(ABP) — They sound off during formal dinners, in restaurants, at the movies and even in churches. They’ve become the bane of every public speaker. The dreaded cell phones. As technology has given us the ability to reach out and…
Regrets the Averett decision
Your article in the Dec. 9 issue, “Aiming at Southwest Virginia,” reports that the Virginia Baptist Mission Board approved Averett University's proposal to create a program to provide training and theological education to ministers and laity in Southwest Virginia. Such…
For Protestants, Jesus’ mother is making more than a cameo appearance
By Kim Lawton It's Christmas-and for Protestants, that means it's time for the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, to make her annual cameo appearance in creche sets, carols and children's bathrobed Christmas pageants. But for some Protestant theologians and…
In holy season of light, darkness grips Bethlehem
Leading the way into the Bethlehem Peace Center, Hatem Abu Tarboush, a wiry, 30-year-old tourism agent, remarks: “They're talking about peace. But I don't think there's any peace to talk about.” The center, housed in the old British headquarters on…
Celebrating Christmas
Catholic festival or religious holiday? Christians have celebrated the birth of Christ for hundreds of years, but over the centuries evangelicals and other conservative believers have wondered about the best way to observe it. By Yvonne Betowt Did you know…
My true love gave to me: Want to celebrate Christmas? Resurrect the 12 days
Another View for Dec. 23, 2004 By Patrick Borders For many people, the Christmas season is filled with anything but peace. Too much rushing around. Too much traffic. Too many activities, crowded stores and long lines. Too much stress. Not…
Christian revival shakes the Big Apple
Another view for Dec. 23, 2004 By Tony Carnes They are patriotic, hard-working, mostly Democratic and mainly from immigrant families. They are also born-again Christians. Their faith is increasingly typical of New York City. On Sunday mornings about 1.5 million…
GUEST EDITORIAL: Keeping Christ in Christmas
When did corporate America become responsible for my Christmas cheer? In my 47 years on this earth, it has never occurred to me that I should look to advertising or store clerks for affirmation of my faith. That's what church…
Joy in the morning
The invitation came to visit Alana Woolley's house and look over her book collection. Obviously this highly-educated and well-read woman had surrounded herself with good books. There were Bible helps, literature, history, mathematics, scientific theory, spiritual growth, women's studies, and…