Baptist World Alliance

Long will I remember the week in 1997 that I spent in Faverges, a beautiful town in Haute-Savoie in the Rhône-Alpes region in Southeastern France. I was attending a conference on baptism where contemporary liturgical scholars were to reflect on what systematic theologians and biblical scholars from different Christian World Communions had written on the subject. These liturgical scholars focused on baptism as practiced by various church communions and how such practices... Continue reading

Decades ago, in her influential book on lying, philosopher Sisela Bok asserted that lying has implications for the morality of the choices we make in both private and public life. In the main, Bok advanced strong arguments for the adoption of the principle of veracity. Is this a principle that we honor in our various relationships? In large organizations where many participants are volunteers, there is  temptation to engage in lying as... Continue reading

In the early 1970s, to send a letter to someone, the main avenue available was the mail service. One would craft a letter, edit it, place it in an envelope, take it to the post office, purchase and affix a stamp to the envelope and mail it. What wonderful memories! Then, a new means of communication - electronic mail or email - burst on the scene. Wikipedia traces the advent of emails... Continue reading

In a recent editorial in BWA Connect, I referred to the text of the official notice that the University of Wittenberg issued on the passing of Martin Luther in 1546. The notice prompted a reflection on "Heaven's Ambassadors" and the virtue we may cultivate of loving and respecting them. The official notice of Luther's passing suggests another comment. The following is part of the text of the announcement: "During the funeral solemnities,... Continue reading

Recently, I had the pleasure of reading Graham Hill's book, Salt Light, and a City: Introducing Missional Ecclesiology. I started reading this book a mere two days after the Standing Commission on Faith and Order voted to approve what is expected to be a significant convergence text on the church. This text, which should soon appear in print, is the product of years of serious multilateral theological engagement by the Faith and... Continue reading