PHILADELPHIA (BP) – Scripture engagement improves life in all areas except financial wealth, but Bible use continues to lag behind levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Bible Society said in recapping key findings from the 2022 State of the Bible. “People live better lives when they engage with the Bible – reading it frequently, applying its teachings to their decisions, and making it central to their faith,” the ABS said. “Personally, they experience less stress, less … [Read more...]
‘Keeping Christmas Well’: Dickens, Scrooge, Spurgeon
LONDON, England – Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a ghost story. Sure, it’s a beloved yuletide tradition, but it’s still a ghost story – and at times a frightening one! Despite that, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. The book is an easy (and humorous!) read, even for those who say the “classics” aren’t for them. It’s been adapted on screen more times than I can count (I’m particularly fond of the 1992 Muppets version starring Michael Caine as Scrooge). After all, it’s an allegory … [Read more...]
‘I Heard the Bells’ belongs on screen
Sight & Sound’s first full-length movie tells true story of ‘peace on earth’ FERGUSON – Eight years ago, I remember worshipping at First Baptist Church, Ferguson. It was the Sunday after a second round of unrest and rioting following the announcement that the police officer who shot Michael Brown would not be indicted. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the incident, it was a time of pain, anger and fear. Things were tense that cold, quiet morning. As the service began, the … [Read more...]
Biden enacts law protecting same-sex marriage
WASHINGTON (BP) – Same-sex marriage is now protected in federal law. President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act (RMA) Tuesday (Dec. 13) and thereby finalized landmark legislation that redefines the world’s oldest institution. Five days after Congress completed passage, Biden enacted a bill that mandates federal and state recognition of any same-sex marriage considered legal in the jurisdiction where it took place. Although the new law does not require states to legalize gay … [Read more...]
Rise in antisemitism should prompt evangelism, Messianic Fellowship director says
EVANSTON, Ill. (BP) – Ric Worshill remembers the beatings he endured his eighth grade year. They always happened in the same place as he walked to Hebrew school. He remembers the humiliation. He remembers the perpetrators as attendees of the “religious school” (he won’t give the name). He remembers being confused because, as he puts it, “They were supposed to be Christians.” Worshill identifies as a Jew who recognizes Jesus as the Messiah. And as a North American Mission … [Read more...]
House completes congressional approval of same-sex marriage
WASHINGTON (BP) – Congress has given final approval to enshrining same-sex marriage in the law. The U.S. House of Representatives voted 258-169 for the Respect for Marriage Act (RMA) Thursday (Dec. 8), 10 days after the Senate approved the same legislation. With the votes, Congress has decided to repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). While the measure does not require states to legalize same-sex marriage, it mandates federal and state recognition of any gay marriage considered … [Read more...]
Supreme Court debates website designer’s freedom of speech over same-sex marriage
WASHINGTON (BP) – The U.S. Supreme Court debated with lawyers at length Monday (Dec. 5) whether a state has the right to compel speech in the latest case involving the intersection of religious freedom and same-sex marriage. The justices heard oral arguments for more than two hours in a designer’s challenge of a Colorado policy that requires her to create custom websites for same-sex weddings in violation of her religious beliefs. After two lower courts ruled in favor of the state, the … [Read more...]
There’s more to MBC resolution 3, ‘On Loving Your Neighbors,’ than meets the eye
EDITOR'S NOTE: David L. Burton serves as chairman of deacons at Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Springfield. He submitted Resolution 3, "On Loving Our Neighbor," at the Missouri Baptist Convention in St. Charles, Oct. 24-25. I was at the Missouri Baptist Convention this year and was ready for the debate during the resolutions portion of the meeting. I was ready to argue in favor of Resolution 3 on "loving our neighbors and in support of Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 – Oct. … [Read more...]
Southern Baptist ERLC offers guide for pastors on LGBT issues
EDITOR'S NOTE: Read about further resources, compiled by a Missouri Baptist pastor, here. NASHVILLE (BP) – Southern Baptist pastors and churches have a new theological and practical guide to help them address issues involving sexuality and gender. The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) published the document “A biblical resource for pastors on gender and sexuality”on its website (www.erlc.com), Oct. 11. The guide is intended to assist pastors and other ministry leaders in … [Read more...]
BRKC’s Hammer leaves a Kansas City Baptist legacy, takes on new ministry
KANSAS CITY – As 2022 draws to a close Rodney Hammer, executive director of the Blue River-Kansas City Baptist Association (BRKC), prepares to leave that work to move full time in 2023 into leading an organization he founded at the association – Restoration House. Rebranded this year as REHOPE, this ministry works to help adults and children who have survived sex trafficking. REHOPE (formerly Restoration House) was spun out of the association and is now a stand-alone ministry. “It’s been … [Read more...]
What does the Bible say about marijuana?
EDITOR'S NOTE: Read more about this issue here and here and here. On Nov. 8, Missouri voters chose to legalize recreational marijuana possession and use. Christian proponents argue that marijuana should be decriminalized because it is naturally created by God and allows for freedom of conscience. As Christians, how should we view the legalization of marijuana? Does the Bible speak to cannabis use? Though the literal words for marijuana aren’t in Scripture, the applicable principles are. … [Read more...]
Senate nixes religious liberty amendments, approves same-sex marriage
Missouri Sen. Blunt once again supports bill, Sen. Hawley opposes bill EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was updated at 12:50 p.m. with reporting from Pathway staff. WASHINGTON (BP) – The U.S. Senate voted to enshrine same-sex marriage as the law Tuesday (Nov. 29) while rejecting efforts to strengthen religious freedom protections in the proposal. With 12 Republicans joining all Democrats present, the Senate voted 61-36 for the Respect for Marriage Act (RMA) after defeating three … [Read more...]
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