Baptist News Global

A new book on the Bible and LGBTQ folks by a straight, white man is not what we need

A conservative biblical scholar has changed his mind about LGBTQ folks. I supposed I should be excited, but I find myself quite appreciative of Anna Sieges’ insightful and appropriately critical comments about Richard B. Hays’ (along with his son Christopher) book…

The healing ‘heresy’ of Richard Hays

As an LGBTQ Christian, one of the realities that has perplexed me from the very beginning of my journey to reconcile my faith and my sexuality was the insistence of Christians, particularly Catholics and evangelicals, that our theologies of sexuality…

Grace Valentine, ice cream and sources of empowerment for women in complementarian circles

After a Good Friday worship service, Anne-Tillery, a divinity school friend and I, were discussing gender roles in the church over ice cream at the local Kilwins. The night before, we had found ourselves among a sizable group of sorority…

Appeals court today hears case of employee who was fired for objecting to use of rainbow during Pride Month

A federal appeals court will hear a case today that epitomizes the worst fears of evangelical Christians about diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the workplace. Snyder v. Arconic involves the claim of Daniel Snyder of Davenport, Iowa, against his…

How to tell if it’s ‘Christian nationalism’ or not

Identification as a white evangelical doesn’t necessarily mean a Christian has become a follower of Christian nationalism, but it certainly doesn’t rule it out, said Amanda Tyler, executive director of Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. Speaking during a recent…

Book challenges rose 65% in 2023, reaching ‘unprecedented heights’

If you’ve sensed that efforts to limit access to books in America’s libraries and schools are on the rise, there’s now data to prove you’re right. Book challenges at libraries and schools rose 65% in 2023, according to the latest…

Trump announces abortion policy, but neither side believes he’ll do what he says

When Donald Trump announced his presidential campaign’s abortion policy April 8, advocates on both sides of the issue didn’t believe him. Of course, stretching the truth is nothing new for the presumptive once-again Republican nominee. Trump got elected president in…

Politics, faith and mission: A conversation with Jillian Mason Shannon

I first met Jillian Mason Shannon last fall in San Antonio, but I’d known of her for some years because of my friendship with her father, the great pastor and preacher George Mason. What I knew long before I met…

Family Policy Alliance battles ‘Satan’ with plan to end abortion and IVF, outlaw porn, stop transgender identity and take over public schools

The Family Policy Alliance is perhaps the most influential conservative Christian pro-family organization most Americans have never heard of. Founded four decades ago by Focus on the Family, the nonprofit serves as Focus’ public policy partner, promoting its political agenda…

Metaxas calls Bonhoeffer’s relatives ‘Jew-hating lunatics’

North Carolina pastor abruptly forced out of prominent pulpit

Responding to the militarization of immigration policy

Meddling with Methodism and domesticating the Baptists