An Arizona university founded by Southern Baptists but sold in 2004 to become the first for-profit Christian college in the United States has dropped its bid to change back to a nonprofit entity. Grand Canyon University’s self-perpetuating board of trustees…
Is opposition to death penalty a non-negotiable for Christians? Yes, says one theologian
A Baptist theology professor said in a blog March 7 that authentic Christians must oppose the death penalty, even if it leads to division in the church. Roger Olson, professor of theology at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, said there…
Baptist political science prof running for Congress
A Southern Baptist college professor is running for Congress on a platform of religious liberty concerns he says emerged after last year’s Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay marriage. Hunter Baker, a political science professor at Union University in Jackson, Tenn., announced…
From slums and drugs to faith and hope: a young man’s journey
The neighborhood around the Baptist Children’s Center in Nairobi, Kenya, can best be described with one word: slum. For Ben Oscar, the word he used to describe it was “home.” As a 6-year-old in the early ’90s, Oscar lived on…
Churches helping refugees despite fear and rhetoric, say those involved in resettlement
For some Americans, domestic and overseas terror attacks, plus a good dose of anti-Syrian political rhetoric, have made refugee resettlement something to be feared. And a lot of the Americans who hold that view are churchgoers – including a lot…
Trade ‘the talk’ for transparency in sex ed, Baptist minister says
LeAnn Gardner shares a lot of uncomfortable information with the churches she visits. For example, she tells the parents of young children that those kids will almost certainly have sex before marriage — and chances are very good they will cohabitate…
Georgia’s Baptist governor opposes ‘religious liberty’ bill
Showing his Baptist stripes, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal made his strongest statements to date against controversial “religious liberty” legislation that critics say mask a hidden agenda of discrimination against gays and lesbians. Deal, a graduate of Mercer University and member…
Washington florist gets another day in court
The Supreme Court in Washington state has agreed to hear the case of a Southern Baptist florist sued for refusing to do custom floral arrangements for a same-sex wedding. Barronelle Stutzman, owner of Arlene’s Flowers in Richland, Wash., is asking the…
Concert to remember slain Union University student
A Southern Baptist church in Tennessee will hold a special night of worship Sunday, March 6, in memory of a Union University co-ed murdered in 2014. “A Night of Worship with Proclamation of Union University in Memory of Olivia Greenlee”…
New transitions this week
STAFF CHANGES Dan Barringer, concluding his tenure as interim pastor of First Baptist Church, Seymour, Ind. Brent Beasley, resigning as pastor of Broadway Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas. Eric Bruntmeyer, to Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, Texas, as president, effective June 1….
Is Trump a moderate or a maniac? Divinity school professor isn’t sure
Last fall, Wake Forest School of Divinity scholar John Senior celebrated the release of his first book, which examines the moral complexities that shape how politicians govern. The book also proposes that those who govern should view their positions as…
Global Baptist Peace Conference set for 2018
Plans are underway for a sixth Global Baptist Peace Conference to be held in Cali, Colombia, in 2018. The gathering, scheduled Jan. 29-Feb. 3, 2018, is for Baptists across the globe who are passionate about nonviolence, social justice and the…