Baptist News Global

EDITORIAL: A time for thanks

Not long ago the on-air Today Show staff members were asked which holiday was their favorite. Each one said, “Thanksgiving.” Matt Lauer said it is “by far … by far” his favorite. I couldn't help but register some surprise and…

SECOND OPINION: An association testimony

The year 2007 is the 300th anniversary of local Baptist associations in America; the founding of that first such association was in Philadelphia in 1707. These associations have spread throughout America and provide many opportunities for churches and individuals to…

Return to Mount Hermon

On a magnificent fall Sabbath earlier this year, William E. Hatcher enjoyed a return to Mount Hermon Baptist Church in his native Bedford County. The occasion was the church's 220th anniversary. The church was packed with members, former members and…

FAITHSHAPERS: Pitfalls of punishment (1)

Punishment is a touchy topic, isn't it? When I was young, schoolteachers could take a child in the hall and paddle them. I still remember, quite vividly, our assistant principal visiting the class to let us see his large, carefully…

Survey reveals lack of knowledge about First Amendment rights

WASHINGTON — Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe the Founding Fathers meant for the United States to be a Christian nation, and more than half believe the U.S. Constitution establishes a Christian nation, a national survey revealed. The survey also showed…

Jezebel: Did the Bible’s bad girl get a bad rap?

WASHINGTON (RNS) — Few historical characters rival Jezebel for negative stereotypes. Today, “she's a household word for badness,” one scholar said. Culturally, she's portrayed as a brash, sexually provocative woman wearing too much make-up, another observed. So in her new…

FAITH DIGEST

Black Baptist prof told to choose college or church. Professor Denise Isom loves her work at Calvin College and her Grand Rapids church, Messiah Missionary Baptist. But her employer has told she must choose one or the other. The Calvin…

OUT LOUD

“We are not preaching any type of civil disobedience, we're just simply saying if someone comes to us and they're in need of food, they're in need of going to the doctor, we're not going to take the time to…

Dozens of BC students make spiritual decisions during emphasis week

BLUEFIELD — Nearly 50 Bluefield College students made new professions of faith, while an additional 40 to 50 students renewed their commitments to a relationship with Jesus Christ during the school's 16th annual Duremdes Christian Emphasis Week, Sept. 26-28. Since…

Bluefield College to assist children of CBF missionaries

BLUEFIELD — Bluefield College will offer undergraduate tuition scholarships for children of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship global missions field personnel, it was announced last week. The school will offer an eight-semester scholarship for full-time study to field personnel dependents who meet…

Episcopal churches in Virginia in court over property dispute

FAIRFAX — A two-week trial began Nov. 13 that will determine whether a state law from 1867 governs the property dispute between the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and 11 congregations that voted to leave the church. The congregations, among them…

Have we gone too far in the race for parenthood?

NEW YORK (ABP) — In Brazil, a 51-year-old woman gave birth to her own twin grandchildren. She used embryos from her 27-year-old daughter, who had tried for four years to conceive. In January, a Texas-based “human embryo bank” announced prospective…

Islamophobia is the next bogeyman

The Black Church cannot remain America’s emergency moral infrastructure

We are manna

Webinar explores religious context of America’s Founders