Long-time Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute (now College) leader, Kenneth Ridings, died today. He served as a teacher at Fruitland before becoming its president. He was 78. “Throughout his ministry, Dr. Kenneth Ridings was a living legend among Baptist preachers,” said David Horton, current president of Fruitland.

The Alabama Supreme Court has ordered a halt to same-sex marriage licenses in the state, posing a direct challenge to a federal court in Mobile that overturned the state’s marriage laws. The decision noted that marriage “has remained unchanged throughout history: marriage has always been between members of the opposite sex.”

A genocidal chapter in the ancient relationship between Israel and Iran could be the result of a nuclear agreement the United States may sign with Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. Iran’s threats could translate into horrific violence if a nuclear deal reported widely in the media is signed …

Scholars at Midwestern Seminary have discovered, within the institution’s Spurgeon Library collection, a Psalter that 19th-century Baptist pastor Charles Spurgeon used in the compilation of his commentary on the book of Psalms, “The Treasury of David.” Many believe Spurgeon remains the single most important preacher to have ever graced Baptist history.

Year-to-date contributions to Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) national and international missions and ministries received by the SBC Executive Committee are 4.81 percent above the year-to-date budgeted projection, and are 2.97 percent above contributions received during the same time frame last year, according to Frank S. Page.

Media reports say the March 2 Charlotte City Council meeting was one of the most contentious in many years. With more than 100 people speaking at the meeting and more than 40,000 emails sent to the City Council concerning the proposal, the ordinance failed by a 6-5 vote.