Baptist News Global

Heritage Center releases new worship study

RICHMOND — An analysis of worship styles in Virginia Baptist churches is the focus of a new resource available from the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies. Each year the Center appoints several Virginia Baptist college students as Heritage Fellows…

VIRGINIA TIDBITS

Falwell's sons take up mantle Jonathan Falwell, son of the late Jerry Falwell, will become pastor of the 24,000-member church his dad founded in Lynchburg more than 50 years ago. Members of Thomas Road Baptist Church elected Jonathan Falwell, 40,…

EDITORIAL: Sounds like competition to me

In the current issue of SBC Life, former Southern Baptist Convention president Bobby Welch explained what he will be doing as the SBC's new “strategist for global evangelical relations.” According to Welch, his responsibilities will be “to establish enhanced international…

SECOND OPINION: Hold churches accountable for abuse

We need to take another step to stop clergy sexual abuse. Let's post a list of churches that we learn knowingly allow—or force—an abusing minister to move on without doing something to warn others. This sounds harsh. But it's nothing…

Volunteer chaplains

I just wanted to thank you for the great work the Herald did on military chaplains [May 31]. I also wanted to tell you of another avenue that pastors have to help in the effort. Virginia has a little known…

First freedom and prime principles

Religious liberty is the first freedom for Americans. Thomas Jefferson authored the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, which since 1786 has provided a benchmark for the western world. James Madison, influenced by Virginia Baptists, reasoned that religious liberty would become…

OUT LOUD

“I sometimes marvel when people running for office are asked about faith and their answer is, ‘Oh, I don't get into that, I keep that completely separate. My faith is completely immaterial to how I think and how I govern.'…

Immigration issues reveal disparity between views in pulpits and pews

WASHINGTON (RNS)—As Congress debates immigration policy, many prominent religious leaders—from all shades of the theological spectrum—have called for a “comprehensive and compassionate” reform of existing laws. It's part of what they see as their biblical mandate to care for the…

RIGHT OR WRONG: Censorship in the church library

A church member recently donated a book to our church library. But a question has been raised about the book's appropriateness for the library. If we don't shelve the book, we will be accused of censorship. How should we determine…

Are atheists now becoming the new fundamentalists?

WASHINGTON (RNS)—Despite its minority status, atheism has enjoyed the spotlight recently, with several books that feature vehement arguments against religion topping bestseller lists. But now even some secular humanists are saying they should embrace more than the strident rhetoric poured…

Study suggests Muslims in U.S. more mainstream than in Europe

WASHINGTON (ABP)—One of the most comprehensive studies of its kind suggests Muslims in the United States are far better assimilated into the nation's culture—and far less likely to espouse extremist beliefs—than their counterparts in Europe. However, the Pew Research Center…

FAITH DIGEST

Creation Museum opens The Answers in Genesis Ministry opened a $27 million Creation Museum in Petersburg, Ky., just across the state line from Cincinnati, Memorial Day weekend. The main hall of the 60,000-square-foot building features animatronic dinosaurs and figures of…

What Disclosure Day reveals about evangelicals’ fears

Insufficient

6 ways the Reflecting Pool boondoggle mirrors Trump and MAGA

Pilate asked Jesus, ‘What is truth?’