Collectively watching Amazon Prime’s Shiny Happy People docuseries is foolish if we’re not willing to deconstruct the entire conservative evangelical tower of Babel it reveals. Of course, individuals watching the series may have deeply sensitive trauma they’re reminded of and…
How the new documentary series Shiny Happy People intersects with mainstream Christianity
The fame, scandal and drama surrounding the Duggar family has been a hot topic for Americans following their fundamentalist lifestyle. The family adheres to a Quiverfull theology, which teaches that large families are a blessing from the Lord, as found…
When a Baptist Press story tells you only part of the story
The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee put out a news release June 5 celebrating that giving to the SBC’s Cooperative Program unified budget is running 1.4% ahead of budget through the end of May. What the Baptist Press account does…
Resolving to ‘respect the diversity’ of the global Baptist family
Last week, Baptist News Global reported the removal from the Baptist World Alliance Commission on Interfaith Relations and another BWA commission of a gay man whose sexual orientation and same-sex marriage were known at the time of his appointment. Much…
Stone of Destiny: Rising secularism and its influence on Scottish independence
If you blinked, you missed it. There amidst the glitz and glitter of the king’s coronation sat a 335-pound boulder. You’d be forgiven for not noticing it. When compared to a jewel-encrusted crown, a silver sword and a golden orb,…
Here’s a guide to understanding the latest report from Southwestern’s trustees
What’s most interesting about the “Response to Sligar-Bunnell Allegations” document released by Southwestern Seminary trustee officers Friday afternoon, June 2, is the additional bits of insight into what’s been happening at the Fort Worth, Texas, school in the past year….
A primer on why Southern Baptists are fighting over women in ministry once again
Casual observers might have thought the Southern Baptist Convention settled its position on women in ministry 30 years ago. Turns out, that’s not the case at all. An issue that was explosive for the SBC during the heyday of its…
Focus on the Family affiliate is the unifying force behind campaign to restrict transgender rights
Culture war fights over transgender identity may have snuck up on many Americans, but the leaders of the Family Policy Alliance, a little known but influential group founded decades ago by James Dobson, have been preparing their trans battle plan…
I asked 46 college students if they feel shame after having sex, and this is what they said
Gen Z is a post-Purity Movement generation, having barely escaped the doling out of purity rings. However, exemplified by the popularity of “Virginity Rocks” T-shirts and regalia, this does not mean sentiments of purity culture never impacted our cohort of…
‘Pastor Johnny’ is the head of a family empire that feeds off the SBC
In modern terms, Johnny Hunt is an “influencer.” Over the last 40 years, he has become someone with the ability to influence thousands of other pastors and even an entire denomination. Perhaps that’s why his naming in the 2022 Guidepost…
Tired of reading only male perspectives on Christian sexuality? Here are 14 women you ought to read
The past few months have been marked by evangelical men writing about sexuality in ways that center their perspective and pleasure while ignoring the perspectives and pleasure of women. In one interview about his controversial book, Josh Butler said he continues…
Eight months later, there still aren’t many public details on the financial and enrollment problems that led to Greenway’s departure from Southwestern
Results of the efforts to rebuild enrollment and finances at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary remain largely unknown to the public, but the latest report filed with the Southern Baptist Convention shows just how low enrollment dipped in the 2021-2022 academic…