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…
Historical journal looks at Baptists in West
“Go west, young Baptist” could be the topic of the forthcoming Virginia Baptist Register,” says Lee Shepard, editor of the annual journal of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society. Shepard said the latest issue features three Virginia Baptists who experienced the…
Faculty vote at Baylor calls for president’s firing
A majority of Baylor University faculty who voted in a nonbinding referendum on the leadership of President Robert Sloan say he should be dismissed. Of the 490 votes cast, 85 percent were against retaining Sloan as president. Sloan has been…
Historical society opens Bible exhibit
“Hide These Words in Your Heart” is a new exhibit in the Heritage Gallery of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society which allows visitors to follow the history of the Bible. On display are rare and beautiful examples of authentic leaves…
Louisiana College put on probation
Baptist-affiliated Louisiana College has been placed on probation for a year by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for a year for violating the agency's standards. Probation from the SACS is a more serious sanction than a warning or…
Bluefield missionary house renovation
Bluefield College has long shared with Virginia Baptists a commitment to international missions. Now, through a renovation project on campus, the college is strengthening that commitment to support missionaries, while at the same time restoring an historic landmark on campus….
Godsey to retire as president of Mercer
Kirby Godsey, Mercer University's longest-serving president, announced he will retire in 18 months, and trustees expect to start the search for his successor as early as spring. At a recent trustee meeting, Godsey, 68, revealed his plans to step down…
Virginia Baptists provide aid to one of China’s largest churches
Virginia Baptists have given a small but symbolically significant contribution to a Christian congregation that is building what is likely to be the largest church building in China. In October the Virginia Baptist Mission Board allocated $2,000 to Hangzhou Christian…
Canadian high court OKs gay marriage
Canada's Supreme Court paved the way Dec. 9 for the country to become the third country to allow nationwide recognition of gay marriages. The court ruled, in a clarification sought by Prime Minister Paul Martin's Liberal government, that the federal…
Advocates for a cause: Former SBC leaders rally to support BWA
By Greg Warner About 20 former Southern Baptist leaders met in Atlanta Dec. 4 to try to find ways to rebuild financial support for the Baptist World Alliance, which lost its largest member and funding source in October. The leaders,…