Some observers of religion assert a socially transforming spiritual movement is sweeping the globe, resulting in 82,000 conversions to Christianity a day. But only 6,000 of them are in Europe and North America. "I believe we are in the midst…
Biblical principles should guide Christian involvement in social change
Evangelical progressive activist Jim Wallis believes the United States is ripe for another socially transforming spiritual awakening. But as Christians become energized to change the world, they need to avoid the temptation to politicize the gospel, he warns. No caption…
FAITH DIGEST
Lutherans ask Anabaptists’ forgiveness. Lutheran World Federation leaders plan to apologize for their ancestors’ 16th-century persecution of Anabaptists, religious reformers whose direct successors include Mennonites and the Amish and who influenced Baptists. The apology unanimously adopted by the federation council…
Some Christians unplug from social networking
WASHINGTON (RNS)—In the world of faith-based social networking, evangelical Christian leader Mark Oestreicher commanded a huge chunk of cyberspace. Known as “Marko,” the technological hipster amassed 4,000 Facebook friends, 1,500 Twitter followers and 2,000 daily readers of his blog. But…
Russian Baptists alarmed by proposed changes to religion law
MOSCOW (ABP) — Russian Baptist leaders have raised concerns about proposed revisions to the nation's religion law — changes they contend would greatly curtail religious freedom in Russia. Yuri Sipko Yuri Sipko, president of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists…
Analysis: Off-year elections produce mixed bag for religious conservatives
WASHINGTON (ABP) — While results of the Nov. 3 off-year state elections suggest that reports of the Religious Right’s demise are greatly exaggerated, the movement’s influence on election outcomes throughout the country was rather mixed. Religious Right-backed candidates won Virginia’s…
BMS World Mission writes prime minister about global warming
DIDCOT, England (ABP) — The urgent need for action on global climate change has caused a 217-year-old British Baptist missionary-sending organization to write what its leaders believe to be the group's first-ever open letter to a prime minister. BMS World…
Russian Baptists alarmed by proposed changes to religion law
MOSCOW (ABP) — Russian Baptist leaders have raised concerns about proposed revisions to the nation's religion law — changes they contend would greatly curtail religious freedom in Russia. Yuri Sipko, president of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists wrote Russian…
Christians called to theology of creation care
MACON, Ga. (ABP) — American Christians must move beyond a theology of “me” to a theology of “we” in order to play a meaningful role in creation care, according to speakers at a two-day conference recently held Oct. 29-31 on…
Merritt, Gushee: On creation care, evangelicals must move toward ‘we’
MACON, Ga. (ABP) — American Christians must move beyond a theology of “me” to a theology of “we” in order to play a meaningful role in creation care, according to speakers at a two-day conference recently held Oct. 29-31 on…
The Shack author describes success as ‘God thing’
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. (ABP) — William Paul Young, author of the blockbuster best-selling book The Shack, told Baptist college students Oct. 31 that his novel’s remarkable success was a “God thing.” Speaking during homecoming festivities at Gardner-Webb University in Boiling…
The Shack author, at Gardner-Webb, says book’s success is ‘God thing’
Young BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. (ABP) — William Paul Young, author of the best-selling book The Shack, told Baptist college students Oct. 31 that his novel’s remarkable success was a “God thing.” Speaking during homecoming festivities at Gardner-Webb University in Boiling…