By Miguel De La Torre The Hebrew Bible’s interpretation of marriage was that women were akin to property, while men were biblically provided with the opportunity to have multiple sex partners. The New Testament interpretation privileged singleness, while women were…
Real American exceptionalism
How do we hold a healthy distance between our patriotic pride and our Christian witness? It is sometimes not easy. Baltimore held a weeklong Sailabration commemorating the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. Events involved tall ships, fireworks and great pride…
Francis I: What’s in a name?
By Bill Leonard Those Catholics can do drama, can’t they? Cardinals, 115 of them, all male (still), in their red and lace vestments began the conclave to elect the 266th new pope by chanting a hymn invoking the presence of the…
Woman named pastor of historic church
By Bob Allen The 222-year-old Hampton Baptist Church has called Elizabeth “Betty” Pugh Mills as senior pastor, making it likely the largest Baptist church in Virginia led by a woman pastor. The 1,100-member church (about 500 active) voted March 3…
Lay leader Steve Tondera dies
By Bob Allen A layman active in the resistance to a conservative faction that won control of the Southern Baptist Convention in the 1980s has died. Steve Tondera, 79, of Huntsville, Ala., died Feb. 13. A former NASA administrator and…
Vicar of Christ
By Bill Leonard In the year 376, St. Jerome, who translated the Bible into Latin (Vulgate), wrote to Pope Damasus: “As I follow no leader save Christ, so I communicate with none save your Beatitude, that is, with the chair…
Vicar of Christ
University recalls Baptist roots
By Leah Grundset Davis George Washington University’s Baptist origins were celebrated Feb. 8-9 as representatives from the 191-year-old school, student Baptist ministries and the District of Columbia Baptist Convention and its affiliated churches gathered for GWU’s second annual Founder’s Day….
The religious war on freedom
By Bruce Gourley What is the enemy of religion? While evil is often the answer, a poll focused on religious liberty in America and released this month by the Barna Group points in a much different direction. When asked if…
Bring ye all the tithes into the PayPal
By Bill Leonard On the first Sunday of 2013 we picked up our offering envelopes at First Baptist Church, Highland Avenue in Winston-Salem, N.C. Our pastor encouraged us to do so, noting that some boxes never leave the building. Eschewing…
Bring ye all the tithes into the PayPal
By Bill Leonard On the first Sunday of 2013 we picked up our offering envelopes at First Baptist Church, Highland Avenue in Winston-Salem, N.C. Our pastor encouraged us to do so, noting that some boxes never leave the building. Eschewing…
Overlooking Joshua
By Miguel De La Torre Among Christians, one of the most powerful biblical stories is the Exodus, where God enters history and guides God’s chosen people toward the Promised Land. The trek of former slaves toward liberation resonates with many…