Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
Can Christians Have Constructive Talks on Homosexuality?
Recently, both Miss California and megachurch pastor Rick Warren got slammed for speaking to the issue of gay rights. While each pleased some and infuriated others, both got beaten up pretty badly in this very public...
Attend Church Regularly? Odds Are You Think Torture’s OK
The Pew Forum offers a very disturbing view of regular church attendees with their latest report on torture opinions. If this is the best we can do, we might all be better off staying home on Sunday mornings. When...
A new job for Xe?
Here's a thought that's been bugging me ... a day rarely passes without some mention of another giant ship (or two or six) being hijacked by Somali pirates who arrive in tiny skiffs. The maritime Davids are so...
Couple Address Medical Needs of Banjara People in India
When Macarena Aldape cleans a wound or treats a rash, her Banjara patients often ask her why she is helping them. The Banjara people's socio-economic status often limits their access to healthcare, education and jobs...
Fewer Labeling Themselves Christian May Be a Good Thing
A recent American Religious Identification Survey revealed that the percentage of Americans who self-identify themselves as Christians is declining, most notably in New England. Albert Mohler, president of Southern...
New Baptist President Issues Challenge to Expect Revival
Kingsley Appiagyei, the new president of the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB), has challenged Baptists to prepare for the revival of the Church in the United Kingdom. At the opening celebration of the Baptist...
Baptists Seek Safety from Flu Virus, Remain Silent About Hate-Speech Virus
The Baptist General Convention of Texas responded to the swine flu epidemic by postponing a state championship Bible drill. Travis Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth e-mailed members asking them to stay home on...
It’s just money…lots of it
News reports indicate that Chrysler is filing for bankruptcy and Ford's sales number are even lower than expected. Some economists, however, see signs that the economy is turning around.My understanding of economic...
Grin and hear it
There is this bird ...A bird who loves to sit in a tree just outside our bedroom window.A bird who loves to sing.Loudly.A bird who thinks 5:00 a.m. should be everybody's wake-up time.What should I do about this...
Christians Have No Reason to Fear Public Education
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics released a new estimate on the number of American families home schooling their children. According to the report,...
Trusting Fear Caused Many of Us to Turn Away from Injustice
Reading the April 26 column by Frank Rich in The New York Times ("The Banality of Bush White House Evil") caused a question to resurface that has been brewing within me for years. Why did the American public, news...
Global-Warming Bill’s Prospects Dim as House Democrats Waver
Two recent developments helped to energize those who are trying to get a comprehensive energy and global-warming bill through Congress this year. But, only a few days later, further developments...
History Provides Sobering Reminders of Torture’s Tangled Web
Recent revelations regarding the "harsh tactics" employed by the U.S. government in the interrogation of numerous terrorist suspects have set off a firestorm of conversation. Some remain convinced the drastic torturous...
I Did; Therefore, I am
Sermon delivered by Joel Snider, pastor of First Baptist Church in Rome, G.A., on Apr. 26 2009. Acts 2: 1-14. I am going to tell you two stories to help make a point. The first story took place in a town about the size...
SBC Leaders Launch Effort to Turn Around Flagging Numbers
It was hard not to laugh when reading the Baptist Press story about Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) president Johnny Hunt issuing a new declaration — with hundreds of signatures from other SBC leaders — calling for a...
“The Soloist”
Friendships are messy things. Telling other people how to fix their lives or finding someone else to clean up other people's problems is tidier. You’re free to walk away with no responsibilities and a triumphant...
Maybe It’s Time for a Hospice Program for Some Churches
If you have been around long enough, you have seen the "life cycle of a church" diagram. The basic concept is that the life of a church – or any organization – can be represented by a bell-shaped curve. Birth or dream...
Evangelist in chief?
Former presidents generally make a killing on the speech circuit, and I suspect George W. Bush will get his share of high-dollar gigs. I've noticed, however, that he's been conspicuous by his absence since leaving the...
Southern Baptists and evangelism
It was hard not to laugh when reading the Baptist Press story about Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) president Johnny Hunt issuing a new declaration — with hundreds of signatures from other SBC leaders — calling for a...
Evangelizing Thomas
This sermon was delivered by Jacob Cook, a student at McAfee and winner of the John R. Claypool Preaching Award at McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta, Ga., on April 28, 2009. John 20:19-31 When it was evening on...
Tortured Morality: Inhumane Treatment Should Be Investigated
Like many people around the world, I have paid close attention as President Obama's administration wrestles with how it will deal with our nation's recent experience concerning torture. I rejoiced as Obama renounced...