WASHINGTON (ABP) — Reports the Religious Right's demise have been greatly exaggerated, according to Tony Perkins and Harry Jackson. But Jim Wallis, Samuel Rodriguez, David Gushee and other leaders and authors argue that the Religious Right, while not dead, is…
Bangladesh church leader wins BWA human rights award
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Dennis Dilip Datta has been named the 2008 recipient of the Baptist World Alliance Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award. Datta, a Baptist leader from the Muslim-majority country of Bangladesh, won the award for his advocacy…
Will Baptists be counted among those in the ‘evangelical center’?
(ABP) — If an “evangelical center” emerges from the current shake-up in American politics, will moderate Baptists be part of it? It depends on how comfortable moderate Baptists are with being considered “evangelicals” in the first place. Moderate and progressive…
Evangelical turnout for Democrats in Ohio shows diversity, experts say
NEW YORK (ABP) — Polls showing that 43 percent of white evangelical voters who participated in Ohio's recent primary election voted for Democrats are further evidence that mainstream media are missing a key story, according to a group of pundits….
More than 4,800 people accept Christ in Caracas outreach effort
CARACAS, Venezuela (ABP) — More than 1,150 Baptists from Venezuela and the United States shared the gospel roughly 10,000 times during a recent evangelism effort called Caracas Crusade 2008. Jacobo García, director of missions and evangelism of the National Baptist…
Ethicist describes recipe for global warming skepticism
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — Conservative Christians have turned a cold shoulder to concerns about global warming, but ethicist David Gushee says he knows why. “Climate change is among the most heavily reported stories — and in my view, one of…
Opinion: Unity in the church at the expense of truth
In his speech at the recent New Baptist Covenant celebration, John Grisham urged his hearers to spend as much time ministering out in the streets as they do in the church. No doubt this is in many ways an admirable…
Broadway Baptist votes to retain Brett Younger
FORT WORTH, Texas (ABP) — A prominent Texas Baptist congregation embroiled in a highly public controversy over homosexuality and other issues chose March 9 to keep its pastor. Members of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, voted 499-237 against…
Leaders’ statement on climate change suggests Southern Baptist divide
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A group of prominent Southern Baptists — including the denomination's president — released what some are calling a mild statement on climate change and environmental stewardship March 10. But the names of several prominent denominational leaders are…
Baptists Today to honor Knight at 25th anniversary celebration
MACON, Ga. (ABP) — Walker Knight, founding editor of Baptists Today, will be honored April 3 as part of the independent news journal’s 25th anniversary celebration. Knight launched the national publication first known as SBC Today in 1983, shortly after…
Virginia Supreme Court to hear Virginia Baptist Homes case
CULPEPER — The Supreme Court of Virginia will hear the appeal of Virginia Baptist Homes in its case related to the suit brought against it by Botetourt County for the payment of property taxes on The Glebe, the Homes' newest…
SBC president asks for help for Union
JACKSON, Tenn. (BP) — Southern Baptist Convention President Frank Page called for Southern Baptist churches to give generously to Union University as the campus seeks to recover from more than $40 million in damages sustained in a Feb. 5 tornado….