Challenging individualism
Challenging Individualism N.C. proposal raises age-old questions of Baptist identity. November issue. Continue reading Challenging individualism
Category: Christianity Today
Scholars and ‘snake-handlers’
Scholars and ‘Snake-Handlers’ Society of Biblical Literature accused of evangelical pandering—and secular bias. September issue. A professor of Hebrew Bible at the University of California–Berkeley quit the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL), voicing concern that North America’s leading organization for biblical scholarship had welcomed “the views of creationists, snake-handlers, and faith healers.” In an op-ed in the July/August 2010 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review, Ronald S. Hendel complained … Continue reading Scholars and ‘snake-handlers’
Religious hiring’s status quo victory
Religious Hiring’s Status Quo Victory A 2-1 ruling by Ninth Circuit affirms World Vision’s right to consider religious beliefs in employment. But questions over faith-based hiring practices and government funding seem far from settled. Online exclusive published Aug. 26. What if? That was the question asked repeatedly by evangelical organizations as the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals weighed an employment discrimination lawsuit against World … Continue reading Religious hiring’s status quo victory
Faith-based fracas
From the White House to the courthouse, the battle escalates over whether Christian groups have the right to employ only Christians. June issue.
When Sylvia Spencer applied at World Vision’s U.S. headquarters near Seattle in 1995, she described herself as a committed Christian.
Asked on an employment form why she wanted to work for the international humanitarian aid organization, Spencer wrote, “Because I would love to work for an organization dedicated to carrying on the Lord’s work!”
Another World Vision employee, Vicki Hulse, mentioned her 15 years as a Christian in a résumé attachment when she applied a few years later.
“I recently moved to this area and would very much like to find a place of employment with a Christian organization where I could be of value,” Hulse wrote.
Both women signed statements affirming their Christian faith and devoted a decade to World Vision, which serves impoverished children and families in more than 100 countries.
But in November 2006, they and colleague Ted Youngberg were fired. Their offense, as determined by a corporate investigation: The three did not believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and a member of the Trinity.
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Evangelism vs. missions
Evangelism vs. Missions Southern Baptists contemplate unleashing the IMB at home. July issue. For 164 years, the International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention has focused on taking the gospel overseas. But in May, the 16 million-member denomination’s Great Commission Resurgence Task Force recommended removing restrictions on the IMB’s missions work in the United States and Canada—long the territory of the convention’s North … Continue reading Evangelism vs. missions
Moroccan crackdown: Expulsion of Christians surprises missiologists
Moroccan Crackdown Expulsion of Christians surprises missiologists. May issue. Six years ago, a delegation of evangelical leaders visited the Kingdom of Morocco and hailed it as “open to evangelical Christian outreach.” In 2005, country officials even invited the Newsboys, Phil Keaggy, and other Christian artists to stage a three-day music festival in the city of Marrakech.The North African country is apparently open no more. In … Continue reading Moroccan crackdown: Expulsion of Christians surprises missiologists
Politics vs. persecution
Politics vs. PersecutionPush for Iran sanctions concerns missiologists. April issue. The high-profile group Christian Leaders for a Nuclear-Free Iran is demanding increased economic sanctions against the Islamic regime. But other Christians worry that sanctions could backfire against Iranian believers. Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, readily acknowledges the clash of perspectives. “That is why Southern Baptists deliberately separate … Continue reading Politics vs. persecution
Beyond believers
Beyond Believers Religion is now the hottest topic for American historians. March issue. The study of religion is too important to be left in the hands of believers. So claims David A. Hollinger, a professor of American history at the University of California at Berkeley, in his response to religion emerging as the hottest topic of study among members of the American Historical Association (AHA). … Continue reading Beyond believers
Less aid for AIDS?
Less aid for AIDS? Groups fear impact of Obama administration’s PEPFAR stance. February issue. Leaders of Christian organizations that fight AIDS in Africa are expressing fears that the U.S. government is slowing its fight against the disease. The Obama administration is shifting its global health emphasis from putting more people on AIDS drugs to combating less-costly diseases. “There seems to be an AIDS funding fatigue … Continue reading Less aid for AIDS?
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 