* David Stevens, new director of the 1,500-member Christian Medical and Dental Society (CMDS), says the group must take the lead in promoting a biblical perspective on current medical issues. "The medical community and those we serve must develop firm moral stances on the key bioethical issues of our day: abortion, aids, euthanasia, human sexuality, in vitro fertilization, withdrawal of medical treatment, and the use of fetal tissue in research." Stevens previously served as director of the World Medical Mission in Boone, North Carolina.

* Molly Marshall, the first woman granted tenure at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary's school of theology in Louisville, Kentucky, resigned August 19 when informed by President R. Albert Mohler that charges for her dismissal would be initiated if she did not. Mohler indicated that the teachings of Marshall, who had been at the seminary since 1984 and tenured since 1988, had strayed outside acceptable boundaries. Marshall, whose resignation is effective December 31, has been accused of espousing universalism and feminist theological views, charges that she denies.

* The state of Mississippi is appealing a September decision by a U.S. district judge that the state's new school prayer law is unconstitutional. The legislature passed a law earlier this year permitting student-led prayer at school-related activities. After the American Civil Liberties Union and People for the American Way filed suits, the judge ruled that prayer should be allowed only at graduation ceremonies-because of previous court rulings-but that other student activities did not have sufficient safeguards providing for opt-out plans.

* Meanwhile, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati upheld a lower court order ...