Baptist News Global

‘Great white Christian freakout’ shifted America, Jones says

The U.S. was just beginning to come to terms with the effects of racial injustice when the “great white Christian freakout” ushered in the era of Donald Trump and empowered religious nationalism, said Robert P. Jones, president of Public Religion…

Withholding the water

In America 2025, DEI programs are in trouble. Remember Diversity, Equity and Inclusion? CNN recently interviewed seven “DEI experts and industry leaders” who gave these definitions: Diversity is embracing the differences everyone brings to the table, whether those are someone’s…

We need to put an end to masked ICE agents

As I observed these groups of masked folks wearing gear, in some cases declaring them as police, I wondered why they were hiding. Could it be they know there is no defense for their dastardly behavior toward thousands of law-abiding…

SACS continuing to monitor Southwestern Seminary

In a technical move, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has extended sanctions against Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for another year to achieve “a pattern of financial stability.” The Southern Baptist Convention school in Fort Worth, Texas, was issued…

From Hamilton to subversive justice

When Baptist News Global Executive Director Mark Wingfield asked me five years ago if he could publish my piece comparing King George in Hamilton to Calvinism’s God, I had no idea the opportunities his invitation would bring me. One of my favorite…

Dissent against injustice inflicted upon ‘the least of these,’ García warns

“Dissent against any ideology that seeks to replace Christ … with political power, nationalism, lies or fear,” outgoing Moderator Juan García urged the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship during its annual General Assembly in St. Louis June 26. “As true Baptists, we…

The bench vs. the branch: The unprecedented lawsuit targeting federal judges

In a historic and extraordinary legal maneuver, the Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against all 15 sitting federal judges in the state of Maryland. The lawsuit, initiated by the U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday, directly challenges a standing…

The time is now to preach justice, Blackmon urges CBF

“Now is the time” to proclaim a gospel that sets people free, activist and theologian Traci D. Blackmon told participants at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s Dr. Emmanuel McCall Racial Justice Trailblazer luncheon June 25 in St. Louis. The annual event…

High court allows exclusion of Planned Parenthood as Medicaid provider

A South Carolina woman does not have the right to sue the state over its exclusion of Planned Parenthood as a Medicaid provider, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 26. Writing for the conservative majority in a 6-3 decision, Justice…

CBF session explores responses to sexual abuse in congregations

One learning lab at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s General Assembly asked attendees to consider what their church would do if abuse happened in their congregation. Jay Kieve, CBF’s abuse prevention and response advocate, joined attorney David Cooke to talk through…

CBF ratifies downsized budget, elects slate of new leaders

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship adopted a downsized budget and elected new leaders during its General Assembly in St. Louis June 24-26. The 2025-26 budget — which takes effect when CBF’s fiscal year begins Aug. 1 — calls for expenditures of…

The inhumanity of SBC leaders’ indifference

“Where are the SBC leaders who will call Allen Jordan to account?” This was the question Mark Wingfield posed in a June 24 column, and I’ve been pondering it ever since. In part, I ponder this because it’s personal —…

Trump’s war on ‘woke’ targets federal grants and foreign relations

Reflections on In the Twilight of the Christian West

Why rural families need support now

Why do we keep sounding the alarm?