Dear Jimmy, While your uncle is outside fumin’ about the garden, I’ll take a few minutes to bring you up to date about what’s been goin’ on around our place. First, it appears that sometime before sun-up, that the big…
FIRST HAND: World War II veterans revisit Okinawa battle site
A veteran — whether on active duty, retired, served one hitch, national guard unit or reserve, deployed multiple times or never — is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to “The Government…
Patriotism, spiritual ties may pull Christians in opposite directions
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — When war erupted between Russia and Georgia in 2008, repercussions included more than the 2,000 deaths and tens of thousands of refugees attributed to the conflict. Casualties also included relations between the two countries’ Baptist fellowships,…
One Nation Under God
ARLINGTON, Texas (ABP) — When American Christians pledge allegiance to their nation and its flag—sometimes in worship services—does that reflect narrow nationalism or proper patriotism? Some Baptists believe it all hinges on how they interpret “one nation under God.” Nationalism,…
Hispanic Convention creates its own governing board
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ABP) — Standing at the start of its second century, the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas voted to incorporate the body into a nonprofit organization with its own executive board. Convention president Jesse Rincones said the decision…
Does the Star-Spangled Banner belong in the church sanctuary?
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Christians should express love for country, experts on the intersection of Christianity and public life agree, but they advise caution in how churches demonstrate patriotism in worship settings. Patriotic music, flag displays, recognition of veterans’ sacrifice and…
Civil religion: Lowest common denominator or common ground?
ARLINGTON, Texas (ABP) — Some Baptists see civil religion as bland at best and idolatrous at worst. But others view broadly shared values of liberty, justice and acknowledgement of God’s providential care as a common ground Christians share with a…
Baptists should understand, teach church-state separation
ARLINGTON, Texas (ABP) — Because of their historic commitment to religious liberty and separation of church and state, Baptists have a responsibility to educate their fellow citizens what those concepts mean, church historian Jim Spivey said. “Separation of church from…
Central Seminary launches full teaching center in Tennessee
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (ABP) – Six years after starting as a pilot project, Central Baptist Theological Seminary’s center in Murfreesboro, Tenn., is now fully accredited to award the master of divinity and diploma in theology degrees. That means quality theological education…
CBF founder says freedom movement must avoid ‘sloppy discipleship’
TAMPA, Fla. (ABP) – Founded 20 years ago as a freedom movement in Baptist life, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship now must guard against a “sloppy discipleship” that downplays responsibility, a founder of the movement told alumni of the CBF Coordinating…
Justices rely on ‘standing’ in courts’ church-state disputes
WASHINGTON (RNS) — As the U.S. Supreme Court ends its 2010-2011 term, legal scholars say one decision is likely to resonate within church-state debates for years to come. The justices rejected a challenge to an Arizona school tuition credit program…
‘One Nation Under God’ — narrow nationalism or proper patriotism?
When American Christians pledge allegiance to their nation and its flag — sometimes in worship services — does that reflect narrow nationalism or proper patriotism? Some Baptists believe it all hinges on how they interpret “one nation under God.” Nationalism,…