By Bob Setzer As a Baptist boy growing up in the South, Halloween was one of my favorite holidays. It was the one time of year my preferred sins were sanctioned: gluttony (especially of the chocolate variety) and getting…
For all the saints (Baptist and otherwise)
By R. Kevin Johnson In a few days, many Christians in the Western traditions of the church will celebrate All Saints’ Day. This feast originated in fifth-century Syria to commemorate martyrs. It is celebrated on November 1 to correspond with…
For or against?
By Joe LaGuardia “We are against Halloween,” one minister recently told me. This is a common response I get from folks in the church. That, and: “We are against homosexuals, abortion, environmentalists, liberals, social-gospel types, postmodernists, illegal immigrants, people who…
The 20-year test
(Editor’s note: Although Bill Wilson’s commentary pieces — written as a column for the Virginia Baptist Religious Herald — have appeared frequently on Associated Baptist Press over the last year, with this edition ABP will begin the regular biweekly publication of his…
Christian witness amid the partisan fray
By David Gushee All eyes are on the November 2 elections, which appear likely to sweep Democrats from control of the House of Representatives and perhaps the Senate. Republicans also appear poised to make gains at the state level, especially…
On ‘Glee’, Nietzsche, faith and greeting cards
By Amy Butler Regular contact and conversation with my congregation is an important part of the work of a pastor and definitely one my favorite parts of my job. These days that interaction happens most usually by e-mail or on…
Being off duty as a pastor
By Elizabeth Evans Hagan While I have great respect for the work of my Episcopal and Catholic clergy friends, I am glad that I’m not one of them. Not because of theology or tradition or even the clergy pay structure,…
A new conversation on bullying
By Mitch Randall Bullying of any kind, regardless of context, must stop. However, a wave of stories is circulating regarding a particular type of bullying that has people of faith reevaluating their words. In recent months, an upswing in homosexual…
A gap between faith and life
By Jim Denison The Pew Forum for Religion & Public Life recently discovered an alarming gap between faith and many critical social issues. For instance, only 7 percent of adults who take a position on immigration say that religion is…