The 1948 discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls proved to be the greatest archaeological find of the 20th century. But more than 50 years after their discovery, many questions remain as to who wrote them and who actually lived at the Dead Sea community of Qumran where they were discovered. The 1948 discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls proved to be the greatest archaeological find of the 20th century. But more than 50 years after their discovery, many questions remain as to who wrote them and who actually lived at the Dead Sea community of Qumran where they were discovered. Thus far, archaeologists have excavated about 250 caves and crevices on the western side of the Dead Sea, said Steven Ortiz, associate professor of biblical archaeology and director of the Center for Archaeological Research at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Ortiz spoke about the scrolls and their significance as part of the Gulf Coast Exploreum’s Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit and lecture series in Mobile, Ala. The exhibit is set to end April 24. In his lecture, Ortiz noted that after the 1948 discovery, archaeologists quickly looked to Qumran, with Father De Vaux and G.L. Harding beginning an excavation at the mysterious community … [Read more...]
When is it time to give up on public gym workouts?
So, how does one know when one is either too old to work out at a public gym or should go so early that no one else is there? So, how does one know when one is either too old to work out at a public gym or should go so early that no one else is there? I can answer that; being one of them, I am qualified. I can give you the top 10 reasons how you know. 10. All the other men working out sport tight tank-tops to show their physiques, but you keep buying and wearing looser-fitting, black clothing to hide yours. 9. You must have help getting on the treadmill. 8. You spend your time taking weights off the equipment for your repetitions while everyone else puts weights on for theirs. 7. You are greeted each morning with – “Hiya, pops. So, you made it another day.” 6. You cannot believe, when you see your reflection in one of those horrible mirrors that cover the walls, that is not a king-sized pillow under your shirt. 5. Your favorite part of going to the gym is ordering a smoothie with a shot of caffeine. 4. You discover that once you lie down to do stomach crunches, you take a nap first. 3. You argue with the 12-year-old about who got to the five-pound free-weights first – and you lose. 2. You … [Read more...]
Believe it or not – classic Christian hymns suddenly a ‘hot’ music choice
One of the oldest Christian music expressions may again become one of the hottest – if the term “hot” can be applied to hymns. One of the oldest Christian music expressions may again become one of the hottest – if the term “hot” can be applied to hymns. In the coming months, several top Christian artists will release their own unique versions of classic hymns. Folk rockers Jars of Clay and Ashley Cleveland, MercyMe leader Bart Millard, and urban sister trio Out of Eden all are rolling out their first recordings of hymns. Amy Grant is releasing her second such project. In recent years, hymns have been the almost exclusive domain of singers such as Bill Gaither and Andy Griffith, who appealed to a decidedly older audience. But with the worship music craze hitting a saturation point and churchgoers desiring more lyrical depth in their worship, hymns seem poised to retake a respected place among all age groups. Veteran artist Fernando Ortega has included hymns on each of his recordings, blending them with his own songs. He says he finds a richness and history in them that is absent from more modern music. “They connect the church to our own history,” Ortega notes. “These were songs that people … [Read more...]
SBC statistics offer encouraging signs, leaders says
Recently compiled statistics for the Southern Baptist Convention in 2004 show a reversal in recent downward trends in key categories such as baptisms and membership. Recently compiled statistics for the Southern Baptist Convention in 2004 show a reversal in recent downward trends in key categories such as baptisms and membership. These are “encouraging signs that the denomination may be heading in the right direction,” said President James Draper Jr., president of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. “I think there is a lot we can take from these statistics that is positive and shows a turnaround from where we’ve been the past three years,” Draper said. “The increase in baptisms is slight, but an increase of more than 10,000 over the previous year is encouraging.” Annual Church Profile information gathered by LifeWay show that baptisms in the national convention totaled 387,947 in 2004, compared to the 377,357 for 2003, which marked a fourth consecutive year of decline. Draper noted that the current convention emphasis on baptizing 1 million people during 2005 was not initiated until last summer’s annual meeting in Indianapolis and only allowed churches who accepted the … [Read more...]
God’s circle of love – The focus of the recent annual LBC Woman’s Missionary Union meeting was undeniable – gospel love
Louisiana Baptist women received a “taste of heaven” during the recent annual state Woman’s Missionary Union meeting. By Brian Blackwell LBM Newswriter Louisiana Baptist women received a “taste of heaven” during the recent annual state Woman’s Missionary Union meeting. “What’s on our hearts is missions,” said Cindy Townsend, Louisiana Baptist Convention director of women’s missions and ministries. “That’s what this (meeting) is all about. ... We’re going to think missions.” Townsend spoke on Friday evening, the first of three sessions held at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston. The LBC women’s missions and ministry office estimated that 600 persons registered for the annual meeting, which featured testimonies, reports, music and interpretations on the “God’s Circle of Love Is Open” theme. Among the highlights of the Friday session were a processional of world flags carried into the church sanctuary by Louisiana WMU college scholarship recipients and a processional of pastors and missions leaders detailing their church or organization’s missions involvement. The meeting also featured tributes to Lynn Clayton, editor of the Louisiana Baptist Message newspaper, and Ed Jelks, LBC Mission Church … [Read more...]
