WASHINGTON (ABP) — Beginning with ancient Christians martyred by the Roman Empire and running through Thomas Becket, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and beyond, church leaders often have spoken truth to the secular powers — regardless of the consequences. But in the months…
War and peace: Churches keep peace by focusing on troops, not on war
DALLAS (ABP) — Christians who strongly favor or oppose the war in Iraq don't have to look far to find someone who disagrees with them. They may be sharing the same pew. In virtually every congregation, there are believers on…
One way or another, president election will make history for Texas Baptists
DALLAS (ABP) — Whatever the outcome, the 2007 presidential race in the Baptist General Convention of Texas will be historic: Texas Baptists will either elect their first female president or choose their first president in more than 20 years not…
Opinion: Christian discipleship created in our own image
Some time back I happened across a human-interest story in the “religion” section of an out-of-town newspaper. It was the headline, “For some youths, one church isn't enough,” that caught my eye. The story focused on a teenager, Emily, who…
Norman Wiggins, president of Campbell University for 36 years, dead at 83
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (ABP) — Norman Wiggins, president of Campbell University for 36 years before his retirement, died Aug. 1 at 83. Wiggins, Campbell's chancellor after his retirement in 2003, led Campbell to become the second largest private university in North…
Rising evangelical star Jason Christy leaves trail of fraud, associates say
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (ABP) — When young, charismatic Christian publisher Jason Christy was tapped two years ago to lead the powerful Christian Coalition, the group's leaders praised him for his ability “to inspire and encourage people of faith to action.” But…
Christian themes in Potter books make good evangelism tools, some say
DALLAS (ABP) — J.K. Rowling isn't likely to repeat John Lennon's mistake. She probably won't compare the record-setting popularity of her Harry Potter books to that of Jesus Christ, but the global reach of the title character's adventures is undeniable….
2nd Korean Christian hostage killed; Taliban set new exchange deadline
KABUL (ABP) — A second Christian hostage from South Korea has been killed by Taliban fighters, the Associated Press reported July 31. Twenty-one of the 23 South Koreans abducted July 19 remain hostages after police found the body of Shim…
House passes agriculture bill without reform amendment
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Despite pleas from a wide coalition of religious, free-trade and anti-hunger groups, the House passed a massive agriculture bill July 27 with only a handful of reforms. The chamber approved the 2007 Farm Bill on a mostly…
Breakaway agencies could amend charters, Mo. convention concedes
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — The Missouri Baptist Convention's Executive Board has abandoned its contention that trustees of five institutions acted illegally when they changed their charters to elect their own board members. Convention lawyers agreed at a July 18…
FAITHSHAPERS: Eyes on the prize
In Philippians 3:14, Paul writes, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize ….” He is talking about his life as a Christian, but this passage came to mind as I thought about how to approach parenting from…
Baptists, other Christian leaders push for reform in farm bill
WASHINGTON (ABP)—Baptists and other Christian groups are asking Congress to seize an opportunity to reform the way the government relates to farmers — for the sake of the poor in the United States and around the globe, they say. A…