congregations. To be a missional church, according to advocates, means to orient a congregation's entire…
Americans believe in four Gods, Baylor religion study finds
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Americans believe in four different Gods, according to a massive new study from Baylor University. To be more precise, the study found that four different perceptions of God pervade American thought today. Researchers from the Texas school's…
ABP internship endowment honors North Carolinian
DURHAM, N.C. (ABP) — On a day Americans now associate with terrorism — Sept. 11 — leaders of an independent Baptist news service gathered to celebrate freedom of the press and a gift they hope will help further such freedom…