Dietrich Bonhoeffer – a leasting, fascinating legacy
When Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 39, quietly strode toward Nazi prison gallows as the Second World War neared its end, he could hardly have known that 60 years later, his life, memory and legacy would remain the subject of keen debate and fascination – not to mention outright reverence. When Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 39, quietly strode toward Nazi prison gallows as the Second World War neared its end, he could hardly have known that 60 years later, his life, memory and legacy would remain the subject of keen debate and fascination – not to mention outright reverence. Indeed, since his April 9, 1945, execution for his role in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, Bonhoeffer has become something of a universal – and utterly rare – phenomenon. He is one of the few theologians to have his life dramatized in films and plays. He has been the subject of documentaries and numerous biographies. However, perhaps most importantly, Bonhoeffer is one of the few 20th-century Christian figures whose writings continue to be read, quoted and appropriated by liberal and conservative Christians alike. In that sense, Bonhoeffer has been likened to a kind of theological “Rorschach test,” as the liberal theologian Harvey Cox once … [Read more...]
As a baseball team chaplain, his ‘pitch’ is the gospel message
Florida Marlins pitcher Tim Spooneybarger and Chris Lane are standing at a practice facility talking about family, dogs and the condition of Spooneybarger’s arm, which still hurts after two years of rehabilitation. Florida Marlins pitcher Tim Spooneybarger and Chris Lane are standing at a practice facility talking about family, dogs and the condition of Spooneybarger’s arm, which still hurts after two years of rehabilitation. The time comes for Spooneybarger to get in some pitching work, so he’s about to leave. However, before he does, Lane grabs the pitcher’s arm and prays – “Father, please help Tim pitch without pain. In Jesus’ name, amen.” It is a quick prayer, but it communicates Lane’s concern for the player. As team chaplain for the Marlins, Lane says he knows how much the spiritual development of many players depends on him. “They need somebody to really pour into them and feed them,” Lane says. “They are used to getting everything. They’re used to having everybody wait on them and everything handed to them. They don’t want to make a whole lot of effort on things. “You’ve got to really go the extra mile and really got to challenge them,” Lane explains. A south Florida native, Lane is in his … [Read more...]
World of religion
Week of April 25, 2005 Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at Gulf Coast Exploreum in Mobile, Ala., will remain until May 8 instead of closing at the end of April as planned. More than 130,000 persons have visited the exhibit, the largest display of Dead Sea Scrolls ever in the United States. The turnout led exhibitors to add two weeks to the display run. The exhibit hall is running at about 90 percent to 95 percent capacity almost every hour of the day. For ticket information, call (877) 377-7469. Marriage ruling The Oregon Supreme Court recently ruled that marriage licenses issued to same-sex couples last year are invalid, while refusing to take up the issue of civil unions. The Oregon case began in March 2004 when Multnomah County – the state’s most populous county – began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The state refused to recognize the licenses and said they were invalid. Liberal and homosexual activist groups then sued the state, seeking recognition of the licenses, which numbered more than 3,000. They also requested that same-sex marriages be legalized statewide. The controversy sparked a grassroots movement to pass a constitutional marriage amendment in Oregon banning … [Read more...]
Do not relinquish trust
Though I appreciate the spirit with which our Louisiana Baptist Convention executive director, David Hankins, has explained his request, I do not support the idea that the Louisiana Baptist Message would move back under state Executive Board structure and authority. Though I appreciate the spirit with which our Louisiana Baptist Convention executive director, David Hankins, has explained his request, I do not support the idea that the Louisiana Baptist Message would move back under state Executive Board structure and authority. Were the state paper nothing more than a public relations instrument for the Executive Board, this would make sense. In fact, the Baptist Message serves purposes beyond state convention public relations. Baptists of Louisiana want a paper they can count on as a balanced and reliable source of news and information. Not only do they want this, they NEED this. After all, for Baptist polity to work as intended, Baptist Christians and churches must be informed. This happens best when the state paper has the freedom to tell all sides of the story. We want timely information about what’s coming up. We want inspiring stories about good things that happen. We also want fair reporting when … [Read more...]
Strong resistance
In 1990, the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee fired Baptist Press editors Al Shackleford and Dan Martin because they would not stop writing articles about the fundamentalist takeover effort; they could not be controlled. In 1990, the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee fired Baptist Press editors Al Shackleford and Dan Martin because they would not stop writing articles about the fundamentalist takeover effort; they could not be controlled. The Executive Committee took over the Baptist Press, and it became a public relations organ for the SBC. We, the people, lost our hope for objective reporting from the official news agency of the SBC. In an article in the April 13th issue of the Baptist Message (“LBC leader urges key change for Baptist Message”), Louisiana Baptists hear echoes of the SBC action. Executive Director David Hankins is proposing to “take over” the Baptist Message. He attempts to justify his actions under the guise of “leadership” and “fiscal responsibility.” Hankins argues his action is not about control but leadership. Yet, he threatens to proceed with his plans regardless of what Baptist Message trustees decide and to de-fund the paper if they do not yield to … [Read more...]