The ghosts of Rwanda’s 1994 massacre still haunt Melanie Uwamaliya — memories of her mother, siblings and cousins, felled by Hutu extremists in Rwanda’s far-off capital, Kigali.   To make things worse, at times, Uwamaliya actually would cross paths with Hutu killers — walking free. The ghosts of Rwanda’s 1994 massacre still haunt Melanie Uwamaliya — memories of her mother, siblings and cousins, felled by Hutu extremists in Rwanda’s far-off capital, Kigali. To make things worse, at times, Uwamaliya actually would cross paths with Hutu killers — walking free. However, last June, Uwamaliya and fellow Tutsi expatriates celebrated a victory of sorts, when a Belgian jury sentenced four Rwandans to jail for participating in their country’s horrific massacre. Now, from her small apartment a few blocks from a Brussels courthouse, 53-year-old Uwamaliya awaits justice in two other genocide-related suits — including charges that Belgium’s former defense and foreign ministers abandoned Rwanda to its fate. She is not alone in turning to Belgium in pursuit of human rights convictions. The country has a unique law that allows individuals to pursue such cases — against just about anybody until recently. Indeed, … [Read more...]

A Southern Baptist pastor’s dispute with the Internal Revenue Service now threatens to affect the ability of all ministers to participate in a housing allowance arrangement.   Indeed, a federal court in California has requested briefs on the question of whether to allow ministers to have a housing allowance is constitutional or not. A Southern Baptist pastor’s dispute with the Internal Revenue Service now threatens to affect the ability of all ministers to participate in a housing allowance arrangement.   Indeed, a federal court in California has requested briefs on the question of whether to allow ministers to have a housing allowance is constitutional or not.   The case in question involves Rick Warren, pastor at Saddleback Community Church near Los Angeles.   In 1998, Warren sought to deduct $79,999 on his house, relying on a 1921 statute that gives ministers the right to a housing allowance.   The law allows an ordained minister to use a portion of his or her salary to provide for a residence and not claim that money as taxable income.   However, the Internal Revenue Service has ruled that ministers may only claim an amount equal to the fair … [Read more...]

There was a day when Louisiana Baptists could feel they had done at least something to combat the recent sad news from college campuses about student alcohol abuse. One wonders, however, if Baptists have presented recent generations with the good sense behind abstaining from alcohol consumption. There was a day when Louisiana Baptists could feel they had done at least something to combat the recent sad news from college campuses about student alcohol abuse. One wonders, however, if Baptists have presented recent generations with the good sense behind abstaining from alcohol consumption.   Two recently released studies show that college life across the country reflects the culture of our nation that encourages and promotes consumption of alcoholic beverages. The studies also reveal the tragedies that often accompany recreational drinking.   A study commissioned by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism discovered the following occurrences on yearly averages:   *One thousand, four hundred college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die of alcohol-related injuries.   *Half a million students are accidentally injured while under the influence of … [Read more...]

Joe McKeever sometimes leads audiences he is speaking to in a simple exercise - he asks them to laugh for two minutes.   "It’s a world changer," says McKeever, pastor at First Baptist Church of Kenner. Joe McKeever sometimes leads audiences he is speaking to in a simple exercise - he asks them to laugh for two minutes.   "It’s a world changer," says McKeever, pastor at First Baptist Church of Kenner.   McKeever knows of what he speaks. He is known for his cartoons, one of which is featured on the front page of this week’s Baptist Message. He also is recognized for his often-humorous storytelling.   For McKeever, laughter is healthy and helpful - and the right of every Christian.   "Laughter is a vote of confidence in the Lord," he explains. "It’s a way of saying we know he’s in charge. ... Really, Christians are the only ones who have the right to laugh. They are the ones who have settled the major questions of their lives."   As illustration, McKeever cites a practice in overseas churches. On the day after Easter, persons go to church to tell jokes - "because the joke’s on the devil," he says.   Of course, there always are a few people who … [Read more...]

The old line warns people about the dangers of raising the hot topics of religion and sex around the so-called "kitchen table" of life.   Well, if one thinks that is dangerous - try joking about religion. Better yet, have someone begin joking about your religion. And do not even consider laughing about God. The old line warns people about the dangers of raising the hot topics of religion and sex around the so-called "kitchen table" of life.   Well, if one thinks that is dangerous - try joking about religion. Better yet, have someone begin joking about your religion. And do not even consider laughing about God.   Religion-based humor is the touchiest. Anyone who ventures into it must walk an exceedingly fine line - especially in the middle of a conflict over terrorism that has religious overtones.   Just ask Roy Peterson, editorial cartoonist for Canada’s Southam News Service. He has just been hit by a petition signed by more than 300 angry Muslims.   Peterson’s contentious cartoon portrays terrorist Osama bin Laden pointing a video-camera at himself and saying: "Yo, Allah! Smile, we’re on candid camera."   And a voice from above replies: … [Read more...]

