The long time conflict between liberals and conservatives in mainline denominations seems to be entering a more political phase judging by a recent New York conference RW attended. The late October meeting was organized by Union Theological Seminary and the Institute of Democratic Studies (IDS) to counter the recent victories of conservatives in such mainline bodies as […]

One of the most influential movements of ideas in recent American religious life has been the return to accepting the primacy of natural law as the single most important force to stop the secularization of society. Prof. Wilfred M.McClay of the University of Tennessee presents (in the Wilson Quarterly, Summer, 2000) a highly sophisticated case, building […]

Religion in Russia is reviving, but the pattern of resurgence is uneven, particularly for the Russian Orthodox Church. These is one of the conclusions of an exhaustive survey of religion in Russia in the current issue of the journal Religion, State and Society (March). The most noticeable trend throughout the issue is the checkered condition of Russian […]

The restrictions against women in preaching and leading congregations has had strong impact on the mission field, although there are signs that women are gaining new roles in some evangelical mission agencies, reports Christianity Today (Aug. 7). Traditionally, women have been prominent in missionary work, particularly in social service and practical ministries. But the changing face of […]

In Canada’s first round of elections, a significant pro-family, Christian-based movement has come into prominence, according to the magazine Religion in the News (Summer). In an early July runoff to decide who will lead the Canadian Alliance party for the elections next year, Stockwell Day, a “sometimes Pentecostal lay preacher,” beat out more moderate opponents. The Canadian […]

“Faith-based sex education is popping up at churches and synagogues across the nation as spiritual leaders recognize the need to expand their moral guidance to young people,” reports the Salt Lake Tribune (Aug. 26). Reporter Kim Kozlowski writes that from “liberal Unitarian to conservative Christians to African-American faiths,” religious leaders acknowledge that parents and schools might not […]

Single parents, once considered a sign of failure in family-oriented churches, are now the prime targets for new ministries, reports the News Observer (N.C.) newspaper (Aug. 23). Reporter Yonat Shimron writes that “With divorce rates as high among the faithful as the rest of society, and with government championing church initiatives to help mothers on welfare find […]