Some Baptists stress evangelism, and others emphasize the social gospel. Some believe Christ died for all people; others say Christ died only for the elect whom God predestined to salvation. Historically, some defended slavery; others championed civil rights. Even a…
Patterns in denominationalism
With approximately 35 million members and over fifty distinct groups in the United States, Baptists make up the largest and the most diverse American Protestant tradition. This diversity may partly be attributed to theological differences, dissimilarities in worship styles, and…
Baptists celebrate past with an eye to the future
In 400 years, the Baptist movement has grown to 200,000 churches with more than 50 million members in countries around the world. But even though Baptists globally continue to show statistical growth, the largest Baptist group in the United States…
Move over, bumper-sticker religion. Make way for license-plate faith
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 judge gives conservatives legal victory
A Virginia judge ruled on Dec. 19 that three parcels of land belong to parishes that have broken away from the Episcopal Church, handing conservatives an important, if tentative, legal win. An 1867 state law, passed as Virginia congregations separated…
EDITORIAL: Will we blow out the candles or let them burn?
For the most part, I love parties. I'm not talking about political parties. I'd rather not think about those for a while. No, I'm talking about the kind of parties that feature ice cream and cake. And presents. That's why…
News about Virginia Baptists and their ministries for January 15, 2009
STAFF CHANGES • Kendell Smith, to Sandy Level Church, Sandy Level, as pastor. • Elizabeth Hagan, to Washington Plaza Church, Reston, as pastor. • Gerald Reeves, to Kentuck Church, Ringgold, as pastor. • Ed Vogt, to Sandusky Church, Lynchburg, as…
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…
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),…