News

Passages

Promotions, deaths, and other items from the religion world.

Murdered Tom Fox, 54, an American who was among four Christian Peacemaker Teams members in Iraq kidnapped late last year by the Swords of Righteousness Brigade. Fox’s body was found in west Baghdad with gunshots to his head and chest. A military operation on March 23 freed the three other CPT members taken hostage.

Died Henry Morris, called the “father of modern creation science,” on February 25. Morris, 87, founded the Institute for Creation Research in 1970. He was a hydraulic engineer who wrote more than 60 books, including The Genesis Flood (1961), and defended creationist principles through scientific observation.

Retiring Peter Bradley, 65, as president of International Bible Society, when a successor is named. Bradley helped ibs develop its current vision to expose 2 billion people to the Bible by 2008 by expanding its print, online, and radio broadcast outlets. ibs also wants to complete contemporary translations of the Bible in more than 50 languages in the next five years.

Selected Wayne Pederson, as vice president of Moody Broadcasting Network, a branch of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Pederson will oversee and lead network programming for Moody’s radio properties and ministries, including its 35 owned and operated stations. Pederson most recently served as station manager of MBN’s flagship station, WMBI in Chicago. He replaces Bob Neff, who stepped down in February 2005 due to health concerns.

Acquitted Jane Spahr, Presbyterian Church (USA) minister, of violating her denomination’s position on same-sex marriage. A PCUSA regional judicial commission ruled 6-1 that Spahr acted within her right of conscience when she married two lesbian couples in 2004 and 2005. The commission said that the PCUSA constitution’s wording on marriage—reserving it for one man and one woman—offers a “definition, not a directive.” Spahr said she plans to continue performing same-sex weddings.

Resigned Charles Moore, 65, as president of Northern Seminary in Illinois, effective June 5. Moore was the senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Charlotte, Michigan, before his five years at Northern. He plans to return to church ministry. While the trustees search for a new president, John Kirn, the board’s chair, will serve as the seminary’s chief executive officer.

Selected James Tonkowich, as president of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, an organization focused on renewing mainline denominations. Tonkowich, formerly managing editor of Prison Fellowship’s BreakPoint ministry, is a member of the (non-mainline) Presbyterian Church in America. He succeeds Diane Knippers, who died in April 2005.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

Christian Peacemaker Teams have a page dedicated to Tom Fox. Fox’s reflections on Iraq are available from ElectronicIraq.net.

Answers in Genesis remembered Henry Morris at his funeral.

More about Peter Bradley is available from the International Bible Society.

Moody Bible Institute has more information about its new president Wayne Pederson.

The Presbyterian News Service has an article on Jane Spahr’s acquittal.

Northern Seminary’s news release on the resignation of Charles Moore is available online.

The Institute on Religion and Democracy has a news release on James Tonkowich’s selection as president.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Our Latest

High Time for an Honest Conversation about THC

Legal cannabis may be here to stay, but the Christian conversation is just getting started.

The National Guard Debate Needs a Dose of Honesty

Criticizing federal overreach while remaining silent about local failures does not serve the cause of justice.

News

Saudi Arabian Prison Frees Kenyan After ‘Blood Money’ Payout

A Christian mother relied on the Muslim practice of “diyat” to bring her son home alive.

Why Fans Trust Forrest Frank

The enormously popular Christian artist says he experienced miraculous healing. His parasocial friends say “amen.”

How a Missionary Family in Lebanon Produced an American Hero

Bill Eddy’s Arabic acumen served US interests and forged Middle East ties.

Eight Divine Names in One Glorious Passage

Hebrew terms for God appear across the Old Testament. The prophet Isaiah brings them all together.

The Bulletin

Venezuelan Boat Attack, Payday Loans, and USAID Fire Sale

The Bulletin discusses the attack on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat, predatory lending, and the destruction of items from cancelled USAID projects.

Why an Early American Missionary Family Was Beloved in Lebanon

Over five decades of multigenerational ministry, the Eddys pioneered health and educational outreach.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube