Baptist News Global

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.

How Roy Moore tested white evangelical allegiance to the Republican Party

Roy Moore’s failed run tested white evangelicals’ allegiance to the Republican Party. Would they vote for a candidate who shares their conservative views even though he was accused of sexual misconduct? Preliminary exit polls suggest they did just that.

Lawyer who is suing prominent SBC leaders describes ‘Vatican light’ system for enabling abuse

Paul Pressler and Paige Patterson, key figures in a reorientation of the Southern Baptist Convention in the last century, have been named in a lawsuit seeking more than $1 million in damages for a man claiming physical and spiritual harm resulting from a period of Baptist history often called the “Conservative Resurgence.”

Theologizing with Larkin Poe, 10 years after Reskinned

Ministry leader with tall tales wins GOP bid for Colorado governor

What Willy Rice once knew

What I learned July 5 at church