LONDON (RNS) One of Britain's top Anglican bishops has infuriated Muslim leaders by claiming that Islamic extremism has turned parts of the nation into “no-go” areas for non-Muslims. Writing in London's Sunday Telegraph newspaper, the Pakistani-born bishop of Rochester, Michael…
SECOND OPINION: Who is master of the house?
In recent discussions about Baptist identity, the phrase “spiritual master” has been seen as a roadblock to Christian liberty. And why not? “Master” sounds so, well, oppressive. Perhaps you are familiar with William Ernest Henley's poem Invictus (i.e., “Unconquered”). It…
Virginia church property fight costs $2 million
RICHMOND (RNS) — The court battle over church assets between the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and 11 breakaway congregations has already cost both sides more than $2 million, according to representatives. The secessionist Anglican District of Virginia has spent about…
Free to profess
Last week, on Wednesday, Jan. 16, the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom turned 222 years young. It was enacted by the Virginia General Assembly on that date in 1786. Virginia had just passed through a paradigm shift, moving from a…
Vietnam Baptists to hold first national meeting
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (ABP) — Baptists in Vietnam reached a milestone when they held their first legal national conference Jan. 10-12. An estimated 400 people from 13 southern provinces and cities were expected for the meeting in Ho…
OUT LOUD
“It is not a sanctuary that will help us reach a new generation.” Robert Jeffress The pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas was discussing plans to replace the 1891 sanctuary which launched the careers of legendary Baptist pastors George…
SECOND OPINION: Race, sex, class and presidential politics
It was not until I got to Union Theological Seminary in New York as a doctoral student in Christian ethics that I received my first serious dose of race/class/sex talk. Sometimes it seemed like every course, even every class session,…
Death penalty opponents find new allies among evangelicals
CARRBORO, N.C. (RNS) — Stephen Dear has spent the past 10 years waging an uphill battle to abolish the death penalty in the American South — with virtually no help from the region's powerful evangelical ministers. But unlike in years…
News about Virginia Baptists and their ministries for January 24, 2008
RECOGNITON On Nov. 18 following a Thanksgiving meal, the members of McCabe Memorial Church in Martinsville honored one of its faithful members, Marietta Smith, with a presentation of a plaque for her devoted Christian service to its music ministry. McCabe's…
Survey: Unchurched Americans say church is full of hypocrites
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Almost three-quarters of Americans who haven't darkened the door of a church in the last six months think it is “full of hypocrites,” and even more of them consider Christianity to be more about organized religion than…
RIGHT OR WRONG
Reading what the Apostle Paul said about our bodies being “the temple of God,” I became convicted about what I allow my children to eat — too many sweets, etc. But my husband resists my words of caution and models…
Rob Bell: Christians shouldn’t fear controversy over doctrine
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — Precise definitions and formulations of doctrines aren't necessary prerequisites to evangelism or Christian unity, said author Rob Bell, pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., who has become an increasingly controversial figure among…