Criswell grew up in the Texas Panhandle, where his father was a devotee of Norris, the fiery fundamentalist pastor of First Baptist Church of Fort Worth, and his mother was a devotee of Truett, the statesman pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas.
The writer of the Gospel of John gives himself an odd nickname: “The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved.” In other translations, John refers to himself as the “Beloved Disciple.” We don’t know the real meaning behind the name because John provides no explanation of it. But perhaps John uses this name as a reminder to himself and others of Jesus’ loving ministry here on earth and the disciples’ call to spread the message of that love to every nation.
Fifteen-year-old Islam Khalilov works as a cloakroom attendant at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow. When a terrorist attack began there Friday evening, his familiarity with the building enabled him to guide terrified concertgoers to safety. He said later, “I…