“I’ve never seen more irresponsible personal attacks, mean-spirited slander and flat-out dishonest attack ads, and I don’t expect that tone to change before the election.” Rick Warren The megachurch pastor was explaining to the Orange County Register why he canceled…
Mormons’ relationship with America: It’s complicated
SALT LAKE CITY (RNS)—When it comes to flag-waving, some Mormons may outdo their neighbors to express their outsized patriotism. Love of America, they believe, stretches beyond appreciation and gratitude. It is theological, prescribed in holy writ. When it comes to…
Mormonism: Mainstream values, unorthodox theology
Nearly 200 years after religious zeal prompted a young convert named Joseph Smith to found a movement called the Latter-day Saints, the once-despised minority “cult” increasingly is going mainstream. With a Mormon running for president, a hit Broadway musical titled…
WINN RECOMMENDS
Ecclesiastes, Peter Enns (Eerdmans) Enns has proven to be a provocative and thoughtful theologian, particularly from within Evangelical circles. In this new commentary on Ecclesiastes, Enns seeks to pay careful attention both to the exegetical arguments of the text and…
OPINION: Hidden gems
A friend told me about a phenomenon called “Hidden Gems,” an online community for people who regularly watch “Dancing with the Stars.” Every week as people tune in to watch the show they are entertained not only by the dancing…
Challenge to clergy tax break clears hurdle
By Bob Allen A Wisconsin judge has given a green light to a lawsuit challenging a federal law that exempts clergy from paying income taxes on the fair rental value of their homes. U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb ruled Aug….
The Mormon moment
By Bob Allen Nearly 200 years after religious zeal prompted a young convert named Joseph Smith to found a movement called the Latter-day Saints, the once-despised minority “cult” increasingly is going mainstream. With a Mormon running for president, a hit…
UPDATED EDITORIAL: Just another campaign?
Two paragraphs in Jim White's editorial, "Just another campaign," have been clarified. To read the updated material, which is italized, go here.
GOP platform called most conservative
By Bob Allen Delegates to the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., accused President Obama of waging a “war on religion,” declared a “fundamental individual right to life” for the unborn and reaffirmed support for a constitutional ban on…
Black Baptist group gathers in Atlanta
By Jeff Brumley About 20,000 delegates are expected in Atlanta Sept. 3-7 for the 132nd annual session of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., the oldest and largest of the historically African-American Baptist denominations. Unlike some other Baptist groups, the…
IBTS trustees propose move to Amsterdam
By Bob Allen Trustees of the International Baptist Theological Seminary have proposed relocating the 63-year-old seminary from Eastern Europe to the Netherlands. If approved by the European Baptist Federation governing council Sept. 26-29 in Germany, the move would mark a…
EDITORIAL: Just another campaign?
Editor's Note: This editorial includes two clarifying paragraphs (italized below) added after its original publication. This varies from the version in the print edition dated Sept. 3. By casting their votes Tuesday evening at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, delegates…