Will Massachusetts begin offering marriage licenses to same-sex couples next month - as the state courts have demanded? Probably so - but then again, who knows? Will Massachusetts begin offering marriage licenses to same-sex couples next month - as the state courts have demanded?   Probably so - but then again, who knows?   Massachusetts legislators recently passed a compromise constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage while legalizing civil unions, step one of a long three-step process.   The action created confusion as advocates on both sides of the issue expressed frustration - and as top state officials found themselves at odds about how to proceed now.   The amendment passed three times. However, it still must be passed again in the next legislative session before going to voters, which would be 2006 at the earliest. That would be some two years after the Massachusetts court decision legalizing same-sex marriage is to take effect next month.   However, following the legislative action, Gov. Mitt Romney said he would ask the court to delay its decision.   Conversely, Attorney General Thomas Reilly said he would not seek such a delay in … [Read more...]

How do we know Christ was raised from the dead? That is not an unreasonable question because the Apostle Paul took great pains to answer it in his first letter to the church at Corinth. How do we know Christ was raised from the dead?   That is not an unreasonable question because the Apostle Paul took great pains to answer it in his first letter to the church at Corinth.   In the 15th chapter of 1 Corinthians, verses 5-9, Paul lists firsthand witnesses to the resurrected Christ: "And that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as it were to one untimely born, He appeared to me also." (NAS)   Paul apparently did not see the need to add Christ’s appearances of the first morning of the resurrection to the women and two disciples. Paul also seems not to think it necessary to add the account of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.   Historians add other facts that are certainly on the side of the reality of the resurrection. Authors have written their proof of the … [Read more...]

For the week of April 15, 2004 French Rally   The annual Louisiana Baptist French Rally has been set for April 30 at First Baptist Church of Gray. The rally is set to begin with a meal at 5 p.m. and will include singing and a worship service, followed by fellowship. Retired Louisiana Baptist Pastor Claude Fontenot is scheduled as guest speaker. Freddie Rodrigue is host pastor for the event.   Unborn victims law   Federal law now recognizes an unborn child as a victim when he or she is harmed or killed in a crime against a pregnant woman. President George Bush signed the Unborn Victims of Violence Act into law April 1. Federal law has not treated an unborn child as a victim when he or she dies as a result of an assault against or murder of the mother, even though 29 states have laws that recognize the illegal killing of an unborn child as murder in at least some cases. "This omission in the law has led to clear injustices, ..." Bush said before signing the bill. "As of today, the law of our nation will acknowledge the plain fact that crimes of violence against pregnant woman often have two victims." Pro-life advocates applauded the president’s action. "This is a significant step … [Read more...]

A promise from God is good anytime, anywhere, for anyone to whom that promise is given. That poses a major "problem" for the purveyors of a "gospel of prosperity." A promise from God is good anytime, anywhere, for anyone to whom that promise is given. That poses a major "problem" for the purveyors of a "gospel of prosperity."   A "gospel of prosperity" simply put is this: If you love God, and are obedient to Him, He will pour out financial prosperity upon you. If the financial blessings of God are not pouring upon you, you are doing something wrong to impede their flow, or you simply do not understand and practice the formula(s) to get them flowing.   Just about every preacher, man or woman, who depends upon television for his or her livelihood preaches a gospel of prosperity. And, this false gospel even finds its way into pulpits that never see the light of a television camera.   Want a new house... A new car... A new boat... All your bills paid... Enough money to do anything you want? All you have to do is work the formula of a gospel of prosperity of choice.   Name it and claim it. Speak your ownership. Bind the demon that is keeping you from your … [Read more...]

Much has been written and discussed about how many people are rejecting - or sometimes re-interpreting - the gospel message these days. In a time of "fashion-your-own-religion" and "whatever-works-for-you philosophies," it is a concern. Much has been written and discussed about how many people are rejecting - or sometimes re-interpreting - the gospel message these days.   In a time of "fashion-your-own-religion" and "whatever-works-for-you philosophies," it is a concern.   However, Alan Streett has an additional concern - about the disregard evangelicals themselves are showing the true New Testament gospel these days.   "If Jesus and the apostles walked the earth today, one wonders if they would recognize the gospel being preached by most American evangelicals," said Streett, chair and professor of evangelism at Criswell College, in Dallas.   Indeed, the central focus on the New Testament gospel is largely absent from the message being presented by many American evangelicals, Streett maintained.   In short, no one is talking about the kingdom of God.   "While the kingdom of God was the central theme of all gospel preaching in the New Testament, it has … [Read more...]

