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  Book Reviews

  Posted: 8/05/05

  Book Reviews

  Why the Rest Hates the West by Meic Piese (InterVarsity Press)

  Why the Rest Hates the West fills two important needs. First, it provides a helpful historical analysis of how Western culture (primarily North America and Western Europe) has evolved in ways that put it at odds with non-Westerners around the world. Second, it provides a critique of Western culture that avoids the extremes of both political and patriotic correctness. In fact, more than anything else, this balanced and well-articulated approach by Meic Pearse makes the book worth your time.

  What will make this book especially helpful for the average Baptist is seeing how much of anti-Western resentment is grounded in assumptions that we (North Americans and Western Europeans) have rejected traditional morality and yet still assume a natural superiority over nations and cultures who aren't as "civilized" as we see ourselves. Understanding that point might soften the hearts of those of us who also place a high value on personal and societal morality yet still find it easy to harbor anger and resentment toward nations and cultures that reject America, sometimes violently.

  What are you reading that other Texas Baptists would find helpful? Send suggestions and reviews to books@baptiststandard.com.

  08/05/2005 - By John Rutledge

• Shoes for Orphan Souls launches annual national drive

  Posted: 8/05/05

  Shoes for Orphan Souls
  launches annual national drive

  By Felicia Fuller

  Buckner Baptist Benevolences

  With its expanded global territory and record volunteer participation, Buckner Orphan Care International is launching its seventh year of giving new shoes to children worldwide through its annual Shoes for Orphan Souls national campaign.

  08/05/2005 - By John Rutledge

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  Buckner marks 10 years of international orphan ministry

  Posted: 8/05/05

  Buckner marks 10 years of
  international orphan ministry

  By Scott Collins

  Buckner Baptist Benevolences

  Some say we live in a world without borders–that technology has made the planet a global village where travel and communications are instant.

  08/05/2005 - By John Rutledge

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  Africa the new center of Christianity

  Posted: 8/05/05

  An African group sings at the Baptist World Centenary Congress. (Photos by Ferrell Foster)

  Africa the new center of Christianity

  By Tony Cartledge

  North Carolina Biblical Recorder

  BIRMINGHAM, England (ABP)–The center of Christianity has moved to Africa, and Baptists can be catalysts for changing the continent, Frank Adams told delegates to the Baptist World Centenary Congress.

  08/05/2005 - By John Rutledge

• British Baptists encouraged by strong showing in Birmingham

  Posted: 8/05/05

  British Baptists encouraged
  by strong showing in Birmingham

  By John Hall

  Texas Baptist Communications

  BIRMINGHAM, England (ABP)–For one week, the halls of Birmingham's International Convention Center were filled with bustle and conversation of Baptists from around the world. But for British Baptists, the clamor sends one clear message: “You are not alone in a time of pain and uncertainty.”

  08/05/2005 - By John Rutledge

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  ‘We belong to each other because we belong to Christ’

  Posted: 8/05/05

  'We belong to each other
  because we belong to Christ'

  By Marv Knox

  Editor

  BIRMINGHAM, England–Margun Waren of Norway grew up in a country with a strong, state-sponsored Lutheran church. “As Baptists, we are a minority,” she said, reporting that only about 5,000 Baptists live in Norway. “It was very great for me when I first found out as a teenager that the Baptists were so many more than the small area where I grew up.”

  08/05/2005 - By John Rutledge

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  Fight terrorism with dinnertime conversation

  Posted: 8/05/05

  Tony Campolo calls for a committment from delegates to the Baptist World Centenary Congress. (Photo by Ian Britton)

  Fight terrorism with dinnertime conversation

  By John Hall

  Texas Baptist Communications

  BIRMINGHAM, England (ABP)–The fight against terrorism is fought most effectively over a slice of pizza, not at airports and transit stations, global Baptist leaders insist.

  08/05/2005 - By John Rutledge

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  Fundamentalism divides Christians, Carter tells Baptists

  Posted: 8/05/05

  Fundamentalism divides
  Christians, Carter tells Baptists

  By Ken Camp

  Managing Editor

  BIRMINGHAM, England–Fundamentalism characterized by rigidity, domination and exclusion–practiced primarily by authoritarian males–divides Christians by adding restrictive requirements to the simple gospel message, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter told delegates to the Baptist World Centenary Congress.

  08/05/2005 - By John Rutledge

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  Couple celebrates 50th anniversary at BWA Congress

  Posted: 8/05/05

  Couple celebrates 50th
  anniversary at BWA Congress

  By Marv Knox

  Editor

  BIRMINGHAM, England–Paul and Eveline Miller had good reason to feel a sense of déjà vu during the Baptist World Alliance's centennial congress.

  08/05/2005 - By John Rutledge

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  Carter Hunger for healing, desire for justice transcend differences

  Posted: 8/05/05

  Carter: Hunger for healing,
  desire for justice transcend differences

  By Greg Warner
  

  Associated Baptist Press
  

  BIRMINGHAM, England (ABP)—There is an “intense hunger” among Christians worldwide—and among people of all faiths—to work for justice and oppose terrorism, despite serious differences of faith, former United States President Jimmy Carter told reporters at the Baptist World Congress.

  08/05/2005 - By John Rutledge

• Church should become new health service for the world

  Posted: 8/05/05

  Church should become new
  health service for the world

  By Marv Knox

  Editor

  BIRMINGHAM, England–Like Cinderella, the 21st century church must leave the “scullery” and engage the world as Christ intended it to, Steve Chalke told participants at the Baptist World Centenary Congress.

  08/05/2005 - By John Rutledge

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  Christ’s love commands compassion for hurting & needy

  Posted: 8/05/05

  Christ's love commands
  compassion for hurting & needy

  By Marv Knox

  Editor

  BIRMINGHAM, England–Christ's love commands compassion for a world filled with suffering and pain, speaker after speaker told participants at the Baptist World Centenary Congress.

  08/05/2005 - By John Rutledge