Latest Articles
SBC leaves alliance, may drop "Southern" Plans for a new international network of conservative Christians: Plans for a new international network of conservative Christians
As “a network of churches that circle the planet,” the Southern Baptist Convention must consider changing its name to “reflect who we are and what we are doing nationally and internationally,” SBC ...
Christians counter The Da Vinci Code: An opportunity to debate church history
As The Da Vinci Code, the fast-paced thriller by novelist Dan Brown, marks nearly a year atop the New York Times best-seller list, critics have staged a counteroffensive. ...
Giving from Episcopal dioceses dips 7 percent: Possible fallout from Robinson ordination
The Episcopal Church has seen a 7 percent drop in contributions from local dioceses since it voted last year to approve an openly gay bishop, but officials say it may be premature to link the two d...
British Anglicans unmoved on gay issues: Same-sex relationships tolerated among laity but not clergy
The Church of England’s governing General Synod has voiced strong support for greater acceptance of homosexuals, but the church’s official stance—of tolerating gay relationships among the laity but...
Scholars still debate who crucified Jesus: The Roman or Jewish authorities
Moviegoers who see The Passion of the Christ may go home confident they know who killed Jesus and why. If only the experts could feel so sure....
Most take Bible stories literally: An ABC News poll
Most Americans have a literal understanding of biblical stories such as Moses parting the Red Sea, says an ABC News poll that also showed the vast majority do not blame Jews for the death of Jesus....
Korean cloning feat stirs religious concern: First successfully cloned human embryo
News that South Korean scientists have successfully cloned the first human embryo in order to extract stem cells for medical research has drawn sharp criticism from religious and ethical groups in ...
European Union debates nod to God: Talks on constitution stalled
In Poland, where Catholicism prevails, religious law holds a firm grip on the civil realm....
Liberal Episcopalians unveil modified Alpha: "Via media" (middle way) curriculum
Progressive Episcopalians have begun test-marketing a revamped version of the popular Alpha course that organizers say can harness publicity over an openly gay bishop to bring people into the churc...
Briefly noted
The Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board will cease endorsing women for chaplain positions “where the role and function of the chaplain would be seen the same as that o...
Re-purposed: What is a church for?
What, precisely, is a good church? How would you know one when you see it? A popular answer these days is that a good church is a “purpose-driven” church....
News to me: The truth is larger than any one telling of it
While I respect the age-old wisdom about steering clear of politics, sex and religion in polite conversation, those seem to be the only things that anyone wants to talk about these days....
Pushing buttons: An equal-opportunity electoral sleaze show
Senator John Kerry’s anti–Vietnam war activities have been ignored by his Democratic opponents during his march to an all-but-certain Democratic nomination....
Ordained by baptism: When the "Thou" transcends the rules
Testimony, not advocacy, is my intent in this first foray into a subject about which church bodies argue: the “blessing of gay marriage/unions” and “ordination to clergy status” of men and women in...
Century Marks
Price of peace: When Kathleen Lee Turner witnessed a friend’s daughter being baptized, she was stunned at how quickly the baptism was over and how easily the service segued into announcement...
Understanding the Passion: Is the extent of Jesus' physical suffering theologically significant?
The Passion of Jesus, more than other parts of the gospel story, cries out for a theological commentary....
ABCs of faith: Beginning with Alpha
At an Alpha training conference in Detroit, a dozen people came forward to testify to the power of the Alpha program. One couple had been close to divorce when they encountered Alpha....