Baptist News Global
Sections
  • News
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
  • Curated
  • Storytelling
    • Faith & Justice >
      • Charleston: Metanoia with Bill Stanfield
      • Charlotte: QC Family Tree with Greg and Helms Jarrell
      • Little Rock: Judge Wendell Griffen
      • North Carolina: Conetoe
    • Welcoming the Stranger >
      • Lost Boys of Sudan: St. John’s Baptist Charlotte
      • Awakening to Immigrant Justice: Myers Park Baptist Church
      • Hospitality on the corner: Gaston Christian Center
    • Signature Ministries >
      • Jake Hall: Gospel Gothic, Music and Radio
    • Singing Our Faith >
      • Hymns for a Lifetime: Ken Wilson and Knollwood Baptist Church
      • Norfolk Street Choir
    • Resilient Rural America >
      • Alabama: Perry County
      • Texas: Hidalgo County
      • Arkansas Delta
      • Southeast Kentucky
  • More
    • Contact
    • About
    • Donate
    • Planned Giving
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Advertising
    • Ministry Jobs and More
    • Transitions
    • Subscribe
    • Submissions and Permissions
Donate Subscribe
Search Search this site

Letter to the Editor – Amen to Eric Minton’s commentary

Exclude from home pageBNG staff  |  February 6, 2020

February 6, 2020

To the Editor:

I appreciated the recent opinion article by Eric Minton, “Why progressive Christians need to talk more about sin.” In my singular opinion, Minton is very much on target.

For whatever reason, those of us who think of ourselves as Christian progressives often bypass sermons or conversations about sin. Perhaps we have become persuaded that it is pointless to preach or talk about the obvious. However, it makes sense to me – and apparently to Minton – to make a great deal of sin and its consequences.

Throughout American history, times have come when our consciences were slammed by the large amount of sinful behavior. Perhaps some would declare that we are once again being smacked by sin so abominably that it’s useless to say anything about it. Just wait and let God take care of it!

However, it makes sense to me that this is a time of great opportunity for the church and for her ministers. What a time to declare the good news of Jesus! Our country appears to be wallowing in sin – corruption on every corner, lying rampantly by people in power, licentiousness up and down and all around. Carl Menninger asked the obvious question years ago, “Whatever happened to sin?”

I also sense in some lives a sincere hunger for the spiritual touch from God. Maybe it’s time for progressives and others to point out again the obvious source of satisfying that spiritual hunger, Jesus. He has changed many of our lives from sin-stained to sin-forgiven. Let’s share the obvious to others of how Jesus can do something similar for them.

Ronald Grizzle
Flowery Branch, Georgia


OPINION: Views expressed in Baptist News Global columns and commentaries are solely those of the authors.
Tags:Amy ButlerThe Riverside ChurchKurt Adams
More by
BNG staff
  • Get BNG headlines in your inbox

  • BNG dinner will bring together Anthea Butler and Beth Allison Barr for a conversation on race and gender

    Two of the most prominent voices speaking to the American church about race and gender will appear together at the Baptist News Global dinner during the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s General Assembly in Dallas this June. Get your tickets now!

  • Featured

    • White supremacy and firearm idolatry: America’s Baal

      Opinion

    • SBC establishes hotline to receive reports of sexual abuse in churches

      News

    • After the Guidepost report: Dwelling with evil while living into hope

      Opinion

    • SBC presidential candidate says Executive Committee’s waiver of attorney-client privilege was ‘not wise’

      News


    Curated

    • Buffalo and Uvalde both appear to have involved the AR-15, the rifle revered by the Christian right

      Buffalo and Uvalde both appear to have involved the AR-15, the rifle revered by the Christian right

      May 27, 2022
    • Ukrainians Count The Days As They Pray

      Ukrainians Count The Days As They Pray

      May 27, 2022
    • Texans plan interfaith protest at Friday’s NRA convention in Houston

      Texans plan interfaith protest at Friday’s NRA convention in Houston

      May 27, 2022
    • Buffalo’s Black Christians Grieve the ‘Evil Among Us’

      Buffalo’s Black Christians Grieve the ‘Evil Among Us’

      May 27, 2022
    Read Next:

    Mass murder and the soundtrack of our lives

    OpinionJustin Cox

    More Articles

    • All
    • News
    • Opinion
    • Curated
    • Former SBC President Johnny Hunt admits improper conduct but denies abuse claims

      NewsDavid Bumgardner

    • America, blood is on your hands

      OpinionJamar A. Boyd II

    • Guns, the elders and the children

      OpinionSusan K. Smith

    • They were attending a conference on Scripture and violence when the Uvalde massacre happened

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • On another classroom full of murdered children

      OpinionDavid Gushee, Senior Columnist

    • Now is the time when we need to hear white evangelical leaders refute white supremacy

      OpinionJoel Bowman Sr.

