Baptist News Global

The church that wouldn’t give up

Robert Baylor Semple dipped his quill into an inkwell and wrote: “This church was stricken off from Hermitage ….” He was referring to Zoar Baptist Church; and in 1810 he devoted one long paragraph to the Middlesex County church in…

OUT LOUD

“I think the tradition is that they use all three names, and I will follow the tradition. I'm not trying to make a statement one way or another. I'll do what everybody else does.” Barack Obama The president-elect was telling…

FAITHSHAPERS: Teaching baptism (2)

So what is baptism really? Because of its importance in Baptist life, I fear that we sometimes overemphasize the role of baptism. Children tend to see things in somewhat mystical ways by their very nature, and symbolic rituals with deep,…

Global downturn necessitates increased U.S. anti-poverty efforts

WASHINGTON (ABP) — The global financial crisis makes it even more urgent that the United States not only take care of its own economy, but also redouble efforts to aid the world's poorest, according to a new report and several…

President Bush awarded for fight against AIDS

WASHINGTON — President Bush was recognized on the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day for his international efforts to fight the spread of AIDS. “No world leader has done more for world health than President George Bush,” California megachurch pastor…

Merton’s legacy looms large 40 years after his death

TRAPPIST, Ky. (RNS) — This month, many contemplative Christians — including an ever-growing number of evangelicals — are remembering the life of Trappist monk Thomas Merton, who died 40 years ago in a freak accident. Merton, who influenced generations of…

Historic Anabaptist writings to be available online

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (ABP) — Writings of Balthasar Hubmaier, one of the most well-known and respected Anabaptist theologians of the Reformation, soon will be available for online research, thanks to a project of European Baptist scholars. The Institute of Baptist…

FAITH DIGEST

Lutheran publisher announces cutbacks. Augsburg Fortress, publishing arm of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is cutting back operations, closing its nine bookstores in the United States, laying off more than 50 employees and declining to publish new books in…

NPR comments force out NAE’s Cizik

WASHINGTON (ABP) — Backlash over comments about gay rights on a public-radio broadcast has apparently cost a prominent National Association of Evangelicals lobbyist his job. Richard Cizik resigned Dec. 10 as the NAE's vice president for governmental affairs, according to…

Kentucky Baptist paper names journalist as editor

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — Kentucky Baptists have tapped veteran denominational journalist Todd Deaton to become the next editor of their historic newspaper, the Western Recorder. Deaton, 45, has been managing editor of the Baptist Courier, newspaper of the South Carolina…

President Bush discusses faith in TV interview

WASHINGTON (ABP) — In a television interview broadcast Dec. 8, President Bush said he doesn't know if God wanted him to be president, doubts the Bible is literally true, agrees you can believe in God and evolution simultaneously and believes…

Bush admnistration leaves mark on faith-based funding

WASHINGTON (ABP) — President Bush's administration and a host of court rulings have indelibly altered the way that the federal government relates to religious charities, according to an analysis by experts on the subject. “The heart — the core —…

What you’re not seeing: Tens of thousands of children separated from parents

The way we were

Talarico’s pastor pushes back on Daily Wire’s claims

Spiritual formation is how churches learn whom to hear