2nd Opinion: Baptists together in Christ: 1905-2005_40405

Posted: 4/01/05

Baptists together in Christ: 1905-2005

By Denton Lotz

In this, the Baptist World Alliance's 100th year, we thank God for his awesome grace and providence that have guided us from 1905 to 2005. Ebenezer: “Thus far the Lord has helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12). Indeed, we can raise our Ebenezer, because for 100 years, the Lord has blessed the work of the Baptist World Alliance

In 1905 when the BWA was founded in London, optimism was in the air. This was going to be “The Christian Century.” But alas, the guns of August soon destroyed this fantasy. Instead, these 100 years have been one of the most tumultuous times in world history. World Wars I and II doomed the so-called Christian West to extinction. No longer was the Christian faith the dominant theme of Europe. Even the European Union recently refused to acknowledge a Christian history as part of its new constitution!

04/01/2005 - By John Rutledge

Criswell Foundation dispute ends in arbitration_40405

Posted: 4/01/05

Criswell Foundation dispute ends in arbitration

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

After five years of legal wrangling, a three-member arbitration panel settled a dispute between the W.A. Criswell Foundation, Criswell College and a computer contractor by granting the Kerrville-based business a fraction of the multi-million dollar award its owner wanted.

04/01/2005 - By John Rutledge

Violence, suffering an ever-present reality in Western Sudan_40405

Posted: 4/01/05

Violence, suffering an
ever-present reality in Western Sudan

By Chris Herlinger

Religion News Service

NYALA, Sudan (RNS)–War is not hard to find in Darfur.

04/01/2005 - By John Rutledge

Darfur crisis fades from headlines, but needs continue_40405

Posted: 4/01/05

Darfur crisis fades from
headlines, but needs continue

By Chris Herlinger

Religion News Service

ZALENGEI, Sudan (RNS)–On a recent late afternoon, as Darfur's intense midday heat began to ease a bit and a small office proved a welcome respite from the glaring sun, a humanitarian official mused about the seeming quiet.

04/01/2005 - By John Rutledge

DOWN HOME: Who knew Tax Day is Thanksgiving_40405

Posted: 4/01/05

DOWN HOME:
Who knew Tax Day is Thanksgiving?

This is one of the times of the year when I realize Joanna better out-live me.

If you're a normal person, you're probably scurrying around trying to finish your taxes on time. You're looking for old receipts, gathering bank statements, upgrading your tax-return software on your computer. Maybe you're looking up the phone number of the CPA in your church, the one with the older car and kids in public schools, the one who, rumor has it, doesn't charge too much.

You're doing whatever it is that people who file tax returns do in the last two weeks leading up to April 15.

04/01/2005 - By John Rutledge

EDITORIAL: Does suffering have a true purpose?_40405

Posted: 4/01/05

EDITORIAL:
Does suffering have a true purpose?

Listen, and you'll hear the soundtrack of human existence–a chorus of sighs and groans synthesized by suffering.

That sounds pessimistic. Not so. Call it realism.

Since Adam and Eve bit the forbidden fruit, humanity has clasped hands over ears to shut out the wailing song of suffering. At times–notoriously during wars and amidst calamity–shared suffering of gargantuan proportions dominates societies, like an symphony reverberating off the walls of a concert hall. More often, suffering afflicts only a few people and occasionally floats past others, like blues wafting from an open window.

04/01/2005 - By John Rutledge

Ethics essential to a free society, lecturer insists_40405

Posted: 4/01/05

Ethics essential to a free society, lecturer insists

By Marv Knox

Editor

HOUSTON–Society will fail without ethics, an accounting professor told business students at Houston Baptist University.

04/01/2005 - By John Rutledge

Bipartisan gambling opposition voiced_40405

Posted: 4/01/05

Bipartisan gambling opposition voiced

By Ferrell Foster

Texas Baptist Communications

AUSTIN–Leaders of the Dem-ocratic and Republican parties spoke in unison against the expansion of gambling in Texas during a rally on the steps of the capitol.

04/01/2005 - By John Rutledge

Texas Baptist Forum_40405

Posted: 4/01/05

Texas Baptist Forum

Intentional blessing

How wonderful it is to see God at work in his churches. The Intentional Interim Ministry has been a great blessing to each of the churches where I have been privileged to serve. I just fall on my knees and say, “Thank you, Jesus, for all you have done.”

• Jump to online-only letters below

Letters are welcomed. Send them to marvknox@baptiststandard.com; 250 words maximum.

"If you must curse, use your own name!" Billboard attributed to God One of nine new messages in the God Speaks campaign of the Outdoor Advertising Association of America. (RNS) "Death is not sin's penalty, but its consequence. It is the inevitable, natural result of our rebellion against God. It is what sin produces. Sin separates us from God, and this separation leads to spiritual, physical and eternal death. As surely as a plant dies when separated from light, our souls die when separated from the Lord." Jim Denison Pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas ("The Word Today" daily e-mail devotional) "We are a nation that is unenlightened because of religion. I do believe that. I think that religion stops people from thinking. I think it justifies crazies. … I think religion is a neurological disorder." Bill Maher Comedian and talk-show host (MSNBC/The Washington Post/RNS) "Then I better see a doctor." Kathie Lee Gifford Talk-show host, responding to Maher (Fox/The Washington Post/RNS)

My latest assignment has been at First Baptist Church in Waxahachie. After about a year of self-study and working through the tasks of the intentional interim process, this church is poised for a phenomenal future. Indicators of FBC's vitality are seen in initiatives since the start of this year:

A pastor-search committee has been commissioned with a clear understanding of what to look for in the next pastor; see cpis.org for further information.

04/01/2005 - By John Rutledge

Pop culture opens doors to religious discussions on campus_40405

Posted: 4/01/05

Pop culture opens doors
to religious discussions on campus

By Michele Melendez

Religion News Service

NEW YORK (RNS)–Elves, sorcerers and hip-hop poets are steering college students to God and the meaning of life.

04/01/2005 - By John Rutledge

Nigerian hospital benefits from Texas Baptist volunteers_40405

Posted: 4/01/05

Nigerian hospital benefits
from Texas Baptist volunteers

By Ferrell Foster

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS–Baptist Medical Centre in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, now has the clean water a hospital needs, thanks to volunteers mobilized by the Partnership for the Environment, an independent nonprofit organization related to the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

04/01/2005 - By John Rutledge

On the Move_40405

Posted: 4/01/05

On the Move

David Daniel has resigned as music minister at Calvary Church in Abilene.

Jason Gish to Canyon Creek Church in Temple as minister of education.

Truman Johnson to First Church in Baird as pastor.

04/01/2005 - By John Rutledge