NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) – American Bible readers overwhelmingly oppose gender-neutral translations of the Bible, according to a new study by LifeWay Research. Eighty-two percent of participants in a study released Oct. 1 said verses in biblical Hebrew and Greek that…
Haitian leader released unharmed
CAP-HAITIAN, Haiti — The Haitian Baptist leader who was kidnapped early Sept. 29 was released unharmed later that day without a ransom payment, the Baptist World Alliance reported Sept. 30. Emmanuel Pierre, general secretary of the Baptist Convention of Haiti,…
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 Youcef Nadarkhani, 34, pastor of the Church of Iran, was tried and convicted…
Former music minister indicted
JACKSON, Miss. (ABP) – Mississippi prosecutors said Sept. 28 that a former Southern Baptist music minister and high school choir teacher has been indicted on eight felony counts of gratification of lust. John Langworthy John Langworthy, 49, former associate pastor…
Exhibit traces history of the Bible in China
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Ask most Americans 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. Donald Barnes, a former English…
VIEWPOINT: The sociology of Sunday school
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…