Iraq's foreign minister met with Pope John Paul II on Dec. 13 and pledged the commitment of his interim government to protect the country's Christians from terrorist attacks. Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari delivered a message to the pope from…
From the red states to The Passion, religion news glowed red in 2004
By Kevin Eckstrom Red, color experts tell us, is a serious color. It denotes passion, heat, importance, even danger. Power ties, celebrity carpets and stop signs are all red. Red says, “Stop what you're doing and pay attention.” So it…
Separationists sue over funding of missions
A church-state separationist group has filed suit to try to halt a new law calling for the distribution of taxpayer funds for the historical preservation of California mission churches. Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a Washington-based watchdog…
FROM THE EDITORIAL DESK: Voting with our pocketbooks
Stories about money — where it's spent, how it's earned, who's got the most of it — are the stock-in-trade of newspapers, even (maybe especially) Baptist newspapers. You'll find plenty to read along those lines this week. If one definition…
What kids learn this time of year
Guest Editorial for Dec. 16, 2004 By Erich Bridges Taunts and curses. Police and security guards struggling to control rowdy crowds. Hand-to-hand combat. I'm not talking about the violence at recent sporting events. I'm talking about Christmas shopping. If you…
Church & People News for Dec. 16
C H R I S T M A S • M U S I C • & • D R A M A Arlington Church, Arlington; “The Promise of a King,” Dec. 19 at 2:30 p.m. Ash Avenue Church, South…
A new beginning
Heritage column for Dec. 16, 2004 By Fred Anderson It happens at least a hundred times a year in Virginia and thousands of times across the country. A new pastor is called to serve a Baptist church, and each time,…
Lilly Foundation gives BTSR $2 million grant
Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond has received a $2 million grant from the Lilly Endowment to work with churches to promote “ministerial excellence.” BTSR will use the funds to build a job-placement system, to assist churches considering female pastors, to…
Letters for Dec. 16, 2004
Happy to be a liberal? I was truly disturbed by your publication of the guest editorial on Nov. 25. “Why I'm proud to be a liberal” seems an attempt to justify the support of liberal values for Christians. I cannot…