By Lori Fogleman Baylor University has announced a $2 million gift from Jerry and Susie Wilson of Dallas that will establish an endowed chair in religious freedom to support the university’s educational mission and its Institute for Studies of Religion….
Nashville church, developer ‘disappointed’ over failed real estate deal
By Jeff Brumley No one speaking to the press reportedly understands why a proposed deal has fallen through between First Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn., and a developer of a hotel project. Neither side could explain why the multi-million-dollar deal…
U.S. Baptists welcome thaw in relations with Cuba
By Bob Allen Most Baptists in the United States with personal connections to Baptist communities in Cuba applauded President Obama’s surprise announcement Dec. 17 of plans to normalize relations between two nations separated by only 90 miles of water but…
Religion and politics do mix, Baptist author says, but not always in healthy ways
By Bob Allen Jesus’ command to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” sounds straightforward, but a new book by a Baptist scholar says the line between religion and politics isn’t…
BJC lawyer examines church’s role in civil marriage
By Bob Allen A Baptist religious-liberty lawyer says recent debate over the definition of marriage reveals a long-overlooked mingling between church and state. Hollyn Hollman, general counsel of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, noted in a recent article…
Baptist leaders ponder if protests are a social movement or a moment
By Jeff Brumley Frustrating to social activists, both inside and outside of churches, is how many protest campaigns last about as long as the average American attention span. “I think about Rodney King and moments in our history when we…
Group asks Louisiana governor to drop endorsement of prayer rally
By Bob Allen Americans United for Separation of Church and State criticized Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal Dec. 18 for using his official letterhead to invite residents to an evangelical prayer rally. “These are historic and defining times, a new world…
Baptist groups aid Syrian refugees through winter
By Leah Allen and Jeff Brumley Baptist and government agencies are stepping up efforts to help Syrian war refugees who are facing a brutal winter. With some 9 million Syrians displaced from their homes, and 3.3 million living in refugee…
Triple-murder suspect now eligible for death penalty
By Bob Allen A grand jury in Manatee County, Fla., has indicted 33-year-old Andres “Andy” Avalos Jr. on three counts of first-degree murder for the killing of his wife, a Southern Baptist pastor and a third person in a violent spree…
Georgia Baptists support fire chief suspended over homosexuality
By Bob Allen Leaders of the Georgia Baptist Convention launched an online petition demanding reinstatement of a fire chief suspended for writing a religious book critical of homosexuality. Last month Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced a 30-day suspension of Atlanta…
Virginia church sees album as missional way to live its calling
By Jeff Brumley All Souls Charlottesville is a Baptist church in Virginia where ancient church practices are embraced, from focusing on hospitality and following the liturgical calendar to embracing creeds and celebrating the Eucharist. But spiritual formation took on a…
Majority of Americans believe in Virgin Birth, poll shows
By Bob Allen Nearly three-fourths of U.S. adults (73 percent) expressed belief in the Virgin Birth in a Pew Research poll released Dec. 15 indicating that most Americans believe the Christmas stories in the Bible are historically true. Similar numbers…