Week of January 24, 2005
Inauguration prayer
The U.S. Supreme Court turned down a bid Jan. 19 to have prayer removed
from President George Bush’s inauguration, handing atheist Michael
Newdow yet another defeat. Without comment, Chief Justice William
Rehnquist refused Newdow’s emergency appeal from a lower court, which
had also denied his request. In the previous week, Newdow lost twice in
both the district court and the appeals court. He argued that the
inaugural prayer – in both the invocation and the benediction –
violates the constitutional ban on government establishment of
religion. Last year, Newdow was involved in the much-publicized Pledge
of Allegiance case, in which he argued for the removal of “under God.”
The U.S. Supreme Court handed Newdow a defeat in that case as well,
leaving the pledge intact. Newdow since has refiled the case. In the
prayer case, a lower court judge had ruled against Newdow, noting the
practice of having an inaugural prayer “arguably can be traced back to
the Inauguration of President George Washington in 1789.”
New Orleans Seminary
The executive committee of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s
trustee board gave final approval to two new building projects in
December, addressing urgent housing needs driven by increased student
enrollment. The $10 million initiative includes construction of 48
two-bedroom student apartments and a two-building staff village with 11
units. The anticipated completion date is January 2006. “This is a very
important step in our master plan,” seminary President Chuck Kelley
said. “At the end of this project, more than half of our housing will
be less than five-years-old and more than half of our housing will be
built termite resistant.” The project’s urgency is driven by rising
student enrollment and the sale of the seminary’s off-campus
apartments, Kelley said. Last fall the seminary experienced its largest
incoming class, and administrators are anticipating additional
enrollment growth this spring. The seminary now has more on-campus
students than it had total students nine years ago. Along with the new
housing, the seminary plans to upgrade the infrastructure in the
construction areas, including roads and drainage systems.
‘Walk Like a Wildcat’
Louisiana College has scheduled a pair “Walk Like a Wildcat” events for
high school students who are considering the school as their choice for
higher education. During the events, students will be given the chance
to spend the night on campus in a residence hall and attend both
classes and extracurricular activities with current Louisiana College
students. “Walk Like a Wildcat” events are scheduled for January 27-28
and February 17-18. “We want the students to have an opportunity to
learn what campus life is all about at Louisiana college,” said Byron
McGee, director of enrollment management and alumni
affairs. For times and additional details, persons should
call the school at (318) 487-7259 or (800) 487-1906 or visit
www.lacollege.edu/campusvisit.
Film competition
The final phase is underway in the “Short Film Awards” competition
sponsored by the LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist
Convention. The contest began last August when LifeWay issued a call
for entries addressing one of four topics – the plan of salvation,
faith, hope or love. Nearly 50 entries were received and, then, the
field was narrowed to 16. To view the films and vote, visit
www.lifeway.com/emedialink. The awards coincide with the introduction
of a streaming media tool called “eMediaLINK,” LifeWay’s new service
for churches to have audio and video on their Web sites. Beyond
awarding prizes, the contest will provide Christians with important
evangelistic tools. After the winners are announced Feb. 17,
LifeWay will continue making the films available on eMediaLINK
for persons to download and use. “The culture is online,” Utley said.
“Churches need to be there, too. Placing audio and video clips online,
even whole sermons, is a great way to engage the culture and touch
lives.”
Tsunami relief effort
LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention has
announced plans to contribute $50,000 through the Southern Baptist
International Mission Board for disaster relief efforts in southeast
Asia. In addition, more than 125 LifeWay employees have sent individual
gifts through the relief fund. Others convention agencies have
responded as well. For instance, Southeastern Baptist Theological
Seminary has contributed $40,050 – $10,000 from its operating budget
and $30,050 donated by school trustees, faculty and staff. For updates
on disaster relief efforts or to send a donation online, visit
www.imb.org. Donations also may be designated “Asia Earthquake Disaster
Relief” and sent to the International Mission Board, P.O. Box 6767,
Richmond, VA 23230. (See related articles on Page Eleven)
Presidential statement
President George Bush issued a sanctity of human life proclamation
earlier this month, declaring that Americans are obligated to “defend
the life of the innocent and the powerless.” The president proclaimed
Jan. 16 as National Sanctity of Human Life Day two days prior to the
observance. The Southern Baptist Convention observed the same date as
Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. The Supreme Court’s decision legalizing
abortion was announced Jan. 22, 1973, and pro-life Americans have held
events protesting the ruling and promoting protection for unborn life
each January since that time. In his proclamation, Bush said his
administration maintains its commitment to “the steadfast belief in the
dignity of every human being and the promise of every life.” He cited
enactment of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act, Unborn Victims of
Violence Act and Born-alive Infants Protection Act as examples of
pro-life gains in his first term. Bush said he will continue to promote
abstinence, adoption and crisis pregnancy programs.
Purpose-driven column
Southern Baptist pastor Rick Warren’s books on spirituality have
dominated secular best-seller lists for the past two years. Now, he is
scheduled to write a monthly column for Ladies’ Home Journal. The
column is set to debut in the February issue. It will be called
“Purpose” and will address topics of spirituality and the search for
meaning among American women and their families. Warren is founding
pastor of the 20,000-member Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. In
the last two years, his book “The Purpose-Driven Life” has sold 21
million copies and been a mainstay on numerous bestseller lists. “Rick
Warren clearly has touched a chord in the country today, and is able to
address, in a very down-to-earth and universal way, people’s yearning
to enhance their experience of spirituality in their daily lives,” said
Diane Salvatore, the magazine’s editor in chief.