Targeting missions: Louisiana Baptist women gather for annual meeting to celebrate past year, focus on challenge of taking the gospel to the world Cindy Townsend challenged Louisiana Baptist women to share the gospel at home and beyond during the recent annual state Woman’s Missionary Union meeting.   "As we focus on celebrating missions, let’s think about those who have gone before us in recent days that God has called home," said Townsend, Louisiana Baptist Convention director of women’s missions and ministries.   "We are here to celebrate missions but we’re also here to remember. And when we remember, we reflect."   Townsend spoke on Friday evening, the first of three sessions held at First Baptist Church of Pineville. The LBC women’s missions and ministry office estimated that 800 to 1,000 persons registered for the annual meeting, which featured testimonies, reports, music and interpretations on the "Targeting Missions" theme. The meeting focused on Acts 1:8 - sharing the gospel with others in one’s community, in the state, in North America and in the world.   The meeting also featured a party honoring Girls in Action on its 90th birthday and a commissioning service … [Read more...]

On March 16, I was one of the concerned supporters demonstrating on the lawn of the Louisiana College Alumni Center, standing in support of academic freedom for faculty... On March 16, I was one of the concerned supporters demonstrating on the lawn of the Louisiana College Alumni Center, standing in support of academic freedom for faculty, to encourage students and to pray for decisionmakers in wake of the turmoil, including the resignations of school Vice President Ben Hawkins and President Rory Lee.   My concern for the college escalated when I became aware that a trustee tried to call a special meeting of the board (March 19), during which a permanent president of the school could be elected.   I am appalled that consideration could be given to electing a permanent president only days after the resignation of the president. To elect a president while bypassing the search committee would be a clear violation of the college bylaws. I hope and pray that LC trustees will take very seriously the matter of searching for a president, as well as all other matters impacting the faculty and students. We cannot ignore that a crisis exists. We must act as responsible … [Read more...]

I want to add my name to others like Grace Lee, Rebecca McCullin, Diane Reeder and Janet Hoffman who oppose the Southern Baptist Executive Committee decision on Baptist World Alliance. I want to add my name to others like Grace Lee, Rebecca McCullin, Diane Reeder and Janet Hoffman who oppose the Southern Baptist Executive Committee decision on Baptist World Alliance.   I am not in favor of past decisions to withdraw from other world Baptist groups. As a convention, we certainly ought to be able to work with others.   Shirley Williams New Orleans, La. … [Read more...]

Withholding of funds and ultimate withdrawal from the Baptist World Alliance is like driving backwards. Just when the secularists and Muslims all over the world are clearly "them" and Jesus people of all Christian identities are the "us," we need to affirm "Jesus is Lord" together, not with prideful separation. Withholding of funds and ultimate withdrawal from the Baptist World Alliance is like driving backwards. Just when the secularists and Muslims all over the world are clearly "them" and Jesus people of all Christian identities are the "us," we need to affirm "Jesus is Lord" together, not with prideful separation.   In 1970, my wife and I, along with many other Baptist military chaplains had the privilege of attending the Baptist World Alliance Congress in Tokyo, the first time for such an event in an Asian city. Baptists from more than 80 countries presented their flags, set in orderly display. It was an awesome experience.   But when the Soviet flag was presented, an agonizing voice behind us and farther up in the "nose-bleed" section, cried out "Stop! Stop! That flag bears the blood of your Christian brothers! Stop! Stop!" We learned from some of his Australian brothers that he had … [Read more...]

New Bible translations are a rarity - there only have been seven pure translations in the past 570 years. That made the recent unveiling of the complete Holman Christian Standard Bible something special. New Bible translations are a rarity - there only have been seven pure translations in the past 570 years.   That made the recent unveiling of the complete Holman Christian Standard Bible something special.   "This is a historic event for us, and we pray future generations will see this as a profoundly historical day as well," said James Draper Jr., president of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. "This just doesn’t happen that often."   Earlier this month, Draper and other officials joined to celebrate the first major English-language translation of the Bible in more than 30 years.   Although there have been numerous revisions of existing translations of Scripture, the Holman Christian Standard Bible is an all-new translation directly from the original biblical languages.   The 20-year project involved an international team of 100 translators, editors and biblical scholars representing 20 denominations and non-denominational … [Read more...]