By Bob Allen The Southern Baptist owners of Hobby Lobby claim in a Supreme Court brief filed Feb. 10 that mandated coverage of contraceptives under Obamacare is a textbook violation of a 1993 law enacted with broad support to prevent…
Shahan murder case headed to grand jury
By Bob Allen An Alabama Baptist minister charged with murder in his wife’s July slaying waived an initial court appearance Feb. 5. The case against him now is headed toward a grand jury. Attorneys for Richard Shahan, former children and…
‘Salt and light’ can heal addiction, says preacher in wake of actor’s overdose death
By Jeff Brumley Jacksonville, Fla., resident Josiah Monks stood before his congregation Sunday morning and admitted how being fully immersed in Bible and worship a few years back did nothing to ease the nightmare of his addictions. But one-on-one meetings…
Union University names Texas educator as new president
By Ken Camp Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver, president of East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas, since 2009, has been named president of Union University, a Baptist school in Jackson, Tenn., effective June 1. Union University’s board of trustees unanimously…
Georgia Baptists support guns in church
By Bob Allen Georgia Baptists’ new lobbyist made headlines his second week on the job, testifying in the state’s General Assembly in support of legislation that would allow guns in churches. “Really, it’s a sanctity of human life issue as…
Virginia pastor takes key role on Fresh Expressions staff
By Robert Dilday The pastor of a multi-campus church in metropolitan Richmond announced Feb. 9 he is resigning to join the staff of Fresh Expressions US, a movement which aims to help churches engage postmodern culture by establishing new creative…
For growing numbers of Baptists, Pope Francis is drawing admiration
By Jeff Brumley A Baptist preacher in Georgia said months of exposure to television and online news reports about Pope Francis I just finally got to him. And that’s a good thing, said Barrett Owen, pastor of National Heights Baptist…
Report: Liberian seminary ordered closed
By Bob Allen Reports from Africa say a labor judge ordered a shutdown Jan. 6 of the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary, the latest move in a series of disputes involving a group calling itself “Concerned Baptists” opposed to Liberia Baptist…
Bob Jones University halts abuse probe
By Bob Allen Bob Jones University has pulled the plug on an independent investigation into the school’s handling of allegations of sexual abuse, the group hired to conduct the probe announced Feb. 6. Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian…
Court hears challenge to Virginia’s gay marriage ban
By Robert Dilday A closely-watched hearing last Tuesday in a federal court in Norfolk, Va., could ultimately overturn Virginia’s constitutional ban on gay marriage — an outcome which would impact adjacent states and give same-sex marriage its first foothold in…
Obama stresses religious freedom at prayer breakfast
By Bob Allen Promoting religious freedom abroad is a key objective of U.S. foreign policy, President Obama told a crowd of about 3,500 at the 62nd National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton Feb. 6. “There are times when we work…
Children’s minister charged with abuse
By Bob Allen An associate pastor at a Southern Baptist church in Muscle Shoals, Ala., is being held on a more than $1 million bond after reportedly telling police he sexually abused so many children that he could not remember…