By Bob Allen Christ died not as a substitute for all sinners but only for those predestined to believe, a leading Southern Baptist Calvinist said in a weekend podcast explaining the atonement, a Christian doctrine that describes how sinners are…
Ashes to ashes: In debate over burial or cremation, some things get lost
By Ken Camp Christians who debate the merits of burial versus cremation may miss a larger issue — helping people deal with the reality of death, some ministers insist. Traditionally, Roman Catholics prohibited cremation except under special circumstances — a…
Funerals in pluralistic society: What makes them distinctively Christian?
By Ken Camp A funeral home contacts a pastor. The family of a deceased person has no church affiliation, and neither did their relative, but they want a minister to conduct their loved one’s memorial service. The minister agrees, but…
Faiths can build bridges of understanding, BJC’s Walker tells Harvard audience
By Marv Knox Rights, responsibility and respect provide the infrastructure for bridges of understanding between faith groups, Baptist religious-liberty advocate Brent Walker stressed in a symposium at Harvard University May 1. Walker, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for…
SBC leader says Christians should support death penalty
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist seminary president says Christians should support the death penalty, but not necessarily how it is administered in the United States today. Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said in a CNN commentary…
Caner foes labeled ‘cyber-terrorists’
By Bob Allen An attorney representing a Southern Baptist college president labeled individuals posting online videos undermining his client’s famous “Jihad to Jesus” ex-Muslim testimony as “cyber-terrorists” in oral arguments April 30. Jonathan Autry — sued for copyright infringement after posting…
CBF Fla. gathering has international, interfaith flavor
By Jeff Brumley Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida members have a wide range of interfaith and international topics to choose from at their Spring Celebration in Orlando this week. The meeting, May 2-3 at College Park Baptist Church, includes workshops,…
CBF braces for ‘new day’ in global missions
By Bob Allen A “new day” for Cooperative Baptist Fellowship global missions will begin a “new conversation” about how to better integrate missions into all areas of CBF life, the Decatur, Ga.,-based Fellowship’s new global missions coordinator said at a…
Baptists in Turkey form first national alliance of churches
By Eron Henry Just over two months before the Baptist World Alliance holds its annual gathering in Turkey, Baptists in that country have formed their first national organization of churches. Four Baptist congregations formed the Alliance of Baptist Churches in…
Funeral arrangements set for Glen Stassen
By Bob Allen A viewing and memorial service for Glen Stassen, a Baptist ethicist and originator of the “just peacemaking” opposition to war, is scheduled this weekend at First Baptist Church in Pasadena, Calif. Viewing is scheduled 5-8 p.m. on…
Baptists survey ‘hurricane like’ tornado damage
By Jeff Brumley In 2013, Roy Peterson led a team to the Oklahoma City area immediately after a massive tornado roared through the city of Moore and other neighboring communities. They were there when more twisters ravaged the state. “We…
CBF names global missions coordinator
By Bob Allen A missions strategist with experience in urban ministry has been named global missions coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Steven Porter, 41, a lecturer in missions and global Christianity at George W. Truett Theological Seminary in Waco,…