NEW YORK (ABP) — In Brazil, a 51-year-old woman gave birth to her own twin grandchildren. She used embryos from her 27-year-old daughter, who had tried for four years to conceive. In January, a Texas-based “human embryo bank” announced prospective…
Bioethics: When ‘mommy’ becomes a relative term
NEW YORK (ABP) (ABP) — The Church of England recently issued a statement identifying organ donation — even by living donors — as a Christian duty motivated by compassion and a mandate to heal. But what about donating a womb…
Bioethics: Christian consensus lacking on end-of-life issues, professor says
BROWNWOOD, Texas (ABP) — When it comes to questions concerning end-of-life issues, the answers sometimes don't come any easier for Christians than they do for other people. While each year the Southern Baptist Convention devotes Sunday school lesson material to…
Evangelical scholar: Africans understand Old Testament better than Westerners
SAN DIEGO (ABP) – African Christians tend to understand and appreciate the Old Testament far better than their Western counterparts, author Philip Jenkins told his fellow evangelical scholars Nov. 15. Jenkins, a professor of religious studies and history at Pennsylvania…
Ky. Baptists elect officers unopposed, hear ‘troubling’ report on spirituality
ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (ABP) – Messengers to the Kentucky Baptist Convention's annual meeting Nov. 13-14 elected all of the body's officers by acclamation, decided to shorten next year's annual meeting and heard a sobering report on the theological views of average…
Florida Baptists say alcohol use 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…
Keith Beene, 40, dies unexpectedly; led communicators’ association
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (ABP) – Keith Beene, the 40-year-old administrator of a professional society for Baptist communications professionals, died unexpectedly in the early hours of Nov. 16, according to the group's president. David Winfrey, president of the Baptist Communicators Association, said…
Church starters begin pioneering work in mountains of India
ATLANTA (ABP) — For five years, Sam Bandela has worked among hill tribes in the mountainous central region of India. As tsunami relief and personal challenges intervened, Bandela struggled to find trusted local partners, train indigenous church planters and fund…
Budget changes only topic of discussion during Virginia Baptist meeting
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Virginia Baptists increased their support for a variety of state, national and international ministries – and for the second year in a row persuaded their budget committee to modify its proposal because of concerns about funding…
Budget changes only topic of discussion during Virginia Baptist meeting
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Virginia Baptists increased their support for a variety of state, national and international ministries – and for the second year in a row persuaded their budget committee to modify its proposal because of concerns about funding…
Pat Robertson endorses Giuliani despite views
VIRGINIA BEACH (ABP) — The founder of the Christian Coalition has endorsed a Republican presidential candidate known for his support of abortion rights and gay rights. In a Nov. 7 press conference, television evangelist Pat Robertson announced he is supporting…
Evangelical scholars discuss justification by faith, may change doctrinal statement
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…