WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (ABP) — Some Christians before 1609 held what many refer to as distinctively Baptist beliefs. Baptists in 1609 practiced believer’s baptism, but they didn’t immerse. Even so, most church historians agree Baptists emerged as a distinct movement 400…
Scholars disagree on Anabaptist, Baptist connection
DURHAM, N.C. (ABP) — While much writing about Baptist history in the 20th century focused on what distinguishes Baptists from other Christians, a group of contemporary scholars believes the Baptist movement now needs to reconnect to its ecumenical roots. Most…
Baptist history a continuing search for the New Testament church
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Some Baptists stress evangelism, and others emphasize the social gospel. Some believe Christ died for all people; others say Christ died only for the elect whom God predestined to salvation. Historically, some defended slavery; others championed…
Holy longings
By David Gushee For both professional and personal reasons, I am returning this year to an engagement with the best Christian theological reflection that I can find. Professionally, I am attempting to seed the ground for the completion of a…
Loving God, Loveless Christians
By David Gushee It’s Christmastime, so it seems especially appropriate to begin with reminders of the amazing love of God to the world in Jesus Christ: “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will…
Lessons learned from the Iraq war
By David Gushee For President-elect Barack Obama, the agreement reached between the Bush Administration and the Iraqi government that sets a December 2011 exit date for American combat troops is a great Christmas gift. Indeed, the fact that this deal…
A doomed, reactionary church?
By David Gushee The act of reflecting this week, in class, on the development of Catholic social ethics resonated in an unexpected way with the situation facing Christians today. It became clearer than ever to me that when Christians become…
A changing religious and political landscape
By David Gushee Credit for most of the material in today’s column goes to Faith in Public Life, which Nov. 13 released the results of a nationwide telephone poll of almost 1,300 voters. Key findings of their poll are in…
Georgia Baptists isolate themselves
By David Gushee On Nov. 12, in a front-page story, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution broke the news that the Georgia Baptist Convention has approved a new policy giving GBC executives the freedom to refuse donations from churches it finds to be…