    • Does the SBC have enough sackcloth?

      OpinionTerry Austin

    • SBC Executive Committee releases previously secret list of convicted and credibly accused church sexual abusers

      NewsDavid Bumgardner

    • Calvinist Baptist pastor says Guidepost recommendations in sexual abuse report are ‘harmful’ and threaten ‘the sufficiency of Scripture’

      NewsDavid Bumgardner

    • Title 42 is expelling the good people, not the bad people, border advocate explains

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • What happens when the good news of therapy and the good news of Scripture conflict?

      OpinionRebecca Hewitt-Newson

    • Sick of war, church leaders in South Sudan recommit to finding peace

      NewsAnthony Akaeze

    • White supremacy and firearm idolatry: America’s Baal

      OpinionBill Leonard, Senior Columnist

    • The European option: Why we need a third way on abortion

      AnalysisAlan Bean

    • After the Guidepost report: Dwelling with evil while living into hope

      OpinionKathy Manis Findley

    • SBC establishes hotline to receive reports of sexual abuse in churches

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Becoming UNSTOPPABLE Christians

      Paid Promoted Content

    • SBC presidential candidate says Executive Committee’s waiver of attorney-client privilege was ‘not wise’

      NewsDavid Bumgardner

    • Rights, responsibilities and the two-fold commandment of love: A reflection on gun violence in America

      OpinionGreg Garrett, Senior Columnist

    • Mass murder and the soundtrack of our lives

      OpinionJustin Cox

    • Letter to the Editor: Where are the repentant SBC leaders?

      OpinionLetters to the Editor

    • What I learned listening to others who have left the faith

      AnalysisRick Pidcock

    • United Methodist model could help Southern Baptists recover from sexual abuse scandal

      AnalysisCynthia Astle

    • Who is Augie Boto, the central figure in the SBC sexual abuse cover up?

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • This is more than just sin

      OpinionMeredith Stone

    • Former SBC President Johnny Hunt admits improper conduct but denies abuse claims

      NewsDavid Bumgardner

    • They were attending a conference on Scripture and violence when the Uvalde massacre happened

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • SBC Executive Committee releases previously secret list of convicted and credibly accused church sexual abusers

      NewsDavid Bumgardner

    • Calvinist Baptist pastor says Guidepost recommendations in sexual abuse report are ‘harmful’ and threaten ‘the sufficiency of Scripture’

      NewsDavid Bumgardner

    • Title 42 is expelling the good people, not the bad people, border advocate explains

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Sick of war, church leaders in South Sudan recommit to finding peace

      NewsAnthony Akaeze

    • SBC establishes hotline to receive reports of sexual abuse in churches

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • SBC presidential candidate says Executive Committee’s waiver of attorney-client privilege was ‘not wise’

      NewsDavid Bumgardner

    • Who is Augie Boto, the central figure in the SBC sexual abuse cover up?

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • SBC plans to release list of known sexual abusers in churches, refutes its own former general counsel

      NewsDavid Bumgardner, Jeff Brumley, Mark Wingfield and Maina Mwaura

    • On three-month anniversary of Russian invasion, Ukrainian Baptists and neighbors keep helping everyone they can

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • While SBC weeps over sexual abuse allegations, the TheoBros take on Beth Allison Barr one more time

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • SBC’s former law firm sharply disagrees with Sexual Abuse Task Force report

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Hearing from victims’ families changed the death penalty debate in Connecticut

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • What’s next for recommendations and reforms in SBC sexual abuse study?

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Guidepost report documents pattern of ignoring, denying and deflecting on sexual abuse claims in SBC

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Author considers how to mourn what’s lost when the faithful leave church

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • As joblessness rocks South Africa, fake pastor diplomas are in demand

      NewsRay Mwareya and Nyasha Bhobo

    • Why breaking up is so hard to do for United Methodists: Connectionalism

      NewsCynthia Astle

    • Oklahoma legislators say life begins at ‘fertilization’

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Baptists in Ukraine continue their humanitarian work amid devastation

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Louisville police training quoted Bible verse to say officers are God’s agents of wrath

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Transitions for the week of 5-20-22

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • ‘It’s still the economy, stupid’

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • America, blood is on your hands

      OpinionJamar A. Boyd II

    • Guns, the elders and the children

      OpinionSusan K. Smith

    • On another classroom full of murdered children

      OpinionDavid Gushee, Senior Columnist

    • Now is the time when we need to hear white evangelical leaders refute white supremacy

      OpinionJoel Bowman Sr.