Former Louisiana Baptist Convention President and longtime state leader Charles E. Harvey Sr. died April 14, following a lengthy illness.   Harvey was 76.   Harvey was a Louisiana native and spent his entire ministry in the state, beginning with his ordination to the gospel ministry at Ingleside Baptist Church in 1947. Former Louisiana Baptist Convention President and longtime state leader Charles E. Harvey Sr. died April 14, following a lengthy illness.   Harvey was 76.   Harvey was a Louisiana native and spent his entire ministry in the state, beginning with his ordination to the gospel ministry at Ingleside Baptist Church in 1947.   Harvey served three congregations before becoming pastor at Sunset Acres Baptist Church in 1954. He served that Louisiana Baptist congregation for 29 years before retiring from the full-time pastorate in 1983. He was named pastor emeritus.   By the time he left Sunset Acres, Harvey already had been asked to serve as Louisiana Baptist Convention director of evangelism, a position he held until he retired in 1990.   He then served three years as an adjunct professor of pastoral ministries at his alma mater, New … [Read more...]

Tim Elmore recalled how a conversation with the legendary heavy metal music group KISS shaped his ministry.   In college at the time, Elmore said he was horrified at the lifestyles of the musicians because many young people admired the celebrities. Elmore said he "made a deal with God" that if the group were ever in his town, he would witness to them. Tim Elmore recalled how a conversation with the legendary heavy metal music group KISS shaped his ministry.   In college at the time, Elmore said he was horrified at the lifestyles of the musicians because many young people admired the celebrities. Elmore said he "made a deal with God" that if the group were ever in his town, he would witness to them.   The group ended up in his town.   And after much hard work, Elmore was able to witness to all of the members during the wee hours of the morning after their concert appearance. Since that meeting, Elmore said one of the members has left the group because of his conversion to Christianity.   "That one encounter shaped my mission statement in ministry," Elmore told 405 participants in the Louisiana Baptist Collegiate Ministry Spring Assembly at Tall Timbers … [Read more...]

Re: Bible translation articles.   One of the best translations was the Revised Standard Version, particularly the revision of 1971, but its flaws were well publicized and debated. The RSV translation "continuing chairman" was Bruce Metzger of Princeton. He told me he never dreamed such a good translation could have come using the committee approach. Re: Bible translation articles.   One of the best translations was the Revised Standard Version, particularly the revision of 1971, but its flaws were well publicized and debated. The RSV translation "continuing chairman" was Bruce Metzger of Princeton. He told me he never dreamed such a good translation could have come using the committee approach. He believed they had "done the impossible."   I agreed and have used the NIV for years, because I thought the wooden quality of the NASV stood in the way of good communication of God's truth. The NASV is a very good translation, but the English is very stiff. The NIV brought us very good English quality with a few problems in terms of translation fidelity. I would have preferred the use of "propitiation," for example, instead of "atoning sacrifice." But the new version of the NIV (TNIV) has … [Read more...]

The elimination of the phrase "the son of man" from Today’s New International Version (of the Bible) is just one more example of the decline in textual accuracy in most modern Bibles. The elimination of the phrase "the son of man" from Today’s New International Version (of the Bible) is just one more example of the decline in textual accuracy in most modern Bibles.   Deletions, alterations and other errors also affect the New International Version, the Revised Standard Version, the New American Standard Version and a legion of "paraphrased" nightmares.   For those that are spiritually "challenged" or "allergic" to the language in the King James, I recommend the 21st Century King James Bible, which transforms "archaic" words into modern English with no loss of meaning or accuracy.   Those Christian leaders who only object to the ghastly Today’s New International Version and not to its ignoble predecessors need to do more research - and Bible study.   Robert F. Taylor West Monroe … [Read more...]

Why so many Bible versions?   And some leave out the "blood."   The King James Version is written at what at that time was the fifth-grade reading level. Yet, many educated people say newer versions are easier to understand. Are Americans less literate today? Or do they want to be spoon fed spiritually? Why so many Bible versions?   And some leave out the "blood."   The King James Version is written at what at that time was the fifth-grade reading level. Yet, many educated people say newer versions are easier to understand. Are Americans less literate today? Or do they want to be spoon fed spiritually?   We raised our three children with the King James Version, and each Christian school they were in used the KJV, and the children memorized verses easily. Even in our local church today, Bible drill students use the KJV.   Is the Word of God inerrant and inspired and perfect or not?   The new versions tend to leave out words that are crucial to doctrine and change the meaning completely!   Can the reason be men produce new versions just to make money? The KJV is the only one without a copyright - anyone can reprint it … [Read more...]