In case you missed them, we compiled 11 of the top opinion articles that were among the most-read articles at baptistnews.com in 2018.
Baptists among Benedictines: spending the first week of the new year at the Abbey
The first week of a new year, a group of Baptist seminary students and I will join the Benedictines at the Abbey for worship, contemplation and learning from Benedictine spirituality.
Southern Babtoys Corporation: a satirical look at the pervasive problem of clergy sexual abuse
Most people wouldn’t accept excuses from a company whose product caused serious injuries to children. So why do people accept evasive explanations from a Baptist denomination for clergy sex abuse?
American racism, 1619-2019: exorcism of this demon is needed – now
I am forced to ask: what am I promoting as gospel right now that later generations will document, repudiate and apologize for? I can’t repent of the racism of my Baptist ancestors if I won’t repent of racism in myself and my own segment of American culture right now.
Preaching the ‘red letters’ often makes congregations red in the face
The next time you think your pastor is being “too political” or “not evangelistic enough” or should “preach the gospel more,” give yourself a simple test: How does what your pastor preaches line up with the words of Jesus?
Christmas has come. Now, let’s not relegate Jesus’ birth to secondary status in our theology
To say that Jesus’ death and resurrection is more important than Jesus’ birth reveals our failure to understand that the three major events in God’s plan for humanity – the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus – are equally important.
Theology is secondary. What matters more is living Jesus’ way of love and justice
Theology is not the most serious cause of concern for a declining Christian witness in America. The truth remains that people are drawn to Christianity because they see ample evidence that teaching and preaching are accompanied by deeds and practice.
Be Baptist, but build bridges with all God’s people – Christian or not
The days of viewing our faith as the remaking of the world into our image are long past, thanks be to God. Our call is to find ways to work for the common good with the values Jesus instituted in the inbreaking Reign of God.
The irony of a Southern Baptist seminary’s report on slavery and racism
Using methods of biblical exegesis and theological construction similar to its founders’ defense of slavery, a Southern Baptist seminary’s leaders continue the institution’s history of discrimination and oppression, but with different targets.
Rather than ‘spiritualizing’ Mary’s song, let’s be open to its subversive message
“Mary’s Song” is a reminder that when the biblical message gets difficult (as it frequently does), the Church often “spiritualizes” the text and its subversive message.
Damaging fundamentalist theologies aside, in Advent we proclaim Christ’s return and re-creation
Now that we have passed the midpoint in the journey of Advent, it’s helpful to remember that Advent is an unfamiliar word for many in our world and in our evolving American culture. It’s a “churchy” word, like Lent or…
Cheap grace, shattered witness: clergy sexual abuse among Independent Fundamentalist Baptist churches sounds another alarm for us all
Investigative reporting by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram exposed widespread sexual abuse among Independent Fundamentalist Baptist pastors. It should be another wake-up call to all religious communities across the theological and denominational spectrum.