SAVANNAH, Ga. (ABP) — A Baptist university in Georgia and a Savannah hospital plan to expand an existing joint clinical program into a four-year medical program. Mercer University, based in Macon, already operates Mercer School of Medicine and two teaching…
Correction
The third paragraph of the June 25 ABP story, “High court decision in 'bong hits' case concerns religious leaders,” should be changed to read: “But school officials' suppression of the banner's speech also concerned the American Civil Liberties Union, the…
Southern Baptists in California create competing state convention
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (ABP) — Southern Baptists in California have started a new alternative state convention that will compete with the 67-year-old California Southern Baptist Convention for denominational loyalty. California is the fourth state to witness such a move, joining…
Evangelicals ‘caught in the middle’ of debate over identity, direction
WASHINGTON (ABP) — It may look dead, but it's really just evolving — even though its members might not like that word. And it may be developing into something its founders wouldn't recognize. That's what some experts say about the…
Scripture not easy recipe in politics, ethicists say
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Abortion is the most pressing moral issue of the day, said Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, a Republican candidate for president, at a recent GOP debate. So much so, the Catholic senator continued, that he doesn't think…
Opinion: Licensing death on the road
Probably the most interesting moral issues are those raised by practices we take for granted. No one asks about the morality of playing baseball, wearing socks, or taking showers. Likewise, no one asks about the morality of driving cars. Well,…
Texas convention, Buckner forge church-based immigration ministry
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — The Baptist General Convention of Texas and Buckner International are partnering to create the first nationwide effort for local, church-based ministry to help immigrants become U.S. citizens. Through their new Immigration Service and Aid Center, the…
Supreme Court denies taxpayers ability to sue Bush over faith-based funding
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A closely divided Supreme Court ruled June 25 that a group of taxpayers do not have the legal standing to challenge President Bush's promotion of religious charities just because they think it violates the First Amendment. In…
High court decision in ‘bong hits’ case concerns religious leaders
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Supreme Court just isn't down with “Bong Hits 4 Jesus,” man. But an unusual coalition of conservative religious and civil-liberty groups aren't down with the court's majority in a June 25 decision on the free-speech rights…
Baptist college association elects Thomas Corts as executive director
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (ABP) — Board members of the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities have elected Thomas Corts, president emeritus of Samford University, as executive director of the association. The new post is effective immediately. Corts, 65, succeeds Bob…
Evan Almighty refreshes moviegoers with faith-affirming themes
(ABP) — A flood is coming, warns character Evan Baxter, a modern-day Noah in the new movie Evan Almighty. But in Baxter's case, the threatening waters offer a swell of inspiration for audiences watching through the eyes of faith. Like…
Embattled trustee McKissic resigns from Southwestern Seminary board
ARLINGTON, Texas (ABP) — Dwight McKissic, the Southern Baptist pastor frequently at odds with fellow trustees at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, has resigned from the board of the Fort Worth, Texas, school. Pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in nearby Arlington,…