MAY-JUNE 2017 Click, friend and follow! NURTURING Nurturing Faith expands social media presence FAITH nurturingfaith.net Journal & Bible Studies FROM THE INSIDE OUT Metanoia builds on community assets Islamic terrorism: Separating myths from realities CHRISTIANS ASK SCIENTISTS WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT NATURE? NFJ_MayJune_Cover031117_NAT.indd 1 3/14/17 5:27 AM Great Bible Study NF IS IN YOUR HANDS!J Nurturing Faith Bible Studies by Tony Cartledge are scholarly, yet applicable, and conveniently placed in the center of this journal. Simply provide a copy of the journal to each class partic- ipant, and take advantage of the abundant online teaching materials at nurturingfaith.net. These include video overviews for teacher preparation or to be shown in class. See page 21 for more information. FOR SHORT!TERM BIBLE STUDIES NURTURING FAITH BIBLE STUDY SERIES Orders: nurturingfaith.net / (478) 301-5655 Ideal for groups seeking insightful, applicable Bible studies: Sunday school classes, weekday gatherings, Wednesday prayer meeting, retreats, annual Bible study emphases. Bulk discounts available. Nurturing Faith Journal, Bible Studies, Books, and Experiences are trademarks of the publishing ministry Baptists Today, Inc. NFJ_MayJune_Interior031317_NAT.indd 1 3/14/17 5:28 AM OUR MISSION THE MISSION of Nurturing Faith Journal is to provide relevant and trusted N information, thoughtful analysis and inspiring features, rooted in the historic Baptist tradition of freedom of conscience, for reflective Christians seeking to F live out a mature faith in a fast-changing culture. J BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jack Glasgow, Zebulon, N.C. (chairman) Cathy Turner, Clemson, S.C. (vice chair) OUR TEAM Nannette Avery, Signal Mountain, Tenn. Kelly L. Belcher, Asheville, N.C. EXECUTIVE EDITOR Edwin Boland, Johns Creek, Ga. John D. Pierce Donald L. Brewer, Gainesville, Ga. [email protected] Ronnie Brewer, Bristol, Va. Kenny Crump, Ruston, La. Doug Dortch, Birmingham, Ala. CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER CHURCH RESOURCES EDITOR Wayne Glasgow, Macon, Ga. David Cassady Julie Steele Frank Granger, Athens, Ga. [email protected] [email protected] Cynthia Holmes, St. Louis, Mo. David Hull, Watkinsville, Ga. MANAGING EDITOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR Bill Ireland, Ooltewah, Tenn. Jackie B. Riley Vickie Frayne Becky Matheny, Athens, Ga. [email protected] [email protected] Bill McConnell, Knoxville, Tenn. Tommy McDearis, Blacksburg, Va. Andrew McGill, Chattanooga, Tenn. CONTRIBUTING EDITOR / CURRICULUM WRITER CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER Cynthia Wise Mitchell, Birmingham, Ala. Tony W. Cartledge Jannie Lister William T. Neal, Stone Mountain, Ga. [email protected] [email protected] Roger Paynter, Decatur, Ga. Ron Perritt, Baton Rouge, La. Charles Schaible, Macon, Ga. ONLINE EDITOR / CONTRIBUTING WRITER BOOK PUBLISHING MANAGER Tamara Tillman Smathers, Rome, Ga. Lex Horton Bruce T. Gourley Charlotte Cook Smith, Winston-Salem, N.C. [email protected] [email protected] Carol Boseman Taylor, Rocky Mount, N.C. Jim Thomason, Anderson, S.C. DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Sarah Timmerman, Cairo, Ga. John F. Bridges Lydia Fields Monica Vaughan, Greensboro, N.C. [email protected] [email protected] Laurie Weatherford, Winter Park, Fla. Clem White, St. Petersburg, Fla. * * * PUBLISHER EMERITUS EDITOR EMERITUS DIRECTORS EMERITI Walker Knight Jack U. Harwell Thomas E. Boland R. Kirby Godsey Ann B. Roebuck OUR COLUMNISTS Guy Rutland III Mary Etta Sanders The Lighter Side – Brett Younger Mel Williams Winnie V. Williams Theology in the Pews – John R. Franke Nurturing Faith Journal (ISSN 1072-7787) is Questions Christians Ask Scientists – Paul Wallace published bimonthly by: Baptists Today, Being Church in Changing Times – Center for Healthy Churches Subscription rates: 1 year, $24; 2 years, $42; 1 year groups of 25 or more, $18; 1 year groups Diggin’ It – Tony W. Cartledge of less than 25, $24; 1 year Canada, $42; 1 year foreign, $100. Periodical postage paid at Macon, Ga. 31208 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address correc- Nurturing Faith is a trademark of the autonomous, national publishing ministry Baptists Today, Inc., a 501(c)(3) tions to: P.O. Box 6318, Macon, GA 31208-6318 charitable organization founded in 1983 and guided by an independent Board of Directors. Baptists Today, Inc. and its subsidiary Nurturing Faith, Inc. produce Nurturing Faith Journal, Nurturing Faith Bible Studies, Nurturing All rights reserved. Faith Books, Nurturing Faith Experiences and other resources. Daily news, blogs and other timely information, along with teaching materials and other resources, are available at nurturingfaith.net. NFJ_MayJune_Interior031317_NAT.indd 2 