WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Senate stalemate over the Iraq war claimed another victim July 18: a hate-crimes statute that supporters had hoped to attach to a defense bill. But although the attempt to add gender, sexual orientation and disability to…
Vatican’s claim of link to apostles has parallels in Baptist successionism
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) – The Vatican's recent reaffirmation that the “true church” lies in an unbroken line of succession all the way back to Christ and his apostles might resonate in an unlikely place – among conservative Baptists who trace…
Bottled water craze may find way into late Jerry Falwell’s legacy
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Move over, Perrier. The next designer bottled water may come out of Lynchburg, Va., courtesy of the late Jerry Falwell. Liberty University, the school founded by the fundamentalist Baptist evangelist who died May 15, has announced that…
Bloggers consolidate efforts to create ‘premier site’ for discussion of SBC
ARLINGTON, Texas — Reforming bloggers who have challenged the Southern Baptist Convention establishment for the past two years are consolidating their efforts to create a new Internet presence they say will be the “premier site for Southern Baptist news and…
Vandals burn Israeli flag at Baptist church in Texas
FORT WORTH, Texas (ABP) — A Baptist Church that since last summer had flown the Israeli flag to show support for Israel fell victim to criminal activity July 17 when the star in the center of the flag was burned…
Baptists, other Christian leaders push for reform in farm bill
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Baptists and other Christian groups are asking Congress to seize an opportunity to reform the way the government relates to farmers — for the sake of the poor in the United States and around the globe, they…
Corrections
In the July 3 story “Using Scriptures as guide, man searches for oil in Israel,” please replace paragraph five with the following: “[Israel] currently uses domestic gas deposits from off-shoring drilling and also depends on foreign oil, importing barrels from…
Baptists workers in Macau content with supportive ministry role
ATLANTA (ABP) — Larry and Sarah Ballew compare their work in Macau, China to the bamboo scaffolding around a new building. It's an appropriate metaphor for Macau, an old city being transformed by new hotels and casinos. With more than…
Baptist deacon who ministered to ex-cons in Houston murdered
HOUSTON (ABP) — Willie Scott, a Baptist deacon who turned his experiences as a crack addict and convict into tools for his ministry, was shot and killed July 10 at his clothing and shoe business in Houston. Police are still…
Protestants react to Vatican statement that Catholics are ‘only true church’
DALLAS (ABP) — The document issued July 10 by the Vatican was meant to clarify its doctrine of the church. But nearly a week later, its timing and language still leaves some Protestants and Catholics feeling confused or angry. Much…
Hindu clergyman makes history in Senate, but faces disruption
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A history-making prayer offered by a Hindu leader to open the Senate's July 12 session was reportedly interrupted by a group of Christian protesters. Three observers in the Senate visitors' gallery reportedly attempted to shout down the…
Opinion: 17 rules for Christian engagement in politics
It's election season again. Actually, it never ceases to be election season in our politics-obsessed culture — and in politics-obsessed evangelical America. I have been thinking a lot about the intersection of evangelicals and politics. In a new book coming…