Mentor windfall sparks discussion of fatherlessness
DALLAS (BP) -- An unexpected deluge of volunteers in response to a Dallas middle school's call for male mentors has sparked media attention. It also has generated discussion of the need for discipleship of African American boys, robbed of fathers by the lingering effects of slavery. When Billy Earl Dade Middle School in Dallas scheduled a "Breakfast With Dads" event for the boys in its student body, a local Baptist pastor attempted to help, issuing a call via Facebook for volunteers to stand in with students whose fathers were absent from their lives or unable to attend. Though the school -- which is predominantly African American -- hoped for 50-100 volunteers, some 600 men showed up at the breakfast.
FIRST-PERSON: Sing with your spouse
To strengthen marital bonds, writes columnist Joshua Jenkins, Christians should sing hymns with their spouses. Such singing will "spite the devil," he writes.
FIRST-PERSON: Weddings are best in a church
Gerald Harris lists seven reasons why he believes Christian weddings, whether large or small, should be held in a church to clearly signify that "Christ will become the centerpiece of the new home."
Reformers’ wisdom applied to transgender debate
NASHVILLE (BP) -- Amid contemporary discussion of transgenderism, the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation has helped resurface historic wisdom on gender and sexuality. While predating by centuries the modern phenomenon of transgenderism, Martin Luther and John Calvin were among Reformers to denounce those who attempted to blur the distinction between men and women -- an error dating back to the ancient world.
FIRST-PERSON: Those early years
Vickie Munton, reflecting on her early years of marriage, recounts the hard work, sacrifice and faith through which "God laid the foundation for our future."
VP Pence’s marital integrity draws criticism
WASHINGTON (BP) -- A Washington Post reporter's claim that Vice President Mike Pence never eats alone with a woman who is not his wife has drawn a storm of criticism from opponents but praise from evangelicals. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary President Daniel Akin responded that he has made the same commitment to his wife Charlotte while Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma executive director Anthony Jordan said he "applaud[s]" the vice president.