3/14/17 5:28 AM MEDIA: GOOD BOOK KEEPS THE FOCUS ON LARGE, IMPORTANT BIBLICAL THEMES INSIDE By John D. Pierce VOL. 35, ISSUE 3 51 MAY / JUNE 2017 THOUGHTS DIGGIN’ IT 9 To whom are we listening? Collateral discovery By John D. Pierce By Tony W. Cartledge 50 18 Theology in the Pews: Peace on Earth 13 Solar farm powers NC congrega- By John R. Franke tion’s ministries 19 Our time is now 14 Pew: Americans warming up to By Amanda Tyler most religious groups 43 E"ective theological education 14 Church-sponsored Boy Scouts fosters healthier churches groups react to transgender By Matthew Tennant decision 54 Roberto Clemente’s ‘problem’ 15 Jews support burned Florida is ours, too 44 mosque, $18 at a time By John D. Pierce 15 Catholics, Jews mark history of the RELIGION AND THE menorah together AMERICAN PRESIDENTS FEATURES James A. Garfield (1881) 38 Robert Parham led Baptists, others to engage ethical issues 4 FROM THE INSIDE OUT: Metanoia builds on community INFORMATION 40 Melissa Rogers: Religious organi- assets zations can engage government By John D. Pierce 10 Prayer Breakfast organizer quietly properly influenced DC powerbrokers 42 Syrian Baptist churches minister, 41 Physician to refugees to be honored for human rights work grow amid war 11 Scientists ponder how to talk to the faithful about climate change 46 Islamic terrorism: QUESTIONS CHRISTIANS Separating myths from realities 12 Lydia Fields expanding social By Bruce Gourley ASK SCIENTISTS media for Nurturing Faith What does the Bible say about 56 Historically significant church nature? celebrates 200 years 12 Baugh Foundation gift supports By Paul Wallace By Bruce Gourley new publishing collaboration 60 Cover photo by John Pierce. Bill Stanfield (left) and Willie Brown are part of Metanoia, a nonprofit community development corporation bringing positive change to North Charleston, S.C., from the inside out. See story on page 4. Worth Repeating ..................................... 8 Lighter Side ........................................... 20 Classifieds .............................................. 38 Editorial ...................................................... 9 Recognition & Remembrance . 38 Reblog ..................................................... 54 NFJ_MayJune_Interior031317_NAT.indd 3 3/14/17 5:28 AM North Charleston police o#cers chat with Bill Stanfield following a lunch break at The Macon. The newly opened café along the city’s once-vibrant Reynolds Avenue is a community development initiative of Metanoia. Fro! th" insid" ou# Metanoia group builds on community assets STORY AND PHOTOS opment organization that seeks to maximize was funded through grants and individual BY JOHN D. PIERCE assets within local settings on the south side giving. After lunch, Bill met with local of North Charleston. bankers about funding for other projects. ORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. Learning to leverage the financial — The Macon, a newly opened COLLABORATION resources necessary for community develop- N café, is creating a buzz with its Bill Stanfield, a Baptist minister and the ment, he said, can be added to the growing tasty breakfast and lunch offerings. Locals, CEO of Metanoia, pointed toward the list of “things I didn’t learn in seminary.” including some North Charleston police ceiling of the tidy restaurant and noted that The café is an example of the collab- officers who stopped by for lunch, expressed earlier one could see all the way to the sky. orative efforts that shape the ongoing good appreciation for the good food and comfort- The owner gave the abandoned building to work of Metanoia. The space is leased to able setting. Metanoia in 2009. Duvall Catering for $1 per month with an This reclaimed building along once “I think he got the better end of the “open-book policy,” said Stanfield. vibrant but long-struggling Reynolds deal,” said Stanfield with a smile. The rent will increase along with the Avenue is a sign of hope — as are other The once vacant building that drew profit margin — and the agreement calls businesses, numerous homes, a new squatters and illegal activity has been for employees to be hired from within the school, a shared garden and other commu- restored and put to good use. Behind the community. nity-enriching places throughout the café are large spaces where entrepreneurial Attractive light fixtures donated for the Chicora-Cherokee neighborhood. youth arrive after school to screen-print café stem from a partnership with a local The café is but one of many initiatives shirts and make jewelry they sell online. lighting company that employs 40 persons of Metanoia, a nonprofit community devel- The building, which also houses volunteers, from the neighborhood. 4 Feature NFJ_MayJune_Interior031317_NAT.indd 4 3/14/17 5:28 AM LAYERS Brown, a former local baseball star who While