Faith Facts

• Regnum Books has appointed Angus Crichton as its first dedicated director to expand Global South theological scholarship
• Regnum Books serves as the publishing arm of the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies
• The appointment marks a strategic commitment to amplifying Christian voices from developing nations

A significant development in Christian publishing is set to amplify voices from the Global South as Regnum Books announces a groundbreaking leadership appointment. The publishing arm of the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies has named Angus Crichton as its first dedicated director, signaling a new chapter in theological scholarship.

This historic appointment represents more than just an administrative change. It reflects a deliberate strategy to elevate Christian perspectives from regions often underrepresented in Western academic circles.

Regnum Books has long served as a platform for theological thought emerging from the developing world. The creation of this dedicated directorship demonstrates the organization’s commitment to ensuring these vital voices reach a broader audience in the global Christian community.

The Oxford Centre for Mission Studies has positioned itself as a bridge between traditional academic excellence and the dynamic Christian movements flourishing across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. By investing in dedicated leadership for its publishing operations, the Centre is doubling down on its mission to make scholarship from these regions more accessible.

Crichton’s appointment comes at a crucial time when the center of gravity in global Christianity continues to shift southward. While Western churches face declining attendance, vibrant faith communities in the Global South are experiencing unprecedented growth and theological innovation.

This leadership decision reflects a recognition that the future of Christian thought increasingly lies in perspectives shaped by different cultural contexts and challenges than those familiar to Western audiences. By prioritizing these voices, Regnum Books aims to enrich the entire Body of Christ with diverse insights grounded in Scripture and lived experience.

The expansion of Regnum Books’ capacity through dedicated directorship signals confidence in the demand for authentic Christian scholarship that speaks to contemporary challenges while remaining rooted in biblical truth. This development promises to strengthen connections between believers worldwide and foster mutual understanding across cultural boundaries.

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Faith Facts

• Ruby Lowery Stapleton, a Harding University English professor, was abducted from a laundromat in October 1963 and murdered, her body discovered 11 days later
• The case remains unsolved after 63 years, despite extensive investigation and media attention at the time
• Harding University honors Stapleton’s memory with two campus memorials and will rename the library Writing Center in her honor

SEARCY, ARK. — A new book brings renewed attention to one of Christian higher education’s most tragic unsolved mysteries. Deana Hamby Nall and Mike S. Allen have authored “The Abduction of Mrs. Ruby Lowery Stapleton,” a comprehensive account of the 1963 disappearance and murder of a beloved Harding University professor.

Stapleton vanished from a laundromat in October 1963. Her body was discovered 11 days later, and the case has remained unsolved for more than six decades.

The 264-page independently published work opens with a vivid description of central Arkansas’ autumn landscape, setting the scene for a story that continues to haunt the Christian university community. For current students, the geographical details evoke familiar places like Petit Jean State Park and Sugarloaf Mountain, locations that remain part of student life today.

The authors’ storytelling approach draws readers into the life of the English teacher through previously unpublished anecdotes. Two stories stand out: one recounting Ruby’s memories from Mother’s Day 1963, and another depicting her husband E.R. Stapleton during the 1942 cotton harvest.

The cotton harvest story reveals a lighthearted, competitive side of E.R.’s character that contrasts with his later portrayal during the investigation. Interview transcripts and witness statements in the book present him in a different light — as a suspect in his wife’s disappearance.

Nall and Allen provide meticulous research and extensive detail about the case. Their comprehensive timeline places Stapleton’s disappearance within the broader context of 1963 America, a year of tremendous upheaval and change.

Earlier that fall semester, Harding President George Benson announced the school would desegregate. This decision reflected the challenging times facing Christian institutions as they sought to align biblical principles with the changing social landscape.

Shortly after Stapleton’s body was found, the nation’s attention shifted dramatically. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963, and as the authors document, both media coverage and federal law enforcement resources pivoted away from the Stapleton investigation toward the presidential assassination.

This tragic timing may have contributed to why Ruby Stapleton’s murder was never solved. The case went cold as national priorities changed, leaving a faithful Christian educator’s death without justice or closure.

Today, Harding University maintains two memorials honoring Stapleton on campus: a portrait on the second floor of Brackett Library and an engraved brick on the front lawn. In August, the university will rename the Writing Center inside the library to further honor her memory and commitment to teaching English and writing.

These memorials serve as reminders to current students of the dedicated Christian educators who came before them. They also represent an unsolved tragedy that touched the entire Church of Christ university community.

“The Abduction of Mrs. Ruby Lowery Stapleton” offers a factual, engaging presentation suitable for multiple audiences. True crime enthusiasts, those familiar with the case, and readers discovering Stapleton’s story for the first time will all gain thorough knowledge of this complex investigation.

The book demonstrates how one woman’s faithful service as a Christian educator was cut short by senseless violence. It also shows how a community of faith responded to tragedy and continues to honor her memory decades later.

For the Harding University community and the broader Churches of Christ fellowship, Ruby Stapleton’s story represents both loss and lasting impact. Her dedication to teaching and her faith continue to inspire, even as questions about her death remain unanswered.

The authors deserve commendation for their exhaustive research and respectful treatment of a sensitive subject. They have preserved an important piece of Christian higher education history while honoring the memory of a woman whose life was devoted to teaching and faith.

Kenzie James, a senior multimedia journalism major at Harding University who researched the Stapleton case for the student newspaper in 2025, praised the book’s depth and previously undiscovered details.

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Faith Facts

• Texas State Rep. James Talarico, now running for U.S. Senate as a Democrat, delivered a 2022 sermon containing multiple controversial theological claims that have resurfaced and drawn criticism from Christian conservatives.
• The sermon includes statements reinterpreting core Biblical doctrines in ways that conflict with traditional Christian teaching and scriptural authority.
• The video has gone viral as voters examine the candidate’s theological positions and their alignment with Christian values ahead of the Senate race.

A 2022 sermon delivered by Texas State Representative James Talarico has resurfaced, sparking significant concern among Christian conservatives as the Democratic politician campaigns for a U.S. Senate seat. The video reveals several theological statements that diverge sharply from orthodox Christian doctrine and Biblical teaching.

Talarico, who has positioned himself as a person of faith on the campaign trail, made a series of claims during the sermon that challenge traditional Christian understanding of Scripture and the nature of Christ. The statements have raised questions about his theological grounding and how his beliefs might influence his policy positions.

The resurfaced sermon comes at a critical time as Texas voters evaluate candidates for the Senate race. For many Christian conservatives, a candidate’s theological integrity and adherence to Biblical truth are essential considerations in determining their fitness for office and their ability to represent traditional American values.

The video has circulated widely on social media, with many believers expressing alarm at the theological positions expressed. Christian leaders and voters are calling for greater scrutiny of candidates who claim faith credentials while advancing interpretations that contradict established Christian doctrine.

This development highlights the ongoing tension in American politics between those who hold to traditional Biblical Christianity and those who advocate for progressive reinterpretations of Scripture. For Christian conservatives, the authenticity of a candidate’s faith and their commitment to Biblical truth remain paramount concerns.

As the Senate race progresses, Talarico’s theological statements are likely to remain a focal point for voters who prioritize Christian values and scriptural fidelity in their elected representatives. The controversy underscores the importance of examining not just policy positions, but the foundational beliefs that shape a candidate’s worldview.

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