Baptist News Global

Confronting the hard words — head on

Here are 10 words/phrases that I would prefer not to experience personally. Oncologist Hospice Bankruptcy Betrayal Depression Suicide Divorce Termination Conflict Jail Unfortunately, over the past 14 days, 10 different people that I care about have become personally acquainted with…

Not all evangelicals afraid of dialogue, Muslims and Christians say

A new study illustrates in numbers what many already know intuitively: evangelicals aren’t big on dialoguing with anyone but themselves. “Evangelicals seem to have a particularly difficult time talking to those outside their group,” the Barna Group reported in a March…

Lawmakers seek repeal of no aid to religion in Oklahoma constitution

Lawmakers in Oklahoma are pushing a ballot initiative to repeal a section of the state constitution that prohibits the use of taxpayer money or property to advance religion. House Joint Resolution 1062, passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives March…

Richard Shahan trial postponed

The trial of a longtime Southern Baptist minister charged with murder in his wife’s 2013 stabbing death has been pushed back until 2017. Richard Shahan, former children and families pastor and facilities director at First Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala.,…

Momentum to remove Confederate symbols slows or stops

When a white supremacist killed nine black churchgoers in South Carolina last summer, among the responses was a drive to remove publicly displayed Confederate symbols around the country. Now that movement has stalled.

When religion turns hateful, it loses its moral voice

In this craziest of presidential primary seasons, I have not mentioned the Republican candidate with the “best plumage,” the colorful description offered by Marilynne Robinson. I have found his words so offensive, his narcissism so egregious, and his attitude toward…

Liberation theologian prompts Baptist minister’s ‘Franciscan conversion’ to serve the poor

Jeremy Everett was a young Baptist seminary graduate grappling with exactly how to answer his calling — to serve the poor — when he found the answer in a kitchen in Waco, Texas, at a birthday party for a Dominican…

Maryland senate panel hears two sides of evangelical sex abuse scandal

A Washington-area evangelical church featured in recent reports in an alleged cover-up of child sexual abuse took center stage March 9 at a Maryland state senate hearing. Proposed legislation considered at the hearing would extend the statute of limitations on…

10 reasons I’m not endorsing a presidential candidate and probably never will

It’s election season and many pastors seem to have no problem with political endorsements. We’ve recently witnessed many high-profile Christian leaders cozying up to their favorite candidate. Endorsement of candidates by pastors happens on the left and right, and as the…

An evangelical movement takes on climate change

As faith-based environmental activism continues to grow, it hopes to change the country. Whether that means reaching conservative politicians through faith or prompting action from the pews, the idea is that religion can move those unconvinced by the science.

Baylor and its alumni association settle dispute

A longstanding dispute between Baylor University and the 157-year-old Baylor Alumni Association ended March 9 with settlement of a lawsuit filed in 2014. Baylor sued the alumni association in 2014 for trademark infringement stemming from a dispute that began in…

Opponents see indicators that death penalty on its way out in U.S.

Melissa Browning was drawn deep into the anti-death penalty movement when the state of Georgia was trying to kill Kelly Gissendaner last year. There were plenty of ups, including multiple delays in her execution date. And there were downs, too,…

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