These days, clergy and laity, professors and students alike generally agree that basic knowledge of the Bible is fast disappearing among Americans conservative, moderate and liberal. Indeed, in recent years I have occasionally received notes from undergraduate and graduate students…
Best-selling pastor Rob Bell is off to L.A. to write more books
GRANDVILLE, Mich. (RNS) — Megachurch pastor Rob Bell, whose best-selling book raised evangelical eyebrows by questioning traditional beliefs on hell, knew it was time to address the “giant, glowing, loud” elephant in the room on Sunday morning, Sept. 25. What’s…
White House condemns death sentence for Iranian Christian
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The White House condemned Sept. 29 the conviction of a pastor sentenced to death for converting from Islam to Christianity in Iran. Youcef Nadarkhani, 34, pastor of the Church of Iran, was tried and convicted of apostasy…
Some British Christians outraged as BBC drops B.C./A.D. dating method
LONDON (RNS) — Some British Christians are incensed after the state-funded BBC decided to jettison the terms B.C. and A.D. in favor of B.C.E. and C.E. in historical date references. The broadcaster has directed that the traditional B.C. (Before Christ)…
Baptist leader in Haiti kidnapped
CAP-HAITIEN, Haiti — Emmanuel Pierre, general secretary of the Baptist Convention of Haiti, was kidnapped Sept. 29, the Baptist World Alliance has reported. The incident occurred in Cap-Haïtien, the second largest city in Haiti, and where the convention offices are located….
Washington exhibition traces history and influence of the Bible in China
WASHINGTON — Ask most American Christians where the largest Bible printing facility in the world is and they might imagine Nashville, Dallas or London to hold that honor. Few would guess the correct answer: China. Discussing the Bible exhibit are…
Rob Bell leaving Mars Hill to focus on writing
GRANDVILLE, Mich. (RNS) — Megachurch pastor Rob Bell, whose best-selling book raised evangelical eyebrows by questioning traditional beliefs on hell, knew it was time to address the “giant, glowing, loud” elephant in the room on Sunday morning, Sept. 25. What’s…
Washington exhibition traces history of the Bible in China
WASHINGTON — Ask most American Christians where the largest Bible printing facility in the world is and they might imagine Nashville, Dallas or London to hold that honor. Few would guess the correct answer: China. On Sept. 28, opening ceremonies…
Washington exhibition traces history of the Bible in China
WASHINGTON — Ask most American Christians where the largest Bible printing facility in the world is and they might imagine Nashville, Dallas or London to hold that honor. Few would guess the correct answer: China. On Sept. 28, opening ceremonies…
BGCT moves forward with funding cut, new agreement with Baylor
DALLAS (ABP) – The Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board voted Sept. 27 to recommend a budget that reduces funding for Baylor University while giving more dollars to 10 other schools. The spending plan, to be recommended to messengers…
CBF young leader network sponsoring Kentucky retreat
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (ABP) – Current, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s young leaders’ network, is sponsoring three regional meetings as a way to reach out to a new crop of young seminarians and those in their first call as clergy. The first…
Leland Center relocates
ARLINGTON, Va. — The John Leland Center for Theological Studies moved at the end of August to new quarters in the busy Clarendon section of Arlington, Va., about three miles from central Washington, D.C. The Church at Clarendon's new 10-story…