WASHINGTON (RNS) — In South Carolina, a district court temporarily has halted production of state-sponsored license plates that declare “I Believe” and feature an illustration of a cross, superimposed on a stained-glass window. In Vermont, an appeals court is mulling…
Virginia pastor’s research sheds new light on old Baptist controversy
RICHMOND — The struggle between moderates and fundamentalists for control of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1979 into the early 1990s is often called “the controversy.” Yet it was really just the latest controversy. In 1899, William Heth Whitsitt (1841-1911),…
Religious abuse continues in Iraq, commission says
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Iraq should be designated as a “country of particular concern” because its government tolerates the abuse of religious communities, according to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. The federal commission said many Iraqi religious minorities —…
RIGHT or WRONG: Should I pray for a president I didn’t vote for?
The United States has elected a new president, but my candidate did not win. My Sunday school teacher observed that the Apostle Paul said we should pray for the king. I fail to see the application of that Scripture to…
Who founded the Baptist movement — John Smyth or John the Baptist?
Baptists who celebrate the 400th birthday of their denomination in 2009 miss the mark by about 1,600 years, some Baptists insist. Since Jesus founded his church during his earthly ministry and promised “the gates of hell shall not prevail against…
Poll: Americans see religious influence waning
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Two-thirds of Americans think religion is losing its influence on U.S. life, a sharp jump from just three years ago when Americans were nearly evenly split on the question, according to a new Gallup Poll. Sixty-seven percent…
Bluefield College matching scholarship program brings more aid to students
BLUEFIELD — Bluefield College has introduced a new scholarship program that will benefit students who come recommended by their local church. As part of a new Church Matching Scholarship Program, Bluefield College will award up to $1,000 to a student,…
How to celebrate in the future?
As Baptists plan 400th anniversary celebrations, Bob Dale, author and recently retired associate executive director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, suggests they think ahead to the kind of celebration they want to have a generation from now. Casting…
OUT LOUD
“We have one suggestion for Baptist Christians — that they avoid words to describe evangelism (or telling the gospel story) which appear threatening to others, such as ‘evangelistic crusades.' Nor is it necessary to be critical of another faith in…
Historians debate reasons for rise of Landmarkism in 19th century
All Landmark Baptists believe in church succession, at least to some degree, but not every Baptist holding that position is — or was — a Landmarker, according to Alan Lefever, director of the Texas Baptist Historical Collection. Neither J.M. Carroll,…
An uncertain past for one of the world’s major denominations
Baptists have no founder. They have no certain month, day and year of beginning. It is risky at best to find the earliest tender roots of a people who have become one of the world's major religious denominations. Across the…
Tebow’s faith takes center stage in bowl
MIAMI (BP) — With “John 3:16” written on top of his eye black, Tim Tebow led his Florida Gators to victory Jan. 8 against the Oklahoma Sooners in a 24-14 win in the BCS National Championship. Replacing his trademark “Phil…