How Baptists helped end slavery in the United States

Christians often have been reminded that some of their forebears supported slavery, but many do not know Christians ended slavery in the United States. Southern Baptists, in particular, frequently are reminded their convention began amid the defense of slavery. Yet...

Analysis John B. Carpenter

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Remembering C. Everett Koop (and Lewis Smedes)

By Roger Olson Yesterday, Monday, Feb. 25, former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop died at his home in New Hampshire. He was 96. Anyone who paid attention to public controversies knew of him in the 1980s as a rock-ribbed…

Mediation effort in Southside Virginia prayer lawsuit fails, returning case to district court

DANVILLE, Va. — Attempts to settle a legal conflict between a Southside Virginia county board of supervisors and the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia over Christian prayers at the beginning of supervisors’ meetings apparently failed Feb. 21, according to…

For Hollywood power couple, a labor of love

LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Before actress Roma Downey met her husband, her Touched by an Angel co-star Della Reese had a bit of advice. “Baby, you need to pray that God will choose a partner for you,” Downey recalled Reese…

Exhibit highlights blacksâ€™ connection to Scripture

NEW YORK (RNS) — A new exhibit at New York’s Museum of Biblical Art makes one point clear and inescapable: Biblical narratives and imagery have been an underlining constant in the life of African-American Christians. From the days of slavery…

Exhibit of biblical imagery highlights blacksâ€™ connection to Scripture

NEW YORK (RNS) — A new exhibit at New York’s Museum of Biblical Art makes one point clear and inescapable: Biblical narratives and imagery have been an underlining constant in the life of African-American Christians. From the days of slavery…

For Hollywood couple, â€˜The Bibleâ€™ miniseries is a â€˜labor of loveâ€™

LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Before actress Roma Downey met her husband, her Touched by an Angel co-star Della Reese had a bit of advice. “Baby, you need to pray that God will choose a partner for you,” Downey recalled Reese…

Bill in North Carolina Senate would permit elective Bible classes in public high schools

RALEIGH — Public high schools in North Carolina could offer elective Bible classes if a bill introduced in the state Senate Feb. 26 is adopted by the General Assembly. The bill by Republican Sen. Stan Bingham of Denton, N.C., would…

For aging religious leaders, is it still ’till death us do part’?

Fox apologizes for comments on Wiccans at University of Missouri

Benedict XVI will be called ‘Emeritus Pope’ in retirement, Vatican says

Most Southern Baptist pastors ‘not prepared to die’