SWANWICK, England (ABP) — Baptists in Britain have apologized for their role in the slave trade. The Council of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, observing the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, passed an apology…
Experts: Stem-cell breakthrough may not end short-term debate
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Although religious conservatives have cheered the Nov. 20 announcement of a breakthrough in stem-cell research, the moral controversy over the practice may not end any time soon. The announcement — made by independent teams of scientists working…
Return to Mount Hermon
On a magnificent fall Sabbath earlier this year, William E. Hatcher enjoyed a return to Mount Hermon Baptist Church in his native Bedford County. The occasion was the church's 220th anniversary. The church was packed with members, former members and…
Church building ministry at work in 45 countries
HAMPTON — Dois Rosser claims that his story is not a testimony of what one man can do for Christ. Rather, he says it is a testimony of what God can do with one man. Dois Rosser isn't a preacher….
FAITHSHAPERS: Pitfalls of punishment (1)
Punishment is a touchy topic, isn't it? When I was young, schoolteachers could take a child in the hall and paddle them. I still remember, quite vividly, our assistant principal visiting the class to let us see his large, carefully…
European indigenous mission project expands to 24 countries
WASHINGTON (BWA) — The European Baptist Federation, with the generous help of mission partners, has developed a mission project to facilitate evangelism and the planting of new Baptist churches in Europe and the Middle East. The Indigenous Mission Project, one…
Survey reveals lack of knowledge about First Amendment rights
WASHINGTON — Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe the Founding Fathers meant for the United States to be a Christian nation, and more than half believe the U.S. Constitution establishes a Christian nation, a national survey revealed. The survey also showed…
Who’s an evangelical? Question looms over annual meeting of scholars, theologians in ETS
SAN DIEGO (ABP) — As hundreds of scholars, pastors and theologians gathered Nov. 14 for the opening day of the 59th annual conference of the Evangelical Theological Society, a question loomed over their heads: How narrowly to define who qualifies…
Jezebel: Did the Bible’s bad girl get a bad rap?
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Few historical characters rival Jezebel for negative stereotypes. Today, “she's a household word for badness,” one scholar said. Culturally, she's portrayed as a brash, sexually provocative woman wearing too much make-up, another observed. So in her new…
Florida Baptists say alcohol disqualifies leaders from service
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (ABP) — Only teetotalers will be allowed to serve as trustees of the Florida Baptist Convention's agencies and boards, as a result of a vote at the convention's annual meeting. With no discussion and less than half…
FAITH DIGEST
Black Baptist prof told to choose college or church. Professor Denise Isom loves her work at Calvin College and her Grand Rapids church, Messiah Missionary Baptist. But her employer has told she must choose one or the other. The Calvin…
Finding the niche: Creative pastors finding ways to share gospel and reach communities for Christ
ALEXANDRIA, La. (BP) — Niche marketing is not just a business term. Creative pastors are finding ways to discover a niche to reach their communities for Christ. One pastor, Stan Wyant, discovered a niche in his community. In his state…