    • Does the SBC have enough sackcloth?

      OpinionTerry Austin

    • What happens when the good news of therapy and the good news of Scripture conflict?

      OpinionRebecca Hewitt-Newson

    • White supremacy and firearm idolatry: America’s Baal

      OpinionBill Leonard, Senior Columnist

    • After the Guidepost report: Dwelling with evil while living into hope

      OpinionKathy Manis Findley

    • Rights, responsibilities and the two-fold commandment of love: A reflection on gun violence in America

      OpinionGreg Garrett, Senior Columnist

    • Mass murder and the soundtrack of our lives

      OpinionJustin Cox

    • Letter to the Editor: Where are the repentant SBC leaders?

      OpinionLetters to the Editor

    • This is more than just sin

      OpinionMeredith Stone

    • Remember the women: The Southern Baptist cover up of sexual abuse

      OpinionPam Durso

    • Don’t overlook the depth of the disease in the SBC

      OpinionPaula Garrett

    • Tear down the SBC Executive Committee and replace it

      OpinionLayne Wallace

    • It’s time to stop giving Christianity a pass on white supremacy and violence

      OpinionRobert P. Jones

    • SBC report shows how five words turn abuse victim from ‘survivor’ to ‘whore’

      OpinionMarv Knox

    • Former foster youth need to know they are not abandoned

      OpinionAlbert L. Reyes

    • What I learned about Polish hospitality toward Ukrainians: There but for the grace of God

      OpinionPatrick Wilson

    • Stop using Jesus to disguise your predatory patriarchy

      OpinionJessica Abell and Stephany Rose Spaulding

    • Sadly, I agree that a complementarian seminary shouldn’t offer women degrees in pastoral theology

      OpinionAnna Sieges

    • Intolerable cruelty is killing us

      OpinionKris Aaron

    • Another racist mass shooting and our failure to tend Jesus’ sheep

      OpinionEmily Holladay

    • Learning about change from Henry Ford

      OpinionBob Newell

    • Hymn stories: ‘Christ is alive! Let Christians sing’

      OpinionBeverly A. Howard

    • Buffalo and Uvalde both appear to have involved the AR-15, the rifle revered by the Christian right

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Ukrainians Count The Days As They Pray

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Texans plan interfaith protest at Friday’s NRA convention in Houston

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Buffalo’s Black Christians Grieve the ‘Evil Among Us’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Senate GOP blocks domestic terrorism bill, gun policy debate

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Supreme Court declines to hear 2 different attempts to stop longtime Ann Arbor synagogue protesters

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Dispute over mosque becomes religious flashpoint in India

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Texas shooting live updates: Officials reveal more details about how the Uvalde school shooting unfolded

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • ‘He’s Just A Salesman’: Former Morningside Band Director Talks Bakker’s Ministry Tactics

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • After 2,000 UK Church Buildings Close, New Church Plants Get Creative

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Many Jewish World War II Soldiers Had Christian Burials. That’s Changing.

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Questions Archbishop’s Decision Regarding Communion Ban

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Burka Enforcement and Burka Bans: Where Extremist Policies Meet

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Climate Change Indicators Reach Record Levels

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • The Catholic Church’s views on exorcism have changed – a religious studies scholar explains why

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Indiana pastor admits ‘adultery’; woman says she was a teen

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Church of Scotland Approves Same-Sex Marriage

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBob Allen and Jeff Brumley

    • Banned from Communion in San Francisco, Pelosi receives Eucharist in Washington

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Senior Israeli lawmaker warns of “religious war” over Jerusalem moves

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Minnesota GOP apologizes for Soros puppetmaster video

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • If the media are reluctant to properly label the GOP’s racist, Christian nationalist ideologies, we’ll have trouble hanging on to democracy

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Pope voices hope church in China can operate in freedom

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Telehealth abortion demand is soaring. But access may come down to where you live

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • With AIPAC funding primary campaigns, young Jewish progressives move further left

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Welsh First Minister ‘regrets’ that Franklin Graham is coming to Wales

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    Conversations that Matter.

    © 2022 Baptist News Global. All rights reserved.

    Want to share a story? We hope you will! Read our republishing, terms of use and privacy policies here.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • RSS