Baptist News Global

Nobody is laughing at the Religious Left in 2017

A well-worn joke circulated among religion writers for at least a decade: every year, someone publishes a piece prophesying the “rise” of the Religious Left. And every year, the prediction turns out to be laughably overblown. And then 2017 happened.

The Luther legend

Luther’s actions and doctrines need to be looked at in light of the emerging vernacular intellectualism associated with the strong movements of religious dissent to be found throughout Europe from at least the 12th century forward.

SBC leaders mostly mum on Pressler lawsuit, but bloggers fill the void

Southern Baptist Convention leaders who regularly comment on current events have been largely silent about new allegations of sexual assault against “Conservative Resurgence” architect Paul Pressler, but bloggers began filling the void both within and beyond the SBC fold.

A long, hard way to reduce gun violence

Religious people have committed terrible acts of violence, but people who feel loved are less likely to hurt others. People who have been taught compassion are less likely to open fire with semi-automatic rifles. Caring for broken people can be scary, but not caring for them can be dangerous, too.

Transitions for the week of 12.15.17

Staff changes, congregational news and more from across the nation.

Pew: Fewer Christians wish for a ‘Merry Christmas’ this year

Americans who say it doesn’t matter what companies call the holiday season rose to 52 percent in 2017, up from 45 percent in 2005. And those who prefer “Merry Christmas” dropped to 32 percent in 2017, down from 43 percent…

Religious broadcasters take aim at tech giants for ‘stifling’ conservative speech

National Religious Broadcasters, a group of Christian media outlets, has unveiled a new initiative to counter what it sees as the suppression of Christian and conservative views online.

Angry that the religious right has hijacked the word ‘evangelical’? Let it go, experts say

Thinking of ditching the term “evangelical” to identify yourself as Christian? Get in line. Clergy, scholars, congregational coaches and innumerable laypeople are expressing increasing anger and disgust that the once respected term no longer describes their commitment to Christ and church.

When can I say ‘stupid’? If it’s directed at people, never.

It is OK for followers of Jesus to address incomplete, poor or dangerous ideas as stupid. But it is never OK to decide that a person is of lower worth based on their I.Q.

Roy Moore, Paul Pressler and morals

Rather than presuming to possess the moral high ground, and constantly pointing the finger at those from the other side who are just as bad, or offering forgiveness before taking time to condemn acts of sexual abuse, it’s past time to actually accept the breadth of this problem and do something about it.

Oxford researchers make startling discovery about ancient St. Nicholas relic

One researcher says it’s rare for relics to date to the time period when a saint is believed to have died. He estimated that only one of every 20 relics he’s encountered stands up to this kind of scientific scrutiny.

Supreme Court slides into partisanship

Before the fireworks, be careful what you drink

The contemptible case of Clarence Thomas

The permanent paradoxes of Christian thinking about war